Tatcha’s Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, The Deep Cleanse, The Water Cream, The Rice Polish and The Silk Canvas: The most iconic Tatcha products reviewed – are they worth it?
I had the products for about a year now (and finished some already- #shopyourstash!), so I can give you a more detailed view on them!
About the Tatcha Brand
Tatcha was founded by US-American Victoria Tsai. I like the promise of the brand and I buy into the marketing around it, like the purity of ingredients and this Japanese geisha skin its promised. (Who wouldn’t?!) Upon closer inspection though, there are many jargons used to describe everything in the brand.
Example:
CLEAN
Our formulas are non-irritating, non-sensitizing, mommy-friendly and cruelty-free.
From https://www.tatcha.com/purity-promise.html
What does “mommy-friendly” even mean? It’s not something that is measurable nor having a real value to it. Does it mean the formulas are affordable especially for mom? (jk, tatcha is a luxury brand).
Another one:
We use proven ingredients and techniques still in use after hundreds of years. Our formulas are based on an 1813 document capturing the beauty rituals of the day, which have stood the test of time.
(Same source as above)
Tatcha has gotten some flak for cultural appropriation, especially for drawing on geisha culture as seen in popular media. (Btw, that document cited? It’s a well-known Japanese text that you can order on Amazon Japan easily.) While Tatcha products are manufactured in Japan, they aren’t sold there.
Sustainability
Tatcha has been bought by Unilever. Unilever has pretty decent sustainability promises. Does Tatcha have its own sustainability pledge? No, not really. Nothing.
RENOWNED SOURCES
…
– We work directly with harvesters to identify the best sources based on climate, soil, and other factors.
https://www.tatcha.com/purity-promise.html
Again, not very clear, empty clichés. No real viability.
Iconic Tatcha products reviewed
Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist: Nay
I should have sworn off the mists. This was my first foray into the brand, and seriously if I had stopped at this, I wouldn’t have understood what the hype is all about.
Ingredients here, 40ml for $48. Official description:
A silky, fine mist moisturizer that can be used under or over makeup for dewy glowing skin anytime, anywhere.
Give and take, this product is okay, not drying but also not doing anything much. My dry skin stayed dry, not very luminous at all. But then, I haven’t had luck with any facial mists – The Urban Decay Prep Priming Spray was soso, the Caudalie Eau de Beauté at least smelled nice. (Also? While the official description says ‘non-sensitizing, non-irritating’, the Dewy Skin Mist includes both alcohol and fragrance in little amounts – as do nearly all Tatcha products.)
Not repurchasing.
Tatcha The Deep Cleanse: Nay
I got a sample set including this in Sephora Singapore, thinking it would be the perfect product to use in the hot and humid tropics.
Ingredients here, 150ml for $38. Official description:
A daily gel cleanser with natural fruit exfoliant that deeply but gently lifts impurities and unclogs pores, while leaving skin soft and hydrated.
It was okay, but I find the scrub is a bit too harsh for everyday use. It’s not drying and it cleans the skin, so it does what it said it will do.
Not repurchasing.
Tatcha The Water Cream: Yay!
Also one of the more prominent products they have. I was almost ready to give up on this brand, but this water cream is actually a very pleasant moisturizer.
Ingredients here, 50ml for $68. Official description:
This oil-free, anti-aging water cream releases a burst of skin-improving Japanese nutrients, powerful botanicals and optimal hydration for pure, poreless skin.
I might get tricked here because the “feel” of it, but the texture is actually really nice. It’s still not the right moisturizer for Singapore and Jakarta, due to the use of AC that usually dries out my skin. BUT it is perfect for the Berlin summer of 2019, when it was hot and slightly humid but without any AC (for me). It’s very light (not a winter moisturizer!).
Repurchase? Maybe. I would happily use it up, but I believe there are better moisturizers out there for that price point. Perhaps even a simple hyaluronic acid serum will do the job similarly.
Tatcha The Rice Polish Classic: Yay!
I feel like I shouldn’t like this product because it does physical exfoliation, but I do.
Ingredients here, 60g for $65. Official description:
A water-activated exfoliant of nourishing Japanese Rice Bran that transforms to a creamy foam for smooth, polished skin with a healthy glow.
The beads are actually quite soft and didn’t feel too harsh on the skin. I feel like I can use it everyday.
I also like it because it’s just powder. You add the water to make it into a foam, so it’s very convenient to bring when you have limited space in your liquid bag. Just put some amount to a small jar, and voila!
Repurchase? Yes.
Tatcha The Silk Cream: Yay!
It reduces my skin’s redness and makes it looks more even toned. I would even forego foundation for easygoing days.
Ingredients here, 20g for $62. Official description:
Velvety priming balm of pressed silk smooths and makes makeup last longer while keeping it out of skin, helping to minimize clogged pores and breakouts.
You’re supposed to use the little disk to scoop out a rice grain siced dollop and use that amount for your whole face. It can also be used as an eye or lip primer.
I assumed from the description that it would provide a barrier to my skin, somehow? Not sure about that.
What I can attest to, though:
- It creates a smooth canvas on my skin. It is really good, although I must say Hourglass’ Mineral Veil Primer does a better job at the smoothing part (both are now owned by Unilever… so maybe there will be a lovechild?)
- The primer is slightly moisturizing, I could get away without using any extra moisturizer in the tropics / summer.
- It kept my makeup looking spot on, even in Jakarta.
One flaw: It’s slightly pink based, and Tatcha claims that it fits everyone. I could see that it changes my skin color a little bit, so I wonder what it will do for someone with a darker tone than mine.
Repurchase? Oh yes!
Conclusion
Let’s quickly talk about the brand’s hero ingredient complex called Hadasei-3 – the ‘anti-aging trinity of green tea, rice & algae’. It’s an anti-oxidant complex that’s certainly nice, but as with all anti-oxidants it takes quite a long time for results to become visible, so maybe not the best on the anti-aging front. (Here’s a dermatologist review on Youtube of Tatcha skincare.) (Btw, interested in a Japanese luxury product?! Have a look at SK-II!)
I like some of their products, and I couldn’t care less about others. All in all, I find them relatively good. It kind of ticks the boxes for luxury products: nice packaging, pleasant smell, makes you feel slightly pampered.
On the downside, the products are expensive, not easily available in Europe, and the brand has a very sketchy sustainable policy.
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
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