With the growing demand for environmental sustainability, the cosmetics industry is increasingly turning to natural ingredients with high bioactivity and efficacy. Rice, a staple food in many cultures, particularly in Asia, is renowned for its nutritional and medicinal benefits, as well as its skincare properties. Numerous studies have emphasized the multifunctional benefits of rice in skincare, ranging from its ability to enhance hydration to its effectiveness in addressing signs of aging, positioning it as a promising ingredient in cosmetic formulations. Recently, fermentation has emerged as an innovative technique that significantly enhances the bioactive potential of rice. This process amplifies the production of beneficial compounds, such as organic acids, amino acids, polyphenols, polysaccharides, vitamins, and minerals. Previous studies have shown that rice fermentation products (RFPs) exhibit a range of skincare benefits, including moisturization, antioxidation, anti-inflammation, whitening, and anti-aging effects. This review provides an overview of the fermentation process and advantages of RFPs, followed by a detailed analysis of their key bioactive components and the diverse skincare benefits they offer. Moreover, we discuss the challenges related to the standardization, component analysis, and efficacy evaluation of these products, and we conclude with potential future research directions to fully explore the skincare potential of RFPs.

Objectives: Sialic acid (SA), a naturally occurring compound abundantly found in birds’ nests, holds immense promise for skincare applications owing to its remarkable biological properties. However, its low bioavailability, poor stability, and limited skin permeability have constrained its widespread application. Methods: To overcome these challenges, SA was encapsulated within nanoliposomes (NLPs) by the high-pressure homogenization technique to develop an advanced and efficient transdermal drug delivery system. The skincare capabilities of this novel system were comprehensively evaluated across multiple experimental platforms, including in vitro cell assays, 3D skin models, in vivo zebrafish studies, and clinical human trials. Results: The SA-loaded NLPs (SA-NLPs) substantially improved the transdermal penetration and retention of SA, facilitating enhanced cellular uptake and cell proliferation. Compared to free SA, SA-NLPs demonstrated a 246.98% increase in skin retention and 1.8-fold greater cellular uptake in HDF cells. Moreover, SA-NLPs protected cells from oxidative stress-induced damage, stimulated collagen synthesis, and effectively suppressed the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases, tyrosinase activity, and melanin production. Additionally, zebrafish-based assays provided in vivo evidence of the skincare efficacy of SA-NLPs. Notably, clinical evaluations demonstrated that a 56-day application of the SA-NLPs-containing cream resulted in a 4.20% increase in L*, 7.87% decrease in b*, 8.45% decrease in TEWL, and 4.01% reduction in wrinkle length, indicating its superior brightening, barrier-repair, and anti-aging effects. Conclusions: This multi-level, systematic investigation strongly suggests that SA-NLPs represent a highly promising transdermal delivery strategy, capable of significantly enhancing the anti-aging, barrier-repair, and skin-brightening properties of SA, thus opening new avenues for its application in the fields of dermatology and cosmeceuticals.

Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are major contributors to skin aging, promoting collagen degradation and impairing dermal structure. These factors stimulate the expression of matrix metalloproteinases, accelerating collagen breakdown and leading to wrinkles, sagging, and loss of elasticity. Given the key role of collagen in maintaining skin firmness and integrity, strategies that enhance collagen synthesis are essential for anti-aging interventions. This study investigated the combined effects of Yeast/Rice Fermentation Filtrate (RFF) and sialic acid (SA) on collagen production, antioxidation, and anti-inflammation, as well as their underlying mechanisms. The combination of RFF and SA significantly increased collagen genes transcription and mRNA stability, thereby enhancing collagen accumulation in the extracellular matrix. RNA-seq analysis revealed that RFF and SA modulate genes involved in the IL-17 signaling pathway. Mechanistically, RFF enhanced collagen mRNA stability by regulating HuR, while SA promoted collagen gene transcription via the TGF-β/Smad pathway. Moreover, the combination reduced the expression of inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, PGE2, and NO) and improved cellular resistance to oxidative and inflammatory stress. These findings support the application of RFF and SA in anti-aging cosmetics and propose a novel strategy to enhance collagen production by simultaneously upregulating gene expression and stabilizing collagen mRNA.

