From The Straits Times    |
tatchasq

Image illustration: Sharmaine Khor

Another day, another hugely hyped skincare ingredient to obsess over, this time courtesy of an arcane Japanese geisha secret.

When it comes to beauty, it’s easy to conflate “geisha” with “gimmick” – remember those stomach-churning fecal facials made from powdered bird poop? – but trust me when I say that this particular product really works and is derived from a decidedly non-threatening source to boot.

I’m referring to rice enzyme powders, of course. Now, if you’re a beauty buff worth your bathing salts, you will surely have heard of a certain J-Beauty brand’s possibly apocryphal tale of stumbling upon the hero ingredient of their “miracle essence” while investigating rumours of the exceptionally soft hands of rice mill workers.

The same concept is applicable to rice enzyme powders – which, if their passionate proponents are to be believed, accounts for the single most spectacular secret once privy only to the oldest geishas and kabuki dancers.

ALSO READ: The best ‘lazy girl’ face cleansing wipes for easy makeup removal!

How does it work?

What’s so “powder-ful” about the powders? For starters, these enzyme exfoliants make for excellent alternatives to abrasive scrubs; they loosen up the gluey gunk of dead skin without the aid of potentially irritating particles of grit – making them a superb option for sensitive skin. Indeed, as Victoria Tsai, the founder of cult cosmetics brand Tatcha puts it, “the true secret to the geisha’s radiant skin is gentle, daily exfoliation.”  

Speaking as someone who suffers from the occasional bout of eczema, I can attest to the power of Tatcha’s incredibly popular Polished Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder. This cleanser comes with a carefully calibrated blend of botanical soothers and revitalising rice bran extracts, all of which affords me a noticeably brighter visage, even when I’ve been pulling all-nighters in the office.

ALSO READ: Your essential guide to getting softer feet and slimmer legs for party dress season!

Intrigued and raring to give it a shot? Tatcha aside, there are a couple of “early adopter” brands who have also caught onto the rice enzyme powder fad – try G.M. Collin’s Active Exfoliant Powder or Dermalogica’s Daily Micro Exfoliant – but all of ‘em work in much the same way.

Simply sprinkle a teaspoon of the stuff into your cupped palms, add water and rub to create a creamy foam that you can then use to massage into your damp face for about 10 seconds or so. Splash off in the shower to reveal ravishingly radiant soft skin.

Right, then. When it comes to J-Beauty secrets, it’s a nay to nightingale poop and a resounding yay to rice enzyme powders. Let me know how they work for you, and as the Japanese are wont to say, ganbatte kudasai!

Want more? Discover if your period-related pimple problems are telling you something about your health, and find out if you’re guilty of this surprisingly common sleeping quirk which may be the cause of fine lines and wrinkles the morning after. Get your daily dose of beauty at www.herworldplus.com/beauty.

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