As I’m a beauty editor, it’s part of my job to be on top of the latest releases in the industry, and earlier this month, I got wind that Tatcha was releasing its new Dewy Milk Moisturizer with Olympic gymnast Suni Lee as the face of the launch. Normally when I hear about anything fresh from Tatcha, I know it’ll deliver. However, as someone with sensitive combination skin, I find moisturizers to be hit or miss. Some formulas are too heavy and make me oily, and others aren’t hydrating enough and leave my skin feeling dry and tight.
Still, I came across a video of Lee talking about how well the moisturizer worked for her skin (which is sensitive and dry from years of gymnastics), and if it can work for Lee, maybe it can work for me too. Besides, I’m always on the hunt for beauty products that can give me a glow, and her skin looked incredible post-application. I decided to get my hands on it to test it for myself. Read on for my honest review.
About Tatcha’s Dewy Milk Moisturizer
The Dewy Milk Moisturizer feels like a sister product to the brands Dewy Skin Cream, which launched back in 2019. This formula, however, caters to those who have combination-to-oily skin rather than combination-to-dry skin. It contains key ingredients such as Japanese purple rice, prebiotic green tea extract, and zinc hyaluronate. Together, they balance oil production, support a heathy microbiome, and shield against stressors with the help of antioxidants.
According to Tatcha’s site, it was inspired by the “Japanese concept of uruoi, which describes a richly hydrated appearance.” While there’s a fine line between glowy and greasy, clinical results showed that 100% of participants noticed an improvement in the oiliness of their skin in just one week. It’s designed to promote hydrated, bouncy skin with a formula that doesn’t clog pores and feels incredibly lightweight.
Pros: Gives skin a glow, improves elasticity, softens skin
Cons: Pricey, takes a few minutes to fully absorb
(Image credit: Sabrina Talbert)
How I Used Tatcha’s Dewy Milk Moisturizer
Using the Tatcha Dewy Milk Moisturizer was pretty straightforward and easy to incorporate into my skincare routine. I opted to use it on a no-makeup day, starting my routine with the Farmacy Green Clean Gentle Creamy Cleanser. From there, I followed up with my Pixi Glow Tonic, applying the toner to cotton pads and gently swiping it on my face. Finally, it was time for the moisturizer.
I put on this moisturizer in the same way I would others. I used the pump to push the product onto the back of my hand and used my other to work it into my skin. Typically, I’d just scoop up a bit of moisturizer with my fingers and apply, but since this was a new product, I decided to apply a little at a time. Because I have sensitive skin, this is my second line of defense in making sure a new product doesn’t cause a reaction. (Note: This is something I like to do after a patch test, which should always be done before trying a new product.)
The Results
Before
After
I can’t lie—the way this moisturizer instantly transformed the look and feel of my skin had me stunned. It gave my previously dull skin a revived look that made me feel like a glazed donut. (If you know the trend, you get what I mean.) The product looked so good on its own that I decided to skip makeup entirely.
My skin felt softer and bouncier without the sticky finish that some moisturizers can leave. The fact that it’s made for combo-to-oily skin, in addition to the glowing results, basically solidified that this would be my moisturizer for the summer.
Is Tatcha’s Dewy Milk Moisturizer Worth It?
While $64 might seem like a splurge, I can assure you this is worth every penny. A little bit of product goes a long way, so I can see this lasting a while before needing to restock. Considering the benefits and results, the formula does what it promises. That said, if you have combination-to-dry skin, you’re more likely to get better results using the Dewy Skin Cream. If you’re like me, though, you might have to switch formulas depending on the season and decide to get both.
Shop My Other Favorite Moisturizers
Glow Recipe
Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream
La Roche-Posay
Toleriane Dermallergo Moisturizer
Clinique
Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
Augustinus Bader
The Light Cream
