T-House

Learning how to exfoliate is a surprisingly complex topic. We simplify the important step, explaining how to do it safely and how to incorporate it into your daily routine. Enhanced radiance, smoother and more even-toned skin, and less visible fine lines—all are possible with exfoliation. While it might sound too good to be true, the method has decades of research and scientific studies to back up those major claims. However, knowing how to exfoliate your face can be a tad complicated – AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, polishes, scrubs, and also how much exfoliation is too much… – which is why we are here to help. Here is everything you need to know about how to exfoliate, from the difference between physical and chemical exfoliation and which method is best for you, to how often to exfoliate and incorporate it into your daily skincare routine. Consider this your go-to guide on how to properly exfoliate your face.How Exfoliation WorksFirst thing though, what actually happens when you exfoliate your skin? Skin is brilliant, constantly repairing and regenerating, which pushes old (aka dead) cells to the surface. This process of replacement leaves layers of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, which can clog pores, give skin a dull appearance, and make skincare products unable to penetrate. This is where exfoliation steps in to save the day.Exfoliation is the process of removing these dead skin cells from the surface of the skin using a chemical or physical exfoliant. Chemical exfoliants are acids that dissolve the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. The most common types of chemical exfoliants are AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids). Physical exfoliants, or exfoliating scrubs, mechanically buff off dead skin cells. They often contain, as the name suggests, physical ingredients, like sugars or rice bran, to manually remove dead skin.How to ExfoliateThe first rule of exfoliation is to do no harm—be incredibly gentle to your skin. When adding an exfoliant to your skincare ritual, consult the product packaging for usage tips. Steps of Proper ExfoliationIn general, exfoliants are best used in this order: Cleanse (or double cleanse in the evening) Exfoliate (frequency depends on skin type and intensity of formula) Treat (with an Essence or Serum) Moisturize Protect with SPF (in the daytime ) Exfoliate on freshly cleansed skin, either morning or evening exfoliation is entirely up to you. After exfoliation, follow with the rest of your skincare routine, whether that’s an essence, a serum, or just a moisturizer. Exfoliation can sometimes be drying to the skin at first, says the AAD, so apply the best moisturizer for your skin type immediately after exfoliating to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.Here’s more information on how to properly use each type of exfoliant.How to Use a Face ScrubFor physical scrubs, use a dime-sized amount and apply it to the face using small, gentle, circular motions. To carefully exfoliate your face, keep your movements light—treat your skin to a beautiful caressing movement, similar to the care and preciousness of how you would cleanse a delicate silk garment. Rinse your skin with lukewarm water to avoid irritation.How to Use a Chemical ExfoliantWhen using chemical or liquid exfoliators, apply on freshly cleaned, dry skin. Dry skin absorbs less product than damp skin, making the dry-skin application more of a gentle and controlled process. To properly exfoliate your face, use a dime-size amount of product in the palm of your hand or apply it on a cotton round. Press onto the skin and allow it to dry, ideally 30 seconds.Do I Need to Exfoliate?The short answer is yes. While everyone’s skin is unique, exfoliation benefits every skin type. Which type of exfoliant and how often you use it will depend on your specific skin type. Which leads us to…How Often to Exfoliate Your FaceIncorporating regular exfoliation into your skincare ritual will assist you in maintaining healthy-looking and radiant skin. While exfoliating is an essential part of your skincare routine, if done too often, it can lead to irritation, noticeable dehydration, inflammatory breakouts, and a potentially compromised skin barrier. This is why finding the best type of exfoliation for your skin is not only important, but additionally, discovering the right schedule is also half of the battle. How often you exfoliate also depends on your skin type and texture, says the American Academy of Dermatology. But when in doubt, ease in slowly, consult the product’s guidance on frequency, and do a patch test first to ensure there’s no chance of irritation. Once a week is usually a good starting point, however, some individuals can tolerate more frequent exfoliation, but it’s best to start slowly and gauge your skin's tolerance. Here’s a general guide on how often to exfoliate the face, based on your skin type.Exfoliation Tips for Every Skin Type Exfoliating Sensitive & Mature Skin The best skincare routine for sensitive skin and aging or mature skin should include a mild exfoliation step. Ensure that you are extra gentle, exfoliating carefully with a wet, clean washcloth or mild exfoliant. Once a week is a good starting point, increasing frequency to potentially twice a week as skin adjusts and shows no sign of discomfort or irritation.Exfoliating Oily SkinThose who are prone to oily skin will bask in exfoliation's benefits. Adding an exfoliation step to your oily skin skincare routine will enhance your skin’s receptiveness to oil-controlling ingredients and minimize dulling skin cells, resulting in a clearer, more balanced appearance. Oily skin will likely be able to tolerate more exfoliation, depending on the formulation and product suggestion. Some formulas and products for oily skin thrive with daily use, while others (more intense versions) can happily be used three to five times per week, depending on how well the skin tolerates it. Exfoliating Combination Skin Combination skin can achieve a more balanced level with exfoliation, helping to address excessive dryness and oiliness. Some formulas can be used up to three times per week, but, of course, consult the product’s usage suggestions and assess how skin feels after each session.Exfoliating Dry SkinDry or dehydrated skin thrives with consistent exfoliation, ideally once or twice a week. The regular exfoliation of a skincare routine designed for dry skin will help slough off excessive dead skin cells, allowing skin to better absorb the skincare products formulated for dry skin and the beautifully hydrating ingredients that follow, including line-reducing serums and replenishing moisturizers.Benefits of Exfoliating Your FaceThe benefits of exfoliation are plentiful. When you exfoliate your skin, the process of desquamation—aka your skin’s natural exfoliation process—accelerates. By using an exfoliant to remove the dulling, dead skin cells, you remove the stubborn outer layer, thus allowing for a handful of scientifically proven benefits—here are a few of the most notable.Softer, Smoother Skin As we age, it’s been shown that the epidermal cellular turnover rate slows down, resulting in even more dead skin cell buildup, which can give skin the appearance of roughness, dryness, enlarged pores, and dullness. Sloughing off dull and rough skin via exfoliation promotes cellular renewal, notes one academic paper. This process naturally promotes softer, smoother, and even more “translucent” looking skin.Increased Hydration Aggressive exfoliation can damage the skin and its barrier. But thoughtful exfoliation actually can increase the skin’s hydration levels. Some exfoliants can even help to strengthen and repair the skin’s barrier function altogether.Reduction of Fine Lines & WrinklesIt’s been shown that exfoliation can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, too. Not only by eliminating layers of dead skin cells for a more rejuvenated appearance, but some exfoliants can stimulate elastin and collagen production, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Brightening Exfoliation has been linked with an overall brighter complexion and a reduction of hyperpigmentation, but has even shown promise in more stubborn cases of melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.Decreased Blemishes Chemical exfoliation has especially shown benefits in unclogging pores and addressing blemishes. They can be “very effective” at minimizing acne because, as research has shown, certain chemical exfoliants can weaken acne-causing bacteria by disrupting bacterial cell membranes. Some exfoliants can also help address the appearance of acne scars over time, too.Your Skincare Works BetterIf all of these benefits weren’t impressive enough, exfoliation also helps the active ingredients in the rest of your skincare routine to work more efficiently and penetrate the skin more deeply. This is because it clears away the debris and dead skin cells, allowing the formulas to be more readily absorbed.Finding Your Ideal Exfoliant Now that you’re practically a master at carefully incorporating exfoliants into your skincare regimen, learn which specific formulas are right for you. Whether that’s an AHA-powered liquid exfoliant, a rice bran-boosted powder, or a matcha-infused gel cleanser—your ideal exfoliant is waiting.

