‘Together is better’ and, usually, that would be true. But together is always better – and in any ‘social’ situation – in skincare: a complete range works better than one lonely piece! Let’s make an example: I’M FROM Rice has just welcomed the new Rice Serum and Rice Cream to its family.
There’s plenty of rice in this I’M FROM skincare line, and it’s also a geo-localised ‘bowl of rice’.
Do you remember I’M FROM Honey Serum? Same thing, this Korean skincare brand made a tight bond to the land its own signature… this time with Yeoju in South Korea, famous for its ceramic production, where its rice comes from.
I’M FROM Rice: skincare overview
Today, you’ve been serving a rich plate to taste I’M FROM Rice natural collection. Let’s start with a refreshment (I’M FROM Rice Toner), followed by a main (Rice Mask) and two new entrées: I’M From Rice Serum and I’M FROM Rice Cream, just arrived on Wishtrend.
A little introduction before bringing you each serving…
I’M FROM Rice, like the other collections from the brand, is cruelty-free and free from harsh and synthetic chemicals. Its delicate formula and PH make it suitable to all skin type. However, as we’re going to see later on, I’M FROM Rice targets the problems of the dull and dehydrated skin.
Rice: rice extract, rice water and co.
Rice is a food staple in many Asian countries, but it’s also a nutritious skincare ingredient. In its shocking simplicity, its water has been a beauty secret for centuries. We can spot rice in many ways in this I’M FROM line: rice proteins, fermented extracts, rice water and rice bran extract.
This grain is rich in amino acids (bricks of our cells), vitamin E and ferulic acid; rice bran – which is the ‘coat’ of a rice grain – contains many antioxidants, minerals, ferulic acid and omega 3 (good fats).
The many subproducts from rice help to soften the skin and calm inflammation and irritation. The golden card, rice water, is praised for its brightening and whitening effects, plus a tightening and light hydration.
It’s going to be a picture-heavy but informative post. For each product, I’ll make a shorter presentation by touching on the usual features. This time, I’ll group them in packaging + formula and texture + effect to highlight how the product is, how it feels, and what it does.
Here’s a little slideshow of today’s protagonists.
I’M FROM Rice Toner: packaging and formula
The first step in this I’M FROM skincare range is a toner. I’M FROM Rice Toner ($28) is presented in a super slim bottle (150ml) with a comforting creamy beige shade (the line shade). The formula is free from silicons, ethanol, artificial colourants and fragrances. Its key ingredient is rice extract with an impressive 77.78% in total, together with niacinamide and rice bran extract. It aims to whiten, remove dead skin cells, support elasticity, protection and hydration.
Texture, scent and effect
This toner looks like… rice water! Indeed it’s a white, cloudy liquid that needs to be shaken well before use. This toner has an imperceptible scent, almost non-existent, and feels refreshing on the skin.
My skin feels immediately fresh, cleaner and clearer; it feels smooth to the touch. I’M FROM Rice Toner doesn’t provide a superior source of hydration, at least not for me, but it’s enough to avoid that stretching and dry sensation after cleansing. Overall, it’s a delicate, non-alcoholic (except for glycols) toner, which soothes and prepares the skin for the next step.
I’M FROM Rice skincare collection: textures
I’M FROM Rice Mask: packaging and formula
More than a mask, I’M FROM Rice Mask is a 2-in-1 product… ($28) the kind of skincare product I love. This mask comes in a big glass jar with a protective lid and a cosmetic spoon and a total of 110 gr. of product. The formula contains 4.1% of rice extract and is cruelty-free and free from steroids, ethanol and colourants. It’s formulated to exfoliate, tighten the skin and provide hydration. In shorter terms, I’M FROM Rice Mask is a hydrating scrub. This mask uses rice powder and hull extract, rice bran, beeswax, argan oil, and glycerin among the many ingredients to deliver these results. It’s also rich in Vitamin Bs.
Texture, scent and effect
What I like about this mask is that I can actually see and feel pieces of grain shell, the brown peels in these pictures. I’M FROM Rice Mask has a quite firm and grainy texture. But, while the rest of the line has ephemeral scents, this mask has a very unique fragrance with fresh, sweet and powdery notes proper of a chypre perfume. This mask makes feel its presence and, once thoroughly washed off, its scent is elegant but still not natural.
