Rice Pack
Rice Pack
Product Description
Product overview
By Keana Nadeshiko (Ishizawa Laboratories) — A creamy, rinse-off Japanese face pack that looks and feels like freshly cooked rice porridge. Powered by 100% domestically-grown Japanese rice serum (rice ferment lees, rice bran oil, rice ceramides & rice bran extract), this 5-minute treatment deeply hydrates dry skin, smooths bumpy texture, and refines the look of pores for a plump, luminous, mochi-soft finish.
4-in-1 Rice Serum
Combines rice ferment lees (sake), rice bran oil, rice ceramides (glycosphingolipids) & rice bran extract from 100% domestic Japanese rice.
Texture & feel
SENSORY4-in-1 Rice Serum
Combines rice ferment lees (sake), rice bran oil, rice ceramides (glycosphingolipids) & rice bran extract from 100% domestic Japanese rice.
Deep Hydration
Glycerin and butylene glycol pull moisture into the upper skin layer; petrolatum and shea butter seal it in for long-lasting plumpness.
Pore-Smoothing Action
Hydration plumps the surrounding skin, making rough, dehydration-related pores look visibly tighter and more refined after rinsing.
Mochi-Soft Finish
Users compare the after-feel to freshly steamed rice or mochi — soft, springy, supple skin you can feel immediately on rinse.
Safety & compatibility
SAFENo retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone, or chemical sunscreens. Formula is considered safe during pregnancy and nursing.
Contains rice ferment lees, polysorbate 60, glyceryl stearate, ethylhexyl palmitate & lecithin — multiple feeders for malassezia yeast.
Petrolatum (0), shea butter (0–2), ethylhexyl palmitate (4) and behenyl alcohol (1–2) may pose risk for very acne-prone skin. As a rinse-off, risk is lower than a leave-on.
No added fragrance, essential oils, or drying alcohol — suitable for fragrance-sensitive and reactive skin.
As a 5-minute rinse-off, it doesn't conflict with retinol, vitamin C, AHA/BHA — apply actives in your regular routine afterward.
Contains multiple rice-derived ingredients. Patch test if you have known rice or grain sensitivities.
Ingredient breakdown
INGREDIENTSRice Ferment Lees (Sake Lees) ~3-5%Promising
The fermented byproduct of sake brewing — rich in amino acids, peptides, kojic acid derivatives and natural humectants. Long used in Japanese skincare for brightening and softening dehydrated skin.
- Tradition: Sake brewers' famously soft hands inspired its modern cosmetic use.
- Action: Provides amino acid hydration and a mild surface-level smoothing effect.
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil (Rice Bran Oil) ~3-5%Proven
Cold-pressed oil from rice bran, naturally rich in oleic acid (~40%), linoleic acid (~30%), vitamin E (tocopherols/tocotrienols) and gamma-oryzanol — a potent antioxidant unique to rice.
- Composition study: Rice bran oil is well-documented for its high content of antioxidant gamma-oryzanol and skin-soothing fatty acid profile.
- Function: Emollient that softens the surface and forms a light protective film without heaviness.
Glycerin ~3-4%Proven
The gold-standard humectant — naturally found in skin, it pulls water into the upper epidermis and helps maintain barrier function.
- Research: A 2016 study found glycerin to be a more effective humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid in raw water-binding capacity.
- Concentration: Effective from as little as 3%, with stronger barrier benefits up to 20–40% in dry-skin formulas.
- Profile: Comedogenicity 0, irritancy 0 — universally tolerated.
Glycosphingolipids (Rice Ceramides) <1%Promising
Plant-derived ceramide precursors. These lipids mirror those naturally found between skin cells and help reinforce the moisture barrier.
- Mechanism: Glycosphingolipids can be converted to ceramides in the skin, supporting barrier integrity.
- Benefit: Helps prevent transepidermal water loss — explains why skin stays comfortably hydrated after rinsing.
