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A moisturizer-meets-serum in a convenient stick format? Dreams do come true with a lotion stick. Read what to look for in a formula, how to best use them, and more. Are complicated, heavy, and cumbersome moisturizers weighing you down (literally and figuratively)? Try an on-the-go moisturizer stick, which not only is wonderfully convenient but also packs a hydrating punch no matter where your day takes you. Keep reading to discover the ease of incorporating a lotion stick into your routine, ingredients to look out for, and more.What is a Moisturizer Stick?A moisturizer stick is a compact face balm that might easily be confused for a lip balm—but it’s vastly different. While they both hydrate, a moisturizer stick is designed to be a clever serum-meets-moisturizer formula, all in a convenient, to-go stick. A lotion stick, as it’s also known, is also inherently multipurpose: you can swipe it anywhere and anytime to hydrate, refresh, and address anything, from dry under eyes and makeup settling into fine lines to brightening mid-day dullness and enhancing radiance instantly. Think of a moisturizer stick as your do-it-all skin buddy, there to help support you in any way needed. Basically, it’s dewy skin on demand.Things To Consider In A Moisturizer StickWith the rising popularity of a lotion stick, it’s easy to think they’re all created equal. But some formulas stand out from the crowd with extraordinary ingredients, clinical claims, and multi-purpose benefits.The Serum StickThis concentrated solid serum targets signs of aging and dryness instantly and over time, rehydrating skin and makeup throughout the day. While stick moisturizers from other brands may appear nearly identical to Tatcha’s OG hydrating treatment, The Serum Stick stands above the rest for a few specific reasons. Zero Percent WaterSimilar hydrating formulas contain water as the first ingredient, but The Serum Stick has a grand total of zero percent water. Instead, it contains 80 percent purified squalane, which richly moisturizes and supports the skin’s barrier function while also locking in hydration all day, helping to minimize dryness instantly. This ingredient is particularly treasured in the formula because the weightless emollient absorbs easily without clogging pores or leaving behind an oily residue. In clinical studies, 95 percent of users demonstrated an instant improvement in dryness immediately.*Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid Many other brand’s formulas contain hyaluronic acid, a potent hydrator. But Tatcha’s Serum Stick includes a specific low molecular weight formula to help draw moisture into the skin, helping to plump and hydrate while on the face.Healthy Aging Bonus IngredientsHydration is a necessity in any moisturizing stick, but what else does the formula accomplish? When it comes to The Serum Stick, Japanese lemon balm is strategically included to reduce the appearance of fine lines and creases from dehydration. While it might sound like a modern ingredient, lemon balm, or kousui hakka as it’s known in Japan, has been used for centuries to help calm inflammation. Another innovative ingredient that’s all our own? Our proprietary Hadasei-3 complex, which nourishes, hydrates, and supports skin in a single swipe. Users found their dry skin instantly smoother after applying, but it also has impressive long-term benefits: 95 percent of users demonstrated an improvement in the look of fine lines after four weeks.*Immediate RadianceThere are many reasons to swipe on a moisturizing stick, but an immediate improvement in brightness is an unexpected bonus. In clinicals, The Serum Stick was shown to improve skin’s radiance immediately in 91 percent of users.**Based on once-daily use in an independent expert grader (or consumer) study of 23 women. Individual results may vary.How to Use a Moisturizer StickThe brilliance of a stick lotion is its multipurpose usage. Swipe on anytime, anywhere. But here are a few additional uses and benefits.The Eye Area The Serum Stick smooths dryness and addresses fine lines instantly and over time, which makes it perfect for the delicate eye area. Perk up the skin around the eyes before applying the right sunscreen for your skin type or mid-day to help minimize lines and crepiness when dehydration creeps in.Makeup-Related Dryness Matte formula makeup paired with dry air and sensitized skin can equate to makeup dryness, leaving skin looking more flat than usual. Glide on The Serum Stick to soften, comfort, and hydrate dry spots.Prime Skin Create a dewy, seamless, and primed face with The Serum Stick. Simply melt into clean skin to prevent makeup from settling into fine lines, while also improving makeup’s blendability. Feel free to apply over makeup mid-day, too, to refresh and add a natural glow.Given its endless versatility, a moisturizer stick belongs in your skincare ritual—no matter your skin type, daily routine, or makeup preferences. The only question left to ask is ‘How many different ways will you find to utilize your dewy-on-demand moisturizer stick?’

