As someone with extremely sensitive, reactive skin, I spent most of my teens and early twenties steering clear of exfoliating cleansers. I was terrified they'd cause a flare-up or wreck my already fragile skin barrier.

That all changed when I landed a gig as a beauty writer. One day, the cult-favourite Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant landed on my desk, and honestly, I haven't looked back since.

This powder cleanser has been a holy grail in my routine for the past nine years, and I'm not the only one obsessed with it. One quick Google search, and you'll see thousands of five-star reviews singing its praises.

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But recently, I was doom-scrolling TikTok when I stumbled across a beauty creator using a cleanser that looked suspiciously like my beloved Dermalogica — only it was an entirely different product. And $86 cheaper!

Naturally, I jumped online and ordered it IMMEDIATELY. Here's what happened next.

Firstly, what is the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant?

Chances are you've heard, seen or used something from the Dermalogica range. The professional-grade skincare brand is known for effective, dermal-therapist-developed products, and its Daily Microfoliant is one of its most iconic.

It's a rice-based enzyme powder that activates with water, releasing papain, salicylic acid and rice enzymes to gently exfoliate, unclog pores and brighten the skin. The result? Smoother, clearer skin without the stripping or irritation.

It's also one of the few exfoliating cleansers gentle enough for daily use — even for sensitive skin types like mine. 

Image: Supplied.

Just to put its popularity into perspective, it's rated 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 1,700 reviews on Dermalogica's site. Over on Mecca, it holds 4.8 stars from more than 1,300 reviewers. Basically, it's the real deal.

That said, it's far from budget-friendly. A full-size 74g bottle will set you back a cool $112, while the smaller 13g size costs $32. For anyone juggling everyday expenses, it's definitely a splurge.

But… what if I told you there's a dupe that's just as good (if not better) for a fraction of the price?

Meet the Anua Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder.

Image: Supplied.

What is the Anua Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder?

For those not on #BeautyTok, Anua is making huge waves (it even makes multiple mentions in my beauty roundups). 

The Korean skincare brand is known for its natural, safe and gentle products, focusing on formulations with natural ingredients and formulations designed to minimise irritation. 

The brand's Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder is formulated with rice extract, alpha-arbutin and papain enzymes, which help remove dead skin cells and even out skin tone without irritation. The fragrance-free formula also contains ceramides and glycerin to maintain hydration and support the skin barrier, making it ideal for sensitive skin. It's the same kind of exfoliating action you'll find in Dermalogica's version. 

And just like Dermalogica's, this powder turns into a soft foam when mixed with water— and it can be used daily. 

Here's a side-by-side picture of the Anua and Dermalogica cleansers.

Anua (left) and Dermalogica (right). Image: Supplied.

How to use the Anua Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder.

This versatile cleanser can be used in two ways, depending on your skin's needs. 

As a daily cleanser, simply pour about half a tablespoon of powder into wet hands, rub together to create a soft foam, then gently massage it onto damp skin. Rinse with lukewarm water, and you're good to go.

For a deeper exfoliation, it also doubles as a wash-off mask. Mix one tablespoon of the powder with around one to one-and-a-half tablespoons of water or toner (like Anua's Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner, which is seriously good) to form a smooth paste. Apply it evenly to clean, dry skin (avoiding the eye and lip area), massage gently for a few minutes, and leave it on for five to ten minutes before rinsing.

Where can I buy the Anua Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder?

There's no shortage of Korean beauty retailers in Australia. Hop onto Amazon, Adore Beauty, Myer, YesStyle or Nudie Glow to get your hands on this item. 

However, if you've read any of my Korean beauty reviews, you'll know my go-to online shop is Lila Beauty since their shipping within Australia is super fast and often have massive sales. 

A 40g bottle of Anua's Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder normally retails for $30, but Lila Beauty stocks it for $25.95 (and they regularly have promotions on top of this discounted price). 

Anua Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder review. 

From the second I opened the cleanser, I was amazed. The powder looked almost identical to Dermalogica's. I added a splash of water, rubbed my palms together, and like magic, it turned into a creamy, fluffy foam. I gently massaged it into my skin, especially around my nose where my pores are most visible, and rinsed it off.

And WOW. 

My skin felt silky-soft. I'm talking ridiculously soft. It felt as though there was a layer of melted butter over my skin, but there wasn't actually any product left on my skin. TBH, I'm struggling to even describe it properly. 

It's been two weeks since I started using the Anua powder, and to be completely honest, I haven't touched my once ride-or-die Dermalogica cleanser since. And for someone who rarely changes her core skincare products, that says a lot.

My pores look more refined, and some of the acne scarring on my lower cheeks has visibly faded. I've been using it nightly, and my skin just looks... better. 

Beyond the formula, one of the standout features is the packaging. Unlike Dermalogica's screw-top lid (which is a pain to manage mid-shower, especially with one hand full of powder), Anua has a secure flip-top lid. No spills. No fuss. No $112 heartbreak on your bathroom floor. (Yes, that's happened. And yes, I cried.)

On a final note, the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant costs around $1.50 per gram, while the Anua Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder works out to be around 65 cents per gram. 

When you're getting the same (if not better) results, with a formula that's gentle, effective, thoughtfully packaged and significantly more affordable, it just makes sense. And that, to me, is a worthy investment.

Have you tried the Anua Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder or the Dermalogical Daily Microfoliant? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Feature image: Supplied.