7 Health and Beauty Uses of Rice Water

Because of the nutrients it contains, rice water is believed to contribute to gastrointestinal health when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet.

Reviewed and approved by the doctor Karla Henríquez.

Written by Katherine Flórez

Last update: 11 June, 2022

Have you ever heard of people applying rice water as a facial toner to improve their complexion? Well, this is one of the main uses that you can give rice this drink to gain both beauty and health.

Next, we’ll tell you how to make the drink and what the seven main uses that you can give it in your routine. Take note!

Rice water, a traditional anti-aging remedy

Traditionally, in many Eastern countries rice water has been used as an anti-aging tonic, although there are also those who consume it to provide extra nutrition to their skin.

The experts of the Spanish Nutrition Foundation (FEN) comment that rice is a cereal and is a source of vitamin B6 and niacin, although depending on the variety, it can provide other nutrients, although in lesser amounts.

It’s often said that this is a drink that can provide antioxidants, minerals, vitamin E, and other nutrients that are beneficial for skin and overall health.

Therefore, it isn’t surprising that rice water has become popular in recent years, nor that experts attributed multiple properties to it.

From rice grains, you can get a fermented water that you can use as a facial tonic, hair masksm and a drink beneficial to health. Next, we show you how to make it and each of the applications that you can give it.

How do you make rice water?

Some people assume it’s the liquid left over after you soak rice, before cooking it. While this may work, the best way to make it is by boiling the rice in huge pot with enough water.

Ingredients

• ½ cup white rice (100 g)
• 4 cups of water (1 l)

Instructions

• Pour the four cups of water into a large pan and leave it to boil.
• Once the water boils, add the rice and let it boil on low for 20 minutes.
• After this time, remove it from the heat and strain it through a colander, keeping the liquid in a glass container.
• Store it in the refrigerator and use it over the course of a few days.

What are some of the uses and benefits of rice water?

During the cooking process, the rice releases high concentrations of B vitamins, folic acid, minerals, and antioxidants into the water. This is why the liquid is useful to be used for different reasons.

In addition, this drink has hydrating, sebo-regulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, people have begun to use it as a complementary treatment for a variety of health and beauty problems.

1. Natural conditioner

Another use you can give rice water is as a natural conditioner. By applying it regularly to your hair, you can provide it with extra nutrients that would make it grow stronger, shinier, and silkier.

Instructions

• Wet your hair with plenty of rice water and let it work for a few minutes before rinsing with warm water.
• You can use this remedy up to three times a week.

2. Skin toner

According to beliefs, of all the uses that you can give rice water, the most useful is as a skin tonic. This is because it’s considered that the liquid can help to soften the skin, tone it, and improve its appearance, among other benefits.

Mainly, it’s said that the compounds in rice water reduce the size of pores, remove dead skin cells, and make UV-blocking products more effective.

Instructions

• Wet a cotton ball with the rice water, apply to a clean face, and let dry.
• Go to bed with it still on your skin so that it can work while you sleep.
• Apply it every day to get good results.

3. Acne treatment

Another use you can give rice water is as an adjunct treatment for acne. It may help to cleanse the skin, soften it, and, also, mitigate the inflammation of acne pimples.

The anti-inflammatory and astringent properties of this product can improve skin health in the case of acne.

Instructions

• Apply directly to blackheads and pimples with a cotton ball or cloth.
• Use twice a day, every day.
• If you have any doubts about its application, consult your dermatologist.

4. Natural energizer

You can also use this drink as a natural energizer. Instead of drinking an industrial energy drink, you can take advantage of this natural option, which doesn’t have added sugars that can harm your health.

It’s believed that drinking rice water regularly provides the body with several essential amino acids that contribute to muscle regeneration.

Instructions

• Drink a glass of rice water half an hour before training.

5. Eczema treatment

It’s believed that the starch in it helps relieve eczema symptoms naturally. Use it to relieve itching, irritation, and dryness.

Instructions

• Rub some rice water on the affected areas two to three times each day.

6. To relieve mosquito bites

You can also use it to relieve mosquito bites. You can do this by making the drink, pouring it into a spray bottle, and applying it to dry skin for at least ten minutes so that it can provide relief. Then, rinse the area.

7. To soften makeup brushes

One of the uses that you can give it is related to both cosmetics and crafts. If you use brushes to put on makeup, paint, make watercolors, etc., you may want them to stay soft all the time.

To achieve this, you can soak the clean brushes in a pot of water with hot rice for an hour. Then, run them through water and let them dry.

Are there more uses?

You can give this drink many more uses. The ones that we discussed here are only the most common. Also, remember that, depending on the variety of rice you make the drink with, you can get more or less benefits.

In any case, keep in mind that water or rice milk can be considered a complement to a healthy lifestyle. On its own, it isn’t a treatment for health problems or a source of food capable of meeting the needs of the human body.