It’s not every day that a tech site covers health or cosmetics. However, this one had to be covered. KAO, the company behind some of Japan’s best cosmetic products has released a new way to help keep Dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases at bay. This new product is launching hot off the heels of the announcement of QDenga, a novel vaccine for dengue, in Malaysia.

It may seem quite absurd to suddenly be going all out to keep diseases like Dengue and Chikungunya in check. However, Malaysia and many other tropical countries have long been plagued by these diseases. In 2023 alone, Malaysia saw an exponential increase in Dengue cases totalling about 123,133 cases – a whopping 86.3% compared to 2022. This coincided with a 78.6% increase in Dengue-related deaths. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, there have been 41,565 reported cases and 28 deaths. This again is a rise compared to last year. With an increasing disease burden, KAO is hoping that its new “Bioré GUARD Mos Block Serum” will be a valuable addition to reducing the disease burden in Malaysia and the rest of the world.

Using a Commonly Used Emulsifier to Keep Mosquitoes Away

KAO’s Bioré GUARD Mos Block Serum uses something that we’ve been using for ages in cosmetic products as its active ingredient – Silicone oil. Through research, the team at KAO realised that Silicone oil which is commonly used as an emulsifier in cosmetics has an unpredicted effect on mosquito behaviour.

Their research showed that somehow, mosquitoes would not land on surfaces lined with Silicone oil. Through further observation, researchers realised that mosquitoes would also work to remove the residues after contact. Through further research, the team realised that Silicone oil also exerts a downward force that is equal to about 80% of the weight of the mosquito itself. Due to this, mosquitoes tend to be “repelled” from skin and surfaces lined with Silicone oil.

Thanks to these observations, KAO is using Silicone oil as its active ingredient in the Biore Mos Block Serum. This also means that the serum is inert and safe to use even on sensitive skin. When queried, the team affirms that the serum has been dermatologically tested and is safe even for infants and toddlers. Another plus point is the omission of harmful substances like diethyltoluamide (DEET) or Picardin or even harsh essential oils. These substances are known to cause adverse reactions in individuals with dermatological sensitivities.

Pricing & Availability

The Bioré GUARD Mos Block Serum is now available in most pharmacies for RM24.90 for 100g. It is available in two variants: Fresh Lavender and Sweet Blossom. KAO says that availability in other retail outlets will follow after the initial rollout in pharmacies.