Rice water can be used for skin beauty, in this way

From facial serums to moisturizing creams, to bee sting facials and placenta masks, the beauty industry continues to innovate with a variety of products that promise to help women achieve a youthful appearance. Lately, more and more well-known beauty brands are using rice water in their products. The benefits of rice water for beauty, especially in preventing aging, have long been known. However, instead of buying expensive products, why not just use rice water at home?

Scientific evidence and benefits of rice water for beauty

Rice is enriched with vitamin E and has cell and tissue renewal properties. Rice is also high in linoleic acid, an essential omega-6 fatty acid that helps wound healing and skin elasticity, squalene - also found in shark liver oil, as well as spinach and olive - which is needed for the synthesis of various body hormones, and vitamin D.

Research published in the Journal of Cosmetic Chemists (SCCJ) in 2010 found that rice water exhibits hair-care properties, such as reducing hair surface friction and increasing hair elasticity. Rice water contains inositol, a carbohydrate that heals damaged hair as well as protects it from any potential damage. Special imaging techniques show that the inositol content will continue to remain in the hair even after rinsing, which offers continuous protection and a hair-enhancing effect.

Rinsing or washing your hair with rice water will increase the ease of managing your hair and protect it from future damage. In addition, the amino acids in rice water strengthen hair roots, add volume and shine, and even make hair smooth and frizzy. The beauty properties of hair from rice water explain how Yao women in southwest China and Japanese women in the Heian period could have hair up to two meters long and maintain their health and beauty.

Not only limited to hair, rice water also has many benefits for skin health. Rice contains natural antioxidants such as vitamins C and A, phenolic, and flavonoid compounds, which can minimize free radical damage from age, sun, and the environment. As long as traces of it remain in the skin, rice water is believed to offer even mild protection from the sun. Rice also has properties that help to improve blood circulation, prevent or fade age-related dark spots, and relieve inflammation to give the skin a healthy, moisturizing and brightening appearance.

Thanks to the cooling and soothing effect of rice on the skin, rice water is often prescribed as an effective ointment to cool inflamed skin. Research published by NCBI has shown that using rice water has been shown to be effective in repairing dry skin lesions caused by atopic dermatitis.

Rice water is different from rice washing water

Maybe you've heard that the water you used to wash the rice is rice water, but that's not quite true. You can just use the water, but the benefits will not be exactly the same as if you use the water from the boiled rice (which you can get when you cook white rice for a side dish for lunch).

How to use rice water for beauty

To use rice water, steam the rice as usual. It's just that, add a little more water than necessary for the absorption process. You can use bottled water or distilled water from a tap. Don't add salt or sugar. What we need is rice starch, not other additives. Steam the rice until cooked, for 20-30 minutes, until the boiled water looks milky white.

When the cooking time is over, strain out excess water and let it cool down. It is important to remember, always cool the rice water each time you make a new "batch" and before using it directly on the skin, as the hot water may burn or cause a reddish rash on the skin.

Now, you have fresh rice boiled water. What can be done with the water?

1. Skin toner

Rice boiled water is an excellent alternative to facial toner because the nutritional content in it is effective in helping to keep skin smooth and radiant. This Japanese geisha's favorite boiled rice water also helps heal pimples and cool redness caused by acne infections. Rice water acts as an astringent for the skin to tighten pores.

Soak a cotton ball thoroughly in rice water and apply it evenly over your face (especially on problem areas, such as acne or eczema), morning and evening. Sleeping at night after applying toner of fresh rice water is believed to increase its benefits. Let your face dry naturally.

2. Hair conditioner

As a hair treatment, boiled rice water is said to deeply condition and soften hair so that it is easier to manage and looks healthier. After shampooing and conditioning as usual, rinse your hair thoroughly with a large amount of rice water as a final step. Use rice water as a hair rinse 1-2 times a week for best results.

3. Hair mask

To get silky shiny hair without fear of tangles, use boiled rice water as your weekly hair mask. Rinse hair clean with rice water, making sure it is completely absorbed in every strand of hair and scalp. Let stand for 20 minutes before rinsing with clean water. Then, continue with shampoo and conditioner as usual.

Rice water also has health benefits for the body

Rice boiled water is as nutritious as rice itself, and many Asian cultures vow the health benefits and longevity of rice consumption. Therefore, many people also believe that drinking boiled rice water can provide several health benefits.

Rice is thought to be good for brain health by stimulating the production of certain neurotransmitters that can help prevent Alzheimer's disease. The neuroprotective enzymes in the brain are also stimulated by the consumption of rice which helps fortify brain cells from free radical damage. This enzyme can also prevent other toxins from injuring the brain, thereby warding off other possible brain damage, such as dementia.

Although there is not much research evidence valid, boiled rice water is said to provide an energy boost, helping with stomach problems - such as bloating or constipation - helping to protect the body from the sun, as well as regulating body temperature. One study from the Lancet found boiled rice water helped prevent dehydration and was just as effective as electrolyte solutions. Other studies have supported the fact that this "miracle" water is an effective treatment for diarrhea.

However, it seems that the biggest benefit of boiled rice water lies in the beauty benefits of the skin and hair. Rice water is an inexpensive and simple beauty treatment alternative that you should try.