in our series test run, TZR’s editors and writers test the hottest new beauty products and share honest reviews.This week, beauty writer Sarah Y. Wu is testing it out. House of Dowa Rice Wash Off Facial Mask.
When it comes to my skin, I am an avid worshiper of the altar of radiance, so I can confidently say that I will never be a team matte. Maybe I was overdoing it sometimes, layering three separate highlights on top of each other for a casual grocery store operation. But since then, I have learned from my mistakes and found the key to ideal brightness. It’s House of Dowa’s Rice Wash Off Facial Mask (highlight only one at a time).
I first heard about House of Dohwa during a recent trip to Seoul. We spent the morning in a peaceful shop in Bukchon Hanok Village. This shopping experience combined two of my favorite things about him. Skincare shelves line one wall and there’s a menu of homemade teas to sip while you shop. I left with so many things that I barely had time to get on the subway, but this creamy mask in a squeeze pouch was the most exciting discovery of the day.
“House of Dowa’s wash-off masks are inspired by ingredients used by our Korean ancestors for centuries,” said K-beauty retailer and House of Dowa’s parent company, Coreaire. Abe Cho, co-founder of “Washing the face with rice water was the most common beauty treatment for skin whitening in the Korean royal court.” Centuries later, the travel-friendly version is reminiscent of the ultra-chic Capri Sun Now available packaged in a pouch. I’ll go ahead and give you my honest thoughts after rigorously testing this mask for a month.
fast facts
- Price: $20
- Size: 100 ml/3.38 fl oz
- Clean/cruelty-free: Yes
- Best for: All skin types looking for a gentle exfoliant that softens skin and boosts radiance.
- Key ingredients: rice bran extract, rice flour
- What we love: Instantly smoothes and brightens skin, hydrates, soothes, non-drying, easy-to-use packaging.
- What I don’t like: Nothing!
- Rating: 5/5
How TZR keeps score: 1/5: Return. 2/5: Save as backup. 3/5: Finish to the last drop. 4/5: Group text is recommended. 5/5: Already auto-replenishing
formula
In developing this mask, the House of Dohwa team wanted to create an exfoliating base that was gentle enough for all skin types to use regularly. So rice was the perfect starting point. “Rice naturally softens the skin, provides high levels of moisture, and visibly brightens the skin,” says Cho. “The rice bran used in our wash-off masks is rich in minerals such as zinc, magnesium, vitamins B and C, antioxidants, and compounds such as ferulic acid and allantoin,” says Cho. In addition to rice bran extract, this mask also contains raw rice flour, a mild exfoliant.
I’ve had many disappointing experiences with physical exfoliants in the past, so I usually prefer chemical alternatives (like AHAs and BHAs) instead. But rice flour might be my only exception. Because rice flour has never done anything bad to me, not just this formula.
“Unlike other physical exfoliants, rice flour is non-irritating and can be used by people with sensitive skin,” says Dr. David Kim, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Lightsaber. Masu. “It helps remove dead layers of skin without over-exfoliating.” Similarly, rice bran extract touts the same benefits. “Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin,” says Dr. Kim.
Research has shown that rice-derived ingredients have anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects, as well as positive effects on skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis. This is due to the rich nutrition of rice bran. “Rice bran is the outer covering of the rice grain and is high in starch,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in the Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. “It has also been shown to have a soothing and calming effect on the skin.”
Dr. Kim and Dr. Zeichner both agree with Cho’s list of nutrients found in rice bran. Amino acids and antioxidants such as vitamin E and ferulic acid that soothe, moisturize, soften and protect the skin.
my typical skin care routine
It’s been a while since I’ve overhauled my routine, but 2024 looks like it’s going to be the year I try something new. It started with taking Elysium’s Mosaic supplement, a blend of carotenoids and hyaluronic acid, daily and it made an amazing difference in how healthy and hydrated my skin felt. I also started incorporating gua sha sessions every other night. I always combine Le Her Prunier’s Plum with a few drops of Her Beauty oil. This is still the best face oil I’ve ever tried. My number of devices has been reduced to two. Start your day with NuFACE Trinity+. A weak electric current instantly lifts and reshapes your jawline and cheeks, removing puffiness from the night before. In the evening, a short treatment is performed with the NIRA Pro Laser. NIRA Pro Laser uses non-fractional, non-ablative laser technology to target the neck and chest line.
The rest of my routine changes depending on what I’m testing at any given time, but there are a few things that have remained in my rotation lately. I love Depology’s Opuntia-C Relief Cleansing Balm, which removes all traces of makeup without irritating the eyes. As a moisturizing base, I layer House of Dowa’s Rice Bran Toner under the brand’s Rice Bran Facial Moisturizer (which I supplement by applying the Rice Wash Off Facial Mask regularly). And since I never forget my sunscreen no matter the season, I keep the two in rotation. Skin1004’s Hyalushka Waterfit Sun Serum SPF 50+ is incredibly comfortable to use. It’s like a serum that provides comfort and hydration without the greasy feeling of sunscreen. and Keeps your skin fresh. When I want a little glowy tint, I reach for Lightsaber Activated Mineral Sunscreen SPF 33. This feels like a silky whipped moisturizer and subtly smoothes the skin.
my experience and results
I’ll never forget the first time I used this mask. Because from that day on, I looked objectively terrible. After a long night out and two hours of sleep, my skin was dehydrated, dull, and patchy. This was a trinity for testing new skin care products. I took off the cap of the mask, squeezed out a small amount, and applied it all over my face like a super thick cleanser. Even in my sleep-deprived state, I was able to enjoy the creamy and refreshing taste (with the faint aroma of a glutinous rice dessert). I left it on for about 10 minutes as per the instructions and then washed it off. Flooring instantly. My skin had that glow-from-within glow and softness that is often associated with intense treatments like acid peels. My dry spots are gone, the redness around my nose and cheeks is gone, and my glow is completely back.
Since then, I’ve started reaching for this mask in the morning when my face feels like it’s going to feel better. Cho says the effects are gentle enough to use daily, but if you have sensitive skin he recommends cutting back to three to four times a week. I’m a pain to use masks that need to be washed off, but this one is so good that I don’t mind adding the extra step. If he uses it twice a week like I do, one of these packs can easily stretch him out for months, especially since the pouches are easy to squeeze out every last drop.
Is House of Dohwa’s Rice Wash Off Facial Mask worth it?
I even considered buying a second suitcase to bring more of these home with me, but I still kind of regret not doing that. This is one of the most affordable face masks in my beauty cabinet, but using it almost makes me forget about all the other masks I own. If you have sensitive skin, dream of glowing skin, or want instant results without fear of irritation, this is the formula for you. You will also need this if you have other skin types. Have you booked a trip to Seoul yet to stock up some more? Maybe.