For rough skin, acne or mouth ulcers, compare Plus and Pure. For spots and freckles, look at Lucent C. For nutritional support during physical fatigue, look at Royal T. These four products are not simply stronger or weaker versions of the same B-vitamin formula, and buying several to take together is not a better starting point.
I’m Irene, a Taiwan-born, Japan-licensed pharmacist working in a Japanese drugstore. When the bottles look similar, start with the problem you want help with, then check the formula and daily tablet count.
Product information checked: 11 October 2026 · Japanese-market versions.
This guide compares four Japanese Class 3 OTC medicines. Products sold elsewhere under similar names may have different formulas, classifications or directions. These four are our comparison scope, not the entire range: Japan also has Junior for children and other products.
Start with what you need
- For rough skin, acne or mouth ulcers, with a B-vitamin formula: consider Plus.
- For the same skin or mouth concerns, but with vitamin C in the formula: compare Pure. It is not exclusively for acne; Plus also has a labelled acne indication.
- For spots, freckles or pigmentation following sunburn or skin irritation: consider Lucent C. It does not replace sunscreen or promise an all-over whitening effect.
- For nutritional support during physical fatigue: look at Royal T. It contains royal jelly, taurine and caffeine, so caffeine sensitivity matters.
The four at a glance
Product
Plus
- Main reason to compare it
- Relief of rough skin, acne and mouth ulcers; B2 supplementation during fatigue
- Directions for ages 15 and over
- 1 tablet after breakfast and 1 after the evening meal
- Check first
- Do not use under 15
Pure
- Main reason to compare it
- Overlapping symptom indications with Plus; B vitamins plus C
- Directions for ages 15 and over
- 1 tablet after breakfast and 1 after the evening meal
- Check first
- Do not use under 15; tell clinicians before urine or stool tests
Lucent C
- Main reason to compare it
- Relief of spots, freckles and pigmentation following sunburn or skin irritation
- Directions for ages 15 and over
- 2 tablets, 3 times daily, before or after meals
- Check first
- Different dose for ages 7–14; menstrual and test-result precautions
Royal T
- Main reason to compare it
- Nutritional support during fatigue or illness/recovery; tonic use
- Directions for ages 15 and over
- 2 tablets, twice daily
- Check first
- Do not use under 15; daily dose contains 50 mg caffeine
Swallow all four with water or warm water; they are not chewable tablets. Royal T does not require a particular meal timing. Do not apply the after-meal directions for Plus and Pure to every product.
Plus versus Pure: similar uses, different formulas
Their approved symptom indications substantially overlap, including rough skin, acne, mouth ulcers and inflammation at the corners of the mouth. “Plus is only for mouth ulcers; Pure is only for acne” is not an accurate distinction. Both also list vitamin B2 supplementation during physical fatigue, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and reduced strength during or after illness.
The practical difference is the formula. Every amount below is the full daily dose for ages 15 and over, not one tablet or one dose.
Active ingredient
Riboflavin sodium phosphate (B2)
- Plus: 2 tablets per day
- 38 mg
- Pure: 2 tablets per day
- 38 mg
Thiamine nitrate (B1)
- Plus: 2 tablets per day
- 20 mg
- Pure: 2 tablets per day
- 20 mg
Pyridoxine hydrochloride (B6)
- Plus: 2 tablets per day
- 50 mg
- Pure: 2 tablets per day
- 24 mg
Nicotinamide
- Plus: 2 tablets per day
- 40 mg
- Pure: 2 tablets per day
- 40 mg
Calcium pantothenate
- Plus: 2 tablets per day
- 20 mg
- Pure: 2 tablets per day
- Not listed as an active ingredient
Vitamin C
- Plus: 2 tablets per day
- Not listed as an active ingredient
- Pure: 2 tablets per day
- Calcium ascorbate 125 mg, equivalent to 103 mg vitamin C
B vitamins support metabolism and healthy skin and mucous membranes. Pure’s vitamin C also supports collagen formation. The larger B6 number does not prove that Plus will work better for everyone. If you already take a multivitamin or B-complex product, check the overlapping ingredients before adding another.
Lucent C and Royal T serve different purposes
For spots and freckles: Lucent C
The adult daily dose of 6 tablets contains vitamin C 600 mg, L-cysteine 240 mg, riboflavin sodium phosphate 15 mg, pyridoxine hydrochloride 20 mg, nicotinamide 25 mg and d-alpha-tocopheryl succinate 100 mg, a natural-type vitamin E ingredient. Vitamin C and L-cysteine are key ingredients in its pigmentation-focused formula.
