美白効果(びはくこうか)

びはくこうか
noun
skin-whitening effect; brightening effect
writtenspokenhealthculture
1. skin-whitening effect; skin-brightening effect
The cosmetic effect of making skin appear lighter, more even-toned, or more luminous. A major concept in the Japanese beauty and skincare industry, referring to products that reduce spots, freckles, and dullness.
この化粧水(けしょうすい)には美白効果(びはくこうか)がある。
This toner has a skin-brightening effect.
ビタミンCは美白効果(びはくこうか)が高(たか)いとされている。
Vitamin C is considered to have strong skin-whitening effects.
美白効果(びはくこうか)を謳(うた)う製品(せいひん)は多(おお)いが、医薬部外品(いやくぶがいひん)として認可(にんか)された成分(せいぶん)が含(ふく)まれているか確認(かくにん)することが大切(たいせつ)だ。
Many products claim skin-whitening effects, but it is important to check whether they contain ingredients approved as quasi-drugs.

Composed of 美白(びはく) (skin whitening/brightening) and 効果(こうか) (effect). 美白(びはく) literally means "beautiful white" and is a major marketing and beauty concept in Japan. In the Japanese cosmetics industry, 美白(びはく) is officially defined as "preventing melanin production and suppressing spots and freckles" rather than literally bleaching the skin.

Cultural note

Fair skin has historically been valued in Japanese aesthetics, reflected in the proverb 色白(いろじろ)は七難隠(ななんかく)す ("fair skin hides seven flaws"). The modern 美白(びはく) industry is enormous, with dedicated product lines from every major cosmetics brand.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 美白(びはく): skin whitening — the concept itself; often used as a modifier
  • 美肌(びはだ): beautiful skin — broader than whitening; includes smoothness, moisture, and overall skin quality
  • 日焼(ひや)け止(ど)め: sunscreen — a preventive product that helps maintain fair skin by blocking UV rays
  • シミ: spots, dark spots — the blemishes that whitening products aim to reduce

Related Words

Compare: 美肌(びはだ) (beautiful skin)
Compare: 日焼(ひや)け止(ど)め (sunscreen)
Compare: 染(し)み (spots, dark spots)
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Added 2026.4.20 20:29 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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