The Rice Soap Report: We Suds Up With The Top Brands

Rice Soap and Rice Shampoo

Looking for a gentle and effective way to cleanse and care for your skin?

You should give rice soap a try!

Rice has been a staple food in many cultures for centuries. However, not many people know that rice can also be used for skincare.

Rice Soap has its roots in Japan, where women have been using rice water (which is the starchy liquid left over after washing rice) to enhance their beauty for centuries.

It can help to reduce the signs of aging, moisturize and soften the skin and improve overall skin texture.

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What is Rice Soap?

Rice Soap is a natural soap made from a combination of rice water, rice bran oil, and other natural ingredients that are known for their nourishing and rejuvenating properties.

Rice bran oil is rich in antioxidants, vitamin B, vitamin E, omega 9, and fatty acids which help to protect the skin from environmental stressors and improve its overall health.

Manufacturers of quality rice soaps and rice milk soap shampoos will add other natural ingredients such as coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter, and essential oils.

We’ve collected some of the best below. Do try the ones that appeal to you most. You are bound to fall in love with at least one of them!

Benefits of Rice Soap for Skincare

Rice Soap provides a range of benefits for the skin, making it a popular choice among those looking for natural and effective skincare products. Here are some of the benefits of Rice Soap for skincare:

Improves skin texture: Rice Soap is known for its exfoliating properties, which help to remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover. This can lead to smoother, brighter and more even skin tone.

Anti-aging properties: Rice bran oil is rich in antioxidants, which help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals which can accelerate the aging process leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging.

Reduces acne and hyperpigmentation: Rice Soap contains natural ingredients such as ferulic acid that can help to reduce acne and the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots.

Rice water has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce redness and inflammation associated with acne prone skin.

Moisturizes and softens the skin: Quality brands of rice soap are formulated with natural oils and other ingredients that can help to moisturize and soften the skin. This can be particularly beneficial for those with dry or sensitive skin.

There are different types of Rice Soap available in the market, each with its unique benefits. Some Rice Soaps are designed for dry skin, while others are formulated for oily or acne-prone skin.

Some Rice Soaps contain additional ingredients such as charcoal or green tea, which provide extra benefits for the skin.

Rice Soap is a natural and gentle way to cleanse and care for your skin. Its nourishing ingredients provide a range of benefits, from moisturizing and softening the skin to reducing acne and hyperpigmentation. Do give it a try!

Each product recommended by Savvy Selector is independently chosen for its outstanding features and quality by one or more of our editorial team. If you purchase through any of these links, we may receive a commission which will come at no cost to you but does help us to keep producing these reviews.

Beauty of Joseon Low pH Rice Face and Body Cleansing Bar

Beauty of Joseon Low pH Rice Face and Body Cleansing Bar

Why We Love It

I've been on the hunt for a soap that doesn't leave my skin feeling like a desert, and let me say, this bar is a real find.

Unlike other soaps I've tried, the Beauty of Joseon Rice Face Cleansing Bar leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. 

The first thing that struck me was its clean scent—mild and inviting. It's a pleasure to find products that don't rely on artificial fragrances as my skin is sensitive to those.

It is also free of essential oils so is a great starting point for anyone with sensitive skin, as it's formulated without any potential irritants.

Now, let's talk ingredients. This bar is enriched with rice bran extract and black sesame powder, both of which are powerhouses of vitamins B and E.

These vitamins are known for their moisturizing and brightening properties, and I can vouch for that. My skin feels nourished long after I've rinsed off the soap.

 One of my favorite features has to be the exfoliating beads scattered throughout the bar. They're made from rice husks, providing a gentle exfoliation that doesn't feel abrasive.

It's a hydrating exfoliating bar that manages to cleanse, exfoliate, and firm my skin, all while keeping it comfortable and supple.

Olive oil is another ingredient that adds a moisturizing finish, ensuring that skin feels soft and smooth after each wash.

It's a well-rounded formula that doesn't contain any of the "bad stuff" commonly associated with bar soaps—no mineral oils, no colorants, and it's cruelty-free.

However, it's worth mentioning that this bar doesn't last as long as other soaps I've used. But honestly, the benefits far outweigh this minor drawback. 

Lastly, I appreciate the brand's commitment to ethical manufacturing. The bar is produced in a GMP-certified facility, and even the packaging is eco-conscious, made from FSC-certified paper.

So, if you're looking for a soap that ticks all the boxes—gentle, moisturizing, and environmentally responsible—this could just be the one you are after.

Things You Should Know

Form: Bar

Size: 3.52 ounces

Scent: Unscented

Ingredients: 

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Water, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Powder, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol

Origin: Korea

Rice Water Face Wash: The Asian Secret To Clear Skin
Rice water has been a beauty secret in Asia for centuries. In this article, we will dive into the history and benefits of rice water face wash, explain how to make it at home, and also review some of the best commercial versions available.

Ohadani Yasashii Rice Bran Soap

Ohadani Yasashii Rice Bran Soap

Why We Love It

Ohadani Yasashii Rice Bran Soap is another brand that has exceeded my expectations.

Within just a few days of using this soap, my skin started to glow and the texture softened noticeably. 

The soap is handcrafted using premium, pesticide-free rice bran from Japan, an ingredient that's been a staple in traditional skincare for its moisturizing and exfoliating benefits.

The kettle-fired manufacturing process they use ensures that all the valuable nutrients are retained in the soap.

