Hadasei-3 Skincare Complex

A Look Into Tatcha’s Proprietary Complex: Hadasei-3

Summary:

Hadasei-3 is the base of almost every Tatcha product. We uncover what the proprietary complex is, why it’s so potent, and the famed products featuring it that make your skin glow.

Meet Hadasei-3, the proprietary, fermented complex blending time-honored ingredients with advanced science techniques to harness a formula that plumps skin, supports the barrier, and minimizes visible signs of aging. This novel complex was crafted by the scientists at the Tatcha Institute in Tokyo, founded in 2010 to marry classic Japanese beauty wisdom with modern innovation. Allow us to take you on a journey of Hadasei-3, exploring how it was created, the ingredients that power it, and the impressive clinical results.

Hadasei-3’s Origin Story

The name ‘Hadasei-3’ might seem unique at first glance, but it carries deep purpose and intention. In Japanese, “hada” means skin, and “sei” means “life.” As for the number “3”, it refers to the foundational ingredients that power the complex: Akita rice, Uji green tea, and Okinawa algae.

Inspired by the nutrient-rich Japanese diet, the Tatcha Institute took a page from a practice used for centuries in Japanese food and wellness: hakkō or fermentation. While fermenting skincare might seem unique, the Tatcha Institute discovered its benefits and the long tradition and connection between nutrition and skin in Japan. Crafted with a proprietary yeast and double fermented rice along with algae and green tea, Hadasei-3 is a complex rich in lactic acid, amino acids, antioxidants, and nutrients that support healthy-looking skin.

Hadasei-3 is present in almost all of Tatcha’s formulas, as it’s the foundation of our brand. It’s also the essence of The Essence, which is comprised entirely of Hadasei-3 (more on that award-winning product below). The complex is inspired by skin lotions, a foundational, lightweight liquid popular in Japanese skincare. Skin lotions, traditionally used directly after cleansing, are beloved for their ability to prepare the skin and help subsequent products absorb more effectively. In the Japanese skincare ritual, replenishing moisture immediately after cleansing is essential. Based on this idea of skin lotions, the Tatcha Institute created Hadasei-3 to deliver a greater level of nourishment and hydration while penetrating the skin more quickly and priming the skin more effectively.

Hadasei-3 Ingredients

Rooted in the nutrient-dense Japanese diet, widely considered the healthiest in the world, Hadasei-3 is rich in essential amino acids and gentle AHAs, like lactic acid, to gently resurface while hydrating. Let’s explore the three ingredients that make up the Hadasei-3 complex: fermented rice, green tea, and algae.

Rice

While rice is already wonderfully beneficial for the skin, Tatcha’s formulation takes it a step further by fermenting the Akita rice for further development of beneficial properties. Rice-derived skincare has been shown in studies to offer brightening, moisturizing, and soothing benefits, helping to gently exfoliate and impart a radiant glow. Tatcha’s double-fermented Akita rice supports the skin’s natural moisturizing factors for a healthy barrier.

Green Tea

The popular tea is not only delicious to drink, but it is also impressively rich in polyphenols, which are known to have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea is a rich source of epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, widely regarded as one of the most powerful antioxidants available. In a study researching the skin benefits of the antioxidant, EGCG has been found to have a positive effect on skin hydration, moisture retention, and the prevention of wrinkle formation. Tatcha’s Uji green tea helps neutralize oxidative damage to reduce signs of premature aging.

Algae

Prized for centuries (if not millennia) across numerous cultures, both dietarily and cosmetically, algae is packed with antioxidants and moisture-locking properties. The superfood naturally has scientifically proven humectant properties that keep skin hydrated longer and is rich in protein, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids, making it an ideal ingredient to nurture and support healthy skin. Tatcha’s Okinawa algae helps moisture retention with skin-plumping polysaccharides.

Scientific Proof

As the backbone of Tatcha, Hadasei-3 has been rigorously tested. We’re proud of the numerous scientific tests that showcase the many benefits of our fermented proprietary complex. Hadasei-3 holds moisture in the skin significantly better than water and is formulated to enhance the efficacy of subsequent skincare products.

The Myth, The Legend, The Essence

As proudly mentioned above, Tatcha’s fermented complex is present in nearly every single formulation we lovingly craft, but the ultimate love letter to Hadasei-3 is The Essence, comprised solely of the proprietary formula.

If there’s one product that tells the story of Tatcha, it’s The Essence. It does it all: supports healthy aging, softens, smoothes, hydrates, preps the skin, and protects. It works instantly, improves skin moisturization the moment it is applied, but also over time, helping to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and firmness over a single week. It also works holistically with the rest of your skincare routine, helping serums and moisturizers applied after The Essence work harder. But The Essence is also proof that powerful results don’t have to be finicky, painful, or difficult to use: The Essence has been shown to be as effective as retinol at improving towards visible firmness.*

Clinical Results

621% improvement in moisturization after just one use, as found in a bio-instrumentation study on 30 panelists.
100% showed improvement in smoothness, softness, and suppleness after just a single use, as discovered in an expert grading study on 30 panelists.
100% showed improvement in skin radiance after a week of use, as noted in an expert grading study on 30 panelists.
100% of users showed improvement in fine lines and wrinkles after one week of use, based on an expert grading study on 34 panelists.
93% showed improvement in visible skin firmness after one week, based on a clinical study of 32 panelists.

Hadasei-3 in Skincare

Why is Hadasei-3 used as a base in nearly every single Tatcha product? The Tatcha Institute discovered that Hadasei-3 could function as a nutrient-rich base rather than just an added ingredient. By supplementing a portion of the water phase in the formula with Hadasei-3, Tatcha’s formulas deliver lactic acid, amino acids, antioxidants, and nutrients from the very first step, supporting hydration while nourishing the skin. Hadasei-3 doesn’t just sit on the skin’s surface, it actively drives moisture deeper for visibly transformative hydration.

These nourishing benefits are particularly present in our Dewy Skin moisturizers, from the plumping Dewy Skin Cream to the radiance-enhancing Dewy Milk Moisturizer. Hadasei-3 delivers unparalleled hydration, yet never weighs down the skin. If you’re ready to experience luminous hydration and enviable moisture, explore our guide to achieving dewy skin, featuring our favorite essentials powered by Hadasei-3.

*Based on in vitro testing on biomarkers including COL1A1, COL3A1, and ELN.