Imagine discovering a secret that has been cherished by generations of women for its ability to create flawless and ageless skin.
Surprisingly, this secret lies in something as common as rice water. Yes, you read it right! Rice water, the liquid that is left from rinsing rice, is full of incredible benefits for the skin.
Also, Japanese and Korean women have been using rice water for centuries as a skincare product. There is no exaggeration here as it is packed with essential nutrients and can work wonders in improving your skin.
From its ability to enhance the skin tone, to unlocking its potential benefits in revitalizing the skin, rice water for skin is extremely helpful.
So, let’s dive in and reveal the magic of achieving the beautiful and flawless skin you have always desired.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Rice Water for Skin
Well, rice is not only a food staple in Asian cuisine. It is also an integral part of Asian culture’s skincare and beauty practices. You can certainly find rice water as rice protein hydrolysates is a key ingredient in many K-beauty products. So, let’s have a look at the benefits of rice water.
1. Reduces Signs of Aging
You must have heard of the ancient beauty secret of using rice water for skin. It is a very simple solution that has been used for a very long time to help in the reduction of signs of aging.
Dr. Annum Shahzadi who is one of the best dermatologists in Pakistan says that rice water has compounds that have the ability to enhance collagen synthesis in the skin. Collagen is a protein responsible for maintaining the skin’s elasticity and firmness. It naturally declines with age, leading to visible signs of aging.
By incorporating rice water into your skincare routine, you can harness its collagen-boosting properties and support the vitality and resilience of your skin.
A potential reduction in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin, allows you to enjoy a rejuvenated and more youthful complexion. All this is because of the rice water for the skin.
2. A Natural Exfoliator and Cleanser
If you say that healthy skin always starts with a gentle and natural cleanser, there is nothing wrong with saying that. So, if you are looking for a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip off the skin, look no further, as rice water is an excellent choice.
The starch in rice water can help a lot in soothing and softening the skin while the amino acids can help in brightening the skin and evening out the skin tone.
When used as a cleanser, rice water can help in removing oil, diet, and impurities from the skin. The best part is that it does all of this without even stripping out the natural oils from the skin.
One more benefit of rice water for the skin is that it also helps to unclog pores and prevents acne breakouts. The exfoliation quality of rice water works in a way that removes the dead skin cells from the skin and induces cell turnover.
3. Moisturizes and Hydrates the Skin
Rice water has been in use for centuries as an affordable and inexpensive way to moisturize and hydrate the skin. It is very gentle and effective and suitable for all skin types.
The antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins present in rice water help in protecting the skin from environmental damage and reduce inflammation immensely.
The regular use of rice water can also help in the reduction of dark spots, leaving the skin more youthful and plump.
4. Protects Skin Barrier
Experts at Ali Medical Centre say that the outer layer of the skin known as the skin barrier protects from the environmental factors damaging the skin. Due to harsh climates, environmental toxins, and too much exfoliation, the skin barrier can get damaged.
If you are someone that is experiencing a damaged skin barrier, then there is no need to panic as rice water for skin is here to the rescue.
The damaged skin barrier can make the skin more prone to atopic dermatitis. So, using rice water can help a lot with improving and repairing the damaged skin barrier of the skin.
This can be beneficial specifically for people suffering from atopic dermatitis. So, it is safe to say that rice water can be helpful in the management of eczema, inflammation, and rashes.
5. Brightens the Skin
Rice water can be really helpful in brightening the skin on the face. Rice water for skin whitening is known to people for some reasons. The first one is that rice water is full of ferulic acid which has a brightening effect on the appearance of the skin by reducing hyperpigmentation.
Suggested Read: Home Remedies for Hyperpigmentation
Rice water is also full of anti-inflammatory compounds that can help in clearing down the redness and irritation on the skin. When the skin is less irritated, it looks healthier and brighter.
It is also a great humectant which means that it helps in drawing moisture into the skin and keeps it hydrated.
How to Prepare Rice Water at Home?
There are a lot of ways that can be used to prepare rice water. The two major ones are discussed below.
The Soaking Method
The soaking method is the quickest and easiest one. To make the soaking method rice water for the skin,
- Take a cup of uncooked rice around 100 g
- Pour three cups of water into the rice, around 500 ml
- Soak the rice for 30 minutes
- Gently stir and press down the rice
- Strain the rice and collect the water in a glass jar
- Refrigerate it before using
This can be stored in a refrigerator for at least a week. It is best to prepare a new batch after a week and not use week-old rice water.
Fermented Rice Water
Fermented rice water has also been in use for a very long time. You can apply it topically as the rice wine in older times was used to prevent UV damage and protect the natural barrier of the skin.
To make fermented rice water for skin, you need to.
- Rinse a cup of rice with water
- Pour three cups of water into them
- Soak the rice for two days in water.
- Let it ferment
- Stir the water after two days and strain the liquid
- Take the liquid out in a glass bottle and refrigerate
How to Use Rice Water on Your Face?
You can use rice water on your face easily.
- Take a cotton ball and dip it in rice water (almost 2 tablespoons)
- Rub the cotton pad gently on the skin
- Leave it on the skin for 165 minutes and wash it off with lukewarm water
- You can use it two times a day to get the best results
Always do a patch test before using as the chances of skin damage and skin allergies can rise.
Suggested Read: Skin Allergy Creams
When to Visit a Dermatologist
Rice water for skin has some miraculous benefits that one needs to try to find out. Besides all the benefits, it is always recommended to patch tests first. If by any chance you feel like the rice water has caused you irritation or hasn’t suited the skin well, it is best to book an appointment with the best dermatologist near you by visiting Healthwire.
