Mochi skin aka mochi hada gets its name from the smooth, bouncy texture of the iconic Japanese delicacy. Mochi is a rice cake made of mochigome, and when you press mochi with your finger, it springs back and regains its original shape. Youthful skin behaves a lot like mochi – it’s baby-soft to the touch, and elastic and supple in nature. J-Beauty brands have taken inspiration from this ideal, and they formulate skincare products with the aim of helping people of all ages achieve mochi skin.
Mochi skin vs. glass skin
Wait, isn’t mochi skin basically the J-Beauty version of the K-Beauty glass skin trend? Not exactly. While both mochi skin and glass skin favor a translucent, clear, and poreless complexion, the ultimate feel and texture is very different. Glass skin is about achieving a wet-skin look that reflects light like a pane of glass. Mochi skin favors a matte, velvety finish with shine-free radiance. It also emphasizes bounce, plumpness, and softness as key attributes of healthy skin. Though easily confused as the same #skingoals, at their cores, the mochi skin and glass skin philosophies are worlds apart.
Why we love mochi skin
- It’s attainable. The classic mochi skin regimen is minimalistic and comprises just a few steps (see below). It is for this reason that mochi skin is considered realistic and easy to upkeep on a day-to-day basis. There’s no intricate, high-maintenance routine here. The whole idea is to achieve flawless skin with the least number of products possible.
- It’s matte. The mochi skin look can be preferable for oily and combination skin types, and pretty much anyone whose priority is to stay hydrated without overdoing the gloss. There’s no danger of accidentally looking shiny or sticky.
- It looks natural. Let’s be real. With the rise of #Skinimalism, many of us are tired of scrolling through pic after pic of unrealistic skin ideals. Mochi skin is a nice reminder that we can have high standards yet still embrace our Suhada.
How to get mochi skin
So how can you get mochi skin? First of all, mochi skin is all about skin resilience, and resilient skin comes from an abundance of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and other skin-supporting substances that occur naturally in the skin. So you’ll want to look for high-quality products that contain ingredients like these in high concentrations.
Secondly, J-Beauty emphasizes multiple layers of hydration that must be applied in the correct order.
After cleansing the skin with your cleanser of choice, you’ll want to immediately restore nutrients and a healthy pH balance to the skin with a J-Beauty essence like La Vie Précieuse MOIST A.P.G. Lotion (Essence), KITAO Matcha + Chia Essence Lotion, and Naturie Hatomugi Skin Conditioner. The essence’s watery consistency makes it easily absorbed, and it softens the skin and prepares it for denser products that follow.
The La Vie Précieuse APG Essence Toner combines the power of apple-derived ceramide, proteoglycans (a miracle ingredient which retains 1.3 times more water than hyaluronic acid), and glycyrrhizinate, extracted from licorice roots. It soothes stiff skin and provides deep and thorough moisturizing.
This balancing essence lotion softens and rehydrates the top layer of dry skin cells, delivering powerful antioxidants to the vital layers of your skin.
This coix seed lotion toner is a cult-favorite in Japan. It deeply penetrates the skin to hydrate, soothe, and prep the skin for serums and moisturizer. This facial essence is rich in vitamin B and amino acids, to boost hydration and achieve soft, mochi-like skin.
Next, you’ll want to apply a hydrating lotion, emulsion or biyoueki like La Vie Précieuse Moist A.P.G. Emulsion. This water-based moisturizer blends delivers essential oils and nutrients to the skin, and balances the ratio of water and oil in the skin.
A light, but rich emulsion that envelops the skin in a veil of moisture, supplying the essential oils required by the skin for a healthy, beautiful appearance.
The amazing thing about a mochi skin regimen is that if you’re acne-prone, oily, or living in a humid climate, you could almost wrap up your skincare routine right here. If you’re on the dry side or living in a colder climate, we recommend you follow up with a moisturizing cream or nyueki to lock in hydration and ensure long-lasting plump skin. And no matter your skin type, don’t forget to seal the deal with sun protection!
Well, the secret to mochi skin isn’t so secret anymore, is it? Get ready for some serious bounce factor!
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