Expensive but Worth It? An Editor's Honest Thoughts on Tatcha
Alice Hartwell
Does this premium Japanese beauty brand live up to the hype (and price tag)?
As a beauty editor (with a particular weakness for skincare), saving up to invest in a luxury moisturiser feels almost second nature. While some might recoil at the price of a premium essence, I remain intrigued.
That said, I don’t splurge lightly. If I’m spending that much on skincare, I expect every pound to work hard. A luxury product should do more than make lofty claims. I want results that genuinely justify the investment.
Japanese skincare brand Tatcha has been quietly building its reputation since 2009. (Who remembers the Dewy Skin Mist that every beauty YouTuber loved?) Now, with J-Beauty enjoying a fresh wave of popularity, the brand is firmly back in the spotlight. But with the range carrying a luxury price tag, the question remains: are Tatcha’s products actually worth the money?
Behind the Brand: Tatcha
Tatcha was founded by Vicky Tsai, and is inspired by the timeless beauty rituals of Japanese geishas. The brand centres its formulas around the Hadasei-3 complex—a trio of twice-fermented rice, green tea and algae—designed to nourish the skin and strengthen the barrier.
Tatcha Products In Review
This lightweight gel moisturiser is formulated with “pore-refining” botanicals and hydrating nutrients—both things I was confident my dehydrated, acne-prone skin would love, and did.
I feel like my pores appear considerably smaller since using this cream daily, and despite the lightweight formula, my skin never feels lacking in hydration.
My only criticism? It feels like you don’t get a lot in the tub. While a little goes further than you’d expect, those who prefer to apply their moisturiser generously may find themselves working through it faster than their bank account would appreciate.
If there were one product that defined luxury for me in the Tatcha range, it would be this SPF. The look, the feel, the wear—everything about this justifies the price point for me.
Watery in texture, this sunscreen is one of the lightest I’ve ever used and absorbs into the skin almost instantly, leaving behind a luminous glow.
It feels soothing and protective with broad-spectrum UV filters, Vitamin E, and aloe. I’m already on my second tube, with no intention of switching anytime soon.
Vitamin C has developed a somewhat divisive reputation in recent years. Many people (myself included) have steered clear of it for fear of irritation.
But after months of dull, winter-weary skin, I decided to give this serum a try. I wasn’t expecting miracles, but I was pleasantly surprised.
I’ve used it every morning for weeks with zero irritation and have noticed a huge difference in the radiance of my skin. It also feels like it’s really helped to fade my acne hyperpigmentation too.
In my experience, cleansing oils and balms go one way or the other. Worst-case scenario, they sting your eyes and leave your skin feeling striped and drier than the Sahara.
This one removes eye makeup with little effort (and no stinging) and leaves your skin feeling soft and just the right amount of clean.
A little also goes a long way, which is also important with the hefty price tag.
This cleanser was my introduction to Tatcha, and after just a few weeks of use, I noticed a visible improvement in both my breakouts and skin texture. I was hooked enough to try the rest of the range from there.
You only need a very small amount—the cream lathers beautifully and generously. So I suspect one tube of this to last a long time indeed.
True, and essence isn’t an absolute necessity for your skincare routine, but they offer an extra boost of hydration and active ingredients if you’re a bit of a beauty obsessive.
Tatcha’s has been formulated with fermented Japanese superfoods to help boost the effectiveness of the rest of your routine.
While this is a lovely product, I don’t feel I’ve noticed a massive difference in my skin since introducing it. I think it can be lived without.
A note on the price: it may be eye-watering, but, again, a little goes a long way, and it’s a hefty bottle.
Final Thoughts
I can’t remember the last time a skincare brand transformed my complexion as noticeably as Tatcha. So much so, I’ve swapped almost my entire routine over to the brand, and I have no intention of switching back anytime soon. (Sorry, bank account.)
Yes, the products are undeniably expensive, but I’d rather invest in a handful of formulas that genuinely deliver than spend the same amount cycling through products that promise the world and do very little. For me, that’s what makes Tatcha worth the splurge.
That said, you certainly don’t need the entire range. A few hero products are enough to build a brilliant routine. Of course, skincare is deeply personal, and your experience may differ from mine, but I’d happily recommend Tatcha to anyone. Better yet, many of the brand’s bestsellers are available in mini sizes, making it easy to try them before committing to the full-size versions.
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