Rice Water DIY for Skin: A Natural Beauty Remedy

Rice is the king of cereals and is consumed by half of the world's population. Rice water is the water left after soaking or boiling rice. While some people drink or use it, it is often thrown away during food preparation in many parts of the world. Rice water is used in skincare and hair care products nowadays as it is considered an anti-aging ingredient. (Marto et al, 2018.) 

Since ancient times, China has used rice water to wash hair, and from personal experience, Chinese households learned this. The village of China was recognized as the “World’s Longest Hair Village,” and until the late 1980s, the women rarely had grey hair. (Chithambharan et al., 2024)

Ancient Ayurvedic texts and Haramekhala mention many beauty remedies. One such remedy used rice water and other natural ingredients to support beauty and body care. (Chithambharan et al., 2024)

Rice water is the cloudy, milky-coloured starch water obtained from rice. It can be collected in three ways. 

1. Rinsing or washing rice before cooking
2. Soaking rice grains in cold or hot water 
3. Draining the water after boiling rice or boiling rice after the starch dissolves into the water.

Washing rice and cooking it in excess water can help reduce the number of harmful substances present in rice. (Welna, Szymczycha-Madeja, and Pohl, 2023)

Rice water has several components that are beneficial for skin and hair. It has antioxidants, vitamins A, B, C, and E, and minerals that make skin tighten and help to shrink open pores on the face. It also promotes skin renewal, increases circulation, and reduces aging signs. Carbohydrates, inositol, phytic acid, and inorganic substances are also found in the rice water.

Let’s prepare Rice water in three different methods for a few DIY recipes to explore its skincare benefits.

• Rice water by soaking:

Take ½ cup of uncooked rice. Wash properly to remove all dust and impurities. Take a big bowl, 3 cups of water and keep the washed rice in it for 15-20 mins. Knead the rice to make the water cloudy. This cloudy water contains minerals and vitamins. Train the water in a clean bowl. 

• Rice Water by boiling:

Take ½ cup of uncooked rice. Wash properly to remove all dust and impurities. Take a vessel and put it on the gas stove. Add the amount of water that is needed to cook the rice. After cooking the rice, strain out the extra water in a bowl, cool it, and use it. 

• Rice water by fermentation:

Take ½ cup of uncooked rice. Wash properly to remove all dust and impurities. Take a big bowl, 3 cups of water and keep the washed rice and soak for 15-20 mins. After straining the water in a glass jar, keep it open. Whenever there is a sour smell coming from the bottle, store it in the refrigerator. It is very potent water.

• Do a patch test

• Don’t use stored rice water; use freshly made water

• Combines with soothing ingredients

• Followed by sunscreen

Rice water is a time-honored skincare ingredient that has remained popular for generations. Simple, affordable, and easy to prepare. It offers a range of potential benefits, from soothing and hydrating the skin to promoting a brighter, more refreshed, youthful complexion. 

Whether used as a toner, cleanser, or face mask ingredient, rice water can be a gentle and versatile addition to your skincare routine. With regular use and proper application, it may help support healthier-looking, more radiant skin naturally. 

• Marto, J., Neves, Â., Gonçalves, L.M., Pinto, P., Almeida, C. and Simões, S., 2018. Rice water: A traditional ingredient with anti-aging efficacy. Cosmetics, 5(2), p.26. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/5/2/26?ref=bebodywise.com
• Chithambharan, A., Pottail, L., Sharma, S.C., Mirle, R.M., Rajalakshmi, R. and Ponnusamy, A., 2024. Conventional and Scientific uses of Rice-washed water: A Systematic Review. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 61(3), pp.414-428. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10844178/
• Welna, M., Szymczycha-Madeja, A. and Pohl, P., 2023. Rice water—more a source of nutrition elements or toxic arsenic? Multi-element analysis of Home-made (natural) rice water and Commercialized rice-based products using (HG)-ICP OES. Processes, 11(9), p.2674. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/11/9/2674?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• Barsagade, P.D., Patil, P. and Umekar, M.J., 2020. A formulation of face pack and hair products of rice water for the use of skin and hair problem. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 9(4), pp.683-694. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milind-Umekar/publication/352561846_A_FORMULATION_OF_FACE_PACK_AND_HAIR_PRODUCTS_OF_RICE_WATER_FOR_THE_USE_OF_SKIN_AND_HAIR_PROBLEM/links/60d07afb92851ca3acb83d02/A-FORMULATION-OF-FACE-PACK-AND-HAIR-PRODUCTS-OF-RICE-WATER-FOR-THE-USE-OF-SKIN-AND-HAIR-PROBLEM.pdf?uid=65253c6d69