This is a luxurious cream-to-foam daily cleanser that uses microcrystalline cellulose and rice powder to gently exfoliate, while Tatcha’s signature Hadasei-3 ferment complex deeply hydrates and softens the skin.
This cleanser scores a strong 8.8/10 for performance due to its expertly balanced formula. It utilizes highly effective, ultra-gentle, amino acid-based surfactants like Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate and Sodium Caproyl Methyltaurate to cleanse the skin without stripping its natural moisture barrier. Skin-polishing physical exfoliants such as Microcrystalline Cellulose and Oryza Sativa (Rice) Powder offer exceptionally gentle mechanical exfoliation. The formula is enriched with a fermented complex containing Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) and Rice Ferment Filtrate, which provides antioxidant protection and skin-softening benefits, complemented by hydrating humectants like Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate.
With a safety rating of 8.0/10, this cleanser is generally very safe and formulated without harsh sulfates. However, its score is slightly lowered by the inclusion of Parfum/Fragrance, which is a common sensitizer that can trigger irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive skin types. Additionally, the presence of Alcohol (even in trace amounts at the end of the list) and Potassium Hydroxide (a high-pH adjuster, though likely neutralized in the final product) may pose minimal risk to highly compromised skin barriers.
The final rating of 8.4/10 reflects a premium, high-performing daily cleanser that successfully bridges the gap between deep cleansing, gentle physical exfoliation, and active hydration. While the nourishing botanical ferments and mild surfactants ensure a luxurious, non-drying wash, the presence of fragrance and physical scrub particles prevents a higher safety score, making it an excellent match for normal, combination, and oily skin, but one that should be approached with caution by those with extremely sensitive skin or active acne.
This daily skin-softening cleanser, famously recognized as Tatcha’s The Rice Wash, is meticulously formulated to balance gentle purification with deep, lasting hydration. At its core, the cleanser utilizes ultra-mild, amino acid-based surfactants such as Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate and Sodium Caproyl Methyltaurate, which cleanse the skin effectively without stripping its essential moisture or disrupting the delicate lipid barrier. Unlike traditional harsh foaming cleansers that often leave the face feeling uncomfortably tight, this formulation is highly enriched with nourishing humectants like Glycerin and Propanediol. These ingredients actively draw moisture into the skin during the wash, maintaining a supple, comfortable texture.exfoliation, the product avoids abrasive scrubs in favor of Microcrystalline Cellulose and Oryza Sativa (Rice) Powder. These ingredients offer a very soft, barely-there physical exfoliation that gently polishes the skin’s surface, helping to lift away dead skin cells and refine texture daily without causing micro-tears. The standout feature of this formula is Tatcha’s proprietary Hadasei-3 complex, a double-fermented blend of green tea, algae, and rice represented as Saccharomyces/Camellia Sinensis Leaf/Cladosiphon Okamuranus/Rice Ferment Filtrate. This antioxidant-rich trio works synergistically with Sodium Hyaluronate and botanical algae extracts like Chondrus Crispus and Betaphycus Gelatinum Extract to reinforce the skin barrier, restore natural radiance, and keep the skin deeply moisturized long after rinsing.the formula is highly beneficial for restoring a healthy glow, those with extremely sensitive, reactive, or eczema-prone skin should exercise caution due to the presence of Parfum/Fragrance. Although it provides a luxurious sensory experience, fragrance can act as a sensitizing agent for some individuals. Additionally, the formula contains a tiny amount of Alcohol at the very end of the ingredient list, which acts purely as a solvent for the extracts and is highly unlikely to cause dryness, but remains a consideration for absolute purists. Overall, this cleanser is a stellar option for those with normal, dry, or combination skin looking to elevate their daily routine with a luxurious formula that respects the skin barrier while offering mild, texture-refining benefits.
🧪 Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate / 椰油酰谷氨酸钠
Purpose: Gentle amino acid-based surfactant used to cleanse and create foam.
Concerns: Extremely mild with negligible risk of skin irritation.
Notes: A highly skin-friendly surfactant that cleanses effectively without stripping the natural skin barrier.
🧪 Sodium Caproyl Methyltaurate / 己酰基甲基牛磺酸钠
Purpose: Mild anionic surfactant that helps cleanse, emulsify, and boost foam.
Concerns: Highly gentle with low potential for eye or skin irritation.
