Tatcha Water Cream Review - Is It Worth $70?
Tatcha's cult-favorite water cream costs $70 for just 1.7 oz. Is this luxury Japanese moisturizer worth the splurge, or just pretty packaging? I tested it for 60 days to find out.
What Makes Tatcha Water Cream Special?
Tatcha's The Water Cream is an oil-free, water-based gel moisturizer designed for normal to oily skin. It features Japanese botanicals including wild rose, leopard lily, and Japanese lemon balm. The brand claims it delivers 72 hours of hydration while controlling excess oil and minimizing pores.
Product Specifications
60-Day Testing Results
I have combination skin (oily T-zone, normal cheeks) and struggle finding moisturizers that hydrate without making me greasy. Here's how Tatcha performed over two months:
First Impressions (Week 1)
The packaging is undeniably gorgeous - a luxurious purple jar with gold accents that looks expensive on my vanity. The texture is unique: it transforms from a gel to a silky water upon application. It absorbs instantly with zero greasy residue. My skin felt bouncy, plump, and smooth immediately.
Short-Term Results (Weeks 2-4)
My skin looked noticeably more radiant and felt softer. The cream didn't cause any breakouts (a major win for my acne-prone areas). It wore beautifully under makeup - no pilling or slipping. However, I noticed I needed to reapply after 12-16 hours, not the claimed 72 hours of hydration.
Long-Term Assessment (Weeks 5-8)
After 60 days, my skin texture improved and my pores looked slightly smaller (though not dramatically). My oil production decreased marginally - I went from blotting 3x daily to 2x daily. The product remained pleasant to use, but results plateaued around week 6.
Honest Pros and Cons
Pros
- Luxurious gel texture absorbs instantly
- Zero greasy residue - perfect for oily skin
- Works beautifully under makeup
- Immediate plumping and smoothing effect
- Didn't cause breakouts on acne-prone skin
- Beautiful, premium packaging
- Subtle, pleasant natural fragrance
- Little goes a long way
Cons
- $70 price is prohibitively expensive
- Only 1.7 oz - ran out in 6-7 weeks
- Results are nice but not revolutionary
- Doesn't deliver claimed 72-hour hydration
- Not moisturizing enough for dry skin types
- Can feel expensive comparables perform similarly
- Jar packaging isn't ideal for hygiene
The $70 Question: Is It Worth It?
Here's my brutal honesty: Tatcha Water Cream is a lovely product that performs well, but it's not $70 worth of "well." The texture is beautiful and it feels like a treat to use. Your skin will look nice. But will it transform your skin in ways a $30 moisturizer can't? No.
Better Alternatives for Less
These products delivered similar results at fraction of the cost:
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel ($16): Nearly identical texture and hydration, lacks the botanicals but performs just as well
- Belif Aqua Bomb ($38): More hydrating, similar lightweight gel texture, better value
- Clinique Moisture Surge ($42): Comparable texture and results with larger size (2.5 oz)
My Verdict
Tatcha Water Cream is a beautifully-formulated product with premium packaging and a luxurious experience. If you have money to burn and want to treat yourself, you'll enjoy it. However, I cannot recommend it as a smart skincare investment. The performance doesn't justify spending $70 when excellent alternatives exist for $15-40. Save your money or splurge on actives like retinol that actually transform skin. I won't repurchase - though I'll miss the pretty purple jar on my vanity.