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If you are anything like me, you spent your formative teen years blasting your face with astringent, drying toners, desperately trying to keep the pimples at bay. Oil was the enemy and I was on a quest to conquer it completely. The fact that skin has an important lipid barrier for protection was not even on my radar, and thus I continued with my skin stripping practices well into high school. I know, horrifying. If you had told me that there was such a thing as a hydrating toner, my teenage mind would have been blown. And quite frankly, I probably wouldn’t have thought that I needed such a thing. “My skin is oily enough, I don’t need it to be oilier,” would be my reply. But oh, how wrong I would have been.
Currently I use a mix of hydrating and acid toners, but I especially lean into the hydrating toners in the winter. I got the I’m From Rice Toner in a set from Wishtrend curated by Renée (aka Gothamista) for Black Friday. It has become a staple in my routine as I’ve battled cold winter air and the drying effects of retinol!
Ingredients
The ingredients list: Rice extract, Methylpropanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Hydrogenated poly (C6-14 olefin), Niacinamide, Pentylene glycol, Common Purslane extract, Rice bran extract, Japanese elm bark extract,Amaranthus caudatus seed extract, Hydrogenated lecithin, Distilled water, Polyglyceryl-10-myristate, Butylene glycol, Adenosine, Cellulose gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol
Rice extract is first and foremost on the list, and according to Wishtrend’s website it makes up precisely 77.78% of the product. Methylpropanediol helps other products absorb and penetrate into the skin more efficiently. Triethylhexanoin is an emollient ingredient that is derived from glycerin and fatty acids. Common Purslane extract is actually known for its anti-aging benefits. It can reduce inflammation and encourage cell repair, creating a healthier complexion. It is also suitable for sensitive skin! Rice bran extract helps brighten the skin, and it is also an antioxidant that can slow the progress of melanin pigmentation. This formula is free of alcohol, so you don’t have to worry about your skin being stripped or dried out.
Usage
This toner has a milky appearance from the rice, but it doesn’t leave any sort of film on your face. I always shake it a bit before using it, because there is separation that occurs after it sits. There is not scent to it, which I actually like. Sometimes essences or toners have extremely strong, perfume-y scents that can distract from the product, and I’m glad this one does not. It soaks into the skin right away, and almost immediately you can see the effects of the toner.
Results
I can see the brightening happening after application, and my skin feels happy and hydrated. If I have time I’ll apply a couple layers of this, and it leaves my skin feeling wonderfully soft! It is extremely gentle, and I find that it soothes redness nicely. Instead of simply stripping my face of oil, this toner gently exfoliates my skin.
This toner comes in a 150 ml bottle, which will last quite a while! It is priced at $28, which is perhaps a little above average compared to other K-beauty toners. If you have the room in your budget for it, I would say it is a worthwhile product.
To shop the I’m From Rice Toner at YesStyle, you can use my affiliate link. You can also use my code INTROVERT6 at checkout to get 2-5% off your purchase!
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Hi! Great Review. I have a concern tho, when I’m using this I’M FROM Rice Toner it really stings my face. Is this normal?
Hi, thank you! No, that is not a common reaction for this toner (and really shouldn’t be for most toners anyway.) There are a lot of factors that could be coming in to play aside from the toner, such as: Is your skin barrier compromised? Is your skin dry and tight? Did you just shave? Have you been treating your face for acne? There is a lot to consider :O
Hi Melaine,
I am interested in trying this toner and I am reading your reply comments and it really strikes me that there is alot of factors to consider when trying something new.
I am recently treating myself from acne caused by taking a lot of Biotin supplements but I am really interested to try this toner.
Any advice you can share with me before trying it?
Hi Koko! Well first of all, I’m not sure where you got the impression that biotin would help with acne, because I’ve actually always read that it is the opposite! Apparently in excess it can cause a vitamin B5 deficiency that can result in acne flare ups. If you have oily skin, I think this is a good toner as it is not heavy and sinks in nicely. You are right though that there is always a lot to consider before you try a product! I think that building an awareness of what ingredients work for you is always a good start, and that way you can do a skim of ingredients lists and get a better idea of what will be suitable for your skin. I appreciate you reaching out with your question! I hope this was helpful! 🙂 let me know if you have any others! My door is always open 🙂
It really stings my face too!
Hi Dear I am interested in this product but before I purchase I would like to know that is it good for Sensitive skin as I have got Dry and sensitive skin…I would like to use to clear my acne and black heads would please honestly suggest me…
Hi there! I think this would be great for sensitive skin. It has niacinamide, which could help with acne a bit. If you’re looking to deal with blackheads you might want to look into BHA toners, which can get down into your pores and unclog them. Hope this helps! ^_^
I have oily skin too and it took a long time for me to be informed that I should not runaway from natural oils. It’s actually the opposite. I’ll most definitely try it for myself. Much love!
It very much so goes against a lot of what you hear in advertising geared towards teens! I’m glad that you’ve been able to have that revelation as well!☺️ I hope you enjoy this toner!!?
Should I apply Vitamin C after cleansing and before this toner or should I apply it after the toner?
Hi Geraldine! I’d suggest putting it after pH adjusting toners, but before hydrating toners 🙂
For those with super sensitive skin, niacinamide, is most likely the culprit. Many people have a sensitivity to products with niacinamide and its high up in this toner’s list of ingredients. Stinging and redness are signs that some ingredient isn’t agreeing with your skin. Of course, if your moisture barrier is wrecked – as it often is with rosacea sufferers – nearly everything will sting. But now, I just don’t use anything with niacinamide.
That’s a great point! Thanks for bringing that up 🙂 I will say that correlation does not always equal causation; those with sensitivity and/or compromised barriers having issues with this product or others will need to discover for themselves what might be causing irritation.