There are many plant-derived ingredients used for skincare, but alpha hydroxy acids might be one of the most popular. This guide will help you understand why—and where to find them. Cleanse, moisturize, sun protect—these are the building blocks of a skincare routine. But they miss one crucial step: Exfoliation.You could think of exfoliation as something like a deeper clean, but that might be missing the point. In fact, sufficient exfoliation not only cleanses the skin, but also helps to tone (by shedding old, dead skin cells) and moisturize (by supporting skin barrier maintenance). In this light, not only is exfoliation an important step in anyone’s skincare routine, but can also boost the effectiveness of its other steps, too.Products like scrubs and peels are intended to exfoliate the skin, using a variety of ingredients to do so—from rice bran to fruit enzymes. But there are also a group of acids that are commonly found in chemical exfoliants. If you were to list them A to Z, you’d come to alpha hydroxy first—one of the most popular acids of its kind. Here’s a brief introduction to alpha hydroxy acids, including what benefits they could offer your skin, no matter your skin type. What are alpha hydroxy acids?Alpha hydroxy acids, or AHAs are a common type of acid. They’re carboxylic compounds (where a carboxylic acid is connected to a substituent) with a hydroxyl carbon attached to an alpha carbon—this is how they’re distinguished from other acids prevalent in skincare, like beta hydroxy acids (BHAs).AHAs’ claim to fame is their incredible benefits for skin. Discovered about 50 years ago, AHAs have not only expanded our understanding of skincare but our market as well. Today, AHAs can be found in all sorts of formulas, like exfoliating masks and skin-smoothing cleansers. The doctors who pioneered research of AHA were early to note its effectiveness on all skin types, even sensitive skin. (They were recognized at 2010’s Cosmetic Surgery Forum.)According to the Food and Drug Administration, the primary use of AHAs is to exfoliate. When applied to skin, these acids break down the substances binding the top layer of old skin cells to the layers beneath it, allowing this layer to more easily lift off. How much exfoliation occurs depends on a variety of things, from the concentration of AHAs to the rest of the formula that contains them. What are the types of AHAs? There are several types of alpha hydroxy acids that are commonly found in skincare formulations, each named for its source. Most AHAs are derived from fruit or milk. You may see some of the following terms on your favorite formulation’s ingredient labels.Citric acid. Derived from citrus fruits and juices, this AHA promotes skin peeling, and can even exhibit anti-aging benefits, according to the Environmental Working Group.Malic acid. This apple-derived acid has been shown to brighten skin, help promote collagen production, and even boost hydration levels, according to some studies. It’s also particularly prized for its gentleness.Lactic acid. Lactic acid comes from milk. In addition to exfoliating, lactic acid also binds water—moisturizing the skin while sloughing away old cells.Glycolic acid. One dermatologist told Glamour that glycolic acid, the simplest and smallest AHA on a molecular level, was the most effective for penetrating deep into the skin’s outermost layer. It’s no wonder, then, why it’s so popular in formulas that balance oil levels in the skin.Tartaric acid. This little-known acid found in limes and grapes is likely to be found in fruit-flavored desserts, but also has skincare properties; the antioxidants in tartaric acid helps repair oxidative damage to skin cells. What does AHA do for skin? AHAs benefit skin in myriad ways. The simple act of loosening the bonds between older and newer cells not only leads to a more luminous complexion, but it helps support the skin’s natural functions by accelerating its turnover process. When you apply an AHA consistently, these are the kinds of skin benefits you can expect. Exfoliation. It’s one of the most important parts of anybody’s skincare routine. Whether you choose a chemical liquid exfoliant, or something physical like a scrub, it’s important to clear the way so skin can focus on growth—and skincare can get to where it needs to go faster. AHAs, which fall into the chemical exfoliant category, are a tried-and-true way to exfoliate. Moisturization and hydration. The structure of AHAs allow them to easily bind to water, which is why many help to hydrate the skin—they can’t help but pull water out of the air and into the skin. Certain AHAs, like lactic acid, are also already a part of skin’s natural moisturization complex, and help to seal up the skin against water loss when applied. Smoothing and plumping. Glycolic acid is one AHA that has been observed to increase the gene expression for collagen and hyaluronic acid in the skin, according to a 2015 comparative study, which is why so many glycolic products are used in anti-aging formulas that can reduce the appearance of fine lines or offer plumping benefits to skin. Clearing out acne. The Mayo Clinic cites glycolic and lactic acids as two examples of AHAs that can help quell acne before it begins, by helping remove dead skin from pores—and soothing inflammation. What AHA products benefit skin?Due to the many ways in which they help skin, you can find AHAs in a wide variety of skincare formulations. If you’re looking to add AHAs into your routine, consider where there might be gaps—and what the right products to fill them may be.A skin-softening AHA toner. Tatcha’s Texture Tonic is lightweight, but packs an exfoliating punch. It harnesses a suite of active botanical ingredients from Japanese wild rose (which visibly tightens pores) and mugwort (which can calm redness). It also incorporates AHAs derived from a cornucopia of fruits like apple, grapefruit, orange, lemons and limes that resurface uneven, dull, and dry skin, and remove debris and the buildup of dead skin cells. A skin-brightening AHA serum. Like the alpha hydroxy acid, vitamin C is a fruit derivative shown to deliver many benefits to skin. Between fading dark spots and fighting inflammation, it’s an ingredient that—when correctly stabilized—can turn on your glow. This potent antioxidant joins fruit-derived AHAs in the Violet-C Brightening Serum, intended to resurface dullness and uneven skin—and adding plants like the Japanese angelica root that help to reduce the look of discoloration. A skin-smoothing AHA mask. For those who have a complete daily routine, but might be looking to add other ingredients into their overall skincare, consider the mask—a once- or twice-weekly treatment, and an opportunity to try something new. AHAs are a common mask additive, and in the Violet-C Radiance Mask, they join two forms of vitamin C in one creamy, hydrating formula. A fast-acting vitamin C derivative absorbs quickly to fight premature aging and support surface cell turnover, while a long-lasting vitamin C derivative repairs free radical damage. It’s gentle enough for any skin type, yet totally effective for all of them.

