Review: Tatcha Gold Camelia Beauty Oil (Striking Product Gold?)

As a huge fan of beauty oils as well as Tatcha products, I was thrilled to find a multitasking beauty oil for hair, skin, and the face, suitable for all skin types to add radiance and nourishment, and even infused with 23-Karat Gold (quite the luxury).

Tatcha employs their proprietary blend of green tea, algae and rice (Japanese superfoods) to visibly restore radiance and signs of youth and a healthy looking glow. It has multi-use benefits and lasts for 10-12 months even with continual daily use (more tips on longevity to come).

Additionally, the product is cruelty-free, non-irritating, and dermatologist tested. It is formulated free of any parabens, sulfates and harsh chemical additives.

In addition, company founder and CEO Victoria Tsai donates a portion of all proceeds to helping girls in impoverished nations learn to read, in an effort to increase literacy, employment rates, and ultimately reduce and alleviate poverty rates.

This review will cover some main product features, some ingredients in the formulation and corresponding benefits with everyday topical use, some positives and negatives to bear in mind prior to purchase, and a final verdict to help you make a more informed purchasing decision.

Review Tatcha Gold Camellia Beauty Oil

Tatcha’s Gold Camellia Beauty Oil is a powerful emulsion of high quality proprietary ingredients designed to hydrate the face, hair and body, to add radiance and hydration to a daily cosmetics routine.

I would recommend, due to pricing, to use it on the face, however if you see it as valuable for multi-use benefits, this is certainly a luxurious product and one I would as well if finances dictated such.

Designed to treat aging concerns, dull skin, and dehydration, I found the product truly lived up to initial claims of benefits, if not exceeded them and the product is safe for all skin types.

There was a noticeable decrease in fine lines, skin appeared more supple and radiant, and my skin felt incredibly supple and hydrated following use. Combining the product with the Water Cream and Facial Mist has become one of my personal favorite beauty routines.

Formulated with clean ingredients and free of harsh additives, the product combines Japanese Camellia Extract with proprietary blends and other high quality oils to produce a product that is equally parts lightweight and hydrating. It never feels heavy, sticky, or tacky on the skin, and is highly breathable. Unlike a lot of other products on the market in the category, the oil is not prone to causing any breakouts or skin reactivity.

The oil is made from extra pressed Japanese camellia that grow on the Goto Islands. The seeds are cold-pressed to extract the essential oil and retain its full benefits.

This oil is naturally rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids to nourish and help seal in moisture. It absorbs quickly and thoroughly because its molecular weight is an almost identical match for skin. Crushed 23-karat gold flakes leave a subtle gleam on skin, and infused licorice extract gently calms and helps to reduce visible redness.

If you’re looking for hydration and a go-to daily oil product that’s gentle and will last the test of time without causing breakouts or buildup, I would highly recommend Tatcha’s Gold Beauty Oil.

 

Tatcha Gold Camellia Beauty Oil Ingredients

Especially for those with sensitive skin, it is often as important to check ingredients within skincare products as you would the ingredients found in foods we consume (read our Sun Basket review for more information on consuming great, healthy ingredients).

Here is a look at some key ingredients in the formulation as well as some corresponding benefits with everyday topical use:

Squalane

• Balances and controls oil production on the skin, making it suitable for different skin types, including combination, dry and oily
• Helps treat topical conditions (i.e. acne, eczema), by soothing and nourishing the skin
• Anti-aging benefits: helps treat fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, and over time with continual daily use signs of hyper-pigmentation
• For those with dull or sallow skin, helps to restore radiance, glow, and promotes a brighter and more even skin tone with improved evenness in texture
• Helps fight and prevent any bacteria on the skin, providing anti-acne benefits

Rice Bran Oil

• Acts as a natural SPF found in nature to protect the skin from UVA/UVB damage
• Balance for oily and combination skin, leaving a refreshed and dewy natural glow
• Contains flavonoid compounds and natural antioxidants that benefit skin health, and restore radiance
• Acts as a barrier and protects the skin from UVB rays (which cause burns) and prevent sun damage, or any other environmental damage, like pollution or smog, preventative treatment
• Anti-acne benefits: helps reduce blemishes and fights signs of acne, as well as fighting acne causing bacteria which leads to new breakouts, for those prone to breakouts, which may assuage fears in those who seem to break out with the use of any product

