Featuring Fermented Caviar Oil! KAHI's Game-Changing "Serum-Concept" Sunscreen

In Korea, "serum-inspired sunscreens" that combine UV protection with anti-aging benefits are all the rage. Riding this wave is the new "CV Shine Fit Sun Stick" from KAHI, the pioneering multi-balm brand that has sold over 30 million units in Korea. Formulated with a fermented caviar oil called "Caviphilen Oil," it's designed to deliver both top-notch UV protection and skincare benefits in one.

But how did this stick sunscreen, packed with features like anti-aging properties and protection against PM2.5, come to be? We sat down with Choi, the CEO of Koreatech JP, to get the inside scoop on its development and the unique, sustainable technology used to source its caviar.

KAHI: The Balm Pioneer Owned by One in Two Koreans, Now Expanding to Japan

Tell us about the KAHI brand.

Our brand concept is "Anyone can be beautiful, anytime, anywhere." We wanted to help busy women feel beautiful effortlessly, so we developed products you can carry with you 24/7 and reapply on the go.

Our stick balm, which can be easily applied even over makeup, was embraced as a fresh and innovative item. KAHI is famous in Korea for being the pioneer that first developed and popularized the multi-balm trend. The balm series has sold over 30 million units. Considering Korea's population is about 50 million, that means, mathematically, more than one in every two people owns one—that's how well-known it is.

The new "CV Shine Fit Sun Stick" offers not just UV protection but also anti-aging benefits. Why did you decide to pack so much skincare goodness into a sunscreen?

When it comes to anti-aging, blocking UV rays is the number one priority. But let's be real—reapplying cream multiple times throughout the day isn't practical. That's why we wanted to create a product that could be easily applied over makeup, offering 24/7 anti-aging UV protection.

The "CV Shine Fit Sun Stick" is formulated with nourishing ingredients packed into an SPF 50+, PA++++ sunscreen. We're proposing a new routine where frequent reapplication not only prevents sunburn but also doubles as a skincare treatment. In the winter, you can even use it like a rich, nourishing cream.

"Caviphilen Oil": A Sustainable Ingredient Harvested Through Natural Spawning

What exactly is "Caviphilen Oil," the product's star ingredient?

It's a fermented caviar extract, and it's an absolute powerhouse as a beauty ingredient. In joint research with Korean universities and hospitals, we found that Caviphilen Oil's composition is over 80% identical to that of human skin, which helps restore firmness and elasticity.

Another key feature is its rapid absorption—it just melts into your skin the moment you apply it. But as you know, whether as food or a cosmetic ingredient, caviar is incredibly rare. This usually means products containing it are expensive and often include only a tiny amount. We, however, have been able to formulate this product with a generous amount.

How are you able to include such a high concentration of this expensive caviar ingredient?

It's because we raise sturgeon using a unique, sustainable method at our partner farm. "Beluga caviar," harvested from sturgeon over 20 years old, is known as the highest grade, but harvesting the eggs typically involves killing the fish.

However, our partner farm has a different approach. When a sturgeon is ready to spawn, it's gently placed on a "spawning table" and massaged to induce natural egg-laying. The fish is then allowed to rest before being returned to its tank, allowing us to harvest eggs from the same sturgeon repeatedly. This innovative process ensures a stable supply of high-quality caviar, which means we can be generous with it in our cosmetics.

We've heard the product contains other ingredients besides Cavifillen Oil that target concerns for mature skin. Could you elaborate on those?

Yes. For example, it features Jeju Ash (Mizu-aoki), a vegan-certified ingredient from a medicinal plant named for the blue hue it creates in water. We also included the moisturizing agent Decorinyl, as well as Syn-Ake, a peptide that mimics the polypeptides found in snake venom.

These are all cutting-edge ingredients currently trending in Korea. At KoreaTech, we have our own research lab where we meticulously develop and verify each ingredient's effect on the skin. One of our core strengths is that we only bring products to market after confirming their efficacy through 23 clinical trials.

More Than Just UV Protection: Proprietary Technology Targeting PM2.5

Measures against PM2.5 are a big deal in Korea. What special features does your product have to address this?

Korea experiences significantly more airborne PM2.5 pollution than Japan, and when these particles stick to the skin, they can trigger allergic reactions. To combat this, we use the "Filmexel Method," a dual-layer biofilm technology that combines Doty, a type of seaweed native to Indonesia, with Tara fruit.

This technology helps prevent external aggressors like pollen and PM2.5 from clinging to the skin. Tests measuring the transdermal penetration of allergens have confirmed its highly effective blocking capabilities. Plus, it adheres seamlessly to the skin, enhancing its radiance and texture while also keeping your makeup perfectly in place.

Tell us about what makes the product's texture and application so special.

We worked hard to create a texture that glides on so smoothly you might wonder if you've even applied it, with a feel we describe as being "as soft as mochi." Just twist up the stick 3 to 5 millimeters and glide it on directly for an effortlessly elegant, dewy finish.

With sun protection, frequent reapplication is key. That's why this sun stick is designed to fit perfectly inside certain earphone cases. You can carry it around like a keychain for easy, on-the-go skincare anytime, anywhere. We can't wait for you to experience this convenience for yourself.

KAHI's "CV シャインフィットサンスティック" goes beyond the traditional role of sunscreen, acting as a daytime serum that delivers nourishment to the skin. Its sustainable approach—protecting sturgeon raised for 20 years—and a rigorous, data-driven methodology in its in-house labs make this product a showcase of the latest innovations in K-beauty.