T-House

Do you often find your skin slick with oil and excessively shiny, even within hours of cleansing? You might have oily skin. Although oily skin can often be synonymous with acne and enlarged pores, the maligned skin type has many incredible benefits, too. (For example, the oil helps preserve the skin, so people with oily skin tend to have fewer wrinkles as they age.) There’s no way to change your skin type, but you can find a healthy balance between excessive oil and skin’s natural moisture. Below we deep dive into how to treat oily skin, tips, and the best products to stop oily skin. What Is Oily Skin? Oily skin is common and has many positive aspects, as well as a few issues that might be considered less desirable. According to a 2012 medical study, oily skin occurs when “oversized sebaceous glands produce excessive amounts of sebum giving the appearance of shiny and greasy skin.” What are sebaceous glands? These glands can be found on almost every surface of the body, but are most concentrated in the face and scalp, notes a 2011 dermatologist medical study. They produce and secrete sebum, which moisturizes, protects, and even heals the skin, says that same 2011 study. Increased sebum excretion is where oily skin comes from, and this excessive production can potentially lead to acne and other common skin conditions. What Causes Oily Skin? Several factors contribute to oily skin. First and foremost, genetics. Many with oily skin are genetically predisposed for that specific skin type. But weather, particularly high temperatures and increased humidity, can increase oil production, too. Additionally, it’s also been shown that hormones can boost oil production, especially with hormone fluctuations. But your daily skincare routine can also sneakily increase your oiliness levels. Using harsh products, like alcohol-based astringents, can actually cause your sebaceous gland to overcompensate and produce more sebum. This overproduction of sebum can occur when skipping facial moisturizer, too. How to Control Oily Skin According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (the AAD for short), there are five tips to best control oily skin. 1. Cleanse Properly The AAD recommends washing your face twice a day, morning and night. But rather than relying on a harsh cleanser, they suggest a gentle, foaming face wash. As mentioned above, an intense, drying formula will only irritate the skin, triggering it to overproduce oil. 2. Don’t Skip Moisturizing It might be tempting to overlook moisturizers, but applying a lotion—albeit a lightweight, thoughtful formula—is absolutely essential. Look for one that states it’s non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores or cause acne. (All of Tatcha’s moisturizers are specifically designed to be non-comedogenic.) 3. Always Wear SPF A long time ago, sunscreen used to be goopy and thick, a nightmare for oily skin. But nowadays, SPF is non-comedogenic, lightweight, and packed full of skin-benefiting ingredients (all three pros are beautiful for oily skin). Sunscreen is important for all skin, helping to prevent sun damage that could lead to wrinkles, age spots, and even skin cancer, says the AAD. Aim for a formula that has an SPF of at least 30 and always reapply when outside. 4. Use Blotting Papers The AAD is a fan of blotting papers, which help to instantly absorb excess oil without irritating the skin. But ancient Japan has been singing the praises of abaca leaf papers for centuries. In ancient Kyoto, gold artisans used the soft, strong, and absorbent paper to protect their gold leaf. Geishas discovered the papers were brilliant at wicking away traces of oil without stripping moisture from the skin or disturbing their intricate makeup. 5. Adopt Skin Hygiene Basics Sometimes some of the best things you can do for your skin are the simplest tips—and that applies to oily skin, too. Skin hygiene basics ensures healthier skin, allowing it to be more in balance and control. These basics include always removing makeup and cleansing skin before bedtime, and applying moisturizer morning and night. Other best practices include not using expired makeup, washing your hands before applying products, and not touching your face throughout the day (which can spread dirt, oil, and bacteria from your hands to your face, says the AAD). Products to Help Oily Skin You might be wondering “how to get rid of oily skin” or “how to stop oily skin”—unfortunately, you cannot change your skin type. But there are oily skin treatments and products that can help curb excessive sebum and oil production. Plus, consistent skincare hygiene can help over time with the general health of the skin, too. (Meaning, maintain your daily skincare ritual!) Cleansers for Oily Skin This gentle-yet-thorough cleanser is especially helpful for oily skin. The Deep Cleanse is a gel formula that both cleanses and exfoliates, carefully lifting dirt and oil to leave skin soft and balanced. The cleanser includes luffa fruit (a natural physical exfoliant) to help turn over dead skin cells, wild rose (to visibly reduce the appearance of pores and smooth skin), and leopard lily (to help minimize excess oil and prevent build-up). Exfoliants for Oily Skin The AHA-powered formula was designed for all skin types and can be used daily. But it’s specifically formulated to reduce excess oil and sebum, while also improving skin’s moisture levels. The formula has niacinamide and Japanese mugwort to reduce the look of discoloration, while also calming visible redness and irritation. The liquid exfoliant is scented with a functional fragrance blend of sweet fennel and rosemary – two botanicals known to increase focus and mental clarity, too. Moisturizers for Oily Skin An effective moisturizer is one of the most difficult products for oily skin. Too thick and it drowns skin in hydration, too light and it might cause skin to produce excess sebum. But this lightweight, clarifying, water-based moisturizer was specifically designed for oily skin. The gel cream releases a burst of hydrating nutrients and pore-refining botanicals for healthy, balanced skin. The unique formula delivers hydration, without leaving skin sticky or greasy. And the cream employs a few powerful botanicals, including wild rose (to minimize the look of pores) and leopard lily (to calm). Sunscreens for Oily Skin Sunscreen is non-negotiable. Try our Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen, which has weightless broad-spectrum SPF 35 that blends effortlessly and invisibly for matte, poreless-looking skin. The non-comedogenic and non-irritating formula features skin-loving ingredients that not only protect the skin, but also help tighten the appearance of pores, smooth skin texture, and calm irritation. Primers for Oily Skin A makeup primer can be endlessly beneficial for oily skin, helping to shield skin from pollutants while allowing makeup to apply better and last longer. This fluid formula feels weightless on the skin, while also creating a skin-benefiting barrier on the skin. The inclusion of silk powder helps to minimize excessive shine, too. Masks for Oily Skin The pore-targeting mask pairs Japanese konjac (for gentle exfoliation) with volcanic ash to minimize excess oil and sebum for smoother and clearer skin in mere minutes. In clinical studies, 100 percent of users noticed a reduction in sebum and noted that skin felt less oily after just a single week of usage.

