T-House

Not sure where to start with skincare? We’ve simplified everything you need to know to build a routine that works. While genetics play a big part in healthy skin, the products you place on your face are just as important—if not more so. But which skincare formulas are important and right for you? To uncover the answers to these questions, we compiled this know-all guide on how to build a skincare routine. From identifying your skin type and the most vital skincare steps to the products and techniques to elevate your daily routine, here’s everything you need to know about building your perfect skincare routine.Building Blocks of a Skincare RoutineComplicated multi-step skincare regimens have been in vogue for over a decade now, but recently there has been a focus on getting back to the basics. After all, you truly need just a few products to create an effective skincare routine. We believe in the ancient art of purifying, polishing, plumping, nourishing, and protecting your happiest, healthiest-looking skin—no matter your skin type. When building a skincare routine, start with these 5 components.PurifyArguably, the most important step in building your skincare ritual is cleansing with the best cleanser for your skin type. This vital step is not just about rushing through the purification process, but actually taking the time to carefully and thoroughly cleanse for cleaner, healthier-looking skin. The trick to learning to love cleansing and transforming the mundane cleanse into a mindfulness ritual is to embrace the Japanese concept of kiyome, which translates to purification. This belief can act as not only a physical cleanse, but also an emotional one, allowing the cleansing process to be an act of letting go.PolishChoosing the best exfoliator is another crucial step in building your skincare routine. While exfoliation may seem like a modern technique, geishas have been using komenuka, known as Japanese rice bran, to polish the skin for centuries.The main benefit of exfoliating is to remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, which can be accomplished by using a physical or chemical exfoliant and helps the rest of your products achieve their maximum potential. Chemical exfoliants are acids that dissolve the bonds that hold dead skin cells together and the most common forms are AHA and BHA. Physical exfoliants, or exfoliating scrubs, mechanically buff off dead skin cells. They often contain, as the name suggests, physical ingredients, like rice bran, to buff skin.PlumpWhen simplifying or building a routine, choosing products that have multiple uses is helpful. One of the most multi-use arsenals in your skincare ritual is an essence. A classic Japanese skincare ritual has long featured these “beauty waters”, known for their ability to soften and brighten the complexion. The humble liquid can resurface, soften, plump, and boost the effects of skincare in a single step. To use, simply splash a palmful of essence into your hand after cleansing and gently press it into the skin. This plumping step can also include the addition of a serum, which helps to address your skin’s additional needs (from hydration to fine lines).NourishSeal in hydration with the best moisturizer for your skin type. A moisturizer is not one-size-fits-all, instead it can come in several different formats, including lotions, gels, thick creams, or ointments. Whether it be a richly hydrating cream or a light, gel-based moisturizer, your ideal moisturizer should, on the most basic level, accomplish two major goals: prevent water from leaving the skin and deliver an optimal level of moisture for your healthiest-looking complexion.ProtectDon’t skip the sunscreen! While it might be tempting to consider an SPF simply just a summer must-have, sun protection is a daily, year-round necessity. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every single day. Some sunscreen formulas are perfected for every skin type now, too, helping to support the face by including skin-bettering ingredients, like hyaluronic acid (for hydration) or niacinamide (to visibly firm and even skin tone).Building a Custom Skincare RoutineUnderstanding the basics is important, but knowing your skin type so you customize these steps to your specific skin is vital. This takes the process from just ‘using products’ to a full-fledged ‘skincare routine’.Skin Type First and foremost, determine your skin type. This will help you to understand and choose the right products for you that will balance skin, resulting in a healthier, more radiant complexion. If your skin type leads to any type of discomfort, whether that be too much oil production or extremely dry skin, focus on supporting your skin type with each step of the purify, polish, plump, nourish, and protect journey.Skin Concerns Secondly, consider if you have any skin concerns, which are issues that can be potentially improved with the right products. These can include common woes, like dehydration, enlarged pores, sensitized skin, redness, and dullness. Look for products within each step of your routine that can target your skin concerns, like a skin barrier-improving cleanser for sensitized skin or a brightening vitamin C serum for pigmentation.Skincare Routine OrderEven if you have the best products for your skin type and concerns, you’re not getting the most out of them if you’re not following the correct skincare routine order. Applying and layering your skincare products in the correct order means that you are encouraging them to work to their most effective levels, allowing you to transform your daily ritual.Weekly Treatments While consistency is key, adding a weekly treatment can give a much-needed TLC boost. This can include a hydrating sheet mask to give an extra dose of moisture, a clarifying clay mask to draw out excess oil and balance, or a brightening vitamin C mask to address dullness and dark spots. Choose a treatment that helps you address either your current concern or your overall skin type. Just make sure you follow the product’s recommended use guidelines, as some treatments are designed to sit on the skin for just a few minutes—or a few hours.Daily Skincare Add-OnsAlthough the five steps of purify, polish, plump, nourish, and protect are all you need when building your skincare routine, sometimes your skin craves a few additional steps, depending on your skin type. Here are a handful of popular products that might be a great addition to your morning and/or evening ritual.Eye Cream The eye area features our most delicate skin, leading to a handful of common skin issues, like dryness, puffiness, and fine lines. While it’s not needed, a daily eye cream can effectively help target these woes when used consistently. While some eye creams are multipurpose, many focus on just a few products, like, for example, a weightless gel that instantly sinks into skin, visibly firming and reducing puffiness.Face Oil You could easily have a successful daily ritual without a face oil, but it is a soothing and welcome addition to a skincare routine for dry skin, as well as mature skin types. When used in conjunction with a moisturizer, it can help seal in moisture and act as a barrier. The trick is to use it as the last step in your routine, right after a moisturizer (or second to last step during the day, after a moisturizer and before SPF).Makeup Primer You might not require a makeup primer, but you’ll notice the difference when not wearing one. Primers can not only allow makeup to last longer, but they can also act as a ‘shield’ of sorts, giving skin a barrier between daily irritants and pollutants. Most formulas are universal, but a few primers are tweaked to skin type, helping to absorb excess oil for oily skin or adding hydration for those that suffer from dryness.Blotting Papers Almost every professional makeup artist has a secret in their makeup kit: blotting papers. This humble tool can instantly absorb excess oil without altering makeup or the skin’s natural hydration. Many can be made of various ingredients, but look for a natural option, like papers made from abaca leaf.Whether you're wondering how to build a skincare routine for beginners or you’re a seasoned pro, considering and perfecting your daily ritual is always beneficial. But first and foremost, aim to nourish and protect your skin, which is the basis of a healthy complexion. At Tatcha, we believe in putting the ‘care’ back into your ‘skincare’ ritual–one product at a time.

