Tatcha: Beautiful Skin Revealed

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Every once in a while, a beauty line comes along that makes me stop in my tracks. Nowadays, it seems everyone has a new line that promises to be different and this and that, so often the message can feel a little overwhelming. Not so with Tatcha, a brilliant line that has a beautiful message that is only equaled by their exquisite packaging (I have seriously never seen a line as detail oriented and focused to delivering a luxurious experience in their packaging).

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When was the last time a line just let you take a step back “enjoy the simplicity”? Tatcha is inspired by ancient Geisha beauty secrets, looking towards the past for the secrets to beautiful skin. The products use a proprietary anti-aging Hadeisi-3 complex which consist of time-tested ingredients crucial to Geisha beauty routines: Green Teas, Okinawa Red Algae, and Rice Bran Extract. The promise is simple: traditional secrets from Eastern Beauty for a modern woman.

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I was honored to receive my own kit that allowed me to try the Tatcha Ritual. It included a full sizes of the Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder and Original Aburatorigami, as well as samples of the One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil, Deep Brightening Serum, and Supple Moisture Rich Silk Cream.

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After spending time with each of the products here are my impressions:

One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil: A wonderful cleansing oil to remove makeup and water-proof sunscreen from face. It felt lighter than the typical cleansing oil and the scent was very light and fresh, both qualities that I think are due to the Camellia Oil. Camellia Oil is better than normal cleansing oils because it is very rich in antioxidants while also being very nourishing to skin due to high fatty-acid content. Rice Bran Oil is also used which is high in skin-softening Vitamin E. These are very fitting oils to use as they both have long history in Asian culture (the Camellia Seed oil is extracted from the same plant that makes teas), so I can definitely see how the Geisha have mastered incorporating this into their routine over time. Although this is a cleansing oil, there are emulsifiers which cause the oil to turn milky upon contact with water, so the oil will wash off easily.

Deep Brightening Serum: Like all of Tatcha’s products, this serum is very light and sinks quickly into skin. However, like most serums, it does tend to leave my skin with a sticky film (which is why I always follow up serums with a facial oil or moisturizer). The first time I applied this serum, I could ‘feel’ it go to work. It’s hard to describe as there wasn’t a tingling or adverse reaction, but I knew it was doing something. That initial sensitivity subsided after continued use. The main actives that any brightening should probably accredited to are from the Rice family as both Rice Bran, Rice Starch, and Rice Germ Powder figure into the ingredients. Rice is indeed known to be a skin brightener, and although I don’t have sunspots or age spots to speak of (fortunately), I do imagine that continued use of this product can lighten their appearance.

Supple Moisture Rich Silk Cream: I was initially concerned about using a moisturizer in the warmer months since I already have oily skin but as a dedicated beauty blogger, I decided to chance it – and I’m glad I did. No breakouts to speak of and my skin is very balanced. I like to use this during the day under my sunscreen which can be pretty drying when used alone due to the silicones. This moisturizer isn’t just a simple cream, but almost a gel-cream consistency which allows even those of us with oily skin to use this without fuss. There are many active ingredients including Royal Jelly Extract (wonderful for replenishing collagen loss), Silk Protein, Wild Thyme (great for acne prone skin), Ginseng root, Algae Extract, and Green Tea Extract. Just looking at the list, I feel it is the perfect moisturizer for all skin types due to a delicate but well-formulated balance of great ingredients. Gel-creams such as this are my favorite because when done right, they provide the moisturizing properties of a cream but the cool, weightless feel of a gel.

Original Aburatorigami Blotting Papers: these natural papers are made from leaflets of the Abaca Leaf, and infused with gold flakes throughout. You might be wondering what sets these apart from other blotting papers, and I did too when I first saw them. It turns out that these natural leaves are incredibly balancing, so they absorb excess oils without leaving skin stripped (and therefore producing more oil). I was quite surprised at how absorbent they are, and 1 sheet definitely can go for an entire night without being completely used.

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Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder: I saved this for last because it is my favorite product in the entire line. It’s a water-activated powder that exfoliates and cleans skin without harsh abrasives. This powder is truly addictive to use and is unlike any other product I’ve used before. Simply pour half a teaspoon in the half of your hands. Add water and it turns to a cream. It lathers up a great deal, and feels like a very gentle milky cleanser once applied to the face. I hesitate to even call this an exfoliator because it truly is not a “grainy” scrub, but rather a gentle creamy cleanser suitable for most sensitive skin types. The enzymes are very effective and the first few uses I saw it get rid of blackheads around my nose that most cleansers cannot seem to handle. The entire use process is very fast and simple, so if you’re put off by powders, give this a chance. Upon washing off you’ll notice your skin balanced (somehow this removes excess oil without stripping skin) and soft without being irritated. I find myself bypassing my usual cleansers for this.

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So that’s the general rundown of the line. For full disclosure, the line uses a lot of natural ingredients but it isn’t a 100% Clean line like those on NMDL. There are instances where I would prefer formulating with less alcohol, phenoxyethanol, silicones, etc. but that doesn’t take away from my general love of the products as they are. If it seems I am gushing about their products, it’s because I am a fan. Despite my outspokenness, I do enjoy writing about things I love and this line is one that I absolutely adore. All the products are so gentle and seem to be lovely to my skin. I applaud the brand consistency and the focus on the product experience. After my experience with their ritual, I’m now interested in more of their range including their Hydrating Mist and Lifting Mask.

Has anyone else used Tatcha? What do you think? I love discussing new lines, so drop a comment!

