As a longtime beauty editor who tests Korean skin care products for a living, I’ve tried some of the best rice toners on the market. Although they’ve been around long before K-beauty took over TikTok. Centuries ago, they were already an essential step in Joseon-era Korean skin care routines. “Historically, Korean women would rinse their faces with rice water for a luminous, even-toned complexion,” says Charlotte Cho, a licensed esthetician based in New York City and cofounder of Then I Met You and Soko Glam. Of course, today’s options look a little different than just plain rice and water. “Modern rice toners take this tradition to the next level, often incorporating fermented rice extracts to boost antioxidant benefits and deeply nourish the skin,” says Cho. “They’re loved for their gentle yet effective approach, making them a go-to for hydration, brightening dull skin, and soothing irritation.”
To make sure we’re sharing the best picks, I spoke with dermatologists and real reviews from K-beauty experts about their standout formulas. Below, the best rice toners for any skin type and concern.
The best rice toners, at a glance
Your rice toner questions, answered
What are the benefits of using a rice toner for skin care?
Rice toners are so popular because they offer multiple benefits beyond simple hydration. “Rice toners are a staple in K-beauty because of their incredible ability to brighten, hydrate, and strengthen the skin barrier,” says Cho. Dermatologists also love them because they’re naturally packed with nourishing ingredients and usually work well even for those with sensitive skin. “From a dermatologic perspective, the benefits of rice-based toners are thanks to their active ingredients, including antioxidants, vitamins and amino acids,” says Dr. Chang. “This is particularly beneficial for individuals with dry or sensitive skin.”
What are the top-rated rice toners for reducing pores?
If you want a rice toner that can also target pores, our top pick in testing was the Beauty of Joseon Glow Replenishing Rice Milk. Along with the multiple benefits you’ll get from rice, it contains a kaolin clay powder layer that helps control shine and keep skin balanced. For more formulas that target pores without drying out your skin, check out our complete list of the best Korean toners.
Best Rice Toner Overall: I’m From Rice Toner
Original video from Sarah Y. Wu testing From Rice Toner
The I’m From Rice Toner is a K-beauty cult favorite for its unique, two-layer formula. “It’s a well-formulated hydrating and brightening toner,” says Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City. “It contains 77.78% rice extract, which is rich in amino acids, antioxidants and vitamins to brighten and nourish the skin. It also contains niacinamide, a well-researched antioxidant beneficial for brightening, sebum regulation and repairing oxidative damage.” While the separate layers aren’t immediately visible in the bottle, Dr. Chang says you should shake it up to combine them. “The milky emulsion layer requires shaking before application,” she explains.
Cho loves this formula for its “beautifully milky texture that feels light but deeply hydrating, never heavy.” Dr. Chang especially recommends it for combination skin types. “I love its lightweight, non-greasy feel that leaves my skin with a dewy finish—without feeling heavy in the oily parts of the skin,” she says. “It’s great for combination skin because it hydrates without clogging pores, all while balancing sebum.” While the formula looks thick in the bottle, combining the layers results in a lightweight texture. “On drier days, I layer it for extra moisture, and when my skin feels more balanced, just one application gives me that healthy, bouncy glow,” says Cho. “The rice extract is incredible for brightening and evening out skin tone over time. If you want that signature K-beauty glow but don’t want anything too rich, this is it.”
Glamour contributor Sarah Y. Wu also has seen impressive results from the iconic formula. “I brought this little travel size back from Seoul because I couldn’t fit the full size in my suitcase,” she says. “But the formula was so comfortable and hydrating, I knew I had to at least make room for the mini.”
Best Affordable Rice Toner: The Face Shop Rice Ceramide Moisturizing Toner
Original video from Sarah Y. Wu testing The Face Shop Rice Ceramide Moisturizing Toner
If you want to get in on the benefits of rice toner without spending a lot, one of our favorite affordable options is The Face Shop Rice Ceramide Moisturizing Toner, which blends rice bran oil and rice extract together with popular hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramide NP. Plus, you’ll get the benefits of rice in every drop. “Rice contains powerful antioxidants that can protect against oxidative stress caused by UV exposure and environmental pollutants, as well as anti-inflammatory properties that help calm and soothe the skin,” says Dr. Chang. “In addition, rice extract has been shown to help stimulate collagen production for possible anti-aging benefits.”
Glamour testers say it holds up well in testing, too. “I use rice toners whenever I want a formula that gently brightens, hydrates, and softens in one step,” says Wu. “You can apply them with a saturated cotton pad after cleansing, but I usually just pour the formula straight onto my hands and pat all over my face. This is a great entry rice toner if you’re new to the category, and I love how soft my skin feels after using it. It does have a mild ‘clean’ scent, so I’d recommend trying one of the fragrance-free options on this list if you’re sensitive to that.”
Best Rice Toner for Dry Skin: TirTir Milk Skin Toner
Original video from Sarah Y. Wu testing TirTir Milk Skin Toner
TirTir’s Milk Skin Toner won a spot on our list of best Korean skin care products for its intensely hydrating benefits. While it’s TikTok-famous as a milk toner (the category of creamy-hued Korean toners that look like a glass of milk), the formula also features rice bran extract. This rice toner is made for all skin types, but we found that its mix of hydrating ingredients (like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and panthenol) make it an especially good pick for dry and sensitive skin. If you’re used to traditional toners, this will feel more nourishing and a little thicker than formulas you’ve used before. “The milky texture feels like a soft hug for my skin, instantly soothing and plumping it up with hydration,” says Cho. “I love how it preps my skin for the rest of my routine without feeling heavy or sticky. It’s perfect for days when my skin feels tight or needs extra nourishment, and it layers beautifully under serums and moisturizers.”
Wu also keeps a bottle in rotation. “I have the mini size here—the full version looks like a much bigger glass of milk,” she says. “My favorite thing about this formula is how it leaves my skin looking instantly plumper and dewier. I like to pat an extra layer over my midface where I get the most dry.”
Best Rice Toner for Oily Skin: Aprilskin Artemisia Rice Essence Toner
Original video from Sarah Y. Wu testing Aprilskin Artemisia Rice Essence Toner
Most of the rice toners we tested had a thicker, nourishing consistency. But for those with oily skin who want the most lightweight formula possible, we loved the Aprilskin Artemisia Rice Essence Toner, which feels like a refreshing splash of water. “This is a soothing and hydrating toner that works especially well for oily and acne-prone skin,” says Dr. Chang. “It’s formulated with rice extract as well as artemisia (mugwort) extract, which is known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It also contains niacinamide, which regulates sebum production and soothes the skin.”
In testing, we loved the soothing, refreshing effects of this rice toner. “The cooling sensation feels incredible on my skin, especially when my face gets red or the rosacea on my midface flares up,” says Wu. “I also like that this toner is lightweight and absorbs in seconds but still gives me plenty of hydration. I avoid applying heavy skincare in my T-zone where I get oily throughout the day, but I can’t imagine this formula feeling too heavy for anyone.”
Best Rice Toner for Dull Skin: Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner
Original video from Sarah Y. Wu testing Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner
Any rice toner can give you radiant skin thanks to rice’s inherent glow-boosting properties. “Rice contains ferulic acid, phytic acid, and niacinamide, which are known for their brightening effects, making them beneficial for treating hyperpigmentation and dull complexion,” says Dr. Chang. For a true glass skin glow, the Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner takes that to the next level by pairing the ingredient with additional brighteners like vitamin C, arbutin, and niacinamide—plus hyaluronic acid and ceramide NP for moisture.
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