If we've learned anything, it's that almost anything can be turned into a covetable skin care finish trend. Consider the ethereal look of cloudless skin, the lit finish of glass skin or the richness of cream skin... which leads us to mochi skin. Given our love of the chewy snack, we couldn't be more excited.
Confused about how a delicious, chewy rice dessert could translate into a skin care trend? It may sound odd when you put it like that, but trust us, it works. We spoke with skin care experts about what sets mochi skin apart from other trendy styles — and, perhaps more importantly, how to achieve it.
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What exactly is mochi skin?
Mochi skin resembles the Japanese rice cake snack in the best way: According to Eugene He (skin care expert and founder of Ceramiracle), it's all about skin that is pillowy, supple, and milky with a dewy and translucent look.
"Mochi skin is seen as plump, juicy and hydrated," adds celebrity makeup artist Lisa Aharon. And "hydrated" is the clue that this isn't just a makeup trend. It's centered on good skin care — but makeup can lend a helping hand.
"Mochi skin can be achieved with just skin care alone but it does require a really healthy and naturally glowing complexion to begin with," says He. "Otherwise, it can be achieved with the help of a good primer and foundation."
Image via Imaxtree
What ingredients should you look for?
Want to go the extra mile? Cynthia Franco, a celebrity aesthetician based in Beverly Hills, says that moisture-retaining, rice-based skin care products can be used in mochi regimen to achieve the lucid texture and suppleness.
In addition to working with the mochi theme, rice is a great skin care ingredient because it has natural enzymes that strengthen and brighten skin. (We've always been fans of the SkinFood Rice Mask Wash Off, $10.)
How does it compare to other skin care trends?
There are a lot of trendy skin looks out there, so how is mochi skin different? He says that mochi skin demands healthy, well-prepped skin for best results.
In comparison, glass skin is easily achieved on all skin types with clear glossy products such as a juicy liquid highlighter or glowing serum.
Franco elaborates that glass skin has a translucent, shiny finish like, yes, glass and can be achieved with microdermabrasion and acid exfoliators.
"Mochi skin does not disrupt the acid mantle of the skin," explains Franco. "[It's about] gentle exfoliation with lots of humectant infusions."
Image via Imaxtree
How to Get Mochi Skin
The good news is, mochi skin is actually pretty simple to achieve. It's certainly a lot easier than making traditional mochi (the process of which includes an actual mallet and a whole lot of elbow grease).
In fact, your current skin care routine might already lend itself to a mochi skin finish. "Whenever I hear about new trends in skin care — especially ones named after foods — I roll my eyes and think 'WHAT NOW,'" says Aharon. "But, when I did my research on mochi skin, I was happy to find out that it's something that I've had in practice for years now."
Aharon says that mochi skin is a quick skin care regimen that starts with a double cleanse, followed by an essence and serum, which usually contain vitamin C, skin-plumping ceramides and other water-trapping ingredients (we like the DHC Super Collagen Supreme, $28). Franco suggests opting for gentle enzymatic exfoliation over acid exfoliation.
A lightweight moisturizer containing peptides and/or ceramides to keep skin plump and a quality sunscreen finish off a typical look. "Always finish with a SPF [because] sun damage can ruin your mochi skin goals," says Franco.
