Introduction
Dr.Ceuracle may not command the shelf space of the biggest global giants yet seasoned K-beauty followers know it as a quiet achiever that lets science do the talking. The brand has a habit of taking familiar ingredients and giving them a clinical-grade twist which is why its latest launch instantly piqued my curiosity.
Enter the delightfully specific Ganghwa Rice Granule Pack. The name alone sounds like something you would order off a Korean café menu but in reality it is a wash-off mask promising brighter smoother skin courtesy of 30 percent rice extract that has been fermented and then patiently ripened for a grand total of 100 hours. Dr.Ceuracle says the triple-grain blend of rice hull powder, Job’s Tears seed powder and rice extract lifts away dead cells while ceramide NP locks in hydration so your complexion emerges clear calm and softly polished.
Armed with these claims and a healthy dose of skepticism I put the mask through its paces twice weekly over the course of two full weeks to see if it could live up to the gentle radiance it advertises and whether it deserves a slice of your skincare budget.
What is Ganghwa Rice Granule Pack?
Ganghwa Rice Granule Pack is a wash-off mask, which means it is applied after cleansing, left to sit for a short window then fully rinsed away. Masks in this category aim to deliver a concentrated hit of ingredients while offering the instant satisfaction of a clean rinse, making them a middle ground between daily cleansers and leave-on treatments.
This particular formula relies on 30 percent rice extract that has been fermented and ripened for 100 hours. Fermentation breaks down the grain so its vitamins C, A, E and B are more readily available to the skin. Alongside the extract, finely milled rice hull powder and Job’s Tears seed powder provide the gentle physical lift that removes surface debris and helps clear clogged pores. Once those grains do their exfoliating work ceramide NP steps in to reinforce the skin’s moisture barrier so the freshly revealed surface is less likely to feel stripped.
In short, Ganghwa Rice Granule Pack blends mild manual exfoliation with barrier support in a format designed for occasional rather than daily use.
Did it work?
In the name of science I put my other wash off mask in time out for three days before starting this one so I could give the Ganghwa grains a clear playing field. Fourteen days felt like a reasonable window to judge real life results yet short enough that any irritation would show up quickly.
I used the mask exactly as instructed every third night after a gentle gel cleanse. The first application surprised me with how cushy the cream felt while still packing enough tiny grains to remind me it was, in fact, exfoliating. After the recommended 15 minutes I rinsed with warm water and was pleased to find no tightness just that pleasant freshly buffed smoothness. My cheeks looked a touch brighter but nothing that a good hydrating serum could not mimic.
By the fourth day and second session my skin had settled into a predictable pattern: mild rosy glow right after rinsing, satin softness that lasted through the next morning and zero stinging or redness. I did notice stray flaky patches on the sides of my nose vanish faster than usual which I credit to the rice hull powder doing gentle manual cleanup.
Week two, however, plateaued. The mask continued to deliver the same immediate polish yet the promised clarity and sebum balance never went beyond subtle. My chin still sprouted its single defiant clog and my freckles looked exactly as freckly. Hydration held steady but did not build the long term dewiness I get from enzyme based formulas. In other words the mask behaved consistently but never leveled up.
So did it work? Yes in that it lightly smoothed and left my skin calm and comfortable each time. No in that it stopped short of transformative brightness or pore refinement. I enjoyed the gentle ritual but I will not be granting it a permanent shelf spot. Still if someone asked for a beginner friendly physical exfoliant that plays nicely with sensitive skin I would recommend they at least borrow a scoop and give it a whirl.
Ganghwa Rice Granule Pack’s main ingredients explained
The star of the show is the 30% Ganghwa rice extract that has been fermented then ripened for a combined 100 hours. Fermentation breaks the grain into smaller molecules so its naturally occurring vitamins C, A, E and B become more bio-available, translating to a mild brightening nudge and antioxidant support without the sting that pure acids can bring. To complement the extract the formula folds in finely milled rice hull powder plus Job’s Tears seed powder which provide a soft physical polish. Think of them as micro-sized grains that whisk away dead cells before they have a chance to dull the surface.
