Joy Onuorah

Over the years, various studies have been testimony to the fact that rice water, part of Asia’s culinary legacy, is also part of its beauty legacy. And for good reason. Its application on the skin can benefit in a lot of ways.

The potent antioxidants it has is the best bet from protection against premature ageing. It does so by neutralization of free radicals and also goes by the properties of elastase (the enzyme that damages elastin and makes it bouncy). 

It also soothes and improves impaired skin barriers and keeps it hydrated. There are several benefits to using rice water for the skin. 

Benefits of rice water for skin

• It soothes skin conditions in sensitive skins, including acne and pimples
• In 2002, a study from the Department of Toxicology at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium determined that patients with skin conditions like inflammation, rashes and dermatitis benefitted greatly from taking a bath in rice water twice a day. So people with sensitive skins, rejoice! It is the most natural astringent you can ever imagine, thanks to its high starch content, and is good for people suffering from chronic acne and pimples as well. 

• It keeps your skin safe from the sun
• Rice water is a natural sunscreen, protecting from the harmful effects of UV rays. In addition, rice water can be used to treat sunburns. Just apply it on sun-damaged skin, and it will help your skin recover faster. It also helps tighten open pores. 

• It is an anti-ageing solution
• Skin texture is greatly improved, and elasticity is restored by using rice water, especially in the case of dry and dehydrated skin. Rice water is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, flavonoids and phenolic compounds. In addition, it contains ferulic acid and allantoin, all of which are necessary for skin function. 

• It improves the complexion 
• One of the key functions of rice water is brighter skin and an even skin tone. If you dip a cotton ball in fermented rice water and massage it into your face, it really works wonders. You’ll find sun spots, pigmentation, hyperpigmentation and freckles lightening.

• It protects against skin cancer
• Not only does it promote cell growth and regeneration, keeping your skin supple and smooth, it also has antioxidants, which keep various skin cancers at bay and also act as an anti-ageing agent. 

• It benefits the skin on your body
• You can use it as a bath soak – just add two cups of rice water into regular water that’s in your bathtub, and finish up with a few drops of lavender essential oil. Soak for about half an hour to reap the skin benefits of rice water all over the body, while the lavender lulls you into a comfortable sleep-like state.
• The benefits of rice water just cannot be over-emphasized