Confession: Meghan Markle has a bit of a Regina George grasp on me. Only instead of influencing me to wear army pants and flip-flops, MM inspires all of my beauty purchases. I will buy any lash serum she uses and try any under-eye brightener she praises if it means a royal glow will ensue. Enter Tatcha, the cult-favorite beauty brand that, yes, counts the Duchess of Sussex as a fan.
She uses the Rice Enzyme Powder for its gentle exfoliation every single day. And now I do, too. So when the Japanese brand rolled out a new serum earlier this year, you know I had to get my hands on it, stat.
Tatcha’s Violet-C Brightening Serum is packed with 20 percent vitamin C, one of the highest concentrations on the market—considering most others have only 10 to 15 percent. It has a very thin, almost watery consistency that goes on clear (despite the “violet” in its name), so the serum feels light as a feather to apply and sinks easily into skin. Bonus: It doesn’t smell remotely like hot dog water or Fanta like, ahem, some other vitamin C concoctions. But what makes Tatcha’s version really stand out is its two-part ability to treat both surface-level and deep-rooted concerns.
The water-soluble derivative (also dubbed moisturizing vitamin C) absorbs quickly into skin to help fight the signs of aging from free radicals, while supporting cell turnover for firmer, hydrated skin. The oil-soluble component sinks down into skin to remain active longer, helping to protect skin from oxidation and reduce UV damage for a brighter complexion over time.
