Fermented Rice Enzyme Cleanser
Fermented Rice Enzyme Cleanser
Product Description
A gentle yet effective exfoliating cream cleanser formulated with fermented rice filtrate, fruit enzymes, and biodegradable micro-powders to cleanse, polish, and brighten skin without stripping. The ultimate affordable Tatcha Rice Wash alternative.
β¨ Texture & Feel
Fermented Rice Filtrate
Japanese beauty secret that brightens, hydrates, and helps skin absorb nutrients while soothing inflammation.
Fruit Enzymes
Natural pumpkin and apple enzymes gently dissolve dead skin cells for a brighter, smoother complexion.
Biodegradable Micro-Powders
Rice germ powder provides gentle physical exfoliation without harsh microbeads or skin-tearing particles.
Hydrating Complex
Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and squalane keep skin balanced and moisturized post-cleanse.
π‘οΈ Safety & Compatibility
Contains no retinoids, high-dose salicylic acid, hydroquinone, or chemical sunscreens. Safe for use during pregnancy and nursing.
Contains Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment and Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment which may feed Malassezia in some individuals. Patch test first.
Rating 1/5. Most ingredients are non-comedogenic. Coconut fruit extract present but in low concentration as a rinse-off product.
Fragrance-free, pH-balanced formula with gentle surfactants. Dermatologist tested. Patch test recommended for very reactive skin.
π¬ Ingredient Breakdown
πΎ Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate Star Ingredient
Fermented rice water releases amino acids, lactic acid, sterols, and polypeptides. This traditional Japanese beauty ingredient brightens skin, improves texture, and enhances absorption of other actives.
- Benefit: Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for radiant skin
- Source: Derived from sake fermentation process
π Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) Proven
Multi-tasking skincare superstar that minimizes pores, evens skin tone, reduces inflammation, and strengthens the skin barrier. Also provides antioxidant benefits.
- Research: Proven effective at 2%+ for barrier support and tone evening
- Benefit: Anti-aging, pore-minimizing, soothing, sebum-balancing
π Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate Enzymatic
Natural fruit enzymes that gently dissolve dead skin cells and impurities without harsh physical scrubbing. Provides chemical exfoliation for smoother, brighter skin.
- Action: Proteolytic enzymes break down keratin bonds
- Benefit: Gentle exfoliation suitable for sensitive skin
π§ Sodium Hyaluronate Hydrating
The salt form of hyaluronic acid that penetrates deeper into skin. Can hold up to 1000x its weight in water, providing intense hydration without heaviness.
- Molecular Weight: Lower weight for better penetration
- Benefit: Plumping, hydrating, anti-aging
π§΄ Squalane Moisturizing
Plant-derived emollient that mimics skin's natural sebum. Provides lightweight moisture without clogging pores or leaving a greasy residue.
- Source: Typically derived from olives or sugarcane
- Benefit: Non-comedogenic, suitable for all skin types
πΏ Lactic Acid Low % AHA
Gentle alpha hydroxy acid that exfoliates and hydrates simultaneously. At low concentrations in a cleanser, it provides mild brightening without irritation.
- Concentration: Very low (near end of ingredient list)
- Benefit: Mild exfoliation, pH adjustment
37 ingredients
Aqua, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Niacinamide, Acrylates Crosspolymer-4, Coco-Glucoside, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Punica Granatum Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Laurate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Panthenol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Squalane, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Jojoba Esters, Oryza Sativa Germ Powder, Lactic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin.
π Where It Fits in Your Routine
Use AM and PM. Can be used as second cleanser after oil cleansing, or as standalone morning cleanser. Always follow with SPF during the day.
π How to Use
Dampen Face
Splash face with lukewarm water. Can also be applied to dry skin for deeper cleanse.
Apply Product
Squeeze a dime-sized amount onto fingertips. A little goes a long way with this formula.
Massage Gently
Work into skin using circular motions for 30-60 seconds. Focus on areas with texture or congestion.
Rinse Thoroughly
Remove with lukewarm water until all product is gone. Pat dry with clean towel.
π€ Who Is It For?
β Perfect for you if:
- You want a gentle daily exfoliating cleanser
- Your skin looks dull and needs brightening
- You love Tatcha Rice Wash but not the price
- You prefer fragrance-free products
- You have sensitive, dry, or aging skin
- You're pregnant or breastfeeding
- You want clean beauty at drugstore prices
β Consider alternatives if:
- You have active fungal acne (Malassezia)
- You're allergic to fermented ingredients
- You need heavy-duty makeup removal (use oil cleanser first)
- You prefer gel or foam cleansers
- You want a completely physical-scrub-free formula
π― Skin Type Compatibility
Cream formula with glycerin, squalane, and hyaluronic acid cleanses without stripping moisture.
Niacinamide helps balance sebum. May feel rich for very oily skin - use sparingly.
Balances well across different face zones without over-drying or adding excess moisture.
Fragrance-free, gentle surfactants, and soothing aloe make it ideal for reactive skin.
Non-comedogenic with niacinamide for oil control. Avoid if fungal acne is a concern.
Gentle exfoliation promotes cell turnover. Hydrating ingredients prevent dryness and dullness.
π Results Timeline
Soft, Clean Skin
Skin feels thoroughly cleansed but not stripped. Noticeable smoothness from micro-exfoliation.
95% noticedImproved Texture
Skin surface feels smoother. Reduced appearance of dry, flaky patches. Better product absorption.