A good face cream reinforces your skin’s moisture barrier, but a great face cream will contribute hydration that helps your skin health improve over time. People are mostly made of water. The chemical comprises about 50 to 60% of our bodies, and is an ingredient in just about every metabolic process we have. Some parts of us have much higher water contents than others—for example, our organs are more aqueous than our bones, but not nearly as aqueous as our blood. Our skin is about 70% water, or more water than not, which is perhaps why so many of our skincare attentions come down to the simple act of keeping as much water in our skin as possible.Hydration is almost synonymous with skin’s most treasured qualities: Its luminosity, its softness, its bounce. And there is not a single skin type on Earth that does not benefit from more hydration, just as there is no dermatologist who would advise you hydrate yourself less. Water is the stuff of life. It’s also the stuff of skin health.For as long as we’ve been chasing glow, we’ve been embracing cream, which helps our skin boost its natural hydration-retention properties. The amount of moisturizer out there in the world is enough to fill an ocean, or at least the Great Lakes. Which face cream is the best at hydrating skin? To find out, you’ll have to learn a little bit about what that means. What does water do for skin?Water is one chemical that is essential to human function. A steady supply of water ensures that our bodies can regulate our temperatures, lubricate our joints, and keep our various internal systems working. Among these critical tasks, water also is a major vehicle by which nutrients and oxygen reach our cells.Hydrated skin is healthy skin. When the skin’s layers are drenched in water, they are less likely to break open and let in potential irritants. Some studies even support the conjecture that drinking adequate water has other health benefits for the skin, like increasing blood flow, although the research isn’t so clear on if these benefits extend to the appearance. Anecdotally, however, you can usually spot the signs of hydration: Skin looks brighter, and plumper. Of course, our bodies require a steady supply of water to keep these processes working—at every biological level. What’s the difference between dehydrated skin and dry skin?Skin that is dehydrated and skin that is dry can look quite similar: Flakes, cracks, and uncomfortable patches. But each is the result of a specific skin mechanism gone awry. Here’s an easy way to think of skin: When it’s dehydrated, you need water. When it’s dry, you need oil.Dry skin is one of the major skin types, and is defined by lower-than-average sebum production. Sebum, colloquially “oil”, is a natural waxy substance we produce that helps “caulk” our skin barriers. Dry skin is also something that can happen to you sporadically, due to environmental factors like wind or sun overexposure, but it’s important to distinguish between having a bout of dry skin versus the dry skin type. Dehydration isn’t a skin type, in large part because it doesn’t describe an intrinsic quality of the skin. All faces need hydration for the same reason that all bodies need water.For many, effective skincare means keeping the oil and water of one’s skin in check. Any imbalances may give you a clue as to what your unique skin type is, but whatever the answer may be, it’s safe to say that keeping your water levels up should be a priority. How do I know if I have dehydrated skin?Dehydrated skin can occur when too much water is lost, and can be observed by pinching a small area of skin: If skin bounces back, it’s hydrated, but if the wrinkle is slow to smooth out, it may be a sign of skin dehydration. By contrast, dry skin results from a lack of skin-sealing sebum. The problem is not necessarily in the water content of your skin, but in the barrier that is supposed to keep water from escaping. When the skin barrier is weak, it’s only a short leap from dry skin to dehydrated skin as water is lost.The best and most efficient way to find out if you have dry skin is to ask your dermatologist or a licensed aesthetician. An expert will be able to identify your skin type on sight. The American Academy of Dermatologists Association recommends looking for visual signs (roughness, peeling, cracking, flaking) and symptoms (itching, pain, irritation) when assessing the dryness of your skin. Left untreated, dryness can lead to openings in the skin, which can invite a host of other problems. Keep skin moisturized and hydrated to ensure its health. Which skincare ingredients hydrate skin?There are tons of ingredients that hydrate skin, primarily by attracting water into skin cells, but also by nourishing your skin barrier to guard against water loss. Some common hydrators too look out for include:Alpha hydroxy acid. Put simply, these acids, known as AHAs, increase the rate of cell renewal. Some AHAs, like lactic acid, are shown to be highly effective hydrators and moisturizers.Camellia oil. Feather-light and fast-absorbing, camellia oil benefits the skin in numerous ways and is a treasured secret in