[Kao Beauty Research & Creation Center] "Well-being Beauty Seminar" Conducted by Makeup Artists for Sumitomo Life Insurance Employees

Kao Corporation's Beauty Research & Creation Center (hereinafter Kao BRCC) held a "Well-being Beauty Seminar," a skincare and makeup workshop designed to help participants enjoy beauty and improve their daily QOL, on June 5, 2026 (Fri) for employees of the Achieve Sales Department, Tokyo Central Branch, Sumitomo Life Insurance Company.

Background and Objectives of the "Well-being Beauty Seminar"

Kao BRCC, within Kao Corporation's cosmetics business division, develops beauty information and technologies that form the basis for all Kao Beauty Brands, based on scientific evidence, consumer research, and beauty trends. As a group of beauty experts, they create various beauty-related information and care techniques, including skincare and makeup methods, and are involved in product development and product information proposals for Kao Beauty Brands. At the same time, they engage in awareness activities to support individuals in enjoying beauty according to their own values, leveraging the extensive beauty knowledge they have cultivated.

This initiative was realized through discussions regarding participation in the "RNA Co-creation Consortium*1" between Kao and Sumitomo Life Insurance Company. This consortium is an initiative where multiple companies collaborate to co-create a society where everyone can proactively choose valuable beauty and health that suits them. The Achieve Sales Department of Sumitomo Life Insurance Company, based in Nihonbashi Kayabacho, is an organization of approximately 300 employees who handle various insurance policies, including the health promotion insurance "Vitality," and provide customer support. In this seminar, Kao BRCC provided knowledge and techniques related to beauty and care tailored to each individual's skin condition. By experiencing beauty as an opportunity to reflect on oneself, the aim is for the insights and positive changes gained to extend to daily interactions with customers, thereby contributing to Sumitomo Life's goal of supporting individual well-being. On the day of the seminar, counseling was provided by Kao BRCC makeup artists based on the results of each participant's analysis using Kao's proprietary skin genetic mode*2.

Moving forward, through such activities, we aim to deepen the bond between consumers (society) and brands, deliver the potential of diverse beauty through beauty, and realize a society full of hope.

*1 What is the RNA Co-creation Consortium: https://www.rna-co-creation.jp/

*2 This is not actual genetic analysis, but rather a proprietary AI developed based on knowledge from genetic analysis research that analyzes bare skin images and classifies them into two skin types.

Comments from Each Company

[Ms. Terumi Iwamoto, Sales Manager, Achieve Sales Department, Tokyo Central Branch, Sumitomo Life Insurance Company]

Life insurance is not just about preparing for "what-ifs" like illness or death. It is also a presence that supports "daily health," enabling people to live each day energetically and true to themselves, ideally without needing to use insurance. Therefore, we believed that the members of the Achieve Sales Department, who are in regular contact with customers, needed an experience where they could personally feel well-being and share it with customers in natural language.

In this context, during discussions with Kao representatives at the RNA Co-creation Consortium*1, I felt that enjoying skincare and makeup could be "an opportunity to feel good every day." I thought that if we could incorporate the experience of enjoying beauty into our everyday conversations with customers, it would directly lead to supporting a well-being lifestyle. To achieve this, we planned for the team members themselves to first enjoy the beauty experience.

*1 What is the RNA Co-creation Consortium: https://www.rna-co-creation.jp/

[Yurika Yamada, Makeup Artist, Kao BRCC]

I felt that many of the members of the Achieve Sales Department regularly practice skincare and makeup and meticulously groom themselves. Therefore, this seminar was conducted in a hands-on format, rather than a lecture style that unilaterally imparts basic beauty knowledge and techniques, so that each participant could find "skincare and makeup methods that suit them" and enjoy them positively. The program was designed for participants to try it themselves, confirming their individuality while completing their skincare and makeup. Based on pre-seminar skin checks and "desired image" interviews, Kao BRCC makeup artists provided detailed individual advice.

We hope that the participants will utilize the knowledge and insights gained from this seminar in their daily conversations with customers, adding color to their activities. With this in mind, we held this beauty seminar in a format where participants could "experience it themselves" to contribute even a little to their well-being.