Some of the superfoods common in the Japanese diet, like rice bran and green tea, provide benefits beyond nourishment—even when applied to skin. Food plays a large role in every world culture, not only as a means of sustenance, but as a way to convene together, to share, and to preserve traditions. In fact, foods are some of the first ways we experience other cultures. It’s one of many ways we connect the peoples of the world, and one of the most powerful. After all, we all have to eat.If you’ve been to Japan, or eaten in a Japanese restaurant, you’ve probably had your own taste of the nation’s rich and flavorful food tradition. The food in Japan is closely tied to the country’s natural landscape, often incorporating local and seasonal ingredients. No meal puts this on display better than kaiseki-ryouri, a form of haute cuisine consisting of small, local dishes prepared in a variety of ways—pickled vegetables, steamed fish, and a healthy bowl of white rice. Through the simple act of eating, you can do more than learn about the flora and fauna of a place—you can taste it for yourself.The global popularity of Japanese food allows Japan’s unique culture to be shared all over the world, and it reverberates in areas outside the kitchen, too. Western societies have adopted a number of Japanese concepts, from dining to cleaning to caring for our skin. Of course, in Japanese culture, all of these acts of living are interconnected and inform one another in a variety of ways. Would it surprise you to learn that you can learn a lot about skincare through looking at the Japanese diet? We’ll look at a few ingredients and how they show up in Japanese skincare rituals.Serving the world: Japanese food goes globalThroughout its history, Japanese people preferred largely vegetarian diets; this was due in part to the nation’s dominant religions, Shintoism and Buddhism, and the focus they placed on environmental respect. Buddhism particularly forbade the consumption of animals, leading to mostly meat-free diets. Some emperors even banned fishing during their reigns. The 19th century’s Meiji restoration, in which Japan quickly modernized, saw many changes to the Japanese diet, including the end of a prohibition on red meat. Western and Eastern palates slowly began to meld.It was later in the 20th century when Japan began exporting its cuisine to the rest of the world. New inventions in refrigeration, around the 1970s, allowed businesses to ship their wares abroad. Around that time, the first sushi bar opened in Los Angeles, leading to a craze for Japanese restaurants all over the United States. A half-century or so later, it’s easy to find all sorts of Japanese diet staples—from sushi to ramen, even sticky natto—in America. These dishes are some of the first experiences Americans will have with Japanese tradition. Eating pretty: Japanese diet staples Certain foods are more prevalent than others in the Japanese diet, and when you look a little closer, you can see why. All offer benefits beyond mere sustenance. There’s a reason they recur not only in many areas of Japanese cuisine, but also throughout other cultural products.Green tea. The popular tea is impressively rich in polyphenols, which are known to have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Matcha, in particular, is thought to extend one’s longevity, and plays a role in the sacred Japanese tea ceremony—matcha has been scientifically proven to have significantly higher concentrations of antioxidants compared to conventional green tea thanks to the unique growing and consumption processes.Mugwort. Japanese mugwort, or yomogi, has been used as an all-purpose medicine for centuries, said to have antibacterial properties The wonder plant was also beloved by Empress Suiko, Japan's first female monarch in the 7th century. Her passion for herbal cures led her to decree the 5th day of the 5th month of every year to be a day for collecting irises and mugwort leaves, a tradition known as the Medicine Hunt (or kusuri-gari in Japanese), which is still observed every year on May 5th. This, and its amazing benefits, may be why mugwort is called the “Queen of Herbs.”Rice. Many Japanese dishes come alongside or on top of a bed of fluffy, white rice. Rice bran, or komenuka, is chock full of vitamins A, B, and E, as well as over 100 antioxidant compounds, including omegas 3 and 6, proteins and fats. It’s often referred to as skin softening, too, because rice bran naturally contains squalene and tocotrienols—this is perhaps why it’s shown up in centuries of Japanese cosmetic formulations.Seaweed. This briny botanical adds a marine flavor to sushi and soups, but it’s also a rich source of natural polysaccharides, protein, and fiber. In Japan, red algae in particular has been incorporated into bathing practices, including hair washing and special occasion body rituals, and is known as the “treasure from the god of the sea” by Okinawa residents. When consumed regularly, this superfood has been linked with numerous health benefits, from reduced cholesterol levels to healthier thyroid function.Food for face: Japanese diet staples in skin careThe vitamin and mineral richness of many Japanese foods make them excellent for use in skin care — as is evidenced by centuries-old beauty secrets passed down through generations. An 1813 text known as the Miyakofuzoku Kewaiden, or Capital Beauty and Style Handbook, reveals many such pieces of advice, from using rice bran as an exfoliant to camellia oil as a face cleanser. Japanese women are aware of the fact that their skin is a reflection of their health, which is why so many of the ingredients that are commonly found in their diet are also in their skin care; it stands to reason that what is healthy for their body is also healthy for their skin.Though the idea of a diet-skin connection is still a relatively new concept in the Western world, many skincare consumers are choosing to incorporate superfoods in more than just their diets. Eating well is the key to inside-out health. Here are a few skincare suggestions for some skin-deep benefits. A cleanser with gentle power: The Matcha Cleanse Made with: Kyo-Matcha, imported from Kyoto and rich in antioxidants. Formulated for oily skin, and made with kind-to-skin BHA alternatives Japanese coix seed and willow bark, this gel cleanser decongests pores for smooth, refined skin. An exfoliant that renews skin: The Rice Polish Made with: Finely-ground rice bran and papaya enzymes that promote natural skin turnover to instantly reveal a smooth, makeup-ready canvas. The Rice Polish collection uses whole rice grains to maintain all of its benefits, and finely mills it so it gently exfoliates, softening and smoothing skin. A moisturizer with added protection: The Dewy Skin Cream Made with: Japanese purple rice, a time-honored grain that provides pollution protection from free radical damage like fine lines and wrinkles (thanks to an abundance of antioxidants like anthocyanin). It’s included in Tatcha’s best-selling moisturizer, proven to visibly plump fine lines, seal in moisture, and protect skin from oxidative stress for smoother, more supple skin. An essence that does everything: The Essence Made with: Fermented Akita rice, moisture-retaining Okinawa algae, and antioxidant-rich Uji green tea. This harmonious trio of superfoods is fermented once more, boosting the benefits of the transformative superfoods and producing amino acids and alpha hydroxy acids like lactic acid, which support natural surface cell turnover for smooth skin.

