Exploring the Skincare Science of Rice and Rice Water

The Science of Rice and Rice Water for Skin

Rice is one of the most common staple foods in the world, and it contains far more nutrients than just calories.

Rice and its byproducts, especially rice water, have firmly established themselves in skin care circles around the world.

This blog post unpacks and simplifies the science of rice and rice water for skin.

I will be referring to Bowman skin types throughout this blog. If you haven’t found your skin type yet, you can take the test by clicking the button below!

What is Rice Used For in Skin Care?

Oryza Sativa in skin care usually refers to pressed rice oil or extract/powder extracted from the hard husk of brown rice. As far as I know, whole grain rice is not used in skin care.

The most common form of rice in skin care products is pressed oil or rice water.

If you are just looking for product recommendations, here are some of my favorite Oryza Sativa skin care products:

(Otherwise, keep reading to learn more about the science of rice.)

What is Rice Water?

Rice water is the cloudy liquid left after washing or cooking rice. Cooking adds many of the beneficial ingredients in rice to the water.

This traditional remedy is known for its soothing, brightening, and anti-aging benefits.

The way rice water is extracted (whether it’s soaked, boiled, or fermented) changes its nutritional profile, making it a versatile ingredient for a variety of skin care products.

Benefits of Rice for Skin

The ingredients listed below offer a variety of benefits for the skin:

Ingredients in rice provide antioxidants to protect the skin, amino acids to regenerate the skin, and minerals to keep it healthy, counteracting issues ranging from dryness and irritation to skin aging and uneven skin tone.

What is rice made of?

Rice, especially the bran and husk, is rich in phenolic compounds, lipids, vitamins, and minerals. Here are some of rice’s most important ingredients:

Ferulic acid: Ferulic acid is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals, reduces the effects of harmful UV rays, and stabilizes vitamins C and E in skin care products.

Cinnamic acid: Contributes to rice’s antioxidant properties, protecting the skin from oxidative damage.

p-Coumaric acid: Has antioxidant effects, protecting the skin from environmental damage and reducing signs of skin aging.

Oryzanol: A unique flavonoid found in rice bran known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It reduces skin inflammation and protects the skin from oxidative stress.

Protocatechuic acid: Another antioxidant that helps prevent free radical damage.

Fatty acids: Rice bran oil is rich in fatty acids such as oleic acid and linoleic acid.

These contribute to the moisturizing properties of the oil, strengthening the skin barrier, retaining moisture and keeping the skin hydrated.

Phospholipids: Are important components of cell membranes and play a vital role in maintaining the structure and function of skin cells.

The phospholipids in rice bran oil help restore the skin barrier, protect against environmental impacts and moisturize the skin.

Tocopherols and tocotrienols (Vitamin E): Rice bran oil is a good source of vitamin E and contains tocopherols and tocotrienols.

These compounds have antioxidant effects, protecting the skin from oxidative stress and photoaging while providing moisture.

Oryzanol: A unique antioxidant in rice bran oil, composed of ferulic acid esters and sterols.

Oryzanol has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and UV protection properties, which help the oil protect the skin from sun damage and aging.

Ceramides: Although found in smaller amounts compared to other sources, ceramides in rice bran can strengthen the skin’s barrier function, prevent moisture loss, and protect against irritants and environmental pollutants.

Oryzanol: Prevents collagen breakdown, thereby preventing wrinkles and sagging.

Inositol: Promotes skin moisture retention, plumping and smoothing the skin.

Amino Acids: Repair and regenerate the skin and promote a healthy barrier.

Minerals (magnesium, calcium, etc.): Essential for skin repair mechanisms and overall health.

These compounds make rice bran oil particularly nourishing and protective for the skin, with moisturizing, antioxidant and barrier-enhancing benefits.

This composition explains why rice bran oil is often used in skin care products that moisturize, repair and protect.

Is rice safe for skin?

Both rice and rice water are considered safe for use in skin care with minimal risk of side effects. Both rice and rice water are considered gentle and suitable for most, if not all, skin types. However, for sensitive skin, a patch test is recommended. Rice and rice water do not contain comedogenic compounds and therefore do not cause acne.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) and many other organizations classify rice as safe for cosmetic use.

Rice vs. Rice Water

The choice of rice and rice water in a skincare formulation depends on the specific skin concern and desired product texture:

For Dry and Mature Skin: Rice bran oil is high in lipids and is better suited for dry and mature skin, with moisturizing and anti-aging benefits.

For Oily, Sensitive Skin: Rice water is lighter and soothing, better suited for oily or sensitive skin. It moisturizes and smoothes the skin without leaving it overly greasy.

Both rice and rice water have valuable skin care benefits, but their different compositions make them suitable for different skin concerns and product formulations.

Understanding these differences allows us to use each ingredient strategically to maximize the skin health benefits.

Rice and Rice Water for Different Skin Types

Each skin type has its own needs, and not all ingredients are suitable for every skin type.

However, rice’s safety and multiple benefits in skin care make it particularly useful for most, if not all, skin types.

Below I explain how the active ingredients in rice can affect different types of skin.

Dry Skin

I prefer rice oil over rice water for dry skin. Its high concentration of fatty acids makes it an excellent emollient that deeply nourishes the skin and retains moisture.

This oil is particularly beneficial for those with dry or very dry skin, as it helps repair the skin’s natural barrier and prevent further moisture loss.

Learn more about the skin barrier and its ingredients here!

Sensitive Skin

Rice Water: Rice water has soothing properties, making it ideal for sensitive and reactive skin.

It can relieve inflammation, reduce redness, and soothe irritation, providing a gentle solution for skin health without causing irritation.

Rice Bran Oil: Although rice bran oil has a richer texture, it is also suitable for sensitive skin due to its natural anti-inflammatory properties.

It can strengthen the skin barrier and protect against environmental influences that are known to cause sensitivity.

Pigmentation

Studies have shown that ingredients in rice can regulate the production of melanin in the skin when the skin is exposed to UVB radiation.

This means that while rice cannot treat existing dark spots, it can help prevent sun-induced pigmentation.

Aging

Rice oil and rice water are rich in antioxidants that effectively eliminate free radicals.

Free radicals are ionized particles that can damage genes and cause long-term skin damage, and may even lead to cancer.

The polyphenols in rice, such as vitamin E, have been extensively studied for their effects on skin aging products.

Conclusion

Rice and rice water are more than just a staple – they can be a gift to your skin’s health.

They contain natural ingredients that can treat a variety of skin problems and provide an easy and effective addition to your skincare routine.

Take the free Baumann Skin Type Test today to find the best rice products for your skin type!

Thank you for reading this blog.

If you enjoy blogging about ingredients or want to stay up to date on the latest hot topics in skincare, check out our library – we publish something new almost every day!

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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