If It’s Good For the Geisha, It’s Good for Me- Tatcha Skincare Review

For centuries, the geisha— a traditional, Japanese female performer, has represented a unique aspect of Japanese culture, iconic beauty and timeless tradition. The geisha’s stark white face makeup and brightly painted features may be engrained in one’s mind but underneath their heavily made-up faces, geishas are known for their flawless, breathtaking porcelain skin.

Tatcha is a skincare line based on the timeless skincare rituals of the geishas and the secret to the geisha’s flawless skin or in Japanese: mochi hada, referring to the quality of a baby’s skin. Tatcha’s founder, Victoria Tsai rediscovered the geisha’s coveted skincare routine while searching for new beauty techniques in Japan and meeting with modern-day geishas. Tsai formulated her products based on a 200-year old Japanese manuscript that she and a team of experts unearthed and deciphered which described the sacred beauty regimes of the geisha. Read more here.

Tatcha products are based on simple, time-tested ingredients including green teas, Okinawa Red Algae and rice bran and consist of a 4-step skincare ritual. Depending on your skin type, you can choose from product variations based on normal + combination, dry or oily skin.

Products are formulated without parabens, mineral oils, synthetic fragrances, sulfate detergents, urea, DEA, TEA or phthalates. Dermatologist tested, non-irritating and non-sensitizing.

Intrigued by the historical influence of Tatcha’s inception, I purchased a deluxe sample of the PURE One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil during a special online promotion.

Melts away makeup for petal-fresh skin. A beautiful blend of camellia and rice bran oils. Melts away even waterproof makeup leaving skin fresh and pure.

Results: The Cleansing Oil was non-irritating, moisturizing and perfect for removing makeup. I loved using this oil for cleansing my face and it really did get every bit of makeup off. For ease, I recommend removing eye makeup separately if you wear heavier eye makeup though. The product made my face feel extremely refreshed after cleansing, indeed “petal-fresh”. This did not leave my skin overly oily and I didn’t experience any allergic reactions, acne or irritation after use. I enjoyed the simplicity and effectiveness of this cleansing oil. I used this in the evenings after my workday but would use it during the morning as well.

How to apply: Pump a quarter-size amount of oil into your dry hands and apply to a dry face. Massage into face for 10 seconds and rinse away with warm water.

Ingredients: This product does contain alcohol and fragrance (though the scent is not strong) but mostly natural ingredients the geishas themselves use.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquicaprylate, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Glyceryl Behenate/eicosadioate, Water, Algae Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alcohol, Fragrance (Natural), Phenoxyethanol. Formulated without: Mineral Oil, Synthetic Colors, Synthetic Fragrances, Sulfate Detergents, Parabens, PEGs, PPGs, Urea, DEA, TEA or Phthalates.

I also tried a sample of the POLISHED Rice Enzyme Powder which is a light exfoliant and cleanser. This powder is the second step in the Tatcha skincare ritual. I liked the lightly exfoliating texture of the Powder and how it was not abrasive to my skin. The Powder cleared small pores on my nose and cheeks and left my skin feeling silky.

Exfoliates without harsh abrasives for effortless baby-soft skin. A water-activated enzyme powder of rice bran, papaya + HADASEI-3 Bioactive Complex. Reveals skin’s natural gleam.

How to apply: Pour a teaspon of the powder into wet hands and rub together to turn the powder into a creamy foam. Gently massage onto a wet face for 10 minutes (avoiding the eye area) and rinse away with warm water.

Ingredients: This product also contains alcohol and lists talc as an ingredient.
Talc, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Potassium Myristate, Polyethylene, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran, Papain (Papaya Extract), Dextrin, Algae Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin (Pearl) Protein,  Phenoxyethanol.

I love the unique story behind Tatcha’s founding and the simplistic formulation of the products. Though alcohol and fragrance are some of the not-so-natural ingredients, I admire the basic principles of the skincare line and their timeless effectiveness.

I’d like to buy full sizes of both these products though they’re a bit on the expensive side. Perhaps on my holiday wish list? Currently, QVC seems to be selling the Cleansing Oil and Rice Powder duo for $84 online. You can purchase both products on Tatcha’s website or at select stores such as Barney’s New York.
PURE One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil, $48 for 150 ml / 5.1 fl. oz., POLISHED Rice Enzyme Powder, $65 for 60g / 2.1 oz.

Have you tried any products from Tatcha?

Images from Tatcha