The latest social media skincare trend—with the most unfortunate name in the history of trends—is deceptively simple, and could be an easy hack for all-day hydration. Maybe you heard about it on TikTok, or from your skincare-obsessed friend. Your curiosity got the best of you, so you decided to look into it, and here you are: Wondering, what is slugging? Behold: This is everything you need to know about slugging in skincare.What is slugging? Slugging means applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly before bed as the last step in your nightly skincare routine. The idea may be inspired by Korean beauty rituals, and has recently gained steam on TikTok: Influencers slathering their faces in a thin layer of clear, gooey jelly. The term “slugging” refers to the mollusk, and how, when you’re slugging correctly, your skin looks to be covered entirely in a layer of slime. Interest in slugging seemed to spike in the early months of 2022, according to Google Trends. It’s easy to fall for social media beauty trends, which seem to ignite and flame out every other day. But dermatologists and social media influencers can agree on this particular topic: Slugging is actually great for the skin. Should you decide to pick up a single TikTok beauty trend this year, it may be wise to make it this one. What do I need to slug? The answer to this question is deceptively simple: All you need is a good petroleum jelly, but it matters which petroleum jelly you choose.Products made with over 30% petroleum jelly are subject to FDA regulation as over the counter drugs—and according to dermatologists, the closer a product is to 100%, the better it will be for slugging. An easy way to determine the manufacturing details of a petroleum jelly product is to look it up using a website like NDClist.com, which contains tons of helpful information on over-the-counter drugs.What is the origin of slugging skincare? A 2022 trend report in The Washington Post helped explain the fascinating—and centuries-old—history of the slugging trend in skincare. In a corner of Pennsylvania crammed with oil pits, Native Americans from the Seneca tribe used petroleum jelly as a skin protectant. Hundreds of years later, an American chemist visiting the same oil pits noticed oil workers applying drill residue to healing wounds. While the term may be new, the practice is nearly ancient. Petroleum jelly’s low cost and wide availability has made it a beauty cabinet mainstay for decades. Whether applied to a cut to speed its healing process, or a patch of eczema, or, yes, all over the face while you sleep, the benefits of slugging are nearly endless. And speaking of those:What are the benefits of slugging?Petroleum jelly is an occlusive substance, meaning it acts like a greenhouse over the surface of your skin. An occlusive layer will help your skin retain moisture, which in turn fuels your skin’s barrier function. In a blog post, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic enumerated the benefits of slugging. In summary, slugging helps skin in three ways: By moisturizing, protecting, and repairing. In other words, it keeps necessary hydration in and keeps irritants out. Think of it as shoring up your skin barrier. You can also slug with some other skincare products in order to maximize your beauty sleep—we’ll get into those a bit later. How do I start slugging? // What are the steps to slugging?If you have the petroleum jelly, and the will to use it, you can start slugging tonight. Here is how your skincare routine could look with a little slugging. Step 1. Wash your face. Slugging, like all skincare, works best on clean, dry skin.Step 2. Apply toner or serum. If your skincare routine has a treatment step, or you have a beloved targeted serum you use before bed, now is the time to use it. (Just avoid active ingredients, like exfoliating acids or retinol.)Step 3. Apply moisturizer. Finish with your favorite cream.Step 4. Apply petroleum jelly. Some TikTok influencers use a lot more product than is necessary, for dramatic effect, but all you need is a dime-sized dab of jelly to get the full benefits of slugging. After moisturizer, spread your preferred petroleum jelly all over your face, to seal in your skincare.Step 5. Wait a few minutes to set, and then go to sleep. Good night! Is slugging right for me? If you have oily or acne-prone skin, it might be wise to talk to your dermatologist before starting a slugging regimen. As one doctor told Marie Claire, “[Petroleum jelly] can trap oils or other comedogenic ingredients in the skin and could potentially contribute to breakouts.”But if your skin tends toward dryness, or if you need a little extra hydration health in drier seasons or climates, slugging is an easy way to level up your current skincare routine. What products can I slug with?One of the best things about slugging is that it can help your other skincare products work better. In a report for CNET, one dermatologist recommended layering humectants or emollients beneath petroleum jelly to maximize your moisture. A hydrating serum can help you get the most out of your slugging routine. Super dry skin may benefit from an added emollient cream, like the ceramide-rich Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair Serum-in-Cream. Because slugging can send some products into overdrive, it’s best to not layer any concentrated skincare ingredients, like retinols, exfoliating acids, or anything else that might make your skin tingle, underneath petroleum jelly. And only try slugging with products you know already work for your skin. If you have any remaining questions, visit your local dermatologist—they’ll probably be happy to know you’re slugging.