Exfoliation is essential for smoother, clearer skin—but should you go chemical or physical? Here’s how they differ, which is best for your skin type, and the top products to try. Do you exfoliate? Due to its massive popularity, you’re likely either interested in chemical or physical exfoliants or already use them regularly. After all, the topic has been on a steady incline of interest in the last decade and shows no sign of slowing down. While exfoliation has been proven effective and beneficial, you might be torn on your preferred format: toners vs. liquid exfoliants and chemical exfoliants vs. physical. We explore the differences between the two, which is best for your skin, and the best products of each type.Why Should You Exfoliate?Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the outer layer of your skin, says the American Academy of Dermatology. This removal of dead skin cells can have numerous benefits, including brighter and smoother-looking skin. Also, as we’ve clinically proven with The Essence, exfoliation can help your other skincare products work more effectively. The dead skin cells prevent some absorption of products and when those dead cells are removed, your serums and moisturizers can penetrate better. Additionally, there is a direct link between exfoliation and a reduction in acne. This is because, as noted in a 2023 study, exfoliation keeps pores clear. In clinical studies, exfoliation has been shown to improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and address mild acne. Chemical vs. Physical ExfoliantsThere are two main methods for at-home exfoliation: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliation products contain a scrub or polish to physically remove dead skin cells, or use a tool, such as a washcloth, brush, or sponge. Chemical exfoliants, also known as liquid exfoliants, use chemicals, such as alpha and beta hydroxy acids, to gently dissolve dead skin cells. Toners, on the other hand, range from gentle to astringent liquids that remove makeup, dirt, oil, and sebum after your cleansing step and rebalance the skin pH.The method you choose should be guided by your skin type, says the AAD. They suggest dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin approach exfoliation gently, with a mild chemical or physical exfoliator. Those with oily and resilient skin may have success with stronger chemical and physical exfoliation, notes the AAD. However, no matter what skin type you have, exfoliate with a cautious approach first, assessing how skin reacts with either chemical or physical formats.Types of Exfoliants & How They Work Chemical ExfoliantsChemical exfoliants are beneficial because they help brighten the surface of the skin, eliminate dead skin cells, and curb excess oil for most skin types. The three most common forms of chemical exfoliation are AHA, BHA, and PHA. Here are a few differences between the three. AHAsAlpha hydroxy acids are mostly comprised of glycolic, citric, mandelic, and lactic acid. AHAs are proven to address the appearance of skin, targeting dark spots, acne scars, and any other form of hyperpigmentation. AHAs exfoliate the skin’s surface, but they also help ingredients applied afterward penetrate deeper into the layers of the skin (thus boosting the product’s overall effectiveness). This form of acid is great for almost any skin type, although any type of acid should be used cautiously at first.BHAsIn contrast to AHAs, Beta hydroxy acids are best known for their most popular iteration: salicylic acid. BHAs are synonymous with acne-fighting because they’re oil-soluble and incredibly small molecules, making them capable of penetrating inside the pore, addressing bacteria, sebum, and debris at the root of the problem. BHAs can be irritating for some because they work so deeply and effectively – so use caution when incorporating them into your regime, or consider incorporating products containing BHA alternatives into your skincare routine instead.PHAsPolyhydroxy acids are commonly seen as gluconolactone, galactose, and lactobionic acid. While those acid names don’t have quite the star-following of AHAs or BHAs, PHAs have a major benefit over their cousins: less irritation. The molecular size of PHAs is quite large compared to the other acids, making them ideal for sensitive skin. PHAs work very similarly to AHAs, addressing the surface of the skin for a more even-toned appearance.Physical ExfoliantsPhysical exfoliants manually remove dead skin cells and have been shown to stimulate collagen production, unveil smoother skin, and create a luminous, healthy glow. However, they’re often associated with the harsh physical exfoliants of yesteryear that would tear up the skin, leaving it raw, red, and damaged. But not all physical exfoliants are bad. When a formula is approached with expertise and care, a physical exfoliant can be wonderful for all skin types, from sensitive to oily.Polishes & Manual ScrubsPolishes, scrubs, exfoliating beads, and more are a few of the most notable physical scrubs available on the market. Ensure you grab an option that’s not irritating, which can be assessed by testing it on the back of the hands first, assessing whether it is irritating or not.Tools A physical exfoliation tool can be as simple as a washcloth or as complex as a battery-powered brush with countless exchangeable heads. Whatever option you’re considering, make sure it’s clean. A dirty tool, even a silk washcloth, needs to be freshly cleaned before it touches skin to not add additional bacteria to the skin’s surface.The Best Way to ExfoliateThe first rule of proper exfoliation is to do no harm—be incredibly gentle to your skin. Exfoliate on freshly cleansed skin, ideally right after you wash the skin (or double cleanse).Using Physical ExfoliantsFor physical exfoliants, use a dime-sized amount and apply it to the face using small, gentle, circular motions. To gently exfoliate your face, keep your movements light—treat your skin to a beautiful caressing movement, similar to the care and preciousness of how you would cleanse a delicate silk garment. Rinse your skin with lukewarm water to avoid irritation. Using Chemical Exfoliants When using chemical exfoliators, apply on freshly cleaned, dry skin. Dry skin absorbs less product than damp skin, making the dry-skin application more of a gentle and controlled process. To properly exfoliate your face, use a dime-size amount of product in the palm of your hand or apply it on a cotton round. Press onto the skin and allow it to dry, ideally 30 seconds.AftercareFor either method, follow with the rest of your skincare routine, whether that’s an essence, a serum, or just a moisturizer. Exfoliation can be drying to the skin, says the AAD, so apply the best moisturizer for your skin type immediately after exfoliating to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.How Often to ExfoliateBeyond finding the best type of exfoliation for you, discovering the right schedule is also half of the battle. How often you exfoliate depends on your skin type and exfoliation method, says the AAD. “Generally, the more aggressive the exfoliation, the less often it needs to be done,” they say. However, it’s vital not to over-exfoliate, as this could lead to red, irritated skin and a potentially compromised skin barrier in need of repair. Chemical Exfoliant Frequency Once a week is a good starting point for chemical exfoliation. Some individuals can tolerate more frequent exfoliation, but it’s best to start slowly and gauge your skin's tolerance. If you notice redness or irritation, pause using your chemical exfoliant until your issues subside, and then start with even less product.Physical Exfoliant Frequency As with chemical exfoliation, start using physical exfoliants once per week and assess for redness and irritation.Exfoliation Frequency By Skin TypeAs a general guide, here’s how often to exfoliate, depending on your skin type. Sensitive skin or aging/mature skin: Ensure that you are extra gentle, exfoliating with a warm, wet (clean!) washcloth or mild chemical exfoliant once a week. Oily skin: Those with oily skin will see added benefits of exfoliation. Exfoliation will enhance your skin’s receptiveness to oil-controlling ingredients and banish dulling skin cells, resulting in a clearer, more balanced appearance. Your skin likely will be able to tolerate more exfoliation, perhaps three to five times per week, depending on the intensity of the exfoliant. Combination skin: Achieve optimal results by exfoliating your skin two to three times per week. Dry skin: Dry and dehydrated skin thrives with consistent exfoliation, ideally one to two times a week. Regular exfoliation will help slough off excessive dead skin cells, allowing the skin to better absorb the beautifully hydrating ingredients that follow, including serums and moisturizers. Top Chemical & Physical Exfoliants Choosing a Chemical ExfoliantChemical exfoliants are wonderful for almost all skin types and can be more gentle than harsh physical exfoliants. Stick to low-percentage AHA, BHA, or PHA products when first incorporating them into your routine.The Texture Tonic The AHA-powered formula was designed for all skin types and is gentle enough to be used daily. It’s specifically formulated to reduce excess oil and sebum, while also improving skin’s moisture levels. The formula has niacinamide to visibly even skin tone and Japanese mugwort to calm visible redness and irritation.Choosing a Physical ExfoliantPhysical exfoliants famously have a reputation for being harsh and unpredictable. But if using a product with gentle ingredients, like Japanese rice bran, the scrub can be wonderfully gentle yet effective.The Rice Polish This water-activated exfoliant with Japanese ingredients transforms into a creamy, cloud-like foam. While it is generally recommended to use physical exfoliators less often, the non-abrasive formula of The Rice Polishes makes them safe to use daily. Finely ground rice bran and papaya enzymes promote natural skin turnover, while the amino acid-base formula provides effective cleansing without stripping skin of essential moisture or disrupting the skin’s barrier function. This natural exfoliant leaves the skin soft and supple.Our four different exfoliating formulations will appease a variety of skin types—or you can mix and match, depending on how deep of a scrub you need. Here are our recommendations for the best exfoliating scrub for your skin type. Classic Rice Polish: Silk proteins condition and nourish, making the Classic formula ideal for combination to dry skin. Calming Rice Polish: Natural Japanese indigo soothes visible irritation, and is perfect for exfoliating sensitive and mature skin. Deep Rice Polish: Wild rose helps tighten the look of pores and clarify skin, making it a great fit for exfoliating combination to oily skin. Gentle Rice Polish: Licorice root extract prevents flakiness and tightness, and is great for exfoliating dry skin. Kinu Pure Silk Polishing Face Cloth Take things ultra gentle with this wonderfully delicate face cloth made of 100 percent pure silk. Made for the most sensitive and precious of skin, it smooths away dull surface cells and leaves skin smooth and lustrous. This luxurious cloth is inspired by the generations of individuals in Japan who would polish their skin with swatches of silk to reveal a lustrous glow.Physical vs. Chemical Exfoliants: Can You Use Both?Another thing to consider when it comes to physical vs. chemical exfoliants? They don’t have to be pitted against one another. They both can happily coexist together when starting a skincare routine. A combination of both physical and chemical exfoliation can make your complexion radiant, clearer, and remarkably smoother. Once you find the exfoliation sweet spot between the two, your skin won’t stop glowing.

