Below is every ingredient in Korean Rice Water Hydra Glow Moisturizer explained, its standout actives, and the side effects reported in research for those actives — analysed for Indian skin.
Flags derived from the ingredient list using dermatology reference data (fungal-acne substrate, comedogenicity, EU allergens). General guidance, not a diagnosis.
Answers are derived from the printed ingredient list and dermatology reference data — general guidance, not a diagnosis or a therapeutic claim.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a water-soluble active that supports the skin barrier, regulates sebum, brightens hyperpigmentation, and reduces inflammation. It is widely tolerated across skin types and used in concentrations commonly ranging from 2% to 10%.
Morus Alba (white mulberry) extract is a botanical ingredient rich in arbutin, flavonoids, and other polyphenols that inhibits tyrosinase activity, helping to reduce melanin production and even skin tone. It also provides antioxidant effects that help protect skin from free-radical and UV-related oxidative stress.
Tocopheryl acetate is a stable, esterified form of vitamin E used in skincare as an antioxidant and conditioning agent. It is converted to active tocopherol in the skin, helping protect against oxidative stress and supporting the skin barrier.
Aggregated from the active ingredients in this product.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Irritation or sensitivity | Very rare | Purified water itself is essentially inert; rare reactions are attributable to contaminants or accompanying ingredients rather than water. |
| Transepidermal water loss aggravation in compromised skin | Rare | Evaporation of water from products may transiently increase dryness in very compromised skin barriers if occlusives are absent. |
| Mild transient flushing or redness | Uncommon | More likely at higher concentrations or in sensitive skin; usually subsides quickly. |
| Tingling, stinging, or burning sensation | Uncommon | Often associated with higher percentages or compromised barrier. |
| Contact irritation or itching | Rare | Generally dose-dependent and resolves with discontinuation. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Very rare | Documented in isolated case reports; true sensitization is unusual. |
| Mild contact irritation | Rare | Occasional redness or stinging, usually in sensitive or compromised skin. |
| Comedogenicity / clogged pores | Rare | Generally low comedogenic potential, but acne-prone individuals may occasionally react. |
| Mild skin irritation | Uncommon | Transient stinging or redness, more likely on compromised or sensitive skin. |
| Enhanced penetration of co-formulated irritants | Uncommon | As a penetration enhancer it may increase absorption and irritation potential of other actives. |
| Mild transient stinging or irritation | Uncommon | More likely on compromised or sensitive skin, especially at higher concentrations. |
| Skin dryness or tightness | Rare | Possible with high concentrations in leave-on products. |
| Redness or erythema | Uncommon | Typically mild and resolves after discontinuation. |
| Mild skin irritation or redness | Uncommon | More likely at higher concentrations or on sensitive skin. |
| Itching or stinging on application | Rare | Usually transient and resolves with discontinuation. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Aqua Solvent / vehicle | Aqua (water) is the most common base ingredient in skincare formulations, serving as a solvent that dissolves water-soluble components and forms the medium for emulsions. It has no direct treatment activity and primarily contributes to texture, spreadability, and product delivery. |
| Niacinamide Key active Cell-communicating / barrier-repair active | Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a water-soluble active that supports the skin barrier, regulates sebum, brightens hyperpigmentation, and reduces inflammation. It is widely tolerated across skin types and used in concentrations commonly ranging from 2% to 10%. |
| Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Emollient / skin-conditioning agent | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is a lightweight emollient derived from coconut or palm oil and glycerin, used to soften skin, improve spreadability, and act as a solvent for oil-soluble ingredients. It is well-tolerated and serves primarily as a base ingredient rather than an active. |
| Propanediol Humectant/solvent | Propanediol is a plant-derived glycol used in skincare as a humectant, solvent, and penetration enhancer that improves moisturization and the spreadability of formulations. It also helps solubilize other ingredients and can boost the efficacy of certain actives. |
| Pentylene Glycol Humectant / solvent / preservative-booster | Pentylene glycol is a glycol used in cosmetics as a humectant and solvent that also enhances the antimicrobial efficacy of formulations, helping reduce reliance on traditional preservatives. It improves skin hydration and aids the delivery and stability of other ingredients. |
