餅肌(もちはだ)

もちはだ
noun
smooth, soft skin; mochi-like skin
appearance
1. smooth, soft skin; mochi-like skin; flawless complexion
Skin that is smooth, soft, and plump like freshly pounded mochi (rice cake). A complimentary term for beautiful, blemish-free skin.
餅肌(もちはだ)の持(も)ち主(ぬし)。
Someone with beautiful, smooth skin.
赤(あか)ちゃんのような餅肌(もちはだ)がうらやましい。
I envy her baby-smooth mochi skin.
I am aiming for smooth, mochi-like skin through daily skincare.

A metaphorical compound comparing skin to 餅(もち) (rice cake), which is known for being white, soft, and smooth. A purely positive descriptor.

Etymology

餅(もち) (rice cake) + 肌(はだ) (skin) — skin as smooth and soft as mochi.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 美肌(びはだ): beautiful skin — a more general and common term
  • 素肌(すはだ): bare skin; natural skin — refers to skin without makeup
  • 色白(いろじろ): fair-skinned — focuses on skin color rather than texture

Cultural note

Frequently used in beauty and skincare contexts. Japanese beauty ideals prize skin that is white, smooth, and poreless — qualities associated with freshly made mochi.