Glow Replenishing Rice Milk
K-Beauty Oil Control Innovator
Verified reviewer
Pros & cons.
- +Innovative dual-phase format genuinely addresses both hydration and oil control simultaneously
- +Generous 150ml size at $14.40 provides excellent value for 2-3 months of daily use
- +Fragrance-free and alcohol-free with a gentle formula suitable for sensitive skin
- +Contains ceramide NP and centella asiatica for barrier support and anti-inflammatory benefits
- +Lightweight absorption makes it an ideal prep step that layers well under serums and SPF
- +Rice-based formula draws from proven traditional Korean beauty ingredients
- −Oil control may be insufficient for very oily skin — some users report lingering shine
- −Not hydrating enough for dry skin types when used alone without follow-up moisturizer
- −Must shake before every use — skipping this step delivers an incomplete formula
- −Contains aluminum chlorohydrate which may concern sensitive skin users
- −No standout high-concentration actives — this is a prep step, not a treatment product
The full review.
There’s something delightfully literal about a product that makes you physically shake together two opposing concepts before applying them to your face. The Glow Replenishing Rice Milk arrives in its bottle as a visible argument: a clear hydrating layer sitting above a white powder layer, each stubbornly maintaining its own territory until you intervene. Shake it, and they compromise into a smooth, milky fluid that promises to hydrate your dry patches and mattify your T-zone in the same gesture. It’s a formulation concept that sounds like it was designed by a mediator.
Beauty of Joseon has built its reputation on translating traditional Korean beauty ingredients into modern, accessible products. Rice water — the stuff Korean grandmothers literally rinsed their faces with — gets a twenty-first century upgrade here. The moisture phase delivers rice extract and rice amino acids, which supply the antioxidants, minerals, and gentle brightening activity that have made rice a beloved ingredient in Asian beauty for centuries. But the brand didn’t stop at tradition. The powder phase introduces kaolin and microcrystalline cellulose — fine mineral and plant-derived powders that physically absorb excess sebum on contact.
Texture
The texture is the first thing you notice. After shaking, it pours out as a thin, milky fluid — lighter than a lotion, heavier than water. It absorbs in seconds, leaving behind a finish that’s neither dewy nor matte but somewhere pleasantly in between. On combination skin, this translates to the dry cheeks feeling comforted and the oily nose looking calmer. It’s not a dramatic transformation; it’s more like your skin got a sensible pep talk.
About the Ingredients
The ingredient list reveals thoughtful layering beyond the headline rice story. Sodium hyaluronate provides deeper hydration, centella asiatica extract adds anti-inflammatory protection, and ceramide NP shores up the barrier — all important supporting roles that prevent the oil-absorbing powder ingredients from leaving skin feeling tight or stripped. Panthenol bridges the gap between the two phases, offering soothing and moisture-retention benefits that benefit every skin type.
The inclusion of dipotassium glycyrrhizate, a licorice-derived anti-inflammatory, is a nice touch for anyone dealing with redness alongside oiliness. And the hydroxyethyl urea — not to be confused with the heavier urea used in foot creams — adds another layer of lightweight hydration without occlusion.
Works for
Performance splits along skin type lines, and this is worth being honest about. On combination and normal skin, the Rice Milk performs exactly as advertised: hydrating without heaviness, controlling oil without drying, leaving skin with that coveted “your skin but better” quality. On oily skin, results are more mixed — some users report a lingering shine that suggests the powder layer isn’t quite potent enough for aggressive sebum production. And for genuinely dry skin, this will feel pleasant but insufficient on its own; you’ll need a richer serum or cream on top to seal in the hydration.
How to Use
The shaking ritual, while charming, does have a practical implication: you need to shake every single time. Skip it, and you’re applying either just the watery layer or just the powder layer, neither of which delivers the intended balanced result. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s one more step in a routine that K-beauty enthusiasts already know has plenty.