| Morus Alba Extract Key active Skin-brightening / antioxidant agent | Morus Alba (white mulberry) extract is a botanical ingredient rich in arbutin, flavonoids, and other polyphenols that inhibits tyrosinase activity, helping to reduce melanin production and even skin tone. It also provides antioxidant effects that help protect skin from free-radical and UV-related oxidative stress. |
| Oryza Sativa Water Skin conditioning / humectant | Oryza Sativa (rice) Water is the liquid extracted from or used to soak rice, valued in skincare for its mild hydrating, soothing, and antioxidant properties. It is commonly used as a base or carrier ingredient rather than a strong active. |
| Laminaria Digitata Extract Conditioning/antioxidant | Laminaria Digitata Extract is derived from brown seaweed and is used in skincare for its mineral, polysaccharide, and antioxidant content, providing skin-conditioning, hydrating, and soothing benefits. It is commonly included for its purported moisturizing and protective properties. |
| Tocopheryl Acetate Key active Antioxidant | Tocopheryl acetate is a stable, esterified form of vitamin E used in skincare as an antioxidant and conditioning agent. It is converted to active tocopherol in the skin, helping protect against oxidative stress and supporting the skin barrier. |
| Ceramide 1 Skin barrier lipid / moisturizer | Ceramide 1 (Ceramide EOP) is a naturally occurring epidermal lipid used in skincare to help restore and reinforce the skin's barrier and reduce transepidermal water loss. It is commonly combined with other ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to mimic the skin's natural lipid matrix. |
| Ceramide NG Skin-barrier lipid / moisturizer | Ceramide NG (formerly ceramide 2) is a synthetic skin-identical lipid that helps restore and reinforce the stratum corneum barrier, reducing transepidermal water loss and improving hydration. It is widely used in moisturizers and barrier-repair formulations. |
| Ceramide NP Skin-barrier replenishing lipid / emollient | Ceramide NP (formerly ceramide 3) is a naturally occurring sphingolipid that helps restore and maintain the skin's lipid barrier, reducing transepidermal water loss and improving hydration. It is widely used in moisturizers and barrier-repair formulations. |
| Ceramide 4 Skin-barrier lipid / emollient | Ceramide 4 (Ceramide AP) is a naturally occurring skin lipid used in formulations to help restore and reinforce the skin barrier and reduce transepidermal water loss. It supports the stratum corneum's lipid matrix, improving hydration and skin resilience. |
| Ceramide AP Skin barrier lipid / moisturizer | Ceramide AP (ceramide 6-II) is a naturally occurring sphingolipid that helps restore and maintain the skin's barrier function and reduce transepidermal water loss. It is commonly used in moisturizers and barrier-repair formulations, often combined with other ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. |
| Phenoxyethanol Preservative | Phenoxyethanol is a widely used broad-spectrum preservative that protects cosmetic and skincare formulations from bacterial and fungal contamination. It is typically used at concentrations up to 1% and serves as a formulation/base ingredient rather than an active treatment. |
| Xylitylglucoside Humectant / moisturizer | Xylitylglucoside is a sugar-derived humectant, typically used in combination with anhydroxylitol and xylitol, that helps attract and retain water in the skin and supports the skin barrier. It is valued for its skin-hydrating and moisturizing properties in cosmetic formulations. |
| Anhydroxylitol Humectant / moisturizing agent | Anhydroxylitol is a sugar-derived (xylitol) humectant used in skincare to attract and retain water, helping to maintain skin hydration and barrier function. It is often combined with xylitol and xylitylglucoside to enhance the skin's natural moisturizing factors. |
| Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant / hydrator | Sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid, a glycosaminoglycan that attracts and binds water to the skin to improve hydration and surface plumpness. Its lower molecular weight allows better penetration than native hyaluronic acid. |
| Polyisobutene Emollient/film-former | Polyisobutene is a synthetic hydrocarbon polymer used in cosmetics as an emollient, thickener, and film-forming agent that imparts smooth texture, adhesion, and improved spreadability. It is commonly found in long-wear makeup, lip products, and sunscreens to enhance water resistance and product longevity. |
| Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Rheology modifier / emulsion stabilizer | Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic crosslinked acrylic polymer used to thicken, gel, and stabilize emulsions in skincare and cosmetic formulations. It helps suspend ingredients and provides a smooth, consistent texture without acting as a treatment active. |