In Japan, some skincare traditions are centuries-old, dating back to the heyday of samurai and geisha. These traditions and their time-honored ingredients and formulations continue to this day. By square mileage, the archipelago of Japan occupies far less than a tenth of a percent of the Earth’s surface. And yet almost everywhere else on the globe, the cultural influence of the relatively small nation can be seen—in electronics and fashion—or heard—in contemporary pop and karaoke—or tasted—in sushi and ramen—or otherwise felt. One of Japan’s many contributions is its highest-quality skincare ingredients and formulations, which can be found all over the world. Some of them have long histories, and all of them have particular relevance to Japanese culture. The Best Japanese SkincareThe importance of taking care of one’s appearance as a matter of health has been long ingrained in the Japanese cultural imagination—and been a source of inspiration around the world—at least as far back as 1813, when a nameless scribe recorded the Japanese skincare and beauty fashions of the time in a three-volume tome known as Miyakofuzoku Kewaiden, or Capital Beauty and Style Handbook. Some of the book’s recommendations are dated, like using lead in face makeup; others are timeless, and include advice on contouring and cat eyes.Vicky Tsai, who founded the Japanese skincare brand Tatcha, glimpsed the storied tome on a research trip to Japan, and has consulted the translation countless times when seeking inspiration for her own skincare formulations. Some of the ingredients mentioned therein, like camellia oil and rice bran, are still used today, and have even found their way into some of Tatcha’s skincare formulations. Not only do these tried and true botanicals have powerful therapeutic applications, but they also have deep cultural significance to the land and people of Japan. It’s a beauty that goes deeper than skin.The Best Japanese Skincare for AcneOne of the most important steps of any skincare routine is a proper cleanse. This is true of all types of skin, but particularly for those who are acne-prone. Acne begins in pores, and occurs when the pore’s opening becomes blocked, allowing oil, dirt, and dead skin to fester below. Some acne is caused by bacterial infections that occur in the pores. The best Japanese skincare routine helps to ensure skin remains clean, hydrated, and healthy, so acne is less likely to occur. But it’s in the cleansing step that the real work happens, as pores are cleared out of anything that would later become acne. Acne is a skin concern for people all over the world, including in Japan, where convenience marts and department stores alike carry a range of solutions. Some ingredients of particular significance to Japanese culture have proven incredible for acne-prone skin. Tatcha recently unveiled their Matcha Cleanse, a plush gel cleanser powered by antioxidant-rich green tea. Other botanicals, like coix seed and willow bark, help to decongest pores, acting similarly to beta hydroxy acids (BHAs); Japanese mugwort, a leafy herb, also lends ceramides that strengthen and even repair the skin barrier even during a deep cleanse. A cleanser is just the first step, but for deeper pore purification, you can use an exfoliating toner like the Texture Tonic. This water weight solution aims to resurface and clarify the skin, reaching into pores with the help of fruit-derived alpha hydroxy acids. (Japanese mugwort is also invited to this party.) If you already have a cleanser and moisturizer you love, but notice that congestion is still an issue, this unique kind of product can help you keep acne away. The Best Japanese Skincare for Sensitive SkinSome Japanese skincare ingredients have been prized for centuries, and have found similar applications back then as well as in this day and age. One prominent example is indigo, that thick, smelly dye we associate with denim, but has use-cases from art to medicine. During the Edo Period in Japan, samurai warriors wore a layer of indigo-dyed cloth purported to heal injuries quicker; babies were also wrapped in indigo-dyed blankets, symbolic of protection. On a deeper level, indigo dye is rich in anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredients, which gives indigo’s healing power a scientific basis. It’s this exact power that inspired some of Tatcha’s most beloved skincare formulas for sensitive skin. The Indigo Calming Cream, for one, is a moisturizer designed to relieve irritation while it forms a layer of sealing moisture. When Tatcha brand tested the cream among 30 panelists in a clinical and bio-instrumentation study, they found the vast majority—up to 100%—noticed an improvement in visible redness, softness, and overall skin quality. A richer cream, the Indigo Overnight Repair, puts indigo in a dense serum-to-cream formulation designed to be worn while you sleep. A ceramide blend helps fortify the skin barrier, while indigo does its soothing work, so you wake up with calm, clear, soft skin.The Best Japanese Skincare for Mature, Aging SkinDifferent cultures around the world consider aging differently. In Japan, the ability to get older is cherished as a gift, rather than dreaded as something to fear. It’s not about looking young, but having healthy skin at any—and every—age. Some of the most salient Japanese beauty advice has nothing to do with creams and lotions: refraining from smoking, minimizing stress, eating a nourishing whole-foods diet. But this doesn’t change the fact that mature skin has its own unique needs, and different Japanese skincare formulations can help those needs get met. For one example, water retention tends to decrease as we get older, and we begin to see the changes in our skin, from dry patches to fine lines. The Tatcha Ageless Enriching Renewal Cream is blended with extracts shown to help counteract some of aging’s effects on skin, including gardenia fruit (to address elasticity) and peony (to minimize fine lines). The latter includes an active ingredient, known as paeoniflorin, that has been shown to not only have an effect on wrinkles but also calms the skin and protects it from UV-related damage. Other Japanese-inspired formulas in Tatcha’s Ageless collection help bring these targeted benefits to other areas where they’re needed. The Ageless Revitalizing Eye Cream and Neck Cream both incorporate peony, and other superpowered Japanese plants, alongside Tatcha’s proprietary anti-aging complex, Hadasei-3. Applied together, these ingredients help to nourish and firm, facilitating your best skin at any age. The Best Japanese Skincare for Dry SkinThe simple act of moisturization is a skincare staple everywhere, but especially in Japan, whose most popular skincare category is that of lotion. Be they actual lotions, or rich creams, or watery gels, these formulas are designed to apply a seal over your skin barrier that keeps essential moisture from escaping. All the better if said seal also contains ingredients that benefit the skin in areas like calming, brightening, or hydrating. Japanese skincare technology varies enough to offer every face a moisturizer that feels tailor-made for their skin type. So what’ll it be? Those who worry about oil on their cheeks and in their T-zone might enjoy a texture like that of the Water Cream; a lightweight layer of pore-refining hydration. Or you can amp up the hydration with the Dewy Cream, which is richer in consistency and boosted by Japanese purple rice. This variety of the superfood is rich in anthocyanin, an antioxidant that helps restore skin and protect against stress and pollution.But there are other ways to care for dry skin, too. Moisturizing is one thing, but if you suffer from dry skin, you may want to ensure all of the steps of your dry skincare routine are as hydrating and moisturizing as they can be. This is important to remember when choosing a cleanser. Some formulas cleanse extremely well, rinsing to leave behind squeaky-clean skin, but these don’t generally come recommended for dry skin. In fact, by drying out skin further, they can make things worse. Oil-based cleansers make great options for dry skin, because they’re regarded to be effective at rinsing everything from makeup to skin-grime off without leaving dryness or tightness behind. The Camellia Cleansing Oil, based in featherweight tsubaki, was even inspired by the centuries-old rituals geisha performers used to wash their faces. (Some of their routines were detailed in the Capital Style and Beauty Handbook.) For those who prefer a different but equally moisturizing sensation, the Rice Wash is a cream cleanser made with Japanese rice powder (another geisha beauty secret). The Best Japanese Skincare for Oily SkinContrary to its terminology, skin doesn't produce oil. It does produce sebum, which is secreted by sebaceous glands stashed deep within hair follicles and pores. If our outermost layer of skin is made of a brick-like matrix of dead skin cells, sebum is the caulk that keeps them together. But too much of a good thing can be a bad thing, and those who experience oiler-than-normal skin might also be more prone to acne and breakouts. Chances are, your skincare routine for oily skin has been built with the goal of keeping your oil levels balanced. Some products help, like gel cleansers that not only reach deep into pores but are made with ingredients that can cut oil. The Matcha Cleanse is rich in antioxidants, thanks to a particularly nourishing form of green tea grown in Japan, but also incorporates pore-purifying Japanese botanicals, coix seed and willow bark, which exfoliate like beta hydroxy acids. Choosing a Japanese moisturizer that’s designed for oily skin is also crucial. Something too heavy may contribute to that slick, uncomfortable feeling, while something too light simply won’t get the job done. The platonic ideal is a lightweight formula with ingredients that are shown to regulate skin’s oil content. In other words, it’s The Water Cream, a gel-cream formulated with oil-controlling floral extracts from wild rose and leopard lily.The Best Japanese Skincare EssenceJapanese women are acutely aware of the fact that their skin is a reflection of their health, which is why they know to avoid certain foods and embrace others for their skin. (They know better than many of us that what is healthy for their body is also healthy for their skin.) The basis of the Japanese diet—rice, seaweed, and green tea—are beloved ingredients in some modern skin care formulas. Indeed, they make up Tatcha’s proprietary skin complex, Hadasei-3, reinforcing the skin barrier with proteins and antioxidants. Hadasei-3, in turn, makes up The Essence. An essence is a Japanese skincare formula with the weight of water, splashed on and pat into skin. Now popular all over the world, some of the first essences were made in Japan. Tatcha’s Essence resurfaces, softens, and plumps skin after cleansing, but it also preps and primes the skin so you can get more out of your moisturizer. It’s a super easy step that can add serious benefits to your skincare routine while maximizing the benefits of your other Japanese skincare products. The Best Japanese Skincare MaskIn general, the