Anua Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder for oily acne-prone skin

Rice Extract
Ceramide Np
Ascorbic Acid
Alpha-Arbutin
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other products fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate exfoliation for your oily skin due to papain and citric acid, which provide mild enzymatic and chemical exfoliation, but it lacks stronger seboregulating ingredients for optimal oil control.
- The presence of papain and protease offers excellent brightening and smoothing texture by exfoliating and refining the skin, though it lacks targeted ingredients to effectively address your specific concerns of acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The formula is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use your enzyme powder cleanser PM once a week to start, then increase frequency if your skin tolerates it well. Always apply SPF during the day since exfoliating products can make skin sensitive to the sun.
- Apply this enzyme powder cleanser in your weekly routine after the standard cleanser and before your hydrating toner and moisturizer. This step helps clear away dead skin cells.
- Mix the powder with a little water in your hands to create a gentle foam , then massage it softly onto your face while avoiding harsh rubbing.
- Apply the enzyme powder cleanser on slightly damp skin to help activate the formula effectively. Make sure your face is clean from makeup before starting.
- Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Do not mix this with strong acids or retinoids in the same routine to prevent irritation.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 600+ reviewsUsers with sensitive, dry, and combination skin frequently praise this powder for its ability to gently exfoliate without stripping moisture, often noting a "glass skin" effect and improved texture. While many experience immediate softness and a brighter complexion, a small minority report barrier irritation or difficulty rinsing off the unique, elastic consistency.
Highlights
Gentle non-stripping exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
- “leaves my face soft, smooth, and fresh without dryness”
- “gentle and non-stripping”
- “cleans my face without drying”
Brightens dull complexion Often Mentioned
- “helps to get rid of dark spots”
- “skin feels much softer and brighter”
- “even and brighten uneven dull skin tone”
Unique elastic texture Sometimes Noted
- “marshmallow fluff cushiony goodness”
- “feels like stretchy cheese”
- “initial foam is nice and then it turns slimy”
Difficult to rinse Sometimes Noted
- “takes a long time to wash off cause it's very slimy”
- “foam feels sticky and doesn't rinse off easily”
- “requires thorough rinsing due to its unique texture”
Versatile application Rarely Noted
- “use as a wash-off mask for an instant glow-up”
- “can use a bit more of the powder to make a mask”
- “multi-purpose powder cleanser”
Messy dispensing Rarely Noted
- “be careful when you first squeeze it out”
- “gushed out”
- “struggle daily to figure out how much product to use”
Potential for irritation Rarely Noted
- “screwed up my skin barrier”
- “transforms into dry, irritated, and bumpy”
- “stingy when if there is wound on face”
Small quantity/Price Rarely Noted
- “small size, the price is expensive”
- “won't repurchase due to the high price”
- “less product than I thought”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, oliveyoung.com, stylekorean.com, skinsort.com, yesstyle.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Anua Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder work for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for your oily skin, offering mild exfoliation and a smooth feel, but it lacks stronger ingredients to control excess oil and target breakouts. Cleansers for this skin type need ingredients that effectively clear acne and blemishes, balance oil, and remain gentle without causing irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Papain and citric acid make this cleanser a good fit by giving your oily skin mild exfoliation that helps keep it smooth and bright. To work best for acne-prone skin, this type of cleanser also needs stronger oil-controlling and breakout-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide.
What does Rice Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?
Rice extract helps calm oily acne-prone skin by reducing acne-causing bacteria and lowering inflammation. It may also help keep your skin clear and smooth without causing irritation.
What do Ceramides do for oily acne-prone skin?
