A staple in kitchens all over the world, especially in the Asian sub-continent; rice is used almost on an everyday basis.
As the world opens up to K- Pop & K-Beauty, ancient Korean practices in skin & haircare are gaining popularity all over the world.
A miracle ingredient amongst other natives is rice. Thanks to the K – Culture, rice is not just limited to eating any more. Koreans & Japanese are teaching us how to use it as part of our beauty regimens.
The results have been astounding for those who have tried it. Whether it is skin or hair care, the early adopters who have tried using rice water for their beauty care, have all given it a thumbs up & thumping approval from their experiences.
Rice is a tried-and-tested equation that works super well. The centuries-old Asian home remedy serves as the shortcut to glass skin (Another trending K-Beauty term!) and luscious locks that we all crave
Why rice is beneficial for the skin?
Something that was considered a waste for all these years is now a treasure.
Rice water is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants & therefore work wonders for your skin.
It contains vitamin E, antioxidants, and ferulic acid that help tone, tighten and brighten your complexion. It is suitable for all skin types.
Benefits of rice water for the skin
Whitening & brightening
Rice water due to being rich in antioxidants is an excellent skin brightening ingredient.
It not only brightens but also fades dark spots and pigmentation when used regularly.
The Koreans since ages have been using rice water for skin whitening and brightening.
Dark spots & pigmentation
For those who suffer from problems like dull skin, blemishes, or uneven skin tone, fermented rice water can really help.
It boosts the production of collagen in the skin giving a supple, illuminated complexion.
Apart from this, it also helps fade blemishes, lighten scars, and pigmented patches.
Anti-ageing Potion
Doubles up as a sunscreen
Rice water protects our skin from UV exposure as it acts as a natural sunscreen.
Apart from this, it can also be used to soothe and treat sunburned skin. With regular use, it can also fade sun spots and suntan.
Soothes Inflammation & reduces breakouts
Acne is usually accompanied by redness, skin inflammation, and rashes all of which only need one ingredient – rice water.
Being high in starch, rice water is a potent natural astringent that cleanses pores, balances sebum production, eliminates acne-causing bacteria and drastically reduces the occurrence of acne.
Enhances skin texture
If your skin has turned blotchy because of sun spots or acne marks, then rice water will work like a charm!
Rich in vitamin B and E, it feeds your skin with essential nutrients and promotes a healthier and an even skin tone.
Minimizes Pores
How to use rice water for beautiful skin?
As a cleanser
Rice water deep cleanses the skin, washes away impurities, lightens scars and improves skin texture.
Ingredients
1 cup uncooked white rice, 4 cups water, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon tea tree oil, 10 drops lavender essential oil.
How to Prepare
Rinse rice with water until free of starch, combine rice and water in a large bowl.
Cover and let sit for 30 minutes
Strain and discard rice
Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine and use as face cleanser.
As a toner
Rice water can be an effective toner as it soothes irritation, shrinks pores and improves the skin’s barrier.
Ingredients
1/2 cup uncooked rice, 1/4 cup water
How to Prepare
Rinse 1/2 cup of uncooked white rice to remove any impurities.
Add the rice to a bowl and cover with 1/4 cup of water. Let it soak for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Strain the rice water through a fine-mesh sieve, reserving the liquid.
Transfer the rice water to a clean container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Use the rice water toner daily as part of your skincare routine to help improve complexion and promote a healthy, glowing appearance.
This can double up as a facial mist or spray.
As a facial serum
Rice water serum enriches your skin with vital antioxidants and offers intense hydration.
Ingredients
Rice, water, aloe vera gel, Vitamin E capsules
How to Prepare
Rinse and soak rice, then boil it. Strain the rice water and mix it with aloe vera gel and vitamin E oil.
As a face mask
Rice water mask helps to increase skin glow and brightness. It is also known to help soothe skin irritation and maintain skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of aging signs, giving you a healthy and rejuvenated complexion.
Ingredients
Uncooked rice, water, honey, aloe vera gel
How to Prepare
Rinse the Rice: Place the uncooked rice in a bowl and rinse it with water to remove any impurities.
Soak the Rice: Transfer the rinsed rice to a clean bowl and add 2-3 cups of water.
Let the rice soak in the water for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This will allow the water to absorb the nutrients from the rice.
Strain the Rice Water: After soaking, strain the rice water into a separate container. This is the rice water that will be used for the face mask.
Add the other Ingredients: Mix in natural ingredients such as honey or aloe vera gel for added benefits. A few drops of essential oils can also be added for a pleasant fragrance.
Apply to the Face: Using a cotton pad or your fingertips, apply the rice water mixture to your clean face, gently massaging it in circular motions.
Let It Sit: Leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes.
Rinse Off: After the mask has dried, rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat your skin dry with a clean towel.
Moisturize: Finish by applying your favorite moisturizer to lock in the benefits of the rice water mask.
