My Story: Finding Light in the Depths of Fermentation

How a personal tragedy and a search for healing led to the birth of SAKEGLOW.

Chapter 1: The Turning Point

 

I moved to Canada when I was 23 years old, then I attended beauty school and worked as an aesthetician. I loved my work, but the environment was harsh. The air in the workplace, shared with nail and hair departments, was often thick with chemical fumes.

Then, tragedy struck. I lost my first pregnancy at 33 weeks. It was the darkest moment of my life. Although the cause was never determined, I couldn't stop blaming myself—and the chemical-heavy environment I had been working in (although I will never know if that was the actual cause). When I was blessed with two healthy sons later, I made a vow: I would eliminate toxins from our lives. I switched to organic food, chose natural household products, studied detoxification, and only used natural products on my skin. The results were undeniable. My severe hand eczema healed, my chronic redness faded, and my skin found a strength it never had before. I realized then that true beauty is born from health within.

 

Chapter 2: The "Aha!" Moment

 

In my search for natural remedies, I remembered an old Japanese saying: "Sake handlers have the most beautiful hands." I started experimenting with Sake Kasu (Sake Lees) here in Canada. The results were instant—my skin felt incredibly hydrated and plump. But raw Sake Lees was messy and difficult to use daily. I knew there had to be a better way.

I discovered Sake Kasu powder from Japan and tried mixing it with water. It was too runny. But then, intuition struck. I mixed the powder with the clay mask I was already using. The texture was perfect. The effect was glowing. In that moment, SAKEGLOW was born.

Chapter 3: Shattering Stereotypes

 

To build a skincare brand, I needed to understand my main ingredient. I began studying Sake deeply. Growing up, I thought Sake was just an "old man's drink"—strong, harsh, and headache-inducing. But when I tasted a Sparkling Sake in Canada, my world changed. It was fruity, delicate, and elegant. I learned about the artisans who pour their souls into brewing, and the heartbreaking reality that traditional breweries are disappearing as domestic consumption declines. I also met a Professor who scientifically proved that α-EG in Sake boosts collagen density in the skin.

Everything connected. Professor Ozeki entrusted me with a mission: "Please, take this research and spread it to the world."

 

 

I realized I wasn't just making skincare; I was guarding a tradition.

 

 

Chapter 4: A New Beginning

 

SAKEGLOW started small at local craft fairs in Vancouver. We grew, and so did my vision. I realized that simply selling products wasn't enough. I wanted to support the breweries directly. I wanted to change the image of Sake for women around the world.

So, I decided to pause. I took time to restructure the brand, not just as a skincare line, but as a platform to celebrate the spirit of Japan. Today, SAKEGLOW is relaunched with a renewed purpose. We are here to deliver the "Glow" of Japanese fermentation to your skin, and to share the beautiful stories of the brewers who make it possible.

 

Thank you for being part of this journey.