6 Ways Rice Water Can Benefit Your Skin And Hair

Among the latest beauty “trends” to go viral on social media is rice water for skin. Over the last several months, videos featuring advice on how to create and apply rice water to achieve glass skin and a glowing complexion have been viewed millions of times. However, the connotation of rice water for skin certainly isn’t new. According to Vogue, the ancient ingredient has long been used in Asia as a skincare and haircare ingredient. It is said that women in China, Korea, and Japan relied on rice water to create porcelain skin and luscious hair as far back as 2000 years ago—or more.

As per research, “ingredients isolated from rice and its components have the wide potential for use in skincare and cosmetic products. Rice water contains manganese, selenium, zinc, potassium, iodine, antioxidants and vitamins B and C. It also contains allantoin and ferulic acid. It is an inexpensive ingredient that brightens your skin tone, soothes your skin, and protects your skin barrier from the sun's UV rays.

“These rice-derived ingredients have been found to be anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory, whitening, photoprotective, and moisturising,” the report also states.

Popular influencer and actor Kusha Kapila recently attached a video on social media wherein she highlighted the importance of rice water face pack in her skincare routine, also reflecting on its benefits for longer hair. Listing the benefits of rice on her acne-prone skin, she also has a face mask on, as seen in the clip.

Here are some benefits of rice water

Brightens Skin Tone

Rice water helps to even out of your skin and gives it a natural bright glow. Many cosmetic companies swear by rice water as their hero ingredient thanks to its constitutive enzymes that help provide a flawless look. 

Manages Pigmentation

Hyperpigmentation and dark spots are a common concern among Indians, thanks to the melanin present. Melanin also makes us more prone to tanning and developing uneven skin tone. Rice water helps manage pigmentation and reduces dark spots over time.

Elixir for oily skin

Breaking out an acne is reduced by this elixir called rice water. It has anti-inflammatory properties which help soothe redness and acne-prone skin.

Anti-ageing Ingredients

Rice water contains vitamin, minerals, and amino acids which boosts collagen production in the skin improving the elasticity and firmness of the skin. It also helps in minimizing the pores on skin giving you a more youthful look. 

Protects From Sun Damage

Allantoin and Ferulic Acid present in rice water help protect the skin against sunburn and harmful ultraviolet rays. The presence of plant minerals makes it a natural sunscreen. It can be used after sun exposure as a part of skincare for best results. 

Additional Advantages For Hair

Rice is made up of 75-80% starch. It also contains Inositol which helps increase elasticity of hair and reduces surface friction. Rice water helps in detangling the hair, making it smoother and increasing its shine. It also makes hair grow stronger and longer.

According to historians, Yao women living in the Huangluo village of the Guangxi province of China (794 to 1185 CE) were famous for their floor-length, smooth, and silky hair. It is also said that their hair would start turning grey by the age of eighty!

How to Make Rice Water at Home?

To make rice water at home, wash uncooked rice and add 3 cups of water to it. Soak the rice in water for 30 minutes. Strain the water and use it on skin and hair. For fermented rice water, soak the uncooked rice and water for 2-3 days.