Rice water is one of the oldest ingredients known to have immense benefits for your skin, hair and body. Just as one would consume cooked rice, the residual water too could be used to tone your skin and the best part is rice water is perfect for hair growth. It is one of those ancient remedies that has been used the world over to cure common skin and hair ailments. The Japanese used it as long as 1200 years ago – It was the Geisha’s secret to soft, glowing, even-toned and supple skin. The Chinese used it as a hair rinse and that’s probably the secret to their fantastic mane. It’s an ingredient that has been used all over the world in different ways. Wondering how this simple ingredient could help you in your beauty and skincare regimen? Well, read on to know all the benefits of rice water!
What Is Rice Water?
To put it simply, rice water or fermented rice water is the starchy white water left over after you boil or soak rice. The water you typically throw away because starch is not good for your body when consumed. This water is known to have multiple benefits when applied topically to your skin and hair. It is one of those ancient skincare and haircare secrets that have been passed down from generation to generation. Rice water and fermented rice water are both made using normal white rice, only the extraction method differs a little.
How To Make Rice Water?
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Broadly, there are 3 methods used to make rice water. Each of these recipes is fairly simple and involves minimal effort. Always remember to rinse your rice before you proceed to prepare rice water. The first rinse helps get rid of any chemicals and pesticides sprayed on the rice during production. Rice water can be stored in a cool and dry place for 4-5 days. It gets more potent as time passes, so you might want to dilute it a little more each day. Here’s how to make rice water in different ways:
Boiled Rice Water
This recipe involves cooking the rice before using the water. Simply place 1 cup of rice in a pan and rinse it well. Once you have rinsed and drained out the excess water, add 2 cups of water to the pan and bring it to a boil. Once the rice is cooked, strain the water into a pan and use this for your skin and your hair.
Soak
This is one of the easiest recipes to make rice water because it involves no cooking or fermenting. It takes barely an hour to prepare a fresh batch. Start by rinsing the batch of rice with clean water. Once you’ve done that, soak the rice with 2-3 cups of clean water and keep it aside for an hour. Strain the water into a clean container and that’s it. Your rice water is ready to use. Go ahead and cook the rest of the rice and enjoy it with your meal.
Fermented Rice Water
Fermented rice water also known as rice wine takes a little longer to make but it’s potent. Some people even claim that fermented rice water has more benefits as compared to boiled or soaked rice water. This may be because fermented foods usually have a higher concentration of antioxidants that help with repairing damage to your skin and hair. To prepare fermented rice water, begin by rinsing your batch of rice in clean water to get rid of any chemicals. Then, place double the quantity of water in the vessel and allow it to stand at room temperature for 2 days. This will allow it to ferment.
Benefits Of Rice Water
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Rice water is a common ingredient in numerous skincare products. This is probably due to its ability to brighten, tone and help with collagen production. Rice water is known to soothe and relieve your skin from suntan and even lighten the appearance of old spots and blemishes. Rice water is known to contain a lot of the nutrients that are found in rice like Vitamin E, minerals, antioxidants, B-vitamins and amino acids.
A study published in 2013 reveals that fermented rice water contains antioxidants that help reverse the damage caused to the skin due to the sun. It also boosts the production of collagen and prevents wrinkles. Further to this, fermented rice water is also known to have natural sunscreen properties. It contains an ingredient called Pietra, a natural by-product of the fermentation that helps with cell regeneration.
Benefits Of Rice Water For Skin
Rice water is known to give your skin the radiance that only a Geisha would have. It contains antioxidants, Vitamin E and ferulic acid that help tone, tighten and brighten your complexion. And with regular use, who knows, it might actually take away all of your skin woes. Here have a look at all the benefits of rice water for skin.
It soothes the skin
Rice water is known to soothe sensitive skin. It has also been known to help with skin irritation, dermatitis and other skin inflammations. So if you have sensitive skin and are worried that using this ancient remedy might worsen your condition, feel free to use it.
It acts as a natural sunscreen
Rice water protects your skin from UV exposure, it acts as a natural sunscreen. Apart from this, it can also be used to soothe and treat sunburned skin. With regular use, it helps fade sun spots and suntan.
It brightens the skin and lightens scars and pigmentation
If you suffer from problems like uneven skin, dull skin or blemishes, fermented rice water can really help you. The Pietra in fermented rice water will boost the production of collagen in your skin giving you a supple, illuminated complexion. Apart from this, it also helps lighten scars, fades blemishes and pigmented patches. Because of its high concentration of antioxidants, with time it will also help with fine lines and wrinkles.
Reduces the size of your pores
If you have large pores, rice water acts as a wonderful toner for your skin. It helps cleanse your pores and balance sebum production on your skin thereby shrinking large pores.
Benefits Of Rice Water For Hair
Women in Japan and China have been using rice water for centuries now as a solution to rinse their hair with. Some of them even use rice water as an alternative to shampoo. Rice water like rice contains a carbohydrate called inositol. Inositol is responsible for improving the texture, shine and elasticity of your hair. Some of the benefits of rice water for hair are as follows:
Balances your scalp’s pH
Rice water can help balance out your scalp’s pH levels. So if you are suffering from problems like dry, flaky, oily or even an itchy scalp, try replacing your regular shampoo with rice water. If you would not like to replace your regular shampoo, try using rice water for the last rinse.