Ceramides help keep oily acne-prone skin calm and smooth by strengthening the skin barrier and locking in moisture. Since acne-prone skin often has lower levels of these natural lipids, adding ceramides helps reduce irritation, redness, and moisture loss. A product for this skin type needs barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides and gentle hydrators to prevent dryness and balance oil.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This enzyme powder cleanser goes in your weekly routine once a week, and you may use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results. To better fit oily acne-prone skin, this type of product needs stronger oil-controlling and blemish-targeting ingredients.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this enzyme cleanser with retinol, but to avoid irritation, use them on different days or use the cleanser in the morning and your retinol at night. This cleanser is unlikely to cause irritation on oily skin, but combining strong exfoliating cleansers and retinoids at the exact same time can sometimes make skin sensitive.
How often should I use this cleanser?
Start by using this cleanser once a week, and if your skin tolerates it well and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. This product is safe for your oily skin with no risks of irritation.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores for oily acne-prone skin because its formula has a very low risk of irritation and harsh ingredients. However, it lacks targeted ingredients to effectively address acne and blemishes, so oily skin types may need a product that includes stronger oil-controlling and breakout-fighting ingredients.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021A topical xanthan gum nanogel containing gamma-oryzanol-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers and nanosized TiO2 and MBBT filters demonstrated high photoprotection with an SPF of 34 and no skin irritation or sensitization in a rat model.
Pharmaceuticals, 2023A novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid showed similar tolerance and efficacy compared with clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in subjects with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013Daily application of a cream containing niosomes loaded with purple glutinous rice extract in 20 human volunteers for 28 days resulted in a significant decrease in melanin index and skin roughness by -14.05% and -9.95%, and increases in skin hydration and elastic recovery by +48.73% and +35.98% compared to initial values.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020The iontophoretic delivery of hyaluronic acid nanogel-loaded Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate significantly reduced advanced glycation end products and mitigated skin stiffening in an ex vivo skin tissue glycation model.
International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2025Red rice extract suppressed UVB-induced inflammation and skin aging in human skin fibroblasts by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway, leading to decreased NF-kappa B and AP-1 activation, reduced ECM degradation, and increased ECM synthesis compared to UVB-irradiated controls.
Natural Product Communications, 2016Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022A non-hydroquinone topical formulation (SKNB19) improved hyperpigmentation by 28.5% in patient self-assessment and 27% in independent reviewer assessment compared with 4% hydroquinone in 18 adult subjects, while showing significantly less irritation and better tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Encapsulation of alpha arbutin in an optimized ethosomal gel significantly improved skin melanin reduction, moisture content, and elasticity in human volunteers compared to conventional formulations.
Heliyon, 2023Combining a home-based radiofrequency device and arbutin cream reduced mMASI scores by 25.6% and melanin index by 22.8% at 8 weeks compared to baseline in 38 participants.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Rice protein hydrolysate and its characteristic peptides Leu-Leu-Lys, Leu-Pro-Lys, and pyroGlu-Lys reduced melanin content, tyrosinase activity, and ROS production in UVB-induced human epidermal melanocyte PIG1 cells by regulating the JNK/Β-Trcp/NFΗB-p65/MITF signaling pathway and lowering TRP-1 and TRP-2 expression.
Food & Function, 2020
Why other products fit oily acne-prone skin better
Two percent supramolecular salicylic acid showed similar efficacy to 0.01% adapalene plus 5% benzoyl peroxide in reducing acne lesions in 31 patients over 28 days.
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2019Chemical peels with 30% supramolecular salicylic acid effectively treated acne and reduced facial sebum secretion while improving skin hydration and barrier function in 25 patients.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022A moisturizing cream containing 2% l-carnitine and 5% EGCG significantly reduced sebum levels and improved skin hydration in ninety subjects with seborrhea over 4 weeks, showing greater anti-sebum efficacy in the combination group compared to the l-carnitine group alone.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
Ingredients
Zea Mays Starch, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Diglycerin, Allantoin, Maltodextrin, Papain, Kaolin, Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Water, Rice Powder, Rice Lees Extract, Rice Bran Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Rice Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Rice Seed Protein, Ceramide Np, Ascorbic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Protease, Caprylyl Glycol, Glucose, Glycerin, Tartaric Acid, Lactic Acid
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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