Development of Shiseido’s original whitening ingredient “4MSK*”
Shiseido started the development of 4MSK as an ingredient that can exceed “arbutin”, which was developed by Shiseido and was a representative whitening ingredient. The project was launched by the team consisting of 50 members, and it required over 10 years for the development. The female researcher, who was the leader in charge of the development, commented about this ingredient that effectively inhibits the excess production of melanin pigment, by saying “I carefully developed this ingredient as if I was raising a child and introduced it into the world”. Since it was introduced into the market in 2004, it has been the primary whitening ingredient of Shiseido for a long period of time up until now. Furthermore, it is patented in Japan as well as Taiwan, South Korea, U.S. and European countries.
* Abbreviation of 4-methoxy salicylic acid kalium salt that is the salicylic acid derivative