When you prepare to cook rice, I’m pretty sure you throw its water away. That’s probably because you do not find the water useful. After reading this post, I believe you’d have a rethink because the beauty benefits of rice water is enough reason to stop you from disposing of it.
Rice water is the starchy water left over after rice is left to soak or after cooking. It is a natural skin toner which promotes cell growth, stimulates blood flow and keeps the skin smooth and bright. As a result of the many beauty benefits of rice water, many natural hair stylists now recommend it for the hair.
How to Get Rice Water
To get your rice water without waiting until when you intend cooking rice, you should do the following:
- Get at least 1/2 cup of raw rice and 2 cups of water
- Rinse the rice to remove impurities that might be in it.
- Place the rinsed rice in a bowl and fill it with two cups of water.
- Whirl the rice around a bit, then let it soak for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Drain the rice water from the rice then pour it into an airtight container for storage. You can preserve it in your fridge for one week. You can always cook the rice if you want.
Beauty Benefits of Rice Water
Now you know how to get your rice water. Let’s proceed to take a look at some beauty benefits of rice water.
1. Fights Acne
Photo credit: American Academy of Dermatology
Rice water helps fight acne. It calms the soreness of an outbreak as it acts as an astringent on the skin by tightening the pores. It naturally tackles rashes, skin inflammation and other skin problems while preventing future breakouts. To apply on the face, use a cotton pad.
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2. Serves as Hair Conditioner
Rice water also serves as hair conditioner. After shampooing, apply rice water to your hair along with a few drops of lavender essential oil or rosemary essential oil. Allow the rice water remain in your hair for 10 minutes, then rinse with cold water. It helps in balancing the PH level of your scalp as it doesn’t have any chemicals nor preservatives.
3. Serves as Facial cleanser
Rice water contains vitamins and minerals that help revitalize your skin, smoothen it and help it glow. Pour some of your rice water on a cotton pad and gently massage it on your face for two minutes, then allow it dry up. To make your face as supple, soft, tight and radiant as ever, make it a part of your skin care routine.
4. Softens and makes hair grow healthy
Rice water helps detangle and improve hair elasticity. After shampooing and conditioning your hair, pour a reasonable amount of rice water on it and gently massage the rice water into your scalp. Rinse thoroughly with water. This adds sheen to your hair while keeping your hair healthy and making it grow longer.
5. Treats Eczema and other Skin Conditions
Photo credit: OnHealth
The starch in rice water can be used in treating eczema. You just have to dip a clean piece of cloth into the rice water, then pat the damp cloth over the affected area. Do this for a couple of minutes and allow your skin to air dry. This isn’t restricted to eczema alone as you can use rice water to treat other skin conditions such as Dermatitis. To fight irritated skin, add 1-2 cups of rice water to your bath and soak yourself in it.
Those are just five of the many beauty benefits of rice water. You should start using it. Don’t you think?
