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Ingredients Brightening Rice Bran Extract
39Rb
Sourced from rice
Tier · Moderate evidence
Brightening · Antioxidant

Rice Bran Extract

INCI: Oryza Sativa Bran Extract · Also called: Sake Lees, Komenuka

A traditional Japanese brightener with built-in antioxidants. Softens, hydrates, and adds glow.

For your skin

A traditional Japanese brightener with built-in antioxidants. Softens, hydrates, and adds glow.

Want the science? Keep reading ↓

Mechanism of action

Rice fermentation byproduct rich in inositol, ferulic acid, and amino acids that brighten and hydrate.

Why we tier this moderate

5 cited papers across 3 countries. The mechanism is well-described and there's at least one controlled trial in the literature, but we tier this Moderate rather than Strong to stay honest about how many specific papers we cite directly.

2
International
2
Japan
1
China

Cited research

🇨🇳

Zhou J et al., Exploratory study on the effect of ferulic acid derived from rice bran on dull skin, Drug Discoveries & Therapeutics 2026 (online ahead of print) — topical rice-bran ferulic acid improved facial dullness/melanin index

2026Positive (efficacy)PMID:42324157View source ↗
🌐

Zamil DH et al., Dermatological uses of rice products: Trend or true?, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2022;21(11):6056-6060 — review of rice-derived ingredients with antiaging, anti-inflammatory, brightening, photoprotective effects

🇯🇵

Miyasaka K et al., Anti-melanogenic effects of glucosylceramides and elasticamide derived from rice oil by-products in melanoma cells, melanocytes, and human skin, Journal of Food Biochemistry 2022;46(10):e14353 — rice-derived ceramides/elasticamide suppressed UV-induced pigmentation

2022Positive (efficacy)PMID:35986572View source ↗
🌐

Manosroi A et al., Anti-aging efficacy of topical formulations containing niosomes entrapped with rice bran bioactive compounds, Pharmaceutical Biology 2012;50(2):208-224 — niosome-encapsulated rice bran extract improved hydration, elasticity, roughness, pigmentation over 28 days

2012Positive (efficacy)PMID:22235888View source ↗
🇯🇵

Manosroi A et al., Antioxidant activities and skin hydration effects of rice bran bioactive compounds entrapped in niosomes, Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 2011;11(3):2269-77 — 28-day human trial: gel/cream formulations improved hydration, lightening, thickness, roughness, elasticity

2011Positive (efficacy)PMID:21449379View source ↗

Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.