Tatcha Matcha Cleanser Review: Is It a Waste of Money?

Your skin deserves a cleanser that works as hard as you do. The Tatcha Matcha Cleanse has become one of the most talked about facial cleansers in the skincare world.

This daily clarifying gel cleanser promises to decongest pores, balance oil, and leave your skin perfectly primed for makeup. But does it really live up to the hype?

This complete review covers everything you need to know about this luxurious Japanese inspired cleanser.

Key Takeaways

• The cleanser uses Japanese Kyo Matcha as its star ingredient, which is rich in antioxidants and helps calm visible redness while purifying your pores without harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances.
• This product works best for oily, combination, and acne prone skin types because it controls oil production immediately and over time, reducing that greasy feeling and minimizing makeup slip throughout the day.
• The formula is fragrance free and soap free, making it gentle enough for daily use while still being powerful enough to remove makeup and decongest pores effectively.
• You can expect to pay around forty dollars for a 5 ounce bottle, which lasts approximately two to three months with regular twice daily use, making it a premium investment in your skincare routine.
• The gel transforms into a light, watery foam that rinses clean without leaving any residue, and it maintains your skin’s natural pH balance to prevent the tight, stripped feeling common with many other cleansers.
• Results are visible within the first week of use with most users reporting reduced oil production, smaller looking pores, and smoother skin texture after consistent morning and evening application.

What Makes Tatcha Matcha Cleanser Special

The Tatcha Matcha Cleanse stands out in the crowded cleanser market for several important reasons. This daily clarifying gel cleanser combines ancient Japanese beauty wisdom with modern skincare science.

The formula centers around Japanese Kyo Matcha, a premium grade green tea that has been used in Japanese skincare rituals for centuries. This powerful ingredient is packed with antioxidants that fight free radicals and protect your skin from environmental damage.

What truly makes this cleanser unique is its ability to purify without stripping. Many cleansers that target oily skin leave your face feeling tight and uncomfortable. The Matcha Cleanse takes a different approach.

Understanding the Key Ingredients

The ingredient list tells you everything about how a product will perform. The Matcha Cleanse features a carefully curated blend of Japanese botanicals that work together to clarify and balance your skin.

The star ingredient is Japanese Kyo Matcha, which contains powerful antioxidants called catechins. These antioxidants help calm inflammation and reduce redness while providing protection against environmental stressors.

Willow bark extract serves as a natural alternative to salicylic acid. This gentle exfoliant helps clear out clogged pores without the irritation that traditional BHAs can cause. Coix seed extract is another traditional Japanese ingredient that helps regulate oil production and soften skin texture.

Top 3 Alternatives for Tatcha Matcha Cleanser

Perfect for Oily and Combination Skin Types

The Tatcha Matcha Cleanse was specifically designed with oily and combination skin in mind. If you struggle with excess shine, enlarged pores, or makeup that slides off by midday, this cleanser addresses all these concerns.

The formula works on two levels to control oil. First, it provides immediate oil reduction by removing excess sebum and impurities from your skin’s surface. You will notice your skin looks less shiny right after cleansing.

The second level of oil control happens over time with consistent use. The botanical ingredients help regulate your skin’s natural oil production, which means you produce less excess oil throughout the day.

Benefits for Acne Prone Skin

Acne prone skin needs special care, and the Matcha Cleanse delivers gentle yet effective cleansing. The BHA botanical alternatives in this formula help keep pores clear without causing irritation.

Willow bark extract penetrates into pores to dissolve the buildup of dead skin cells and excess oil that can lead to breakouts. The anti inflammatory properties of matcha help calm existing blemishes and reduce redness.

One of the biggest advantages for acne prone skin is that this cleanser is fragrance free and soap free. Fragrances and harsh soaps can irritate sensitive, blemish prone skin and make breakouts worse.

How the Antioxidant Power Works

Antioxidants are your skin’s best defense against premature aging and environmental damage. The Japanese Kyo Matcha in this cleanser is loaded with catechins, which are some of the most powerful antioxidants found in nature.

These compounds work to neutralize free radicals that damage your skin cells throughout the day. Free radicals come from pollution, UV exposure, and even stress.

When you cleanse with matcha rich formula twice daily, you are giving your skin a protective boost. The antioxidants help reduce visible signs of aging like fine lines and uneven texture.

They also calm inflammation and redness, which is especially beneficial if you live in a city or are exposed to pollution regularly. The green color you see in the cleanser comes from the chlorophyll in matcha, which also has detoxifying properties.

