Saved a photo of UNA for your Japan shopping trip, but the shelf now says “Premium”? Cool α is still in the current range. The former Ace L and G are marked discontinued; the current Ace Premium choices are L liquid, G gel and C cream. How you like to apply it, and how you feel about cooling sensation, can help narrow the choice.
I’m Irene, a pharmacist from Taiwan working in Japan.
Let’s check α, Premium and the final L, G or C before comparing boxes. I’ll help you connect the name to the formula and the way it feels to apply, rather than choosing from the biggest “strong” claim on the shelf.
Three checks before picking a box
- Check who will use it, where it will be applied and the restrictions below. All four contain a corticosteroid and menthol; they are not automatic substitutes for infant itch products.
- Replacing Cool α? Match the whole name クールα. Choosing Premium? Then compare L, G and C.
- Prefer a sponge applicator: L. Like a spreadable gel: G. Want an ethanol-free cream with manufacturer-described gentler cooling: C. Cooling sensation is a preference, not a measure of how well inflammation is treated.
Four current boxes, four ways to narrow your choice
The familiar α bottle · liquid, sponge tip
ウナコーワクールα
Cool α｜30 mL / 55 mL
Match クールα and the large α, including that final symbol.
Replacing a familiar Cool α bottle? Start with this box. Its sponge tip applies the liquid without spreading it by hand. It contains menthol, camphor and ethanol, so cooling sensation is part of the formula.
Its formula combines dexamethasone acetate (a corticosteroid), diphenhydramine hydrochloride (an antihistamine) and lidocaine (a local anaesthetic), plus cooling ingredients.
Quick application · liquid, sponge tip
ウナコーワエースプレミアムL
Ace Premium L｜30 mL
Look for プレミアム and the final L; the box says 液体タイプ (liquid).
L is worth considering if you prefer a sponge applicator that keeps medicine off your fingers. Kowa describes the liquid as non-sticky. It contains ethanol and cooling ingredients; compare C if those are a concern.
Its PVA corticosteroid formula has the same active ingredients and amounts per gram as Premium G and C. The dosage form and inactive ingredients differ.
Spreadable gel · tube
ウナコーワエースプレミアムG
Ace Premium G｜15 g
Look for プレミアムG and the green ゲルタイプ (gel) panel.
Consider G if you like spreading a gel by hand and controlling where it goes. Kowa describes it as easy to spread with a light, non-greasy feel. It contains ethanol, menthol and camphor.
G contains the Premium PVA corticosteroid formula. It is not steroid-free, and it is not the old Cool Gel under a new name.
Prefer gentler cooling? · cream, tube
ウナコーワエースプレミアムC
Ace Premium C｜15 g
Look for プレミアムC and the pink クリームタイプ (cream) panel.
Consider C if you want an ethanol-free formula with the gentler cooling sensation described by Kowa. The manufacturer describes the cream as easy to spread and less sticky.
It still contains PVA, menthol and camphor. Ethanol-free does not mean no cooling sensation, or a guarantee that it will not irritate your skin.
Using an old Ace photo? Look for プレミアム
Kowa marks the former ウナコーワエースL and ウナコーワエースG as 生産終了 (production discontinued). That does not establish that every retailer has sold its last box. If you find an old package, check its exact name, expiry date and its own leaflet.
Premium L and G launched on 21 March 2025; C cream joined on 5 March 2026. The change is more than packaging. Former Ace L/G contained lidocaine hydrochloride; Premium L/G/C use a combination containing glycol salicylate, and the stated PVA amount also differs. Former L lists ingredients per 1 mL, whereas Premium L lists them per 1 g. Do not turn those numbers into a direct “times stronger” claim.
If your photo says クールジェル (Cool Gel), that is a different, discontinued non-steroid product. Premium G contains the corticosteroid PVA. Being gels does not make them equivalent formulas or an automatic replacement pair.
Cooling sensation and treatment: what each ingredient does
All four contain l-menthol and dl-camphor, which provide cooling sensation and help relieve itching. Cool α and Premium L/G also contain ethanol. C is ethanol-free, and Kowa specifically describes its cooling sensation as gentler. Preferences differ; there is no comparative user-test evidence here to score the four on an “ice-cube” scale.
