Walk into any pharmacy in Japan and you will find an entire section dedicated to placenta supplements. Not one or two products tucked in a corner — an entire section, with options ranging from basic soft capsules to premium concentrated formulas, jelly sticks, and multi-ingredient blends. I have lived in Kobe long enough for this to feel completely normal, but I still remember the first time I encountered it and had to stop and read the packaging twice.
Placenta supplementation is a mainstream beauty practice in Japan. It has been for decades. The ingredient has a legitimate medical history here — injectable placenta-based drugs were approved by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare long before placenta appeared in cosmetics — and that clinical pedigree gave it credibility that it simply does not have in most Western markets. Japanese women take it with the same matter-of-fact consistency as vitamin C. And the results, over time, are why they keep buying it.
This guide covers every placenta supplement currently available at Tsujimoto Market, with honest notes on what makes each one worth considering and who each product is best suited for.
What Placenta Extract Actually Is
Placenta extract used in supplements is derived from porcine (pig) or equine (horse) placenta — not human. Japan pioneered its use in clinical settings, where it has been used to support liver health and hormonal balance. The beauty industry built on that foundation naturally.
The extract is rich in amino acids, growth factors, vitamins, minerals, and nucleic acids. These compounds work at a cellular level: they support skin cell regeneration, stimulate collagen and elastin production, help regulate melanin synthesis to reduce pigmentation, and provide antioxidant protection. It is, in essence, a highly concentrated package of biologically active material that your body can recognise and use.
Oral supplementation delivers these compounds systemically — they enter the bloodstream and reach skin cells from within. This is a slower and deeper route than topical application, and it produces results that accumulate over weeks and months rather than days. Consistent daily use is the entire point. Occasional use produces little effect.
Five Japanese Placenta Supplements: What We Stock and Why
The five supplements below cover a wide range of formulation approaches, price points, and delivery formats. All are manufactured in Japan and ship directly from our warehouse in Kobe.
1. Aequalis Luxury Placenta Supplement — 60 Capsules (30 Days)
The Aequalis Luxury Placenta Supplement is the highest-dose placenta capsule in our range. Each daily serving delivers 13,400 mg of 50x concentrated Italian pig placenta — equivalent to 402,000 mg of raw placenta per box. That level of concentration is the product's defining characteristic, and it places Aequalis in a different category from standard pharmacy placenta capsules.
The formulation does not stop at placenta. Royal jelly, collagen, hyaluronic acid, proteoglycan, and elastin are all included to support skin from multiple angles simultaneously: placenta for cell renewal and growth factors, royal jelly for hormonal balance and nourishment, collagen and elastin for structural support, hyaluronic acid and proteoglycan for deep hydration. At 2 capsules per day for 30 days, this is a serious anti-aging protocol in a single bottle.
Aequalis is the supplement I would recommend first to someone who wants the most comprehensive oral placenta experience available without layering multiple products. It is particularly well suited to women in their late thirties and beyond who are already committed to their skincare routine and want supplementation that matches that level of intention.
2. DHC Placenta Supplement — 90 Soft Capsules (30 Days)
DHC needs no introduction in Japan. The brand is one of the country's most trusted supplement manufacturers — available in every pharmacy, backed by decades of quality control, and priced to make daily use genuinely accessible. The DHC Placenta Supplement embodies exactly that approach.
Each 30-day supply delivers 360 mg of porcine placenta extract per daily serving, alongside tocotrienol (a particularly bioavailable form of vitamin E) and vitamin B2. It is a focused, no-frills formula — three capsules per day — designed for people who want to add placenta to their routine without committing to a complex or expensive product. The tocotrienol addition is a thoughtful touch: this form of vitamin E supports the skin's antioxidant defences and complements placenta's regenerative activity.
If you are new to placenta supplementation and want to start with something reliable, straightforward, and from a brand with an impeccable track record, DHC is the natural first choice. It is also a sensible option for those who already take other supplements and want to add placenta without significant overlap or cost.
