Rice Water: Ingredients, Preparation & Application

When cooking, have you ever thought of not pouring away your rice water, but instead using it on your skin and hair? Sounds strange, right? It's actually a huge trend in the beauty community. We'll explain why. Read more now about the ingredients, which products we recommend, and how you can make it yourself!

What exactly is rice water?

There's no great science behind the term rice water. In fact, it's exactly what it sounds like: water that is left over after washing or cooking rice. But how did this liquid, usually destined for the sink, suddenly become the ultimate beauty secret?

The reason lies in its ingredients and their properties. These not only boast moisturizing but also brightening qualities, which is why the extract is now increasingly used in shampoos and conditioners, as well as various facial cosmetics. So it's worth taking a closer look.

The ingredients of rice water and their effects

Rice water contains a number of components that can have a beneficial effect on your face or hair. These include:

• Starch: A natural way to lock in moisture in your hair lengths or skin.
• Amino acids: Building blocks of proteins that help repair hair damage or stimulate its growth. They also support skin firming and can lighten it in a similar way.
• Antioxidants: Which are beneficial for neutralizing free radicals and thus potentially slowing down the skin aging process.
• Vitamins and minerals: Including vitamin E and B, as well as potassium. These are also known for their strengthening and nourishing effects on the skin.

Convinced? Then integrate this natural miracle remedy into your 10 Steps Korean Skincare Routine or hair care and test the effects of the ingredients for yourself. You can find out which products are available for the face below. If you want to make something for your hair yourself, click here.

Rice is not the only food used in cosmetics. The effects of green tea or activated charcoal are also very popular.

Cosmetics with rice extract

You can now find a wide range of products that contain cereals such as rice extract. We would therefore like to present the most popular areas of application for the skin here.

1. The antioxidants mentioned above are increasingly used in cleansing oils and peels. They help you free your skin from impurities and thus create a refreshed look. HaruHaru's Wonder Black Rice Soft Peeling Gel, for example, uses black rice for this. This also impresses with its highly concentrated polyphenol and flavonoid pigments, which help protect against free radicals and UV radiation.

1. Toners focus particularly on moisturizing and firming properties, while also helping to balance the pH value. For example, the Purito Oat-in Silky Toner, which is excellent for sensitive skin.
2. Sheet- or Overnight masks also rely on rice extract to protect the natural barrier of the epidermis and better lock in moisture. This can lead to a particularly soft and supple skin feeling. Making your own masks, by the way, is not that difficult.

1. You will, of course, find a similar effect in face creams. The Purito Oat-In Calming Gel Cream contains various cereals, including oats. These not only moisturize your skin but can also nourish, smooth, and soothe it.
2. Serum is an absolute must in Korean Beauty and is also often packed with our favorite ingredient. In combination with hyaluronic acid, it is indispensable if you are looking for anti-aging products. We recommend, among others, the HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Anti-wrinkle Serum or the Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum Rice + Arbutin.

Rice water also convinces us with its soothing and cooling properties. So, if you ever forget your sunscreen at home or apply it too thinly, the liquid can help you treat the damage. However, only rely on it in emergencies. We explain how to prevent this and find the best sunscreen for you in a separate article.

Rice water is generally suitable for every skin type, but may work better on some than on others.

Preparing rice water for hair: here's how it works

As already indicated, rice water is a great natural alternative or complement to your shampoos and conditioners. This is especially due to the proteins it contains, which can strengthen your hair and give it new shine. To make it yourself, follow these simple steps:

1. Wash one cup of natural rice thoroughly under running water. This removes any adhering dirt or other residues.
2. Place the grains in a pot, fill your cup three times with water and add it to the pot.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Once it simmers, reduce the heat and let it simmer covered for another 15-20 minutes until the rice is soft and cooked.
5. Then slowly pour the water into a bowl and let it cool there. It will look very milky.
6. Now you can wash your hair without any products and gently towel-dry it. However, it should still be damp.
7. Now take your homemade rice extract, slowly pour it over your head, and gently massage it into your scalp and lengths.
8. Let everything sit for 20 minutes.
9. After the time has elapsed, rinse out the residues and wash your hair as usual.

Our recommendation: wrap a towel around you or put on a shower cap while the product works. This way your head stays warm, which promotes absorption. For optimal results, you should also apply it at least once a week. Not sure if your rice water has gone bad yet? Then check it for the following three aspects:

1. Smell: if it smells unpleasant or sour, it's best to discard it.
2. Color: if it becomes very cloudy or discolored, that's also a sure sign.
3. Texture: if it feels thick or slimy, you should no longer use it.

Final tips for the liquid

As you can see: Cooking and actually using it in your care routine is not difficult. However, we still have a few additional tips that you should keep in mind. For example:

1. Only use organic rice: This way you ensure that your basic ingredient is free of pesticides or chemicals and thus sustainable cosmetics.
2. If you tend to have sensitive skin, do a patch test beforehand to avoid allergic reactions. If this happens, rinse everything thoroughly and consult a doctor if necessary.
3. Don't overdo it with the massaging. This process should be a relaxing part of your beauty routine. Alternatively, you can also use a special brush for washing your hair.
4. Use the liquid at least once, maximum 2–3 times a week.
5. You can use your homemade extract not only on your hair, but also on your skin as a toner or against blemishes. Here, 10–15 minutes apply. Theoretically, you can also leave it on overnight. However, approach this slowly, as irritation or dryness can occur after a few hours. Afterwards, follow up with a moisturizing face cream.
6. Avoid contact with your eyes or nose. If it does happen, rinse thoroughly with water.
7. Store your extract in a cool and dark place to prolong its shelf life. It will last for a maximum of 3 days. You should also transfer it to a glass container with a tightly sealed lid to avoid contamination.

Further links
www.verbraucherzentrale.de/.../antioxidantien-helfer-gegen-freie-radikale
www.studyflix.de/.../aminosauren-5160