Those experiencing eczema can often feel frustrated by their own skin. The inflamed, often painful, flare-ups can seem to appear out of nowhere. While there are a lot of unknowns in the dermatological industry about eczema, there are equally as many groundbreaking discoveries. Below, we’ll uncover how zeroing in on your eczema triggers can be helpful, as is unlocking a skincare routine (we’ll talk about the best lotion for eczema – a particularly important product in your daily ritual). Keep reading for facts about eczema, potential triggers, and products and tips to help soothe irritation. What Is Eczema?Eczema is a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, inflamed, or have a rash-like appearance. There are seven different types of eczema, says the non-profit National Eczema Association (NEA for short), with atopic dermatitis being the most common. But eczema is simply a bucket term describing irritated, inflamed skin. If you experience eczema, you’re not alone—over 31 million Americans have some form of eczema, notes the NEA. It can begin during childhood, adolescence, or adulthood and it can range from mild to severe. While there is no cure for eczema, there are treatments that can help soothe and calm sensitive skin.What Causes EczemaFrustratingly, the cause of eczema is still unknown. But dermatologists do know it can be triggered by a handful of sources, including aging, seasonal changes, diet, stress, hormones, an overactive immune system, alcohol, and irritating skincare products. Eczema’s appearance can be as complex as its triggers, appearing differently on everyone. But, in general, eczema is usually itchy (sometimes painfully so), but can also include dryness, inflammation, roughness, oozing, and/or swelling. It often appears in red patches on lighter skin tones and gray, darker brown, or purple in people of color.Eczema’s TollThere is no shame in experiencing a chronic skin condition. But it cannot be understated how incredibly painful it can be to live with eczema—physically and emotionally. In a 2020 study analyzing the psychological impact of skin diseases, people experiencing eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions were more likely to have depressive symptoms, as well as feelings of isolation, loneliness, and overall “lower quality of life” compared to those without skin conditions.Best Lotion for EczemaMost with eczema can benefit from the guidance of a board-certified dermatologist. But it’s also helpful to consult with the NEA’s comprehensive Seal of Acceptance, which certifies the ingredients in the formula are safe for eczema-prone skin.An effective moisturizer is particularly important for eczema sufferers, as there is emerging science linking the skin barrier and eczema. A healthy skin barrier is one of the most helpful tools to overcoming skin issues. One way to build a vibrant barrier is through hydration. Hydration is vital for all skin types, but especially for eczema sufferers. Look for unscented creams that utilize healing ingredients, like ceramides, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. Bonus points if the moisturizer includes famed calming ingredients like indigo, colloidal oatmeal, and humectants.At Tatcha, we have a handful of eczema-friendly products. It’s one of the reasons Tatcha founder Vicky Tsai created the brand, after suffering from painful, full-body inflammation for years. Here are four lotion products that can help soothe sensitivity and irritation. Best Facial Lotion for Eczema Try: The Indigo Calming Cream For daily hydration, try this rich, soothing cream, which is not only beloved by users, but is one of the best creams for eczema on the face. The newly updated and fragrance-free Indigo Calming Cream delivers therapeutic results and powerful relief, thanks to potent Japanese indigo and colloidal oatmeal. Indigo is helpful, as the timeless healing ingredient provides powerful anti-inflammatory relief, while also promoting skin’s natural healing abilities. But colloidal oatmeal (an FDA-designated skin protectant) is what sets this innovative cream apart from others. The addition of colloidal oatmeal has helped earn it the coveted National Eczema Association seal of approval for its ability to soothe irritated, eczema-prone skin on the face and beyond. Whether as a face cream or spot treatment, The Indigo Calming Cream offers a luxurious way to heal visibly stressed or eczema-prone skin for a calmer, stronger skin barrier.100 percent of panelists in a clinical study saw an improvement in softness and suppleness immediately, an improvement in the appearance of the skin barrier after one week, and an improvement in visible redness and evenness of skin tone after four weeks. The emotional benefits of using the new Indigo Calming Cream are worth noting, too. In a clinical study self-assessment questionnaire, 86 percent of panelists noted that the product left them feeling like their skin was healthier after just one week. Best Facial Treatment for Eczema Try: Indigo Overnight Repair If you’re searching for an overnight treatment, try this healing balm, which visibly calms irritation and strengthens the skin’s barrier. The formula features the soothing powers of Japanese indigo, but also includes red sage root to calm irritation, ceramides to boost moisture reserves, and hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate. In clinical studies, 100 percent of users saw an improvement in their skin barrier strength within four weeks. Best Hand Cream for Eczema Try: Indigo Soothing Hand Cream Hands are a common place for eczema, due in part to frequent hand washing. Consider this calming cream, which has a concentrated dose of indigo, silk extracts, and squalane for a restorative, softening treatment. Best Body Lotion for Eczema Try: Indigo Soothing Body Butter Best Starter Ritual Set for Eczema Try: The Indigo Starter Ritual If you’re unsure which products you’ll enjoy most or just want to test the indigo series out before purchasing the full-size treasures, try this starter ritual set. The kit includes The Camellia Cleansing Oil, The Rice Polish: Calming, The Essence, Indigo Overnight Repair, and The Silk Peony eye cream — for $74 (a $92 value).

