I'm From Rice Toner - Hydrating K-Beauty Essence with Niacinamide

Raise you hand if you're here because of James Welsh! Like other reviewers, I too, purchased this product because of his videos. And let me tell you what, I am so glad I made the leap and purchased this! I am OBSESSED!! And this is now a twice daily staple in my skincare routine! I have suffered from acne throughout my entire teenage years and even now at 35. I haven't really been taking care of my skin in the last few months as much as I should but decided to jump back on it after I saw how horrible my skin looked under my makeup (second picture). The texture was terrible and my skin just looked so dull and tired. So I went back on my acne medication regiment which is African black soap to cleanse day and night, Thayers Toner, my Rx Acanya in the am followed by Belif aquabonb in the morning and then an Rx retinoids at night followed by the same Belif moisturizer in the evening. It quickly cleared up my skin within a couple of weeks as you can tell from the first picture but the retinoids are super drying and leave me peeling until my skin acclimated to it. Needed something to give me that extra boost of radiance and so when I found James Welsh and his wealth of skincare knowledge I jumped right to it! Trashed my Thayers... because he was right, it was junk and did nothing to help me hydrate. I replaced that with this Toner and IMMEDIATELY saw the result. My face didn't tingle and sting anymore and I saw my complexion make a dramatic change within the first couple of days. You can see the difference in the bottom two pictures on the first photo. After adding this to my routine, the dry, red, and irritated skin around my nose and mouth healed within a day. It gave me the perfect healing and protective layer before my retinoid step. After adding this, I no longer experienced the dryness but now reap the benefits of the retinoid's miracle powers. Now, even with the retinoid, I honestly can go without a moisturizer because of this Toner, it just soothes and moisturizes my skin that well! I still do however lol. Now I've added Niacid as a serum after my toner step then my retinoid, and switched my moisturizer to Belif's moisturizing bomb for extra hydration with winter coming. My skin has honestly never looked this amazing in all my years! I will post a bare face update in a couple of months! But as you can see from the third photo, my skin's texture under my makeup has drastically improved. Also add... I have oily/combination skin.

I wasn't expecting much from this product when I first opened n tried it bc its like water in your hand... but WOW! I was seriously blown away at how this makes my skin look n feel once applied. Its very thin n watery in consistency but its like magic in a bottle. Leaves my skin SO glowy n dewy n hydrated. Is great for my sensitive skin n eyes bc it doesnt bother them at all. No scent or any stickiness at all. Provides so much great moisture to the skin with a cpl good layers and it plays well with my entire routine; day and night. I will absolutely be re-purchasing I'm From Rice Toner again n again!

I’m From Rice Toner is a really good toner that leaves my skin feeling soft and nourished. My skin is dry and sensitive and have been using this since past 3 months. I use it as the first step after cleansing in the morning, and it absorbs quickly with a lightweight, milky texture. It helps brighten my complexion and gives my skin a healthy glow. The only thing is...make sure to patch test different areas of the face. I use it on my face except my forehead, as it caused some itchiness and small bumps there. Since I stopped applying it on my forehead, my skin feels great, super nourished and hydrated.

(Update: May 14th, 2026) - Unfortunately, the fermented rice in this toner caused my face to breakout pretty badly. It took me a little while to figure out which product was doing it, but I'm now 100% certain it was this toner. I'm really sad about this development because I loved this formula. (Original review) - I get the hype. It's a super nice toner. I put it into a spray bottle to make it easier to use because the consistency is watery. It's very hydrating and my skin (oily/dehydrated) absolutely loves this stuff. It's so pleasant to use, it has no smell, and it makes my skin look glowy and plump. I got this toner as a maybe-replacement for a much more expensive toner that I just finished and I'll definitely be sticking with this one instead.

Spending a lot of time outside walking my dog in the wind and sun can quickly leave my face feeling tight and dehydrated. I added this I'm from Rice Toner to my routine as an extra layer of moisture after cleansing, and the results have been phenomenal. Here is how it performs and compares to others: The Texture: This is a true 'milky' toner. It is slightly thicker than water but absorbs almost instantly. It doesn't leave any sticky residue behind, which is perfect for seamlessly layering under a heavier barrier cream or daily SPF. The Results: Thanks to the niacinamide and Korean rice extract, it genuinely delivers on the 'glow essence' claim. It instantly soothes dry patches and leaves my skin looking bright and deeply hydrated. Cost & Competitors: Typically priced right around $25 to $28, this sits firmly in the mid-range skincare category. Compared to its biggest direct competitor, the Laneige Cream Skin Toner (which usually runs over $33), the 'I'm from' formula feels significantly lighter and less greasy, making it much better for daytime use under makeup or sunscreen. While it is more expensive than basic drugstore toners like CeraVe or Heritage Store ($10-$15), the elevated, brightening ingredients make the higher price tag completely justified. The Minor Drawback: The toner comes in a thick, heavy glass bottle. While it feels luxurious and high-quality on the bathroom counter, it is definitely not travel-friendly, and you have to be very careful not to drop it with wet hands on a tile floor. Verdict: A deeply hydrating, brightening toner that easily outperforms basic drugstore brands without the heavy, slick feel of some higher-end competitors. Highly recommended!"