As a face cream
Rice face cream helps reduce sun damage and can double up as a sunscreen, whitens and brightens complexion and delays signs of ageing.
Ingredients
Rice, glycerin, Vitamin E capsules, 2 essential oils of your choice
How to Prepare
Rinse the rice to remove impurities
Soak for 30 minutes post the same.
Transfer to a rice cooker and boil until soft.
Mash into a smooth paste.
Strain the rice using a fine strainer or cheesecloth to separate the water.
Next combine the rice with glycerin, Vitamin E capsules and your favorite essential oils
Transfer the rice cream to an airtight container and refrigerate it to store for upto 1 week.
As Ice cubes
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Ingredients
Rice flour- 2tsp
Honey- 1tsp
Aloe vera gel – 1tsp
Rose water- 1/2 cup
Filter water- 1 cup
How to Prepare
Take 2 tsp rice flour and add honey, aloe vera gel and rose water to it
Add 1 cup filtered water and place in ice cubes
Let the mixture refrigerate
Take ice cubes and apply gently over the face.
Rice water for beautiful hair
According to researchers, women in the Heian period (794 to 1185 CE) in Japan had floor-length hair they kept healthy by bathing it in rice water.
A modern-day equivalent of this story can be found in China. The Yao women, who live in a village called Huangluo in China, are famed for having hair that averages 6 feet long.
Nourishing your hair with rice water helps improve its strength and appearance. The amino acids present in rice water help repair damaged hair follicles and reduce hair breakage.
Benefits of rice water for hair
Helps hair grow long
According to the provided sources, there is evidence that rice water may help promote hair growth and improve hair health.
Historical examples and anecdotal evidence indicate rice water can improve hair strength, texture, and growth.
Makes hair stronger
Historical examples and anecdotal evidence indicate rice water can improve hair strength, texture, and growth.
The amino acids present in rice water can improve hair elasticity and overall growth.
Rice water contains inositol, a compound that helps in strengthening the hair at the scalp level.
Soaking hair in rice water for 15 minutes can make it stronger and more stretchy without breaking, acting as a potent protein treatment.
Makes hair smoother
Rice water helps in reducing frizz and helps make hair lustrous.
Increases shine
Rice water is a great way to utilize the nutrients within rice and apply these benefits to your hair care routine, such as increasing shine.
Regularly using rice water on a weekly basis can lead to glossier and more vibrant hair.
Detangles the hair
Rice water is a rich source of vitamins and minerals and is best known for its moisturizing properties, especially for curly hair.
It contains starch and amino acids that help lubricate the hair strands and detangling it.
How to use rice water to get beautiful hair?
As a shampoo
Rice water shampoo is believed to have several benefits for your hair, including promoting hair growth, reducing hair fall, improving hair texture, and making your hair look healthier and shinier.
Rice water shampoo can help to improve the elasticity and strength of your hair, making it less prone to breakage
Ingredients
1 cup of rice water (boiled and cooled)
1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of honey
2-3 drops of essential oil (optional)
How to Prepare
Combine the cooled rice water, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and honey in a jar.
Stir well to mix.
Add the essential oil of your choice
As a conditioner
Rice water contains enzymes and other nutrients that can help to strengthen and nourish your hair.
Rice water conditioner can help to detangle and detour frizz, making your hair easier to manage.
Rice water has anti-inflammatory properties and can help to soothe an itchy scalp.
It can help to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss
Ingredients
Rice, water, apple cider vinegar
How to Prepare
Rinse rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
You can then put the rice in a blender or food processor and blend until it becomes a fine paste.
Strain the rice paste through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer to remove any solid particles.
Mix the strained rice water with equal parts water and apple cider vinegar
Store the mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
As a deep conditioning mask
A rice water hair mask is a hair treatment that uses this liquid to promote healthy hair growth, reduce breakage, and add shine and lustre to the hair.
Ingredients
1 cup of rice water (make it by rinsing 1 cup of rice in water until the water runs clear, then drain the rice, save the water)
2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
5-10 drops of essential oil (optional, but recommended for added benefits)
How to Prepare
Prepare rice water
Add to it apple cider vinegar, coconut oil and couple of essential oils
Blend all ingredients in a blender, till it becomes a smooth paste
As a hair spray
Rice water hair spray is a popular DIY hair care treatment that is said to provide benefits such as shine, volume, and strength.
Ingredients
Rice, water, herbs and essential oils of your choice
How to Prepare
Boil rice in water and then strain the liquid. You can also add essential oils and herbs to the spray for additional benefits.
As a leave - in conditioner
Rinsing rice in water makes it release starch, creating a milky liquid. This liquid is then used as a leave-in treatment or added to the hair after washing and conditioning.
Ingredients
1 cup of cooked white rice
2 cups of water
1 tablespoon of honey
1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
5-10 drops of essential oil (optional)
How to Prepare
Add all the ingredients in a blender and blend to get a fine paste and consistency.
Apply as and when needed.