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If you are from an Asian household, there won’t be a single day when you won’t eat rice. Rice is a staple in all of our diets, and we forget that it does more than just fill us up. More than being a hearty dish that pairs well with everything, rice water is an unexplored ingredient in the skincare ecosystem that can change the way your skin feels.
For ages, Koreans have been using rice water to achieve unparalleled glass-like skin, which we are all obsessed with. They apply rice water and rice water-infused skincare products to get that soft, supple, glowy, dewy skin we all love.
Let’s look at what nutritional values rice water holds and how it can benefit our skin. Rice water is one such ingredient that is also very easy to make, and if you are feeling lazy, we have your back with some amazing product recommendations that are perfect for all skin types.
The Nutritional Contents Of Rice Water
Rice water is not just water leftover from rice after cooking and washing it, but it holds so many nutritional values that not just help our body but also our skin, let’s look at a few below.
According to a study, rice water is rich in vitamins B, C, and E which are great moisturising ingredients offering a soft, supple, and velvety skin texture. It also acts as a magical elixir for your signs of ageing. The anti-ageing properties make your skin feel more youthful and supple.
Rice water also has phenolic compounds, betaine, and squalene which have been proven to increase moisture, brighten the complexion, and reduce inflammation and signs of ageing.
The nutrient-dense rice water is also packed with proteins, amino acids, vitamins, trace elements, and functional ingredients that manage oxidative levels and improve skin’s reparative abilities.
Fermented red rice water also reduces melanin production helping us brighten our skin and reverse dullness and discoloration caused by sun damage and other environmental stressors.
Benefits Of Rice Water For Face
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Anti-Inflammatory
Rice water has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce puffiness, redness, irritation, and swelling by offering a calming and soothing effect. It also helps with skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, bug bites, radiation side effects, and healing wounds, as per a study.
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Natural Glow
Rice water also offers a natural glow as it reduces hyperpigmentation, scar marks, dark spots, and dullness which in turn makes our skin radiate from within. The antioxidant-rich rice water reverses sun damage and evens out our skin tone for a brighter complexion.
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Reduces Excess Oil
Rice water acts as a great toner that tightens your pores and balances your pH levels. It absorbs excess sebum and oil and makes your skin feel less sticky. The astringent and deep cleansing properties make for a great moisturiser without that chip-chip feeling.
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Anti-Ageing
According to a study, the bio-physical structure of rice water matches the cellular structure of our skin at deeper levels, making rice water starch a great addition to our skincare routines, they help reduce signs of ageing, tighten our pores, and reduce sun damage to reveal a more youthful and softer skin.
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Lightens Scars ＆ Spots
Rice water helps lighten the dark spots and pigmentation caused due to acne, sun damage, environmental stressors, makeup, unhealthy diet, and other impurities. It reduces discolouration and offers an even-toned complexion.
How To Make Rice Water For Face At Home
There are three ways you can make this at home to soak up the benefits of rice water for the skin.
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The Fermented Method
In this method, you first take a cup of rice and wash it thoroughly to clean out any residue or germs. Once clean take three cups of water and soak the rice in it. You can also keep the soaked rice in the refrigerator for a cooling concoction. Stir the soaked rice once a day, and on the third day, you will have made yourself some amazing homemade rice water. Worry not, you can use the rice for cooking and consume it without wasting anything. This water will have all the nutrients your skin needs for a glowing complexion.
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The Boiling Method
Take a cup of rice, rinse it, and put it on the stove with three cups of water, just like you would normally cook rice. Not only does it method give you freshly cooked rice but also the water is filled with all the vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and nutrients that are great for your skin and hair. You can drain the rice and refrigerate the water for a soothing, cooling effect.
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The Soaking Method
This is the easiest of them all, with no cooking or overnight fuss involved. Simply wash the rice once and soak it in some warm water (room temperature water also works). In 15–30 minutes you will have rice water that’s perfect to use on your hair and skin.
How To Apply Rice Water On Face
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Rice Water Ice Cubes
Take some rice water and mix in some aloe vera gel if you want that extra boost of hydration. Take this mixture and pour it into an ice tray. Freeze the rice water for some homemade rice water ice cubes. Use these ice cubes as a natural gua sha and rub them on your face every morning and night. Not only will it offer all the benefits of rice water for the face, but the ice cubes will also help naturally contour your face while giving you that calming sensation.
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Rice Water Toner
Pour the rice water into an old, clean serum bottle or a spritzer. You can keep this bottle in the fridge and use it as a toner for your face. The rice water will soothe your skin, tighten your pores, and unleash your inner radiance.
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Rice Water Face Mask
Mix some rice water with a dash of lemon juice and aloe vera pulp. Make a thin paste with this mixture and apply it to your face like a mask. Let this mask do its magic for around 20–30 minutes before you rinse it off for healthy glowing skin.
Best Rice Water Products
Rice Water Cleanser
This foaming cleanser made with rice water extracts melts your makeup, brightens your complexion, washes away any impurities, and deeply hydrates your skin.
Nykaa Recommends: The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Foaming Cleanser
Net Volume: 150ml
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Rice Water Toner
Made with niacinamide and rice water this toner tightens your pores, balances your skin’s microbiomes, instantly hydrates, fades your blemishes, soothes your skin, clarifies your complexion, and softens your skin texture.
Nykaa Recommends: Dot & Key Rice Water Hydrating Toner with Hyaluronic for Oily, Sensitive Skin, Alcohol-Free
Net Volume: 150ml
Rating: 4.3 / 5
Rice Water Serum
Rice water, glycerin, aloe vera, and olive oil are all great sources of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals our skin needs to repair and restore itself.
Nykaa Recommends: QUENCH Rice Water Intense Repair Serum With Niacinamide For Dewy & Even Skin Tone
Net Volume: 30ml
Rating: 4.2 / 5
Rice Water Moisturiser
Made with cactus water to strengthen the skin barrier, mat marine algae extract that regulates sebum production, and niacinamide that fades blemishes and dark spots along with rice water with its numerous benefits this moisturiser is great for all skin types.
Nykaa Recommends: Plum 2% Niacinamide & Rice Water Daily Brightening Gel Cream For Oil-Free, Non-Sticky Hydration
Net Volume: 50g
Rating: 4.4 / 5
Rice Water Sunscreen
With SPF 50 PA++++ this sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection along with defence and repair against sun damage. It offers a glass-like glow for the naturally dewy sunkissed look.
Nykaa Recommends: Mamaearth Rice Water Dewy Sunscreen
Net Volume: 50g
Rating: 4.3 / 5
Parting Thoughts
Rice is not just a great staple when it comes to our diets but it is also a great everyday ingredient in our skincare routines. Indulge in the goodness that rice water has to offer, a humble yet power-packed ingredient that gives your skin numerous benefits.
FAQs
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Does rice water make your skin glow?
Yes, rice water makes your skin glow by reducing dullness, dark spots, pigmentation, sun damage, and discolouration in turn making our skin glow.
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Can I use rice water on my face every day?
Yes, you can use rice water on your face every day. If you don’t want to apply rice water directly you can use rice water-infused products, such as a cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser, and sunscreen in your daily skincare routine.
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What can I mix with rice water for the face?
You can mix aloe vera, lemon juice, oats, glycerin, olive oil, or even an active ingredient such as niacinamide.
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Is rice water suitable for all skin types?
Yes, rice water is suitable for all skin types, if you have dry skin it hydrates instantly and if you have oily skin it regulates your sebum production.
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How can we store rice water?
You can store rice water in a bottle or an air-tight container and use the water for a week.