Skincare can often veer away from ‘care’ and more into ‘irritating’ or ‘unnecessary’. But there are a handful of tried-and-true ingredients that are not only helpful but actually found naturally occurring in our skin. Which is where ceramides come into play. What Are Ceramides?Ceramides are fats, or lipids, found in high concentrations in the uppermost layers of our skin (called our epidermis). It’s estimated that up to 50 percent of our skin is composed of ceramides. Ceramides perform a vital task, creating a protective barrier on the skin, preventing water loss, and restricting the entry of external stressors. Basically, ceramides help the skin function properly, working to protect and restore the skin barrier. Skin barrier protection is arguably their most important quality, as a healthy barrier keeps skin looking and feeling hydrated and radiant.What Do Ceramides Do for Skin?Ceramides perform beautiful and necessary tasks for our skin. They’re incredibly beneficial when added to everyday skincare products and have been shown to increase hydration and soothe irritation. They strengthen the skin barrier, prevent dehydration, and inhibit moisture loss.Ceramides in SkincareIf skin is already partly ceramides, why do we need ceramide-based products? Unfortunately, our natural reserve of ceramides decrease with time and is especially depleted by several factors, including aging, sun exposure, and environmental damage. This decrease in our natural ceramides can leave skin looking dull, dehydrated, and visibly worn.Who Can Benefit from Ceramides?The more apt question is “Who can’t benefit from ceramides?” Because ceramides are naturally occurring in our skin and begin decreasing around the age of 20, almost everyone can benefit from ceramide-boosted skincare products. They’re safe for all skin types, pair well with all ingredients, have no side effects, help prevent dehydration, and are naturally skin-strengthening.There are skin types that might especially appreciate ceramide in skincare though, including dry, dehydrated, and aging skin. For aging skin, ceramides can increase the skin's moisturization levels and have been shown to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.Best Ceramide Skincare ProductsConsider adding a ceramide-boosted moisturizer or treatment to your skincare routine, which can help to protect skin from dryness and irritation, plus maintain skin’s overall health. Here is one of our favorite ceramide skincare products.Consider the Indigo Overnight Repair, which is a cushiony cream that visibly calms irritation, strengthens the skin’s barrier, and balances the skin’s natural microbiome. The formula proudly includes a hefty dose of ceramides to keep moisture in and pollutants out, as well as aid in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. After just a single night of use, the treatment has been shown to improve skin’s radiance, softness, and suppleness, as well as improve texture and tone.

Few words have been more vilified than “wrinkles.” This is abnormal because our bodies were made to age — in Japan, aging is viewed as a gift rather than something to dread. The Japanese approach to addressing aging skin, like wrinkles, is minimizing accelerated aging (aka anything outside your body’s normal rate of aging) and nurturing the health of skin, rather than aiming to look perpetually 20 years old. A wrinkle serum can do just that, helping to support skin’s health with a handful of ingredients that target the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but also the overall health of skin. Below we deep dive into what causes wrinkles, how serums can target skin effectively, and, of course, the best wrinkle serum. What Causes Wrinkles? Wrinkles are caused by a combination of factors — some you can control, others you can't, says the Mayo Clinic. Here are the most common causes of wrinkles. Sun Damage The undisputed number one cause of excessive aging and wrinkles is sun exposure. Sun damage breaks down collagen and elastin, causing skin to prematurely lose its strength and flexibility. Aging As you age, skin gradually loses its elasticity, becoming more fragile. Pair that with a decrease in natural oil production and skin naturally becomes more dry and delicate. Plus, this elastic loss goes hand-in-hand with decades of facial expressions and movements that can begin to set into wrinkles, especially in common places like the forehead, laugh lines, and the lines between your eyebrows (often referred to as “the 11s”). Lifestyle Smoking, stress, chronic lack of sleep, and a poor diet can all lead to wrinkles. Of course, smoking is not only detrimental to your overall health but also to your skin, breaking down collagen and accelerating skin’s age. But stress and lack of sleep can also be debilitating to the skin. Beauty sleep isn’t just a myth; the body, including skin, repairs itself while asleep. Our bodies create new collagen when sleeping, which helps to keep skin plump and youthful-looking. Chronic lack of sleep can accelerate aging, including wrinkles and sagging skin. And chronic stress, which alters the proteins in your skin and reduces elasticity, can also lead