Japanese skincare ritual isn’t about overnight transformations or aggressive treatments, but rather about attending to your skin—and to yourself—every day. The mind-body connection is powerful, and few cultures know this better than the Japanese, who often refer to kokoro—that kanji character meaning heart, but which translates closer to single mind, body, soul.One way to reflect this sensibility in your own life is to use your skincare routine as a means of meditation. Face masks offer a perfect opportunity. They’re best applied regularly, and each application requires a short time period while you let the mask work. If nothing else, use a mask as an excuse for three 20-minute relaxation breaks throughout the week. But you’d also be wise to pick one that will help your skin. There’s an amazing Japanese skincare mask for you, whatever you’re looking for. Tatcha’s offerings span every skin type. For sensitive and reactive skin there’s the Indigo Overnight Repair dosed with Japanese indigo; for oily skin, the pore-perfecting Clarifying Clay Mask for dullness, and the Violet-C Radiance Mask with glow-inducing antioxidants and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). But whatever mask you choose, make sure to choose one. You owe yourself the downtime. The Best Japanese Lip Care ProductsMany Japanese customs emphasize a rigorous attention to detail. Why would Japanese skincare products and beauty regimens be an exception? Good skincare is about not only the skin on our face but also the delicate skin found under our eyes and lips that require a targeted approach. Tatcha’s collection of Japanese-inspired lip products is renowned, and built off the success of one tiny but mighty jar: The Kissu Lip Mask. As cosmetic legend has it, women in ancient Japan used an extract of peach kernel to keep their lips soft; in a contemporary update, the Kissu Mask gets its moisturizing power from a juicy peach extract, plus bonafide hydrators like squalane and camellia oil. The love for Kissu has expanded the range to include a plumping serum, as well as a day-wear version in three shades. Enter the Kissu Lip Tint, which is also blessed with sun protection—and the cushiony finish of silk protein and lanolin. The Best Japanese SunscreenSunscreens are particularly exciting Japanese skincare products. Protection from the sun is important for every human, every day, regardless of where they live.Yet in Japan, it’s taken especially seriously. It’s not unusual to see a woman wearing long gloves on a sunny summer day, or a child using a parasol during a rainless walk to school—and in both cases, they’re probably wearing an invisible layer of sunscreen, too. Japan’s emphasis on sun protection is perhaps why the nation’s sunscreens are highly coveted for their elegant textures, advanced protection, and comfortable wearability, especially when applied correctly within your overall skincare and beauty routine. There are Japanese sunscreens for whatever you’re looking for. Want something that will smooth over pores and prime the skin for flawless makeup? The Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen SPF 35 does just that, and adds antioxidants that can help protect and repair skin from environmental damage, including from the sun. For a little more protection, check out the SPF 50 Silk Sunscreen, which is actually formulated with silk extract for a finish that is virtually weightless. (Tatcha likes to say that it feels like nothing except peace of mind.) Whichever you choose, make sure to wear your sunscreen, and don’t leave home without it.

Retaining moisture is necessary for your skin’s overall health, and creams and moisturizers help. Even the most sensitive skin can benefit from the right choice of moisturizer. Consider sensitive skin, a skin type defined less by how it inherently is—like oily, dry, or combination types that describe skin texture—than by how it externally reacts. It’s more of an observation than a diagnosis. Sensitive skin is more reactive than other skin types, and can be more prone to irritation from the elements (sun, wind, weather) and other irritants (products, materials). Skin becomes sensitive as nerve endings in the top layer of skin become irritated, which happens when the skin barrier is damaged.Skin can become sensitive, or sensitized, over time. It happened to Tatcha Founder Vicky Tsai: After decades of mostly problem-free skin, she noticed the back of her neck was red, bumpy, and stinging. It was no wonder her skin had become sensitized; Working in consumer product goods, she had been treating her skin like a science experiment, trying everything and anything she could find. After a certain point, it crossed a threshold. The experience inspired her to formulate skincare products with non-sensitizing ingredients that were gentle but effective enough to work on any face—even a reactive one.She understood quickly what dermatologists and experts have been teaching us for years: Proper skin maintenance is important for all skin types, including sensitive ones. The basic steps of a skincare routine, including cleansing and moisturizing, are more than necessary for overall skin health: They shore up the skin barrier, and could keep your skin from sensitizing further. Cleansers and makeup removers are essentials for sensitive skin, and so are moisturizers, which may be some of the most crucial products of all. How to Choose a Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin As anyone with sensitive skin knows, choosing moisturizers can be a problem, because testing them can so often be fraught. Most dermatologists recommend a simple, consistent skincare routine for sensitive skin, since sensitive skin can react to the slightest of provocations. So how do you test new formulas and ingredients?You can do so by patch testing, or testing a small amount of moisturizer on a small area of skin, like on the neck or beneath the arms. The key is to choose an area where the moisturizer won’t be accidentally rinsed or wiped away. Not all ingredients will work for your sensitive skin. Even a tried-and-true ingredient can cause a sensitive skin reaction. (If you are somebody who avoids ingredients more than they embrace new ones for fear of breaking out, there’s a good chance you might have sensitive skin.) If your skin tends toward the reactive, make sure you always patch test new moisturizers, and talk to your dermatologist about the moisturizer you use. A designated notebook can also help you keep track of reactions as they occur—and what might cause them—so you can easily reference what stimuli might cause you to break out. Then, take your list to a brand that stocks a range of sensitive skin-friendly moisturizers. And then comes the fun part.The Best Sensitive Skin Moisturizers for:Very Sensitive SkinIf you’re prone to turning red or breaking out in eczema, it can add a heightened layer of frustration to the task of choosing a moisturizer. One wrong move, and…! The task becomes much easier when you factor in a number of plant extracts proven to soothe skin, like colloidal oatmeal, or aloe vera. Indigo extract is another soothing ingredient with a long history of medicinal use. It’s said that during the Edo period in Japan, samurai wore a layer of indigo-dyed cotton beneath their armor to help heal injuries. Today, it's still prized for its calming effects, and forms the ingredient centerpiece for Tatcha’s sensitive skin formulas. The Indigo Calming Cream blends indigo extract with colloidal oatmeal and other skin-nourishing superplants in a velvet-rich cream. It works as a daily moisturizer or as a spot treatment for dry, irritated skin, and it holds a seal of approval from the National Eczema Association. For sensitive faces seeking even more moisture, there’s the Indigo Overnight Repair, which mixes the calming power of indigo into a unique serum-in-cream formula. Lipids are replenished and lines are smoothed with a healthy helping of ceramides, while mondo grass root helps to balance the skin’s microbiome. As the name suggests, this moisturizer for sensitive skin works best when worn to sleep—and according to clinical trials, it’s proven to reduce redness & improve the skin barrier in 1 night.* For highly reactive sensitive skin, it can be a balm—in more ways than one.Dry Sensitive SkinIt’s true that all face creams offer a little moisture. After all, it’s right there in the product name. But the primary function of a moisturizer isn’t to hydrate the skin as much as it’s to create a hydrating barrier on top of skin. For extra hydration, you’re going to need an ingredient capable of going deep, and accessing the thirstiest parts of your skin barrier.This is part of the reason why hyaluronic acid is such a powerfully effective moisturizing ingredient. Not only is it already abundant in the body—it helps our joints work and our eyes maintain their round shape – but the small molecule size helps it penetrate beneath the outermost layer of skin, even when applied topically. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning it binds with water, and makes for an excellent hydrator. (The ingredient is also rarely, if ever, known to cause reactions.) It’s found in Tatcha’s best-selling Dewy Skin Cream, which is basically hydration distilled in a jar. Together with a blend of algaes, it’s able to replenish both the skin’s moisture reserves as well as its ceramide content, both of which aid in preventing future water loss. Oily or Acne-Prone Sensitive SkinOn the other end of the hydration spectrum, skin can be sensitive while also overproducing oily sebum, making the skin more prone to acne and breakouts. When our sebaceous glands overproduce oil, it may increase our chances that some of this extra oil will get trapped in pores, causing acne to form. Dermatologists advise those with acne-prone skin to regularly wash their face at least twice a day, but frequent face washing can also upset sensitive skin. Luckily, you can get oily and acne-prone skin support from your moisturizer. In fact, Tatcha’s best-selling Water Cream was designed with these skin types in mind. The supremely lightweight cream offers a burst of moisture to skin, thanks to high-quality ingredients like multi-weight glycerin, but also smooths and refines pores, thanks to an exfoliating BHA alternative. “So hydrating, with no breakouts or clogged pores,” said one commenter, in a popular refrain. Others call out how the formula glides over pores, providing a seamless and even canvas on which to apply makeup.Healthy-Aging Sensitive SkinNot everybody has oily skin or dry skin or sensitive skin, but everybody has aging skin. As time passes, the elastin and collagen in our skin breaks down, and the cells that have continuously replaced them start to die off, too. It’s natural, and nothing to be afraid of. Wrinkles, fine lines, texture changes, and all other symptoms of aging skin are simply evidence of a life well lived. The process cannot be stopped, but it can be slowed by using a moisturizer that increases cell turnover. In other words, these ingredients can help your skin’s complex systems work a little better. Tatcha’s Ageless Enriching Renewal Cream