Many of the best Japanese beauty products available today incorporate time-tested ingredients into modern formulations, for skincare solutions that seamlessly blend old and new. One of the most distinct elements of Japanese culture—one that can be seen, touched, tasted, and felt from the Arrivals terminal at Haneda airport to the mist-soaked streets of Kyoto’s Higashiyama—is the harmonious balance between the old and new.The nation’s unique history offers clues as to why. Once an archipelago of different native tribes, the country began to unify some four-hundred years BC, and over the course of centuries would coalesce into a country with its own language, customs, and practices. Modern Japan even saw a period of sakoku, or closed borders, in which the country only traded with China and a select group of Dutch traders for some two hundred years. After sakoku, Japan would begin to export aspects of its culture to the Western at large, sparking a vogue for distinctly Japanese products—from art to pottery to clothing—which much of the world had never seen before.In fact, many of these products have roots in traditions that span entire generations. Take green tea, for one. It’s believed that Buddhist monks traveled to China and brought the first green tea seeds back to Japan, planting them in the then-capital city of Kyoto. First noted for its medicinal properties, it was eventually enshrined in a highly respectful ceremony between hosts and guests in Japanese temples and palaces: the tea ceremony.Now, green tea is drunk all over the country, and Japanese green tea is drunk all over the world. You can also find the ingredient dusted into face creams and serums, since green tea supplies antioxidant benefits that help repair cellular damage. If that sounds surprising, then you may be curious to learn about all sorts of other Japanese beauty products and tools that not only have long histories in Japanese culture but have found new, contemporary, and science-backed uses. A geisha beauty secret: Camellia oilCamellia oil, or tsubaki, is a lightweight oil pressed from the seeds of the camellia flower, and has been popularly used in cooking. But it also has beauty applications since camellia oil is so beneficial for skin. According to texts that documented the routines of geisha performers, camellia oil was also used to remove thick stage makeup and moisturize skin. Its feather-light texture made it easy to mix with other ingredients, and its high vitamin content made skin luminous—a beautifying treat, inside and out. An inside-out superfood: Rice branRice is a Japanese diet staple. And when you look under the grain, you can see why: Komenuka, or rice bran, is a vital source of vitamins A, B, and E, as well as a complex blend of over a hundred antioxidant compounds—omegas 3 and 6, proteins, fats, fibers, ferulic acid, and minerals. Rice bran is also beneficial for the skin and has been used for centuries as a key ingredient in cleansers, masks, and bathing powders. Try it in: The Rice Polish: ClassicIt’s one of Tatcha’s most iconic products for a reason: The Rice Polish draws directly on the geisha beauty ritual of using rice bran as a gentle skin exfoliant. The nutrient-rich grain is finely milled suds into a soft cleansing cloud once mixed with water. A forest, bottled: Hinoki woodEver heard of “forest bathing”? Also known as shinrin-yoku, it’s a modern Japanese practice with ancient Shinto roots, and it may sound familiar: Being surrounded by nature makes us feel good. Scientists have hypothesized that this is due to benefits from the natural oils secreted by trees. But even without scientific explanation, the practice highlights the Japanese philosophy of living in harmony with nature. It’s good for us, in more ways than one. Try it in: Forest Awakening Hinoki Body MilkFormulated with the wood oils known to contain organic compounds proven to reduce stress, lift mood, and help improve well-being—including cedar, hiba, and hinoki—this lightweight moisturizing treatment helps relax the mind while it soothes the body. Try it in: Hinoki Massage SetHinoki has been the chosen building material for sacred temples and soaking tubs alike. Its scent is embedded in the bathing rituals of Japan. This massage set of ergonomic massage balls and tray, crafted in untreated hinoki, brings a spa-like touch to your at-home body rituals. A superlative softener: Silk proteinGeisha saw the great value in silk for their skin early on, and would use the fabric to “wash” their faces and bodies. It’s no wonder that silk is good for skin: Both are delicate, water-binding fabrics. Silk’s benefits for skin come from proteins including fibroin, the inner part of silk that nourishes and balances skin, and sericin, the outer part of silk that hydrates and veils skin with moisture. Tatcha’s silk-infused formulas are made using these liquid proteins, which are extracted from natural silk. Try it in: The Silk SerumRetinol is a tried-and-true skincare ingredient that helps promote cell turnover, but it can be harsh on all skin types. In Tatcha’s The Silk Serum, natural retinol alternatives—from cranberry extract and sea fennel—meet moisture-binding silk proteins to visibly firm, smooth, and reduce the look of deep wrinkles while reducing visible redness; or, in other words, turn skin to silk. Try it in: The Liquid Silk CanvasTatcha’s bestselling Japanese pore primer renders the softness of silk into a weightless primer. The easily-absorbed silk proteins pave a smooth “canvas” onto which you can apply makeup for all-day or all-night wear.An everything essential: MatchaMatcha, a form of powdered green tea, is an excellent source of antioxidants, which prevent and repair oxidative stress—otherwise known as the denaturing reactions between our inner skin cells and outer pollutants. But not all green teas are created equal. Some of the best in the world is still grown in Kyoto, where it was planted thousands of years ago. Tatcha’s matcha comes from here, and is grown under a parasol for a few weeks before harvest to increase its amino acid content—a practice which has earned Kyo-matcha the cheeky moniker of “princess of green tea.” Try it in: The Matcha Cleanse Formulated for oily skin, this gel suds into a soft foam that decongests pores and balances oil without stripping moisture away. Green tea lends its antioxidant content, but also has been known to soothe visible redness. BHA alternatives, meanwhile, work to refine pores and keep skin looking clean and clear. Try it in: The EssenceGreen tea also helps form Hadasei-3, Tatcha’s proprietary complex of botanically-derived actives. The Essence is made of 100% Hadasei-3, and works to help nourish the skin while boosting the efficacy of other applied skincare products—and, like a cup of tea, gives a little health to your overall ritual.