to premature signs of aging, like wrinkles, pigmentation, and undereye circles. How to Prevent Wrinkles Wrinkles are a perfectly normal part of being human and aging. We cannot change skin’s natural aging process — but we can look at environmental and lifestyle choices that influence premature aging. If you’d like to address wrinkles, here are a few ways to slow the effects of aging on your skin. Sun Protection The main culprit of premature aging is sun damage. So, let this be a reminder to use sunscreen every single day. The American Association of Dermatology recommends using sunscreen that is broad-spectrum, SPF 30 (or higher), and water-resistant. Additionally, they recommend utilizing other sun protection when possible, like sun-protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and seeking shade. Bottom line: “Every time you get a tan, you prematurely age your skin,” notes the AAD. Lifestyle Changing Every year, more studies reiterate the importance of a healthy lifestyle for healthy skin. If you are what you eat, then aim for a healthy diet. A well-balanced diet, with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, can help prevent premature aging, while a diet containing excessive sugar and refined carbs can accelerate skin aging. And don’t forget to get your beauty sleep: aim for 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Of course, habits, like smoking and excessive drinking, can greatly speed up skin aging. Stop smoking and lessen frequent alcohol consumption, which can dehydrate and damage skin. And lastly, get moving: exercise can improve circulation, which boosts the immune system and aids in skin’s overall health. Skincare Aggressive and irritating treatments can greatly alter and age the skin. When in doubt, go gently. Start by cleansing your skin softly — at Tatcha, we like to imagine being as delicate as the flutter of the wings of a butterfly when cleansing our faces. “Gentle washing helps to remove pollution, makeup, and other substances without irritating your skin,” agrees the AAD. And hydrate with a super-charged moisturizer that includes peptides and antioxidants! When in doubt, remove any products in your regime that burn or sting. The discomfort is your skin communicating with you, so listen. That irritation ages skin, notes the AAD. Serums for Wrinkles Serums are particularly equipped to help manage healthy aging. A serum tends to have the most powerful and effective ingredients of your entire skincare ritual. Serums, designed to be applied after cleansing (and an essence, if you participate) and before moisturizing, are traditionally made up of smaller molecules that can penetrate deeply into the skin, delivering a high concentration of active ingredients. This makes them a great product to address specific concerns, like wrinkles. Here are a few super-powered ingredients that make the best wrinkle serums. Antioxidants The best face serums for wrinkles should contain antioxidants, which protect against skin-damaging free radicals. Some of the most common antioxidants include Vitamin C and E, green tea, and niacinamide. Vitamin C is particularly wonderful at brightening for a more radiant complexion. Peptides Peptides are also a wonderful addition to wrinkle serums for the face. Peptides strengthen skin’s overall health (thus addressing the appearance of wrinkles) and provide the look of collagen-rich skin. AHAs AHAs, aka alpha hydroxy acids, include glycolic, lactic, and citric acids. AHAs are proven to address the surface of the skin — reducing hyperpigmentation and scars, removing dull dead skin cells for radiance, and improving the appearance of wrinkles. Hydrating Ingredients Plumping and locking in moisture with hydrating ingredients is one of the most vital aspects of a wrinkle repair serum. Look for super-hydrators like hyaluronic acid and squalane, which leave skin looking smoother, healthier, and more youthful. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that draws hydration into the skin, retaining moisture all day long. Plant-derived squalane is also a humectant that seals in moisture for a more hydrated, plump appearance. Best Wrinkle Serums Addressing the appearance of wrinkles is best done carefully. Use potent ingredients but not too potent to cause irritation. At Tatcha, we’ve perfected this balance with serums that support skin health while also addressing fine lines and wrinkles. Here is the best face serum for wrinkles. The Silk Serum Our newest formula is one of our most inventive yet: The Silk Serum. The milky serum delivers the wrinkle-smoothing power of retinol in a potent, yet foolproof alternative. Unlike Vitamin A derivatives, which must be started slowly to build up a tolerance, The Silk Serum is made to use when you want, up to two times daily starting day one. No ramp-up time or complicated skin-cycling is necessary. The Silk Serum also includes silk, which nourishes and softens for a healthy-looking complexion, as well as our beloved Hadasei-3 proprietary complex to hydrate and support the skin barrier. Together, the serum delivers the power of retinol without compromising, making it one of the best wrinkle serums.

