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.

“It’s part of Korean tradition to use every part of an ingredient, so it’s no surprise rice water from rinsing would find its way into skincare,” says esthetician Soo-Young Kim Abrams of the ingredient’s 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. “Using rice water on your skin is one of those things that gets passed down casually. Your mom tells you, her mom told her. It’s less of a formal ritual and more of a kind of everyday wisdom.”

The end goal of all of this is what’s often referred to as “glass skin”, that smooth, clear, lit-from-within finish that K-beauty is known for. “Fermented rice ingredients check so many boxes, which is why they’re so closely tied to glass skin,” Abrams explains. “They 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.”

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.

Best Overall: SK-II Aging Skin Facial Treatment Essence

• Why We Love It: Of all the brands here, you’re likely most intimately familiar with SK-II, as it’s the one that put fermented skincare on the US map. The formula is over 90% Pitera, a proprietary yeast-derived ingredient made up of more than 50 micronutrients, including vitamins, minerals, organic acids, and amino acids, all working to support cell turnover, fade dark spots, and strengthen the skin barrier over time. Jinn puts it simply: “This is an essence that genuinely earns its cult status.” The texture is notably lightweight, absorbing instantly with no residue and working quietly in the background. “Consistent use stimulates the skin’s natural production of hyaluronic acid and natural moisturizing factors.”
• Editor’s Experience: “For me, this was the essence that put essences on my radar. When I started sweeping it over my face each morning, my skin got clearer, softer, and bouncier. With its watery texture, there’s no worry of pilling or heaviness. It’s a classic for a reason!” —Kiana Murden, beauty shopping editor
• Key Ingredients: Pitera, butylene glycol
• Size: 75 mL

Best Toner Lotion: Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewing Lotion

• Why We Love It: “The key ingredients in this lotion make it a great prep step for anyone looking to target pigmentation,” notes Abrams, explaining that the sake ferment, which contains kojic acid, and arbutin are both well-studied tyrosinase inhibitors, meaning they help prevent melanin from becoming overactive. “It’s also worth noting that in Asian skincare, ‘lotion’ refers to a watery, toner-like consistency rather than what we think of as a creamy lotion in the U.S. A formula like this is designed to layer under other skincare, making it ideal as a hydrating prep step post-cleansing.”
• Key Ingredients: Sake, ceramides, arbutin
• Size: 500 mL

Best Exfoliating Powder: Tatcha The Rice Polish: Deep

• Why We Love It: “Tatcha’s Rice Polish is a genius product because it merges exfoliation with the benefits of fermented rice in one step,” raves Jinn. It’s a water-activated exfoliant made of finely-ground Japanese rice bran that transforms into a creamy foam. The pH-neutral, amino acid–based formula cleanses and exfoliates without stripping the skin’s moisture barrier. She explains that the “Deep” version is specifically formulated for combination to oily skin, with papaya enzymes to gently remove dead skin cells and Japanese wild rose to help tighten the appearance of pores and clarify the skin. “It’s truly a ritual product, and one of those formulas that works for just about everyone,” she adds.
• Key Ingredients: Japanese rice bran, hadasei-3 complex, papain
• Size: 60 g

Best for Dry Skin: Hanyul Red Rice Hydrating Serum

• Why We Love It: Hanyul is a K-beauty brand whose approach to fermented rice is deeply rooted in the Korean hanbang tradition. Jinn explains that the rice used in this formula is double-fermented over 360 hours into red rice, transforming it into a powerhouse ingredient that delivers plumping moisture to dehydrated skin. “The formula is infused with squalane and panthenol (vitamin B5) for added nourishment, and the texture is lightweight and non-greasy. It absorbs beautifully and preps the skin for everything that comes after.”
• Key Ingredients: Fermented rice extract, ceramides, squalane, panthenol
• Size: 25 mL, 150 mL

Best Face Cream: Shinbi Beauty Japanese Skincare Moisturizer

• Why We Love It: At $20, this is an accessible entry point into fermented rice skincare, without sacrificing ingredient quality. Jinn explains that the formula includes rice bran oil, saccharomyces ferment, lactobacillus ferment, and hyaluronic acid, alongside organic aloe vera, shea butter, and jojoba oil—a thoughtful blend of traditional Japanese fermentation and modern hydration science. The formula is 97% naturally derived and 42% organic, which she notes is impressive at this price point. “The texture is rich but absorbent—not heavy or pore-clogging—and works well layered under SPF or as a standalone evening moisturizer for drier skin types,” she adds.
• Key Ingredients: Sake extract, hyaluronic acid, rice bran oil
• Size: 60 mL

Best for Sensitivie Skin: House of Dohwa Rice Makgeolli Serum

• Why We Love It: According to Abrams, the blend of multiple ferments derived from makgeolli (a Korean rice wine) and niacinamide makes this serum effective for both radiance and barrier support. “The fact that it’s free from parabens, silicones, and common allergens also makes it a good option for sensitive or reactive skin,” she adds. A little goes a long way; you only need two to three drops after toner, and it can be used both morning and night.
• Key Ingredients: Saccharomyces, rice bran extract, niacinamide
• Size: 30 mL

Best Face Serum: I’m From Rice Serum

• Why We Love It: If you’re looking to add a rice serum into your routine without breaking the bank, Abrams notes that this one offers a higher concentration of ferments at an approachable price point, making it an easy entry into the category. “The niacinamide and hyaluronic acid round out the formula for brightening and hydration,” she adds. It’s also straightforward to use: after cleansing and prepping the skin with toner, apply a small amount evenly across the face, then follow with a moisturizer once fully absorbed.
• Key Ingredients: Rice germ ferment extract, niacinamide, glycerin, allantoin
• Size: 30 mL