Meet the Tatcha Institute Team

Our dedicated team of scientists translate the skin-mind connection into skincare formulas proven by NeuroSkin Science.

Founding Chief Scientist at the Tatcha Institute

Masato Tagawa

A world-renowned chemist, Tagawa-san is an authority in colloid chemistry. After spending 25 years in research and development, he founded the Tatcha Institute in 2010 and created Tatcha’s Hadasei-3™ proprietary complex. With expertise in raw material science, he continues to develop new Tatcha formulas that harness the skin-mind connection to deliver transformative results.

A Research & Development Authority

Education: Tokyo University of Science Master Degree

Background: Former R&D Director at Nikko Chemicals Co.

Favorite Product: The Essence

Q&A with Masato Tagawa

Tatcha was founded on the belief that skin and mind share the same root. As ascientist, how do you think about that?

When someone first applies a cosmetic, they open the lid, smell it, look at it, and then use it. If the sensation on the skin in that moment is made deeply comfortable, and where exactly is that comfort felt? We experience that feeling through the brain. That is why prioritizing texture is a fundamental principle in cosmetics.

What does it mean to you to formulate for the skin-mind connection—not just for what skin looks like, but for what it feels?

It goes beyond how the skin looks—it's about how it feels. When someone applies a cream to their skin, that sensation travels to the brain and creates a sense of well-being. And then, when they wake the next morning to feel their skin is vibrant and full—that is what I believe matters most in a product.

Is there anything about what Hadasei-3 does that still surprises you, even now?

Last year, we tested Hadasei-3 on volunteers, measuring moisture levels in the stratumcorneum. When Hadasei was applied, moisture levels increased significantly. And not only that—we found the moisture was retained for an extended period of time.

Chief Formulator at the Tatcha Institute

Junichi Nakamura

A Formulation Expert

Education: Tokyo University of Science Master Degree

Background: Former R&D Director at Nikko Chemicals Co.

Favorite Product: Luminous Dewy Skin Mist

Q&A with Junichi Nakamura

What drew you to Tatcha—and what made you stay?

Vicky's ideas are always innovative and challenging to bring to life. That is what drew me in, andI am still continuing the challenge of developing new formulas with Tatcha. That spirit of continual innovation is what Tatcha means to me.

How do you bridge Japanese wisdom and ingredients with modern scientific innovation in your formulation process?

Traditional Japanese ingredients and components tend to be relatively fragile. However, whenincorporating them into a formula, new materials are now being developed that allow us tocombine and stabilize them so they are not damaged in the process.

How do you formulate with the 5 senses in mind, creating textures and experiences that transform skincare into a sensorial ritual?

Among the five senses in cosmetics, what I prioritize most is texture—the tactile feel—and visual appearance. In cosmetics, texture is probably the very first thing you perceive. Efficacy doesn't reveal itself immediately, so the feeling when you first touch it is what forms your initial impression of a product. That is why texture is essential. More than anything, it makes me happiest when someone touches what I’ve made and says the texture is wonderful.