Is Fermented Rice Good for Skin?

You may know sake (Japanese rice wine) from weekly happy hours with coworkers you really enjoy, but the same fermented rice has deep roots in East Asian beauty culture. Rice has long been used in skincare rituals in Japan and Korea, prized for its ability to soften, brighten and repair skin. According to Korean beautician Emma Jinn, fermented rice water dates back to the Goryeo Dynasty, when it was used to improve skin tone and texture. The reason it works is because of fermentation, which breaks down the rice into smaller, more bioavailable molecules, making its vitamins, amino acids, and minerals more easily absorbed by the skin.

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“Using every part of the ingredient is part of Korean tradition, so it’s no surprise that rinsed rice water finds its way into skin care products,” esthetician Soo-Young Kim Abrams says of the ingredient’s cultural importance. From kimchi to soybeans to grains, fermentation itself is equally ingrained, originally used as a preservation method and now central to Korean health. “Using rice water on your skin is something that’s been passed down casually. Your mom told you, her mom told her. It’s not a formal ritual, it’s everyday wisdom.”

The end goal in all of this is what’s commonly known as “glass skin,” the smooth, transparent, inside-out glow that K-beauty is known for. “Fermented rice ingredients tick a lot of boxes, which is why they are so closely associated with glass skin,” Abrams explains. “They contain prebiotics to help maintain balance, enzymes and lactic acid to gently exfoliate and brighten, and antioxidants to protect against environmental stressors. Kojic acid formed during fermentation helps even skin tone, while amino acids strengthen the moisture barrier.”

What follows are some of our favorite rice fermentation and sake products, from essences to lotions to essences, so you can incorporate them into your daily routine or fully dive in.

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