When it comes to dry skin, not all moisturizers are created equal. Read on as we discover the most effective creams to quench dryness and irritation. Skin yearning for hydration and occasionally feeling tight? You likely have dry skin. The great news is that for most people, dry skin can be easily remedied by adjusting their moisturizing routine, says the American Academy of Dermatology. But dry skin requires specific needs to feel quenched. Keep reading as we uncover the best moisturizer for dry skin.Moisturizer BasicsWhile dry skin isn’t a medical issue, dryness left untreated can lead to discomfort, irritation, redness, flaky or rough texture, and itchiness. A moisturizer works by simply putting moisture into the skin and preventing water from leaving the skin, notes the AAD. A moisturizer comes in a variety of options, including gels, lotions, creams, and ointments. A gel is often water-based and tends to feel lighter on the skin than a lotion, adds the AAD. A cream is thicker and has higher oil content than a lotion and gel, making it more hydrating. An ointment is the thickest of all, which can be helpful at creating a barrier on the skin to fight extreme temperatures or dryness.Those with dry skin have particular hydration needs, so look for moisturizers that include extra emollients, ceramides, and peptides to soften the skin’s surface and drench it with hydration.Dry Skin Hydration Do’s and Don’ts Do Hydrate on Damp Skin Putting a moisturizer on damp skin helps the product trap water in the skin and keep it from evaporating, says the AAD. Plus, a moisturizer will slide onto the skin more easily and absorb better when the skin is damp. Dry skin’s best friend? An essence, which can help prep skin and make a moisturizer hydrate more effectively. Do Inspect Skin Regularly What might be beneficial for skin one day or week, might not be as effective the following day or week. Skin is ever-evolving and adapting to its surroundings, and so should your skincare ritual. While a lightweight cream might be soothing majority of the time, extreme temperatures might leave skin in need of a rich cream. Analyze skin after cleansing regularly to assess its baseline.Don’t Do Too Much Introducing too many products or changes at once can be a surefire way to inflame dry skin. Test one product at a time and allow skin to adjust before considering another formula. If reactiveness is a common occurrence, spot test on an inconspicuous area first, like the neck or behind the ear to ensure there’s zero irritation.Best Face Moisturizer For Dry SkinDry skin loves pampering, so restore it with hydrating moisturizers, rich creams, and protective treatments. The best facial moisturizer for dry skin is The Dewy Skin Cream. The rich, moisturizing cream plumps skin for a dewy, healthy-looking glow—thanks to the antioxidant-packed Japanese purple rice, algae, hyaluronic acid, and our superpowered Hadasei-3 Complex (a trinity of Japanese superfoods that restore healthy radiance). The rich texture increases hydration, radiance, plumpness, and overall texture and firmness—perfect for dry skin. Best Face Cream For Extremely Dry SkinFor those who need to address both dehydration and irritation, grab the game-changing Indigo Overnight Repair. It’s one of the best face creams for very dry skin—although it’s technically a serum-in-a-cream—because it not only keeps moisture in, but it also is clinically shown to improve the strength of the skin barrier*, which can improve skin’s overall health and appearance. *Based on a 4-week clinical study on 25 participants.Best Non-Comedogenic Moisturizer For Dry SkinThe best face cream for dry skin can often be a cream or ointment—but that’s not always the best fit for acne-prone skin. Consider The Water Cream, which addresses both hydration and excessive oil in a single lightweight, clarifying cream. In a consumer study, 95 percent of users noted their skin looked brighter and more moisturized and 85 percent of users noted their pores appeared smaller.* *Based on a twice daily use for four weeks, in an independent consumer study of 20 women.No matter which moisturizer for dry skin you choose, be patient and diligent. While a moisturizer can instantly soothe skin, addressing dryness can be long-term. Follow a hydrating daily routine with love and care and your skin’s overall health is likely to follow.

