• Rice – the staple for skin
• What is rice water?
• How to make rice water at home?
• What are the rice water benefits for hair and skin?
• How to use rice water for hair and skin care?
• Frequently Asked Questions on Rice Water (FAQs)

Rice – the staple for skin

Korean skin care is all the buzz today! If you’re a K-pop or K-drama fan, you would have surely noticed the beautiful skin of  the Korean stars. Most of their routines focus on prevention, which is something that is taught to them very early on in life. So, what do you think their secret ingredient is? It is the food staple – rice. So, what is rice water? It’s your skin’s new best friend. In this article, we show you how to use rice water for hair and skin care, like a friend that truly cares for you!

What is rice water?

Coming to the first question that pops in your head – what is rice water? This is the starchy liquid you see when you soak rice in water for a couple of hours. The potent, cloudy mix is an antioxidant-rich concoction, which makes it a food staple, skin care staple and hair care staple as well. Let’s dive into how to make rice water at home, the right way.

How to make rice water at home?

Rice water benefits for skin are numerous and once you learn how to make rice water in the comfort of your home, your skincare routine will be upgraded for good. There are two ways to make two different concoctions of rice water:

Rice water – to make rice water, you soak rice in water and strain the starchy liquid to use immediately.

To use this method:

• Take half a cup of uncooked rice
• Rinse thoroughly
• Place rice in a bowl with two or three cups of water
• Leave to soak for 30 minutes
• Strain the rice water into a clean bowl

Fermented rice water – to make fermented rice water, you soak rice in water for a longer period, strain the starchy liquid, keep it aside for a few hours, and allow it to ferment before you use it. 

Quick tip: To ferment rice water, when you soak it, make sure you do so at room temperature for up to two days, allowing it to ferment. 

This is how to apply rice water on hair, but how do you kno which one’s better to use in your skincare? A 2012 study by Mr. Dase Hunaefi, a corresponding author with the National Library of Medicine, along with co-authors, suggest fermented rice water is better than soaked rice water – owing to the antioxidants in it, which can combat hair and skin cell damage effectively.

What are rice water benefits for hair and skin?

The potential benefits of rice water, based on existing research and studies, are substantial to make it a healthy alternative for your hair and skin. According to a 2013 laboratory study by Novartis, one-day-old rice water contains bacillus cereus, a bacterium that produces antibiotics. Here is how to use rice water for skin and hair:

Rice water benefits for hair

Hello, untangled hair! Not only the frizz-free texture, but you can also expect smooth and silky hair with rice water. Your hair radiates, shines with lustre after you condition it with rice water. Fermented rice water produces antibiotics, which can inhibit the growth of dandruff causing substances in your skin. So, in a nutshell, for long and healthy and strong hair, rice water is your best bet!

Rice water benefits for skin

Antioxidants like inositol fight off the effects of free radicals in the body, giving your skin the enriching protection and nourishment it needs. It may not be possible to prevent ageing of your skin, but you can surely slow it down and reduce premature ageing with rice water. The skin’s healing capacity is helped or improved with rice water, giving you relief from skin irritation, rashes, or eczema.

How to use rice water for hair and skin care?

There are several ways this potent mixture of rice and water can be used for skin and hair care. Here are a few ways to use it in the form of a liquid, spray, or even as a product itself:

How to apply rice water on hair

Once you wash your hair with shampoo, and rinse it with water, pour rice water onto your wet hair. Massage the nourishing, starchy liquid into your scalp and leave it on for 20 minutes. Finally, wash it off with warm water and your hair is now renewed, revitalised, and rejuvenated.

How to use rice water for skin

Wash your face with rice water or apply it as a toner after you use a cleanser to wash your face or spray it on your face for a quick refresh or add it as a bath salt to your baths, or even in your tub as you soak your feet.

Once you start experiencing rice water benefits for skin, your skin will feel revived, youthful and start glowing. The only thing to keep in mind is that the rice water shouldn’t be older than a week, then you will see it magically transform your skin. In addition to this, the rice water benefits for hair are uncountable too! When used as a conditioner, you can now have your hair treatment done in the comfort of your home.

Frequently Asked Questions on Rice Water (FAQs)

1. Do you wash your hair before or after rice water treatment?
   

   If you’re wondering how to apply rice water on hair, you need not change your regimen of using a shampoo and conditioner. It helps to use a coconut-infused shampoo and conditioner (try the ones from Coco Soul for a holistic healing experience) and using rice water right after this, massaging your scalp with it, letting it sit for three minutes and then rinsing it off with water.

2. Should I wash my face after applying rice water?

   Rice is a rich ingredient in the K-beauty trend of skin care because it brings anti-inflammatory and brightening benefits to your skin. If you’re as intrigued by us and this article has motivated you to try rice water on your face, here’s how you can go about it. First, a good coconutty oil wash with coconut based oil will cleanse the impurities. Second, apply rice water (pre-soaked) with a cotton ball on your face. Third, after two hours (or after leaving it on overnight), you can wash your face with water and the result – smooth, soft, brightened skin!
   
   

3. Can I use rice water on my face every day?

   If you’re wondering how to apply rice water on skin, here’s the good news! You can apply it on your face every day, as a toner, once or twice in the day as a facial mask. The rice water concoction you create will last you three-four days and if it is later than that, the mixture will start to smell sour. If the batch has a sour smell, you must discard it and prepare a new one as it may have harmful effects on your skin.
   
   

4. Should I use conditioner after rice water?

   The rice water, itself, acts as a softening conditioner for your hair. If you’re wondering how to apply rice water on hair, it be right after you shampoo your hair. The rich formula in the mixture gives your hair a mix of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and the building blocks of protein! For a modified approach, you can mix the rice water concoction with your conditioner for a deep conditioning in the rice water rinse.