Japanese chemical maker develops fiber for "wearable cosmetics"

Japanese chemical maker has developed new fiber which contains cosmetic ingredient to improve quality of skin as part of efforts to be more competitive in textile industry.

A subsidiary of Teijin Ltd., the Osaka-based Teijin Frontier, will produce the first "wearable cosmetics" clothing range, including women's undergarments and arm covers, which helps retain skin moisture to prevent dryness and roughness, The Asahi Shimbun reported Tuesday.

The clothes are made from polyester fibers containing malic acid that will retain the skin's low acidity, the right condition for a healthy complexion.

The fiber also releases compounds that interact with the skin's moisture to enhance beauty.

Teijin researchers have made the fiber retain most of the malic acid even after 50 washes.

The products will be sold under the Raffinan brand at the company's online shop and other outlets starting around March 2016.

According to a Teijin spokesperson, the manufacturer is the first company in Japan to acquire license for manufacturing and sales of the wearable cosmetics garments based on the pharmaceutical and medical device law, and also the first to get permit for manufacturing cosmetics in the form of clothing.

Aimed at women in their 30s and 40s, the products will be priced between 1,500 yen (12 U.S. dollars) and 4,000 yen (32.4 U.S. dollars). Endit