Eye serums can be one of the most effective skincare tools in your daily regime. The trick is to first find the most ideal serum for you and then use it correctly. We have all the best eye serum tips you’ll need. Even with the most diligent intentions, the eye area can easily be problematic. Dryness, puffiness, eye bags, fine lines, and dark circles—all are perfectly normal issues that quickly arise around the eyes, which makes sense given that the area has some of the most delicate skin on the entire body. Eye creams are an effective way to treat the sensitive area, but a new and exciting genre of skincare has shown promising results for treating eye-related woes too: eye serums. The best eye serum can deliver potent ingredients more efficiently to the skin than an eye cream, helping to better address signs of puffiness, dehydration, and visible shadows. We dive into under eye serums, how to apply them, and which is the best eye serum—keep reading!What Is an Eye Serum?An eye serum is a highly concentrated formula designed to absorb quickly and address particular eye-specific needs. They will usually have a lighter or thinner texture, much like a facial serum does, with targeted ingredients designed to accomplish specific tasks, whether that be brightening, depuffing, or addressing the appearance of fine lines. Eye creams tend to have thicker, more occlusive textures with the purpose of locking in hydration.Additionally, some might enjoy the lightweight texture and quick absorption of an under eye serum if they’re prone to milia (small, white bumps that form under the skin sometimes from using excessively rich creams) or want to quickly layer makeup atop their skincare without needing it to set first.Speaking of overly rich eye creams, there is a possible link between heavy creams in excessive amounts causing chronic puffiness to the delicate under eye area. While more research is needed to find a definite link, some dermatologists suggest using only the amount of hydration needed around the eyes and nothing more. All this info makes an eye serum a particularly great choice for anyone, as the lightweight texture is ideal for all skin types.Eye Serums vs. Eye CreamsWhile it might be tempting to plot eye serums against eye creams, the two work hand-in-hand to benefit the delicate eye area. Much like how a facial serum and a moisturizer work together to better treat your skin, an eye serum and eye cream can work congruently. However, eye serums are perfectly happy working alone, as most have plenty of hydration and treatment ingredients to be effective on their own. (That said, if your under eyes are especially dehydrated, pairing an eye cream over an eye serum can be helpful.)What Can an Eye Serum Do?An eye serum can effectively address a handful of common issues. Here are a few of the most beneficial effects of an eye serum when used consistently.Brightening While a lack of sleep can help exacerbate dark circles, some people are just naturally prone to darkness under the eyes no matter how many hours of sleep they clock. The best eye serum for dark circles can help brighten the look of darkness with ingredients that address discoloration. Look for formulas that include ingredients that target the long-term appearance of darkness, like vitamin C, and also ingredients that immediately disguise the look of dark circles, such as pearl or gold powder. Reducing Puffiness Eye serums are heralded for many good reasons, but their ability to address stubborn puffiness around the eyes is perhaps their most notable trait. While eye creams can accomplish this difficult task, the best eye puffiness serum is able to better penetrate the skin and work deeper to de-puff. Seek out formulas that contain caffeine, one of the most effective ways to quickly deflate puffy eyes.Also, an under eye serum is less likely to cause puffiness around the eyes (either from irritation or too rich of a formula) while an eye cream can potentially do so for some users. Additionally, many of the best eye serums intentionally have applicators that help to massage in the product, which aids the serum to absorb better but also manually helps massage fluid out from under the eye, too. Hydration The beauty of an eye serum is the hydration it delivers—not too little and certainly not too much. The water-based formula allows for quicker hydration and absorption, permitting the hydrating and active ingredients to get to work faster. It also won’t be too hydrating, so as not to weigh down or over-hydrate the delicate area. Look for serums that tout hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and algae, that can provide all-day moisture. Addressing Fine Lines and Wrinkles As we’ve learned, the best eye serum can target certain common eye woes and that certainly includes fine lines. Their ability to absorb quicker allows them to penetrate deeper and visibly firm and soften fine lines and wrinkles. Many ingredients can accomplish this firming effect, but peptides and botanical ingredients (like honeysuckle extract) are most notable in the best lifting eye serums.How to Use an Eye SerumAs with many skincare products, consistency is key when it comes to eye serums. To achieve the impressive potential benefits listed above, it’s ideal to apply thoughtfully morning and night with your skincare routine. After moisturizing, apply the serum under the eyes (most formulas are specifically designed for under the eyes, but check with your doctor if you can apply the formula on your eyelids, too). If it comes with an applicator, use it to gently massage the serum into the skin, working to lightly push fluids from under the eye, too.The Best Eye SerumLuminous Deep Hydration Firming Eye Serum If you’re looking for the best eye serum, try our beloved Luminous Deep Hydration Firming Eye Serum. Hydrate, reduce puffiness around the eye area, and visibly firm the skin with our award-winning serum. The formula includes a handful of potent ingredients, including Okinawa red algae, hyaluronic acid, honeysuckle leaf, and caffeine to help accomplish numerous tasks instantly. The serum also includes apricot oil, which is known for its skin-smoothing and antioxidant properties, cocooning the eye in lightweight hydration. Plus, the cooling ceramic applicator and fine dust of 23-karat gold brighten, visibly reduce shadows under the eyes, and depuff instantly.Looking to take your under eyes to the next level? Try an under eye serum, which provides so many benefits and instant results you’ll have no choice but to massage in morning and night and admire your luminous skin.