It smoothes out frizz, detangles the hair and increases shine
Using rice water as the final rinse can help smoothen out frizz and improve your hair texture over time. Because of its ability to cut out frizz, your hair becomes more manageable and easier to detangle. This, in turn, reduces the chance of breakage and strengthens your hair.
It repairs damaged hair and helps it grow long
Rice water is used for hair growth as the inositol in rice water also helps repair hair that has been damaged. It can also help with split ends and as a result, it helps your hair grow long and strong. It should come as no surprise to you now how the Japanese women have such beautiful tresses.
How To Use Rice Water?
There are a number of ways you can use rice water on your face, hair and even your body:
How To Use Rice Water For Hair?
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Given below are the ways to use rice water for hair:
Hair rinse
Use fermented rice water or even regular rice water as the solution that you rinse your hair with after using a shampoo and conditioner. It helps to add shine, combat frizz and strengthen your hair from the inside and out. Because of its pH balance, it will even help balance out the pH on your scalp. So if you have issues like dryness or excessive oil production, over time it will help with those as well.
Hair Shampoo
Rice water can be used as a mild hair cleanser and as a replacement to your regular shampoo. It soothes skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis. To use it as a shampoo, you can use regular rice water or fermented rice water and mix it with a little bit of aloe vera juice or gel, a few drops of essential oils and 1-2 tablespoons of castile soap or baby shampoo. Apply this cleanser to your scalp and massage it in for a minute or two and rinse with normal water.
Hair Mask
If you don’t want to use rice water as a shampoo or a hair rinse, you can even use it as a hair mask. Using fermented rice water, apply it generously to your scalp and massage it in. Leave it on for 20 minutes and then rinse it out. Because rice water boosts hair growth and help soothe your scalp and balance it’s pH levels.
How To Use Rice Water For Skin?
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Given below are the ways to use rice water for skin:
As a toner
Transfer some rice water or fermented rice water to a small spray bottle. Use this as a toner twice a day. You can spray it directly onto your face or use it with a cotton pad. It will improve the health and appearance of your skin and it acts as a natural sunscreen. It will also reduce the size of your pores and tighten your skin.
As a face cleanser
Use some rice water and massage it into your skin for a few minutes. Massage it in upwards and circular motions for 10-15 minutes and rinse it off with cool water.
As a bath soak
Add 2-3 cups of rice water to your bath water to allow your entire body to reap the benefits of this miraculous ingredient. Add a few drops of essential oils, lavender or rose petals to the bathwater to create a spa-like relaxing experience.
As a body scrub
After you prepare rice water, use the leftover rice to make your very own DIY rice body scrub. Grind the rice into a paste and add some orange peel powder, sandalwood powder and a few drops of essential oils –rose, lavender and orange essential oils are great options. If you have dry skin, add a tablespoon of coconut or jojoba oil to the mixture. Use this scrub all over your face and body and you will be left with soft, glowing skin.
Also Read: Black Raisin Benefits
Best Skin And Hair Care Products With Rice Water
Pantene Advanced Hair Fall Solution Hair Fall Control Shampoo
Pantene’s new range has the perfect solution for hair fall. It contains fermented rice water that will improve the health of your scalp and hair. Given the benefits of rice water for hair, this will be a wonderful addition to your routine.
Innisfree My Real Squeeze Mask – Rice
This sheet mask will compliment your DIY rice water toner like a dream! Use it once a week and we bet you will wake up to bright and happy skin. Go ahead, use it over the weekend and give your skin that extra love.
The Body Shop Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Polishing Mask
If you have dull and dry skin, try using an exfoliating mask once a week. It will help you get rid of all the dirt and dust trapped in your pores and leave you with soft, supple and radiant skin. This face mask combines ingredients like Chinese Ginseng and Rice to slough off those dead skin cells and brightens your complexion.
ENN Rice There Face Toner
Would you rather buy a toner than have to make a fresh batch every week? This one from ENN combines the benefits of fermented rice water, lentils and witch hazel to give you spotless even-toned skin minus the pores!
FAQs
Is it safe to use fermented rice water on your face and hair?
Yes, it is. In fact, it is the elixir of youth! Fermented rice water contains an ingredient called Pietra which is known to boost collagen production and help tone, brighten and soothe your skin. Geishas in Japan have used this ingredient for centuries on their skin and hair. It is supposedly the reason for their supple skin and long silky hair!
How long can you store fermented rice water?
You can store fermented rice water or even regular rice water for a period of 3-4 days in a cool and dry place. After that, you would need to prepare a fresh batch. The longer you leave rice water, the more it ferments. When it ferments, it might have a funny smell, this is completely normal. Add a few drops of essential oils if you don’t like the smell.
Can you leave rice water on your skin overnight?
If you use rice water as a toner for your skin, you can leave it on overnight.
Can you drink rice water?
Yes, you can drink rice water, it is said to be a cure for fever, bacterial infections and eczema. It boosts your metabolism and gives your body the energy it requires. It is also known to help with stomach infections and improving your gut health. Rice water is safe to drink as long as your rice is coming from a trusted, organic source. This helps minimize the toxins and chemicals used during production and distribution.
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