80% noticedVisible Brightening
Noticeable improvement in skin radiance and luminosity. More even skin tone and reduced dullness.
70% noticedLong-Term Benefits
Sustained improvement in overall skin clarity, texture, and glow. Pores appear refined.
65% noticedβ Ratings by Platform
βοΈ Pros & Cons
β Praised
- Excellent Tatcha Rice Wash dupe at 1/4 the price
- Gentle enough for daily use on sensitive skin
- Leaves skin soft, smooth, and radiant
- Fragrance-free and dermatologist tested
- Contains multiple beneficial actives (niacinamide, HA)
- Sustainable packaging with bioresin tube
- Doesn't strip skin or leave it tight
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding safe
β Criticized
- Not suitable for fungal acne sufferers
- 4 oz tube may feel small for the price
- Gritty texture not for everyone
- May be too rich for very oily skin
- Some users report it dried out their skin
- Contains cocamidopropyl betaine (potential allergen for some)
π° Budget-Friendly Alternatives (Dupes)
Korean cleanser with rice powder and rice bran extract. Slightly more foaming texture but similar brightening and softening effects.
More affordable K-beauty option with rice water. More traditional foam cleanser texture, less enzymatic exfoliation.
Not a cleanser but a toner with 77.78% rice extract. Great to use after cleansing for additional fermented rice benefits.
Similar cream-to-foam texture and hydrating benefits. No rice or enzymatic exfoliation but gentle and affordable.
π Comparison with Competitors
Naturium Fermented Rice Enzyme Cleanser
$18Tatcha The Rice Wash
$40Tatcha The Rice Polish Classic
$689wishes Rice Foaming Cleanser
$15π¦ Storage & Shelf Life
12 months after opening
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. No refrigeration needed.
Squeeze tube made with sustainable bioresin derived from sugarcane
Yes, 4 oz / 118ml is over the TSA limit - transfer to smaller container for carry-on
β Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! This cleanser is considered safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding. It contains no retinoids, high-dose salicylic acid, hydroquinone, or chemical sunscreens. The main active ingredients (niacinamide, fermented rice, fruit enzymes, hyaluronic acid) are all pregnancy-safe. As always, consult your healthcare provider if you have specific concerns.
Use with caution. This cleanser contains Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate and Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate, which may potentially feed Malassezia yeast in some individuals. If you have active fungal acne or are prone to it, patch test first or consider a fungal acne-safe alternative cleanser.
Yes, this cleanser is compatible with most active ingredients. Since it contains very low concentrations of lactic acid (an AHA), it won't cause over-exfoliation when used with other actives. However, if you're using strong actives like tretinoin or high-percentage AHAs/BHAs, you may want to use a gentler cleanser without physical exfoliation on those days.
This cleanser works well for most skin types, particularly dry, combination, sensitive, and mature skin. The cream formula with hydrating ingredients prevents stripping. Those with very oily skin may find it slightly rich but can use a smaller amount. It's excellent for anyone dealing with dullness, uneven texture, or signs of aging.
You'll notice softer, smoother skin immediately after the first use. Improved texture typically becomes apparent within 1-2 weeks of consistent use. For visible brightening and radiance benefits, expect to see noticeable results in 3-4 weeks. Maximum benefits are typically achieved with 6-8 weeks of daily use.
Use this as your second cleanser (after oil cleanser) in a double-cleansing routine, or as your standalone cleanser in the morning. Apply to damp or dry skin, massage for 30-60 seconds, then rinse. Follow with toner, serums, moisturizer, and sunscreen (AM). Can be used both morning and evening.
This cleanser has a low comedogenic rating of 1/5. While it contains coconut fruit extract (potentially comedogenic), the concentration is low and it's a rinse-off product, minimizing pore-clogging risk. The niacinamide actually helps regulate sebum and minimize pores. Most users, even those with acne-prone skin, tolerate it well.
The Period After Opening (PAO) is 12 months. Once opened, use within one year for optimal freshness and efficacy. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. The squeeze tube packaging helps protect the formula from air and contamination, extending its shelf life.
Verdict: The Naturium Fermented Rice Enzyme Cleanser delivers on its promise as an affordable Tatcha Rice Wash dupe. At roughly 1/4 the price, you get a gentle yet effective exfoliating cleanser with fermented rice, fruit enzymes, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. It leaves skin soft, smooth, and radiant without stripping. Perfect for sensitive, dry, and mature skin types seeking brightening benefits. The only caveats: it's not suitable for fungal acne sufferers due to fermented ingredients, and some with very oily skin may find the cream formula slightly rich. For everyone else, this is an exceptional value that punches well above its price point.
Product Overview
Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.
Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.
Quick Product Notes
Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging Β«promisesΒ» it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.
We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.
Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.
Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you
Notable Effects & Ingredients
Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.
We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.
A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.
One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!
Ingredients Related to Skin Types
Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.
EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.
Ingredient Safety Breakdown
Product ingredient list
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Water
Solvent, Skin Conditioning
|
|
|
| 2 |
Glycerin
Solvent, Perfuming, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Denaturant, Skin Conditioning
|
Promotes Wound Healing
Hydrating
|
|
| 1 |
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Surfactant, Hair Conditioning, Cleansing
|
|
|
| 4 |
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Sufactant, Foam Boosting
|
|
|
| 0 |
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
|
Hydrating
|

