Why You Should Add Rice Water to Your Beauty Routine

 Rice water may seem trendy these days, but it’s actually an ancient Asian beauty treatment that dates back thousands of years. It’s made by soaking or boiling rice and then straining out the water that’s left.

Now, maybe you’re wondering, “What’s so special about rice?” The answer is that it contains high levels of vitamins and minerals that are great for your skin, including vitamin B, magnesium, selenium, iron, zinc, copper, sulfur, and silica. 

As you may have noticed, rice water is found in various beauty products on the market, including cleansers, essences, lotions, and other topicals. But, it can also be made at home in your kitchen. Because of its high antioxidant content, rice water has become an increasingly popular skincare ingredient. 

Skin Care Benefits

So, what does rice water do for your skin exactly? Research lists the following benefits:

• Brightens and lightens skin tone
• Cleanses and removes toxins
• Fights acne with its antibacterial properties and phytic acid content
• Smooths wrinkles and improves skin elasticity 
• Reduces inflammation and redness with its anti-inflammatory properties
• Strengthens the skin barrier
• Soothes skin conditions 
• Hydrates

Hair Care Benefits

Rice water is also used as a hair rinse. Although not scientifically proven, fans praise this cloudy concoction as a magical hair potion that:

• Smoothes
• Detangles 
• Strengthens 
• Seals split ends
• Promotes growth 
• Improves shine 

These benefits are thought to be due to the protein, starch, and inositol extracted from the rice during boiling/soaking.

If you want to give it a try as a hair rinse, pour it over your hair after shampooing. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes, then rinse. Only use 1-2 times a week, as it can dry out your hair if used too often.

Make Your Own Rice Water Tonic

While you can buy products that already contain rice water, as we mentioned earlier, you can easily make your own by either soaking or boiling rice and using the leftover water on your hair or skin.

For best results, opt for organic rice that doesn’t contain unnecessary additives. 

Here’s how to prepare your rice.

Soak

To use soaked rice in your beauty routine, rinse a small quantity in the sink until the water is clear. Then, soak it for at least 30 minutes before straining the water into a bowl or bottle to use.

Boil

If you prefer to use water from boiled rice, start off by thoroughly cooking it on the stovetop. Then, strain the water and transfer it to a bowl or bottle. Let it cool down completely before using it. 

If you make a large batch, you can transfer it to a container to store in the fridge for up to a week.

Show Your Skin and Hair Some Love

Adding rice water to your beauty routine is a simple and natural way to hydrate, brighten, and soften your skin – not to mention take care of your hair as well.

If you’re tired of having a bunch of different products in your bathroom and want to try a timeless beauty treatment, rice water is a great choice.