Houttuynia Cordata Extract <0.5%Promising
Also known as "fish mint" or "dokudami" in Japanese herbalism — used for centuries for its calming and antioxidant properties on irritated skin.
- Tradition: A staple of Japanese folk skincare for soothing redness and balancing the complexion.
- Profile: Provides flavonoids and polyphenols with mild antioxidant activity.
Petrolatum & Shea Butter ~1-3%Proven
The occlusive duo. Petrolatum is the most studied moisture-sealing ingredient in cosmetic science, and shea butter (Butyrospermum Parkii) adds emollient softness and natural vitamin E.
- Petrolatum: Reduces transepidermal water loss by up to 99% — gold-standard occlusive.
- Shea butter: Rich in stearic and oleic acids that soften and condition the skin surface.
27 ingredients
Water, Butylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polysorbate 60, Glyceryl Stearate, Heptanol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Rice Ferment Lees, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Rice Bran Acid, Glycosphingolipids, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Behenyl Alcohol, Petrolatum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lysolecithin, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Etidronic Acid, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.
Where it fits in your routine
ROUTINEUse 2–3 times per week as a special treatment after cleansing, then continue with your regular toner-to-moisturizer routine.
How to use
HOW TO USECleanse & Pat Dry
Wash your face as usual, then gently pat off excess water. Skin should be slightly damp, not dripping.
Apply a Generous Layer
Scoop out a thick, even layer with clean fingers or a spatula. Spread evenly across the face, avoiding the eye and lip area.
Wait 5 Minutes
Leave on for about 5 minutes — do not let it dry out completely. The texture stays creamy throughout.
Rinse Thoroughly
Rinse off with lukewarm water, making sure no residue remains. Pat dry with a clean towel.
Continue Your Routine
Follow with toner, serum and moisturizer to lock in the hydration. Use 2–3 times per week.
Who is it for?
WHOPerfect for you if:
- Your skin feels rough, bumpy or dehydrated
- You have visible pores caused by dryness
- You want a quick at-home spa moment
- You prefer fragrance-free, gentle Japanese formulas
- You enjoy wash-off masks over leave-on treatments
- You want an affordable rice-based brightening routine
Consider alternatives if:
- You have malassezia / fungal acne
- You're highly acne-prone with sensitivity to richer occlusives
- You have a known rice or grain allergy
- You avoid parabens or petrolatum on principle
- You want active exfoliation (no AHAs/BHAs here)
Skin type compatibility
SKIN TYPESLayered humectants, ceramides and occlusives are tailor-made for dry, dehydrated complexions.
Adds plumpness and softness; rinse off well to avoid heaviness in the T-zone.
Fragrance- and alcohol-free; well-tolerated by most reactive skin (patch test recommended).
May feel rich; rinse very thoroughly. Better suited as an occasional treat than weekly use.
Comedogenic rating 3 — okay as a rinse-off for some; avoid if you have active fungal acne.
Vitamin E, gamma-oryzanol and ceramides support a softer, plumper, more cushioned complexion.
Results timeline
AFTER 6–8 WEEKSInstant Plump & Glow
Skin feels noticeably softer, smoother and more cushioned the moment you rinse — the most-mentioned effect across reviews.
~85% noticedLess Roughness
Bumpy texture starts to soften; makeup applies more smoothly. Hydration feels more "stored" between uses.
~70% noticedRefined Pore Look
With consistent use, dehydration-related pores appear visibly smaller and the complexion looks more even and luminous.
~55% noticedHealthier Skin Barrier
Long-term users report less tightness, less seasonal dryness, and a generally more resilient, comfortable barrier.
