Unveiling the Peach Blossom Lady's Secrets: A Deep Dive into House of Tohwa's Rice Bran Skincare Line **

A two-week journey with soothing masks, brightening toners, and the quest for the perfect sunscreen for oily, sensitive skin.

Unveiling the Peach Blossom Lady's Secrets: A Deep Dive into House of Tohwa's Rice Bran Skincare Line **

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Annyeong, everyone! Ray here, back with another honest skincare review. For those new to my blog, welcome! You can find me on all your favorite social media platforms – links are in my bio. As many of you know, my skin can be a bit… temperamental. Oily, sensitive, reactive, and dehydrated are its usual moods, with occasional forays into combination territory just to keep things interesting.

Today, we’re embarking on a K-Beauty adventure thanks to Coréelle, a fantastic distributor based in South Korea. Shopping with Coréelle means your products ship directly from their Korean warehouses, guaranteeing freshness. Even more exciting, Coréelle has launched their own skincare brand, House of Tohwa (Tohwakain in Korean, meaning "Peach Blossom Lady" – how poetic!). We'll be exploring their debut line, focused on the nourishing power of Rice Bran. And because I love sharing the good stuff, I’ve secured a discount code just for you, which I'll reveal at the end.

Remember, these are my first impressions after two weeks of use, not a definitive verdict. Skincare is a personal journey, and what works for me might not work for you. If you have serious skin concerns, please consult a dermatologist or esthetician.

Now, let's dive in! 오리 가자!

The Power of Rice Bran: House of Tohwa's Star Ingredient

House of Tohwa's Rice Bran extract is the heart and soul of this line. Harvested without pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or vinyl, it combines extracts from nine different types of Korean rice bran: Katuri Chalk, Kwonado, Silk Chalk, Nami, Panduna, Korean Dawn Glutinous Rice, Red Tea Narak, Sukna, and Heukgang. This diverse blend is designed to deliver a soft, moisturizing experience, thanks to rice bran's high-quality protein, dietary fiber, and a wealth of nutrients.

Rice Bran Wash-Off Mask: A Soothing and Effective Exfoliator

This mask is a dream come true for sensitive skin. The creamy texture, infused with actual rice grains, provides gentle exfoliation without irritation. After cleansing, I apply a generous layer and let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.

Unlike harsh clay masks that leave my skin feeling tight and stripped, this mask is incredibly soothing. It never dries down completely, making it easy to rinse off without creating a mess. The scent is unique and comforting, reminiscent of a warm bowl of oatmeal and rice pudding.

The results? Instant brightening and clarity. The rice bran extract seems to draw out impurities while softening my skin. For those with oily skin, this mask helps minimize the appearance of pores and creates a more balanced complexion. A+ for this gentle yet effective exfoliating mask! The convenient tube packaging is another plus.

Rice Wash Off Facial Mask
Rice Wash Off Facial Mask

Wash Off Face Mask Skin Care Produced from Domestically Harvested Ingredients, Hydrating & Soothing

tl;dr

A soothing, exfoliating mask perfect for sensitive skin, offering instant brightening and clarity.

Pros
  • Gentle exfoliation, soothing, instant brightening, minimizes pores.
Cons
  • None mentioned.

Rice Bran Toner: Hydration and Exfoliation in One

I'm completely smitten with this toner. Thin, lightweight, and intensely hydrating, it initially seemed like a basic hydrating toner. However, the willow bark extract (a natural salicylic acid) provides gentle exfoliation, revealing brighter, smoother skin.

Despite its popularity in the K-Beauty community, I approached this toner with a healthy dose of skepticism. I wanted to form my own opinion, and I'm happy to report that the hype is real. The brightening effect reminds me of Vitamin C, although this toner doesn't contain any. I suspect the chrysanthemum flower extract, a gentle alternative to Vitamin C, is responsible for this radiant boost. The addition of tyrosinase, known for reducing hyperpigmentation, is another welcome benefit.

Fragrance-free and gentle, this toner seamlessly integrates into my routine. The generous 500ml bottle (a 200ml option is also available) ensures I won't run out anytime soon. A+ for this hydrating and exfoliating powerhouse!

Rice Bran Toner 500ml
Rice Bran Toner 500ml

Tone, Rejuvenate & Moisturize - Hydrating Vegan with Hyaluronic Acid - Rice Bran Extract

tl;dr

A hydrating and exfoliating toner that brightens and smoothens skin.

Pros
  • Intensely hydrating, gentle exfoliation, brightening effect.
Cons
  • None mentioned.

Rice Bran Moisturizer: Good, But Not Great

This moisturizer promises to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier with a high-adhesion formula, featuring meadowfoam seed oil to lock in hydration. While the dense, creamy texture spreads easily and dries down to a non-sticky finish, I found it a bit too heavy for my oily skin.

After a few hours, my skin looked greasy, suggesting this moisturizer might be better suited for dry or dehydrated skin types. Fragrance-free and effective, it's a decent moisturizer, but nothing extraordinary. The price point feels a bit high for what it offers. A solid B+, but not a must-have for my oily complexion.

Rice Bran Sunscreen: A Disappointing Miss

This chemical sunscreen, featuring Daisy Flower Extract to control melanocyte overproduction, held promise. However, the reality fell short of expectations.

The viscous cream blends easily without an initial white cast. Unfortunately, reapplication throughout the day resulted in an ashy, gray appearance, raising concerns for those with deeper skin tones.

The biggest letdown? The fragrance. Identical to the HIA's Perfect Layering Sun Lotion (which I recently reviewed), the intensely soapy, floral, and almost sour scent is a major irritant for me. The sticky, greasy finish further exacerbates the issue, leaving my oily skin looking like a frying pan. A C for this sunscreen. House of Tohwa, I know you can do better! Oily skin deserves a sunscreen that doesn't sacrifice comfort for protection.

Final Thoughts and Your Exclusive Discount!

Thank you for joining me on this K-Beauty journey! If you made it this far, leave a 🍚 emoji in the comments. A huge thank you to Natalia from Coréelle for sending me these House of Tohwa products. Kamsahamnida! You can find links to all the products mentioned below.

Now, for the promised discount! Use code RAYLIUR10 at corielle.com for 10% off your entire purchase. Don't miss out!

As always, I appreciate your support. Share this post with your friends and family, and be sure to subscribe for more skincare adventures. Until next time, stay safe, hydrated, and be gentle with yourself. Annyeong! Come back for more! Juseyo!