Rice Water: The Hair and Skin Secret Taking Social Media by Storm

Long before it became a viral beauty tip on TikTok, rice water was already an essential beauty ritual in Japan, China, and Korea. A simple practice that has, for centuries, embodied pure, natural, and sophisticated beauty.

In Japan, rice water, known as komenuka-yu, was used by geishas before applying their traditional white make-up to cleanse and soften their skin. They particularly appreciated its milky texture and its brightening properties, which helped even out the complexion and enhance its natural radiance. 

Similarly, in Korea, where rice water is called mi-soo, it was regarded as a beauty elixir in royal palaces for achieving porcelain-like skin. Today, it is found in K-beauty products that focus on minimalist, fermented cosmetics.

Finally, in southern China, women of the Yao ethnic group are renowned for their shiny, thick hair, which can sometimes be as long as 2 metres! Their secret? Regular rinsing with fermented rice water.

Focus on the active ingredient: hydrolysed rice proteins

Rice proteins are a particularly valuable active ingredient in hair care products, where they help to strengthen and add volume. They can also be used in your homemade skincare treatments to moisturise (the upper layers of the epidermis) and soften the skin.

Rice water, produced by soaking or cooking rice, offers benefits for the skin and hair thanks to its high content of starch, Vitamin, B, Vitamin E, minerals, and antioxidants.

Rice Water for Skin

Rice water gives you an instant healthy glow, evening out your complexion and restoring its natural radiance. 

It’s suitable for various skin types: 

• Sensitive, irritated or redness-prone skin, which will benefit from its soothing action

• Mature skin, which, thanks to its antioxidant properties, will benefit from its anti-ageing effects

• Oily skin, which will benefit from its purifying and mattifying properties, reducing excess sebum and enlarged pores

On the face, apply the rice water as a toner using soaked cotton pads, by spraying it as a mist, or as a mask. If you are using the water left over from soaking the rice, keep the grains and place them in a blender with a little water, then blend briefly to create a highly effective exfoliator.

Rice Water for Hair

Just like the Yao women of Huangluo village, use rice water to achieve exceptionally beautiful hair. Its benefits will add volume and suppleness to your hair and soothe sensitive or irritated scalps. Rice water is comparable to a gentle protein treatment, perfect as a natural hair treatment, thanks to its strengthening action which promotes growth and reduces breakage. Its smoothing properties will also improve your hair’s texture and make it shinier. 

Why not give the hair trend that’s taking TikTok by storm a go with the hashtag #RiceWaterChallenge ! For 7, 10 or 30 days, apply rice water to your hair for a simple, natural, and cost-effective hair care routine.

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You can try three different methods for versions that vary in speed and concentration:

• The Quick Method: Add half a glass of rinsed rice to two glasses of water, then leave to stand for 30 minutes before use

• The Fermented Method: Follow the same process as above, but leave to ferment for 24 to 48 hours at room temperature, then store in the fridge for 5 to 7 days. This technique will yield more potent benefits

• The Cooking Method : Collect the cooking water (unsalted) and leave to cool for a more concentrated version

With some methods, you may see visible results within a few days. Take care not to overuse the rice water, as this may dry out your skin or hair, especially if you’re using the fermented version.

Focus on Organic Rice Bran Oil

This oil combines gamma-oryzanol, Vitamin E, phytosterols and ferulic acid, all of which are powerful antioxidant active ingredients. As an anti-ageing ingredient, it is known to nourish and protect against external aggressors and combat the signs of skin ageing.

Accessible, versatile and deeply rooted in Asian traditions, rice water is back in the spotlight as an essential beauty treatment. A homemade elixir for those who dream of a more natural, pared-back and effective routine. Give it a gentle try to rediscover the power of time-honoured practices.

Patricia Béard has been exploring the properties of plants for over 10 years and is committed to a mindful lifestyle that respects the planet. As a writer, her mission is to share the benefits of the plant world through holistic health, natural cosmetics, well-being, and healthy eating.