Rice, Red Bean and Mung Bean: Korea's Pantry Skincare

October 27, 20261 min read

Generations of Korean women washed their faces with the water left from rinsing rice. Today it's in serums, creams and cleansers.

What are rice and beans?

Rice extracts and rice bran water are rich in vitamins and minerals and loved for a soft, glowing look. Red bean is often used for oil control and pores. Mung bean is a traditional cleansing and soothing ingredient. Soybean appears in nourishing formulas too.

What they do for your skin

Soft glow. Rice is famous for a smooth, luminous finish.
Oil balance. Red bean helps oily skin feel fresher.
Gentle cleansing and soothing. Mung bean is a traditional mild cleanser.

Who it suits

All skin types. Rice suits dull and dry skin, red bean suits oily skin, mung bean suits sensitive skin.

Skin MBTI match: D (dry) · P (tone care). Not sure of yours? The Skin MBTI quiz tells you in three minutes.

How to use it

Use a rice serum or cream for glow, morning and night.
Try a red bean gel on oily days.
A mung bean or rice cleanser is a gentle everyday wash.

When you'll notice it: A softer, glowier look within a couple of weeks.

Good to know: Gentle for most skin.

What to pair it with

Rice pairs well with niacinamide and arbutin. Red bean pairs well with clay and zinc for oily skin.

Myth vs fact

Myth: DIY rice water is the same as rice skincare.
Fact: Formulated rice extracts are stable and skin-friendly. Leftover rice water can spoil quickly.

How to choose one

Look for Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Water or Extract, Rice Ferment, Red Bean (Phaseolus Angularis) or Mung Bean (Phaseolus Radiatus).
Rice is for glow and dryness. Red bean is for shine. Mung bean is for gentle cleansing.
A percentage on the pack shows how much is in it.

Where to find it

Beauty of Joseon, named after Korea's Joseon dynasty, builds much of its range on these pantry ingredients. Its Glow Deep Serum uses 68% rice bran water, and its Red Bean Water Gel (44% red bean) is made for oily skin. goodal and Beplain bring Jeju rice milk and mung bean to a cream and a cleanser.