assembles a garden of gentle but powerful botanicals that work at the cellular level to add elasticity and minimize fine lines and wrinkles. But perhaps its star ingredient is Hadasei-3, Tatcha’s proprietary blend of Japanese superplants, which supplies a symphony of amino acids to promote natural skin surface turnover.It’s not only the function of our skin that changes as we age, but the structure as well. When collagen and elastin, the main structural proteins that give our skin its bouncy texture, begin to break down, it results in a loss of volume, causing skin to sag or droop in places. If this is a top skin concern, you might be interested to learn about firming moisturizers, which work by using ingredients like peptides, strings of amino acids, to plump the top layer of skin. Take Tatcha’s The Silk Cream, a lightweight gel-cream with silk extracts that mimic the amino acid structure of skin. Applied topically, they help to restore essential moisture and volume. Meanwhile, Hadasei-3 gently exfoliates skin while adding another helping of amino acids. Sensitive Combination SkinCaring for Combination skin is a balancing act. This unique type can exhibit the entire skin spectrum, from parched and dry to slick and oily, in one face. Many of the preferred routines and ingredients of combination skin-havers try to bring these poles a little closer together. Add reactivity to the mix, and it can throw things way off.Combination skin manifests in different ways. The most common is to have localized areas of oiliness, like in the T-zone, and dry spots elsewhere, like on the cheeks. Others report overall oiliness, but a persistent feeling of tightness that may indicate dehydration. It would be inefficient, and is not recommended, to develop two completely different skincare routines for one face. The best way to handle combination skin is to talk to your dermatologist and get their observations as to what the underlying causes might be—anything from overwashing to a damaged skin barrier. Once you get some feedback on your unique skin, then you can choose a moisturizer that’ll soothe, hydrate, and balance. Some moisturizers are developed specifically for combination skin, although none are one-size-fits-all. Instead, think about how much moisture you need, how much dryness you have versus oiliness, and go from there. Two of Tatcha’s most popular moisturizers, the Dewy Cream and the Water Cream, are both beloved by combination faces, for different reasons—the first offers a little more hydration, while the second helps neutralize oil—and for the same, too—to restore the skin barrier and bring things closer into balance.The Best Body Moisturizers for Sensitive SkinIf you have sensitive skin, odds are high it doesn’t stop at your chin, and you may be looking for moisture that can quench even sensitive body skin. Skin that is particularly dry, reactive, or eczematic may also benefit from indigo extract, which Tatcha has distilled into two body-loving formulas. The Indigo Soothing Body Butter and Hand Cream combine the healing power of indigo with the moisturizing power of colloidal oatmeal, an ingredient prized for its nourishing properties, especially on reactive skin. These two formulas help bring a little calm to wherever you need it. Keeping Sensitive Skin HydratedIt’s more than just moisturizer. If you have sensitive skin, it’s critical to keep it hydrated and moisturized, to protect the integrity of your skin barrier. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind for how to hold on to hydration. Wash your face regularly with lukewarm water Apply moisturizer twice a day Try a serum that binds water to the skin Wear sunscreen and protective clothing and accessories when outside Use a humidifier at the office or while you sleep Be careful of potential irritants, like actives or fragrance Drink water and eat greens Moisturizer: A Pillar of Sensitive Skin CareIf you have skin, you need to moisturize it. Plain and simple. Think of your skin as a complex system, not unlike its own entire assembly line. Cells in the dermis reproduce to create a matrix that makes up your skin barrier, composed of water, proteins like collagen, fats like lipids, and trace minerals. Some of the fuel for this system comes from water, which our skin can have a tough time holding on to. So we use creams or lotions that “moisturize” the skin, by introducing water-binding ingredients into the skin, and forming a moisture layer over our skin barriers.When it comes to sensitive skin, the idea of trying new products or ingredients can seem at odds with keeping reactions at bay. But moisturizers have shown to be effective in treating a variety of skin reactions, from inflammation to wound healing. They’re increasingly made with ingredients shown to bolster the skin barrier, making skin not only look good in the moment, but stronger over time. This is what makes cleansing and moisturizing, along with sunscreen, some of the building blocks not only of a skincare routine but of continued skin health.Moisturizers are alike in function, but differ in texture. The more water is in a particular formula, the lighter and more lotion-like it’ll be; add lipids and fatty acids, and the moisturizer will take on a thicker consistency, like a cream or a balm. For many, a moisturizer’s texture is a good indication of whether or not it will work for their skin type. Someone with dry skin might, for example, prefer a thicker moisturizer for the added hydration; Someone who is prone to redness might choose a cream with calming ingredients like colloidal oatmeal. Whatever other skin goals you might have—firming, hydrating, anti-aging—there’s surely a sensitive skin moisturizer out there for you.*Based on bio-instrumentation of 40 panelists.

Sunscreen is an important step, but where does it belong in your routine? This guide explains how it should fit into your overall beauty product order of operations. Before you head out for the day, there are likely a number of cosmetic products you apply to keep your skin moisturized, glowing, and protected. But the order in which to apply these products isn’t always clear. Can makeup sit on top of sunscreen? Or vice versa? What about moisturizer?The Importance of Daily SunscreenSunscreen is a daily essential. But it’s not the only thing you put on your skin in the morning. The question of where SPF fits into your overall skincare routine can be answered with a simple guiding philosophy: Sunscreen goes after skincare and before makeup. What is not always clear is where a particular product falls on this skincare-makeup binary—Should you apply sunscreen before or after a tinted moisturizer?—but tailoring the question to each step is helpful in understanding exactly where sunscreen comes in.It’s also important to note that sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours of exposure. (This includes cloudy or wintry days, says the American Academy of Dermatologists—the reflectiveness of snow can even intensify UV rays and their potential for damage.) Applying it at the wrong time isn’t an innocuous mistake, as SPF misapplication can lead to complications from sunburns to skin cancers. But understanding sunscreen means knowing exactly when to apply it, and the following guide will help you understand where SPF should fit in your beauty product order of operations.When to Apply Sunscreen In Your Skincare RoutineIn the context of your skincare routine, sunscreen happens last. It’s the shield you apply over top of your existing skincare, to protect your skin from the sun. When it comes to makeup, sunscreen happens first, and you paint makeup over the top. Many makeup products also contain SPF, but relying solely on SPF-infused makeup can leave gaps in your coverage. A dedicated sunscreen, applied after skincare and before makeup, is what you need.But when in the context of your day should you apply sunscreen? The obvious answer is first thing in the morning, or whenever your skincare routine takes place. Otherwise, experts like those at the American Skin Association recommend applying sunscreen 30 minutes before heading out of doors at any time of the day. This gives it enough time for your “shield” to set in.Should You Apply Sunscreen...?Before or After Makeup?You should apply sunscreen before makeup.Dermatologists advise your sunscreen be applied “as the last step in your morning skin care routine, but before you begin applying any makeup,” according to an explainer in the New York Times. And give the sunscreen a little time to sink in. (One doctor suggested brushing one’s eyebrows, or doing another cosmetic task, while you let your SPF set.) This ensures that the ingredients in your makeup don’t dampen the effectiveness of your SPF.Remember: Before makeup, sunscreen. And this includes products like tinted moisturizer, which are more tint than moisturizer, and are generally classified as makeup.Before or After Moisturizer?You should apply sunscreen after moisturizer.A good moisturizer is one of the final steps of your skincare routine. After you’ve cleansed and maybe applied a treatment or two, moisturizers provide a seal that collects and keeps water in the skin and reduces water loss. On the surface, it usually provides a veil of smoothness that is soft to the touch.Your SPF shield goes over this seal. If you apply moisturizer or any product over your sunscreen, it can dilute the efficacy of the SPF filter, and you may not be as covered as you think. Sunscreen after skincare.Before or After Foundation?You should apply sunscreen before foundation.As the name suggests, foundation is one of the first steps of your makeup routine—the base upon which everything else sits, from lip tint to eyebrow gel. And remember: Sunscreen before makeup, always.There’s a simple memory device you can use to remember this by visualizing the three letters SPF. At the beginning is S, which stands for skincare, and at the end is F, which stands for foundation. Sun Protection always goes between skincare and foundation. Easy, right?Before or After Primer?You should apply sunscreen before primer.On the surface, this one is tricky. A primer doesn’t have the pigment or texture of makeup. They can be creamy, jelly, or even plasticine. Primers prime your skin for makeup, and their chief function is to prep the skin –from lips to lids to brows – for holding onto pigmented products better. Some are made with skincare ingredients, like the Liquid Silk Canvas, which distills Tatcha’s proprietary blend of skin-nourishing superfoods into a makeup-perfecting priming base. If you use a primer, it’s likely the first step of your makeup routine. SPF should go on right before.Before or After Face Cream?You should apply sunscreen after face cream.There are many creams one might apply to their face, but the term “face cream” usually refers to a moisturizer, one of the last steps of your skincare routine. A sunscreen can be layered right over it. Just make sure you give both a few minutes to set in before you apply the next product.Before or After Serum?You should apply serum before sunscreen. But wait—don’t forget your moisturizer, too!The basic steps of a skincare routine include