July 6, 2023
In the realm of skincare, it is essential to use less. This principle is ideally suited to rice water. Rice water can benefit the skin in many ways and is receiving more interest for its application in numerous skincare regimens. The water we discard after cooking rice could answer various skin concerns.
Starchy water is rich in nutrients and forms essential to Korean and Japanese practices and treatments for skin. It is prepared at home in a matter of minutes. You can incorporate it into your routine for skin care and benefit over time. It is also affordable. Learn the rice-water connection, advantages, preparation, and usage methods.
Rice Water: Is It Good For Your Skin?
Rice is not only an ingredient in Asian cuisines that ensures their overall health, but it’s also a fundamental component of Asian aesthetics and skin treatment methods. Japanese and Korean women have used rice water for beauty and hair products for centuries. When you look through the list of ingredients in any Korean beauty product, you will likely discover rice water. Numerous brands have developed entire lines of rice water products for skin care.
A few studies have been conducted to determine the benefits of drinking rice drinking water to treat skin. Most of the claims are based on personal experience, which has yet to be confirmed by researchers. Let’s look at what rice water has to offer on your skin.
Anti-Aging Benefits
A study looked at how a gel formulation that contained rice-based water for human skin. The study included 12 people who took the formula for 28 weeks. It was found that rice water was brimming with antioxidants that can inhibit the function of elastase (an enzyme that causes damage to elastin). It could therefore aid in maintaining the skin’s elasticity and reduce the signs of aging because of the hydration it offers ( 1).
Dr. Rebecca Marcus, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist board-certified dermatologist, says, “Rice does have anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties, both of which could result in fewer wrinkles through plumping and preventing the downstream effects of inflammation on the skin.”
Skin Brightening Effect
This health benefit of rice water has yet to be confirmed scientifically. However, many people in Korea and Japan utilize rice water to lessen the appearance of skin imperfections and to brighten it. It is believed that rice water contains certain enzymes that affect skin brightness. It is a rich source of hydrolysates, which can hinder the action of aging enzymes in the skin. They, therefore, help prevent skin pigmentation problems and enhance skin brightness and hydration level ( 2). This is why it is an ingredient active in creams and soaps.
Dr. Marcus says, “Rice water may brighten the skin, depending on the concentration and formulation.” She adds, “Betaine, squalene, and tricin, along with rice bran, comprise ingredients in rice. These ingredients have been proven to have properties that enhance skin that include skin lightening properties.”
Protects The Skin Barrier
If your natural barrier to the skin is damaged, the skin becomes dry and prone to skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis. A study has found that rice starch may aid in repairing and strengthening the skin barrier. Your surface. This is especially beneficial to those suffering from Atopic dermatitis ( 3). The rice water’s function could also help control eczema, rashes, and inflammation.
Soothes Sunburn
Rice water can be excellent on skin burned by the sun. Many find it helpful in treating the mild signs of sunburn, like inflammation, redness, and itching.
If applied to the skin, this starchy water can have the effect of tightening and toning. This is especially beneficial to those with excessive oily or greasy skin. While there isn’t any study that has proved scientifically that rice water helps with sunburn, it has been discovered that the consumption of alcohol from rice (fermented with rice)) could help reduce sunburn damage to the skin caused by UV light ( 4).
Fullscreen
There isn’t much evidence supporting the benefits of rice water on the skin. But, as it’s non-toxic and is suitable for all types of skin, There is no harm in trying it out. If you want to try it, consider how to make homemade rice in the following section.
How To Prepare Rice Water At Home: A Detailed Guide
There are a variety of methods to prepare rice water. It is possible to cook and soak the rice before removing the water, or you can go through the fermentation process. Pick the method that’s easier for you.
This is the simplest method to make fermented rice water at home. However, making sake is slightly more laborious as it has to be fermented for a more extended period and using Koji ( Aspergillus oryzae), a microorganism that helps ferment rice.
You can try this technique to make sake at your home:
Two cups of sticky or glutinous rice. (You could use any other kind of rice, but glutinous rice is an additional flavor, especially should you take a sip of the sake).
Wash the rice, then put it to the side in boiling water for about an hour.
Pass the rice through a sieve, then throw the excess water away.
Boil 2 cups of water in a saucepan.
Set the rice-filled sieve over the boiling water, and then steam the rice. (You can utilize a steamer for cooking rice too.)
The rice is covered; let it steam for about half an hour.
Place the rice on a baking sheet or plate, and let it completely cool.
Make some yeast balls into powder in the bowl.
Mix the yeast with the rice and place it in a glass container.
Please place it in an excellent area for a few hours.
After a few days, you’ll see liquid in the bottom. It is the result of rice wine.
Let it ferment for at least one month. The longer it is fermented, the more flavorful.
After one month, you can strain the rice with cheesecloth or muslin to separate the wine from the rice.
Using this wine for your hair and skin as a cooking ingredient or drinking it is possible. It can be stored inside the refrigerator. After a couple of days, you might notice some sediment near the top of the bottle. If you wish, it is possible to move the liquid into another glass bottle to create an even more transparent liquid.
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