WHAT IS RICE?
Rice is the seed of a semi-aquatic grass called Oryza Sativa that is cultivated extensively in warm climates in many countries, including Asia, the United States of America, including African countries, for its edible grains. it is a common food throughout the world.
Rice grain is made of three layers such as the bran and germ, the hull or husk, and the endosperm (the inside kernel).
In Asia culture, rice is used as a beauty ritual way back, it has medical value to the skin especially water from the first and second wash. Studies show that starch in rice can improve and soothe impaired skin barriers such as atopic dermatitis, rosacea, and acne while keeping the body hydrated.
RICE WATER TO THE SKIN
Today, rice water is popular among other skin treatments and very effective for skin treatment. It tones, lightens, soothes the skin, and improves different skin conditions. it is something you can easily make at home. Rice water contains vitamins known to help protect and repair your skin and hair such as;
- Amino acids
- Vitamin B
- Minerals
- Antioxidants
There are so many claims about rice that science hasn’t proven yet among so many other great benefits.
BENEFITS OF RICE WATER TO THE SKIN
- Rice water on face:
Rice wine ( fermented rice water) can help improve sun damage. it increases collagen in the skin, which helped prevent wrinkles and keeps your skin supple. Rice wine is enriched with a high concentration of anti-oxidant properties that help with anti-aging as well. It can serve as a natural sunscreen that protects the skin from UV exposure, which is also very effective in treating sunburn and fades suntan and sunspots.
- Rice water for skin lightening:
Rice water can be used to lighten the skin or reduce dark patches, spots, suntan, evens out uneven skin tone, fights blemishes, etc, and brightens up the complexion for clear and smooth skin. In fact, a lot of commercial products, including soaps, toners, creams, and serums contain rice water.
- Dried skin:
Research has it that using rice water twice a day helps the skin that has been dried and damaged by sodium laurel sulfate (SLS) an ingredient found in many personal care products. it is known to help in so many skin irritations caused by SLS. Bathing rice water twice a day for 15mins makes the skin healthy and reduces the tendency of having skin issues such as atopic eczema, rashes, inflammations, and people whose skin had become damaged by SLS.
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DAMAGED HAIR:
It helps in restoring damaged hairs, such as bleached hairs, dandruff hairs, etc, and helps repair them from the inside out with the help of inositol, a chemical in rice water. it also helps in the following;
- makes hair smoother
- detangles the hair
- increase hair shine
- makes hair stronger
- helps hair grow long
Women in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia have used rice water as a hair treatment for centuries.
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EYE PROBLEM:
Rice has some elements such as vitamin E, Zinc and Niacin found in it to help promote overall eye health. Some say that drinking rice water or eating certain types of rice helps reduce your risk for age-related macular degeneration which usually affects older people and can result in blindness.
SEVERAL WAYS TO MAKE AND USE RICE WATER
There are many ways to prepare rice water and in this method, the type of rice doesn’t matter. They are as follows;
- Soaking Rice Water:
This method is very simple and doesn’t require much. It is done by soaking the rice in water, you soak for about 30mins before pressing the rice and straining it through a sieve. Preserve it by refrigerating it. Then it’s ready to use.
- Boiling Rice Water:
Rinse the rice first and drain it. Put the rice in a clean pot, add in water, enough water like times four (4) of the rice quantity, and bring it to a boil. Remove it from heat, take a spoon and press the rice to release the helpful chemicals. Strain out the rice with a sieve and refrigerate it in an airtight container. Dilute with water before use.
- Fermented Rice Water:
To prepare this method, use the same method as the soaking method. Then instead of refrigerating the water (after pressing and straining the rice), leave it in the container at room temperature for one or two days. When it starts having a sour smell then you can refrigerate it. Dilute with water before use.
USES OF RICE WATER
- Hair rinse
- Shampoo
- Facial cleanser and toner
- Bath soak
- Body scrub
- Sunscreen
CONCLUSION
Rice water is a very popular solution to different skin blemishes like sun damage and natural aging, and skin lightening, and also good for repairing of damaged hairs. it is advisable to speak to a dermatologist first before beginning any skin regimen.
