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
Helps to get glowing skin
Rice water is rich in vitamins and antioxidants which help in skin brightening. 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. Rice water is also used as a gentle exfoliator to help shed dead skin cells and brighten the complexion (1).
Helps fight signs of ageing
Rice water helps to reduce the signs of ageing by providing antioxidant benefits. It neutralises free radicals, which can damage skin cells and contribute to premature ageing. Rice water also helps to reduce elastase, a compound that causes premature aging on the skin (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 (3).
Helps to reduce oily skin
Is rice water good for oily skin? The answer is yes. 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 (4).
Helps to strengthen skin barrier
Applying rice water on your face can help strengthen your skin barrier. Starch present in rice helps to naturally strengthen skin barriers and protect against environmental factors like pollution.
Helps to improve skin elasticity
Rice water helps to improve skin elasticity that helps in deep hydration. Rice water also provides adequate vitamin content to the skin cells, thus making them immune to seasonal changes.
Helps to brighten skin complexion
Fermented rice water is rich in an element called ascorbic acid, which benefits skin health by fading dark spots and blemishes and gives you a supple and even skin tone.
Helps to protect skin from environmental damage
Rice water helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and thus reverse the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays.
Helps to reduce acne and pimple
Rice water is an excellent solution for reducing acne and pimples naturally. Rice water is rich in starch that helps to cleanse the skin pores of sebum and pollutants, thus reducing acne and pimples.
Helps to reduce inflammation
Starch content in rice water helps to calm down skin inflammations such as dermatitis, itching, and sunburns.
How to prepare rice water for face?
• 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. Is rice water good for the face daily?
Yes, using rice water daily is good for the skin.
2. Does rice water remove tan?
Yes, rice water can help you remove tan
3. How do Koreans use rice water for skin?
Koreans use rice water for skin whitening as a toner, mask or in bath.
4. Does rice water give glass skin?
Yes, regular use of rice water gives you glass skin.