Is Rice Water Good For Skin? Benefits of Rice Water For Skin

You might be aware of the benefits of rice water for the skin. Rice water has been in use for 1000 years and was first used in Japan.

Rice water is now gaining back popularity because of its benefits for skin and hair. The best thing about rice water is that it can be made easily and inexpensively at home.

Rice water is said to tone and soothe skin and treat different skin conditions. Rice water contains many substances that repair and protect the skin. 

Let’s learn about teh benefits of rice water for the skin in detail.

Benefits of Rice Water For Skin

• Rice water for skin lightening

Many people believe that rice water is good for skin lightening or reducing pigmentation. Many commercial skincare products like soaps, creams, and toners contain rice water.

 If you have dark patches or pigmentation on your face, include rice water in your skincare regimen.

• Rice water for the face

In a study, it was found that rice wine treats sun damage caused to the skin. Rice wine boosts collagen production in the skin, which helps prevent wrinkles and keeps the skin supple. Rice wine also acts as a natural sunscreen. (source)

Rice water also has anti-aging benefits for the skin when fermented because of the antioxidants content. 

• Dry skin

Rice water is good to treat skin irritation caused by SLS (sodium laurel sulfate), an ingredient found in personal care products. Evidence has shown that when rice water is used on your skin twice a day hydrates dry and damaged skin by SLS.

• Damaged hair

Bleached hair can be helped by rice water because of a chemical, inositol. Rice water repairs damaged hair from inside, including split ends.

• Digestive upsets

Some people believe drinking rice water can help with a stomach bug or food poisoning. Rice water also benefits in treating diarrhea because it contains arsenic. 

Drinking rice water with arsenic concentration can cause cancers, hypertension, vascular disease, type-2 diabetes, and heart disease.

• Eczema, acne, rashes, and inflammation

People claim that rice water has many benefits to soothe skin, clear blemishes caused due to eczema, and also help to heal. 

• Eye problems

It is believed that rice water benefits in fixing eye problems like macular degeneration, which mostly affects older people and can result in blindness.

How to use rice water on the face 

There are many ways to prepare rice water, and every method requires thorough rinsing of rice before you start the process. Let us learn different ways of making rice water and how to use it on the skin.

• Boiling rice water

Rinse rice water properly and drain all the water. Use four times more water than rice. Stir water and rice together and bring them to a boil. Remove the pan from heat. Take a big spoon and gently press the rice to release all good chemicals. Strain the rice with a sieve and collect water in an airtight container. Keep this in the refrigerator for a week. Dilute it with plain water before using it on the face.

• Soaking rice water

Rice water can also be made by simply soaking. All the steps are the same as above, but instead of boiling, soak the rice for about 30 minutes in water and then press gentry before straining. Keep this water in the refrigerator for a week. 

• Fermented rice water

Fermented rice water uses the same soaking process. In this method, you do not store the water in the refrigerator; instead, leave the container at room temperature for 1-2 days. Put the container in the refrigerator when you start noticing the sour smell. Dilute this with plain water before using it on the face.

Uses for rice water

Rice can be used directly on skin and hair. You can add fragrance or other natural ingredients to customize water. But before you use rice water, always dilute it with plain water.

• Hair rinse

You can use essential oil in rice water to add a pleasant aroma. Apply this rice water to the roots of hair directly till the needs and let it sit for 10 minutes. Rinse with plain water.

• Shampoo

It is very easy to make rice water shampoo. In small quantities, you need to add liquid castile soap to fermented rice water and essential oil or aloe vera or chamomile tea.

• Facial cleanser and toner

Dab cotton ball in rice water and rub it gently over your face and neck as a toner. Massage it into the skin to clean the pores. If you wish, you can rinse it with plain water. You can also make a thick sheet mask to hydrate the skin using tissue paper and rice water.

• Bath soak

Grate any natural bar soap and mix it in rice water, also add vitamin E to reap its benefit for the skin.

• Body scrub

Add sea salt and essential oils, and citrus to make a good natural exfoliant for the skin. Rub it gently all over and rinse with plain water.

• Sunscreen

You should invest in sunscreen containing rice water to get better protection from the sun’s rays. Sunscreen containing rice bran extracts and other plant extracts have improved UVA/UVB protection.

Takeaway

Rice water is a popular natural ingredient for skincare. There are many health benefits of rice water for the skin and face. Rice water can help treat hair and skin problems like aging, dark spots, sun damage, and damaged hair.

You should not drink rice water; instead, apply it on hair and skin to reap its benefits. It is recommended to ask your skin specialist before adding it to your skincare regime.