3 Tatcha Rice Polish Dupes That Will Save You Money

While there are multiple ways to exfoliate your skin, using a Tatcha The Rice Polish is a gentle and effective exfoliation method. It’s no wonder that this cult favorite has amassed such a devoted following.

It helps to brighten and smooth the skin while improving cell turnover, making it the perfect prep step for serums, masks, and moisturizers. It improves skin texture, smoothes the skin, and reduces the look of pores.

Unfortunately, Tatcha The Rice Polish isn’t the most budget-friendly exfoliator, so I found some Tatcha Rice Polish dupes that offer similar results without breaking the bank.

Let’s see why we would want a dupe for this luxury skincare product:

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This exfoliator is formulated with a blend of Tatcha’s proprietary Hadasei-3 Complex, which is a mix of Okinawa red algae, green tea, and rice bran extracts.

This trio of fermented Japanese superfoods is designed to brighten, hydrate, and protect the skin from environmental aggressors.

A special milling process grinds Japanese rice bran into extremely fine pieces that physically exfoliate and nourish the skin with its vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Papaya enzymes loosen dead skin cells to brighten the complexion with papain, a natural exfoliant.

The polish comes in a pH-neutral amino acid base to cleanse without stripping the skin. Silk protein nourishes the skin to reduce dryness.

This Tatcha rice enzyme powder comes in the Classic variety (linked above), ideal for combination to dry skin, along with the Deep version, ideal for combination to oily skin, and the Calming version, formulated for sensitive skin.

Add a small amount of water to about 1/2 teaspoon of the powder formula to create a lightweight creamy foam that feels luxe on the skin.

After massaging this foaming enzyme powder into your skin for 15 seconds, rinse and continue with the rest of your skin care routine.

The jar comes with a lid that you press to dispense the powder into your palm, which helps control the amount of powder that is dispensed.

Tatcha recommends double cleansing by starting with Tatcha The Camellia Cleansing Oil, then smooth and soften your skin with The Rice Polish.

Tatcha Rice Polish Dupes

These three Tatcha The Rice Polish dupes are formulated with similar ingredients, have the same powder texture, and exfoliate your skin just like Tatcha does.

Why spend more when you can achieve similar results at a small fraction of Tatcha’s price? Let’s take a look at the three dupes:

Rice powder gently exfoliates dead skin cells and brightens your skin, while rice extract has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that soothe, hydrate, and protect the skin.

Like Tatcha, papaya enzymes break down dead skin cells and improve skin texture and tone. Allantoin, derived from the comfrey plant, soothes and calms the skin.

The powder cleanser is activated with water and creates a foam that is a bit creamier than the others. It not only cleans the skin but also leaves it feeling softer and smoother.

While it’s gentle enough for daily use, you can use this Tatcha dupe as needed a few times a week or even once a week to reduce dullness and achieve brighter, smoother skin and a more even complexion.

The vegan formula is color and fragrance-free, very affordably priced, and 1.76 oz.

Papaya enzymes help exfoliate dead skin cells, while baking soda is a natural cleanser and gentle scrub.

The green-shaded powder wash also contains sodium ascorbyl phosphate, a stable form of vitamin C, to brighten the skin.

Green tea powder is an antioxidant-rich ingredient that helps to protect the skin from environmental stressors.

Amino acids work together to hydrate and nourish the skin. Hyaluronic acid binds moisture to the skin for long-lasting hydration.

It’s your all-in-one daily cleanser and exfoliator. Once water is added, it creates a gentle foaming cleanser.

This Korean powder cleanser’s grains feel slightly more like a face scrub compared to Tatcha and the other dupes, which don’t feel very abrasive on the skin.

You get a little more product than Tatcha and the other dupes: the bottle is 3.88 oz.

Rice lees extract contains antioxidants that protect the skin’s moisture barrier. Papaya enzymes work to break down keratin, the protein in dead skin cells, for a smoother, softer, more radiant complexion.

This enzymatic exfoliation is gentler than other exfoliants, like abrasive scrubs.

Rice powder from Japanese sake balances the skin, while hyaluronic acid is a powerful hydrator that binds moisture to the skin.

This powder cleanser is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin, as it is hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. The bottle is 1.76 oz.

Chemical Exfoliation vs Physical Exfoliation

The main difference between chemical and physical exfoliation is that physical exfoliants rely on scrubbing away dead skin cells with some type of physically abrasive material.

Chemical exfoliants use actives that chemically loosen the bonds between dead skin cells to remove them.

Both types of exfoliation have their own benefits and drawbacks.

Chemical Exfoliation: Benefits and Drawbacks

As long as you use the proper concentration for your skin type, chemical exfoliants are generally less likely to cause irritation than physical exfoliants.

Chemical exfoliants can also be more effective at penetrating the skin to break down dead skin cells and improve skin texture.

Chemical exfoliators include alpha hydroxy acids, also known as AHAs (i.e., glycolic acid, lactic acid), beta hydroxy acids, also knowns as BHAs, (i.e., salicylic acid), and enzymes.

However, chemical exfoliants can be more expensive than physical exfoliants, and depending on their concentration, they may not be suitable for people with sensitive skin.

Both Tatcha The Rice Polish and the dupes in this post contain papain enzymes, which are derived from papaya and act as a chemical exfoliants to break down and sweep away dead skin cells.

Physical Exfoliation: Benefits and Drawbacks

Physical exfoliants are a good choice if you want to see an immediate improvement in skin texture. However, they can be more irritating and cause micro-tears in the skin if used too often or with too much force.

Physical exfoliants include ingredients like rice powder, baking soda, ground nutshells, jojoba beads, coffee grounds, salt, and sugar.

Physical exfoliants can be harsh on the skin, causing irritation, redness, and inflammation, especially for those with sensitive skin.

They can also strip away the skin’s natural oils, disrupting the moisture balance of your skin barrier.

Tatcha The Rice Polish and its dupes also contain mild physical exfoliants that provide a gentle exfoliation in addition to the papain enzymes that break down the bonds between dead skin cells. So with the products in this post, you get the benefits of BOTH chemical and physical exfoliants.

Which Type Of Exfoliant Is Right For You?

You should choose an exfoliant based on your individual skin type and needs.

Enzyme exfoliators, like the ones found in this post, tend to be less harsh than acids, so they may be a good option for people with sensitive skin.

Chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs can be beneficial for all skin types as they help improve the look of wrinkles, fine lines, acne, and skin texture and tone. However, they may not be suitable for those with sensitive skin.

If you have dry skin, you may want to avoid physical exfoliants as they can strip away natural oils and disrupt the skin’s moisture balance.

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you may want to try a physical exfoliant as it can help to unclog pores and remove excess oil. Just be sure to use them sparingly to avoid irritating the skin.

NOTE: If you’re unsure which type of exfoliant is right for you, it’s always best to consult a dermatologist or skincare professional.

Final Thoughts on Tatca Rice Polish Dupes

While Tatcha’s Rice Polish is a cult favorite for a reason, it’s not the only option out there. If you’re looking to save some money, these Tatcha Rice Polish dupes are definitely worth checking out.

When you think about it, it doesn’t make sense to splurge on a product you rinse off your face. You might as well save your money for skincare products that stay on your face, like serums and moisturizers.

Thanks for reading!