In 1990, the first generation of Six Gods mosquito-repelling flower water was launched. The Six Gods, developed by combining traditional Chinese herbal medicine with modern perfume manufacturing technology, met the basic demands of people at that time for living hygiene. And the pleasant aroma produced by adding perfume satisfied people's desire for perfume at that time, said Li Huiliang, senior researcher of Shanghai Jahwa United Co., Ltd. and deputy director of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute of Botanical Herb.
Nowadays, Li Huiliang has been engaged in cosmetics R&D work in Shanghai Jahwa for 20 years. As the first generation of cosmetic technology personnel after China's reform and opening up, from the launch of the first generation of Six Gods mosquito-repelling flower water to the creative reenactment of "Tai Chi Mud" in Botanical Herb today, the role played by Li Huiliang has extended from single brand product R&D to the aggregation and imagination of multi-brand cultural concepts.
The birth of flower water can be traced back to the early 20th century, and its main function is to remove body odor. The emergence of Six Gods flower water, which combines traditional Chinese herbal medicine with modern perfume making technology, has changed people's requirements for hygiene habits. At the beginning, the product's selling points were mainly focused on anti-heat rash and itch relief, Li Huiliang said.
The fragrance of early mosquito-repellent flower water was mainly based on strong fragrance. The use of perfume still belonged to a relatively high level at that time, while the pleasant fragrance produced by the added perfume in flower water just met people's desire for perfume. In terms of packaging materials, due to the influence of consumers' "aesthetic awareness" that values inner quality over appearance, as well as the limitations of the technological level at that time, ordinary glass materials appeared very plain.
However, the new generation of Six Gods not only adopted medicinal neutral glass, but also had more exquisite patterns, logos, and kept up with fashion trends. At the same time, the initially strong fragrance was replaced by fresh, elegant, and natural scents. In terms of functions, it extended from single itch relief and heat rash removal to refreshing, anti-inflammatory, brain awakening, and skin cleaning.
When the first bottle of Six Gods mosquito-repellent flower water was launched, relying on the special trust of Chinese consumers in traditional Chinese medical culture, Six Gods mosquito-repellant flower water, with its distinct local cultural connotation, quickly occupied more than 70% of the market share of flower water at that time with the clear product demand of "anti-heat rash and itch relief", becoming a well-known summer skin care product among all ages. It can be said that Six Gods flower water is a typical example of the application of traditional Chinese herbal medicine in skin care cosmetics in our country.
Li Huiliang emphasized that the Six Gods Chinese medicine prescription is used to treat heat rash and other summer diseases, and its main components are pearl powder, musk, and borneol. Taking this ancient prescription as a clue, combined with modern mosquito-repellent flower water formula and manufacturing technology, an innovative functional product was created to solve summer skin problems. It can be said that Six Gods flower water is the first product in China's cosmetics personal care products market that uses modern perfume manufacturing technology combined with traditional Chinese herbal medicine extraction and compounding technology.
During the 20 years, the product R&D of Six Gods mosquito-repellent flower water has been continuously changing, and Li Huiliang personally experienced some phased reforms.
From the late 1980s to the early 1990s, limited by conditions, researchers usually "played multiple roles," conducting market research, product development, and almost all aspects of the research process were completed by one or a few people. "Nowadays, from concept to final launch, a product generally requires three to four years of clinical 'testing,' and my role in the product development process is to focus on controlling the design of relevant formulas and provide technical support for the functional demands and cultural extension of related brands, providing high-quality products for the company's market introduction. From the scientific research perspective of the product, continuously providing the nutrients needed to give the brand vitality," said Li Huiliang.
Since 1996, Jahwa has conducted more systematic research on the Chinese herbal raw materials in the Six Gods formula, including optimization research of Chinese herbal origin, quality control research of Chinese herbal raw materials, and clinical effect research of formulations formed by complete formulas. By 2003, the manufacturing process of Six Gods mosquito-repellent flower water was improved, making the effective components in the formula easier to be absorbed by the skin. After expert review, it was protected by law in the form of independent intellectual property rights, and gradually achieved the transformation of improving raw material utilization and reducing production losses.
From the traditional promotion method of "Six Gods" to the high-profile and high "box office rate" of Botanical Herb's "Tai Chi Mud" in the current high-end brand of Jahwa, the essence of traditional Chinese herbal medicine culture - the balance beauty and health concept of "harmony between heaven and man" - has been perfectly presented by Jahwa.
Botanical Herb's Clear Skin Nourishing Face Tai Chi Mud is divided into black mud and white mud, containing the essence of Chinese herbs such as red peony and white peony. It first cleanses and then replenishes, catering to the fashionable consumption habits of modern women, reflecting the innovation of Shanghai Jahwa's continuous reform and moving towards the fashion industry.