Skincare Saturday: Rice
Illustrations by Kirsten Lam @kirstys.korner
At the heart of Asian cuisine, rice is a staple. For me, family meals consisted of several large dishes of vegetables, meat, seafood, and always a bowl of rice. Without it, it would be super weird for me. But rice wasn’t used only for food; it was used in skincare too. In ancient times, rice water was often used by Asian women as a toner and hair rinse. This tradition maintained its presence in the skincare world, and many Asian people still use rice water today for their skin. It’s amazing to see how this ingredient played such a large role in both food and beauty in Asian culture.
The scientific name for rice is Oryza sativa and comes in a variety of colors from white to brown to even purple. Rice is a rich source of antioxidants that protect our skin from environmental damage ranging from the sun to the tiny dust and dirt particles floating in the air. It also contains many minerals such as vitamin B, vitamin E, and ferulic acid that all help improve your skin’s complexion.
In most products, components of rice are listed on skincare products such as oryza sativa cera or oryzanol. Oryza sativa cera is a natural, non-fragrant wax that is fantastic for dry skin, functioning as a skin-softening agent, while oryzanol is a mixture of lipids that is full of antioxidants. Both forms are great for your skin, and often skincare labels will list rice as an ingredient using its scientific name. This tradition began in ancient times, and there’s a reason why it still exists today. Let me tell you three ways how rice and rice water benefit our skin:
1. Brightening skin
Rice is full of antioxidants such as ferulic acid and allantoin which protect your skin from damage from the environment which can cause wrinkles, age spots, and other aging skin issues. By protecting your skin from such damage, it makes your complexion brighter and healthier.
Product recommendation: Skinfood Rice Wash Off Mask
2. Sun protection
Light rays from the sun are one of the major causes of wrinkles and fine lines due to the free radicals it produced. These free radicals damage your skin by attacking healthy skin cells which causes the skin to age. Here’s where antioxidants come in; they get rid of the free radicals by receiving the attack from these molecules instead of your skin cells. They’re like armor for our skin, protecting what is underneath it. But using rice water for your skin isn’t enough sun protection, so be sure to use a sunscreen.
Product recommendation: The Face Shop Rice Ceramide Moisturizing Toner
3. Soothing irritated skin
The different minerals in rice can help replenish dry, irritated skin which helps restore your skin’s complexion. It can help soothe your skin by clearing up the blemishes and reducing redness caused by acne and inflammation. Using rice water or skincare products with rice can help hydrate and calm your skin, leaving you with healthy, glowy skin.
Product recommendations: The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam, Cosrx Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask
Easy DIY rice water:
If you have some extra rice to spare, you can make your own rice water to use on your skin! There are several ways rice water can be used such as a toner for your skin or even as a hair rinse. Use ½ - 1 cup of rice, and wash the rice, throwing away the first wash. Next, add enough water so that there is an inch of water above the rice, and let it soak for 30 minutes, occasionally stirring it. After 30 minutes, the water should become cloudy white. Strain the rice and keep the water, and it is ready for use! When you are using it, be sure to dilute it with plain water. You can store rice water in a container and in the fridge for up to a week before tossing it.