A small distinction worth telling your pharmacist: do you enjoy a cool feeling, or are you trying to avoid stinging and irritation? C may be worth comparing, but it still contains menthol and a corticosteroid. Persistent irritation, redness, swelling or increased itching after application means stop and ask for advice, not endure it as proof the medicine is working.
- Corticosteroids target inflammation such as redness and swelling. Cool α uses dexamethasone acetate; Premium uses PVA (prednisolone valerate acetate). These are different ingredients. Concentrations and product names alone cannot rank their strength.
- The antihistamine blocks the action of histamine that contributes to itching. All four contain diphenhydramine hydrochloride.
- The additional itch-relief ingredient differs. Cool α has lidocaine, a local anaesthetic that reduces itch-signal transmission. Premium has glycol salicylate (サリチル酸グリコール), which helps relieve itching and redness; it is not another corticosteroid.
Checking the ingredient panel? Keep its units attached
Cool α, per 1 mL: dexamethasone acetate 0.25 mg; diphenhydramine hydrochloride 20 mg; lidocaine 5 mg; l-menthol 30 mg; dl-camphor 20 mg.
Premium L, G and C, each per 1 g: PVA 3 mg; diphenhydramine hydrochloride 20 mg; glycol salicylate 10 mg; l-menthol 35 mg; dl-camphor 10 mg. These are formula concentrations, not an instruction to apply 1 g at a time, or a claim that all three feel identical.
PVA is an “antedrug” corticosteroid designed to act at the affected area and be broken down into less active forms after entering the body. That property does not remove side effects or make long-term use appropriate. Application site, area, duration and individual circumstances still matter.
How to apply: sponge bottles versus tubes
All four are for external use on skin: apply an appropriate amount to the affected area several times a day. Their listed indications include insect bites, itching, eczema, contact rash, dermatitis, heat rash and hives; Cool α additionally lists chilblains. A list of indications cannot diagnose an unexplained or persistent rash.
- Cool α / Premium L: remove the cap, turn the bottle upside down and press the sponge lightly against the affected area. Let the liquid wet the sponge adequately before applying evenly; do not repeatedly rub with a dry sponge. Close the cap firmly.
- Premium G / C: dispense an appropriate amount from the tube, spread it on the affected area and replace the cap. G is a soft gel, so squeeze gently.
- Do not seal the treated skin. Do not cover it with cling film or other poorly ventilated materials, or trap it under tight nappies/diapers or non-breathable pants. Cool α, L and G also warn against keeping treated skin folds pressed together, such as behind the knees or inside the elbows. Children need adult supervision.
Age, face and when to stop: check these before choosing a texture
No stated minimum age does not mean “go ahead for a baby”
Kowa’s UNA FAQ says there is no set age restriction, but immediately adds that young children have delicate skin that absorbs medicine more readily. Consult a doctor or other appropriate professional before use, and take care with amount and duration. This guide focuses on general shopping and adult-use decisions; these four should not be treated as direct swaps for infant products such as MUHI Baby.
Application sites: the cream’s wording is different
- For all four: do not use on chickenpox, fungal infections such as athlete’s foot/ringworm, or pus-producing lesions. Do not apply over a large area of the face or use continuously over a long period.
- Cool α, Premium L and G: their leaflets also explicitly prohibit use on wound surfaces, in or around the eyes, and on mucous membranes.
- Premium C: its prohibited-site list is worded differently, but it still requires avoiding eye contact and large facial areas. If you are unsure about broken skin or a site close to the eyes, show a pharmacist the location instead of assuming cream is suitable.
Only a small patch on your face, but unsure?
Take the box and show the exact spot. “An insect bite” is not enough information if it is near the eyes, broken or weeping. Check suitability before texture. Premium products must not be used as a make-up base or after-shaving skincare.
Ask before use if: you are receiving medical treatment, are pregnant or may be pregnant, have had an allergy to medicines or similar products, have a large affected area, or have severe weeping/erosion.
