The rice water It has been used in Asian beauty rituals for centuries; is the secret behind clear and luminous complexion. It’s smooth, packed with skin-healthy nutrients, and extremely easy to make at home. If you want to know what its benefits are, how to prepare it and use it, read on! Here we will tell you everything you need to know.
First of all, why is rice water so good for the skin?
The reason why the rice water is so good for the skin is that it is rich in many nutrients. For starters, about 16 percent of its composition consists of proteins that are the building blocks of skin cells.
It is also enriched with triglycerides, lipids and starch, all of which are responsible for improving skin health in various ways. Carbohydrates, inositol, phytic acid, and inorganic substances make up the rest of the composition, making rice water an ideal home ingredient for glowing skin.
Benefits of rice water for the skin
Just as it benefits your hair, rice water also has multiple benefits for your skin. Here are some ways it can be used for skin:
skin lightening
The skin-brightening enzymes present in this water make it a key ingredient in Japanese and Korean beauty rituals. It is known to fade dark spots, blemishes and brighten the complexion for a clear and smooth texture.
anti-aging
Rich in antioxidants, rice water has been shown to inhibit the action of elastase, a compound that damages elastin in the skin and leads to premature aging. That is why it can be used safely to delay and reduce the appearance of signs of aging on the skin.
Increases the health of the skin barrier
Some studies have found that rice starch may be beneficial in repairing and maintaining the skin’s natural barrier. This can be helpful in preparing your skin to fight against eternal aggressors and prevent problems like atopic dermatitis and protect against pollution damage.
Relieves sun damage
Devoid of harsh chemicals and when used raw, rice water can have a cooling effect on minor sun damage such as redness, sunburn, inflammation, and itchiness.
Mattifies oily skin
Starchy rice water can have a toning and pore-tightening effect when used on oily skin. Dabbing some of this water with cotton pads can help matte super oily skin.
How to make rice water for skin?
There are three main ways to prepare this water for the skin:
soak it
The easiest and fastest way to prepare rice water for skin is the soaking method. Run the uncooked rice grains under a tap until the water runs clear. Soak the cleaned rice in a bowl of water for about 30 minutes, while mixing and gently pressing with your fingers. Strain the water and store in a spray bottle with a tight lid; you can refrigerate it for up to a week, after which you should make a new batch.
ferment it
This fermented water is a more powerful form of treatment that has additional softening and conditioning benefits. First rinse the rice properly with water. Then put the rice in a glass container filled with water and let it soak for two days. This will activate the natural fermentation process of the rice. After two days, strain the rice and store it in a glass bottle in the refrigerator.
boil it
Cook the rice as you normally would for eating. Next, strain the starchy water and transfer it to a glass bottle with the lid open. Let cool completely before re-covering and refrigerating.
How to use it for the face?
Depending on how you have prepared the rice water, there are two options for using it on your face:
If you have boiled it
Boiled rice water stored in a spray bottle can be used directly on the skin. Whenever you decide to spray on a toner or mist, leave it on for 30 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. You can use a cotton ball or pad to apply it where it is needed.
If you have fermented it
As mentioned above, fermented rice water is more potent than soaked or boiled variations. When using fermented, dilute a couple of tablespoons with plain water and apply with a cotton ball or pad. Leave for half an hour and then wash as usual.
Apart from this, you can also use this water as a base for face masks. Aloe vera, honey, and ground oatmeal make a good base mix.
skin precautions
While rice water is comparatively safer to use than other DIY cooking ingredients, there are a few precautions you need to take. Most commercially available packaged rice is treated with pesticides and can have dirt and bacteria built up during the production and packaging process. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly clean your batch of rice before using its water for beauty purposes.
Something else about rice water
- You can leave the water on your face overnight and wash it off the next morning. You can also add a little aloe vera to your nightly treatment for extra hydration.
- Rice water can be used twice on the face as a toner and once a day as a face mask or rinse. Be sure to smell test the stored water before using it, and if it smells sour, throw it out and make a new one.
- The shelf life of homemade toner from this water is seven days. Post that, the natural fermentation process may render it useless for application purposes.