Fine lines and wrinkles tend to be clumped together, collectively maligned for their proximity to the notion of aging. Fine lines and wrinkles are normal, even part of the gift of aging, a testament to our longevity. But fine lines are surprisingly not the same thing as wrinkles. Below we’ll break down what fine lines are, the common causes, and how to treat them, including the best serum for fine lines. What Are Fine Lines? They’re basically baby wrinkles. Fine lines are the basis of wrinkles, a precursor, appearing as faint creases on the skin’s surface. They’re often one of the very first signs of aging, the shallow lines forming along commonly used expression lines. Wrinkles are deeper creases and folds and are more permanent, while fine lines are surface-level and somewhat treatable with targeted products and treatments, like a fine line serum. It may seem inconsequential but scientists in clinical trials differentiate fine lines from wrinkles by depth. Folds that are 1 to 2 mm in depth are considered fine lines, while wrinkles are 2 mm or deeper. What Causes Fine Lines? Just like many aspects of the skin’s surface, fine lines have multiple causes. Here are a few of the most common reasons for fine lines. Facial Movement This does not mean you should stop emoting — your specific facial expressions are part of you and make you special and unique. But facial movements, moving parts of the face in consistent and continuous ways, are one of the common reasons for fine lines. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, continued contracting of the same muscles can lead to fine lines, and with time, those fine lines mature and turn into deep wrinkles. Natural Aging Process It’s normal and natural for your skin to lose some of its fullness and become thinner and drier as you age, this is part of the natural aging process. This loss of collagen and elasticity naturally causes skin to form fine lines easier. Sun Exposure The most common denominator between any skin woe is sun exposure. The sun and your complexion are not friends. Sun exposure can all age your skin faster than it naturally would, leading to premature lines, according to the AAD. Lifestyle Choices Not to sound like a broken record, but lifestyle choices, especially smoking and excessive drinking, can cause not only significant damage to your body, but your skin, too. The AAD notes that smoking greatly speeds up how skin ages, causing wrinkles and a dull, sallow complexion. Alcohol is also rough on skin, causing extreme dehydration and damage. Additionally, if you are what you eat, your skin is a reflection, showcasing the tale of your overall health. Many scholarly studies have linked a healthy, plentiful diet with skin health, and adversely, many studies have found excessive sugar and refined foods can accelerate skin aging. Skincare Ritual Products that cause skin irritation directly accelerate skin’s aging process, says the AAD. Tatcha was built upon the idea of gentle and soothing products, and the AAD agrees: grab products that don’t irritate, burn, sting, or inflame the skin. Dehydration Its possible features we associate with early aging are actually signs of dehydrated skin. Fine lines are especially a common misdiagnosis and a frequent occurrence when skin lacks moisture. Best Serum For Fine Lines A lot of products within the skincare industry make bold claims about diminishing or eradicating fine lines and wrinkles. It’s easy to dismiss this as marketing talk, but your skincare routine does play a huge part in keeping fine lines at bay. The AAD recommends layering a serum underneath a moisturizer to maximize hydration levels and minimize the appearance of fine lines. (And, of course, wear sunscreen every single day, and treat skin with care and kindness, ensuring you not only use gentle products but also apply them gently.) Why are serums so effective? Serums are particularly helpful at targeting these common aging signs because they are highly potent skincare solutions that work to increase the overall effectiveness of your entire skincare ritual. Utilizing a fine line serum is one of the best tricks to maintaining healthy-looking skin all day long, making it one of the most important tools in your aging skin arsenal. Here are the best serums for fine lines. For Dry Skin and Fine Lines: Consider our Dewy Serum, which works to nourish and plump the skin. This is thanks to its deeply hydrating blend of squalane and hyaluronic acid — the latter of which is one of the most important hydrating ingredients to incorporate into any skincare routine. For Pigmentation and Fine Lines: If dullness and sun spots are more of a focus, grab the Violet-C Brightening Serum. The formula includes two forms of Vitamin C and is stabilized by antioxidant-rich Japanese beautyberry, helping to reveal brighter skin and a more translucent, youthful glow. Mild fruit alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) resurface dullness and uneven skin, while angelica root helps to reduce the look of fine lines, dark spots, discoloration, hyperpigmentation, and post-acne scarring. For Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Say hello to our newest and most innovative serum yet, The Silk Serum. You’re likely familiar with the wrinkle-smoothing powers of retinol, but also its potentially painful and complicated application process. Our R&D team at the Tatcha Institute has been searching high and low for years for an uncomplicated, easy-to-use, and powerful retinol alternative. After extensive testing, they have perfected The Silk Serum, which delivers the wrinkle-smoothing power of retinol in a potent alternative with the highly effective duo of plant-based alternatives: upcycled cranberry extract and sea fennel. Together, the duo acts on the same factors as retinol to support natural skin turnover, minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and give the look of collagen-rich skin. Unlike Vitamin A derivatives, which must be started slowly to build up a tolerance, The Silk Serum is made to use when you want, up to two times daily starting day one. No ramp-up time or complicated skin cycling is necessary. This also means gentle, effective results from day one.

