Let’s be real: Tatcha’s The Dewy Skin Cream is beautiful. It comes in that stunning purple jar, it has a little gold spoon, and it makes your skin look like a glazed donut in the best way possible. But at $72 for a standard jar, it’s a serious investment.
The magic inside Tatcha comes from two main things: a fancy mix of fermented Japanese superfoods (green tea, rice, and algae) and a texture that feels rich but sinks right in.
But here is a secret from the internet’s smartest skincare fans on Reddit: You don't need to spend nearly that much to get the same ingredients. The Asian Beauty (AB) community has found amazing alternatives that use the exact same star ingredient—Rice—to get that glow for a fraction of the cost.
We scoured thousands of comments to bring you the top 5 dupes. We also checked them for safety, because "dewy" shouldn't mean "breakouts."
Price: ~$18.00 Best For: The closest experience to the original.
If you are looking for the most direct swap, this is it. In Japan, this cream is legendary. It uses 100% Japanese-grown rice serum to mimic that plump, hydrated feel Tatcha is famous for.
Why it’s a winner: Users love that it has a "bouncy" texture. It’s a gel-cream hybrid that feels rich but not heavy—just like Tatcha. It focuses heavily on rice bran oil and ceramides to repair your skin barrier. Plus, unlike Tatcha, it is completely fragrance-free, which is a huge bonus if perfume irritates your skin.
Heads up: The jar is a bit smaller (30g) than a standard moisturizer. Also, if you have Fungal Acne, skip this one. The rice oil can trigger it.
Price: ~$15.00 (Huge 500ml bottle) Best For: Intense glow on a budget.
Okay, this isn't a cream—it’s a toner. But hear us out. This pink bottle appears in almost every "Tatcha Dupe" thread because it gives you an insane glow that creams struggle to match. It is made from dry sake (rice ferment), which is packed with kojic acid and ceramides.
Why it’s a winner: It brightens your skin while hydrating it. Because it comes in a massive bottle, you can splash it on liberally. Reddit users swear by layering it multiple times (see our "How-To" section below) to make their skin look like a pane of glass.
Heads up: It smells like sake (booze) and bubblegum when you first apply it. It contains ferments, so patch test if you have sensitive skin.
Price: ~$24.00 Best For: That fancy, luxury feeling.
If you love Tatcha for the "ancient beauty secret" vibe, Beauty of Joseon is your best bet. It is based on Hanbang (traditional Korean herbal medicine). Instead of just rice, it pairs Rice Bran Water with Ginseng to fight aging.
Why it’s a winner: It feels luxurious. It has a slightly stringy, bouncy texture that melts into the skin. It also adds Niacinamide to the mix, which helps control oil and brighten dark spots—something Tatcha doesn't explicitly do.
Heads up: There is a bit of a debate about the packaging. Some users feel the tube version feels different than the jar version, though the brand says they are the same. Like the others, this is not safe for fungal acne.
Price: ~$17.00 Best For: Oily skin and antioxidant lovers.
Tatcha uses Purple Rice; Haruharu uses Black Rice. It’s the same concept: dark rice is packed with antioxidants (anthocyanins) that protect your skin from aging and pollution.
Why it’s a winner: This uses a special technology to deliver ingredients deep into the skin. It comes in a cool egg-shaped tube and, crucially, they sell an Unscented version. The finish is more "satin" than "dewy," making it a perfect Tatcha alternative for people with oily skin who don't want to look greasy.
Heads up: It won't feel as heavy or oily as Tatcha, so if you have super dry skin, you might need something richer.
Price: ~$28.00 Best For: Sensitive skin and Fungal Acne sufferers.
If Tatcha broke you out, or if you are scared of fermented ingredients causing a reaction, Curél is the answer. It is the #1 moisturizer for sensitive skin in Japan.
Why it’s a winner: It doesn't use rice ferments. Instead, it uses "pseudo-ceramides" that are scientifically engineered to fix damaged skin barriers. It has a "soufflé" texture that is light as air but incredibly hydrating.
Heads up: This is the only product on this list that is 100% Fungal Acne Safe. It doesn't have the fancy botanical story, but it works harder than almost anything else to repair your skin.
We hoped this helped! If you are looking for more options, check out our top moisturizer rankings on Thorough Beauty; it includes options not discussed above!
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry.
Pour a coin-sized amount of toner into your hands and pat it gently onto your face and neck.
Wait about 30-60 seconds for the toner to absorb slightly (it should still be tacky). Apply a second layer just like the first.
Repeat this process 3 to 7 times depending on how dry your skin is. You will feel your skin getting cooler and bouncier with every layer.
Finish with a light layer of moisturizer (like the Curél or Keana cream) to lock all that hydration in.