Do Tatcha’s Best-Selling Moisturizers Work on Acne-Prone Skin? Here’s My Review & Results | Teen Vogue

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As an acne-prone skin gal, I rarely stray outside of my derm-approved skin care routine — Face Reality for life over here. I make sure to follow a strict cleansing regimen day and night to prevent breakouts, but I can't lie; there are times when I get sucked into the never-ending TikTok hole of influencers with great skin promoting products they swear by, and for the first time I decided to take a risk and try out the coveted skin care brand Tatcha.

After seeing multiple products from the brand go viral and hearing endless reviews from other editors raving about how much they love using the Dewy Skin moisturizer and Water cream, I figured it might be worth a shot. Plus, I was offered the chance to try out a Tatcha facial — perks of being an editor — so I figured, why not? I was a bit skeptical, though, because the people raving about how well the products worked never seemed to have any major acne skin issues (as far as I could see), so I always thought the products wouldn't do much for me. Turns out, I was wrong.

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Sephora

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Sephora

During the facial with my trusted esthetician, Madalaina Conti, I learned about the entire line and how to use the superstar products based on my skin needs and concerns. The good news is that the moisturizers are great for all skin types, but the Water cream is specifically created for those with congested skin. The formula is very lightweight and hydrating and contains plant-based ingredients (glycerin, wild rose, BHA) to help keep the skin healthy and balanced.

The difference between the Dewy and Water Cream is that the former will help plump the skin, while the latter will boost radiance and smooth out the look of clogged pores. The Dewy skin cream comes in a round purple jar with a tiny gold spatula attached to the lid, which is meant to scoop out the product. The fragrance also smells lovely, with a light floral scent. The formula includes Japanese botanicals like Purple rice (which protects the skin from radical damage like wrinkles), red algae, and hyaluronic acid, which plump and keep the skin hydrated. Both jars have the same features, except the Water Cream has an aquamarine green hue instead of purple.

Aside from the great ingredients, what stood out to me the most was the strong ties of Japanese culture intertwined with the products. Everything felt luxurious, from the jars' eco-friendly designs (the brand recently launched refills for the moisturizers, helping to reduce waste) to the potent ingredients straight out of Japan. Taking off your makeup and washing your face should not be a chore. Tatcha makes it feel like a self-care treat.

The first step of the facial involved a double cleanse with the Camellia cleansing oil to remove makeup and dirt, followed by the Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder. This was my first time experiencing something like the Rice Polish, which started in powder form and turned into a creamy foam when massaged into the skin with water. It's also available in different formulas for different skin types. Madalina used the Deep formula on me since my skin tends to get oily.

I was pleasantly surprised that my skin felt soft after the double cleanse instead of tight or stiff. After that, she applied the Clarifying Clay Mask, which works to decongest the pores and minimize oil (a great bonus for acne-prone skin). The mask felt very cool against my skin, and we let it sit for a few minutes to dry. After that, she washed it off with warm water and finished up the facial with an application of the Water cream and the Kissu lip mask. Both left my skin feeling super soft and radiant, and I was very happy with the immediate results: smooth, soft, and very bright-looking skin.

Applying the mask

The final look

I continued using the same products from the facial over the past few months, and I have noticed a positive difference in my overall skin radiance and texture. I can definitely say my skin looks brighter and feels softer, but I would not recommend just relying on Tatcha to help with acne or breakouts. Instead, I found that using the products in conjunction with my regular skin care regimen works best for me. I just tweak the products I use based on my daily skin needs. If I wake up with clear skin, I'll use the Tatcha cleansers and Water cream, but when my skin needs more help, I stick with my regular acne-based face wash, moisturizer, and sunscreen.

Sephora

Amazon

Amazon

Sephora