I Use Tatcha Skincare Every Day. These Are the 5 Products Actually Worth Your Money
Main image – Courtesy of writer
With new beauty launches arriving almost daily, it’s rare for a brand to hold your attention for long.
Few have the staying power that stops your eye from wandering, tempting you into the nitty-gritty of the range. One such brand I’ve discovered this year, however, is Tatcha. What started with one product quickly turned into a full-blown obsession, and before long, almost my entire skincare routine had become Tatcha-focused.
If there was ever an editor to help you separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to Tatcha, then it’s me. I’ve been there, done that with almost the entire range. And these are the products truly worth investing in.
Behind the brand
Founded by Vicky Tsai in 2009, Tatcha is a Japanese-inspired skincare brand whose formulas are developed around ingredients and beauty rituals Tsai discovered during time spent in Kyoto. At the heart of much of the range is Hadasei-3 – Tatcha’s proprietary complex of twice-fermented rice, green tea and algae – designed to support hydration and the skin barrier.
Image – Courtesy of writer
Tatcha isn’t a budget buy – far from it. Some products in the range tip over the £100 bracket, so it’s fair to ask whether the luxurious formulas and beautiful packaging justify the investment.
After several months of putting the brand through its paces, my answer is a wholehearted yes. That said, it’s an extensive range, and you certainly don’t need everything. So here are a few products really worth putting your money into.
The Water Cream
This is a lightweight gel moisturiser formulated with “pore-refining” botanicals and hydrating nutrients. Exactly the combination I was hoping my dehydrated, acne-prone skin would respond well to. And it did.
I now use it every morning, and despite its featherlight texture, my skin never feels short on hydration. Over time, I’ve also noticed my pores appear noticeably more refined. A little goes a long way too, so while it’s undeniably an investment, one jar lasts far longer than you’d expect.
It’s worth noting that Tatcha actually recommends this one specifically for normal, combination and oily skin. The oil-free formula contains multi-weight glycerin and sodium hyaluronate for hydration, alongside Japanese wild rose and heartleaf, which the brand uses to help refine the appearance of pores and soothe visible redness.
SHOP THE WATER CREAM
£69 from Tatcha UK
$74 from Tatcha US
The Milky Sunscreen SPF 50 +
If one product cemented my love for Tatcha, it’s this SPF. A recent launch from the brand, it has a milky, almost watery texture that glides onto the skin, leaving the most radiant glow.
It claims broad-spectrum SPF 50+ / UVA & UVB rays / PA++++ protection, and I’ve been slathering it on every day without fail this summer. I’m already on my second tube and have no intention of switching up any time soon.
There’s more going on here than SPF, too. Tatcha has added encapsulated ectoin and vitamin E to support hydration and the skin barrier, plus Okinawa aloe to soothe stressed skin. The formula is also non-comedogenic and designed to disappear into the skin rather than leave the tell-tale white cast that can make even a very good SPF annoying to wear every day.
SHOP THE MILKY SUNSCREEN SPF 50+
£49 from Tatcha UK
$50 from Tatcha US
The Rice Wash
This foaming cleanser was my introduction to Tatcha, and the product that convinced me to explore the brand further. After just a few weeks of using it as the second step in my evening double cleanse, I noticed a visible improvement in both my breakouts and overall skin texture.
You only need a pea-sized amount for a rich, luxurious lather, so one tube lasts surprisingly well.
Despite that satisfying foam, this isn’t designed to give skin that squeaky-clean feeling. The pH-neutral formula combines finely ground rice powder with hyaluronic acid and Tatcha’s Hadasei-3 complex, and the brand positions it as a hydrating cleanser for all skin types, particularly those dealing with dullness.
SHOP THE RICE WASH
£41 from Tatcha UK
$40 from Tatcha US
The Brightening Serum
I’ve been using this vitamin C serum every morning for the past few months, and it’s made a noticeable difference to the overall brightness and evenness of my complexion, particularly when it comes to fading the post-breakout pigmentation I’m prone to.
What sets it apart is its 12-hour time-release vitamin C, which delivers the active ingredient gradually throughout the day. That means less chance of irritation than some traditional vitamin C serums, while providing longer-lasting antioxidant protection against environmental stressors.
The formula also pairs that vitamin C with Japanese plum and ferulic acid to support firmness and elasticity, plus an antioxidant booster designed to target hyperpigmentation – which makes its appeal particularly obvious if, like me, post-breakout marks are the problem you’re trying to tackle.
SHOP THE BRIGHTENING SERUM
£86 from Tatcha UK
$89 from Tatcha US
The Brightening Eye Cream
A companion to my favourite morning serum, this vitamin C eye cream has become a staple in my routine. As someone with naturally tired-looking under-eyes, I’ve noticed a real improvement in the brightness of the area since I started using it.
The formula is designed to target three types of dark circles while helping to de-puff, firm and visibly lift the under-eye area. The result? A fresher, more awake look (even on mornings when I definitely don’t feel it.)
There’s some interesting formulation behind those claims, too. Alongside its 12-hour time-release vitamin C, it contains niacinamide and antioxidant ingredients targeting hyperpigmentation, while Japanese plum and bioferments are included to help with the look of dark circles, puffiness and firmness.
SHOP THE BRIGHTENING EYE CREAM
£64 from Tatcha UK
$65 from Tatcha US
The takeaway
After months of testing my way through Tatcha, the biggest surprise is probably how many of these products have actually stuck around in my routine. This is expensive skincare though so do I think you need to rush out and buy the whole range to get the benefits? No.
If I were narrowing it down, The Milky Sunscreen is the product I’d replace tomorrow if I ran out, while The Rice Wash and The Water Cream have become the kind of dependable everyday staples I find myself reaching for without thinking. If pigmentation is more of a concern, meanwhile, the Brightening Serum is where I’d put my money.
And I’m not the only Tatcha convert at Live That Glow – Content Director Philippa Pearne is a massive fan of the brand’s iconic Rice Polish.
Tatcha certainly isn’t necessary skincare – there are plenty of brilliant products available for much less. But if you’re going to spend this kind of money, these are the products I genuinely think make the splurge easier to justify.
