The Serum Stick: Treatment & Touch Up Balm

Tatcha's The Serum Stick is a serum concentrated into solid balm form, so you can reach for it at your desk, on a plane or halfway through the day without unpacking a routine. It's built around squalane at 80%, plus hyaluronic acid and Japanese lemon balm, and it's aimed at dryness along with the lines and dullness that come with it. The unusual part is where it fits: Tatcha says it works under makeup to help things blend, and over makeup when skin has gone flat.

Format	Solid stick · cream formulation
Skin types listed	Normal · dry · combination · oily
Concerns	Fine lines and wrinkles · dryness · dullness and uneven texture
Key ingredients	80% purified squalane · hyaluronic acid · Japanese lemon balm · Hadasei-3™
Callouts	Cruelty-free · works over or under makeup

What it actually does

• Squalane carries most of the weight. At 80% purified squalane, Tatcha describes it as richly moisturising and supportive of the barrier, which is what keeps moisture from escaping across a long day.
• Japanese lemon balm targets dehydration lines. The brand says it reduces the look of lines, creases and crepiness that come from dehydration, and helps limit the UV damage behind those signs. Tatcha notes the plant's nickname translates to "caring for others" and that it has been used to calm skin for centuries.
• Hyaluronic acid handles the water side. Pairing it with squalane means you get the draw of moisture and something to hold it in, in one pass.
• Hadasei-3™ is the radiance element. Tatcha's signature complex of green tea, rice and algae is credited with restoring a healthier-looking, more youthful glow.
• It plays well with makeup. Per the brand, using it beforehand improves how foundation blends; using it on top brings back a natural glow mid-day without disturbing what you've applied.
• Brand clinical data. In Tatcha's expert-graded study of 20 women: 96% showed instant improvement in dryness, 91% an immediate improvement in radiance, and 96% improved skin texture over two weeks. Brand-run study; results vary by person.

How to use

1. Glide it on wherever you need it. Cheekbones, around the mouth, along the brow bone — anywhere feeling dry or looking flat.
2. Press with your fingers to set. A light tap melts the balm in and stops it sitting as a visible layer.
3. Use it before makeup if you want foundation to move more easily, or after if your base has gone dull by the afternoon.

Good to know: there's no time of day attached to this one — Tatcha's instruction is simply to use it whenever and wherever you want more smoothness and moisture.

Is it right for you?

Questions

Can I really put it on top of makeup?

Yes — that's one of the two uses Tatcha lists. Glide it over the high points of the face and press gently with a fingertip instead of rubbing, so you refresh the glow without moving your foundation around.

Is it a serum or a moisturiser?

It sits between the two. The formulation is a cream, delivered as a stick, and Tatcha calls it a concentrated treatment and touch-up balm. Practically speaking it's a targeted moisture step rather than a replacement for the cream you apply across your whole face.

Will 80% squalane feel greasy on oily skin?

Oily skin is among the four skin types Tatcha lists for it. Because you apply it only where you need it and press it in, you control how much ends up on the face — far less than with a cream you spread everywhere.

How long does delivery take?

Delivery takes 3 to 21 working days, depending on availability. If the item is already with us it arrives early in that range; if we order it in for you it lands later. Working days exclude weekends and official holidays, and we'll let you know of any delay.

How do I pay, and can I return it?

We accept credit card, debit card, Instapay and mobile wallets; cash on delivery isn't offered. Returns cover defective, damaged or expired items only, reported within 1 day of delivery — the refund then goes to your original payment method within 15–30 days.