Sonbahyu

Mayu is the Japanese and Korean term for horse oil - rendered fat from horses used in traditional East Asian medicine and beauty practices for centuries. The fatty acid profile of horse oil closely resembles the lipid composition of human sebum; it contains oleic acid, palmitic acid, and palmitoleic acid in ratios the skin readily recognizes and absorbs. This is why horse oil-based creams absorb more efficiently than many plant oils on dry or mature skin.

Korean horse oil creams are based primarily on Japanese horse oil, which is traditionally considered the highest-quality mayu. The SONBAHYU Mayu 100 Cream specifically labels itself with "Japanese Horse" origin to indicate this sourcing. Horse oil moisturizers have been used for chapped hands, cracked heels, very dry facial skin, and general body moisture since before modern cosmetics existed.

SONBAHYU offers the Mayu Cream in four scent profiles. The standard Mayu Cream 70ml carries the original scent of horse oil with light added fragrance. The Unscented Mayu Cream 70ml and Unscented Cream 75ml remove fragrance entirely, suited for very sensitive skin or people who cannot tolerate any added scent in their moisturizer. The Rose Mayu Cream 75ml adds a floral rose fragrance over the base formula. The Musk Cream 75ml uses a warm musk accord.

Scent choice does not affect the moisturizing performance - all variants carry the same mayu formula. If you have sensitive or reactive skin, the unscented variants are the safest starting point. If you enjoy fragrant moisturizers, the Rose or Musk variants deliver the mayu base with a lasting scent.

The 70ml and 75ml sizes are standard for a facial or targeted body cream. At daily use as a face moisturizer, a 70ml jar lasts approximately two to three months. The 120g size is labeled specifically for Japanese Horse Face Body Arm Foot, indicating it is the multi-purpose body format intended for broader use beyond the face. At 120g it provides a more economical large supply for treating the whole body, hands, elbows, and feet in one purchase.

For facial-only use, the 70ml or 75ml is the correct format. For body and multi-purpose use, the 120g is the practical choice. The 120g also suits users who want to apply the cream generously on cracked heels or rough elbows without worrying about depleting a small jar quickly.

The Japan-edition 70ml appears alongside the standard Mayu Cream 70ml. In Korean cosmetic distribution, Japan-edition variants sometimes indicate a slightly different formula, concentration of horse oil, or packaging style developed for or more popular in the Japanese market. The core mayu ingredient is the same. If the product description specifies a higher mayu concentration or a different texture, that would be the distinguishing factor; otherwise both versions deliver the standard mayu moisturizing formula.

The Japan edition may be of interest to buyers who specifically seek Japanese horse oil at its highest quality tier or who want the version optimized for the Japanese consumer preference, which tends toward lighter skin absorption profiles.

For the face: apply a small amount (roughly half a fingertip) to clean, slightly damp skin after toning. Horse oil absorbs best on slightly moist skin. Press gently rather than rubbing, and let it absorb for a minute before applying any subsequent products or makeup. Use morning and evening.

For the body, arms, and feet: use the 120g version and apply after bathing while skin is still slightly damp. Focus on dry areas - shins, elbows, the backs of hands. For cracked heels, apply a generous layer at night and wear socks over it to lock in moisture overnight. The fatty acid profile of horse oil makes it more effective at penetrating cracked or calloused skin than most water-based body creams.

Horse oil creams work best on dry, very dry, mature, or reactive skin that needs a lipid-rich moisturizer with good absorption. The sebum-similar fatty acid profile makes mayu particularly effective on mature skin that has reduced sebum production. Normal skin can use it as a rich night cream. Oily or acne-prone skin should be cautious - the oleic acid in horse oil can clog pores and trigger breakouts on skin that already produces excess sebum. Test on a small area before committing to full-face use if you have oily or breakout-prone skin.

For sensitive skin, the unscented variants remove fragrance as a potential irritant. The base horse oil formula itself is generally well tolerated but not guaranteed hypoallergenic - a patch test is advisable for anyone with known lipid allergies or animal product sensitivities.

Mayu has been used in Japan, Korea, and China for skin care for hundreds of years, predating modern cosmetic science. Traditional applications included treatment for burns, abrasions, and very dry or damaged skin. Japanese horsemen and stable workers reportedly used it on their hands and skin as an all-purpose protectant. In modern Korean and Japanese cosmetics, the traditional ingredient is refined and formulated into modern cream formats that deliver the same fatty acid benefits with improved cosmetic texture and stability.

The SONBAHYU Mayu 100 Cream name references this traditional heritage; the "100" indicates a formula based on or approaching 100% concentration of horse oil as the primary ingredient rather than a diluted trace-amount inclusion.