When luxury skincare brand, Tatcha, launched its first primer in 2018 everyone from beauty editors to beauty addicts everywhere lost their mind. But does the cult favorite Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer live up to the hype? Does the Silk Canvas Primer work for oily skin? Please keep reading for an in-depth review of the Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer.

What is Tatcha all about?

Founded in 2009 in San Francisco by Victoria Tsai, Tatcha is a luxury skincare brand that aims to bring time-honored Japanese beauty secrets to the modern, fast-paced world. According to the Tatcha website, Tatcha is rooted in a “marriage of Kyoto craftsmanship and wellness philosophies with California natural ease.”

As such, Tatcha works with Japanese and American scientists to formulate products that are effective, but still gentle on the skin. The key ingredient in many Tatcha products is Hadasei-3 – an anti-aging Superfood combo of rice, green tea, and algae.

Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer Claims

The Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer promises to smooth the appearance of uneven texture, pores, wrinkles, and fine lines while simultaneously providing a protective barrier between the skin and any makeup layered overtop. This primer is intended for all skin types but is particularly good for those whose pores are prone to becoming clogged due to makeup.

Additionally, the brand promises that the Silk Canvas Primer includes natural active ingredients that are anti-pollution and help the skin to fight environmental stressors and form a protective barrier on the skin that strengthens the skin’s barrier to protect against future attacks. The pinkish-purple hue of the primer is intended to brighten dull skin for a healthier-looking complexion. Hadasei-3 provides anti-aging benefits.

Tatcha claims that the Silk Canvas Primer can be used on the face, lips, and eyes.

Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer

Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer Packaging & Price

The Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer comes in a large disk-like plastic package. The packaging looks and feels luxurious with its white and purple coloring, minimalist design, and weighted feel. Additionally, Tatcha includes a small coin-like disk that can be used to scoop out the balmy primer.

A full-sized Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer retails for $52.00 USD and includes 20 grams (or 0.7 oz.) of product. This equates to roughly ~$74.28 USD per ounce. Comparatively, the famed luxury primer, Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Primer retails for $52.00 USD per ounce.

Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer Ingredients & Cruelty-Free Status

Tatcha is well-known and respected for its Purity Promise to use pure, traceable, and time-tested ingredients that have minimal human manipulation and are 100% Cruelty-Free. The brand’s products meet Japan’s strict cosmetic safety standards and go beyond Sephora’s Clean Beauty standards.

As previously mentioned, green tea, rice, and algae form the foundation for the Tatcha skincare line. Specifically, Hadasei-3 provides nutrient-rich active skin essentials (including lactic acids, amino acids, enzymes, and minerals.

The Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer is NOT Vegan as this primer contains silk powder, a derivative of silk.

Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer Application & Wear-Time

Despite seeming gimmicky, the plastic coin provided with the Silk Canvas Primer makes it easy to grab the “right” amount of product. For optimal application, use a small amount of primer that is no larger than the size of a rice grain. Applying too much can leave the skin feeling heavy.

Unlike other silicone-based pore-filling primers, the Tatcha primer does not have a slip to it. Instead, the formula feels creamy. As such, this primer works with every foundation in my collection. For application, gently rub or pat the Silk Canvas Primer into the skin after your normal skincare routine. Let it set for a moment. Then go over the top with your normal beauty products.

Immediately after application, the skin looks smooth and perfected. This primer makes any foundation worn on top look 10X better – especially if you have large pores as I do! But does the Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer hold up against oily skin?

The Silk Canvas Primer holds up beautifully against my oily skin despite having no mattifying properties. To be clear, my skin WILL begin to look oily around the 7 hour mark. However, my makeup won’t fade, slip, or break apart on my face. Using a blotting sheet removes excess oil without impacting my makeup. (Note: I always set my face with powder).

Where is the Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer sold?

The Tatcha Silk Canvas  Primer is sold online via the Tatcha website internationally. Within the United States, Canada, and Singapore, Tatcha is sold at Sephora.

Final Thoughts on the Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer

My wallet wishes that I hated the Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer, but my heart loves it. I’ve never had a primer provide my skin such a flawless finish that leaves it looking so radiant and healthy. Also, the price may be steep but so little product is used during each application so this primer should last a long time. Do I recommend this primer? I do.

That being said, if this primer is out of your price range, e.l.f. makes a dupe, the Poreless Putty Primer, that retails for $8.00 USD. That primer will provide a similar finish and help to blur imperfections; however, it does not contain as many skin-loving ingredients as the Tatcha Silk Primer.

Also, full disclaimer: I received the full-size version of the Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer for testing purposes from Influenster; however, I was not required or asked to write this blog post. Additionally, I already had the Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer Mini in my collection, so I did pay for this primer before.

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For skincare and primer reviews: Bare and Free Beauty Face Moisturizer, Smashbox Photo Finish Oil & Shine Control Primer & Weightless Setting Spray, and Milani Eyeshadow Primer

For more on my favorite base products for oily skin: Primer Collection Ranking, Foundation Collection Ranking, and Concealer Collection Ranking

Have you tried the Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer or the e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer before? Please let me know in the comments below.

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