Here’s What This Surprising Skincare Ingredient Can Actually Do For Aging Skin

From rice water and rice extract to fermented rice and rice bran oil, rice has a surprisingly long history in beauty, particularly in Japanese and Korean skincare. And depending on the form, rice-derived ingredients may offer different benefits for the skin, including potential anti-aging benefits.

But with so many options, from the type of rice-derived ingredient to the product itself, it can be hard to know where to start. To get the most out of a rice-based formula, Dr. Dawn Queen, board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, recommends sticking with leave-on products, such as moisturizers and serums, when shopping for aging skin. “These can be formulated with ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid and ceramides for additional hydration and barrier support,” she says. “Serums are also a good option as they allow delivery of concentrated rice extracts, ferments and antioxidant compounds in a lightweight leave-on formula that can easily be layered with established anti-aging actives.”

And when you’re shopping for rice-focused skincare, there’s more to it than simply spotting “rice” on the ingredient list. Dr. Whitney Hovenic, double board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and co-founder of sun care brand Spooge, also recommends keeping your expectations realistic about what rice-derived ingredients can and can’t do for aging skin. “Rice can support hydration, barrier function and antioxidant protection, but it shouldn’t replace the fundamentals of an evidence-based anti-aging routine,” she says, with retinoids and daily sunscreen being especially important.

Here’s how different rice-derived formulations may benefit your skin, plus the ingredients and product types to look for if you want to make the most of them.

A milky toner with rice bran

When it comes to choosing a rice-based product for aging skin, Hovenic recommends prioritizing rice bran, as it contains compounds such as ferulic acid and gamma-oryzanol, which may offer antioxidant benefits. “Ferulic acid is a potent antioxidant that can help neutralize free radicals generated by UV exposure and environmental stress, which are major contributors to collagen breakdown and premature skin aging,” she says. “Gamma-oryzanol also has antioxidant properties and may help protect the skin from oxidative stress while supporting overall skin health.” For aging skin, where maintaining moisture and limiting oxidative damage are both important, this proves to be an appealing combination.

We’ve chosen the Tirtir Milk Skin toner, a milky facial toner designed to replenish moisture while helping skin look brighter, smoother and more radiant. The formula features rice bran extract, alongside 2% niacinamide, panthenol and ceramide, and can be layered onto skin after cleansing, morning or night.

Promising review: “LOVE this toner! I was able to swap out expensive brands for this. Now I only use this toner for a fraction of the cost. Used daily and gentle enough for my sensitive skin. Leaves a beautiful dewy glow (no glitter!)” — Rainy Day

$11+ at Amazon$20 at Ulta

A dewy-skin cream with complementary ingredients

Queen points to ceramides as a particularly useful partner for rice-derived ingredients because they’re an important building block of the skin barrier. “Combining them with rice-derived lipids can provide complementary moisturizing and barrier-supporting benefits,” she says.

With a formula that combines rice bran water, squalane and niacinamide, the Beauty of Joseon Dynasty cream delivers a nourishing, dewy finish while helping keep skin hydrated and supple. The addition of ginseng root water also brings hydration and antioxidant benefits to the formula, and is particularly well suited to normal-to-dry skin.

Promising review: “One of the best moisturizers for dry skin! My skin has been looking so much better after using it for a couple of weeks. It’s especially great for dry and sensitive skin. My skin has both concerns, and this product has worked really well for me.“ — Alpna

$24+ at Amazon$16+ at Sephora

A viral Japanese sheet mask

Queen also recommends looking for fermented rice, another form of rice-derived ingredient that may be particularly appealing for aging skin. “The fermentation process allows breakdown of larger rice molecules and increases the availability of antioxidant and other bioactive compounds,” she says, noting that this may support collagen and elastin production, according to early research.

We chose this viral Keana Nadeshiko rice mask for its thick, essence-soaked formula packed with rice-derived ingredients, including fermented rice liquid, rice bran oil, rice ceramides and rice bran extract. The deeply hydrating treatment helps soften skin and improve the appearance of uneven texture. Once you peel off the mask, gently pat the leftover essence into your skin and skip the rinse, giving your skin more time to soak up all that hydration.

$12 at Amazon

A super-hydrating formula that breaks down the grain

For an extra dose of moisture, the Anua Rice 70 intensive moisturizing milk is a lightweight option that hydrates skin while leaving it looking softer and more radiant. Rice bran water makes up 70% of the formula, alongside rice seed protein, hydrolyzed rice protein and rice bran oil. It also contains niacinamide and five types of ceramides, which work together to help support the skin barrier and lock in moisture.

$19 at Amazon$19 at Ulta

One derm’s favorite for aging skin

Hovenic’s top rice-based skincare pick for aging skin is the Anua 7 Rice Ceramide hydrating barrier serum, which she favors because the formula doesn’t rely on rice to do all the work. “Rice bran water is paired with ceramide NP, niacinamide, panthenol, glycerin and hyaluronic acid, so you’re getting a combination that addresses hydration, barrier support and uneven tone,” she says. “Those are all concerns that tend to become more noticeable as skin ages.”

Promising review: “Absolutely loveee this serum. Super moisturizing and has no fragrance. I wake up with supple skin every morning and it takes 2 seconds to put on. Absorbs fast. Will definitely be reordering!” — Shaunda Goodwin

$22 at Amazon$22 at Ulta

A rice-infused redness solution

Queen points to the Hanyul Korean Red Rice hydrating serum as her top pick for a rice-based product to incorporate into an anti-aging skincare routine. “It combines fermented red rice extract and ceramides for hydration and skin barrier support, which are important as the skin matures,” she says. “It also has niacinamide to address uneven pigmentation and skin texture, squalane and panthenol for additional moisturization, and an algae-derived ingredient which may help improve the appearance of skin firmness.”

$45 at Amazon$45 at Sephora

Some rice-powered sun protection

When it comes to protecting aging skin, sunscreen remains your first line of defense. “UV exposure is one of the biggest drivers of premature skin aging, so preventing additional damage is more important than any single trendy ingredient,” says Hovenic.

We’ve chosen the Haruharu Black Rice Moisture Airyfit daily sunscreen, which combines broad-spectrum sun protection with ingredients designed to hydrate, brighten and soothe the skin barrier. This fragrance-free chemical sunscreen has a lightweight, velvety finish and features fermented black rice extract, paired with heartleaf extract to soothe irritation. The formula also contains niacinamide, which can help improve dullness and the appearance of uneven tone and pigmentation.

Promising review: “Lightweight sunscreen with a velvet finish that protects the skin while moisturizing. I’ve tried many sunscreens and this one has been my favorite. I have acne prone sensitive skin and this did not irritate my skin.” — CeHu

$18 at Amazon$16 at YesStyle (regularly $18)