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Rice water has long been thought to stimulate stronger, healthier, and beautiful hair. They have been used in Japan for over 1,000 years.
Recently, more and more people are using rice water as a skin and hair treatment as it contains elements known to help protect your hair and restore your skin. It’s known to soothe your skin, give it a natural glow, and improve various skin conditions. And the best part is that it’s totally inexpensive and you can easily make it at home any time.
Benefits of Rice Water On Hair and Skin
Skin Lightening
Even though it’s not proven, but many DIY websites suggest using rice water to brighten and lighten the skin and also reduce dark patches and help reduce pigmented skin. Rice water is also used in many skincare products, including various serums.
Improves Damaged Skin
Fermented rice water is known to improve skin damaged from the sun. Rice wine or fermented rice water escalates the production of collagen in the skin that keeps your skin younger and prevents wrinkles because of its antioxidant properties.
It also has natural sunscreen properties that help protect the skin against the sun rays. It is known as an effective sunscreen when used with other plant extracts.
Keeps Skin Hydrated
Most of the personal care products like shampoos have sodium laurel sulfate (SLS), which causes skin irritation. Rice water is known to help with that; using rice water twice a day helps dried and damaged skin by SLS.
Broken and Damaged Hair
Hair damage caused by excessive bleaching and hair coloring can be improved by inositol, a chemical in rice water. It also aids in repairing damaged hair from inside out, including split ends.
How to Make Rice Water
There are many ways to make rice water. The type of rice doesn’t matter but requires thorough rinsing of the rice before using it.
Boiling
Rinse the rice carefully and thoroughly and drain the water. Use four times more water than rice and bring to a boil. Keep stirring the rice and water. Remove it from the stove. Take a wooden spoon or any spoon and press the rice.
It will help release helpful chemicals. Strain out the rice with a sieve. You can use it once it cools down, by diluting it with plain water or refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to a week.
Rice Water by Soaking
Another way to make rice water is by soaking it instead of boiling. Follow the above process and don’t boil the rice. Instead, let it soak for at least 30 minutes before pressing the rice and straining it through the sieve. Lastly, refrigerate the rice water or use it immediately.
Fermented Rice Water
To make fermented rice water, follow the same process but instead of refrigerating the water, leave it in a jar at room temperature for a day or two. When it starts to have a bitter, sour smell, put it in the refrigerator. Make sure you dilute it with plain water before using it.
You may not feel comfortable making your own rice water. Or you simply do not feel like it. It is ok as you can buy already made for you rice water on Amazon.
Uses of Rice Water
You can use rice water directly to your skin or hair. You can also add fragrance or other natural ingredients to customize it according to your needs and liking. Dilute it first with plain water if you boiled or fermented it.
Hair oil
Add a little essential oil of your liking to give your rice water a pleasing aroma. Apply the rice water to your hair and leave on for at least 20 minutes. Rinse your hair thoroughly.
Shampoo
To make shampoo out of rice water, add some liquid castile soap to fermented rice water. Add a tiny amount of essential oil like lavender oil or any other of your choice or chamomile tea for a pleasant fragrance.
Hair Conditioner
Rice water can also be used to condition your hair as well. After shampooing your hair, apply rice water mixed with a few drops of lavender or rosemary essential oil. Leave it in your hair for 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with cold water for smooth, shiny hair.
Facial Cleanser and Toner
It’s great as a cleanser or toner for face. Just put a small amount of rice water on a cotton ball and apply it all over your face and neck as a toner.
To use it as a cleanser, massage it into your skin. Rinse afterward if you desire. It can also be used as a sheet mask with a thick sheet of tissue paper.
Treatment for Acne
The calming and soothing effect of rice water makes it easier to use it as a treatment for acne. It also helps in reducing redness, which also helps in preventing future breakouts.
Body Scrub and Bath Soak
To use it as a body scrub, add some sea salt, a little essential oil, and citrus to it, to make an organic and natural exfoliator. Rub on thoroughly and rinse afterward or take a warm bath.
For a bath soak, grate up a little natural bar soap along with some vitamin E to the rice water for a soothing and refreshing bath soak.
Sunscreen
Try sunscreens that contain rice water extracts as it’s known to increase protection from the sun rays. Sunscreens that have rice bran extracts, along with other plant extracts as an ingredient, exhibited enhanced UVA/B protection.
Conclusion
Rice water is quite popular these days. While none of the claims are proven as to how it helps your skin and hair, but there’s evidence that it aids in recovering certain types of skin problems, like sun damage and natural aging. It also repairs damaged hair.
Rice water is not recommended for drinking due to its possible arsenic content, while using it to your skin and hair may bring excellent benefits. Make sure you consult a dermatologist before starting any new skin or hair regimen.
–Shameka
Results may vary. Information and statements made are for general purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Her Own Health does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Her Own Health are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
