{"id":28840,"date":"2026-04-29T22:35:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T22:35:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hunthow.com\/?p=28840"},"modified":"2026-04-29T22:35:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T22:35:10","slug":"is-fermented-rice-good-for-skin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hunthow.com\/?p=28840","title":{"rendered":"Is Fermented Rice Good for Skin?"},"content":{"rendered":"


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You might know sake, the Japanese rice wine, from your weekly happy hour with the coworkers you actually like, but that same fermented rice has deep roots in East Asian beauty culture. In both Japan and Korea, rice has long been used in skincare rituals, prized for its ability to soften, brighten, and restore the skin. Per esthetician Emma Jinn, in Korea, fermented rice water dates back to the Goryeo dynasty, where it was used to improve tone and texture. The reason it works comes down to fermentation, which breaks rice down into smaller, more bioavailable molecules, making its vitamins, amino acids, and minerals easier for the skin to absorb.<\/p>\n

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Vogue\u2019s Favorite Fermented Rice Skin-Care Products<\/h2>\n
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Best Overall<\/span><\/p>\n

SK-II Aging Skin Facial Treatment Essence<\/p>\n

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Best for Dry Skin<\/span><\/p>\n

Red Rice Hydrating Serum<\/p>\n

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Best for Dark Spots<\/span><\/p>\n

Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewing Lotion<\/p>\n

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Best Exfoliating Powder<\/span><\/p>\n

Tatcha The Rice Polish: Deep<\/p>\n

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Best Face Cream<\/span><\/p>\n

Shinbi Beauty Japanese Skincare Moisturizer<\/p>\n

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Best Face Serum<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m From Rice Serum<\/p>\n

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Best for Sensitive Skin<\/span><\/p>\n

House of Dohwa Rice Makgeolli Serum<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s part of Korean tradition to use every part of an ingredient, so it\u2019s no surprise rice water from rinsing would find its way into skincare,\u201d says esthetician Soo-Young Kim Abrams of the ingredient\u2019s cultural importance. Fermentation itself is just as embedded, from kimchi to soybeans to grains, originally used as a method of preservation and now central to Korean wellness. \u201cUsing rice water on your skin is one of those things that gets passed down casually. Your mom tells you, her mom told her. It\u2019s less of a formal ritual and more of a kind of everyday wisdom.\u201d<\/p>\n

The end goal of all of this is what\u2019s often referred to as \u201cglass skin<\/a>\u201d, that smooth, clear, lit-from-within finish that K-beauty is known for. \u201cFermented rice ingredients check so many boxes, which is why they\u2019re so closely tied to glass skin,\u201d Abrams explains. \u201cThey contain prebiotics that help maintain balance, enzymes and lactic acid that gently exfoliate and brighten, and antioxidants that protect against environmental stress. The kojic acid formed during fermentation helps even out skin tone, while amino acids reinforce the moisture barrier.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ahead, our favorite rice ferment and sake-infused products, from essences to lotions to serums, so you can layer them into your routine or fully commit.<\/p>\n

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