Japanese skincare.Colloidal oatmeal. The calming variant of oatmeal has been used for centuries to relieve the painful itch and irritation common with sensitive skin.Cranberry extract. Full of antioxidants, collagen, and elastin, this extract supports the skin’s healthy appearance, radiance, and barrier function.Hyaluronic acid. This substance occurs in the fluids surrounding cells and tissues, but depletes with age. In skincare formulations, it is unparalleled in both attracting and binding humectants and moisture to the skin.Peony. The blossom moisturizes, soothes, and provides superior antioxidant benefits, thanks to a natural active ingredient: paeoniflorin.Red algae. This type of seaweed is a rich source of natural polysaccharides, lending water-binding properties that deeply hydrate the skin for a healthy-looking appearance.Rice bran. A true superfood, and a source of vitamins, antioxidant compounds, proteins, fats, fibers, ferulic acid, and minerals. Also contains squalene and tocotrienols, compounds known to hydrate and repair skin.Silk. Or liquid silk protein. It’s easily absorbed when infused into skincare and helps skin to look healthier, smoother, and plumper.Squalane. This botanical lipid occurs naturally in the skin's sebum. The ingredient version, isolated from olives, absorbs effortlessly and deeply into the skin to nourish and moisturize skin.What is the best hydrating face cream?A good face cream reinforces your skin’s moisture barrier, but a great face cream will contribute nourishment that helps your skin improve over time. Based on your skin type, this could mean putting oil and water levels in balance. The best hydrating face cream will help draw water into the skin, but also include ingredients that help shore up the skin barrier.Hydration is a core value to Tatcha, which is why the brand’s two best-selling creams both address skin’s water content. Launched in 2017, the Water Cream features wild rose and leopard lily to balance the skin, unclog pores, and minimize excess oil production. Plus the water-burst cream formula also includes our Hadasei-3 Complex, which includes Uji green tea to detoxify and prevent premature aging, Okinawa red algae to seal in moisture, and Akita rice to nourish and hydrate. It’s a superb hydrating cream for all skin types. Then 2019 gave rise to the emollient-rich Dewy Skin Cream was specifically launched to give skin a natural glow and pair beautifully under makeup. The rich, moisturizing cream plumps skin for a dewy, healthy-looking appearance – thanks to antioxidant-packed Japanese purple rice, hyaluronic acid, and Hadasei-3. Dewy is recommended for drier skin but also works for all skin types. Remember that a good face cream is like a glass of water: Glow soon follows.

Though you may not have heard of it, heartleaf is trending up in the world of beauty. But before you dive into heartleaf skincare, you may be curious about the ingredient’s benefits—and whether or not it’s right for you. Heard of heartleaf? The name evokes a perfect image: A long, leafy stem ending in a lovely-shaped frond, rounded on one end and pointed at the other.In its native southeast Asia, carpets of heartleaf spread across forest floors. But this plant can be found all over the world, and even makes a common houseplant that is popular for its low maintenance. In Japan, these heart shaped leaves are called dokudami; their white blooms in May foretell of the coming rainy season. Dokudami leaves have been used to brew palliative teas, as well as ground up to treat burns. Even today, it’s one of the top three folk medicines listed in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia.The skincare brand Tatcha, which takes much of its inspiration from time-honored Japanese botanicals, has taken note of heartleaf benefits when applied to skin. More and more, these leaves are being used for topical formulations. But what, exactly, do they do? What is heartleaf?The long name for heartleaf is heartleaf philodendron, and the long and Latin name for it is Houttuynia cordata. These are resilient vines—tolerant of low light, but preferring sunny, moist climes. With a little water and light, a planted heartleaf vine could produce great lengths—and broad bouquets of its signature heart-shaped leaves.According to houseplant experts, they are some of the easiest plants to take care of. But they’re popular home decor for another important reason: A hardworking, healthy philodendron can remove gaseous toxicants, such as formaldehyde, from an enclosed space. But perhaps because of this, these bitter leaves contain a poisonous sap. Ingestion isn’t lethal, but it’s still recommended to keep heartleaves out of the mouths of children, pets, or yourself. Applied to skin, however, this plant can do more good than harm. What does heartleaf do?The benefits of heartleaf are well documented, and appear in traditions all over the world. Houttuynia cordata herb has been used in ancient Chinese medicine for centuries, and some records even indicate Native Americans once used a heart-shaped leaf in some medicines. In Japan, they were even applied topically, to