cleansing and moisturizing, but between those two steps includes a wide variety of other products known to be beneficial for skin. There are essences, watery formulas that can be patted into skin for extra nourishment; there are exfoliants, which clear away dead skin and other surface debris so that other skincare products can work more effectively. Serums are another pre-moisturizer product that treat the skin with the help of higher concentrations of boosting ingredients. They’re usually more lightweight than your typical moisturizer, but can be more potent. Take The Silk Serum, which is almost milky in texture, but contains a sophisticated retinol alternative shown to boost cell turnover—it can help improve skin’s hydration and actually plump skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. But it’s important to remember that a serum isn’t the last step of your skincare routine, and should be followed by a moisturizer. Some beauty editors advise layering your skincare products in order from light to heavy, with your essences and serums at the beginning and your creamy sealing moisturizers at the end, but they also cite two counterexamples. The first is an oil, which can be lightweight but very moisturizing, and can even sub in for face cream. The second is sunscreen, which comes in a wide variety of textures—some are heavy, but others are lighter, like Tatcha’s Silk Sunscreen, which has a serum feel with SPF 50 protection. These should always be applied last, no matter what. SPF is the shield that sits over your entire skincare routine. Use it wisely, and often.How to Apply Sunscreen ProperlyThe sunscreen market is full of different delivery methods for SPFs, from goops to sprays to even sticks. How you apply your sunscreen probably depends on what shape it takes. The Skin Cancer Foundation tends to recommend creamy topical formulas, which are the easiest to apply properly to ensure maximum coverage. They also recommend using two tablespoons of sunscreen, or about the same amount as a shot glass, to cover exposed face and body skin.Other forms of sunscreen, like sprays, can also be effective—and come recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation—but need to be applied more carefully to make sure of even product distribution. This makes them particularly attractive when it comes to reapplication, another necessary part of your suncare routine.When to Reapply SunscreenDermatologists, like those at Johns Hopkins Medicine, recommend reapplying sunscreen every two hours, especially if you’re spending time outdoors, sweating, or swimming. For prolonged sun exposure, like at the beach, you’ll want to make sure you’re not skipping reapplications.If you spend your day indoors and away from a window, you may not need to apply sunscreen as often. Those who work from home and don’t commute may still need to wear SPF for their afternoon walks. But say you work all day in a bright office with plenty of sunlight: You may want to keep some sunscreen in your desk drawer.How to Reapply SunscreenIt’s easy, if slightly annoying, to reapply sunscreen at the beach over and over again. But it’s slightly more difficult when you’re out and about, or at work, or even just wearing makeup: How can you reapply sunscreen without having to do your beauty routine from scratch? Spray sunscreens, which atomize a chemical filter into a fine mist, can be excellent for re-upping your SPF on-the-go. Or, you can choose a sunscreen that acts more like a skincare/makeup hybrid product, like the Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen. It combines a sun filter with pore-smoothing ingredients, and utilizes silk extract, which mimes the softness of skin. A nickel-sized amount can be warmed in the palms and pressed into the skin repeatedly throughout the day, anytime you need to reapply sunscreen—or need to smooth things over. It protects you and keeps your skin looking good. All you need to do is enjoy the sun.

A primer might seem like an added step in a complicated routine—but a primer for oily skin can help keep excess shine at bay, allow makeup to last all day, and protect delicate skin from pore-clogging ingredients. Here’s everything you need to know about the best makeup primers for oily skin. Oily skin can not only be annoying to manage, it can be emotionally defeating. Constantly attempting to control excessive oil, while also trialing countless products that promise to stop excess shine in its tracks can take a toll. But oily skin isn’t all bad. Afterall, oily skin is associated with youthfulness—it likely will age with less pronounced fine lines and wrinkles due to the skin’s natural moisture levels.The key to thriving with oily skin is balancing exfoliation (using the right exfoliant) with hydration (using the right moisturizer). Another endlessly helpful tool in your oily skin arsenal is an under-celebrated choice: a primer. Choosing the right primer can help keep oil at bay, while also providing skin with a smooth, matte appearance. From the best primer for oily skin to tips for balancing pores, here is your primer on the best primers for oily skin.Do Primers Work?In the worthwhile search to minimize your daily makeup and skincare routine, it might be tempting to skip a primer altogether, but the multitasking product deserves a place in your arsenal. This is especially true for those with combination to oily skin. A primer for oily skin is designed to be applied underneath makeup for oily skin and is multipurpose. It can create a base for long-lasting makeup, act as a barrier between pore-clogging makeup formulations and your skin, and add skin-benefiting boosts (like hydrating or mattifying). This is why the best makeup primer for oily skin is particularly great: it can not only extend the life of your makeup products, but also manage oil and prevent excessive shine. A win/win/win scenario.The Best Primers for Oily Skin The best face primers for oily skin are not only helpful to keep makeup in place, but they can also act as a shield between your delicate skin and irritating makeup, which is helpful for almost all skin types, including sensitive and oily. What is the best primer for oily skin? A primer you enjoy using! However, uncovering your ideal formula can be a tricky task as there are countless options available today. To help you narrow down your search, here are a few of our favorite options that leave skin smooth, protected, and primed for the next steps in your daily routine.Best Makeup Primers for Oily SkinLiquid Silk Canvas This light-as-silk formula feels weightless on the skin, gliding on seamlessly to help makeup look more flawless and last longer, while also minimizing excess shine. The primer also is designed to create a skin-benefiting barrier that shields skin from makeup, helping to minimize the potential for clogged pores. Additionally, the oil-free formula leaves a soft-focus finish that diminishes the appearance of pores and fine lines. The formula includes both silk extract (providing weightless hydration) and silk powder (a prized ingredient that helps makeup glide on more evenly and last longer), as well as our proprietary Hadasei-3 complex (for hydration, moisture barrier support, and antioxidant protection).If that wasn’t impressive enough, the makeup primer for oily skin has a slight pink pearlescent hue that works to enhance skin and leave it with a lit-from-within glow. Lastly—but certainly not least—this effective primer for oily skin has been clinically proven to improve skin radiance, smoothness and texture, and minimize pores over time.* A primer that actually makes skin look and feel better? Sign us up! *Based on a bio-instrumentation study of 37 panelists.The Silk Canvas While the original Silk Canvas is ideal for combination or dry skin, some oily skin users prefer this unique, velvety balm. Famed for its ability to act as a barrier between makeup and skin, The Silk Canvas shields skin from pollutants while allowing makeup to apply better and last longer. Also, if you prefer a matte finish, this is one of the best mattifying primers for oily skin, leaving behind a flattering blurred, soft-focus finish, which can give skin a healthy-looking glow.**Based on a consumer study of 20 women. Best Skincare Products for Oily SkinAn oily skin primer is a fantastic first step in your makeup routine, but did you know that oily skin can be minimized with other products, like sunscreen and cleansers? Here are a few of the most effective skincare products to add to your oily skin routine.Best Priming Cleanser for Oily Skin The Matcha Cleanse A cleanser that helps prime the skin? If you’re using Tatcha’s innovative Matcha Cleanse, then yep! It is clinically proven to reduce oil production, visibly reduce pore size, control shine, and allow makeup to wear better and more evenly.*** Basically, this daily clarifying gel cleanser acts like a primer for oily skin but also purifies pores, smoothes and balances the skin, and supports skin’s natural barrier while cleansing. The refreshing watery-foam texture cleanser is also boosted with premium matcha sourced directly from the Uji region (famed for its extraordinary matcha production), which is shown to provide antioxidant support and visibly calm redness. What can’t this cleanser do?!***Based on a clinical study of 40 panelists; a bio-instrumentation study of 40 panelists; a clinical study of 36 panelists.Best Sunscreen for Oily Skin Silken Sunscreen SPF 35 Sunscreen is non-negotiable and should be worn every day. However, not all formulas are ideal for oily skin, as some can leave behind a slick, heavy feeling. Instead, grab a sunscreen that feels light as air and multitasks as a flawless primer, too. This mattifying SPF features silk extract, the same beloved ingredient in the Liquid Silk Canvas primer, which absorbs excess shine and imparts a silky, lightweight feel. It’s the best sunscreen for oily skin, is non-comedogenic and non-irritating (perfect for oily skin), and most importantly protects with SPF 35 mineral and chemical coverage. Also, the formula features skin-loving ingredients that not only protect the skin, but also help minimize the appearance of pores, smooth skin texture, and calm irritated skin.Best Tool for Oily Skin Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Papers

