Rice Amino Acids
Explained
Rice amino acids are the amino acids you get when you fully break down rice protein. These amino acids (glutamic acid, lysine, glycine, serine) are major players in your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or your skin's built-in hydration system.
A 2021 study in Cosmetics found that these amino acids can fight free radicals and may help with skin brightening by slowing down melanin production. Another 2025 review confirmed that rice-derived amino acids and peptides help with hydration, barrier repair, and antioxidant protection.
As for fungal acne, this ingredient is generally considered low risk. This is because Malassezia is a lipid-dependent yeast that feeds primarily on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths of C11-C24, not amino acids. On its own, this ingredient doesn't provide the lipid fuel Malassezia needs to thrive.
See all 144 products with Rice Amino Acids
