Rice Water for Skin For centuries, women in Asia have prized rice water for its ability to make skin look radiant, youthful, and glowing. This magical elixir is simply the starchy liquid left over after rice has been cooked or soaked in water. While often discarded in Western cooking, rice water contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other compounds that can work wonders when applied topically.
Keep reading to learn more about the beauty benefits of rice water and how to easily include it in your skincare routine.
The Powerful Ingredients in Rice Water
Rice is more than just a pantry staple. When rice is soaked or boiled, many of its nutrients leach into the water including:
- Pitera – A yeast derivative high in vitamins, amino acids, minerals. Contains over 90% of rice’s nutrients.
- Allantoin – An anti-inflammatory that heals wounds and stimulates new skin cell growth.
- Ferulic acid – An antioxidant shown to reduce sun damage and signs of aging.
- Vitamin B and E – Essential for healthy, vibrant skin.
- Hyaluronic acid – Attracts moisture to the skin for hydration and anti-aging effects.
- Ceramides – Help skin retain moisture and reinforce the protective barrier.
- Linoleic acid – An emollient that improves skin elasticity.
This stellar combination of compounds provides a host of benefits when used regularly.
Rice Water for Skin
Rice Water for Skin – With its powerful antioxidants, vitamins, and other active ingredients, rice water offers a wide range of beautifying effects:
1. Improves Radiance and Complexion
Using Rice Water for Skin helps even out skin tone and reduce pigmentation and redness. Its vitamins and minerals nourish skin while powerful antioxidants protect against environmental damage that can dull skin’s radiance.
2. Hydrates and Smooths Skin
Rice Water for Skin is intensely moisturizing thanks to compounds like pitera and hyaluronic acid. It helps skin lock in hydration, reducing dryness and roughness. Your complexion looks supple, smooth, and glowing.
3. Minimizes Pores
The starch content in Rice Water for Skin is a gentle, natural astringent. When applied regularly, it can help shrink enlarged pores to create a more toned, flawless look. The antioxidants also protect against dirt and toxins that can clog pores.
4. Slows Aging and Wrinkles
In addition to vitamins and minerals, rice water contains ample ferulic acid and hyaluronic acid – both fantastic anti-aging compounds. Ferulic acid neutralizes free radicals while HA provides deep hydration. Regular use combats fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity.
5. Calms Irritation and Inflammation
Compounds like allantoin make rice water an effective soothing agent, reducing redness and inflammation of the skin. It can minimize issues like acne, rosacea, sunburns, and eczema. The mild astringent effect also tightens pores to ward off acne-causing bacteria.
6. Boosts Healing and Cell Turnover
Rice water encourages skin cell regeneration thanks to allantoin, an organic acid that boosts healing. It also contains linoleic acid which regenerates the skin barrier. This helps speed healing of scars, marks, burns, and sun damage.
7. Protects Against Environmental Damage
In addition to ferulic acid and other antioxidants, rice water contains vitamin E and vitamin B, both of which strengthen skin against environmental aggressors. Daily use helps safeguard skin from pollution, smoke, UV rays and other toxins that accelerate aging.
With this exceptional combination of beautifying and protective properties, it’s easy to see why rice water has been treasured for centuries. Keep reading to learn how to harness its benefits for yourself.
How to Make DIY Rice Water for Skin
One of the best things about rice water is how quick and easy it is to make at home.
Here are two simple methods:
Boil Method
- Add 1⁄2 cup rice to 2 cups water in a pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes.
- Turn off heat and allow to cool fully before straining out the rice.
- Transfer liquid to a container. Store in fridge up to a week.
Soak Method
- Add 1⁄3 cup rice to a bowl with 1 1⁄2 cups water. Let soak 30 minutes.
- Drain rice water into container, discarding grains.
- Refrigerate up to 5 days.
The soak method requires less rice and results in a more concentrated formula as more nutrients leach out over time.
Some quick tips:
- Use short-grain white or brown rice. Stay away from instant, risotto or wild rice.
- Don’t discard the soaked or cooked rice! Use it in salads, stir-fries, or rice pudding.
- Stored rice water may develop a slight fermented scent. This is normal and means the good bacteria are still active.
- Add a squeeze of lemon to rice water as a mild preservative.
Now that you know how to make this skin superfood, let’s look at the best ways to use it.
Using Rice Water for Glowing Skin
Rice water is versatile enough to use either by itself or combined with other ingredients for enhanced benefits:
As a toner
Sweep cotton pad soaked in rice water over clean skin as a hydrating toner after washing. Pat it into skin rather than rubbing to avoid irritation.
As a rinse-off mask
Apply a layer of rice water all over cleansed face. Leave on 15 minutes then rinse off. Your complexion will look plump and dewy.
As a compress
Soak a clean cloth in chilled rice water. Apply over closed eyes to de-puff. Or use on irritated spots like rashes or acne to reduce redness and inflammation.
In creams or serums
Add 2-3 tablespoons rice water to your favorite moisturizer, serum or facial oil. This amplifies the hydrating and anti-aging effects.
Mixed with other ingredients
Combine rice water with powdered turmeric, green tea, citrus juice or egg whites to customize soothing, brightening or tightening masks as desired.
As a spritz
Transfer to spray bottle and spritz face throughout the day to nourish skin and provide antioxidant protection on-the-go.
The possibilities are truly endless with this versatile ingredient. Customize by adding oils, extracts, clay, or other actives to enhance the base benefits of rice water.
Get the Glow with Rice Water
Rice water’s long history as a beauty elixir is backed by proven results. With continued use, expect brighter, smoother, more youthful looking skin. Don’t discard your rice water – use this nourishing liquid gold to reveal your inner glow.
Are you excited to try rice water in your skincare routine? Let me know in the comments your favorite ways to use this ancient secret for luminous skin.
