The review below is a repost from Ged’s blog for which I will be forever grateful. Ged was a complete stranger to me prior to my encountering him on Instagram. I reached out asking if he’d accept a guest review on his amazing website. I selected to review Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powder, a perennial favorite of mine, and I’m delighted to share those comments below. Enjoy the read! Thank you, Ged. I appreciate your support tremendously.
I first came in contact with rice bran cleansing powder ten years ago. It was considered a splurge back then and considering its price point, not much has changed today. I used the Komenuka Bijin single use packets and while I enjoyed the results, I wasn’t wild about the packaging and as a result I never repurchased. I readily admit, however, that they make for a perfect travel accessory!
Recently, I’ve moved on to another high end brand and have used their papaya enzyme peel powder. While it looks chic and works quite well, it hasn’t yet earned Holy Grail status. If you are a fan of–or even remotely curious about–water-activated enzyme powders to cleanse your face, you must give Tatcha a try.
I first learned about the brand from The New York Times (or, perhaps it was The Wall Street Journal, I can’t be certain.) Tatcha has been receiving impressive press coverage. The brand has tackled the luxury market, achieving presence at Barneys New York while also earning exposure to a new demographic and launching on QVC in the US. Subtle and genius. No surprises here as Tatcha’s founder, Victoria Tsai is a Harvard Business School alum.
I treated myself to Tatcha’s Polished this past holiday season and it did not disappoint on any level. The Rice Enzyme Powder arrived within 2 days of my placing the order on the company website. The packaging was exquisite; the shipping was free. Opening the box was a ritual unto itself and seeing a generous array of samples immediately put me in the holiday spirit!
The powder comes in a jar with a sliding tab on the inner lid. I keep mine in the shower since I use it every morning. I recommend keeping the lid on tight to avoid moisture getting in. The fragrance-free enzyme powder is an intoxicating blend of rice brand and papaya. I apply a hefty dash to the palm of my hand, add a few drops of water, and it foams up something fierce. I take my time to massage it onto a wet face (textbook rule: avoid the eye area) and rinse off after a minute. When short on time, I can be guilty of leaving it on a minute longer and quickly shaving in the shower.
The enzymatic exfoliation is free of any abrasives and safe enough for daily use. My skin feels ultra clean after using Polished but never taut or dry. It’s incredibly soft and primed for serum and cream application. The dissolving action of this rice powder cleans out my pores and most definitely brightens my complexion.
In a short amount of time, I’d say I’ve moved from impressed to obsessed with Tatcha’s Polished. Available in skin type specific formulas (gentle for dry/sensitive skin, classic for normal/combination skin and deep for oily skin types), a 2.1oz (60g) jar retails for a mere $65. In my humble opinion, you get every bit of what you pay for so go ahead and treat yourself!
All Tatcha products are formulated without parabens, mineral oil, sulfates, synthetic fragrances and urea. While all of this makes me very happy, I am knocking them down a full point only because talc is the first ingredient in all formulations.
I couldn’t be more excited about the recent addition of Tatcha Polished Rice Enzyme Powder to Sephora.com! Check them out at barneys.com as well! Available at tatcha.com and barneys.com.