soothe angry skin; In Korea, heartleaf comprised an acne treatment.According to the INCI Decoder, an online database for cosmetic ingredients, heartleaf is rich in flavonoids, a class of phytochemical compound that has been shown to have “anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial” benefits for skin. Heartleaf is also rich in more than a few polysaccharides, which help bind water to the skin. It’s also been shown to boost collagen production. At least one study has also shown promise against atopic dermatitis. In other words, it’s a powerhouse ingredient that can help moisturize skin while defending it against aggressors from oxidative stress, inflammation, and bacteria. Benefits of heartleaf for skinHeartleaf is a powerhouse skincare ingredient, and as a result, it’s frequently found in a variety of different skincare formulations. Its specific benefits may depend on where it winds up in your routine. A few common products containing heartleaf may be:Cleansers. When used as a key ingredient for a face cleanser, heartleaf works to keep oil in check—making it attractive for those with oily skin—so the rest of the cleanser can do its job. You can also be assured that a cleanser formulated with heartleaf will be gentle on skin.Toners. Commenters on the r/AsianBeauty subreddit extol the virtues of heartleaf toners, not only for their ability to balance oily skin, but also to quell redness and irritation. Some users have noted a cooling sensation, like that of aloe.Moisturizers. Heartleaf’s history as a sunburn healing botanical demonstrates the ingredient’s powerful soothing ability. Skin that is angry—sensitive, prone to redness, or otherwise reacting—may benefit from a moisturizer infused with heartleaf. Its high content of water-binding polysaccharides also makes it an excellent hydrator, and a welcome addition to any moisturizer’s ingredient list. How often to use heartleafThe average skincare routine occurs twice a day, and most skincare products are formulated for this kind of frequency. But some high-performing ingredients work best when they’re used more less frequently; about every other routine, or less often, depending on your unique skin type. (And when introducing a new ingredient into your routine, it’s a good idea to talk to your dermatologist or licensed aesthetician first.)With all of heartleaf’s skincare benefits, it’s natural to wonder if it’s too powerful for daily use. As a skincare ingredient, however, heartleaf is perfectly gentle. How often you apply heartleaf may depend on the skincare product it appears in—a moisturizer is best used more than a mask, for example. A recommendation will usually appear in the product’s directions. The best heartleaf skincareSoon after it launched in 2017, The Water Cream quickly became one of the best-selling moisturizers in Tatcha’s skincare collection. Its unique, water-burst texture is beloved by many skin types, but especially those with oily skin, who can feel trapped under thick moisturizers. By contrast, The Water Cream provides a veil of all-day moisture—and is clinically proven to refine pores, thanks to Japanese wild rose, a key ingredient. But one of The Water Cream’s less known powerhouse ingredients is Houttuynia cordata, or heartleaf extract. It’s this ingredient that helps make the moisturizer; its antioxidant power acts like azelaic acid to protect from free radicals, helping to brighten and even tone. Its collagen boosting power, plus its calming effect, means it smooths and soothes. And it’s all thanks to the heartleaf; a plant that’s easy to love.

As celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin says, “your self-care ritual is the one moment you have all to yourself.” Read on for his self-care tips & picks for red carpet radiance from skin to soul. What does it look like to commit to a skincare ritual?It takes intention and time to appreciate one's cleansing ritual and when you do, it doesn't seem like a chore but rather a meditation at the beginning or ending of your day.How do you recommend your clients get started?Start by identifying what's the most important to you with your skincare at the beginning of your day. Start there and add as you see fit. As you build your skincare wardrobe, you're also adding more intentional time for yourself and your ritual.Why's it so important to commit to your own self-care?It's the one thing that you have all to yourself to appreciate and take care of. We forget our skin is our largest organ and we overlook its appreciation because we're constantly moving and on the go. So taking the time to respect it and show it love, you'll see a difference in your skin.What's your advice for falling in love with your skin?Be patient and appreciate yourself. When you are at peace within, it truly reflects on the outside as well.What are ways you invest in yourself?I've learned that I have to move my body as I've gotten older so going to the gym and doing pilates is my way of investing in my health and wellness.What products would you recommend to "plump and protect for ever after"?Essence, Dewy Serum, Dewy Skin and Dewy Skin Mist.

