Rice Water for Skin: Benefits, Uses, Side Effects & More
Is Rice Water Good for Skin & Face?
Rice water, or the water that remains after cooking rice, has long been thought to promote stronger, more beautiful hair. It was used for the first time over 1,000 years ago in Japan.
Rice water is also becoming popular as a skin treatment. It is said to soothe and tone your skin, as well as improve various skin conditions. Even more enticing, rice water is something you can easily and inexpensively make at home. In short, Yes, rice water is good for the skin & face.
Rice water contains substances that have been shown to protect and repair your skin. Let's take a closer look at the skin benefits of rice water.
Rice Water Benefits for Skin
1. Anti-Ageing Benefits
A study looked at how a gel formulation containing rice water affected human skin. The formulation was used by 12 volunteers for 28 days in the study. Rice water was discovered to be high in antioxidants that could inhibit elastase activity (an enzyme that damages elastin). As a result, it may help to maintain skin elasticity and slow the signs of ageing.
2. Skin Brightening Effect
This benefit of rice water has not been scientifically proven. However, people in Korea and Japan use rice water to minimise blemishes and brighten their skin. It is speculated that rice water contains enzymes that brighten the skin. As a result, it is commonly used as an active ingredient in soaps and creams.
3. Protects The Skin Barrier
When your skin's natural barrier is compromised, it becomes dry and susceptible to skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis. According to one study, rice starch can help improve and repair the skin's natural barrier. This is especially beneficial for those suffering from atopic dermatitis. This function of rice water may also be useful in the treatment of eczema, rashes, and inflammation.
4. Soothes Sunburn
Rice water feels soothing on sunburned skin. Many people find it extremely helpful in treating mild sunburn symptoms such as redness, inflammation, and itching.
When applied to the skin, starchy rice water tightens and tones the skin. This may be especially beneficial for those who have oily skin.
5. Dry Skin
Rice water is known to help with skin irritation caused by sodium laurel sulfate (SLS), an ingredient found in many personal care products. According to anecdotal evidence, using rice water twice a day helps skin that has been dried and damaged by SLS.
Other Uses for Rice Water
Rice water can be applied to the skin or hair directly. You can customise it by adding fragrance or other natural ingredients. If you boil or ferment it, you should first dilute it with plain water.
1. Hair Rinse
Try adding a little essential oil to give your homemade rice water a pleasant aroma. Apply the rice water from the roots to the ends of your hair and leave it on for at least 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
2. Shampoo
To make shampoo, combine fermented rice water with liquid castile soap and your choice of aloe, chamomile tea, or essential oil.
3. Facial Cleanser and Toner
As a toner, dab a small amount of rice water on a cotton ball and gently smooth it over your face and neck. Massage it into your skin to clean it. If desired, rinse. A thick sheet of tissue paper can also be used to make a face mask.
4. Bath Soak
Grate up a little natural bar soap and add it, along with some vitamin E, to the rice water for a soothing bath soak.
5. Body Scrub
To make a natural exfoliant, combine sea salt, essential oil, and citrus. Apply and rinse.
6. Sunscreen
Purchasing sunscreens containing rice water extracts may provide better sun protection. Sunscreens containing rice bran extracts as well as other plant extracts provided better UVA/UVB protection.
How to Prepare Rice Water for Skin?
There are several different ways to prepare rice water. They all require thorough rinsing of the rice before working with it. Most say that the type of rice you use doesn’t matter.
1. Boiling Rice Water
Rinse and drain the rice thoroughly. Use four times as much water as rice. Bring the rice and water to a boil together. Take it off the heat. Press the rice with a spoon to release the beneficial chemicals, then strain the rice with a sieve and store the water in an airtight container for up to a week. Before using, dilute with plain water.
2. Soaking Rice Water
Rice water can also be made by soaking rice in water. Follow the same steps as before, but instead of boiling the rice and water, soak it for at least 30 minutes before pressing and straining it through the sieve. Finally, chill the rice water.
3. Fermented Rice Water
To make fermented rice water, follow the same steps as for soaking rice. After pressing and straining out the rice, leave the water at room temperature for one or two days instead of refrigerating it. Place the container in the refrigerator when it begins to smell sour. Before using, dilute with plain water.
Side Effects of Rice Water on Face
- Excessive use of rice water can cause dry, flaky, and itchy skin
- It can even cause some adverse effects like red rashes and streaks on the skin
- If there is an open wound on the skin, the application of rice water can incur an infection
- It triggers skin irritation for people with allergies to rice
Summing Up on Rice Water for Skin
Right now, rice water is very popular. While not all claims about how it can help your skin and hair are proven, there is evidence that it can help with certain skin problems, such as sun damage and natural ageing. It also helps to repair damaged hair.
While drinking a lot of rice water is not recommended due to its possible arsenic content, applying it to your skin and hair may have positive effects. Before beginning any skin regimen, consult with a dermatologist.
FAQs
How Long Do You Leave Rice Water on Your Face?
You can leave it on all day if you're using it as a facial toner, depending on the DIY you're trying. If you mix it into a DIY mask with other ingredients, you can leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing it off.
Can Rice Water Remove Pimples?
Yes, rice water can remove pimples. Its astringent effects help to reduce oiliness and protect the skin from pimples and acne.
Can You Leave Rice Water on Face Overnight?
Yes, you can leave rice water on your face overnight and wash it off the next morning. You can also add some aloe vera to the overnight treatment for extra moisturisation.
Can I Use Rice Water on My Face Everyday?
Yes, it is completely safe to use rice water on your face as a toner twice a day or once a day if you’re using it as a facial mask. Before you begin using the rice water, perform a small patch test, and if the batch smells sour, discard it and start over.
References
Ivana Binic, June 2012; Skin Ageing: Natural Weapons and Strategies - https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2013/827248/
L. C. Cefali, February 2016; Plant-based active photoprotectants for sunscreens - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ics.12316
Joana Marto, Rice Water: A Traditional Ingredient with Anti-Aging Efficacy - https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/5/2/26