How to use I’M FROM Rice Mask:
Because of its coarse texture, I’M FROM Rice Mask requires care during the application and, above all, kindness. I apply this mask to damp skin, and I massage starting from the centre of my face with circular motions and less pressure as I reach more delicate and dry areas. This mask can clearly scratch your face. After 2 minutes, I let it rest for 10 minutes, and I rinse it off with the help of a microfibre cloth, gentle swiping movements and loads of warm water. Extra care is essential during removal because rice bran can still scrape. It can be followed by the toner and the serum from the same line.
This mask is a cool shot for the skin, and its physical exfoliation is an energising sensation. At the end of the scrub and resting time, the skin feels cleaner, smoother, tighter and with new radiosity.
As I mentioned in a previous article, I was in love with a rice and sake face scrub by Avon Spa, and I was looking for a similar one. This isn’t the same type, and this mask doesn’t aim to be like it, but it’s close. The chunky fragments are the key element that speaks of naturality.
I’M FROM Rice Serum: packaging and formula
Brand new on Wishtrend, it’s a complimentary serum ($25.65, reg $27). I’M FROM Rice Serum recalls the Toner for the same colour palette and sleek silhouette; it’s contained in a glass bottle with a pump dispenser with 30 ml of product. Its formula contains a good 73% of rice extract from Yeoju cultivation and has been developed to improve collagen production for a plumper and younger-looking skin and more hydration. In this case, we’re dealing with fermented extract, which is richer in nutrients. If you’re looking for many natural extracts, you’re going to be disappointed. Hopefully, neither the scent nor the sensory feeling is artificial or heavy-chemical.
Texture, scent, effect
The newest serum from I’M FROM is a whitish gel that the skin is able to absorb very quickly. When fully sank, this serum disappears and leaves no stickiness. This product is another cold splash for the skin and awakens your senses. Its scent is very subtle, and I don’t feel it on my skin. It’s tricky to describe, and the first time it reminded me of sake, later of something plasticky. This is a rather extreme description; it doesn’t convey the actual sensation. However, labelling it as a ‘fresh scent’ would be reductive, on the other hand.
During the first 5 days, my skin wasn’t happy at all. Every application was accompanied by a slight redness and stings on my cheeks. Hopefully, this feeling was short-lived and didn’t bring further concerns. My skin and I’M FROM Rice Serum seem pacified. My skin doesn’t redden anymore, and it’s just silky smooth and glowing!
I’M FROM Rice Cream: packaging and formula
Your skincare routine can’t be complete without a face cream, of course! I’M FROM Rice Cream ($28.50, reg $30) is the natural conclusion to this buffet. It comes in a glass jar for 50 gr of product and a protective lid. This face cream contains rice bran water – the main ingredient – and rice bran oil for a total of 41%; other components are ceramide, panthenol and little hyaluronic acid. This is a day-to-night face cream to even the skin tone, protect and hydrate.
Texture, scent and effect
From its pot, this white cream looks firm in texture but, once picked with your fingertips, it melts with your warmth and disappears. The scent is very neutral and evanescent; I can feel a sort of powdery note.
I’M FROM Rice Cream is fresh and absorbs quickly. It’s light but shows that it’s there working for you with smoother, tighter and radiant skin. This cream has no SPF, but it can be topped up with your favourite water-based sun blocker. (In this post, you can what I’m using at the moment before leaving home)
OVERALL PROS & CONS
Taken all together, the newly enlarged I’M FROM Rice reaches the aim to revitalise dull and dry skin. The attention to detail, whether it’s in the packaging or the sensory experience, is remarkable. The percentage of rice derivates is generally high. However, not every piece in this collection shows the same level of ‘naturality’, if we consider I’M FROM Rice Mask and its strong scent or the Rice Serum and its composition. On a scale, the full range is perfect for the skin type aforementioned, but it can be too strong on sensitive skin. Moneywise, the price tags are in the middle range and just below $30.*
*You can save an additional 15% with VALENTINA15 as a reader of this website. Just add your coupon code at checkout (no affiliation).
Apart from the first unhappy encounter with I’M FROM Rice Serum, my skin is reacting very well, and it’s experiencing some improvements in radiance, tone and hydration levels. Redness caused by hormonal acne is reduced, and the areas not affected by this issue are peachy soft. However, I need more control over my imperfections, which I supply with this balm before the rice cream. I feel I also need a more substantial tightening effect that only an antiaging line can give me, particularly along my jawline.
I wished for a more consistent natural touch because a softer scent would make the application more pleasant. Overall the I’M FROM Rice collection has some winning cards that can literally transform a grey complexion. Your skin won’t be the same after a scrub&mask with the Rice Mask, my recommended product from the line. This is pretty sure and pretty radiant, my skin says so.
Valentina Chirico aka Valens