Notes: Contributes to a luxurious, creamy, and moisturizing foam texture.
🧪 Coco-Betaine / 椰油酰甜菜碱
Purpose: Amphoteric surfactant that boosts foam and reduces potential irritation from other surfactants.
Concerns: Generally safe, though individuals with highly sensitive skin may occasionally react to trace impurities.
Notes: Commonly paired with amino acid surfactants to enhance lathering and skin feel.
🧪 Lauryl Glucoside / 月桂基葡糖苷
Purpose: Mild non-ionic surfactant of vegetable origin used for gentle cleansing.
Concerns: Exceptionally mild with no major known concerns.
Notes: Biodegradable and highly suitable for sensitive or baby skin formulations.
🧪 Saccharomyces/Camellia Sinensis Leaf/Cladosiphon Okamuranus/Rice Ferment Filtrate / 酵母菌/茶叶/冈村枝管藻/大米发酵产物滤液
Purpose: Double-fermented nutrient complex (known as Hadasei-3) providing antioxidant, anti-aging, and skin-softening benefits.
Concerns: Extremely safe and well-tolerated by all skin types.
Notes: Tatcha’s signature proprietary complex that helps strengthen the skin barrier and restore radiance.
🧪 Oryza Sativa (Rice) Powder / 稻米粉
Purpose: Gentle physical exfoliant and skin softener.
Concerns: Very safe and much gentler than synthetic plastic microbeads.
Notes: A traditional Japanese beauty ingredient used to gently polish and smooth uneven skin texture.
🧪 Chondrus Crispus Extract / 皱波角叉菜提取物
Purpose: Red algae extract rich in carrageenan, acting as a skin-conditioning humectant and film former.
Concerns: None. Safe for all skin types.
Notes: Creates a hydrating barrier to lock in skin moisture after rinsing.
🧪 Sodium Hyaluronate / 透明质酸钠
Purpose: High-performance humectant that attracts and binds water to the skin.
Concerns: Extremely safe, non-comedogenic, and well-tolerated.
Notes: Plumps the skin and prevents the tight, dry feeling often associated with cleansing.
🧪 Betaphycus Gelatinum Extract / 琼枝麒麟菜提取物
Purpose: Red algae extract providing outstanding water-retaining and skin-smoothing properties.
Concerns: None. Highly safe cosmetic ingredient.
Notes: Works synergistically with hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and plump the skin.
🧪 Glycerin / 甘油
Purpose: Classic humectant that draws moisture from the environment into the skin.
Concerns: Exceptionally safe and non-irritating.
Notes: An industry-standard, highly effective moisturizing agent that protects the skin against dryness.
🧪 Propanediol / 丙二醇
Purpose: Natural humectant and solvent that improves skin hydration and enhances product absorption.
Concerns: Very low risk of irritation, making it a safer alternative to propylene glycol.
Notes: Can be naturally derived from corn and leaves a light, non-greasy skin feel.
🧪 Aqua/Water/Eau / 水
Purpose: Primary solvent used to dissolve other ingredients and form the cream base.
Concerns: None.
Notes: The fundamental base of almost all water-based skincare formulations.
🧪 Microcrystalline Cellulose / 微晶纤维素
Purpose: Viscosity controller and texturizer, which also assists in mild physical exfoliation.
Concerns: Safe and biodegradable.
Notes: An eco-friendly alternative to synthetic polymers that adds body and stability to the cream.
🧪 Acrylates Copolymer / 丙烯酸（酯）类共聚物
Purpose: Film former and thickening agent that stabilizes the formulation and suspends exfoliating particles.
Concerns: Mild potential for eye irritation in its raw state, but completely safe in rinse-off cosmetic formulations.
Notes: Ensures that the rice powder and cellulose particles remain evenly suspended in the tube.
🧪 Polyquaternium-39 / 聚季铵盐-39
Purpose: Antistatic and film-forming polymer that leaves a smooth, conditioned layer on the skin after rinsing.
Concerns: Safe for wash-off cosmetics.
Notes: Provides a silky slip and keeps the skin feeling conditioned post-cleanse.
🧪 Alcohol / 乙醇
Purpose: Solvent and antimicrobial agent used to dissolve botanical extracts.
Concerns: Can be drying or sensitizing if present in high amounts, but harmless at the very end of this list.
Notes: Likely introduced as part of a raw extract or in trace amounts to maintain formulation stability.