Why you should be dousing your face in rice water

Rice is pretty great on all counts. It’s good for tossing at newlyweds, it’s (damn) good with honey chicken, and it’s even supposedly good for absorbing moisture if you (God forbid) drop your beloved phone in water. As it turns out, though, it’s also great for skin. We chatted to Susie Wang, expert skin care chemist and founder of 100% Pure to find out why rice water is the hottest thing in skincare right now.
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What exactly is rice water and how is it used in skin care?
“Rice water is fermented sweet rice that is fermented for about a month using microbes, similarly to how beer and yogurt are fermented,” explains Susie. “After the rice is fermented, the alcohol is allowed to evaporate off and the beneficial enzymes, vitamins, minerals remain, which have many skin benefits. This is a similar process that's used to create the popular alcoholic beverage sake; however, the alcohol is evaporated off and the fermented rice is also concentrated. Fermented rice is water soluble, so it will work in any water soluble formulas, particularly in cleansers, toners, and serums to allow for the deepest skin penetration,” she says.
What are the benefits of rice water in skin care?
“Fermented rice first began being used for skin care when it was realised that the workers who worked in processing sake (using their bare hands) did not show signs of ageing on their hands, even though the rest of their faces and bodies did,” Susie tell us. “While other areas of their body were loose, wrinkled and [showed] age spots, their hands appeared lustrous, hydrated, and free of age spots, wrinkles and other pigmentation,” she explains.
Is rice water best suited to specific skin types or conditions?
“Fermented rice is suitable for all skin types, especially to prevent and reduce the visible signs of aging. Unlike other acidic, exfoliating ingredients that are dehydrating, the acids from fermented rice (particularly kojic acid) are, in fact, hydrating,” says Susie. “Rice water is [also] rich in compounds, such as kojic acid, that brighten the skin and downregulate hyperpigmentation. It truly shines in preventing sun damage to skin, keeping the skin flexible and free of age spots,” she confirms.
Try this rice water regimen:
Cleanser: Swisse Sweet Almond Cream Cleanser
Toner: Tonymoly Wonder Rice Smoothing Toner ($21, myer.com.au)
Serum: 100% Pure Fermented Rice Water Serum ($54.95, nourishedlife.com.au)
Main image credit: @100percentpure
Have you tried rice water products before? What are your thoughts on it as a skin care ingredient?
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51 Member Comments
Totally missed this but intrigued! Rice water never heard of it before.
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Rice water.....never thought of that one!
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I have been using Keana Rice Sheet Masks from Japan since my trip about 12 months ago. My skin is so soft and pores refined. I also like how Japanese sheet masks are sold in pouches, as sheet masks already use a lot of packaging as it is, but they are a much more sustainable option
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I have used rice water and fermented rice water on my hair. It's a really cheap and effective way to give your tresses a light protein boost. You can youtube it and find many methods of doing it. Pitera essence has been around for centuries. Make your own, it's cheaper! The longer you're alive, the more these things come around for another go at the top of the ingredients chain. lol
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Wonder if you can make your own rice water???
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This is why I love SKll
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I've never heard of rice water before but will give it a try.
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Can't say I've heard of rice water before but happy to give it a go
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My mum told me that way back in her days, women used to use the rice water and wash their face, body and hands. Apparently, it really did make their skin softer and more glowy.
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I once won a bottle of SKII and it was wonderful!
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I've used rice sleeping masks in the past and they're quite nourishing.
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never heard of it before but now I really want to try it.
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Never heard of such a thing but definitely fascinating.
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This is why SK II has been on my fantasy wish list for if I ever win Lotto.
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Never heard of this but it sounds amazing
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wow this looks pretty interesting. I would love to give rice water products a go.
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This was an interesting read!
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I've heard of using it on hair too.
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I've heard about this and am quite curious, but overtime have gotten quite nervous about internet natural/homemade remedy trends... after all those years of "LEMON WATER FIRST THING IN THE MORNING!" I read somewhere this can give you stomach ulcers... that's an extreme example but still. Will look into this though, it sounds gentle enough!
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I am wondering if this is going to be the new cult product now. I will have to race into my local chemist and give it a try.... I will just have to hide it from my husband who thinks i horde products.
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Husband: ...Do you really need that?
You: .... Do i really need you Greg?...Do I ???
:D
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sooooo funny!!!!!!
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Haha thats funny meedee
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Always meakes me giggle Moonlight :D
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