Not all sunscreens are created equal, and Japanese sunscreens are famous for feeling great on skin. But which one is the best? Sunscreen might be the most important aspect of a skincare routine. The main function of any sunscreen is the same: Each formula uses active ingredients to keep harmful ultraviolet rays from damaging skin. How this is done depends on where you are in the world and which type of sunscreen is right for your skin type. In Japan, as with many Asian countries, sun protection is tantamount to the idea of beauty itself. Unlike in the United States, in Japan it’s not uncommon to see women carrying parasols on afternoon strolls, or donning long black gloves on a hot summer day, in effort to protect skin from the sun without using sunscreen. When it comes to topical sun protection, Japan has a reputation for producing some of the most elegant formulas on the sunscreen market—cost-effective, high SPF, with no dry-down or absorption time. Some of the best sunscreens in the world are Japanese, which begs a natural follow-up question: What is the best Japanese sunscreen? But before we get into the best Japanese sunscreen for the face, let’s talk about the importance of using them and the ingredients to look for. Why Is Sunscreen Important? Any dermatologist worth their MD will tell you sunscreen is one of the best beauty products you can use—not only for cosmetic reasons, but for overall health. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (or UV) radiation is a major risk factor for skin cancer. But even a small amount of exposure can cause lasting problems. There are two specific types of UV radiation. The first, UVB, causes sunburns requiring a specific after sun skincare routine. These rays have longer wavelengths, and are best associated with the damage they cause at the skin’s surface – reddening, blistering, charring – and they’re strongest when it’s sunniest. The second, UVA, causes skin aging. These rays have a shorter wavelength and go deeper into the skin, and they’re around all of the time, even when it’s cloudy. (This is why you have to wear sunscreen every day, even when the sun isn’t shining.) When protecting yourself from the sun, you have to consider both UVA and UVB rays. Most sunscreens offer “broad spectrum” defense. But not all sunscreens, even all broad-spectrum sunscreens, are created equal. Why Are Japanese Sunscreens So Good For Skin? If you have ever seen a lifeguard in a movie with a band of chalky, thick sunblock painted across their face, then you know what a Japanese sunscreen isn’t. What lifeguards might be used to is called mineral sunscreen. These formulas use ingredients like zinc oxide to physically block the sun’s rays. (Hence the name “sunblock.”) By contrast, many popular Japanese sunscreens are chemical sunscreens, which use ingredients that absorb and neutralize UVA and UVB rays. (On Asian SPF labels, you’ll often see “PA”, or Protection Grade of UVA, to indicate UVA protection, while the SPF number indicates UVB protection. The more plus signs, the better PA coverage.) These kinds of formulas tend to absorb into the skin faster—often within seconds, without needing to rub them in and then wait for them to set. A few minutes after applying a Japanese sunscreen, it's easy to forget you applied one at all. Both mineral and chemical sunscreens are safe and widely used. But the reason Japanese or Asian sunscreens are considered best is that the lightweight formulas make them easier to use regularly, and the most effective kind of sunscreen is the one you want to use as often as possible. The fast-absorbing quality also makes them some of the best sunscreens for faces. It can be hard to layer makeup over some mineral formulas—but chemical formulas make this easy. And because they lack the white cast of a zinc oxide or titanium dioxide formula, they are flattering on all skin tones. Why Are Japanese Ingredients So Beneficial? Japanese sunscreens are beloved for many reasons, but their ingredient lists are at the top of the list. While their coverage is superior, the ingredients present in the formulas also intentionally support and benefit the skin. These skin-bettering ingredients can improve the skin tone, hydrate, and even visibly firm skin while protecting from UVA and UVB rays. Here are a few notable ingredients in Tatcha sunscreens. Niacinamide A form of vitamin B3, niacinamide is an essential nutrient that helps visibly firm and even skin tone. It also has been shown to improve the look of dullness, strengthen and repair the skin barrier, restore moisture loss, and boost skin’s natural hydration levels. Hyaluronic Acid A polysaccharide that naturally occurs in the skin, hyaluronic acid helps skin retain moisture for a hydrated, plump appearance. In addition to restoring skin’s moisture and volume, hyaluronic acid can help stimulate the production of collagen, the skin-firming protein. By jumpstarting the body’s natural collagen-making processes, hyaluronic acid helps keep skin looking fuller and more supple. Silk Extract Rich in amino acids, silk extract closely parallels the amino acid structure of human skin. This extract provides a smoothing, protective veil of hydration, almost like a second skin without weighing it down. Wild Rose Japanese wild rose helps noticeably tighten the look of pores. Plus, both the bloom and fruits have natural antiseptic qualities to help clarify, as well as hydrating and soothing elements that smooth the skin. KLEAIR Zinc Oxide A high-transparency zinc oxide, KLEAIR is a trademarked revolutionary ingredient. This reef-safe filter is proven to be over two times more effective at free-radical protection than regular zinc oxide. While mineral filters can be difficult to blend into all skin tones, the high transparency of this specific zinc oxide helps Tatcha’s formula blend into skin more easily. What To Look For In A Japanese Sunscreen While Asian sunscreens are known for their brilliant advancements, not all formulations are created equal. Look for products that tout the following characteristics. Lightweight Sunscreen used to be synonymous with gloopy, thick formulas. But today’s modern iterations are silky and lightweight. However, some SPFs can still feel quite oily and thick when applied. A light-as-air sunscreen will not only apply more easily and evenly, but it will make reapplication–ideally, every two hours when spending excessive time in the sun–a breeze, too. Nourishes Skin Protection from UVA and UVB rays is first and foremost when it comes to SPFs. But if it could also include ingredients that nourish, hydrate, and even skin? Well, that’s just icing on the cake. Look for products that proudly list their skin-bettering ingredients. Plays Nice with Others Some ingredients are all-stars, so powerful and potent, they can change skin for the better quickly. However, many of these superstar ingredients do not play nicely with others, like retinol. (Which is another reason to consider using a retinol alternative.) Instead, look for sunscreens that feature ingredients that work with many other ingredients and skin types, including hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and silk extract. Works Well Under Makeup Additionally, how the SPF is crafted and formulated will have a big impact on how well it works with other products in your skincare routine. While a sunscreen can be packed with beautiful ingredients, if it’s not tested and perfected to wear well (and work well with other products, like moisturizers, protective primers, and makeup), it’s likely you won’t enjoy wearing it and it will gather dust in your bathroom shelf. The Best Japanese Sunscreen For Oily and Acne-Prone Skin When we formulated Tatcha’s suncare products, we were inspired by lightweight, easy-to-use Japanese formulas, as well as the zinc-based physical sunscreens we grew up with. Our Silken Sunscreen combines a mineral block with a chemical filter for optimum sun protection. The fast-absorbing cream formula blurs pores with SPF 35 protection and PA+++ and dries down matte, making it an ideal Japanese sunscreen for oily skin. It also layers beautifully under makeup. It is one of the best Japanese sunscreens for acne-prone skin, too. The Best Japanese Sunscreen For Dry Skin Tatcha’s newly updated Silk Sunscreen feels like a Japanese sunscreen, but is made with zinc oxide for SPF 50 PA++++ physical sun protection. It’s also slightly tinted, but blends in sheer, eliminating the white cast sometimes found in other physical sunscreens. The light, liquid formula is chock full of humectants, like hyaluronic acid and squalane, that bind to water and provide a dewy skin finish. It’s good for all skin types, but can be extra helpful to those with dry skin who need a little extra hydration. The Best Japanese Sunscreen For Sensitive Skin Sensitive skin can be triggered by many sunscreens, causing irritation, redness, and itchiness. This is where our Silk Sunscreen steps in to save the day (and the skin). Made with ingredients that support and nourish the skin, the Silk Sunscreen is best for sensitive skin since it provides a veil of protection with broad-spectrum SPF 50 coverage with the highly effective KLEAIR™ zinc oxide (a mineral filter known for its skin-soothing properties). This is one of the best Japanese mineral sunscreens you can find on the market. The Best Japanese Sunscreen For Mature Skin Mature skin usually craves hydration, which the Silk Sunscreen proudly provides via hyaluronic acid, squalane, silk extract, and camellia leaf extract. Additionally, the formula addresses signs of uneven skin, a common woe with aging, thanks to niacinamide. Beyond the ingredients, the SPF 50 protection blends in sheer, making it one of the best sunscreens for mature skin by leaving a beautiful dewy finish. The Best Japanese Sunscreen For Combination Skin Supporting the mercurial nature of combination skin can be tricky for all products, as you want formulas that aren’t too rich but also provide a hefty dose of hydration. That can be a tall order for sunscreens, too. But the Silken Sunscreen is great for combination skin as it blurs pores and dries matte—great for excess oil – and also addresses hydration, calmness, and antioxidant protection with silk and loquat leaf extracts. The Best Japanese Sunscreen For Lips Sunscreen…for the lips?! Sunburned lips are surprisingly a common woe with excessive sun exposure, which can lead to not only discomfort and irritation, but also premature aging (including fine lines around the lips) and even skin cancer. Like sunscreen for the skin, sunscreen for the lips is one of the secrets to achieving healthy-aging. The ultimate method for avoiding sunburned lips is prevention: by using a lip balm formulated with SPF. Try the new Kissu Lip Tint, which features SPF 25, plus silk protein and botanical lanolin for a pout that is nourished and protected, making it one of the best Japanese lip balms. If that wasn’t great enough, the Kissu Lip Tint also features a flattering flush of color, coming in three universal shades, building from sheer to medium coverage in just a few easy swipes. Learn how to care for your lips and applying a tinted lip balm will be an easy and flattering step in your ritual. How to Apply the Best Japanese Sunscreen Once you’ve found the right Japanese sunscreen, consider adding an exfoliation step to your routine to help prepare your skin and be mindful of when to apply sunscreen in your skincare routine. The best sunscreen out there is the one that works for you. At the end of the day (or, really, at the beginning of the day, and even multiple times throughout the day) it just matters that you use it. Once you’ve found the right Japanese sunscreen, consider adding an exfoliation step to your routine to help prepare your skin and be mindful of when to apply sunscreen in your skincare routine. The best sunscreen out there is the one that works for you. At the end of the day (or, really, at the beginning of the day, and even multiple times throughout the day) it just matters that you use it.