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22 Comments

  1. Lara
    June 5, 2013 / 10:47 pm

    I would love to try the exfoliating powder, but alas, the products are not available in the uk (london). I wish someone would pick it up!

    • June 6, 2013 / 1:03 pm

      Oh I hate that skincare isn’t more international! There are European and Australian brands that I want to try that are not available in the US as well, it is frustrating!

    • John
      June 12, 2013 / 10:00 pm

      Tatcha products are available online and can be shipped internationally!

      • Lara
        June 13, 2013 / 5:21 pm

        Yes but shipping is 35$ and on top of that you have to pay import fees, currently 20%…

  2. Sandy
    June 6, 2013 / 2:37 am

    Getting an alert for a new post from you truly makes my day. I can always expect gorgeous pics and a wonderful/informative review. It feels like a friend telling me about their favorite products and I love your personal anecdotes. Keep up the amazing job!

  3. Diedre
    June 6, 2013 / 7:30 pm

    Hmm. I don’t know how I feel about the Talc in their enzyme powder, isn’t it a big no-no ingredients? And Talc is one of the first ingredients in there.

  4. LondonBeautyGirl
    June 6, 2013 / 11:54 pm

    Ohhhh the packaging is exquisite! Might have to order!

  5. June 7, 2013 / 1:59 am

    This is my absolutely favorite skincare line and I am a major Tatcha addict 😀 If you check out my blog, you’ll see! Anyway, I use ALL the products from this line, incl. the new Gold Beauty Oil which you’ve really got to try. It was gold flakes floating at the bottom – makes me sound so vain, but the oil’s superb! I love the Hydrating mist as well – it’s more of a liquid moisturizer versus a facial toner. The mask is pretty good, very hydrating – but I feel it’s too expensive since it’s $28 a pop. You’ve got to try their eye cream too. I swear I used to think that eye creams are there for just marketing purposes, but after using Tatcha eye cream, I can’t live without it anymore! It’s worked wonders on my dark circles and the texture of skin around my eyes. The enzyme powder, cleansing powder, the face oil, the eye cream, supple moisturizer are my all time faves – oops! I just wrote down the entire skincare line…le sigh! It’s so difficult to pick ONE product.

  6. June 7, 2013 / 6:10 am

    I had mixed reviews about Tatcha. I LOVE the powder, I think it’s the best. I think the cleansing oil was good, but I think DHC works better (in my opinion, I think that it spreads easier and thinner) I am just being picky with my cleanser. The serum was great, I know exactly what you’re talking about! They eye cream and face cream were a bit too heavy for me, even when I warmed them in my hands. I think the line is great, but I think it will be better for me once winter starts or when I have more mature skin. I’m surprised that this line is not toner-focused, a lot of Japanese-based lines are. Then again, this technically isn’t a Japanese brand (SF, I think).

    • June 11, 2013 / 1:25 am

      I haven’t tried the DHC Cleansing Oil yet, do you know if it uses mineral oil? I used to have the Shu Uemura ones but my skin never really took to them due to the mineral oils.

      I haven’t tried the eye cream yet but I can see how the face cream might be a bit heavy, this is why I use it during the day when I know I need to layer my drying sunscreen over.

      Have you tried their Dewy Mist? It isn’t a toner like the Shiseido ones, but it is a spray on fluid.

  7. June 8, 2013 / 2:57 pm

    I adore the Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder. I use it as a gentle exfoliator 3 times a week on days when I’m not using Retin-A — and I love how it leaves my face feeling so soft. Maybe it’s because of my infrequent use, but I haven’t noticed any improvements in my blackheads with this. I’ll try using it every day for a few weeks to see if it helps with that. 🙂

    • June 8, 2013 / 4:02 pm

      Hi Emy! I use the Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder about the same frequency as you – pretty much every other night (when I remember to). I make sure to keep the product on my face for a little while longer than normal cleansers to give the enzymes time to work, then I wash off the areas with blackheads last and it usually results in clearing my skin.

  8. Antonia
    November 5, 2013 / 4:39 pm

    I have oily skin, too..I use a product by Kanebo called Suisai Clear Beauty Powder. It’s a third of the price of the Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder and it comes in pre-measured containers, so you’re not wasting product. I use this product every night after my cleanser, and I don’t have blackheads anymore. I was reluctant to try this due to my sensitive skin (and the fact that I didn’t think it would work), but I’m happy I did. This product is hard to find, but so worth it.

  9. Razia
    August 7, 2014 / 12:38 am

    I like the literature may i get this product in pakistan

  10. Yacine
    January 29, 2015 / 10:42 pm

    Ok After all the reviews, I have decided to give the Rice Enzyme a try. I have already read Sephora’s reviews, and it’s the first time a see a product that has a 4 star/out of 5 as their worst grade; and the people that gave a 4 was because of the price and not because of the product itself…I will bring feedback after use 🙂 thanks for the blog

    • February 8, 2015 / 6:14 pm

      I think you’ll like it! The gentle one is really amazing although sometimes I am tempted to get the stronger one in the very alluring green powder!

  11. alvie richards
    September 21, 2015 / 8:46 am

    When i was in New York i went shopping at Sephoras, i was looking for something to clear the brown spots on my face as i git sun burnt due to hot sun in NY. I went pass this product so i thought ill try it. I bought the oil and the rice cleanser.
    I have been using it every night for 3 weeks now and my skin looks goid soft and supple and the spots almost dissappear.
    Now i want yo buy some more of this product but unfortunately they dont sell in Australia.

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