Tunemakers, the Custom Skincare Brand From Japan

Have you ever heard of Tunemakers, the custom skincare brand from Japan? The brand focuses on filler-free, concentrated skincare products, which I’ve featured in several blog posts. After years of using its products, I finally had an opportunity to visit the Tunamkers flagship store in Tokyo’s Omotesando district!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

About Tunemakers

Tunemakers (チューンメーカーズ) made its debut in 2006, and as of June 2022, it has an impressive lineup of 55 concentrated boosters, essences, and serums. (原液 // gen eki, スペシャル美容液// supesharu biyou eki)

The serums are grouped into 5 major categories to address the following skincare concerns:

Dry Skin // Dull Skin // Aging Care // Pores // Rough Skin

In the Japanese-language beauty sphere, Tunemakers is frequently compared to The Ordinary based on the affordability, simplicity, and effectiveness of its products. While I’ve never tried The Ordinary, I’ve been hooked on Tunemakers after trying one of its serums!

You can use them as is or mix with its 3 carrier products (toner, lotion and cream) to create an original product that addresses your specific skincare concerns.

For a more personalized approach, you can attend a skincare workshop at the Tunemakers flagship store in Omotesando and speak with a Beauty Advisor – which is what I did!

Tunemakers Skincare Workshop

The workshop starts off by having you recreate the brand’s best-selling moisturizing toner,* Undiluted Solution Moisture Lotion, which contains 5 boosters: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, honey, collagen, and royal jelly.

*keshousui // 化粧水

After adding Licorice Root Extract and VC-6 Vitamin C Serum to balance out the moisturizing toner, it’s time for skincare counseling!

I completed a simple survey asking about my current skin situation and skincare goals, and was given 3 boosters that I should add to my skincare routine: AHA, Elastin, and Soy extract containing isoflavone.

Later, the Beauty Advisor explained the properties and role of each booster and essence, which I added to my lotion.

The skincare workshop is regularly priced at 3,300 yen, but you can save 500 yen by mentioning this blog post! Make your reservation here: https://airrsv.net/tunemakers/calendar

If you can’t make it to Omotesando for the workshop, here are a few of my favorite products from Tunemakers:

Undiluted Solution Peeling Lotion

First up is the Undiluted Solution Peeling Lotion, one of the brand’s best-known products. It’s a wipe-off toner that has a 5:3:2 ratio of AHA extracts, fermented AHA extracts, and ceramide to exfoliate and brighten the skin. For a wipe-off toner, it’s surprisingly hydrating and has a refreshing cool scent! I like to use this in the morning (instead of washing) to deal with my oily face.

Ceramide 200

Ceramides are lipids that protect the skin barrier by preventing moisture from escaping. They also increase hydration and plump the skin. Many ceramide serums tend to have an oily or heavy texture, but this one feels like water. Ceramide 200 contains a very concentrated amount of ceramides – twice the amount in its Ceramide booster! Tunemakers suggest using this product after washing your face so that your skin can easily absorb other skincare products. However, you can also use this after applying a monistring lotion or toner, or mix it with a moisturizing cream.

VC-3 Vitamin C Derivative

The formula of Tunemakers VC-3 Vitamin C Serum is 3% Vitamin C. This bottle is tiny (10mL), but a few drops go a long way. Vitamin C is a very powerful ingredient, and will make a huge difference in your summer skincare routine. If you’re keen to add it to your skincare routine, but don’t want to go overboard, a 3% concentration is a great place to start. I add a few drops to my toner before applying sunscreen or at night after using a sheet mask to boost radiance.

AHA Fruit Extract Serum

The AHA Fruit Extract Serum is the very first Tunemakers product that I tried. This tiny bottle effectively softens and removes dead skin. It blends alpha hydroxy acids extracted from limes, oranges, lemons, apples, and grapefruit seeds, nutmeg seeds, and Japanese hawthorn. I use this directly on my skin, 1-3 drops 2 times a day. But, if you have sensitive or dry skin, I’d skip daily use and recommend mixing it with a toner.

Undiluted Solution Moisture Cream

Undiluted Solution Moisture Cream is a simple product that does what it’s supposed to do hydrate, nourish and soften. The key boosters in this cream are ceramide, Argan oil, and hyaluronic acid. It’s glycerine-free, contains no artificial colors and has basically no discernible scent. It’s suitable for nearly every skin type! I tend to avoid creams because I have oily skin, but this doesn’t feel heavy at all. In fact, it blends nicely into my skin without leaving any feeling of heaviness.