Botanical name for rice is Oryza sativa. Most products use the bran extract and bran oil as these have more research and studies done in comparison to rice water.
Rice, an ingredient that is loved by most South East Asians and is intertwined with their cuisine, culture and way of life. We Indians, though diverse in our food preferences, tend to gravitate to rice no matter what - and in the end is our comfort food.
Rice, and more specifically rice water has played another role in SE Countries, one that was a surprise to me when I learnt about it, but turned into a favourite - Applying rice water to the skin and hair.
Before we learn about its benefits, lets quickly try to understand what is in it and how it is beneficial, before jumping to how to prepare this and the DIYs
What is in it?
Rice is absolutely loaded with a whole bunch of nutrients, however, most of which get lost when it is polished (white rice is predominantly polished rice, while brown rice is unpolished and is much healthier). However, rice water and rice are different in composition but the rice water does still contain many nutritional components for both the skin and hair.
One point to keep in mind is that there is limited to no research available on if rice water is actually beneficial for the skin or hair, however, there is anecdotal evidence that it could be the case. There have been a few studies on consumption of rice water being beneficial for stomach related issue and eczema, but not on topical application.
1. Vitamins & Minerals - Like all plant extracts, rice water also is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, which when applied on the skin can act as powerful anti-oxidants. As we've spoken about this before, antioxidants help reduce free radical damage and can help reduce hyperpigmentation, visibility of fine lines and wrinkles, damages to the skin barrier etc.
2. Ferulic Acid - Though might not be available in high concentrations in rice water (higher in unpolished rice), ferulic acid is found abundantly in the rice husk or rice bran. This is a powerful antioxidant, and when combined with Vitamin C & E can provide good sun protection.
3. Inositol - Essentially a carbohydrate, this is one of the well researched components of rice water, that is also naturally found in our body. Applied on the skin, inositol has been observed to significantly improve moisturization and skin elasticity, as well as help in the sebum production (bringing both oily as well as dry skin to neutral levels). Inositol has also been observed to be able to penetrate through hair and condition it.
4. Pitera (Only found when rice water is fermented) - Pitera is another one of those "magical ingredients", honestly. SK-II a popular high end Japanese brand have this ingredient in almost every other product of theirs! Pitera is a rich source of amino acids, peptides, vitamins and minerals which overall help restore the skin's natural barrier.
5. Proteins - Contrary to popular belief, proteins make little to no difference when applied to the skin. Rice water is a rich in various protein chains, however, protein's benefits for hair and skin is better noted when ingested rather than topical application.
6. Lipids - These are fatty acids that when applied on the skin can act as an emollient and soothe the skin and help moisturize it as well. As we age, we tend to lose some of the lipids on our skin, and topical application of the same can help keep our skin hydrated and moisturized.
What are the benefits?
1. Anti-oxidant & Anti-aging - Vitamins and minerals in the ingredient act as a powerful anti-oxidant and in turn helps with dealing with signs of ageing.
2. Hydrating & Moisturizing - Rich in triglycerides and lipids, rice water has the properties to nourish and moisturize both your skin as well as the hair and scalp.
3. Anti-inflammatory - Rice water has been seen to be anti-inflammatory in nature, and can be used to reduce inflammation caused by breakouts and pimples and even treat bug and insect bites.
4. Conditioning - The fermented variation of the the rice water can be extremely conditioning to the hair, and has been used by Chinese & Japanese women for centuries as a hair rinse and conditioner.
How safe is it?
Rice water is extremely safe, and is even regularly consumed to deal with food indigestion, to help people with dehydration and even skin problems like eczema.
Consuming and topical application are definitely two different things, but till date there have been no known noted reactions or sensitization to rice water. However, as always, do a patch test before applying anything on the skin.
Rice Water At Home (DIY)
When we speak about rice water there are basically three different variations. I've listed below how each of these can be prepared and used at home:
1. Soaking - Rinse your rice first to get rid of any dirt, impurities or pesticides and subsequently soak it in room temperature water for about 30 mins or so. The water you get should be cloudy - if you have the time, you can soak the rice for longer. Sieve the water and store it in a jar with a proper lid. Always keep it refrigerated.
Uses - Keep it in a spray bottle and you can use this as a toner / facial mist. You can also use this as your last rinse after shampooing and conditioning your hair. You'll ideally want this on your scalp, and can even massage it in for a few minutes and then wash off.
2. Boiling - After rinsing the rice, you can cook it in a vessel on the flame with the lid on - keep the water post sieving it and let it cool down to room temperature. Transfer it into a bottle and keep it refrigerated. This is a more concentrated version, and you will want to dilute it as it will be extremely sticky (and smelly) otherwise.
Uses - Similarly can be used as toner, however, you will need to dilute it before use. You can also use this as a hair mask post shampooing and thoroughly rinse it off.
3. Fermentation - You can achieve this by keeping the rice water (made from the soaking method) outside at room temperature for 24 - 48 hours (will ferment quicker in hot and humid weather and slower in cooler weathers). Personally, I have not tried it, as the un-fermented version itself is quite smelly for me and I could not stomach it, cannot begin to imagine how the fermented stuff would smell. If you have the galls, then you can use the fermented rice water as a hair mask pre-shower - apply it with a cotton ball (or directly if you can) and leave it on for 30-45 mins. Rinse thoroughly to ensure you get all of it out. I feel using it once a week is enough for your hair, but you can use it with every wash if you wish - Always make a note of how your scalp and hair is reacting. Some people have witnessed slightly more hair fall while using this, goes to show that every hair type is unique, and there is no one solution for all.
Tip - Though any and all types of rice work well, try using brown rice or unpolished rice for the best results. The unpolished rice version is more smelly but is filled with more nutrients as well.
Disclaimer: I am not a dermatologist. The overview of the ingredient has been sourced from multiple reputable websites that provide well researched and latest information on ingredients commonly used in skincare and make-up. Wherever specific facts and figures are mentioned, these have been sourced from published Journals, Paula’s Choice Ingredient Dictionary or INCI Decoder, and Journal sources listed on these websites. Wherever, information has been taken from the source, the references will be listed as well.
I neither take credit for this information, nor can I guarantee the accuracy of these facts and figures and do not take responsibility for the same.
My main aim of the ‘What’s on the label’ segment is to help people understand what the ingredients in their skincare or make-up routines are, and more specifically how these ingredients can deliver benefits to our skin. If I have made any error or mistake, please do let me know, and we can work together to make the necessary changes.
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