Packaging
At 150ml for $14.40, the value proposition is strong. This is a substantial amount of product that should last two to three months of twice-daily use, and the price-per-milliliter compares favorably to almost any toner in the K-beauty space. The packaging is functional if not luxurious — the squeeze bottle makes dispensing easy, and the translucent design lets you see when the layers have properly separated, which serves as a visual reminder to shake before use.
Common Complaints
One note of caution: aluminum chlorohydrate appears in the ingredient list. While it’s present at a low concentration as an antiperspirant and oil-control agent, some users with very sensitive skin may want to monitor for any reaction. This is likely a non-issue for the vast majority of users, but transparency demands mentioning it.
Best for
The Rice Milk isn’t trying to be a treatment product, and that’s actually its strength. It doesn’t promise to fade dark spots, erase wrinkles, or perform any of the heroic feats that serums and treatments claim. What it does is create an optimally balanced, hydrated canvas for everything that comes after it. For combination skin types who’ve been using two different products to address two different halves of their face, this single bottle offers a refreshingly simple solution — one that happens to be rooted in centuries of Korean beauty wisdom.
Ingredient analysis.
Full INCI list
Water, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Aluminum Chlorohydrate, Butylene Glycol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Citrate, Kaolin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Citric Acid, Dextrin, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Rice Amino Acids
Skin match.
The science.
The Science
This toner uses a dual-phase concept to combine humectant-driven hydration with physical sebum absorption.
The moisture phase uses sodium hyaluronate, a humectant with extensive clinical backing. A 2011 study in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology shows that low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid penetrates the epidermis to improve skin hydration and elasticity. Here, sodium hyaluronate works with glycerin and propanediol to form a multi-humectant hydration network.
The powder phase uses kaolin, a natural clay mineral that absorbs oil. Dermatological literature confirms kaolin's effectiveness for sebum control, and many mattifying products use it. Combined with microcrystalline cellulose, a plant-derived powder that absorbs more oil, the powder phase manages sebum physically rather than chemically. This means it works on contact without disrupting natural lipid production.
Centella asiatica extract provides the formula's anti-inflammatory backbone. Its active compounds — madecassoside, asiaticoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid — have extensive studies on wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties. A 2016 review in Phytomedicine confirmed centella stimulates collagen synthesis and reduces inflammation, which helps reactive combination skin.
Ceramide NP provides barrier repair, though its late position in the INCI list suggests a modest concentration. Research in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology (2017) shows even low concentrations of ceramides support barrier integrity. This is crucial for a formula containing oil-absorbing powders.
References
- Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humans — Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (2012)
Dermatologist Perspective
Combination skin is a unique challenge: oil-control products often dehydrate dry areas, while hydrating products can increase shine. Board-certified dermatologists value formulations that address both concerns at once. The inclusion of ceramide NP and centella asiatica extract aligns with dermatological views on barrier health for all skin types. Dermatologists often tell patients with oily-combination skin to maintain hydration instead of over-stripping, because dehydrated skin can produce more oil. This toner hydrates while absorbing excess sebum, reflecting that evidence-based philosophy.
Where it fits in your routine.
Shake the bottle vigorously for 5-10 seconds until the two layers blend into a uniform milky consistency. Dispense a coin-sized amount onto a cotton pad or into your palm. Pat onto clean skin, focusing on areas needing oil control. Wait 30-60 seconds for absorption before applying moisturizer and serums. Use morning and evening. If using active serums (vitamin C, retinol), apply this toner first as a hydrating buffer.
At $14.40 for 150ml from the official store, this offers strong value. The size lasts 2-3 months with twice-daily use, costing roughly $5-7 per month — less than most specialty toners. The formulation uses sodium hyaluronate, centella asiatica, and ceramide NP with a dual-phase oil control system. The Sephora price is higher at around $18, but the per-milliliter cost stays competitive. For combination skin, this single toner replaces a separate mattifying product, adding value.
