Korean skincare has been all over the internet lately. Namely, the Arencia Green Rice Mochi Cleanser has been blowing up with popularity. Known for its exfoliating quality, the cleanser has received a lot of praise.

But are the results people claim to see just a placebo effect? I used the cleanser for a month to test its effectiveness and whether or not it is worth the hype.

Disclaimer

Everyone's skin is different, so you should not base your opinion of this cleanser solely on my experience. I have combination skin type, meaning areas like my forehead, nose, and chin are oily, while areas like my cheeks remain normal/dry. I also struggle with mild hormonal acne in the aforementioned oily areas.

Different skin types may react differently to the contents of the cleanser. Use this article as advice but not in place of your own judgement.

Additionally, the results I observed were after a 1-month period of consistently applying the cleanser in the morning and before bed. I also used the Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion after every wash. A different skincare schedule/routine may affect the results.

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Price

I ordered the 4.23 oz/120 gram container off of Amazon for $18.99, and the price hovers around $20 on most sites for the same quantity (although on the Arencia website it is priced at $38). Compared to other popular face washes, such as the Laroche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser or the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, this Arencia cleanser is slightly more expensive. However, it is important to note that the price of a cleanser does not necessarily reflect its effectiveness.

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The Product

The Green Rice Mochi Cleanser is marketed as a cleanser that decongests pores, smoothens skin texture, removes blackheads, and betters skincare absorption. The formula is said to be ideal for oily, breakout-prone skin. Key ingredients include: rice and green tea to remove makeup residues, dead skin cells, and blackheads; witch hazel to target acne, while minimizing skin irritation; rosehip extract, which contains a high concentration of antioxidants and vitamins; and rice powder, intended to promote exfoliation.

The packaging is cute and sleek, and the container fits into my small makeup pouch, making it easily transportable. I took it with me on multiple vacations and had no problems with leaking (one benefit of the thick consistency). The cleanser comes with an applicator, a great way to minimize contamination.

Photo by Ellie Wen

The first thing I noticed when applying the cleanser was that is has a strong fragrance, so if you are sensitive to perfume-like smells, I would be wary of using this cleanser. As I mentioned before, the cleanser has a thick consistency, similar to that of a clay mask.

Following the instructions on the container, I would first wet my face, then apply one or two scoops of cleanser, massaging the product into my skin for 3-4 minutes. Afterwards, I would rinse it off with lukewarm water.

Results

Overall, I would say the cleanser does a good job of removing oil from the face. That being said, I often felt stripped and a slight burning sensation after washing off the cleanser. This over-exfoliation manifested in redness across my acne-prone areas.

Over the 1-month period, I noticed fewer clogged pores on my nose and less acne overall, though the sebaceous filaments on my chin remained stubborn.

Is the difference between before using the cleanser and after as drastic as I expected? No. My skin did not become clear as glass or smooth as butter, contrary to many people who have promoted the product on social media. However, I will say that after I stopped using the cleanser for 1-2 weeks, I started dealing with frequent breakouts.

Photo by Ellie Wen

Conclusion

So, all-in-all, is the Arencia Green Rice Mochi Cleanser worth the hype? In my opinion, no. It did not fulfill my expectations, especially for the price.

Still, if you are interested in trying it out for yourself, go ahead! It may not have been a success for me, but it might just be the perfect addition to your skincare routine.