3. Earth Pharmaceutical Placenta C Jelly — Mango Flavour, 31 Sticks
Not everyone wants capsules. For those who find tablets difficult to swallow, dislike the idea of a supplement routine, or simply want something more enjoyable, the Earth Pharmaceutical Placenta C Jelly in Mango Flavour offers a genuinely different experience.
Each box contains 31 jelly sticks — one per day for a full month — made with 20% real mango juice and containing placenta extract equivalent to 132,000 mg per box. You tear open the stick and eat it directly, no water required. The format is popular in Japan among commuters and people who want their supplement routine to feel less like medicine and more like a daily treat.
The ingredient list is impressive for a jelly format: low-molecular collagen peptide, elastin, proteoglycan, vitamin C, mangosteen extract, and swallow's nest extract accompany the placenta. Vitamin C is a particularly important co-ingredient — it is a cofactor in collagen synthesis and amplifies placenta's brightening effect by supporting the regulation of melanin production. This makes the Placenta C Jelly notably effective for skin tone and radiance as well as hydration.
Earth Pharmaceutical is a major Japanese pharmaceutical company, and the quality of this product reflects that. If you want a convenient, pleasant-tasting entry into placenta supplementation — or if you are looking for something to recommend to someone who is resistant to the idea of capsules — this is the product to try.
4. WHITH WHITE Inner Beauty Supplement — 60 Capsules (30 Days)
The WHITH WHITE Inner Beauty Supplement takes a different formulation philosophy from the other products in this list. Rather than maximising placenta concentration, it combines fermented pig placenta (SPF grade, processed for improved bioavailability) with Brightening Pine — a pineapple-derived ceramide ingredient — alongside fish collagen and bonito elastin.
The ceramide inclusion is what makes WHITH WHITE distinctive. Ceramides are the lipids that form the skin's barrier, holding moisture in and keeping irritants out. Oral ceramide supplementation supports this barrier from within — a function that placenta alone, however concentrated, does not address. The combination of placenta for cell renewal and ceramide for barrier support targets two of the most significant mechanisms behind skin ageing simultaneously.
The product is manufactured in a GMP-certified factory in Japan and requires just 2 capsules per day. It is well suited to people whose primary concern is dry, dull, or barrier-compromised skin — those who have noticed that their skin feels less resilient than it used to, or who are in their late twenties and early thirties and want to begin supporting their skin health proactively. It also pairs naturally with the ceramide-focused skincare products we stock.
5. PureVita Placenta × Collagen × CICA — 60 Tablets (30 Days)
The most comprehensive formula in our range belongs to the PureVita Placenta × Collagen × CICA supplement from Nayami Kaiketsu Lab. Each daily serving of 2 tablets delivers 10,000 mg of 50x concentrated W-Placenta — a dual-source blend of both porcine and equine placenta — alongside ultra-low-molecular collagen and CICA (Centella Asiatica).
CICA is the ingredient that distinguishes PureVita from every other product in this guide. Centella Asiatica has been used in traditional Asian medicine for centuries and is now one of the most clinically supported botanical ingredients in modern skincare and supplementation. It stimulates collagen synthesis, reduces inflammation, accelerates wound healing, and supports the skin's recovery processes. In combination with high-dose placenta, the effect is synergistic: placenta provides growth factors and cell renewal signals, CICA supports the inflammatory regulation and structural repair that makes those signals productive.
Beyond the headline trio, PureVita includes twenty beauty-support ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ceramide, elastin, astaxanthin, GABA, soy isoflavone, tocotrienol, niacin, flaxseed oil, and a full range of vitamins (A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D, E). For someone who wants a single supplement to function as a comprehensive beauty protocol rather than one piece of a larger stack, PureVita is the most complete option available at Tsujimoto Market.
How to Choose the Right Placenta Supplement
The right product depends on what you are trying to achieve, how you prefer to supplement, and what else is already in your routine.