The best place to consider your skincare’s pH levels is at the outset of your skincare routine. This is why you should consider using a pH-balanced cleanser. “pH” is a fairly young beauty buzzword. (Or buzz “term”, as pH stands for “potential hydrogen” or “power of hydrogen.”) For about a century, physicians have studied how this property supports and facilitates the function of skin. There are many unknowns about the complex mechanisms that make up our cutaneous system, but unlocking pH has helped the field of dermatology deepen its understanding of skin.For example: Did you know that conditions caused by inflammation, from acne to eczema, are associated with a high pH level? In fact, once you understand how integral maintaining a balanced pH is for the skin, you may find yourself paying a lot more attention to the pH values of your skincare products, especially when it comes to your cleansers. Your skin’s pH level is influenced by a variety of factors, from genetics to skin type to sweat production, but according to dermatologists, it can also be affected by the use of alkaline soaps and other high pH products.If there’s one simple strategic skincare step that can keep your skin’s pH in check, it’s the first one in your routine. This is what a pH balancing cleanser can do for you.What is skin pH? Put simply, pH measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in a given substance. An acidic solution has a higher concentration of hydrogen ions and a lower pH, while a basic, or alkaline, solution has a smaller concentration and a higher pH. Pure water maintains an elegant balance of ions in equal concentration, and sits at the dead center of the scale, with a pH of 7.On average, the human body is 60% water, but our skin is a slightly higher percentage; it follows that our skin has a pH close to that of water. Some parts of our skin system are more basic than others, but the outermost layer of our skin has been observed to sit on the acidic side of the scale, with an average pH of 5.5, according to a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic.This thin layer responsible for separating the delicate, intricate epidermis from bacteria, environmental pollutants, microbes, ultraviolet light and more is referred to as the “acid mantle.” As such, it’s the first stop for all of our skincare efforts—and should be first in mind when thinking about the pH of our beauty products. Why does my skin’s pH matter? Your skin is used to operating within a certain pH range. But when that range is thrown out of balance, things can start to go awry on the surface. Studies have shown that higher-than-normal pH tends to be a commonality of skin disorders caused by inflammation, like acne and eczema.This very well may have to do with the fact that a balanced, slightly-acidic pH provides the conditions for many of the skin’s basic metabolic functions—shoring up its defenses with structural lipids, keeping hydration in and infection out.Meanwhile, we know that our skin’s pH is also affected by the liquids we wash, tone, exfoliate, and moisturize with. Many of our beloved face cleansers—the ones that leave us feeling squeaky clean, primed, and ready for the day or for bed—have a high pH level, and are generally considered not great for skin. Even a different country’s tap water, which may have a different pH than the one you’re used to, can affect skin’s pH. Which is not to suggest that you avoid washing your face with water, but merely that you take into consideration how all substances we apply to our skin interact with its basic properties.How do I balance my skin’s pH? Luckily for all of us, our skin has a built-in system for regulating its pH; these are referred to as buffer systems. These systems help keep our mantles on the acidic side of neutral, and they’re highly sophisticated; they’re also prone to wear and tear, just like all of the other systems that make up our skin.You can imagine a buffer system kicking into gear when the slightly acidic skin comes in contact with a more acidic or basic substance, and working to neutralize it. You can also imagine some of the following pH-balancing steps as opportunities to give these buffer systems a rest—or, at least, take most of the work out of balancing your skin’s pH.Don’t: Overdo the exfoliation. You probably heard of exfoliating acids before you thought about how acids and bases factor into skin. In fact, our skin loves these acids because of its own inherent acidity. But too much exfoliation can throw the switch in the wrong direction, which is why you should stick to the recommended schedule—and chat with your dermatologist, first.Do: Commit to moisturizing. When it comes to maintaining our skin barrier, there are a lot of things we can do, but none help quite like old-fashioned moisturization. (And when it comes to maintaining pH balance, according to some dermatologists, the more emollient, the better.)Don’t: Opt for harsh cleansers. This is one area where people regularly expose their skin to high-pH products. One dermatologist advised readers of Real Simple: “Stick to non-soap cleansers that are more pH-balanced” for our precious acid mantles.Do: Try pH balanced skincare. A substance that is pH balanced isn’t pH neutral—that would be water—but is instead within a range close to skin’s inherent, slightly-acidic pH. Over time it’s natural to adopt products that are more acidic for some uses and more basic for others, but to maintain balance, it’s a good idea to adopt skincare that is pH balanced. What is a good pH-balancing cleanser? Start your skincare routine off with the right step. A pH-balanced cleanser is a great option for any skin type, but especially those who deal with oily skin (and may be more prone to acne). The perfect formula will effectively cleanse without stripping skin of essential moisture and nourishment; it’ll also clock in at a pH between 4 and 6.Our skincare brand, founded on using ingredients that maintain the skin barrier’s integrity, has the perfect thing: The Rice Wash uses an amino acid-rich base flecked with rice powder for a skin-softening cleanse. (In a study, 96% of users said skin felt more balanced after rinsing.)* We’ve also recently unveiled The Matcha Cleanse, a gel-to-foam cleanser formulated for oily skin with antioxidant-rich Kyo-matcha and BHA alternatives. A priming effect also carries the benefit of rebalancing oil-production. Above all, it’s lightweight, refreshing, and a pleasure to use.

