The Common Rice Water: Your Kitchen’s DIY Beauty Elixir

Rice water: The magic ingredient in our kitchens

From K-pop to K drama to K-beauty, Korean culture has taken the world by storm. Korean beauty products have also caught the imagination of beauty enthusiasts in India . But did you know that rice water is a staple ingredient in Korean beauty regimes?  Rice water packs a punch in terms of nutrition and benefits for the skin and hair. The best part is that it is always available in desi kitchens and is safe and effective.

I often use rice water to treat mouth sores. Just rinsing my mouth with the water left over after soaking and draining rice has worked like magic to rid my mouth of those painful sores.

Lately, my hair had turned rather frizzy and appeared lackluster. So when I read that rice water could help, I decided to try it out. I mixed rice water with coconut oil and massaged it into my scalp before shampooing. I repeated this about 2-3 times a week for a month.  My hair felt soft and shiny and I could feel a lively bounce which had seemed hard to achieve even with a host of top-notch hair products.

Rice water’s benefits are rooted in ancient tradition

The use of rice water for cosmetic purposes dates back centuries. “It has been traditionally used in countries like Japan and China. Women in the Heian period (794 to 1185 CE) in Japan had floor-length hair which they kept healthy by bathing it in rice water,” says Dr. Niti Gaur , dermatologist and founder of Citrine Clinic in Gurgaon.

“Even today, in the village of Huangluo in China, Yao women are famed for having 6-feet-long hair, which does not turn gray until the age of 80. This is credited to the rice water used by them for washing their hair,” says Dr. Gaur.

Rice water is the starchy liquid left over after soaking or boiling rice. According to Dr. Gaur, this starch-laden residual water is rich in nutrients such as vitamins B, C, E, and lipids that enhance skin health.  Also, carbohydrates, inositol, and phytic acid present in rice water help brighten the skin.  The water has large amounts of antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and protect the skin from damage and premature aging.

Rice water is also a boon for hair health, as it contains inositol that may reduce hair damage.  Amino acids and antioxidants like ferulic acid and allantoin help increase blood circulation and nutrition supply to the scalp.  “A study found that day-old rice water contains the bacterium Bacillus cereus, which produces the antibiotics Zwittermicin A and kanosamine. These can inhibit the growth of Malassezia furfur, the fungus that causes dandruff,” says Dr. Gaur.

Benefits Galore

According to a 2021 research paper titled, “A Formulation of  face pack and hair products of rice water for the use of skin and hair problem”, published in the ​​digital, open access and peer-reviewed Word Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences , rice water is an effective anti-aging ingredient which explains its use in skin care cosmetics.  It promotes collagen synthesis, thereby preventing wrinkle formation and is also known to improve the skin elasticity.  Fermented rice water has antioxidant properties that may prevent sun-induced photodamage and is often used in sunscreens. It can help to cool the skin, reduce inflammation and promote healing after a sunburn. The healthy starches in the water help reduce oiliness and tighten the pores, due to its astringent properties.

“While the vitamins in rice water help brighten the skin and improve its texture, minerals like calcium and magnesium make it moisturizing.  Amino acids support the skin’s natural barrier keeping it healthy and resilient,” said a spokesperson for The Face Shop , a Korean beauty company that claims to use only natural ingredients in its products.  It has essential enzymes that remove dead skin cells and promote cell growth.

The 2021 research paper also mentions the benefits of rice water in improving the texture and strength of hair.  A chemical-free cleanser, it not only helps keeo pH levels balanced but also promotes hair growth and hair elasticity.  It acts as a natural conditioner and provides an additional layer of protection against heat and pollution, keeping hair soft and lustrous.   “I used the time-honored technique of washing my hair with water used to soak rice. My hair, once prone to dullness and breakage, now gleams with vitality and resilience,” says Gagandeep Kaur , a New Delhi-based marketing consultant.

Ease of use and DIY tips

Rice water is super easy to obtain and use.  Pour water over rice, rinse, and drain.  Pour water over rice a second time, allowing the rice to soak for at least an hour.  Stir the grains. Drain the water and use it either immediately or store it in a container. You can also let the it sit for a day until it begins to ferment.

Alternatively, you can also drain the excess water after boiling rice and use it for your skin and hair.

Hair: Apply rice water to washed and shampooed hair and allow it to sit for about five minutes.  Wash off and then condition.  You can also apply it before shampooing and conditioning as well.

Skin: For the skin, apply rice water directly by using cotton.  Allow it to soak into the skin before washing it off thoroughly.

Face mask: Prepare a homemade face mask by mixing rice water with ingredients like honey, cream, curd, aloe vera gel, and rose water for glowing skin.

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