With a wide variety of beauty products available in the market, certain traditional home remedies have been pushed aside. Let’s bring them back! Rice is one of the best traditional beauty ingredients that’s been passed down through the generations, very much a part of Korea’s beauty legacy. Even the water in which you wash your rice could work as a beauty potion for your skin and hair. This cloudy white starch water is known to be the storehouse of some powerful vitamins and minerals, including amino acids, B vitamins, vitamin E, antioxidants etc. Scroll down for some amazing rice water beauty hacks that will get you glowing skin and shiny hair in no time.
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How To Make Rice Water?
There are several ways to prepare rice water. You can make rice water by boiling rice, soaking rice, or fermenting soaked rice water. Choose the one that is easier for you.
Soaked Rice Water
Soaking, the easiest and quickest way to make rice water.
- Take a cup of rice.
- Wash the grains thoroughly 3-4 times, so that all the dirt and dust comes off.
- Pour three cups of water into a bowl and soak the rice for 30 minutes.
- Make sure to cover the container while the rice is soaking.
- Strain it in a clean container and it’s ready to use.
- You can store rice water in the refrigerator for a week. After this period, you will have to prepare another batch.
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Fermented Rice Water
- To ferment the rice water, place rice water that you prepared by soaking, into a clean bottle.
- Let it sit and allow to ferment for 1-2 days. (The fermentation process depends on the room temperature. The warmer the temperature the faster the process.)
- When it begins to smell sour, place it into the refrigerator to stop the fermentation process.
Boiled Rice Water
- Boil a cup of rice just the way you would normally do.
- Once the rice is ready, strain out the starchy water. (The remaining water would be milky white and will contain all the essential nutrients.)
- Pour this in a glass bottle.
- Let it cool down completely before you store it in the refrigerator.
Note- Fermented rice water is more potent. In case you are using boiled or fermented rice water instead of soaked one, it’s better to dilute it before using. For this, just take 4-5 tablespoons of rice water and add it to 1–2 cups of water.
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Rice Water Beauty Hacks For Skin
Rice water gives your skin a much-needed boost of minerals and vitamins. Thanks to the presence of ferulic acid in rice water which makes it a great antioxidant. It promotes collagen growth in the skin. Rice water works as an astringent, helps to calm skin and reduce inflammation, making it ideal for acne-prone skin. Using it regularly also prevents the skin from breaking out further. The starch present in rice water protects the skin from harsh UV rays and thus acts as a natural sunscreen. It is an effective and natural remedy to treat unwanted spots and pigmentation.
Facial Cleanser
Want a softer and more radiant-looking skin? Just cleanse your face with rice water. You can either splash the soaked rice water onto your face directly or apply it with a cotton ball. Let it air dry on your skin. You may use it every day as part of your skincare routine. This will remove all the dirt, grime and impurities after cleansing.
Skin Toner
Rice water makes a great toner! Just pour a bit of it onto a cotton pad and apply it the way you normally use a toner. This is going to help freshen up oily skin. It helps tighten skin and minimize pores, keeping your skin smooth and bright. This is one of the best rice water beauty hacks. Rice water toner restores your skin’s pH balance as well.
Body scrub
Create a scrub infused with rice water. Take a quarter cup of rice water. Add four tablespoons of sea salt, two tablespoons of olive oil and six drops of lavender essential oil in it. Use this natural exfoliant on your body to exfoliate your skin.
Note- Sensitive skin should do a patch test before using this recipe.
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Bath Soak
Pamper and rejuvenate yourself with rice water! Just add a mug of rice water to your bath along with a few drops of essential oil. Soak in and relax!
Rice Water Beauty Hacks For Hair
Rice water is more than just a protein treatment for hair. Inositol, the key nutrient found in rice water strengthens and repairs the hair and increases hair elasticity. It stays inside the hair shaft, even after rinsing, offering continuing hair protection. Rice water is great if you want to add shine and prevent hair fall.
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Hair Rinse
Rice water works as a great conditioner for the hair. Take a mug of rice water. Add 1 tablespoon of aloe vera juice or 5-6 drops of any essential oil of your choice (rosemary, lavender or geranium) to the rice water.
After shampooing, pour this rice water on your scalp and coat your lengths as well. Gently massage your scalp and hair and let this sit for 10 minutes. Then rinse your hair thoroughly with water. Use it twice a week as a final rinse for strong and healthy hair. Its consistent use will make your hair and scalp feel more hydrated and less itchy. Split ends will look smoother, and new hair growth will feel silky and shiny.
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So, what’s your take on rice water beauty hacks? Isn’t it convenient and very affordable? Try them and share your experiences.