I recently started a new morning routine! I fill a washbasin with lukewarm water, add a few drops of a "mysterious liquid" from a small bottle, and a soothing aroma gently wafts up. Then, feeling enchanted, I rinse my face about 30 times. That's all there is to my morning face wash! So simple. And yet, it makes me look forward to waking up in the morning—a wonderful time.

What is this "mysterious liquid"? It's "Aromatic Cleansing Water," newly released by Kagure in August. I discovered it the other day at a holistic beauty seminar held at the Kagure Omotesando store.

The instructor, natural cosmetics professional Kazuko Komatsu, demonstrated an experiment in which adding drops of this water to tap water neutralized the chlorine, magically disappearing it. Apparently, the water you use to wash your face is very important, as dry skin can be alleviated by changing the water. This water was developed with the idea of protecting skin, which has been unconsciously damaged by chlorine in tap water, through face washing. It contains essential oils such as lavender, geranium, and ylang-ylang, allowing you to enjoy a pleasant fragrance while washing your face.

The seminar also kicked off with a beautiful seasonal plate from Flow Tokyo, an organic restaurant in Yoyogi-Uehara, and this water was even served with tofu cheesecake. It's so safe that it's edible! It can be used as a bath essence and to scent lotions and creams. It's so versatile... I'm convinced I'll have to keep this little bottle on hand.

The Aromatic Cleansing Water is priced at ¥3,885 for 20ml. It's available at Kagure's online shop and select stores.