Participant Feedback

● It was very enjoyable! I was happy to be taught how to achieve the look I want. (20s)

● It was truly educational, and I learned the correct way to do my daily skincare and makeup. I decided to be a little more meticulous. (40s)

● I'm glad I learned about skincare and colors that suit me. I learned to apply lotion and serum from the inside to the outside. I also thought about trying it while doing hand-pressing. (20s)

● It was very fun with new discoveries. I realized that the impression of cuteness or sophistication changes depending on how eyeshadow is applied, so I want to use this in the future. (20s)

● My makeup style had become monotonous, so I decided to try various cosmetics, update my makeup, and not forget that I appear before customers every day. (30s)

Seminar Content (Partial)

Skin Genetic Mode*2 Analysis

To provide advice tailored to the skin, seminar participants were asked to perform a skin check beforehand using the smartphone-based skin analysis tool SOFINA Skin ID "Skin Genetic Mode*2 Analysis." A proprietary AI developed based on Kao's RNA analysis research knowledge analyzes bare skin images and classifies them into two skin types (modes). For each skin type, care methods to lead the stratum corneum to a healthy state were proposed.

Skin Analysis Tool SOFINA Skin ID "Skin Genetic Mode*2 Analysis":

https://www.kao-kirei.com/ja/official/sofina-syncplus/analysis/

*2 This is not actual genetic analysis, but rather a proprietary AI developed based on knowledge from genetic analysis research that analyzes bare skin images and classifies them into two skin types.

Skincare

In skincare, we not only explained how to apply products but also the pressure and speed of application that can only be conveyed in person. With the finishing hand-press, you can not only gently care for your skin but also check the condition of your skin with your palms, allowing you to carefully address the daily changing conditions. In this way, we proposed skincare as a time to re-examine not only the skin but also the state of the mind and body.

Basic Usage of Cosmetics (Kao Beauty Brands Play Park):

https://webmember.kao-kirei.com/jp/kbbplaypark/special/lesson/basiccare/

Makeup

Lipstick, eyeshadow, and blush can enhance skin tone, texture, and dimension, creating various images. We asked participants about their desired image and impression they wanted to express, and they consulted with artists to choose colors that suited their skin tone from a wide range of options. Furthermore, we explained the differences in impression and finish depending on how they were applied, and provided detailed advice on application methods that would enhance their charm while leveraging their facial features.

[Items Used]

SOFINA SYNC+

Stratum Corneum Sync Tuner C1

0.6mL x 60 packets (30 days supply, morning and night)

7,700 yen (tax included)

Stratum Corneum Sync Tuner C2

0.6mL x 60 packets (30 days supply, morning and night)

7,700 yen (tax included)

Two types of pre-serums optimized*3 for each skin genetic mode*2.

After cleansing, it is absorbed into the stratum corneum, providing the optimal solution*3 for skincare that brings out the beauty of the stratum corneum.

*2 This is not actual genetic analysis, but rather a proprietary AI developed based on knowledge from genetic analysis research that analyzes bare skin images and classifies them into two skin types.

*3 Within the SOFINA brand

Sofina SOFINA SYNC+ Stratum Corneum Sync Tuner:

https://www.kao-kirei.com/ja/official/sofina-syncplus/skinsyncrotuner/

KANEBO

Rouge Star Vibrant, 20 shades total, 5,060 yen (tax included)

A life-force lasting rouge that provides a vivid, pulsating, and vibrant finish that lasts for a long time.

Kanebo Rouge Star Vibrant:

https://global.kanebo.com/ja/lp/pointmake_2401

LUNASOL

Eye Coloration N, 22 shades total

7,700 yen (tax included)

A 4-color eyeshadow set that creates deep-looking eyes by blending various colors and textures.

LUNASOL Eye Coloration N:

https://www.lunasol-official.com/categories/pointmake/eye-shadow/p/4973167554937

Coloring Breeze, 8 shades total, 3,300 yen (tax included)

A powder blush that enhances the skin's beautiful blood color with transparent hues that catch the light.

LUNASOL Coloring Breeze:

https://www.lunasol-official.com/categories/pointmake/face-color/p/4973167042991

[About Kao Beauty Research & Creation Center]

Within Kao's cosmetics business division, it develops beauty information and technologies that form the basis for all Kao Beauty Brands, based on scientific evidence, consumer research, and beauty trends. It also supervises beauty information on the Kao Beauty Brands website.

[Beauty Information Here]

Various beauty-related information is available on the beauty community site "Kao Beauty Brands Play Park." https://member.kao-kirei.com/jp/kbbplaypark/