Melano CC Standard vs Premium: Ingredients and How to Use

Choose the standard Melano CC essence if you prefer a lighter, non-sticky liquid. Consider Premium if you prefer a thicker texture and want its vitamin B6 active ingredient plus three moisturizing vitamin C derivatives. Both Japanese products are 20 mL leave-on essences classified as quasi-drugs. Premium is a different formula, rather than a guarantee of better results for your skin.

The Japanese “whitening” claim means suppressing melanin production to prevent dark spots and freckles. It does not promise to erase existing spots, change your natural skin colour or treat indented acne scars.

I’m Irene, a Taiwanese pharmacist working in Japan. When two similar yellow boxes both say vitamin C, it helps to start with the product type and size. Then you can compare the formula without relying on the word Premium.

Identify the two 20 mL essences on the shelf

This guide covers the Japanese standard and Premium formulas. Rohto’s English product listings call them “Melano CC Medicated Intensive Spot Treatment Serum” and “Melano CC Medicated Intensive Treatment Premium Serum for Spots.” You may also see them described as essences. Here, serum and essence refer to these same leave-on products.

Standard: the silver tube

Current Japanese Melano CC standard 20 mL carton and silver dispensing tube — Look for 美容液 (essence) and 20 mL, without プレミアム (Premium). Image: Rohto Japan.

Barcode: 4987241169658

Japanese name: メラノCC 薬用しみ集中対策美容液. Rohto describes a light, non-sticky liquid. Its active vitamin pairing is C plus an E derivative.

Premium: the gold tube

Current Japanese Melano CC Premium 20 mL carton and gold dispensing tube — Look for プレミアム美容液 (Premium essence) on the dark band, then check 20 mL. Image: Rohto Japan.

Barcode: 4987241168583

Japanese name: メラノCC 薬用しみ集中対策プレミアム美容液. Rohto describes a thicker liquid than the standard version. Its active vitamin pairing is C plus B6.

Rohto currently displays a packaging-change notice, so older and newer cartons may coexist. Photographs help you find the product; appearance alone cannot establish authenticity. Buy through a reliable retailer and check the full name. Local-market names and labels may differ, so use the Japanese package for a Japanese purchase.

What actually changes in the formula?

Both contain: ascorbic acid (vitamin C, the active for melanin-related spot prevention) and isopropylmethylphenol (an antibacterial active).
Other standard-version actives: tocopheryl acetate (a vitamin E derivative that promotes blood circulation) and dipotassium glycyrrhizate (anti-inflammatory).
Other Premium actives: pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6, for suppressing sebum secretion) and allantoin (anti-inflammatory).

Premium also includes three vitamin C derivatives as moisturizing ingredients: ascorbyl glucoside, 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid and vitamin C tetraisopalmitate. These are not three extra approved whitening actives. The standard essence also lists vitamin C tetraisopalmitate among its other ingredients.

Both ingredient lists include fragrance; Premium also lists anhydrous ethanol. If you have a known ingredient allergy, check the complete manufacturer list linked below. An undisclosed vitamin C percentage cannot be used to rank the products, and a thicker feel is not evidence of stronger results.

Irene’s shopping tip: You do not need to choose Premium just because you are worried the standard version is “not enough.” Start with the texture you prefer, the ingredients you want and what your skin tolerates. That is a more useful decision than choosing by the colour of the tube.

Where it fits in your routine

A simple order: cleanse → toner → essence → moisturizer → daytime sunscreen. This shows where the essence goes; it is not a shopping list. You do not need the entire Melano CC range or an extra sheet mask.

After cleansing, prepare your skin with toner or your usual equivalent step.
Remove the cap and dispense an appropriate amount into your palm, drop by drop.
Gently spread it over the areas of concern or the whole face. Leave it on; do not rinse it off like a cleanser.
Continue with moisturizer as needed. Finish morning skin care with sunscreen.

Rohto illustration showing one drop of essence emerging from the narrow tube nozzle — The narrow nozzle dispenses individual drops. Rohto describes a small ball mechanism, similar to a ballpoint pen, designed to limit air entering the tube. Illustration: Rohto Japan.

The directions say to use an appropriate amount. Rohto uses 4–5 drops per application, twice daily as the example for a tube lasting about 2–3 months. This is an estimate, not a requirement to use exactly five drops or a reason to apply more for faster results. How much skin you cover affects how quickly you finish a tube.

Rohto says both can be used morning and evening. The essence does not replace sunscreen. The standard product page also describes targeted application at the end of a skin-care routine; the basic order above is an easy starting point when adding it for the first time.

How long can I keep an opened tube?

Use either essence promptly after opening. Rohto gives about six months as a guide, depending on how the product is used and stored; this does not guarantee that every opened tube remains suitable for six months. Stop using it if its colour or smell seems abnormal. Follow the storage instructions on your own package.

Essence, cleanser or acne medicine?

The similarly branded Deep Clear Enzyme Face Wash is a 130 g rinse-off cleanser. These two 20 mL essences belong after cleansing. The face wash should not be left on as a serum, and the essence does not need to be worked into a lather.

Both essences have acne-prevention uses. Moisturizing and conditioning skin with visible post-acne marks is different from treating scars. If your immediate concern is an inflamed pimple, see the separate guide to PAIR acne cream and its precautions. Do not assume an essence is an interchangeable acne medicine. Persistent pigmentation or indented scars are worth discussing with a dermatologist.

What if it stings?

The manufacturer notes that a mild, brief tingling sensation can occur. Stinging is not a sign that you need to keep applying it. Avoid wounds, swelling, eczema or other abnormal skin. Stop and consult a dermatologist if redness, swelling, itching, irritation, pale patches or darkening develops during use or after sun exposure following application.

Keep it out of your eyes. If it gets in, rinse immediately with water or lukewarm water; consult an eye doctor if symptoms remain. If you are treating a skin condition or are unsure whether the formula suits you, show a pharmacist or clinician the products you already use.

Quick questions

Should I buy both and layer them?

Start by choosing the one that fits your needs. Layering both is not a necessary step, and additional benefit is not guaranteed.

Will it remove a dark spot I already have?

The Japanese prevention claim does not guarantee removal of existing pigmentation. Understanding what a particular spot is can be more useful than moving to a product with “Premium” in its name.

Which is fragrance-free?

Neither: both list fragrance. If fragrance is a concern for you, check your tolerances and the full ingredient list rather than choosing by the vitamin C claim.

For more product comparisons, browse the Japanese drugstore guides.

Sources

Checked 10 October 2026. This guide covers the Japanese versions; check the package you buy and use.