Forehead lines, the lines across the forehead and between the eyebrows, are one of the most common signs of aging. Forehead lines are so common because they’re caused mostly by simply moving your face. Repetitive, daily facial expressions and movements are one of the main causes of forehead lines (as well as a handful of other culprits, which we’ll discuss below). But if you’d like to address them, there are plenty of simple, at-home solutions to treat the appearance of fine lines. From facial massage to serums, here’s how to reduce forehead lines, once and for all. What Causes Forehead Lines? Aging Time is one of the common denominators for forehead lines. As we age, collagen and elastin production declines, naturally causing the formation of fine lines. Also, over time, continuous facial movements and expressions eventually develop into fine lines and wrinkles. Each time you use a facial muscle, a groove forms beneath the surface of the skin, says the Mayo Clinic. As skin ages, it loses its flexibility and is no longer able to spring back in place, causing these grooves to then become permanent. These repetitive movements, from emoting, speaking, and laughing are proof of a life well lived, but they can also eventually cause fine lines. Genetics Skin aging is a complex process with various factors, one being genetics. Genetics can determine skin structure and texture, as well as affect how lines form on our face. Sun Exposure Sun exposure is the primary cause of wrinkles and fine lines, adds the Mayo Clinic. They note that excessive UV exposure breaks down the skin’s collagen and elastic fibers deep in the dermis layer. Without these connective tissues, skin loses its strength and flexibility, leading to premature fine lines and wrinkles. This is particularly prominent on the forehead, where sun exposure is more frequent. Air pollution exposure is also a common issue for forehead lines. Not only is it troubling for the rest of the body, but air pollution alters our skin’s protein and causes inflammation. This can lead to fine lines and wrinkles. Lifestyle Choices Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can accelerate the skin’s normal aging process rapidly. Stress and Sleep Those with moments of high stress and less restful sleep are already experiencing difficulty in their everyday lives. Sorry to add fuel to the fire, but stress reduces your skin’s natural elasticity, leading to potential fine lines — especially on the forehead where the furrowing of your brow is common in stressful situations. Additionally, it’s been proven that beauty sleep is very real. Cell repair and collagen synthesis occur when you get a restful night of sleep, but don’t happen as intensely overnight when you’re receiving less than six hours of sleep. How To Get Rid of Forehead Lines We believe that aging is a gift, and fine lines and wrinkles are not unsightly. But, if you would like to address the appearance of forehead lines, there are a few at-home solutions to consider. Skincare Fine lines can see improvement with sun protection (most importantly), antioxidant-boosted serums, and hydrating moisturizers. Also, effectively cleansing the skin is vital, too. See below for a few products that will help you reduce lines on your forehead. Facial Massage With the endless announcements of high-tech facial tools, it’s easy to dismiss the ancient art of facial massage. But facial massages, especially techniques perfected in Japan, are one of the most beneficial beauty regimen enhancements. The quick, twice-a-day facial massage technique our founder Vicky Tsai swears by promotes skin circulation, which addresses puffiness, dullness, and fine lines. “I like to incorporate facial massages into both morning and evening rituals,” notes Tsai. She notes there are innumerable ways to perform facial massages, but the one key tip is always to move upward and outward from the center of the face. Treatment for Forehead Lines Ask just about any facialist, skin expert, or dermatologist how to prevent forehead wrinkles and they will likely tell you to start implementing a daily skincare routine. Skincare is one of the best first lines of defense. Here are a few products proven to aid in reducing forehead lines. Sunscreen It's imperative to protect your skin with sunscreen, wearing it each and every day. Modern sunscreens – whether they are chemical, physical, or a blend of both – are wonderfully advanced and not only protective, but oftentimes have cosmetic benefits that improve the skin’s overall health. Consider the Silk Sunscreen, which is silky, lightweight, and invisible with 50+ mineral broad-spectrum coverage. The sheer liquid provides 50 broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, with 10 percent zinc oxide for a mineral, reef-safe filter. But it also helps to improve the overall appearance and health of skin while wearing it, too, as well as address forehead lines. The Silk Sunscreen contains niacinamide to visibly even skin tone, reduce redness, and visibly firm the look of pores. Plus it has a hefty dose of hyaluronic acid to immediately boost skin’s natural moisture levels, softness, and skin tone. Plus the SPF has silk, which allows the silky liquid to provide a protective veil of hydration without weighing skin down. Vitamin C Antioxidant-boosted skincare, especially products containing Vitamin C, can be wonderfully beneficial for protecting the skin from further damage from free radicals and improving the appearance of hyperpigmentation and fine lines. Try a Vitamin C serum, like the Violet-C Brightening Serum, which has two forms of Vitamin C and antioxidant-rich Japanese beautyberry, to reveal brighter skin and a more translucent glow. Mild fruit AHAs resurface dull, uneven skin and address the look of wrinkles, while Japanese angelica root helps to reduce the look of dark spots, discoloration, hyperpigmentation, and post-acne scarring. Moisturizer Consistently incorporate hydrating moisturizers into your routine twice a day to help plump and lock in healing hydration. This not only allows the skin to look its best, but it helps skin recover and repair properly, and thus helps to plump the appearance of forehead lines and wrinkles. Those with dry skin should look for products that contain hyaluronic acid and occlusives for all-day hydration. Consider The Dewy Skin Cream, which is a rich, moisturizing formula that plumps skin for a dewy, healthy glow. The cream is wonderful at increasing hydration, radiance, plumpness, and overall texture and firmness, thanks to antioxidant-packed Japanese purple rice, Okinawa algae, hyaluronic acid, and our superpowered Hadasei-3 Complex (a trinity of Japanese superfoods that restore healthy radiance). For those that prefer a lightweight gel moisturizer, consider The Silk Cream, which is perfect for almost any skin type (and fine-line-prone skin will love it!), thanks to a trinity of fermented Japanese superfoods, which restores healthy-looking radiance. The visibly firming moisturizer also has a complete liquid silk protein, which parallels the amino acid structure of human skin to super hydrate your skin’s surface, helping to minimize the appearance of forehead lines. Sensitive skin? Acne-prone? Extremely dry skin? We’ve got a moisturizer for that, too. Here’s a helpful guide to picking the best moisturizer for your skin type. Retinol-Alternative Serum Retinols are the talk of the forehead-line-fighting town — but they’re wildly complicated and difficult to use. Try a proven retinol alternative that can mimic the wrinkle-fighting benefits of retinol, minus the painful side effects. Consider our newest and most innovative launch yet: The Silk Serum. Unlike Vitamin A derivatives, which must be started slowly to build up a tolerance, The Silk Serum is made to use when you want, up to two times daily starting day one. No ramp-up time or complicated skin cycling is necessary. The Silk Serum also includes silk, which nourishes and softens for a healthy-looking complexion, as well as our beloved Hadasei-3 proprietary complex to hydrate and support the skin barrier. Together, the serum delivers the power of retinol without compromising, making it one of the best serums for diminishing the appearance of forehead lines.