Camellia Oil

• Rich in oleic acid and olive oil, this acts as an excellent source of Vitamins A, B, D and E
• Packed with Omegas 3, 6, and 9 to support skin health and detoxify skin
• This lightweight botanical oil has been prized in Asia for centuries for its superb moisturizing and antioxidant activity, it is rarely seen in topical products despite many benefits
• Moisturizes and hydrates skin, binding moisture into the surface of the skin and treating dullness
• Restores radiance for dull or sallow skin
• Helps expedite the process in healing wounds or scars, and any surface irritation
• Helps treat eczema and psoriasis, safe for topical conditions
• Prevents and minimizes the appearance of scars, including acne scaring
• Anti-aging properties, helps in preventing and treating fine lines and wrinkles, and sun spots and hyper-pigmentation with continual usage over time

Licorice Extract

• Improves the appearance of dark marks and sun spots, with continual daily use and over time
• Helps in the treatment of skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema, making this a safe ingredient for very sensitive skin and those with topical conditions
• Heals irritations, blemished, and fights topical infections
• Treats topical conditions and infection
• Helps to tighten and firm the skin without creating any dryness or pulling sensations
• Anti-aging benefits: helps address signs of aging such as lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation
• Helps fight environmental damage on the skin and prevents from future damage
• Helps restore radiance, luminosity, brightens skin and helps create a more dewy aesthetic
• Helps prevent acne and acne scarring

Algae

• Algae may provide exfoliating benefits: algae helps in removing buildup and debris from the suffer level of the skin, and treating dead skin to prevent congestion
• May help in anti0acne benefits, cleansing skin and eliminating bacteria that causes it
• Detoxifies the skin and provides exfoliation while providing suitable hydration benefits and brightening the complexion
• Replenishes vitamins and minerals to the skin, good overall skin health and a glowing and more radiant aesthetic
• Anti-aging benefits: while algae is soft and hydrating, it also helps to minimize the appearance of sun damage, lines, fine lines, and wrinkles, with continual use over time
• With use over time for a long period, may help address signs of hyper-pigmentation or more advanced aging concerns

Rice

• Promotes a smooth and soft glow and more youthful aesthetic
• Acts as a barrier and protects the skin from UVB rays (which cause burns) and prevent sun damage, or any other environmental damage, like pollution or smog
• Anti-acne benefits: helps reduce blemishes and fights signs of acne, as well as fighting acne causing bacteria which leads to new breakouts, for those prone to breakouts, which may assuage fears in those who seem to break out with the use of any product
• For those with dry skin, helps repair and restore skin and repairs any depleted hydration, perfect for restoring moisture

Green Tea

• Soothing and nourishing to damaged or burned skin, such as sunburns
• Fights any preexisting DNA damage caused by sun damage (UVB rays-ones that cause burns and damage to the dermis)
• Hydrates any depleted moisture to help balance and soften skin, good for dry skin
• Helps balance skins texture to restore balance and even out tone and restore balance
• Fights skin cancer by promoting DNA repair and cellular turnover, protecting from sun damage and toxins
• Protects against free radical damage in the environment, creating a protective barrier on the skin, working in tandem with other ingredients

Does Tatcha Skincare Work? Behind The Brand

One of the most intriguing factors of differentiation with Tatcha is in the background story and how the company launched.

Founder Victoria Tsai had a background in corporate work for large companies and varying corporations, but had an underlying passion for creativity, design, and holistic approaches to beauty after developing topical conditions.

After developing a topical condition she wanted to formulate a safe and effective product by sourcing only the best ingredients based in simplicity and efficacy. She took a trip to Kyoto, Japan, and developed a “less is more” to skincare approach after studying Japanese skin philosophy.

One of the oldest texts on Japanese beauty has both inspired and been the driving force behind the brand. The company works with scientists in Japan and the U.S. to formulate safe products for modern life on the go.

It’s safe to say, if you have a topical condition or sensitive skin, you will still be an avid fan of the brand and able to use most of the products, barring any specific allergy to an ingredient found in the formulation.

Tatcha Gold Camellia Beauty Oil: Positives & Negatives

While the product absolutely lives up to initial claims of benefits and is perhaps the best facial oil product I have tried to date, without any stickiness or grease in texture, it’s also quite lightweight for an oil and never feels sticky or greasy on the skin.

The best benefit is product longevity, while the product does not run cheap, it certainly lasts for quite some time as only a few drops are required for every day use.

