My Experience with The Tatcha Japanese Skincare Ritual

I am never one to shy away from trying a new skincare routine. So when I first learned about the Tatcha Japanese Skincare Routine — which consists of only 6 steps and focuses on leaving you with bright, plumped, dewy skin — I simply had to give it a go.

I tend to mostly leave my skin alone — I don't typically wash my face or use exfoliators. I usually just moisturize (maybe I use a serum first), put on some eye cream and call it a day. So the idea of doing a full routine every night, especially when I'm already half asleep and ready to climb into bed, seemed a bit daunting and overwhelming at first. However, this routine actually only takes about 5-7 minutes, and it helps to relax and calm me before I drift off to dreamland!

The Tatcha Japanese Skincare Routine includes the following steps and products.

Step 1: Cleanse.

First and foremost, it is important to start with fresh, clean skin. But rather than focusing on gel or cream cleansers, this routine focuses on an oil cleanser instead. I have not typically had success with oil cleansers, and have never found one I liked. However, as soon as I started using the Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil, that changed. Because of its inclusion of Japanese camellia oil, the formula is packed with good-for-the-skin ingredients like vitamins A, B, D and E, and nourishing omega fatty acids — all of which are supremely hydrating and nourishing for the skin.

You apply this oil to a completely dry face — even on the eyelids and around the eyes — and after massaging it in for about 15 seconds, you rinse it off. I thought that using a cleansing oil would feel, well, oily. Quite the opposite! It has a richer texture than face oils, and feels almost like a serum as you're massaging it into your skin. It also rinses off very easily with just a few splashes of water, leaving no greasy residue in its place.

I noticed an immediate difference in my skin after incorporating this cleanser into my routine. Even on the first night, my skin was softer, smoother, plumper, more radiant. My skin reacted amazingly well to this cleanser. It definitely just also feels, well, clean. I don't know why it took until I was 40 to realize I really do need to rinse off the day from my face, especially before applying the rest of my skincare products, but hey — at least I finally got there!

Step 2: Exfoliate.

This is the step that seemed the most daunting. As I said earlier, I do not typically exfoliate my skin unless it really needs it, since it tends to be very abrasive, dry my skin out and cause extra sensitivity and breakouts. I usually just let that happen during a facial. But, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I have not gotten a facial since March — and my skin is definitely in need of some extra TLC! I was very intrigued by The Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder, which is a water-activated exfoliant that Tatcha says is gentle enough not just for all skin types, but for daily use. The most I have ever used an exfoliant or scrub before is once a week, and even then, it seemed too often, so this seemed too good to be true!

But I lathered up the first night and hoped for the best. Applying this product is interesting from the start — you wet your face and your hands, pour a bit from the tub into your hands and rub them together until it forms a creamy lather. (Tatcha recommends 1/2 teaspoon — I actually measured out that much the first time and it was WAY too much, so I would recommend no more than half a dime size.) Then you massage it into your skin for 15 seconds, watch the creamy foam appear, and rinse off.

Oh. My. Goodness. The difference this exfoliator made in just one night was staggering. Gone were the dry patches on my forehead and cheeks. Gone was the roughness I had been experiencing around my mouth. All that was left was an expanse of soft, fresh, luminous skin I hadn't experienced in so, SO long. I have been using it daily and have never experienced even the slightest negative reaction. While I still wouldn't necessarily trust other exfoliators, I am a convert of The Rice Polish for life!

Step 3: Essence.

Is "Essence" a verb? Well, it is now, at any rate. Essence is one of those products in Japanese and Korean skincare routines that I knew was supposed to make a difference, but I just never got around to trying. Well, color me stunned, because the positive difference I've seen in my skin means I definitely should have been using one for far longer! The Essence is a 7-second ritual (yes, only 7 seconds!) that you incorporate after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Using an essence helps to boost and maximize the rest of your skincare products and lets them penetrate more deeply into your skin. Hey, anything to make my moisturizer work better! All you do is pour a bit into your palms, splash onto your face and gently pat into your skin. You can also apply it to a cotton pad and then pat it into your skin, but I love the experience of really using the pads of my fingers to gently apply it to my face and neck. Just be sure not to drag it across your skin.

To be honest, I'm not sure if The Essence is REALLY doing anything amazing for my skin, but it certainly isn't harming it! It seems to feel more moisturized and ready for the rest of my routine, which is all I can really expect!

Step 4: Serum.

"Serum" is definitely not a verb — maybe I should go with "serumize"? In any case, applying face serum is the next step in the Japanese skincare routine. Violet-C Brightening Serum was my preferred choice because it contains a mixture of 10% AHAs and 20% Vitamin C to brighten, soften and smooth the skin.

Applying serum is an important next step in the Japanese skincare ritual because serums are packed with nutrients that help to supercharge and moisturize the skin. You can think of applying serum like double moisturizing — and who doesn't want a little extra moisture and nourishment for their skin, right?

I am a huge fan of serum in general, so this was definitely a step I was happy to include in this routine! I love this serum because I immediately saw a difference not just in the texture of my skin, but in its radiance and glow. I use two pumps a day, which is enough for my entire face and neck!

Step 5: Moisturize.

I am obsessed with The Silk Cream. Like, really and truly obsessed. To the point that I honestly have no idea what I did before this product came into my life. The gel-cream texture is somehow rich and lush but light and creamy at the same time, and it makes my skin look and feel AH-MAY-ZING. It's formulated with a liquid silk protein that actually parallels the amino acid structure of human skin and forms a light, moisture-binding veil.

This moisturizer has become my go-to both morning and night, especially in the drying winter months. Plus, you need smaller than a dime-sized amount for your entire face and neck!

Step 6: Eye Cream.

The last step in the Japanese skincare ritual is to apply eye cream. I'd say I've tried virtually every eye cream on the market at this point, because I am always looking for ways to minimize my dark circles, wrinkles and eye bags. (Aren't we all?) I have been using The Silk Peony Melting Eye Cream in my ritual — it is extremely rich and lush!

This eye cream is actually more of a balm-like texture and consistency, but still with the feeling of a cream as it glides onto your skin. It's formulated with a complete silk protein and Japanese white peony to help seal in moisture. It also feels cooling as it's massaged into the skin.

Am I convinced it's been helping to reduce my dark circles and wrinkles? To be honest, not necessarily. But have they gotten worse in the time I've been using it? Definitely not! 

My Final Thoughts.

I have been using this routine pretty consistently for about a month and a half. In that time, my skin has become more glowy, hydrated and nourished, and dryness has been kept mostly at bay no matter how cold it is outside! The standouts for me are definitely The Silk Cream and The Rice Polish — I honestly don't know how I lived before I incorporated these two into my nightly ritual. I'm especially surprised by the latter, since before this I basically never used an exfoliator for fear of harming my skin! But now I am a true convert. Plus, taking a little time for myself and my skin at the end of the day feels indulgent in the absolute best way. This is a ritual I absolutely recommend!