Modern beauty enthusiasts have no shortage of futuristic ingredients to foist upon their faces. Epidermal Growth Factor harvested from human foreskin? It’s a thing, and celebrities love it. (See: Aesthetician Georgia Louise’s “penis facial.”) Red and blue lasers to reduce acne and wrinkles? At-home LED light masks to have ‘em both. But sometimes, it’s the old-as-time DIYs that provide the best results — like rice water for skin, which dermatologists say has just as much youth-preserving, hyperpigmentation-brightening, skin-protecting power as that super-fancy stem cell serum in your Sephora cart.
“Rice water has been popular for hair and skincare in Japan, China, and Korea for centuries,” Dr. Aanand Geria, M.D., F.A.A.D, a board-certified dermatologist with Geria Dermatology in New Jersey, tells The Zoe Report. It’s perhaps more commonly known for lengthening and strengthening hair, but this ancient ingredient has serious skincare benefits, too. “Rice water is thought to be rich in minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins B and E,” Dr. Geria says. “Given that, it’s thought to be anti-aging in nature.” The dermatologist says rice water may help moisturize and decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also has the potential to help with hyperpigmentation (like acne scars and sunspots) and texture. Although extensive research hasn’t been done, one 2013 study suggests that rice water may improve signs of sun damage, too.
Is there anything rice water can’t do? Not really. It’s even very, very nice for your wallet. You can make it yourself using only — you guessed it — rice and water; the DIY process is the exact same as rice water for hair. “Oftentimes rice is boiled and the remaining water is fermented; the water is then boiled again to stop the fermentation process,” Dr. Geria explains. (“Fermenting” involves letting the water sit at room temperature for a few hours, FYI.) If that sounds like too much boiling and waiting, don’t worry.
Also Read: 10 Signs You Have Sensitive Skin