If you want the simplest, most accessible introduction to placenta supplementation, DHC is the starting point. It is reliable, well-priced, and straightforward. If you find capsules difficult or want something you will actually look forward to taking each day, Earth Pharmaceutical's Placenta C Jelly achieves the same goal in a more enjoyable format.
If your skin concerns centre on dryness, barrier compromise, or lack of resilience, WHITH WHITE is the most targeted choice — the ceramide combination addresses that specific mechanism directly. If your primary concerns are pigmentation, dullness, and early signs of ageing, the high-dose placenta in Aequalis targets those processes most directly.
If you want a single supplement that addresses as many aspects of skin ageing as possible and are ready to invest in the most comprehensive formula available, PureVita is the answer — twenty ingredients, dual-source W-Placenta, and CICA in one tablet.
All five products can be combined with topical skincare. Oral supplementation and topical application work through different routes and complement each other rather than duplicating effort. The supplement works from within; your serum and moisturiser work from the surface. Both approaches benefit from consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is placenta extract safe to take daily?
Yes. Japanese placenta supplements have a decades-long safety record and are manufactured under pharmaceutical-grade quality controls. The porcine and equine placenta used is processed and purified to remove any contamination risk. All products in this guide are registered food supplements in Japan, available in mainstream pharmacies. As with any supplement, consult a doctor if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.
How long before I see results?
Most people begin to notice changes in skin radiance and texture after two to four weeks of daily use. More significant improvements — in firmness, pigmentation, and overall skin quality — typically become apparent after six to eight weeks. Placenta works best as a long-term commitment. The deeper benefits accumulate over months of consistent supplementation, not days.
Can I take more than one of these supplements together?
In general, yes — the products in this guide target overlapping but distinct mechanisms, and Japanese women frequently combine oral beauty supplements. That said, check for ingredient duplication before stacking: if you are already taking Aequalis or PureVita at their recommended doses, adding DHC on top may not add meaningful benefit. When in doubt, start with one product and assess results before adding another. If you have specific health conditions or take prescription medication, consult a doctor first.
Do men benefit from placenta supplements?
Absolutely. Placenta supplementation is increasingly popular among men in Japan, particularly for skin health, hair condition, and general anti-aging support. The active compounds — amino acids, growth factors, vitamins — are beneficial regardless of sex. Every product in this guide is suitable for both men and women.
Can I combine placenta with NMN or collagen drinks?
Yes, and this is exactly how many people in Japan structure their supplement routine. Placenta, NMN, and collagen target different aspects of ageing and work well together. NMN supports cellular energy metabolism; collagen provides structural building blocks; placenta contributes the growth factors and cell renewal signals that tie everything together. If you are already taking an NMN supplement or a collagen drink, adding placenta creates a complementary protocol rather than a redundant one.
Is placenta used in Japanese medicine, not just beauty?
Yes. Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has approved injectable placenta-based pharmaceuticals for clinical use for decades — used to support liver function, manage menopausal symptoms, and promote wound healing. This medical background is one of the main reasons Japanese consumers are more comfortable with placenta than those in many Western countries, where the ingredient appears primarily in cosmetics without this clinical history behind it.
The Japanese Approach to Ageing Well
What strikes me most about how Japanese women approach anti-ageing is the patience and consistency of it. Placenta supplements are not taken for a week before a special event. They are part of a daily ritual — the same capsules, the same time each morning, month after month — and the results reflect that commitment.
Japan consistently ranks among the countries with the highest life expectancy and the lowest rates of visible skin ageing relative to chronological age. The country's approach to health and beauty is deeply interconnected: what you eat, what you supplement, and how you care for your skin are all considered parts of the same practice. Investing in your skin from within, through ingredients like placenta extract, is simply how women here think about long-term care.
Explore the full range of Japanese beauty supplements at Tsujimoto Market — all products are authentic, sourced directly from Japan, and shipped from our warehouse in Kobe.