Fermented Rice Water, the Best Skin Brightening Ingredient
“Maskne” is real, and as much as we take precautions to prevent it, it will keep occuring while mask-wearing is still essential. While it may cause a host of skin problems, we can always take into account the products we include in our regular skincare routine to treat acne and the dreaded aftermath—hyperpigmentation.
We’ve zeroed in on the benefits of hero ingredient, Vitamin C, a buzzworthy brightening antioxidant. If you’re still looking for something to help lighten blemishes, you’ve come to the right place. Did you know rice—yes, rice!—is an effective ingredient to brighten skin? It’s become a staple in our diets, especially in Asian families, but it can also enhance one’s skincare routine.
Fermented Rice Water, also known as Rice Extract, has been an age-old skin and hair beauty ingredient, especially ingrained in Japanese culture. It’s best known for its skin-illuminating properties, but it’s also an anti-aging ingredient, which targets fine lines and wrinkles. Did we mention it also reduces the appearance of pores? On top of that, it can be used as a gentle exfoliator that sweeps away dead skin cells, without stripping the skin of moisture. It’s almost too good to be true!
Want to add Fermented Rice Water to your routine? Read ahead for our top recommendations!
A popular dupe for the holy grail SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is the Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence. Formulated with naturally fermented ingredients—93% of a micro bio-fermented complex of ingredients including Bifida ferment lysate, and 28% Saccharomyces ferment filtrate—it delivers moisture and skin-plumping benefits, giving skin that coveted “honey skin” look. It’s incredibly lightweight, almost water-like, that you can layer it, especially in cooler weather. Use it generously after your toner! Read about more K-Beauty dupes here.
There’s a reason why The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Oil (available in Light and Rich variants) has been a holy grail for K-Beauty enthusiasts for years. This oil-based cleanser is the OG, gently melting off makeup, sunscreen, and other impurities after a long day, without stripping the skin of its natural oils. Use it as the first step of your double cleanse and maximize the effect and couple it with the The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam. Why not try the The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Lip & Eye Makeup Remover while you’re at it?
If you’re taking a pamper day, boost the process and add the Innisfree My Real Squeeze Rice Mask for that instant hydration. Infused with rice extract, this ultra rich cream-type mask will nourish your skin and leave it noticeably radiant and healthy. For another day, try the The Face Shop Real Nature Face Rice Mask, which helps illuminate skin, reducing the appearance of blemishes and age spots.
We still can’t get over how many benefits Fermented Rice Water has for skin. We won’t ever look at a steaming bowl of rice the same way ever again!