Oily skin is often maligned, but there are a handful of benefits with additional oil production. The trick to managing oiliness is utilizing a skincare routine specifically optimized for oily skin. This guide explores the most effective oily skincare routine for more balanced skin. Oily skin is one of the most common skin types, yet the emotional and social impact of having oil-prone skin can be debilitating. One study found that participants with oily skin reported feelings of “unattractiveness, self-consciousness, embarrassment, irritation, and frustration.” Additional research has shown that those with oily skin can feel “uncomfortable or unkempt and annoyed” by the skin type. As devastating as that is, having oily skin is perfectly normal and perhaps even beneficial—some experts believe the excess oil and sebum lubricate the skin, allowing the face to age with less visible fine lines and wrinkles (although more research needs to be completed to solidify this belief). That said, oily skin unmanaged with an effective regime can exacerbate excess oil, potentially leading to clogged pores. Looking for tips to curb the skin’s natural oil production? When we support the skin’s natural processes through cleansing, exfoliation, and hydration, a reduction in congestion, breakouts, and hyperpigmentation can naturally occur. Keep reading to understand more about excessive oil consumption and the most effective skincare routine for oily skin.Oily Skin ExplainedAccording to the American Academy of Dermatology, oily skin is one of the five skin types (with the others being sensitive, normal, dry, and combination skin). What causes oily skin in the first place? It’s often due to genetics, so you can thank your parents for your naturally supple skin. It can also be caused by heightened hormone levels. What’s happening under the skin is sebaceous glands are secreting sebum, which naturally lubricates the skin, protecting it from drying out. But sometimes sebaceous glands can produce excess sebum, causing the skin to look excessively shiny or pores to become clogged.Skincare Routine For Oily SkinIf you have oily skin or an oily T-zone area, your skin produces extra sebum that can lead to clogged pores and potentially breakouts. Utilizing the following oily skincare routine helps bring harmony back to the skin with just a few simple steps.Step One: CleanseThe first, and perhaps most important, step in your ritual is to purify your complexion with a facial cleanser. From starting the morning fresh to unburdening the skin at the end of the day, cleansing helps wash away impurities, dirt, and other buildup accumulated throughout the day and night. Whether it's indulging in a double cleanse or an exfoliating cleanser, the right face wash can minimize excess oil, unclog and minimize the appearance of pores, and leave skin soft and ready for the next steps in your oily skincare routine.Step Two: ExfoliateAfter cleansing, oily skin will love exfoliation. Why? Exfoliating can make pores less noticeable, says the AAD. This is because when pores are clogged, they look more noticeable, and effective exfoliation basically ‘cleans out’ pores, helping to eliminate excess oil, sebum, and dead skin cells while visibly tightening the appearance of pores. This can be accomplished with physical exfoliation (scrubs or washcloths) or liquid exfoliating treatments (formulas with AHAs and/or BHAs). Check the product’s packaging to get the recommended usage tips, as some exfoliants are designed to be used nightly or twice a day (or only a few times a week).Step Three: TreatSerums are a great follow-up step after exfoliation, as they’ll be able to absorb beautifully. Serums are highly potent skincare solutions that work to increase the overall effectiveness of a skincare ritual. They tend to zero in on one focus, like brightening, hydrating, or clarifying pores. Some serums can even multitask, targeting multiple concerns at once, like brightening and exfoliating. Consider what you’d like a serum to help you accomplish and seek out one with proven ingredients and clinical results.Step Four: MoisturizeYou might be tempted to forgo a moisturizer completely due to excessive oiliness, but skipping a face lotion can backfire, causing the skin to produce even more sebum to make up for the dryness—after all, even oily skin can quickly become dehydrated. That said, an effective moisturizer is one of the most difficult products to discover for oily skin. A moisturizer is not a one-size-fits-all product, notes the AAD. They note that a moisturizer can come in several different formats, including lotions, gels, thick creams, or ointments. For oily skin, consider a lightweight, clarifying moisturizer for morning and night usage, right after a serum (or cleansing, if you’re skipping a serum).Step Five: ProtectSunscreen often has the reputation of thick, pore-clogging formulas, so much so that you might be tempted to skip SPF altogether to spare your oily skin–but don’t. Modern sunscreen iterations are brilliantly lightweight and soothing. Some can even include pore-refining ingredients, like niacinamide, that have the ability to minimize the size of pores, reduce redness, and even skin tone. Ensure that you follow the FDA guidelines on how to apply sunscreen and what to look for in SPF packaging.For a deep dive into the best products for oily skin, we’ve compiled an extensive guide here, analyzing every product that can help oily skin become more balanced and soothed. As always, if you’d like help customizing your daily ritual for your specific skin, consult our Ritual Finder.

