Beauty Benefits Of Using Rice Water
October 18, 2021Beauty Benefits Of Using Rice Water
Rice water is the residual water that is left behind when we boil or soak rice. People in China and Japan have been using rice water for hair growth and conditioning their hair ends for thousands of years.
Today, rice water is also being recognized for its benefits to the skin. Rice water not only tones and brightens your complexion, but it is also an effective anti-ageing remedy. Surprisingly, it is quite easy and inexpensive to make at home.
Rice Water Benefits For Your Skin
Provides Antioxidants
Research says that antioxidants such as vitamins, γ-oryzanol, tocopherols, tocotrienols, phenolic acids, carotenoids, polysaccharides, phytosterols, essential amino acids, and micronutrients in rice water increase cellular immunity and protect our skin against oxidative stress.Improves Skin Tone
Rice water is known to lighten dark spots on your face and brighten your skin tone. It is also gaining popularity for its ability to lighten tan and improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Research indicates that rice water has the ability to inhibit tyrosinase activity in our skin cells that is responsible for skin discoloration, thereby balancing melanin production in the skin.
Delays Ageing
Rice water is an effective natural anti-ageing ingredient as it stimulates collagen synthesis and reduces trans-epidermal water loss, wrinkling, and skin thinning. Rice water contains phytic acid which helps to protect your skin against free radical damage and ferulic acid that slows down the process of ageing.
A study conducted on 12 volunteers who used rice water gel on their skin for 28 days concluded that it worked similar to ascorbic acid or Vitamin C on aged skin.
Hydrates Dry Skin
The same study also indicated that there was a 10% increase in cellular hydration levels experienced by all the volunteers on the 28th day. According to another study, moisturizers containing rice extract are known to increase hydration by stopping evaporation of moisture from skin cells.
Reduces Sun Damage
According to a study, oral consumption or topical usage of rice extract suppresses the damage caused by ultraviolet radiation on our epidermal barrier.
Improves Barrier Function
Rice water has anti-inflammatory properties to soothe rashes, redness and skin irritation. It promotes wound healing and reduces itchiness. Research indicates that bathing with rice water twice a day can repair impaired barrier function, reduce trans-epidermal water loss in skin cells, and improve the healing capacity of damaged skin by 20% in patients with atopic dermatitis.
How To Make Rice Water For Skin Care?
There are 3 ways to make rice water. Any kind of rice can be used for this process. Start by thoroughly washing the rice to remove any impurities. Then follow any of these methods -
Cooked Rice Water
To cook your rice, add twice the amount of water than usual. Once the rice is cooked, sieve it and collect the excess water in a bowl (similar to draining cooked pasta). Let the water cool down to room temperature. Keep it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. Dilute it with plain water before using it on your face.
Soaked Rice Water
Prior to cooking rice, soak it in water for 30 minutes. Strain the rice with a sieve, and refrigerate the rice water. Use it as needed.
Fermented Rice Water
To make fermented rice water, soak the rice in water for 30 minutes just like in the second method. But this time, instead of refrigerating the rice water, leave it in a glass bottle at room temperature for a day. When the rice water starts fermenting, store it in the refrigerator. Dilute the fermented rice water with plain water before using it on your skin.
How To Use Rice Water For Face Care?
As A Skin Toner
Dip a cotton round in a blend of organic rose water and homemade rice water. Squeeze out the excess liquid and use the cotton round to tone your skin. Juicy Chemistry’s Bulgarian Rose Water is clinically proven to lighten dark spots and improve skin tone.
As A Face Pack
Rice water can be used instead of plain water to activate any face mask. Take some Kakadu Plum, Matcha and Blood Orange Face Mask in a bowl. Add enough rice water to it to get a paste-like consistency. Apply a thin layer on your face and neck in an upward direction. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel. Use this remedy once or twice a week to brighten your skin.
Juicy Chemistry Lime, Ginger And Rice Soap
Our Lime, Ginger and Rice Soap is specially formulated to promote evenly toned and healthier skin. It cleanses gently and leaves your skin nourished. Steam-distilled lemon hydrosol provides anti-ageing benefits and repairs sun damage, and rice water protects the skin against free radical damage, slows down the process of ageing and improves the texture of your skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which skin type can use rice water?
Rice water suits all skin types. However, we recommend doing a patch test before using it.
How often should we use handmade soap?
While less cleansing may lead to congestion, excess cleansing may cause dehydration. Hence, we recommend cleansing your face twice a day - in the morning and evening.
How long does rice water take to show results?
Our skin experiences months of wear and tear before it starts showing signs of concern. Hence, time taken by any natural remedy to show visible results depends on several conditions. When it comes to using natural remedies for skin care, consistency and patience are key.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5727428/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3569896/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ics.12316
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21449379/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12353708/