~45% noticedRatings by platform
4K+ REVIEWSPros & cons
BALANCEDPraised
- Instant mochi-soft, plump finish after rinsing
- Generous 170g jar = ~10 full-face treatments
- Great value compared to luxury wash-off masks
- Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, colorant-free
- Non-stripping — leaves skin comfortable, not tight
- Cult favorite in Japanese drugstores
- Pleasant texture, easy to spread and rinse
Criticized
- Contains parabens (methyl/propylparaben)
- Not fungal-acne (malassezia) safe
- Comedogenic rating ~3 — caution for very acne-prone skin
- Pore-smoothing effect is mostly temporary
- Bulky 170g jar isn't travel-friendly
- No dropper or spatula — fingers required
Budget-friendly alternatives (dupes)
DUPES
Korean rice-based wash-off mask with rice extract and ceramide complex. Slightly grittier exfoliating texture rather than the smooth porridge feel of Keana, but very similar hydration result.
K-beauty rice-bran-pulp wash-off mask containing 71% rice extract. Pricier than Keana and a thicker scrub-mask hybrid, but a high-rice cult favorite for similar brightening goals.
A cleansing cream rather than a mask, but rice-water based and shares the brightening, dullness-removing positioning at a fraction of the price.
Different format (cleansing balm) but rice-bran-water powered with a similar gentle, brightening, J-/K-beauty inspired ethos. Good rice-routine starter.
Comparison with competitors
SIDE-BY-SIDE
Storage & shelf life
12 MONTHS12 months after opening — use within a year for best efficacy.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep the lid tightly closed; use clean fingers or a spatula.
Wide-mouth screw-top jar (170g / 6 oz) — convenient to scoop, but exposes formula to air with each use.
Limited — the jar is bulky and over the typical 100ml carry-on liquid limit by weight. Better as a home treatment.
Frequently asked questions
FAQYes — the formula contains no retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone, or chemical sunscreen filters that are typically flagged during pregnancy. The active ingredients are rice-derived (rice ferment lees, rice bran oil, rice ceramides, rice bran extract) plus standard humectants and emollients, all considered safe for pregnant and nursing users. As always, check with your OB/GYN if you have concerns.
No. The formula contains several known malassezia triggers, including rice ferment lees (a fermented ingredient), polysorbate 60, glyceryl stearate, ethylhexyl palmitate, and lecithin derivatives. If you struggle with fungal acne / pityrosporum folliculitis, this product is best avoided. Look for fully fungal-acne-safe alternatives instead.
Yes. Because it's a 5-minute rinse-off treatment, it doesn't stay on the skin to interact with leave-on actives. Apply the rice pack on freshly cleansed skin, rinse it off, then continue with your regular routine — including retinol at night or vitamin C in the morning. It actually pairs well with actives because the hydration helps buffer potential irritation.
It's tailor-made for dry, dehydrated, dull or rough-textured skin. Combination, normal, sensitive and mature skin types also do very well with it. Oily and very acne-prone skin can use it, but less frequently — once a week as a treat rather than 2–3 times. Avoid if you have active fungal acne.
Instantly for hydration and softness — most users notice the mochi-soft "freshly-rinsed-rice" effect on the very first application. For texture refinement and pore-look improvement, expect 2–4 weeks of consistent use (2–3 times per week). Long-term barrier benefits build over 6–8 weeks.
Right after cleansing. Wash your face → pat off excess water → apply a generous layer of the rice pack → wait 5 minutes → rinse with lukewarm water → continue with toner, serum and moisturizer. Use 2–3 times per week, ideally in the evening so your skin can absorb the hydration overnight.
The formula has a comedogenic rating of about 3/5, mostly because of ethylhexyl palmitate, petrolatum and shea butter. However, because it's rinsed off after only 5 minutes, real-world clogging risk is much lower than for a leave-on cream. Most users — including those with normal-to-combination skin — tolerate it well. If you're very acne-prone, patch test on the jawline first or use it less frequently.
The Period After Opening (PAO) is 12 months. With 2–3 uses per week, a 170g jar typically lasts roughly 8–10 weeks of regular use, well within the freshness window. Keep the jar tightly sealed, store in a cool dry spot, and scoop with clean fingers or a spatula to avoid contamination.
