When it comes to Korean Skincare, Beauty of Joseon is a name to know. Founded in 2016, the brand draws on the power of herbal ingredients; it’s named for those used as medicine in the Joseon dynasty through the 14th to 19th centuries. This includes ginseng, green tea and – of course – rice.
If you’re sceptical about the anti-ageing benefits of Uncle Ben’s, I spoke to dermatologists to find out if rice works, or if it’s just marketing. Dr Simon Ourian, a dermatologist with clients including Kylie Jenner and Lady Gaga, says that rice has “impressive anti-ageing benefits.” Dr Ourian explains that it “delivers a natural plumping effect, making the skin appear more youthful and revitalised.”
I also spoke to consultant dermatologist Dr Sina Ghadiri, who agrees and says, “Rice-derived products can be a beneficial complement to an anti-ageing skincare routine.” However, Dr Ghadiri qualifies that rice isn’t an all-encompassing solution to the signs of ageing; he adds that “[rice] shouldn’t replace cornerstone ingredients like topical retinoids, vitamin C, or peptides.” That said, he finds that rice extract “gives a soothing barrier-protective formula, making it especially suitable for those seeking both sun protection and skin-nourishing benefits.”
Beauty of Joseon’s relief sun SPF50+ is one its bestsellers. This rice-packed sunscreen has been viral on social media, and when I tried it for myself in September 2024, when reviewing the best Korean skincare brands, I could see why. I was a fan back then, but I couldn’t really speak to the formula’s anti-ageing component, which would only become clear with prolonged use. So, here we are, nine months later; here’s my verdict on whether the rice-based SPF actually works.
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