Singapore’s humid weather can create a frustrating skincare paradox: skin looks shiny by midday, yet still feels dehydrated, sensitive or tight after cleansing. The instinct may be to reach for stronger cleansers and mattifying products, but constantly stripping away oil can leave the skin feeling even more unsettled.

Tatcha’s new Matcha Glow Ritual takes a calmer approach. Inspired by Japanese beauty traditions, the three-step routine combines a purifying cleanser, strengthening serum and lightweight moisturiser to help keep skin clear and balanced without overwhelming it.

We received the complete ritual to try—and here’s how each step performed on the skin.

Step 1: The Matcha Foam Cleanse

The newest addition to Tatcha’s line-up, The Matcha Foam Cleanse, is the hero of the ritual. The gel cleanser transforms into a soft, ultra-fine foam when mixed with water, inspired by the calming act of whisking matcha.

Created for sensitive, oily and blemish-prone skin, it helps remove excess sebum, impurities and pore-clogging build-up without disrupting the skin’s natural pH.

Its formula combines Japanese ceremonial-grade matcha extract from Uji-Tawara, Kyoto, to soothe visible redness; prebiotic inulin to support the skin’s microbiome; and mineral-rich green clay to absorb dirt and excess oil.

Our Review

The Matcha Foam Cleanse was the immediate standout for us. Only a small amount was needed to create a generous, cloud-like lather, making the cleansing step feel surprisingly luxurious.

Despite being a foaming cleanser, it did not leave our skin with that tight, squeaky-clean sensation. Our face felt thoroughly cleansed and refreshed, particularly around oilier areas such as the nose and T-zone, but remained comfortable after rinsing.

It worked especially well as an evening cleanser after a long, humid day. However, those wearing heavier makeup or waterproof sunscreen may still prefer to use it as the second step of a double-cleansing routine.

At SGD 62 for 150 mL, it is undoubtedly a premium cleanser, but the generous lather means a little product goes a long way.

Step 2: The Longevity Serum

After cleansing comes The Longevity Serum, a hybrid gel-oil formula designed to support firmer, smoother and more resilient-looking skin.

At the heart of the serum is Tatcha’s Okinawa Cellescence Complex, inspired by nuchi-gusui—an Okinawan philosophy that views food as medicine. The blend includes Shikuwasa lime extract, noni juice extract and shell ginger.

It is paired with bioactive lipids to support collagen and elastin, along with a pro-AHA prebiotic that encourages gentle surface-cell turnover.

Our Review

Although described as a gel-oil serum, the texture felt lighter than expected. It spread easily across the skin and gave it a smooth, nourished finish without feeling overly greasy.

This was the richest step in the ritual, so we found that using a smaller amount worked best in Singapore’s humidity. Layering too much skincare can quickly feel heavy here, but a thin application of the serum sat comfortably beneath The Water Cream.

The refreshing citrus and woody scent also made the routine feel more sensorial and spa-like. However, those who prefer completely fragrance-free skincare may want to test the formula first.

As this is a treatment-focused serum, its long-term firming and resilience benefits will naturally require more time to assess. From our initial experience, its most noticeable effect was how smooth, soft and comfortably replenished the skin felt.

The Longevity Serum is priced at SGD 125 for 30 mL and SGD 46 for 10 mL.

Step 3: The Water Cream

The ritual finishes with Tatcha’s The Water Cream, an oil-free gel moisturiser known for its lightweight, water-burst texture.

The formula features a BHA alternative with Tatcha’s Hadasei-3 complex to refine the appearance of pores, multi-molecular-weight glycerin to reduce moisture loss, and wild rose with an azelaic acid alternative to soothe the skin.

Our Review

Of the three products, The Water Cream felt the most naturally suited to Singapore’s tropical weather. The texture melted into the skin almost instantly, leaving it feeling refreshed and hydrated without a thick or sticky layer.

It also worked well beneath sunscreen and did not leave behind an obvious greasy sheen, making it an easy option for daytime use. For combination or oily skin, it provided enough hydration without making the face feel overloaded.

Those with very dry skin or who sleep in an air-conditioned room may still prefer something richer at night. However, for anyone who dislikes the heaviness of traditional creams, this offers a comfortable middle ground between a gel and a moisturiser.

The Water Cream is priced at SGD 117 for 50 mL and SGD 39 for 15 mL.

Is the Complete Matcha Glow Ritual Worth It?

After trying all three products together, the ritual felt cohesive rather than excessive. The cleanser removed the day’s oil and build-up, the serum added a more nourishing treatment layer, and The Water Cream brought back hydration without heaviness.

Our favourite product was The Matcha Foam Cleanse. Its rich lather, effective cleanse and non-stripping finish make it the easiest product to introduce into an existing routine. The Water Cream was a close second, particularly for its refreshing texture and suitability for warm, humid days.

The full-sized ritual costs SGD 304, placing it firmly within the luxury skincare category. Those who are curious but not ready to commit can start with the full-sized cleanser, 10 mL serum and 15 mL Water Cream for SGD 147.

The Verdict

Tatcha’s Matcha Glow Ritual is best suited to combination, oily or congestion-prone skin that still needs gentle care and dependable hydration.

We appreciated that the routine did not approach oiliness as something that needed to be aggressively stripped away. Instead, it left our skin feeling clean, calm, soft and comfortably hydrated—without the heaviness that can make a multi-step routine difficult to maintain in Singapore.

It is certainly an indulgent skincare ritual, but each step feels thoughtfully formulated and enjoyable to use. If you are only choosing one product, start with The Matcha Foam Cleanse. If your budget allows, the complete trio creates a simple yet luxurious routine for keeping tropical-weather skin feeling fresh and balanced.

The Matcha Glow Ritual is available at Sephora.sg and Sephora Singapore stores.