The pH Balancing Formula Explained

Your skin’s pH level plays a crucial role in its health and appearance. Healthy skin maintains a slightly acidic pH of around 5.5. When you use cleansers with the wrong pH, you can disrupt your skin’s natural protective barrier called the acid mantle.

This can lead to dryness, irritation, increased oil production, and even breakouts. Many traditional cleansers are too alkaline, which strips your skin and throws off its natural balance.

The Tatcha Matcha Cleanse is formulated to be pH balanced, which means it cleanses effectively while maintaining your skin’s optimal pH level. This is why your face does not feel tight or dry after washing.

Step by Step: How to Use the Cleanser

Getting the best results from your cleanser depends on using it correctly. Here is the proper way to use the Tatcha Matcha Cleanse for optimal benefits.

Start with wet hands and a wet face. Dispense about an almond sized amount of the gel cleanser into your palm. The consistency is a clear green gel that feels lightweight and smooth.

Massage the cleanser onto your face using gentle circular motions. Focus on areas that tend to be oilier like your T zone, which includes your forehead, nose, and chin. As you massage, the gel will transform into a light, watery foam.

Real Results: What to Expect

Understanding realistic expectations helps you evaluate whether a product is working. With the Tatcha Matcha Cleanse, most users notice immediate effects after the very first use. Your skin feels clean, soft, and refreshed without any tightness or dryness. The gel rinses away completely, leaving no residue or film on your skin.

Within the first week, you should see a reduction in excess oil and shine. Your skin will look less greasy throughout the day, and your makeup should wear better without sliding off.

The appearance of your pores may start to look slightly smaller as the cleanser helps remove the buildup that makes them look enlarged. After two to four weeks of consistent twice daily use, you will notice more significant improvements.

Oil production becomes more balanced, meaning you produce less excess sebum. Your skin texture becomes smoother and more refined. If you are prone to breakouts, you should see fewer blemishes and less inflammation.

The long term benefits become apparent after two to three months of regular use. Your skin develops a healthier, more balanced appearance. Pores look noticeably smaller and less visible. Your complexion appears more even and clear.

Many users also report that their makeup applies more smoothly and lasts longer throughout the day. Remember that skincare results vary from person to person based on your unique skin type and concerns.

Comparing Matcha Cleanse to Other Options

How does the Matcha Cleanse compare to other cleansers in the Tatcha line and beyond? The most common comparison is with Tatcha’s Rice Wash, which is their award winning cream cleanser.

The Rice Wash is designed for dry to normal skin types and focuses on softening and hydrating. It has a creamy texture and contains rice bran for gentle exfoliation. The Matcha Cleanse, on the other hand, targets oily and combination skin with its gel formula and oil controlling ingredients.

When compared to drugstore gel cleansers, the Matcha Cleanse offers a more refined, gentle experience. Many affordable gel cleansers contain harsh sulfates that strip your skin. While they might feel like they are cleaning effectively, they often cause your skin to overproduce oil in response to being stripped.

The Matcha Cleanse uses mild surfactants that clean without disrupting your skin barrier. The Japanese botanical ingredients also provide benefits that you will not find in most budget cleansers.

Compared to other luxury cleansers in the same price range, the Matcha Cleanse holds its own with its unique matcha based formula and impressive oil control results. The fragrance free aspect is a significant advantage for those with sensitive skin.

While the price point is higher than drugstore options, the quality of ingredients and the results justify the investment for many users.

The Travel Friendly Size Option

One practical aspect that users appreciate is the availability of a travel size version. Tatcha offers a smaller 1.7 ounce bottle that is perfect for testing the product before committing to the full size.

This mini version is also TSA approved for carry on luggage, making it ideal for travel. You can maintain your skincare routine without worrying about your cleanser being confiscated at airport security.

The travel size is also an excellent way to introduce the product into your routine gradually. Some people prefer to try a smaller size first to see how their skin responds before investing in the full 5 ounce bottle.

The smaller bottle typically lasts about three to four weeks with twice daily use, giving you enough time to evaluate whether the cleanser works for your skin.

Is the Price Worth It

The Tatcha Matcha Cleanse retails for approximately forty dollars for the 5 ounce bottle. This price point places it firmly in the luxury skincare category.

The question everyone asks is whether the results justify the cost. For many users, the answer is yes, but it depends on your priorities and budget.

