Is rice water good for skin?
Should you use rice water on your skin? what’s the benefits of using rice water for skin ?Everybody is talking about rice water these days. So many influencers on TikTok and YouTube are creating content and using rice water as a substitute for face wash, toner, and the mist. Also Korean skincare brands are using rice water in their products, so it must have benefits for skin, right?
If you’re interested in knowing if rice water is effective for hair growth, then please read The Truth About Rice Water for Hair Growth – Benefits, Myths, and Tips which I’ve previously shared at Spheremedium.
Rice water has been there in the Asian skincare routine for centuries. Rice water extracts have been used by dermatologists for ages to treat their patients with dry skin. In fact, people with very dry skin were recommended to take rice water baths.
Benefits of using rice water on skin
Soothes irritated skin
Amino acids as well as carbohydrates in rice water act as humectants, helping to hold water into the skin and soothe irritated skin.
Repairs skin barrier system
Rice water has compounds that help in the recovery of skin barrier: the vitamins, the minerals, the amino acids, and the carbohydrates. All of these things nourish the skin barrier and provide key factors that are required by skin to build the building blocks for the skin barrier.
So if you suffer from irritation or sensitivity, then trying this DIY would definitely do you good.
Anti aging
Rice water contains ferulic acid, which is a potent antioxidant preventing the breakdown of collagen and has a brightening effect on skin.
Prevents from sun damage
Amino acids, humectants, antioxidants—these can help undo some of the damage from ultraviolet radiation and pollution.
Improves dark spots and even out skin tone
Rice water also yields a skin-brightening effect, meaning it can improve the appearance of dark spots and evens skin tone because it has a compound called kojic acid, which is present in fermented rice water.
Kojic acid is present in a ton of skincare products that are used for skin brightening and improving hyperpigmentation.
How to make rice water for skin
Take half a cup of any white rice and wash them at least two times or more because there may be pesticides or impurities in the rice that you want to get rid of.
Soak in 1.5 cups of water for 1 hour. After an hour, collect the water in a clean glass jar. Now you can use it as it is or let it ferment.
How to prepare fermented rice water for skin
leave the above prepared rice water at room temperature for 2 days and that’s it!
Make sure to store it afterwards in the fridge and be prepared for the stinky smell, which is a hallmark of fermentation.
Fermentation lowers the pH of rice water, making it acidic in nature, which is helpful for skin and skin barrier. Also, antioxidants are released in the fermentation process, so it’s an enriched water with even more nourishing factors for the skin barrier.
How to use rice water for skin in a daily skincare routine
Rice water can be added to a skincare routine in 3 ways.
Wash face with rice water: It can be used instead of regular tap water for washing face.
If you’re somebody who is going through a lot of irritation and peeling, then consider trying this.
Use rice water as a moisturizing toner: Soak a cotton ball in the rice water, and after washing face, use it as a toner, and then put moisturizer over top.
Use it as a DIY rice water sheet mask: If you’re someone who enjoys doing a sheet mask, then get rice paper masks from Amazon to do a DIY sheet mask.
Soak those in the rice water and put it on and do a mask for five to ten minutes.
Other than the smell due to fermentation, rice water is not dangerous; it’s not harmful; it’s unlikely to cause issues for people; it’s easy to make, and it’s easy to incorporate into your skincare routine. You must remember individual skin types vary, and while some people will benefit from rice water, some people may develop skin irritation, so always do a patch test.
Have you tried rice water for skin? Let me know in the comments below, and if you guys have tried making your own rice water for skincare, how did it go?
FAQs
What kind of rice should be used for making rice water for skin?
Any type of white rice can be used for this purpose.
Can I make rice water for skin and hair at the same time?
Of course, since both are made the same way.
How to store homemade rice water?
Keep it at a cool temperature in an airtight glass container; use it within 2 to 3 days.
Can rice water fade dark spots?
Yes, it can fade light and dark spots, but it will take some time, so be patient and consistent with it
I am a dentist, baker, and fitness and health enthusiast with a passion for living life to the fullest. I am foodie and explorer, always seeking new adventures and flavors. Currently working on my own skincare brand.