Verdict: The Keana Nadeshiko Rice Pack is one of Japan's most beloved drugstore wash-off masks for a reason — generous size, fragrance-free formula, and a rice-powered hydration boost that delivers an instant mochi-soft, plumped-up finish in just five minutes. It won't permanently shrink pores or replace targeted exfoliation, and it isn't fungal-acne friendly, but for anyone with dry, dull or rough-textured skin looking for an affordable, gentle weekly treat, it punches well above its price point. A worthy J-beauty staple.
Product Overview
What are Quick Product Notes?
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.
Pro Tip Alert!
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
Paraben-Free
Paraben-Free
Understanding Parabens
Parabens are a large group of preservatives which are used to prevent bacteria growing in cosmetic formulations. There has been some healthy controversy surrounding them due to a few studies finding paraben presence in breast tumours and breast tissue. However, the majority of the scientific community have deemed these findings non-conclusive due to the limitations of these studies. There's still a lot of support for avoiding parabens following the better safe than sorry route. If you do we completely support you! If you are concerned about the health safety of parabens, then feel free to avoid them by looking out for the Paraben-Free icon. If not, don't worry about it - they do have had one of the longest safety records as preservatives!
Which Ingredients are classified as Paraben?
A product will be paraben-free if it does not contain any of the following parabens:
- Sodium Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Ethylparaben
- Sodium Butylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Sodium Methylparaben
- Methylparaben
Sulfate-Free
Sulfate-Free
Understanding Sulfates
Sulfates are a large group of ingredients which act as cleansing agents in Cosmetics. They help loosen up the dirt and grime from your skin and hair to allow for water to wash it away with ease. However some sulfates are so good at their job, they can wash off your skin’s own natural oils that keep it moisturised and protected which can lead to dryness and irritation. Most people will find no issues with sulfate, however if you find your skin doesn't like sulfates then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the sulfate-free icon on Skincarisma.
Which ingredients are classified as sulfates?
We've taken the Sulfates which are considered more harsh for our Sulfate-Free status. A product will be Sulfate-Free if it does not contain any of the following Sulfates:
- TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
- Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- PEG-15 Cocamine
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
- Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
- Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
- Ammonium Xylenesulfonate
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
- Sodium Xylenesulfonate
- Sodium Myreth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
Alcohol-Free
Alcohol-Free
Understanding Simple Alcohols
Alcohol ingredients are widely used in cosmetics and come in different types. For the most part alcohols are not problematic at all. However one type of alcohols, simple alcohols can be quite drying to the skin because it evaporates very quickly. This can cause irritation which can also lead to other skin complications. These alcohols should never be used alone on your skin, but combined with other cosmetic ingredients, they are normally without issue. However, for some people with sensitive and easily irritable skin, avoiding products with these simple alcohols may be beneficial. If you find your skin doesn't like these simple alcohols, then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the Alcohol-Free icon.
Which Ingredients are classified as Alcohol?
A product will be alcohol-free if it does not contain any of the following alcohol ingredients:
- SD Alcohol
- Alcohol Denat
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Alcohol
Silicone-Free
Silicone-Free
Understanding Silicones
If you've ever used a skincare, makeup or beauty product that's made your skin look and feel smoother tempoarily - it's likely contained Silicone. They are a popular class of ingredients found in cosmetics due to their smooth, soft, easy-to-spread and smooth properties that help creates an artificial layer/barrier on top of skin or hair (commonly found in conditioners).
For the same reasons they are popularly used, they are also commonly avoided. Anecdotally, many individuals have reported that Silicones cause/excerbate breakouts, irritation, cause a feeling of skin being unable to breathe, cause clumping of cosmetic products and find it difficult to wash off. As a result, those who find them problematic are avoiding them and increasingly, cosmetic companies are avoiding them as well.
If you have had bad experiences with Silicones in the past, or suspect they are problematic then look out for the tick on the Silicone-free label.
