Rice, a longstanding dietary staple in Asian households, has transcended its culinary role.
The leftover water from cooking rice, known as rice water, has been incorporated into beauty rituals, particularly for hair care, across Southeast Asia, Japan, and China for centuries.
Rice has also found its place as a key ingredient in various modern skincare products, exemplified by the popular Soko Glam I'm From Rice Toner in Korean skincare.
Skin Benefits
Here are the possible skin benefits of rice water, although certain assertions may lack strong scientific support:
1. Sun-related damage protection
Rice water may act as protection against sun damage. In a study published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, it was demonstrated that fermented rice water possesses the potential to enhance skin repair in response to UV damage.
2. Skin brightening
Rice water could contribute to brightening the skin. The presence of compounds like ferulic acid and allantoin in rice water is believed to contribute to skin brightening and reducing pigmentation, imparting a more radiant complexion, according to skincare brand 100% Pure.
3. Anti-aging
There's a belief that rice water may slow down the aging process. Antioxidants in rice water like ferulic acid and vitamin E may help combat free radicals, potentially slowing down the aging process by reducing the impact of environmental factors on the skin.
4. Soothing skin irritation
Rice water is believed to soothe skin irritation, thanks to the calming effect of rice water's starch when applied topically.
A study in Acta Dermato-Venereologica supported this, showing a 20% improvement in skin healing from sodium lauryl sulfates (SLS) damage with the use of rice-starch-containing bath water twice daily for 15 minutes. SLS, found in many personal care products, is known to cause skin irritation.
The study also revealed enhanced skin barrier function in individuals with atopic dermatitis when starch powder was added to bath water.
Hair Benefits
Similar to rice water's benefits on skin, the evidence for its hair benefits is largely anecdotal, relying on personal experiences. Scientific research remains limited, but potential benefits for hair include:
1. Promoting hair growth
Rice water has been associated with promoting hair growth. According to WebMD, rice water is rich in vital nutrients like vitamin E, known for its antioxidant properties that promote hair growth, particularly in cases of alopecia. It also contains mineral magnesium, biotin, and zinc which have demonstrated positive effects on hair growth in studies.
2. Reducing frizz
Rice water is believed to have a frizz-reducing effect. A 2010 Japanese study demonstrated its hair care effects, showcasing a decrease in surface friction and an increase in hair elasticity, leading to an improvement in the overall texture of the hair.
