Rice water is suggested to be beneficial for skin health, although current research on this subject remains limited. More extensive studies are required to confirm this. However, existing research suggests several potential advantages of rice water.

 

Rice water for Skin Anti-Aging:

Rice water may mitigate skin aging, however there's little evidence about this. A study conducted in 2018 noted a decrease in the activity of elastase, an enzyme linked to skin aging, after rice water application. This suggests potential benefits of rice water to reduce wrinkles and lines. Additionally, another study conducted in 2001 found that inositol might diminish existing wrinkles. The study tested a 1–2% inositol moisturizer on females of varying ages for 7 weeks, showing a 12.4% decrease in wrinkle size and a 17% increase in elasticity. However, both studies were small-scale, and the latter one didn't specifically examine the rice water benefits for skin anti-aging.

 

Skin Irritation:

In 2002, researchers investigated the effects of bathing in rice starch-infused water on two groups: individuals with atopic eczema and those with skin irritated by sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). They observed a 20% improvement in skin healing among those with SLS irritation after bathing in the rice starch solution for 15 minutes twice daily. The treatment also enhanced the skin barrier in individuals with atopic eczema.

 

Dandruff:

Early research suggests fermented rice water may hinder the growth of certain fungi. A laboratory study conducted in 2013, revealed that day-old rice water contains Bacillus cereus, a bacterium producing antibiotics like zwittermicin A and kanosamine.

These substances can inhibit the growth of Malassezia furfur, a fungus responsible for dandruff. However, this was only a laboratory study. Further investigation is required to confirm whether fermented rice water effectively treats dandruff in humans under normal conditions.

Rice water preparation:

Making rice water is quite simple and can be done by following some fast and easy steps:

1- Soaking rice:

Begin by soaking 1/2 a cup of uncooked rice in 2–3 cups of water for about 30 minutes. Once soaked, strain the water into a clean bowl or bottle for immediate use.

Any leftover rice water can be stored in a clean container in the refrigerator for later use.
 

2- Boiling Method:

Cook rice by boiling it in water, using twice the amount of water that is typically used for cooking.

After cooking, strain the rice and collect the water. Then, transfer the collected water into a clean bowl or bottle for immediate use.

Store any remaining rice water in a clean container in the refrigerator.

 

For fermented rice water:

Follow the soaking method described above. After soaking, allow the rice water to sit at room temperature for 1–2 days.

Once fermented, store the rice water in the refrigerator for future use.