When you blend two or more skin types, you get combination skin. But what is combination skin? As it turns out, it’s a lot simpler to care for than it is to describe. In addition to the three major skin types is another that, actually, incorporates all three into one. It’s known as combination skin.What is combination skin? The simplest definition of combination skin is when you have dry skin in some areas and oily skin in other areas (most often your T-zone), and yet caring for it is a matter of much more complexity. You can think of this unique skin type as offering a little bit of everything, like a diverse topography—arid here, temperate there, slick over there. Dermatologists use slightly less evocative terms. Unlike skin that exhibits all-over signs of sebum overproduction or underproduction, combination skin has both dry spots and oily spots, coexisting on one face.Combination skin is a prevalent skin type and many people consider combination skin to be the new “normal”, with some studies positing that more than half of all people will go combination at one point or another. It happens for a variety of reasons, from the weather around us to the products we use. It’s typical to experience dryness across the cheeks and oiliness in the T-zone that stretches across the forehead and down the bridge of the nose, but combination skin can look a few different ways. Some have even wondered whether combination skin exists as a skin type, or if most of us are simply caught in an oily-dry binary. Even those of us who identify with a particular skin type may find ourself feeling elements of both at once.Perhaps it’s a matter of beauty philosophy. In reality, combination skin is its own type because it has different needs than skin that is all-over dry or oily. Mostly, it’s about finding balance between the two, as well as understanding what sorts of factors contribute to your skin’s texture. Some dermatologists have hypothesized that a damaged skin barrier can lead to skin behaving erratically.If you have any questions about your skin type, the best place to take them is your local dermatologist, who can offer specific diagnoses and treatment options. This guide can’t administer a dermatologic examination, but it can help provide an understanding of how some skincare products and ingredients can be beneficial for combination skin types.All skin types, but especially combination types, may find a high concentration of sebum-secreting pores in their T-zone, which gives the area a wet feeling and a waxy shine—even as other areas, like on the chin or cheeks, feel dry to the touch. They might experience a breakout in one quadrant and a scaly dry patch in another. They may also be cautious of using certain products, from moisturizer to makeup, all over their face, lest it behave differently wherever it goes.So how do people deal with combination skin? Usually with a mixture of products that absorb oil and others that blanket skin in moisture. Still, it’s important to exercise care when introducing new products into your routine, which is why you should always run these changes by an expert, like a trusted dermatologist or aesthetician. Misusing products is one of the things that can aggravate skin, throwing combination skin into risky imbalance. What causes combination skin? Combination skin can be caused by genetics, the environment, and the choices you make in your day-to-day life. Hormones can also play a role in skin texture and thus skin type—testosterone, for one, has been shown to regulate sebum production.Where one is located also plays a role in how oily or dry (or both) their skin might be. Things like weather, climate, even the sheer humidity in the air can have an effect on your skin type, which can be managed with a specific skincare routine for humid climates.If you’re not sure of your own skin type, you can get some clues using one of two at-home methods. The first involves washing your face, then watching your face. After 30 minutes, examine; after another 30 minutes, examine again. If a noticeable shine has collected on your nose and forehead, you may have a combination skin type. Another way is to use a blotting sheet, or two, to figure out which areas of your face are naturally oily and which ones aren’t. (The blotting paper turns translucent with oil, giving you something like a sebum map of your face.) Can I change my combination skin? While skin types can (and do) change in response to genetics, aging, and external stimuli, it’s unpredictable, improbable, and probably easier to embrace whatever skin type you have—even if its combination. However, there are a few considerations you can keep in mind in order to keep those oil-dryness levels in near-perfect harmony.Respect the skin barrier. The skin barrier, the layer of dead cells, proteins and fats that provides the outermost shell of the epidermis, is a hugely important membrane for ensuring that bad stuff stays out of our skin while good stuff stays in. It may sound simplistic, but it’s true, and many skin imbalances are increasingly becoming associated with damaged skin barriers. Damage can happen with overly stripping formulas, like high-powered acid peels or squeaky-clean cleansers; combination skin types should steer clear.Localize your skincare applications. If one moisturizer is unlikely to satisfy the different needs of your one face, why not opt for more? Experts recommend using different formulas to do the same thing on different areas of the face. For example: A hyaluronic acid serum may feel heavenly on dry skin, while one that promises to shrink pores could be more appropriate for your oily areas.Don’t skip out on moisture. In addition to avoiding overly stripping products, you’ll want to make sure those hydrators and moisturizers that come toward the end of your routine are doing their jobs well. Moisturized skin is healthy skin, period. A powerhouse all-over moisturizer (or rotation of moisturizers) can help ensure balance even for combination skin types. How do I care for my combination skin? It’s our opinion that one of the best ways to care for combination skin involves choosing products suitable for both dryness and oiliness—products that nourish, hydrate, and moisturize skin, things that every skin type needs. A good skincare routine for combination skin created with these core goals in mind can help bring the disparate climes of your skin type closer together, toward a balanced state. A lightweight cleanser Cleansing combination skin simply means not stripping it of its moisture. This is probably easier to do on the oily areas of the face than the dry ones, but it’s good to keep in mind: A gel cleanser- or cream-based formula will effectively remove gunk and dirt but still rinse away to bouncy, soft skin. (No tight feeling here.) Our new Matcha Cleanse cuts through oil with a soap-free superplant-enhanced gel formula, and includes ceramide-rich Japanese mugwort for extra cushion. But even an oil, like the Camellia Cleansing Oil—a featherweight cleanser made from a lipid-rich natural oil—will work wonders on combination skin.A gentle exfoliant If you haven’t already, it’s a good idea to add an exfoliant into your combination skincare routine. These exfoliants can do a better job than your cleanser of decongesting pores, smoothing skin texture, and removing dead skin, build-up, and excess oil from the face. There are two paths to stroll down: Physical exfoliants, like the Rice Polish Deep, use finely milled granules (of rice bran, in our case) to tenderly slough skin’s surface, while chemical exfoliants like The Texture Tonic use acids to achieve the same goal. (Both include pore-shrinking ingredients, too.) You can choose based on your product preferences or ask an expert for a little more guidance. A team of moisturizers For combination skin, reach for gel-weight moisturizers in the summer and heavier ones in the winter in order to maximize skin’s moisture. To that end, The Water Cream makes a perfect warm weather companion, bursting with hydration on the surface of skin but feeling like no more than a veil. In colder climes, you can rely on something like The Silk Cream, which uses proteins from the fabric itself to mimic skin’s texture and “seal” the skin barrier. Either are lightweight enough to use for combination skin on their own, but together they comprise the perfect year-round duo. A clay mask Masks can provide all sorts of extra benefits to skin, as they’re left on longer but are used less frequently. Clay masks, in particular, have been used for centuries to purify the skin; clay helps to draw out impurities, and even expunge pores. The Clarifying Clay Mask includes ingredients that detoxify and exfoliate the skin, and can be used all over—or just wherever you find oil pooling. Sun protection Combination skin is most noticeable at its most chaotic; when dry skin is irritatingly dry and oily skin is slick with sebum. A weakening of the skin barrier, caused by reactions to skincare products or interactions from the environment, will only widen the gulf. It’s yet another reason that combination skin needs daily sun protection to help protect skin at the cellular level. But a sunscreen with the right skin-smoothing texture, like The Silk Sunscreen, can also help as a finishing skincare step to balance out combination skin—especially if it contains a weightless zinc oxide and biosimilar silk proteins. A little something extra Oily skin happens. And when it does, it’s nothing to stress about. But if excess oil leaves you feeling less than your best, a blotting paper goes a long way. This unique category of beauty accessories uses small pieces of paper that hoover up oil. Our Aburatorigami papers are made of a pressed abaca leaf that wicks away oil gently, inspired by a geisha beauty secret. All it takes is a sheet or two to balance things out on your own.

