Ask any woman what is her biggest skincare concern, and you will most likely be treated to a chorus that tells of uneven skin tones and lines at all the wrong places.

And these are concerns that Japanese skincare companies seem to address very well. After a period of absence from the skincare market, Kanebo is launching its latest - and most expensive - beauty range. Available at selected stores on Dec 10, Impress Granmula is a range of skincare that was two years in the making, a luxurious beauty series that addresses both skincare concerns of whitening and anti-ageing. Singapore is the next market that Kanebo will be introducing the Impress Granmula range to, after Japan and Taiwan earlier this year.

The name of the range, made up of the two words "Grand" and "Formula", is an indication of what the products set out to do. Not satisfied to just deliver on efficacy, the brains behind the creation, Ms Yuko Sugano, Manager of Prestige Brands Group and R&D Expert, explains that she wanted a range of products that will feel incredible comfortable upon application as well. Almost like a Japanese tea ceremony, the ritual of using the products come with an entire set of instructions, as well as formulations that involve almost all the senses, from touch, to feel, and smell.

Targeted at the more affluent market, it comprises of a lotion, an emulsion, and a face cream, the range also emphasises technical excellence, consisting of four quasi-drug ingredients which have been developed by the Kanebo company over a course of almost a decade to help women in their quest for more perfect-looking skin.

As defined by the Japanese, beautiful skin should have the following qualities - moisture, firmness, translucency, fine texture, smoothness, radiance, and lustre.

The range aims to help users achieve all the above qualities. Ingredients include Kanebo's Triplet Active Ingredients, which contain Bisamin to repair skin's structure, carnitin to control the skin's cell cycle and promote the renewal and growth of healthy skin, as well as magnolignan and rhododenol. Magnolignan inhibits the enzyme that causes skin to darken with melanin, while rhododenol accelerates the same enzyme's degradation to stop melanin from being generated. The former is found in the emulsion and cream, while the latter is contained in the lotion.

Together with another ingredient called the advanced JCT Controller, the above ingredients promotes firmness in skin. Further ingredients encourage the skin's ability to metabolise energy to renew itself, while repairing DNA in the cells for skin to function at an optimum level.

In addition, all the three products are infused with a special fragrance, called the Bouquet de GRANMULA.

A blend of over 20 scent extracts from flowers, trees and fruits, the Bouquet de GRANMULA provides a refreshing aroma that is exclusive to Kanebo and promises to stimulate your senses positively. Think aromatherapy with your skincare. Applied with a specially developed "Adhesive Application Method", your skincare regime provides a therapeutic experience that does not just refine facial features, but also lifts the spirit.

Effects from using the skin can be seen after one use, but to benefit fully from the range, it is recommended that you use them continuously for four weeks.

But such luxury does not come cheap.

The Lotion goes for S$350 for 150g, the Emulsion is S$550 for 100g and the Cream is S$1,800 for 40g. The range will be launched in Singapore today at select major department stores.

Details of Impress GRANMULA Lotion 150g Active ingredients include - Bisamin - Carnitine - Rhododenol Description: A soft, mild lotion that is absorbed quickly into skin and imparts moisture. It offers a refreshing radiance to skin.	Details of Impress GRANMULA Emulsion 100g Active Ingredients include - Bisamin - Carnitine - Magnolignan Description: A soft creamy lotion that replenishes moisture, and locks it into skin. It can be used on its own after applying the Lotion, if skin is not too dry. It offers a soft radiance to skin.	Details of Impress GRANMULA Cream 40g Active ingredients include: - Bisamin - Carnitine - Magnolignan Description: A soothing cream that leaves dry skin feeling relaxed. It also provides a lifting effect to skin. It offers full radiance to skin.