Plus, it's dried and aged to increase its density, making it last a long time. This is a huge plus for me, as I've found that many natural soaps tend to dissolve quickly. 

One of the things that stood out for me was the creamy foam it creates. It's so gentle and suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin like mine.

It creates a luxurious lather that feels incredibly soothing and nourishing on the skin. 

Being fragrance-free, it's a godsend for anyone with allergies or sensitivities to scents.

I appreciate that it's made with only natural ingredients, steering clear of the harsh chemicals that are often found in commercial soaps. It's a pure, clean experience that leaves my skin feeling refreshed and revitalized. 

If you're in the market for a soap that's not only natural but also effective in brightening and softening the skin, you've got to give Ohadani Yasashii Rice Bran Soap a try.

Things You Should Know

Form: Bar

Size: 4.9 ounces

Scent: Unscented

Ingredients:

A detailed list is not available but the main ingredients are plant-based oils - olive oil, palm oil, and soybean oil, sodium hydroxide and rice bran.

Origin: Japan

AIRNEX Black Rice Water Shampoo Bar

AIRNEX Black Rice Water Shampoo Bar

Why We Love It

This shampoo bar is packed with 18 amino acids, making it two times richer in vitamins and minerals than regular white rice products. Not only does it rejuvenate your hair and scalp with every use, but it also promotes strength and growth thanks to the fermented rice water in its proprietary formula.

The blended Muru Muru butter restores moisture and shine, while argan oil protects against breakage and split ends.

AIRNEX Black Rice Water Shampoo Bar is 100% vegan and made with only plant based natural ingredients and without any animal testing. Free of phosphates, phthalates, sulphates, parabens and palm oil.

This pack of two shampoo bars is equivalent to three shampoo bottles, offering months-worth of salon-quality care. And with the included cotton bags, you can easily store and carry your bars with you wherever you go.

Things You Should Know

Form: Bar

Size: 2.02 ounces x 2

Scent: Unscented

Ingredients: 

Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco-glucoside, Stearic Acid, Cholesterol, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Ribes Nigrum (black Currant) Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa (rice) Bran Oil Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Cocoglycerides, Arctium Lappa Fruit Extract, Aloe Yohjyu Matsu Ekisu, Oryza Sativa (rice) Germ Powder, Rice Ferment Filtrate (sake), Lavandula Angustifolia (lavender) Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Mica

Origin: Formulated in Italy, hand made in China

Viori Longsheng Rice Shampoo Bar

Viori Longsheng Rice Shampoo Bar

Why We Love It

This shampoo bar is made with all-natural ingredients that offer numerous benefits to your hair and scalp.

Longsheng Rice, one of the key ingredients; is known for its ability to renew, rejuvenate, and repair hair. Other ingredients such as cocoa butter, shea butter, rice bran oil, hydrolyzed rice protein, aloe vera, and bamboo work together to condition, soften, moisturize, increase volume and shine, repair, and gently cleanse hair and scalp.

The ingredients of Viori Longsheng Rice Shampoo Bar are ethically and sustainably sourced. The Red Yao Tribe who work the famous Longsheng Rice Terraces near Guilin, China from which the rice is sourced; receive 5% of profits.

One of the best things about this shampoo bar is the delightful fresh scents in each different bar which are inspired by the fruits found in the baskets of Red Yao fruit stands.

The bars are infused with natural essential oils such as cedarwood oil, mandarin, jasmine, sandalwood, and amber, ylang-ylang, lily of the valley, green leaves, pear, lilac, rose, vanilla, and carnation.

The bars are sulfate-free, eco-friendly, and made with organic rice water, which is loaded with vitamins and promotes hair growth.

Pair your shampoo bar with the Viori Rice Hair Conditioner Bar for best results - especially if you have damaged hair.

Things You Should Know

Form: Bar

Size: 3.5 ounces

Scent: Native Essence, Terrace Garden, Hidden Waterfall, Citrus Yao

Ingredients:

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Longsheng Rice Water, Cocoa Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Shea Butter, Stearic Acid, Rice Bran Oil, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Vitamin B8, Vitamin B5, Bamboo Extract, Broccoli Seed Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Sodium Lactate, Aloe Vera, Vitamin E Acetate, Jojoba Oil, *Fragrance

Origin: China

Mimosu Rice Water Hair Growth Shampoo Bar

Mimosu Rice Water Hair Growth Shampoo Bar

Why We Love It

This shampoo bar is an all-in-one product that gently cleanses and nourishes your hair and scalp. Formulated with fermented rice water extract and natural oils like argan, olive, and rice bran, this bar will leave your hair feeling soft, shiny, and strong.

A densely made bar that will go further than two or three bottles of standard shampoo.

Natural and effective ingredients which are safe for both you and the environment as well as eco-friendly packaging made from recyclable and biodegradable sugar cane paper which avoids the plastic waste generated by shampoo bottles.

Things You Should Know

Form: Bar

Size: 5 ounces x 2

Scent: Unscented

Ingredients:

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Cocoyl Sulphate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Argania Spinosa (Argan) kernel oil, Tocopherol, Oryza Sativa Powder, Lactobacillus Ferment (Rice), D-Panthenol

Origin: Korea

Yasmin

Yasmin

I’m a skincare & beauty enthusiast and makeup artist with over 15 years in the industry. I love writing about evidence-based solutions to skin issues with a strong preference for natural products.
San Diego