| Polyacrylate-13 Rheology modifier / thickener | Polyacrylate-13 is a synthetic acrylate copolymer used as a thickening, stabilizing, and emulsifying agent in cosmetic formulations. It helps create stable gels and emulsions and improves product texture without contributing to active treatment effects. |
| Xylitol Humectant / moisturizer | Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used in topical formulations as a humectant that helps attract and retain moisture in the skin, and it may support the skin's microbiome and barrier function. It is generally well tolerated and considered safe for topical use. |
| Ethylhexylglycerin Preservative booster / skin-conditioning agent | Ethylhexylglycerin is a multifunctional glyceryl ether used in cosmetics primarily as a preservative-enhancing agent and emollient, often paired with phenoxyethanol to broaden antimicrobial efficacy. It also acts as a deodorizing agent and humectant in skincare formulations. |
| Polysorbate 20 Emulsifier / solubilizer | Polysorbate 20 is a nonionic surfactant derived from sorbitol and lauric acid, used in skincare to solubilize fragrances and essential oils and to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions. It functions primarily as a formulation aid rather than a treatment active. |
| Sorbitan Isostearate Emulsifier / surfactant | Sorbitan isostearate is a sorbitan ester of isostearic acid used as a nonionic emulsifier and stabilizer in oil-in-water and water-in-oil cosmetic formulations. It helps blend oil and water phases and improves texture and spreadability. |
| Cetyl PG Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide Skin-conditioning emollient / pseudo-ceramide | Cetyl-PG Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide is a synthetic pseudo-ceramide used to mimic natural skin ceramides, helping to support the skin barrier and reduce transepidermal water loss. It functions as an emollient and moisturizing agent commonly found in barrier-repair and dry-skin formulations. |
| Cholesterol Skin barrier lipid / emollient | Cholesterol is a naturally occurring lipid found in the skin's stratum corneum that, alongside ceramides and fatty acids, helps maintain the skin barrier and prevent transepidermal water loss. In skincare formulations it functions as an emollient and barrier-repair agent that improves hydration and skin resilience. |
| 1,2-Hexanediol Humectant / preservative booster | 1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic diol used in skincare as a humectant and solvent that also enhances the antimicrobial efficacy of formulations, often allowing reduced or preservative-free systems. It helps maintain product stability while contributing mild moisturizing properties. |
| Hydrogenated Lecithin Emollient / Emulsifier | Hydrogenated lecithin is a phospholipid derived from lecithin through hydrogenation, used in skincare as an emulsifier, emollient, and skin-conditioning agent. It also helps stabilize formulations and form liposomes that can aid delivery of other ingredients. |
| Sodium Benzoate Preservative | Sodium benzoate is a salt of benzoic acid used as a preservative in cosmetic and skincare formulations to inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeast, and fungi, particularly in acidic products. It is most effective at a pH below 5. |
| Potassium Sorbate Preservative | Potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, used as a mild preservative to inhibit mold, yeast, and some bacterial growth in cosmetic formulations. It is most effective at acidic pH and is often combined with other preservatives for broad-spectrum protection. |
| Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate Antioxidant/stabilizer | Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate is a hindered-phenol antioxidant (also known as the industrial stabilizer Irganox 1010) used in cosmetic formulations to prevent oxidation and rancidity of oils, fats, and other ingredients. It functions primarily as a formulation stabilizer rather than a skin-active treatment. |
| Sodium Gluconate Chelating agent / skin-conditioning | Sodium gluconate is the sodium salt of gluconic acid used in skincare primarily as a chelating agent to bind metal ions and stabilize formulations, with secondary humectant and skin-conditioning properties. It is generally considered a base/formulation ingredient rather than an active treatment. |
| Sodium Hydroxide pH adjuster | Sodium hydroxide (lye) is a strong alkaline compound used in small amounts to adjust and stabilize the pH of cosmetic formulations. At regulated low concentrations in finished products it is considered safe, though it is corrosive in concentrated form. |
| Parfum Fragrance | Parfum (fragrance) is a blend of aromatic compounds added to cosmetic products to impart a pleasant scent or mask the base odor of other ingredients. It serves a sensory/formulation purpose rather than providing any skin benefit. |
Key active = does the main work. Ingredient explanations are drawn from public databases & literature.
Peer-reviewed papers on the active ingredients in this product, via PubMed.