Disclaimer
The Silicone-free label only includes the most common Silicone ingredients that have indentified been reported by individuals that could potentially cause issues.
These include: Amodimethicone, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Cetearyl Methicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Copolyol, Dimethiconol, Methicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Stearoxy Dimethicone, Stearyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsilylamodimethicone.
Note, that this does not include all ingredients part of the Silicone class of ingredients.
EU Allergen-Free
EU Allergen-Free
Understanding the Identified Contact Allergens
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has identified and established 26 cosmetic ingredients that are likely contact allergens (potential to cause skin allergies) as demonstrated in clinical or epidemiological studies. The EU's SCCS have recommend cosmetic companies to disclose them on the labels if used and in cases where the concentration exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products, then they must be labelled.
Look out for the tick on the EU-Allergen free label to know your cosmetic is free from any of the 26 identified cosmetic ingredients.
For more information regarding the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, please visit their official website.
Disclaimer
The EU Allergen Free label is for the 26 ingredients identified by the EU SCCS and products will be only flagged if a suspected ingredient is on it's ingredient list. It is possible for cosmetics to contain one of the suspect ingredients without it appearing on the ingredient list due to it not reaching the concentration threshold to disclose it and cosmetic manufacturers choice to not disclose it.
Also note, the EU Allergen Free label is not personalized for your own allergies you may have and it does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Understanding Fungal Acne (Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia Folliculitis)
Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia folliculitis or simply known as Fungal Acne is a persistent acne-like condition that commonly responds poorly to traditional acne-treating methods. Unlike most cases of Acne where bacteria is the culprit, Fungi is the culprit of Fungal Acne (Hence the name!). There are certain classes & groups of ingredients that have been shown to promote and feed the growth of the Fungal Acne, Fungi such as fatty acids, oils, esters, polysorbates and fermented ingredients.
For more information regarding Fungal Acne, please visit Simple Skincare Science (f.c) - #3 of our Recommend Skincare Resources for an amazing comprehensive guide!
Please Read: How to use the Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Label
At SkinCarisma, we've done our best to identify as many ingredients as possible but note the fungal-free label may not be 100% accurate due to the complexconditions and combination of ingredients that malezzeria can thrive on.
Additionally, products that may contain ingredients that have shown to feed Malassezia may not neccessarily exacerbate the condition due to concentration of ingredient used in the product, this information is simply not available on the products.
As a result, please note this is only an experimental label that can be best used to possible identify problematic products you have used in the past. It is in no way a perfect identifier nor a predictor in whether or not it will exacerbate or cause fungal acne. It will continue to be worked on as more information and research comes to light.
If you find any ingredients you believe should be included, please email us at snails@skincarisma.com.
Disclaimer
Due to the lack of substantial research into this area it is very likely there are other ingredients and class/groups of ingredients that could feed Fungal Acne which have not been indentified.
The Fungal-Safe label does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
What are Notable Effects & Ingredients?
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 «promises» 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.
Pro Tip Alert!
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
Anti-Aging from 1 ingredient(s):
Brightening from 1 ingredient(s):
Promotes Wound Healing from 2 ingredient(s):
What are Ingredients Related to Skin Type?
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.
Pro Tip Alert!
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
Dry Skin
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
Sensitive Skin
What is the Ingredient Safety Breakdown?
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.
Pro Tip Alert!
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
|
|
|
| 1 |
Butylene Glycol
Solvent, Skin Conditioning, Masking, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Controlling, Viscositydecreasing Agent
|
Hydrating
|
|
| 0 |
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient, Skin Conditioning
|
Hydrating
Redness
Irritation
|
|
| 2 |
Glycerin
Solvent, Perfuming, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Denaturant, Skin Conditioning
|
Brightening
Promotes Wound Healing
Hydrating
|
|
| 1 |
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning, Perfuming, Emollient, Fragrance
|
|