Combination and normal skin types want one toner that hydrates without adding shine. It works for K-beauty routine enthusiasts seeking an innovative prep step, oily skin types wanting gentle oil management without harsh astringents, and anyone who likes rice-based skincare with a modern twist.
Very dry skin types needing intensive hydration from a toner won't find enough moisture here. Skip this if you dislike shake-before-use formats or want a treatment toner with potent actives like AHAs, BHAs, or high-concentration niacinamide.
Product details.
This lightweight, milky emulsion starts as two separate layers: a clear moisture layer and a white powder layer. Shaking blends it into a smooth, fluid milk-like consistency that absorbs quickly without grease.
No added fragrance. The natural rice and botanical extracts produce a subtle, clean scent that is nearly undetectable.
A 150ml squeeze bottle uses a traditional Korean-inspired design. The translucent bottle shows the dual layers separate and mix. A hygienic dispenser prevents contamination.
Shaking the bottle on first use is engaging; the powder and moisture layers blend visibly. The milky texture applies smoothly and absorbs in seconds, leaving skin hydrated without feeling heavy. There is no tingling or adjustment period. The powder layer's mattifying effect is subtle but shows within the first few uses.
2-3 months with twice-daily application to face
12 months
spring summer
The backstory.
Inspired by traditional Korean rice water beauty rituals, Beauty of Joseon modernized the concept by splitting the benefits into two functional layers. The powder phase draws from the hanbang tradition of using fine mineral powders for skin refinement, while the liquid phase delivers the nourishing properties of rice that Korean women have relied on for centuries.
About Beauty of Joseon
Established Brand (5–20 years)Beauty of Joseon launched in 2016 and updated its approach in 2019. The brand combines traditional Korean hanbang ingredients with modern formulation science. Beauty of Joseon has a large global following and sells at Sephora, with products that earn high user ratings on many retail platforms.
Common myths.
Milky toners weigh down oily skin and increase grease.
This milky toner contains sebum-absorbing ingredients like kaolin and microcrystalline cellulose in its powder phase. These ingredients control oil instead of adding to it. Suspended powder particles create the milky appearance, not oils or heavy emollients.
Combination skin requires a separate toner and oil-control product.
This dual-phase formula combines hydrating toner benefits with oil-absorbing powder particles. It replaces both a hydrating toner and a mattifying primer for combination skin types.
FAQ.
Is the Rice Milk toner good for dry skin?
Rice extract, hyaluronic acid, and ceramide NP hydrate the skin, while kaolin and powder particles control oil. This formula lacks enough moisture for dry skin types alone, but works as a hydrating prep step if you follow it with a thicker serum and moisturizer.
Does the Rice Milk toner help with enlarged pores?
The kaolin and microcrystalline cellulose in the powder layer absorb excess sebum that makes pores look larger. The centella asiatica extract provides anti-inflammatory benefits to reduce redness around pores. Consistent use minimizes the appearance of pores over time, but the effect is cosmetic, not structural.
Can I use this toner with retinol?
Yes — this toner's gentle, hydrating formula with ceramide NP and panthenol works well to prep skin before retinol application. The barrier-supporting ingredients buffer potential retinol irritation, and the hydration prevents retinol-induced dryness.
Why does this toner separate into two layers?
The dual-layer design is intentional — the clear moisture layer has hydrating ingredients like rice extract and hyaluronic acid, while the white powder layer has oil-absorbing particles like kaolin and microcrystalline cellulose. Shaking blends them into one application that delivers hydration and oil control at the same time.
Community
What the community says.
"Gives skin an instant healthy glow without looking greasy"
"Lightweight formula absorbs quickly"
"Good oil control for combination skin"
"Innovative shake-to-mix format is fun to use"
"Can look shiny on very oily skin despite oil-controlling claims"
"Hydration may not be sufficient for very dry skin types"
"Dual-layer format requires shaking which some find inconvenient"
"Limited availability compared to other Beauty of Joseon products"
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