A beauty secret that many people have never heard of, rice water has a surprising amount of health benefits. In this article, we explore those benefits and how to use this all-natural product at home.
For centuries, Asian women have been tapping into the hidden power of rice water – and it’s no joke! Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, this ancient elixir has been used to nourish, heal, and protect the skin. Plus, its anti-inflammatory properties give it an extra boost of awesomeness. So if you’re looking for a natural way to keep your skin looking young and radiant, you may have just found your secret weapon!
Why Does Rice Water Have “Magical” Powers?
As we always say, it’s not magic but science, so just to understand better why rice water has so many benefits, let’s take a “quick peek” at the technical side:
One of the most unique components of rice water is inositol; Okay, I know the name sounds complicated, but it’s actually pretty easy to understand.
Inositol Benefits
Inositol is found in our bodies and in many foods, including rice. Can you believe it? Well, this is an article talking about rice water, so…. LOL
This substance’s a powerful compound that helps to encourage cell growth and improve blood circulation – two critical components for preventing the signs of aging and making pores look smaller – now you understand the porcelain skin of women who use rice water as part of their skincare routine!
In fact, there are many other health benefits related to Inositol, but in this blog post, we will focus on the characteristics that it has and produces improvements in our skin.
Rice Water Benefits for Your Skin
Although inositol offers many health benefits, for the purposes of this article, we will only discuss the various ways it promotes skin health, which include:
- Increasing skin collagen synthesis
- Antioxidant properties that promote anti-aging
- Brightening skin tone
- Improving signs of sun damage
- Soothing skin irritation caused by sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), an ingredient found in many skincare products
- Helping to repair damaged hair
- Reducing or even eliminating melasma and blemishes on their skin, as reported by some people after several weeks of using rice water
- Last but not least, managing symptoms of eczema, rashes, and skin inflammation (Specifically, to treat atopic dermatitis or skin diseases associated with pruritus, starch, an important component in rice grains, can be added to bathwater)
To learn more about Eczema, click Here
P.S – Unfortunately, not all these benefits are scientifically proven yet. At the bottom of this page, you can find some sources to check what science has already proven about the above benefits.
How do I make Rice Water?
Now let’s get down to business!
To reap the rewards of rice water benefits, we need to either purchase it or make it, so let’s learn the cheapest but not less effective way. Let’s find out how to do that!
Extraordinary Rice Water
Equipment
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Container with lid
- 1 Colander or sieve
Materials
- 1/2 cup Raw Rice
- 2 cups Room Temperature Water
Instructions
- Rinse the rice well under running water.
- Pour the clean rice and water into the container and leave covered for 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Strain the rice into a colander or sieve and collect the water in the bowl.
- Transfer the water back into the container and cover with the lid.
- Keep your rice water refrigerated until you're ready to use it.
Notes
How do I make Fermented Rice Water?
Rice “Wine” – Fermented Rice Water
Equipment
- 1 Container
- 1 Container with lid
- 1 Colander or sieve
Materials
- 1/2 cup of raw rice
- 2 cups of water at room temperature
- Essential oil – such as lavender rosemary or another calming scent of your choice
Instructions
- Rinse the rice well under running water.
- Put the clean, strained rice in the container and add the water.
- Cover the rice and allow it to ferment for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, transfer the water to a clean container.
- Add a few drops of an essential oil of your choice to soften the fermentation odor.
- Refrigerate the rice “wine” until you’re ready to use it.
Notes
• Add a few drops of essential oil
• If you start with Jasmine rice, the finished product will have a lighter smell
• Mix fermented rice water with orange, lime, or lemon peels. Allow the peels to remain in the rice water until the fermentation process is complete. How to use your rice water or “wine” Step 1: Soak a cotton pad in rice water or rice “wine.” Step 2: Gently smooth the pad over your face and neck to use your product as a toner. Step 3: Leave it for a few minutes then pat dry with a towel. Step 4: Rinse if desired. Step 5: Follow with your creams and sunscreen as usual.
Third Method
Rice Water Prepared By The Boiling Method
Equipment
- 1 bowl
- 1 Container with lid
- 1 Pot with lid
- 1 Colander or sieve
Materials
- 1 1/2 cup of Raw Rice
- 3 cups Water at Room Temperature
Instructions
- Rinse the rice well under running water.
- Add the clean rice and 3 cups of water to a pot.
- Boil your rice until it is soft and then turn off the heat.
- Allow the rice to rest in the covered pot for 30 minutes.
- Strain the rice and collect the water in the bowl.
- Transfer the water to the clean container.
- Refrigerate the rice water until you’re ready to use it.
Notes
Learn 4 Different ways to Use the Benefits of Rice Water
What can I use instead of aftershave?
Rice Water!
Aftershave Rice Water
Equipment
- Amber Small Spray Bottle – 2oz / 60 mL
Materials
- 50 mL Rice Water
- 5 drops Tea Tree Oil
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients.
- Spritz a small amount on your skin.
- Massage the aftershave rice water gently into your skin.
- Leave it for a few minutes before patting dry with a towel.
- Rinse if desired.
- Follow with your creams and sunscreen as usual.
Notes
- Shake well before using it, as essential oils and rice water do not mix.
- The spray bottle should be amber glass due to the presence of essential oils, which degrade in sunlight.
- Only make a small amount at a time, as you can only store it for a week in the fridge.
Hair Growth
To Moisturize and Stimulate Hair Growth
Materials
- Rice Water
Instructions
- After shampooing and conditioning, apply the rice water all over your scalp.
- Massage your scalp well with your fingertips.
- Allow the rice water to saturate your scalp and hair for at least 10 minutes.
- Rinse with warm water.
Notes
- Within a few weeks or months, if you use it one to two times a week.
Is Rice water suitable for the face?
Yes, absolutely! Let’s learn how to apply it.
Rice Water Toner
Equipment
- Flexible ice cube tray
Materials
- 100 mL Rice Water or rice “wine”
- 100 mL Green tea
- You can always use 1:1
Instructions
- Mix both ingredients together.
- Pour the mixture into a flexible ice cube tray.
- Freeze your tray until the ice has fully hardened.
Notes
Step 1: Rub one ice cube gently on your face until it melts (remember to protect your fingers with a cloth while holding the ice cube).
Step 2: Dry your face with a towel or allow it to air dry.
Step 3: Follow with your creams and sunscreen as usual. If you prefer, you can just pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spritz a small amount on your skin.
Suitable for all skin types.
No more Puffy Eyes – Amazing Ice Cubes
No More Puffy Eyes – Rice Water Ice Cubes
Equipment
- Flexible ice cube tray
Materials
- 150 mL Rice water
- 50 mL Aloe Vera gel
- You can always use – 3 parts of Rice Water to 1 part of Aloe Vera Gel
Instructions
- Mix both ingredients together.
- Pour the mixture into a flexible ice cube tray.
- Freeze your ice cubes until hardened.
Notes
Step 1: Rub one ice cube gently on your face until it melts (remember to protect your fingers with a cloth while holding the ice cube).
Step 2: Dry your face with a towel or let it air dry.
Step 3: Follow up with your creams and sunscreen as usual.
Conclusion
I’ve been using my rice water for weeks, and I’ve already noticed an improvement in my skin. In my case, ice cubes are my favorites!
Since my hair is shorter and I don’t want it to grow faster, I decided not to use it on my hair. It won’t be this time that I will turn into Rapunzel. LOL.
How about you? Are you using rice water?
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Sources:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1468-2494.2010.00605_3.x
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/5/2/26/htm
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464621001535#s0120
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003986119308331
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