Rice water — the leftover water after cooking rice — is believed to promote stronger and luscious hair. Now the demand for rice water is rising to achieve radiant skin.
If you gather all your favorite Korean beauty products and check their labels or ingredient lists, you will likely find rice in most of them. Rice water has played an integral role in Asian skincare rituals for many centuries. This ingredient aids in promoting an even-toned complexion and glowing skin. It is mild and packed with numerous skin-healthy nutrients, and the best part— rice water is easily available at home and you can prepare an inexpensive DIY facemask to treat your skin.
Before you head to your kitchen to reap the brimming benefits of rice water, take some time to read what makes this godsend ingredient excellent for your skin.
Rice water is known for treating skin irritation caused by SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate)—a commonly found ingredient in countless personal care and skincare products. Anecdotal evidence suggests that if you use rice water regularly, twice a day, it can help repair your dry skin, reversing the damage caused by SLS.
Rice water has soothing properties and it can treat sunburned skin, minimizing inflammation, and redness, and promoting healing. It further shields the skin from damaging ultraviolet rays when combined with an effective broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Starchy rice water helps tighten open pores and promotes a toning effect when applied to oily skin. Dab rice water on a cotton pad and wipe it across your face to mattify excessive oily skin. This magical ingredient provides a natural astringent effect which helps curb excess oil secretion, benefiting those who have oily skin.
Some research has revealed that rice starch is incredibly beneficial in maintaining and repairing the natural skin barrier. It can help your skin fight aggressors while protecting the skin from damage caused by pollution and preventing problems like atopic dermatitis.
Rice water effectively lightens dark patches on the skin. You will be surprised to find out that numerous toners, soaps, and creams also contain rice water. It can lighten pigments and offer even-toned skin.
Brimming with antioxidants, minerals and amino acids, rice water serves the action of elastase, an enzyme that is responsible for the appearance of various signs of aging. Rice water can reduce and delay the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin.
After using rice water for two to three weeks, you can notice that the open pores on your face appear visibly smaller. This ingredient has deep cleansing properties that can remove dirt, impurities, and grime trapped in the pores, considerably shrinking them.
The mild and hydrating properties of rice water make it an effective ingredient that helps treat and soothe several ailments such as acne, eczema, and dermatitis.
The quickest and easiest method of preparing rice water at home is the soaking method. Place uncooked rice under a running faucet and wash the grains until the draining water runs clear. Next, grab a bowl of water and leave the rice in it for nearly 30 minutes, while gently pressing and mixing the grains with your fingers. Use a sieve to strain the water and preserve it in an air-tight container or spray bottle. It can be refrigerated and used for almost a week; after 6 to 7 days, prepare a fresh batch to treat your skin with the goodness of rice water.
You can apply rice water to your face, leave it overnight, and wash it the following morning. To enjoy added benefits, you can extract aloe vera gel from the plant and add it to the rice water concoction for moisturization.