It might seem tempting to consider a Tatcha moisturizer dupe, assuming it’s the same quality just at a more svelte price point. But you get what you pay for—Tatcha’s products come with time-honored ingredients and testing, unlike these dupes. Searching for a Tatcha moisturizer dupe? We’re all looking for a deal these days and it’s hard to pass up a dupe that promises all the benefits of a product at a much lower price. But in skincare,you get what you pay for—from cost-cutting to a lack of proven quality and testing. At Tatcha, we are honored to have beloved products, especially our award-winning moisturizers. They’re often imitated, but never duplicated—meaning dupes can try to knock off our formulas, but they can never hold a candle to the value of the original. Here’s why a Tatcha moisturizer dupe can’t compare to the real thing.The Real Cost of DupesBrands offering dupes claim their products are similar in quality, if not identical. But that couldn't be further from the truth. Tatcha moisturizer dupes often lack the strict testing, careful ingredient sourcing, and rigorous quality control of the original. It’s like buying a fake designer bag; it might feel good at the moment, but the product will fall apart quickly, leaving you wishing you had spent the money on the real thing. Product dupes sacrifice both the sensorial experience and results. Customers may notice a stickiness to the texture, a less pleasant odor, or even feel residue after application. Without the same careful formulation, Tatcha moisturizer dupes may even produce adverse reactions and less dramatic results.Investing in Tatcha’s Formulation and PhilosophyWhen you purchase a Tatcha moisturizer, you’re buying into a long and historic Japanese-inspired approach. Our formulas are rooted in classical Japanese skincare, melding time-honored beliefs and processes with modern ingredients and breakthroughs. You’re also ensuring the safety of your skin. Our approach is rooted in products that respect the skin barrier first and foremost. Skincare will not work properly if the skin barrier is disrupted, which is why every formula is made to support the delicate barrier.Why Tatcha Moisturizers?While we may be a tad biased, we believe Tatcha moisturizers are un-dupeable. Each and every formula is created and perfected at the Tatcha Institute in Tokyo. Our in-house research and development team craft every moisturizer from scratch, a stark contrast to the wider skincare industry.. We create our products in-house, while many other brands creating dupes often work with multiple manufacturers, making products with less oversight and consistency.In A League of Our OwnOur moisturizers also have something no other Tatcha moisturizer dupe can claim: our proprietary Hadasei-3 complex. The powerhouse trio of fermented Japanese superfoods improves the efficacy of the rest of your skincare, boosts skin’s radiance, and deeply hydrates for a plumped suppleness. How does it work so effectively? Its deeply hydrating and barrier-supporting properties help retain moisture and active ingredients in the skin longer than water to improve their penetration and extend performance.Another Tatcha formulation that sets us apart? Our dedication to emollients, which is the impressive ingredient that forms a protective barrier on the skin, helping to relieve dryness, itching, and scaling, says the Cleveland Clinic. While many brands rely on just one or two emollients in their formulations, Tatcha products are thoughtfully optimized to blend a complex of emollients. Our experts carefully craft products with multiple weights of emollients: Low-weight emollients penetrate layers of the skin; while high-weight emollients help seal the skin barrier to retain moisture and prevent irritation. When blended together in our moisturizers, these emollients work in harmony to optimize the penetration of actives and repair the skin barrier.The Best Tatcha MoisturizersEvery single Tatcha moisturizer is formulated for optimal effectiveness, here is what makes every moisturizer in our collection so extraordinarily special—and un-dupeable.The Dewy Skin Cream One of our most popular products, this rich moisturizer is packed with a symphony of ingredients, including antioxidants (Japanese purple rice), hydrators (Okinawa algae and hyaluronic acid), and botanical extracts (ginseng, wild thyme, and sweet marjoram), leaving skin dewy (as the name suggests), hydrated, and glowing.The Water Cream The Allure ‘Hall of Fame’ winner, this clever lightweight moisturizer is often replicated but never matched. Designed to perfectly balance oily and combination skin, the unique clarifying cream releases a burst of hydrating nutrients and pore-refining botanicals for healthy hydration.The Indigo Calming Cream Approved by the esteemed National Eczema Association, this fragrance-free moisturizer has a one-of-a-kind blend of Japanese indigo and therapeutic colloidal oatmeal to address redness, itchiness, and dehydration. Ideal for the most sensitive skin, even eczema.Indigo Overnight Repair This groundbreaking formulation is unlike any other product on the market. A serum-in-moisturizer, this overnight treatment visibly calms irritation, strengthens skin, deeply hydrates, and diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The un-dupeable formula includes powerful Japanese indigo extract, replenishing ceramides, and balancing mondo grass root.The Silk Cream Perfected for dry and mature skin, this firming cream harnesses liquid silk protein to form a light, moisture-binding veil on the skin for restorative hydration and healthy-looking radiance.Ageless Enriching Renewal Cream Our most intensely rich face cream, this moisturizer is a soothing salve for dry and very dry skin. The nourishing formula hydrates and firms with a blend of botanical extracts, including peony flower and gardenia fruit.While considering a Tatcha moisturizer dupe might seem tempting, your skin deserves better. Purchase the real thing because you’re worth the investment.