Stop immediately and seek advice for: rash, redness, itching, swelling or persistent irritation after use, or fungal infection, acne or pus at the treated area. Stop and take the leaflet to a doctor, pharmacist or registered salesperson if symptoms have not improved after 5–6 days. Do not keep extending treatment on your own.
Seek medical care immediately for widespread swelling, difficulty breathing, nausea, diarrhoea or fever after a bite or sting. Severe symptoms or a large affected area may also need more than a topical medicine.
If medicine enters the eyes, rinse immediately with water or lukewarm water. Seek eye care for severe symptoms or persistent pain/tearing, taking the product with you. Premium leaflets also warn that prolonged use can thin the skin or cause enlarged surface blood vessels and redness, particularly on the face. Do not keep applying it without a reason once symptoms improve.
Before it goes into your travel bag
Keep the cap closed, away from heat and direct sunlight, in a cool place out of children’s reach. Do not decant or use after expiry. Do not leave Cool α or L in a hot car, where the bottle may deform and leak. Keep ethanol-containing Cool α, L and G away from flames. Kowa does not promise a universal number of months after opening; its FAQ advises using opened products promptly.
Update your shopping note with the full name
Name + dosage form + pack size beats “the blue UNA”.
「ウナコーワエースプレミアムC、クリームの15gはありますか？」
“Do you have UNA Ace Premium C, the 15 g cream?” To check suitability, also tell the pharmacist the user’s age, the affected site, whether the skin is broken and relevant circumstances such as pregnancy.
Six questions before you buy
Does UNA Cool α contain a steroid?
Yes. Cool α contains dexamethasone acetate; Ace Premium L, G and C contain PVA. All four contain a corticosteroid and menthol. Do not extend their formula details to other similarly named UNA products.
Is Premium C free of cooling sensation because it is ethanol-free?
No. C still contains l-menthol and dl-camphor. Kowa describes its cooling sensation as gentler. It is an option to compare if you dislike strong cooling, but ethanol-free is not a guarantee against irritation or a sign of weaker treatment.
Which is strongest: Premium L, G or C?
They have the same active ingredients and amounts per gram. Compare the dosage form, inactive ingredients and application preference. Cooling sensation, the letters L/G/C and product names alone cannot rank treatment strength; site and use restrictions still matter.
Are former Ace L and G discontinued or just repackaged?
Kowa marks the former Ace L and G as discontinued. That does not show that every retailer has sold out. Premium formulas differ, so this is not simply a box redesign. If you find a former product, check expiry and follow its own leaflet.
Can I use these directly on a baby or on the face?
Do not treat the absence of a stated age limit as clearance for a young child. Kowa asks users to consult a doctor or other appropriate professional first. None of the four should cover a large facial area. Cool α, L and G also prohibit eye-area, mucosal and wound-surface use; C requires avoiding eye contact. Ask a pharmacist about uncertain sites.
Can I keep applying it if itching has not improved after several days?
Stop and seek advice with the leaflet if there is no improvement after 5–6 days. Stop sooner for rash, swelling, persistent irritation or pus. Seek medical care immediately for systemic symptoms such as difficulty breathing or widespread swelling after a bite or sting.
Sources and photo credits
- Kowa UNA product list and discontinued labels
- Cool α: product details, official photo and Japanese leaflet
- Ace Premium L: product details, official photo and leaflets
- Ace Premium G: product details, official photo and leaflets
- Ace Premium C: product details, official photo and leaflets
- UNA official FAQ: ages, face, pregnancy, breastfeeding and storage
- Former Ace L: discontinued status, ingredients and photo
- Former Ace G: discontinued status, ingredients and photo
- Former Cool Gel: discontinued status and non-steroid formula
- Premium L/G launch announcement, 21 March 2025
- Premium C launch, texture and cooling description, 5 March 2026
- Current Japanese Cool α leaflet
- Current Japanese Premium L leaflet
- Current Japanese Premium G leaflet
- Current Japanese Premium C leaflet
