Rice water for skin and hair: How to make it for maximum results

Whether you’re looking to brighten your skin, strengthen your hair, or simply enhance your overall beauty routine, rice water has to be in your beauty arsenal. Rice water — the water left over after you cook rice — is a timeless solution backed by science and tradition to promote skin and hair health.

While the earliest known use of it was over 1,000 years ago in Japan, today, the ‘ magic potion’ is gaining popularity as a skin and hair treatment. Rice water contains substances known to help protect and repair your skin. It’s said to soothe and tone your skin, and even improve different skin conditions.

Even more enticing, rice water is something you can easily and inexpensively make at home.

How to do that?


Read on to find out.


How to make rice water at home?

To make rice water for maximum skin and hair benefits, you can use the soaking method, the boiling method, or the fermentation method. The soaking method involves soaking rice in water for 30 minutes, while the boiling method involves boiling rice in water. Fermentation involves letting the soaked rice water sit at room temperature for 1-2 days. Fermented rice water is believed to have more antioxidants and inositol.


Here’s the detailed breakdown of the method:

Soaking method:

Rinse ½ cup of uncooked rice to remove impurities.

Soak the rice in 2-3 cups of water for 30 minutes.

Strain the water and use it on your skin or hair.

Fermentation:

Rinse and soak rice as in the soaking method.

Let the soaked rice water sit at room temperature for 24-48 hours to ferment.

Once it has a slightly sour smell, strain it.

Store in a spray bottle or an airtight container.

Boiling method:

Rinse the rice and add water (about 2-3 times the amount of rice).

Boil the rice and water, then strain.

Collect the rice water and refrigerate it.


How to use rice water to promote skin and hair health:

A study, published in the World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, suggests that rice water can be beneficial for both skin and hair. Rice water is rich in nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, which can help improve skin and hair health. Specifically, rice water has been linked to anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, skin-lightening, and moisturizing effects. Additionally, it can strengthen hair, improve shine, and potentially promote growth.


For skin health:

Brightening and even skin tone: Rice water contains vitamins B, C, and E, which can help brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots.

Anti-aging: Rice water is rich in antioxidants, which can help combat free radicals and reduce the signs of aging.

Moisturizing: Rice water can help hydrate the skin and improve its overall texture.

Anti-inflammatory: Rice water's anti-inflammatory properties can help soothe irritated skin and reduce redness.

Potential acne treatment: Some studies suggest that rice water's mild astringent properties can help reduce excess oil and clear clogged pores, potentially preventing acne.

For hair health:

Strengthening and reducing breakage: Rice water contains amino acids that can help strengthen hair strands, reducing breakage and split ends.

Improved shine and texture: The natural starch in rice water can lightly coat the hair, making it appear smoother and shinier.

Potential hair growth: Fermented rice water contains inositol, a carbohydrate that may help improve hair elasticity and potentially promote growth.

Anti-inflammatory and dandruff relief: Rice water's anti-inflammatory properties may help soothe the scalp and reduce dandruff.



How to use for skin:

Toner: Soak a cotton pad in rice water and apply it to the face after cleansing.

Face mask: Mix rice water with rice flour or other ingredients to create a paste and apply to the face.

Cleanser: Massage rice water onto the face as a gentle cleanser.

How to use for hair:

Rinse: After shampooing, pour rice water over your hair and scalp, leave for a few minutes, and rinse thoroughly.

Hair mask: Mix rice water with a natural conditioner or aloe vera for a nourishing hair mask.

Leave-in treatment: Mist rice water onto hair after washing as a leave-in conditioner.