Of all of the major skin types, combination skin may be one of the most misunderstood. There’s dry skin, and oily skin, and yet here’s another distinct type that involves both at once. The simple definition of combination skin is skin that is simultaneously dry somewhere and oily elsewhere. Dermatologists say that it’s more common than you might think, with more than half of all people having combination skin at some level and at some point in their lives. Many of us, even those who complain of excessively dry or oily skin, have felt our skin spanning the entire moisture spectrum at once, leading some to wonder if combination skin exists at all. In short: It does. In longer: The goal of combination skin is to achieve a balance between those two equal but opposite states. This skin type can be genetic, but it can also be brought on slowly by changes in the environment or one’s lifestyle. In some cases, dermatologists have even posited a link between combination skin and a weak or damaged skin barrier. Indeed, an overabundance of skincare product use can make matters worse. But the right products and a skincare routine for combination skin that uses thoughtful ingredients can turn things around. It’s a good idea to talk to your dermatologist or licensed aesthetician before you make any changes to your skincare routine, and these pros can also help elucidate what combination skin means for you. In the meantime, you can learn how a strategically-selected moisturizer can actually help you best your combination skin. What is combination skin? Combination skin is a little bit of everything. The most common definition, and the one used by the American Academy of Dermatology Association, is skin that is dry in some areas and oily in others. But there are discernible patterns to combination skin. One of the first places to look is the T-zone, named for the skin across the forehead and down the nose. A high concentration of sebum-secreting pores are normally found here, but those with combination skin typically notice oiliness in their T-zone, and may find enlarged pores there. By contrast, their cheeks, chin, or neck may feel dry. Those who find themselves getting breakouts and dry patches at the same time may be doing so as a result of a combination skin type. This presents a vexing problem to combination skincare users: To moisturize, or not to moisturize? Even after a layer of a skin-sealing occlusive formula, dryness may be soothed, but oil soon runneth over. On skin-focused corners of Reddit, some users wrestle with the options: Let my combination skin run free, or carry powder and blotting papers on hand at all times? There is, of course, another option—seeking out the best moisturizer for combination skin. What causes combination skin? Like all of the other skin types, combination skin can be influenced by genetics, the environment, and the choices you make in your day-to-day life. Some doctors link skin oiliness to the endocrine system, as sebum production is influenced by testosterone. One last thing to check: Where are you? The oily-dry interplay common to combination skin can also be caused by changes in the weather. Even the humidity in the air can have an effect on your skin type, which can be managed with a specific skincare routine for humid climates. To determine your skin type and get a sense for how your skin performs at baseline, try washing your face and then watching your face in your home bathroom. After 30 minutes, examine; after another 30 minutes, examine again. If a noticeable shine has collected on your nose and forehead, you may have a combination skin type. What to look for in skincare for combination skin As our understanding of this skin type has expanded, so have the options tailor made to them. The key to combination skin is in choosing products that can address the needs of both dry and oily skin at the same time. Though a product may not have “combination skin” printed on its label, the following include a few product preferences among these skin types. Lightweight formulas Heavy creams or dense oils may feel like heaven on dry skin; they also might slide off your T-zone if you have combination skin. Looking for products with lightweight textures, like gels and serums, play well applied to all corners of the face—and can be build up in areas where you need extra moisture. Balancing ingredients There are a few ingredients commonly seen in combination or oily skin-forward formulas—like exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that are able to reach down into pores and unclog them, or humectant hyaluronic acid that binds water to the skin barrier. But there are also rare botanicals noted to help balance out skin’s oil and water levels. (Tatcha’s own Balancing Ritual, which spans four products, features an array of ingredients that benefit combination skin, from wild rose to rice bran.) Pinch hitters For moments of unavoidable oil, there are in-the-moment skincare solutions called blotting papers. Tatcha’s aburatorigami papers, inspired by a Japanese geisha beauty secret, are made of abaca leaf that wicks away oil gently, leaving nothing but matte skin behind. Which moisturizer helps combination skin?  When it comes to conquering combination skin, a solid moisturizer is a good thing to have. These necessary skincare products are the last step (before applying the best sunscreen for combination skin) in our routines, stretching a seal over our clean, hydrated skin. But a moisturizer’s texture can be a tricky issue, particularly for combination skin. Too light and it’s ineffective on dry skin; too heavy and it doesn’t stand a chance against oil. You’d need something gentle and purely hydrating, almost akin to water. And you’d find it in The Water Cream, one of Tatcha’s best-selling formulas—widely beloved for its oil-free formula that works on even very oily skin. The product’s unique texture features a waterburst effect when applied to skin, for an intense infusion of moisture typical of a heavier cream. In addition to the brand’s proprietary complex of skin-superfoods, the Water Cream features a pore-minimizing wild rose, and the antioxidant-rich herb known as heartleaf, a natural alternative to exfoliating azelaic acid. It’s a favorite of the makeup artist Daniel Martin, who uses it before he works to create a smooth, even canvas on which to paint. If that’s not an endorsement for the best moisturizer for combination skin, what else could be?