7 Easy Ways To Use Rice Water For Gorgeous Hair And Skin

In some parts of the world ‘to eat’ means ‘to eat rice’. One of the most important grain, rice is a staple food for almost half of the world’s population, supplying as much as half of the daily calories.

But, rice is also a great beautifying ingredient. For centuries, Asian women have used rice water to enhance their face, body and hair. Traditionally, female rice farmers from China, Japan, and other Southeast Asian countries used to bathe and wash in rice water.

Rice water has amazing hair benefits. A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Chemists found that applying rice water on hair can reduce friction between the hair strands as well as improve hair elasticity. Moreover, rice water has inositol, a carbohydrate, which help can repair damaged hair. And not just that, specialized imaging technique shows that inositol stays inside the hair even after rinsing, offering continuing hair protection.

* Plain & Fermented

To enjoy these wonderful beauty benefits of rice water, all you have to do is just collect the water that you use to rinse your rice. And if you don’t want to cook the rice then grind the left over rice to make a body scrub or face mask.

1/2 cup uncooked rice (brown, white, basmati, long grain, short grain, jasmine, or whatever you have)
2 to 3 cups water

- To make rice water, first rinse the rice with about a cup of water to remove any dirt or impurities.
- Then, place the rice in a bowl and cover with water. Let the rice soak for 15 to 30 minutes. Swirl it around or lightly knead it until the water turns cloudy. This will help the vitamins and minerals seep into the water, creating a nourishing rinse for your hair and skin.
- Now strain out the rice water into a clean bowl. Your rice water is ready to use. This is a quick method to make rice water.
- You can use this water for your hair or face, or let it ferment for enhanced benefit.

* Rice Water for a Hair Rinse

Rice water – plain or fermented – makes a great conditioner for the hair. You can also add some aloe vera juice for sleek, defined look.

1 cup rice water
1 cup plain water
1 tablespoon aloe vera juice (optional, moisturises and gives hair a sleek, defined look)
5 drops of lavender essential oil (optional, balances scalp and adds scent)

- Place all the ingredients in a mug or squeeze bottle and shake well.
- After shampooing, pour the rice water on your hair. Gently massage your scalp and hair and leave it on for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Then rinse your hair thoroughly with water. Use it once or twice a week as a last rinse.

* Rice Water as a Facial Cleanser or Toner

This is one of the cheapest ways to pamper your skin.

1-2 tablespoon rice water
2 tablespoons fullers earth (or any other clay of your choice)

- Combine the two to form a smooth paste.
- Massage the mixture onto your face. You can leave it on 5 minutes or wash it out with cool water, see what feels better for your skin.
- With regular use, you will notice your skin feeling soft, smooth, and glowing.
- You can also use rice water as a toner. Use like any other toner apply to face after cleansing to minimize the appearance of pores and tighten skin.

* Rice Water for Age Spots

Rice water contains tons of vitamin E and ferulic acid – a very effective antioxidant. Studies are showing ferulic acid can prevent skin aging and reduce age spots.

To use, mix 1 teaspoon rice water with 5 drops of almond oil and massage into your face and neck and leave it on.

* Rice Water to Soothe Eczema and Skin Irritation

You can also use rice water to calm eczema, skin irritations and rashes.

A study conducted at Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Brussels, Belgium found that taking rice water bath – twice a day for 15 minutes – could improve the healing of atopic dermatitis patients.

To use, mix a cup of plain rice water with a teaspoon of borage seed oil. Dip a cotton cloth in water and pat all over the affected skin. You can leave it on or wash out after 15-20 minutes.

* Rice Water Bath Soak

Treat your skin to a fabulous DIY spa with rice bath and lavender soak. Take a small muslin bag and fill the bag with 1/2 cup rice and 2 tsp lavender flowers. Place the muslin bag into the water. Soak in the tub and relax fully.

Also, instead of lavender flowers try other skin beautifying ingredients such as orange peel, lemon peel, green tea, tulsi leaves (holy basil), neem leaves, and calendula petals.

* DIY Ground Rice Body scrub

Do not throw away the leftover rice, simply grind it to make a nourishing body scrub. You can also add other ingredients to this scrub based on your skin’s need.

For soft, smooth, and blemish-free skin, add a couple of teaspoons of olive or coconut oil, 1 tablespoon orange peel powder and/or few drops of essential oils (lavender, chamomile, myrtle) to the ground rice and combine thoroughly. Use this once a week or once every 15 days.