Tatcha’s New Silk Serum Is Like a Smoothing Filter for Your Skin

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

If you're like me, you probably remember the first time you discovered Zoom's secret skin filter. About a year into the pandemic, I was toggling with the settings when I discovered the magic button that adds an instant, yet short-lived, airbrush effect. Since then, I’ve searched for products that could lend a similar effect in real life. I've found a few—and Tatcha's new Silk Serum is my latest must-have.

The serum is the brand’s first foray into retinol, except not really because it utilizes two plant-based alternatives: Upcycled cranberry extract, which has peptides with a similar makeup to collagen; and sea fennel, said to reduce the roughness of skin. This duo increases cell turnover and gives retinol-like results, like improving texture, redness, firmness, as well as the appearance of fine line and wrinkles, without the negative side effects.

If you've avoided retinol or even retinol alternatives out of fear of irritation, you're in luck. Tatcha added its Hadasei-3 complex to the formula, featuring an antioxidant trio of Akita rice, Uji green tea, and Okinawa algae that keep the skin’s moisture levels up. And silk proteins amp up the blurring and plumping effects of the serum. Tatcha is no stranger to silk; Two of its most beloved products, the Liquid Silk Canvas primer and Silk Powder, both harness the smoothing and blurring powders of the ingredient.

Unlike typical retinol serums, the Silk Serum, which boasts a creamy, milky formula that melts into skin, can be used morning and night every day and is pregnancy-safe (like most Tatcha products). Plus, there’s no concern with stabilization since the formula isn’t vitamin A derived. If you're on the hunt for a new serum to try as we head into warmer weather, I can't recommend this one enough.

Tatcha's Silk Serum is available now for $98 at tatcha.com.

You Might Also Like

• 4 Investment-Worthy Skincare Finds From Sephora

• The 17 Best Retinol Creams Worth Adding to Your Skin Care Routine