Consider what you are getting for that price. The formula contains high quality Japanese botanicals that are not commonly found in drugstore cleansers. The ingredients are carefully sourced and formulated to deliver specific benefits.

The cleanser is free from harsh chemicals, fragrances, and irritants that can damage your skin over time. You are investing in a product that supports your skin’s long term health rather than just providing temporary cleansing.

The 5 ounce bottle typically lasts two to three months with regular twice daily use. When you break down the cost per day, it comes to less than fifty cents. Many people spend more than that on their daily coffee.

If you have struggled with oily skin, enlarged pores, or makeup that does not last, the investment might save you money on other products in the long run. A good cleanser is the foundation of any effective skincare routine.

Who Should Avoid This Cleanser

While the Matcha Cleanse works wonderfully for many people, it is not the right choice for everyone. This cleanser is specifically formulated for oily, combination, and acne prone skin.

If you have very dry or sensitive skin, you might find this cleanser slightly too clarifying for your needs. The oil controlling ingredients could potentially be too effective for skin that does not produce excess sebum.

People with extremely sensitive skin should also proceed with caution. While the formula is fragrance free and gentle, the BHA botanical alternatives might cause irritation in some individuals.

If you know you are sensitive to willow bark or salicylic acid, you may want to patch test this cleanser first or choose a gentler option. The cleanser is also not suitable for removing heavy makeup like waterproof mascara or long wearing foundation on its own.

You will need to use a dedicated makeup remover or cleansing oil first before following with the Matcha Cleanse.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does one bottle of Tatcha Matcha Cleanser last?

A 5 ounce bottle of Tatcha Matcha Cleanse typically lasts between two to three months with regular twice daily use. The exact duration depends on how much product you use per wash. You only need an almond sized amount each time, so a little goes a long way. If you use it only once daily, you can expect the bottle to last closer to four to five months.

Can I use Tatcha Matcha Cleanser if I have dry skin?

The Matcha Cleanse is specifically formulated for oily, combination, and acne prone skin types. If you have very dry skin, you might find this cleanser too clarifying and potentially drying. Tatcha offers other cleansers that are better suited for dry skin, such as The Rice Wash or The Camellia Cleansing Oil. However, if you have combination skin with some dry areas, you can use the Matcha Cleanse on your oily zones and a gentler cleanser on drier areas.

Does this cleanser remove makeup effectively?

The Matcha Cleanse can remove light makeup and daily sunscreen effectively. However, if you wear heavy, waterproof, or long wearing makeup, you should use a dedicated makeup remover or cleansing oil first. Follow with the Matcha Cleanse as your second cleanse to thoroughly purify your pores. This double cleansing method ensures all traces of makeup and impurities are removed.

Is Tatcha Matcha Cleanser safe for sensitive skin?

The formula is fragrance free and soap free, which makes it gentler than many other cleansers. However, sensitive skin can react to various ingredients differently. The BHA botanical alternatives like willow bark might cause irritation in some people with very sensitive skin. If you have concerns, perform a patch test on a small area of your jawline before using the cleanser on your entire face.

Can this cleanser help with blackheads and clogged pores?

Yes, the Matcha Cleanse is effective at addressing blackheads and clogged pores. The willow bark extract and coix seed work together to gently exfoliate and decongest pores. With consistent use, you should notice a reduction in blackheads and smaller looking pores. For best results, use the cleanser twice daily and follow with appropriate serums and moisturizers for your skin type.

What is the difference between Matcha Cleanse and Deep Cleanse?

The Matcha Cleanse is a daily gel cleanser designed for regular use morning and night. It focuses on oil control and pore purification without stripping. The Deep Cleanse, on the other hand, is a more intensive treatment cleanser designed for occasional use when your skin needs extra purification. The Deep Cleanse has a richer texture and provides deeper exfoliation. Choose based on your daily needs versus occasional treatment requirements.

Does the cleanser have a strong matcha scent?

No, the Tatcha Matcha Cleanse is formulated without added fragrance. While you might detect a very subtle natural scent from the matcha and botanical ingredients, it is extremely mild and disappears quickly. This makes it ideal for people who are sensitive to fragrances or prefer unscented skincare products.

Can I use this cleanser while pregnant or breastfeeding?

The Matcha Cleanse uses botanical alternatives to traditional BHAs, which makes it generally considered safer during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, you should always consult with your healthcare provider before introducing new skincare products during pregnancy or while nursing. They can review the ingredient list and advise based on your specific situation.