With new skincare formulations launching weekly, deciphering what’s right for your skin begs complicated questions. Skincare dictated by calendar schedules? Unexpected, potentially irritating reactions? Confusing percentages? Retinol can provide potentially beneficial results, but it also comes with complications. At Tatcha, we believe your skincare routine shouldn’t require its own calendar. Instead, our kind-to-skin Japanese philosophy supports skin’s healthy barrier function, while never being too aggressive. Bottom line: Retinol is complicated! But retinol alternatives are not. These potent botanical ingredients can mimic the benefits of retinol without any of the confusing woes. Below, we uncover the best retinol alternatives and how they can benefit your skin. Cranberry Extract The humble cranberry is surprisingly a superfood. Indigenous to the North American continent, cranberries contain a long list of skin benefits and are also a wonderful natural retinol alternative. Extracted from the cranberry fruit, cranberry extract is full of antioxidants, collagen, and elastin that support the skin’s healthy appearance, radiance, and barrier function. The superfruit is also a potent active ingredient with natural peptides that address the appearance of aging, helping to boost skin structure and firmness. With consistent usage, the cranberry extract eases dryness, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and imparts skin with a healthy glow. The extract also helps maintain skin’s natural homeostasis, while plumping and supporting the barrier for smoother, more radiant-looking skin. Sea Fennel Sea fennel is a marine botanical, grown in or along the water. Commonly used in the kitchen, thanks to its tasty, salty notes, sea fennel is also a wonderful addition to your skincare routine. It naturally has retinol-like properties, stimulating the skin to increase collagen production as well as helping with skin’s natural exfoliation process. Sea fennel is packed with radiance-boosting ingredients, like Vitamin A, C, and E, plus peptides. Sea fennel’s natural iteration of Vitamin A is much more gentle on the skin’s surface, allowing it to exfoliate, reduce pigmentation, and boost collagen, while remaining calming and soothing to the skin. In fact, the extract generates zero inflammation on the skin, meaning it’s incredibly soothing to the skin’s barrier. Sea fennel’s Vitamin C zeros in on skin’s overall brightness, while Vitamin E protects and hydrates skin, preventing moisture loss. Lastly, the extract’s peptides help to support skin’s firmness, smoothness, and youthful appearance. Sea fennel is a wonderful retinol alternative for sensitive skin. It helps skin’s natural exfoliation process and provides retinol-like results while calming and soothing. Bakuchiol Bakuchiol is a botanical extract derived from the psoralea corylifolia plant. The potent antioxidant may be a tricky name to pronounce, but it’s worth remembering: bakuchiol is a wonderful retinol alternative for sensitive skin. One of retinol’s greatest weaknesses is sun sensitivity. But that’s precisely where these natural retinol alternatives shine — all three are not sun sensitive, meaning they can be applied during the daytime and won’t cause skin sensitivity to the sun. Backuchiol’s popularity has been piquing in the last few years, and science can back up its hefty claims too. In a 2019 clinical trial, bakuchiol was proven to address signs of aging, helping to decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, plus decrease signs of hyperpigmentation, just as significantly as retinol, but without the scaling or stinging. Bakuchiol has proven it can stimulate collagen and aid in cellular turnover, making it a promising (and more tolerable) alternative to retinol. At Tatcha, we’ve never formulated with retinol. Not only do we believe in caring for and nurturing the skin, but the potent ingredient has the potential for irritation, skin barrier degradation, and even the risk of birth defects. Plus, there are so many incredibly inventive retinol alternatives available today, many that can mimic retinol and provide impressive results. Our Japanese philosophy believes in putting the care back into skincare. Best Retinol Alternative The R&D team at the Tatcha Institute has been searching high and low for years for an uncomplicated, easy-to-use, and powerful retinol alternative. After extensive testing, they have found the best results with a highly effective duo of plant-based retinol alternatives: upcycled cranberry extract and sea fennel. Together, the duo acts on the same factors as retinol to support natural skin turnover and give the look of collagen-rich skin. We’re pleased to introduce you to The Silk Serum, an innovation in retinol alternatives, which delivers the wrinkle-smoothing power of retinol in a positively potent alternative you can trust. Unlike Vitamin A derivatives, which must be started slowly to build up a tolerance, The Silk Serum is made to use when you want, up to two times daily starting day one. No ramp-up time or complicated skin-cycling is necessary. In addition to these impressive retinol alternatives, The Silk Serum also includes silk, which nourishes and softens for a healthy-looking complexion, as well as our beloved Hadasei-3 proprietary complex to hydrate and support the skin barrier. Together, the serum delivers the power of retinol without compromising. Not only is The Silk Serum effective, it’s ethically made. Tatcha’s potent botanical extracts are sourced from companies that are committed to sustainable and responsible practices. To extract the fruit, an innovative process called eco-extraction is utilized to reduce energy consumption and waste, while also preserving the ingredient’s quality and potency. The cranberry fruit extract is upcycled, utilizing a vital part of the fruit commonly discarded. And the sea fennel is sustainably harvested on the Brittany coast of France, particularly selected for its ethical and certified harvesting practices.