Top 5 Benefits of Rice Water for Skin

We all want healthy and glowing skin. But you don’t have always to spend a lot of money on expensive hair care products. There are many natural ways you can improve your skin health. One such method is to incorporate rice water into your skincare routine. Although rice water is traditionally known to improve hair health, it is gaining popularity as a solution to your skincare problem.

It offers multiple health benefits to your skin. It helps to soothe and tone your skin, and even improve different skin conditions. In this blog we will understand the health benefits of rice water benefits to your skin.

What is Rice Water?
Rice water is the starchy water that remains after soaking or boiling rice. It's traditionally been used in various cultures for its potential beauty and health benefits. It's rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Rice water has been part of Korean skincare routine for 1000 years. Korean women first started using rice water in their skincare routine after they discover the water has soothing and cleansing properties. To use rice water, you typically soak rice in water for a period, then strain the water and use it accordingly. Some recipes call for fermenting rice water for enhanced benefits.

Benefits of Rice Water for Skin

1. Helps to soothe sensitive skin
Sensitive skin is a delicate feature of your skin and needs to be treated gently. Rice water contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that may contribute to its skin-soothing properties. You can use rice water as a facial cleanser or toner, applying it directly to the skin or incorporating it into homemade skincare masks.

2. Helps to protect against sun damage
The sun is one of the biggest factors that can cause skin damage. Rice water helps protect your skin against sun damage. Rice water acts as a natural sunscreen when mixed with other natural ingredients like raspberry seed oil.
Rice water does contain certain compounds such as ferulic acid and allantoin, which have been studied for their potential benefits in skincare, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (1).

3. Helps fight signs of ageing
Rice water contains antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals, which can damage skin cells and contribute to premature ageing. Rice water also contains amino acids and vitamins that help to stop the skin ageing enzyme elastase from reducing skin elasticity. Rice water also helps to reduce signs of wrinkles and fine lines on your skin (2).

4. Helps to reduce oily skin
Rice water is an excellent solution to reduce the oily appearance of your skin. Rice water helps to tighten your skin, reducing oiliness and protecting skin from breakouts and acne. Some studies suggest that using rice water as a toner or facial rinse may help regulate sebum production, leading to less oily skin over time.

5. Helps in brightening and even tone skin
Rice water is known for its skin-brightening properties, which can help improve overall skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone. The vitamins and minerals present in rice water, such as niacinamide and vitamin B6, help promote cell turnover, resulting in a brighter, more radiant complexion over time.

How to Use Rice Water?

• Boiling rice water
To prepare rice water, rinse rice, boil four times with water, press rice to release chemicals, strain, and refrigerate in an airtight container. Dilute before use.

• Soaking rice water
To make rice water, soak rice in water for 30 minutes, then press and strain. Refrigerate the water. Dilute before use. This method preserves more nutrients.

• Fermented rice water
To create fermented rice water, follow the initial soaking process. After straining the rice, transfer the water to a jar and leave it at room temperature for one to two days until it develops a slightly sour smell. Then refrigerate. Dilute before application.

Conclusion
Rice water is a part of the skin routine in Asian culture. Rice water is now being used in many skincare supplements to provide Korean glass skin. Rice water can be mixed with other ingredients like niacinamide, coconut oil and other ingredients to use as face cream, serums or gels.
You can also make DIY skincare products with rice water at your home using methods like soaking, boiling and fermenting. Make sure you understand how to apply rice water to your skin before you start using it

FAQs

1. What are the benefits of rice water for skin?
Rice water benefits skin by moisturizing, soothing inflammation, brightening complexion, combating aging signs with antioxidants, and regulating oil production for a healthier, balanced, and more radiant appearance.

2. Can rice water whiten skin?
Rice water may contribute to skin brightening due to its potential to even out complexion and reduce dark spots, resulting in a lighter appearance over time.

3. How Korean use rice water for skin?
Koreans use rice water as a toner, cleanser, or mask by soaking rice in water, then applying the strained liquid to the skin for its hydrating, brightening, and soothing properties.

4. How to prepare rice water?
To prepare rice water, rinse half a cup of rice with water, then soak it in 2 cups of water for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid and use it for skincare purposes.