It also has labelled uses for vitamin C supplementation in specified circumstances and prevention of bleeding gums and nosebleeds. That does not make it a treatment for every unexplained or persistent bleed, or for every type of pigmentation.
For nutritional support during fatigue: Royal T
The adult daily dose of 4 tablets contains taurine 1,000 mg, royal jelly tincture 100 mg (equivalent to 100 mg royal jelly), riboflavin sodium phosphate 15 mg, pyridoxine hydrochloride 15 mg, thiamine nitrate 10 mg, nicotinamide 20 mg and anhydrous caffeine 50 mg.
Its labelled purposes include nutritional support during physical fatigue, illness or recovery, and poor appetite, as well as tonic use and support for a weak constitution. It is not an upgraded skin-treatment version of Plus or Pure. Count caffeine from coffee, tea and energy drinks too, particularly if caffeine tends to cause palpitations or difficulty sleeping for you.
A note from Irene: the shared “BB” name does not mean taking several together provides more complete treatment. Start with one product that matches your purpose, rather than stacking overlapping B vitamins. The manufacturer specifically says not to take Lucent C together with Plus or Pure.
Match the Japanese names on the shelf
- Plus: チョコラBBプラス
- Pure: チョコラBBピュア
- Lucent C: チョコラBBルーセントC
- Royal T: チョコラBBローヤルT
Royal T is a tablet, not the similarly named Royal 2 drink. Bottle colour is only a clue: check the full name and tablet count. Older shopping guides often show Plus in a 250-tablet pack. The manufacturer discontinued that pack size, not the whole Plus product.
Children, pregnancy and breastfeeding
Plus, Pure and Royal T must not be used by children under 15. For Lucent C, ages 7–14 take 1 tablet three times daily, before or after meals with water or warm water, under a parent or guardian’s supervision. Children under 7 must not use it. Having a child dose on the label does not mean every child needs it.
All four list a nutritional or vitamin-supplementation use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. That is not a blanket safety guarantee for every situation. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, receiving treatment or taking other medicines or supplements, have a doctor or pharmacist check the full ingredient list and dose, including overlapping B vitamins and caffeine.
When should you stop or seek care?
- Plus, Pure and Royal T: stop immediately and seek professional advice with the leaflet if a rash or stomach discomfort develops after taking them.
- Lucent C: stop immediately and seek advice for a rash, redness, itching, nausea or vomiting after taking it.
- All four: stop and seek advice if diarrhoea persists or worsens.
- Plus, Pure and Lucent C: stop and seek advice if symptoms do not improve after about a month. Royal T says to stop and seek advice if there is no improvement after taking it for a while; its leaflet does not specify one month.
These are not instructions to endure symptoms until a deadline. Mouth ulcers that last around two weeks, recur, cause severe pain or come with fever deserve earlier medical or dental assessment. Worsening symptoms should not be managed indefinitely with vitamins.
Lucent C may bring a period forward or slightly increase menstrual flow. Seek advice with the leaflet if bleeding continues for a long time. Before urine or stool tests, tell the clinician if you take Pure or Lucent C: vitamin C can affect results. B2 in all four may turn urine yellow, as the manufacturer explains. Pain or other symptoms still need separate assessment.
One last check before buying
Is your main concern skin or mouth symptoms, pigmentation, or nutritional support during fatigue? Once you have chosen that purpose, check age, daily tablet count and ingredients you already take. A lower price in Japan is not a reason to combine several products.
Write the opening date on the pack. Keep the original bottle tightly closed in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and out of children’s reach; do not transfer the tablets to another container. For all four, the manufacturer advises using them within about 6 months of opening and before the expiry date. Plus also carries a do-not-refrigerate instruction. Handle with dry hands and do not swallow any desiccant supplied.
Manufacturer sources
- Plus: ingredients, indications and directions
- Pure: ingredients, indications and directions
- Lucent C: ingredients, indications and directions
- Royal T: ingredients, indications and directions
- Current Chocola BB products in Japan
- Lucent C precautions on combining it with Plus or Pure
- Manufacturer guidance on when to seek care for mouth ulcers
Follow the leaflet supplied with your purchase. This guide does not replace individual medical advice.