Supporting hydration is a trio of dependable humectants. Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate and betaine all bind water to the epidermis so the post-rinse feel stays plush rather than squeaky. Ceramide NP then steps up to reinforce the skin barrier. This lab-made lipid mimics what our own skin naturally produces, sealing in moisture and helping to calm any micro-irritation triggered by the scrubbing action.
The formula also leans on plant-based soothing extras like oat kernel extract and potato pulp extract, both known for their anti-inflammatory trace compounds. Hydrogenated lecithin acts as a delivery helper, allowing the water-loving and oil-loving ingredients to mingle evenly so each scoop feels the same. A small dusting of bamboo stem powder lends slip while boron nitride leaves that silky after-touch often associated with professional spa masks.
Those monitoring potential pore cloggers should note that ethylhexyl palmitate, caprylic/capric triglyceride and hydrogenated polyisobutene carry moderate comedogenic ratings. In plain terms they can sit inside pores and contribute to congestion in skin that is already prone to blackheads or closed comedones. The concentrations here are not sky-high yet blemish-prone users may want to patch test first.
On the lifestyle front, the INCI list is free of animal-derived components so the mask appears suitable for vegans and vegetarians. As for pregnancy safety the blend contains no retinoids or salicylic acid but it does include synthetic fragrance and a handful of gentle preservatives. Out of an abundance of caution expecting or nursing users should still run it by their healthcare provider before slathering it on.
One final note: the mask relies purely on physical exfoliation rather than enzymes or chemical acids which makes it a lower-risk option for sensitive skin yet means results will always be subtle and cumulative rather than dramatic overnight.
What I liked/didn’t like
After two weeks of twice-weekly use these are the points that stood out most clearly.
What works well:
- Creamy texture cushions the rice and Job’s Tears grains so exfoliation feels gentle rather than scratchy
- Post-rinse skin stays soft and comfortably hydrated thanks to the glycerin, sodium hyaluronate and ceramide NP trio
- Formula is vegan friendly and mild enough for beginners or sensitive types seeking a low-risk physical polish
What to consider:
- Brightness and pore clarity improvements stay on the subtle side so results may underwhelm experienced exfoliant users
- Physical grains can still be too much for very reactive or compromised skin that cannot tolerate any manual friction
- Includes fragrance and a few moderately comedogenic emollients which may not suit those prone to congestion or scent sensitivities
My final thoughts
After eight sessions I can comfortably slot Ganghwa Rice Granule Pack into the “pleasant but not game-changing” category. It earns its 7/10 for cushioning texture, zero irritation and that immediate post-rinse smoothness which makes finding a reliable wash-off mask feel less like Russian roulette. Against a backdrop of countless scrubs and clay blends I have tried, it held its own yet never quite pushed my skin into the brighter, clearer territory the marketing hints at. I would hand it to a friend with combination or mildly sensitive skin who wants a soft physical polish once or twice a week. I would steer my oily, congestion-prone pals toward something a little more assertive and anyone chasing dramatic radiance toward enzyme or acid options.
If you like the ritual of scooping, smoothing and rinsing but crave a touch more oomph, there are other formulas I have used that tick different boxes. Pink Clay Glow Mask by Deascal is an excellent all-rounder that manages to exfoliate, clear pores and revive dullness in a single ten-minute window while keeping the price friendly for most budgets. For deeper pore cleansing Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque by Kiehl’s consistently cuts through excess oil without leaving my cheeks parched. Those after a botanical resurfacing boost could look at Resurfacing Mask by Tata Harper which leans on gentle AHAs for next-day luminosity. Lastly Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask by Innisfree gives a satisfying vacuum-cleaned feel when my T-zone is acting up yet still rinses away without drama.
Before you slather anything new on, think about your current routine, how often you already exfoliate and whether your skin even likes physical grains. Patch test on the jawline for a night or two (sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent) and remember results only stick around with consistent use. Masks are a supporting act, not a permanent fix.