Background: Facial masks are commonly used in skincare for targeted and intensive treatment. However, masks that provide only moisturizing benefits have limited functionality and may not adequately meet comprehensive anti‐aging needs.Objectives: To design and evaluate the efficacy of a multi‐component facial mask for moisturizing, repairing, and anti‐aging effects.Methods: The clinical efficacy of the facial mask was evaluated in a 28‐day study, with skin parameters measured immediately after application, and at 14 and 28 days. Skin hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured using a Corneometer and a Vapometer, respectively. Skin elasticity and firmness were assessed using a Cutometer. Facial photographs were captured using the VISIA CR system, and wrinkles and roughness were analyzed with Antera 3D.Results: Immediate and 28‐day assessments revealed significant improvements in skin hydration and reduced TEWL (p < 0.001). After 28‐day use, skin elasticity and firmness increased by 17.31% and 16.18%, respectively. VISIA CR analysis demonstrated enhanced skin gloss and decreased redness. Antera 3D measurements indicated significant reductions in the length and width of under‐eye wrinkles and crow's feet, along with improved skin texture (p < 0.001). Participant self‐assessments reported high satisfaction with the mask's safety and efficacy, both in the short term and long term.Conclusion: The multi‐component facial mask demonstrated significant efficacy in enhancing skin hydration, improving barrier repair, and providing anti‐aging benefits.

Background: Investigating the skin penetration behavior of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics is crucial. Due to the Raman‐active properties of many active ingredients, Confocal Raman microspectroscopy (CRM) emerges as a promising, non‐invasive technique for penetration studies.Aim: To evaluate the in vivo penetration behavior of yeast rice ferment filtrate (RFF) into the skin using CRM.Methods: Raman spectra of RFF were acquired at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h post‐application using CRM. The penetration of RFF at various skin depths (10–40 µm) and different time points was analyzed. Multivariate analysis was applied to generate Raman spectral maps that can show RFF depth penetration and spatial distribution across different skin layers.Results: RFF surpassed the stratum corneum barrier within 30 min and penetrated into the dermis layer after 4 h of application, indicating rapid permeation kinetics. Quantitative analysis, based on Raman spectra, showed increasing RFF penetration over time, reaching 1.02%, 3.17%, 5.29%, and 8.75% after 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h, respectively. The heat map visualized depth penetration and spatial distribution, indicating a significant increase in penetration with extended application durations.Conclusion: CRM proves to be a powerful tool for studying the in vivo penetration of RFF into the skin, offering valuable insights into the complex dynamics underlying its permeation behavior.

Ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation induces oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in dermal fibroblasts, contributing to photodamage and skin aging. This study investigated the protective effects of Yeast/rice fermentation filtrate (RFF) and sialic acid (SA), both individually and in combination, against UVA-induced damage in human dermal fibroblasts. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, intracellular ATP and NAD⁺ contents, and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) were evaluated following treatment. RFF, SA, and their combination significantly improved cell viability in UVA-damaged fibroblasts and reduced ROS generation. Notably, the combined treatment increased intracellular ATP levels by 201.2% (p < 0.05), with enhancements of 62.3% and 285.4% compared to RFF and SA alone, respectively. Additionally, the combined treatment significantly restored NAD⁺ levels and effectively preserved mitochondrial membrane potential. Transcriptomic analysis revealed modulation of pathways related to cellular energy metabolism, particularly AMPK, and upregulation of SIRT1, SIRT3, and SIRT5 expression. The RFF–SA combination confers robust UVA photoprotection by enhancing mitochondrial resilience, providing a foundation for the development of protective cosmetic formulations.