A spot appears on your skin. What could it be? This short guide can help you understand the differences between a range of common blemishes, from acne to dark spots. You’ve surely heard the fact that skin is the largest organ on the human body. Measured on its own, it has about 1.5 to 2 square meters of surface area, or between 16 and 20 square feet—about the surface area of a twin-sized mattress.Across this vast plain of skin types lies a unique and varying topography. In some places, skin is thinner than in others; it may have a different color, texture, or altogether behavior. The skin on our lips is completely different from the skin on our elbows. And over time—slow and gradually, or quickly like the seasons—it changes (and likely so does our skincare routine). Once taut skin will lose elasticity, tone may change, and sometimes you find spots where there once were none.There are all sorts of reasons for spots, from acne to hyperpigmentation to scars to dark spots. Each dictates a different treatment plan, which is something a dermatologist or licensed aesthetician can tell you all about. The difference between blemishes vs. acne vs. dark spots, however, isn’t too tough to understand once you know the mechanisms behind each. What are blemishes?Technically, a blemish can be any undesirable feature. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word has roots in medieval times, and has historically been used to describe an imperfection—something that happens to something beautiful to make it less beautiful. While we might poetically call a raincloud a blemish on an otherwise gorgeous weather day, the word is more commonly associated nowadays with imperfections of the skin.Blemishes vs. AcneA blemish is a pimple is a zit: All are forms of acne, which are hair follicles or pores that become blocked. Infections can also stir in these blocked pores, though what causes these infections may vary, from stray bacteria to overactive sebaceous glands. The baseline level of oil, or sebum, that your skin produces also may have an affect on how prone to blemishes you are.Infected hair follicles, known as folliculitis, look similar to acne, and can also be caused by bacterial infections, though they are a different breed of blemish. In fact, there are 6 different types of acne or blemishes. How and why they form often gives hints to what kind of acne blemish it is. Blackheads & WhiteheadsBlackheads and whiteheads are called comedones, and are caused by sebum (or oil) buildup in the pore. Blackheads are “open” comedones, when dead skin and oil calcifies into a dark mass that sits in an open pore. (Melanin, when oxidized, turns a dark color.) Whiteheads, or “closed” comedones, have formed a seal over the blemish but appear as white dots sometimes ringed in red. They’re irresistible to pop, but experts say don’t: You can make things worse faster. Pustules and PapulesThe key term in “pustule” is “pus”, a thick fluid the body produces in response to an infection. Pustules contain pus, and may also appear red and inflamed. These are signs of an active infection. Like pustules, papules are also signs of infection, but form deeper down within the skin, so they don’t have a pus-filled surface. In fact, they may take on your skin’s color. Neither pustules or papules are contagious, but both should be checked out by a doctor. Nodules and CystsThe most severe forms of acne are nodules and cysts. Nodules form deep beneath the skin, and are hard and painful, like stones. Dermatologists don’t know exactly what causes nodular acne, but posit a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Cysts are softer than nodules, but can also be painful. Cystic or nodular acne should always be examined by a dermatologist who can recommend a treatment plan, as store-bought skincare solutions are unlikely to solve them—and could make things worse. What are dark spots? Put simply, dark spots are the result of hyperpigmentation, or a high concentration of melanin, skin’s natural pigment. They’re a natural byproduct of being alive, and are usually nothing to worry about. At the same time, some forms of dark spots, like freckles, can be signs of increased risk of skin cancer. (The Skin Cancer Foundation has advice for how to examine your skin at home.)There are fewer types of dark spots, and while most of them can be attributed to “clumped” melanin cells, there are some distinctions between what exactly causes them. Some dark spots are the result of exposure to sun, while others may be left behind from acne or other inflammation. And while hyperpigmentation cannot be “cured”, and they come and go as they please, there are many ways to help fade dark spots and prevent new ones from forming. FrecklesWe know them, we love them, and we have them from birth. Freckles are genetically determined, but can intensify with sun exposure. Age spotsAlso known as lentigines, “age spots'' are benign skin lesions that appear in darkened patches. They’re caused by sun exposure, and commonly appear on the hands and face. They are also more common to appear in mature skin, as their nickname suggests. MelasmaMelasma is a form of hyperpigmentation that occurs more commonly in women than in men, and especially during pregnancy, when estrogen and progesterone levels are high. It can also be caused by other things, like stress, sun exposure, or some medications. Melasma can be diagnosed by a dermatologist on sight, and may be treated with active topical ingredients or increased sun protection. Acne Blemishes vs. Dark SpotsThese two very common but very different skincare phenomena warrant different courses of treatments. Acne blemishes usually require more thorough cleansing and exfoliation, and unclogging pores of the sebum within them. Dark spots are a case of hyperpigmentation, and respond best to certain acids or other active ingredients. When in doubt, always talk to a dermatologist, especially when it comes to specific cases of areas of concern. The following should give you a clear idea of how acne blemishes vs. dark spots are managed using skincare.How to address acne: Clarifying skincare The good thing about acne is that, by the time it appears, your skin is already trying to contain and quash the issue. This is why it’s sometimes associated with an inflammatory reaction. But using the best skincare for acne-prone skin will help keep things clean and clear in an effort to minimize possible opportunities for blemishes. Gel cleansers like The Matcha Cleanse are popular among those with oily skin, not only for their ability to cleanse deep within pores but also to balance skin’s oil and water levels. Otherwise, a less frequent treatment, like a Clarifying Clay Mask, can be used to give a deeper clean from time to time. How to treat dark spots: Glow-inducing skincare For hyperpigmentation, simply cleansing pores won’t do much: This is, after all, a matter of melanin. Treating dark spots begins with prevention, either by avoiding sun exposure or by applying a broad spectrum sunscreen. Sunscreen should be worn everyday and applied at the right time. Here’s more about when to apply sunscreen in your skincare routine. In addition to proper sun protection, a hyperpigmentation skincare routine should include certain acids and antioxidants for fading dark spots. Vitamin C, for one, is a tried-and-true ingredient recommended to those with hyperpigmentation. Here at Tatcha, we incorporate two types of vitamin C derivatives, one derived from the Japanese beautyberry, in the popular Violet-C Brightening Serum. It also contains a bevy of exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids, as does the Violet-C Radiance Mask. Hadasei-3, our proprietary blend of Japanese superfoods, lends a symphony of amino acids to promote natural skin surface turnover—revealing a radiant glow that drowns out spots at any age.