Pros

• Rich in antioxidants and fatty acids that help lock in moisture to the skin and create a protective barrier
• Helps restore radiance and smoothens out skin, for those treating dryness or dullness
• For 2,000 years, camellia oil has been treasured by geisha and Japanese women because of how it nourishes skin, leaving it glowing but never oily
• Anti-aging benefits: product helps treats fine lines, wrinkles, and signs of dark spots
• Every purchase made (on every SKU) goes towards helping girls learn to read in impoverished nations, to alleviate poverty by increasing education and employment rates
• Suitable for any skin type including sensitive skin, oily skin, combination, and very dry skin
• Does not feel sticky or heavy on the skin, lightweight yet hydrating
• Cruelty-free company: company does not test on any animals or use any animal products during any manufacturing processes or in any product ingredients
• Clean ingredients that are naturally based and support skin health
• This oil (in my personal preference) is superior to nearly every other oil product on the market, even more expensive formulations (i.e. Rodin)
• Product was not irritating at all even with sensitive and acne prone skin, did not create any breakouts, redness, irritation, or skin reaction
• Product longevity: 3-5 drops is enough to cover the entire face, so this product should last for quite some time, adding value considering the price point
• If you have combination skin, this is an idyllic way to support spot treatments and address areas as needed
• Product lasted 10 months with continual daily use, making it absolutely worth the price (it is important to avoid overuse)
• If you use the dropper to apply right to the face, rather than the fingers first, you can enjoy even further longevity and product use
• Scent is lovely and has no chemical or perfume type odor
• With or without makeup, helps to achieve a very dewy/glowing aesthetic
• If you enjoy facial oil products, you will likely love this product, as it is quite a standout in the category
• Formulated with 23-Karat gold, this is certainly a luxury item and feels quite indulgent
• Makes a lovely gifting option for a recipient in your life who likes skincare, or oil based product
• Multi-use benefits: can be used for hair or skin (however due to cost, I would not personally elect to use the product this way)
• Pairs perfectly with the Water Cream and any of Tatcha’s cleansing products
• If used before powder or foundation products, reduces or eliminates the appearances of dry patches
• Can be used with a beauty blender
• Absorbs into the skin very quickly
• Moisturizes without ever clogging pores or creating blackheads or blemishes
• Wonderful to use in the AM prior to makeup for a dewy finish, or in the PM for a refreshed appearance in the morning

Cons

• There is no real need or benefit for gold in the formulation and seems to be a marketing factor of differentiation, so it would be nice if this could be removed to save on cost, as the product would be just as good
• Price: while the product certainly offers value and longevity, the $95 price tag is pretty hefty, however it is important to note with correct use the product will last 10-12 months, and offers incredible benefits

Money-Back Guarantee

The manufacturer, Tatcha, has a strong return and exchange policy that honors full refunds upon dissatisfaction or allergy, and this policy favors the consumer, both new and returning.

If you are dissatisfied with the use of the oil, or if it does not work for your skin to provide suitable hydrating benefits, or you experience any product allergy or reaction to the formulation, you may elect to return it at any time. If you find it clogs your skin in any way this is also acceptable for return.

In this case, you will receive a full refund equal to the entire purchase price of the item. If the item was received as a gift (without receipt), the policy applies for an even exchange, and this policy is applicable to online purchase, as individual store policy may vary depending on location and distributer.

Tatcha Gold Camellia Beauty Oil: Does It Work?

Out of all skincare oil products I have tried to date, this one is by far superior in terms of benefits of use and efficacy.

While pricey, it also lasts much longer (about 10 months) even with continual daily use. If you are seeking a product that is both lightweight and hydrating, that firms and softens the skin and provides suitable anti-aging benefits, you will probably really enjoy using TATCHA’s Camellia Beauty Oil.

While I do not believe the addition of actual gold acts as any actual factor of differentiation here, I do understand it from a marketing perspective in a competitive category. However, I can say the use of this oil provides better results than that of products (i.e. La Mer, Rodin) in the category that are sold at much higher price points.

The main benefit of this oil, in addition to the anti-aging benefits and hydration (and product longevity), is the lightweight nature of the oil. I have yet to discover any other oil product that feels lighter on the face while providing the same hydrating benefits and yielding the same results.

So while this may be pricey, in this case the value certainly outweighs cost, and I would recommend it free of reservations as a gift to self or as a gifting option for the holiday season for that special someone.

Striking gold oil in the form of a beauty product!