Before you learn about the benefits of a pH balancing cleanser, it’s crucial to understand the importance of skin pH—and what happens when imbalances occur. It’s as if the world runs on an endless series of balancing acts. The expansive universe, of which we are just a microscopic particle of a particle, expands and contracts constantly, maintaining its density while growing infinitely. Inside of our bodies, a complex array of systems run to keep us in homeostasis, our lives dependent on their balance.Indeed, balance might be at the heart of everything we do. Shintoism, Japan’s national religion, emphasizes the quality of balance through its rituals and teachings. Harmony staves off chaos. You can see reverberations of this philosophy through many facets of Japanese culture, from ritual acts of bathing to mindful skincare practices.When it comes to washing one’s face, balance takes on a special meaning. Not only do we want to keep oil and water in check, or cleanse and moisturize at the same time, but we also want to keep our skin’s pH balanced. Some ingredients are better at balancing skin than others. Read on to find out about the best pH balancing cleanser for your skin—but first, in an effort to achieve some balance in your own understanding, we’ll provide a little background on what pH is, and how it affects the ecosystem of our skin. The meaning of skin pHFor centuries, scientists have known about the chemical composition of liquids, and that hydrogen in particular plays an important role in understanding the properties of those liquids. But it wasn’t until the beginning of the 20th century that a Danish scientist condensed this understanding into a simple scale, in which each liquid can be categorized with a pH—or potential hydrogen—value. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with water representing the dead center of the scale, at 7. Any value lower is considered acidic, and anything higher is considered basic, or alkaline.pH is important because it helps us to understand how a liquid behaves, and how it may interact with other liquids or substances. The United States Geological Survey takes a measurement of pH any time water is studied. If you work in a chemistry lab, you probably hear the term pH uttered multiple times daily. Otherwise, it’s possible that the last time you heard the term was in high school science class. But knowing that our bodies are made up mostly of water, it should come as no surprise that pH levels exist throughout the systems of our body—including in our skin. (After all, our skin is mostly water—about 64%.)Skin’s average pH is between 4 and 6, on the acidic side of things. It can be slightly higher in different areas of the body, such as in the groin and armpit, where microbial activity is distinct from, say, the skin on the chest or back of the calves. The average pH of the skin on the face is 5.5, according to The Cleveland Clinic. But it’s important to note how these values can fluctuate from person to person due to genetics, environmental factors, and even the skincare we apply to our faces. Your skin’s pH is not fixed. This is where the quality of balance enters the picture. The purpose of pH balancing skincareWhat happens when our skin’s pH goes out of whack?Think of the world’s ecosystems, from arid deserts to drenched rainforests. All have unique flora and fauna that depend on the climate of the region to allow them to live. Change in those weather systems can cause life to die out and the ecosystem to change. In a way, this is how pH functions in the body: By providing location-specific conditions for a particular system to work. You can see how balance is critical to maintaining these systems.Our skin’s pH can and will change depending on what we apply to it. Even washing one’s face with alkaline tap water is shown to increase pH up to six hours after application before things start returning to normal. Balance means staying acidic—but not too acidic. As Dr. Oz explained to Good Housekeeping, "the skin’s pH maintains the balance of acidity and alkalinity that protects us from germs, the elements, and toxic substances while keeping us hydrated and storing nutrients and minerals." When pH goes too acidic or too alkaline, you can see it in your skin via dryness, or roughness, or the surfacing of inflammatory skin issues like eczema.The skin barrier, often the target of our skincare attention, is sometimes called the acid mantle, reflecting its acidic nature. Keeping it in this balanced zone is critical for maintaining skin health. But it’s easier said than done—unless you know about pH balancing skincare. The difference between pH balanced and pH neutral While the terms pH balanced vs. pH neutral sound similar, they are critically different. The latter term, pH neutral, refers specifically to water, which has a pH of 7—the midpoint of the pH scale. Washing your face with pure water is beauty advice as old as time. But keep in mind that water is more basic than your skin. The term pH balanced, when applied in a skincare context, usually means keeping skin’s pH near its slightly acidic baseline.Our skin remains balanced thanks to the work of buffers, which are found throughout the body and help keep pH at the right functional level. Generally, being gentle with your skin, avoiding over-washing or extra exfoliation, is good for maintaining pH balance. But a good skincare formula can also help keep things under control—especially when it comes to cleansing your face. The best pH balancing cleanserAll of this is why Tatcha formulated the Matcha Cleanse—the newest addition to its bestselling face wash lineup. Soaps and harsh detergents can be disruptive to your pH level, which is why dermatologists and other experts alike recommend gentle formulas that cleanse skin without stripping. Products that work with skin, not against it, is the philosophy behind all of Tatcha’s products, and is achieved using a combination of centuries-old Japanese botanicals and contemporary skincare technology. Enter the Matcha Cleanse, a soft gel cleanser that lathers into a cloud of foam—made with a combination of BHA alternatives, as well as kyo-matcha and Japanese mugwort—time-tested ingredients that have been used to balance body and mind, inside and out.The Matcha Cleanse is particularly good for oily skin types. Maybe they’ve overwashed their skin and dried it out, leading to bouts of over-oiliness. But in essence, they’re looking for balance in their daily skincare routines. Regular use of the Matcha Cleanse, along with proper exfoliation and moisturization, can help achieve the skin balance you seek. With both a balanced complexion and mind, it’s hard not to feel peace radiate from within.