If you have been endlessly scrolling through beauty hacks, chances are you have stumbled upon the rice water trend for hair. But did you know that rice water is not just great for your locks, oh no, it is also great for your skin! I have gone and taken things to the next level by freezing concentrated rice water into ice cubes and incorporating them into my morning routine. Let me tell you, the results have been nothing short of amazing. Especially since using ice on your face comes with numerous skin beauty-boosting benefits too. Therefore, if you are looking for a quick and easy way to wake up your skin, reduce puffiness, and get that fresh, dewy glow (with no filter needed), then a rice water ice facial may just be what your skin needs.
Best part? ALL it takes is a little leftover rice water and your freezer! Catarina Oliveira and Rui Liu, the founders of beauty brand Herbar, also highly recommend trying this easy ice facial to make the most of the skin-loving vitamins and minerals naturally found in rice.
So, join me as I explain why this hack is worth adding to your skincare routine and how it has helped me achieve that gorgeous, radiant look.
Okay, So Why Exactly Does Rice Water Work Wonders For Your Skin?
Rice water is rich in vitamins like B and E, and contains ferric acid, amino acids, Inositol (a carbohydrate that helps strengthen and repair skin and hair) and other minerals that help improve your skin’s tone and radiance. These nutrients are fantastic for brightening the skin, evening out skin tone, and giving you that healthy, glowing look.
And, of course, rice water has been used in Asian beauty rituals for centuries! The Yao women of China’s Huangluo village (famous for their long, glossy hair) have used it as a natural shampoo and rinse for generations. Whereas in Japan, court women during the Heian period relied on fermented rice water (known as Yu-Su-Ru) to care for their floor-length hair and soften their skin. Meanwhile, women of Korea’s Joseon Dynasty embraced rice water in their skincare routines, valuing its brightening and anti-ageing benefits.
So yes, clearly it is a big deal, and the ice cube format has even more added benefits. This is because the cold from the ice helps tighten pores and depuff the skin, which is perfect for those early mornings when you wake up looking a little puffy. It also helps stimulate circulation, which brings a fresh, healthy glow to your face.
Catarina Oliveira, co-founder of Herbar, explains:
“The vitamins in rice water combined with the cooling effect of ice make this one of the simplest, yet most effective ways to brighten and refresh your skin.”
And I could simply not agree more, since incorporating this into my routine, my skin has felt fresher and looked more radiant.
Making Rice Water Ice Cubes
This DIY facial could not be easier to prepare. We would even argue it is almost as easy as one, two, three. We promise.
- Rinse Your Rice: The next time you cook rice, save the water leftover from rinsing it. The first rinse will have the most concentrated vitamins and minerals, which is what you want to use.
- Concentrate The Water: Pour the water into a bowl and let it sit for a couple of hours to concentrate the nutrients. Then pour the water into an ice cube tray and pop it in the freezer.
- Apply In The Morning: Each morning, after cleansing your face, grab an ice cube and gently run it over your skin. Focus on areas that feel puffy or dull. Let the water dry on your skin before applying your other products.
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The Benefits Of A Rice Water Ice Facial
- Tightens Pores: The cold from the ice instantly helps to tighten pores, making your skin look smoother and more refined.
- Depuffs The Skin: We all get a bit puffy from time to time, especially in the mornings. Running a cold rice water cube over your face can help reduce puffiness, especially around the eyes.
- Brightens And Softens: Rice water is packed with antioxidants and nutrients that help even out your complexion, reduce dullness, and give your skin a healthy glow.
- Natural And Cost-Effective: This hack is as natural as it gets, and it is practically free! You are just using leftover water from washing your rice, and a few hours in the freezer.
How Rice Water Ice Cubes Have Changed My Skincare Routine
Since I started using rice water ice cubes, my skin feels firmer and looks more radiant each morning. The cold is super refreshing, and it really wakes me up and leaves my skin feeling alive and ready for the day. But what I love most about this trick is how simple it is to do.
Studies have also shown that fermented rice water contains antioxidants that help protect and brighten the skin. It since it is also rich in inositol, a compound known to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of pores. In fact, one small study found that people who used rice water on their skin for 28 days saw a 20% improvement in smoothness and radiance.
And here is another fun fact from a 2018 study in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science. Rice starch can actually help strengthen your skin’s barrier and calm inflammation, especially if you have sensitive skin. Not too shabby, right?
Tips For Using Rice Water Ice Cubes
- Avoid Eye Contact: Be careful when applying the ice around your eyes and avoid direct contact to prevent any irritation.
- Use A Cloth: If the ice cube is too cold, wrap it in a thin cloth or handkerchief before applying it to your skin.
A Simple And Refreshing Skin-Booster
Rice water ice cubes are an incredibly easy and effective addition to any skincare routine. It is no wonder that rice water is now a featured ingredient in over 300 skincare and haircare products on the market, including mists, shampoos, serums, and toners. AND that major beauty brands have incorporated rice water or rice bran into some of their best-selling products!
So, whether you are looking to brighten your skin, de-puff after a long night, or simply boost your glow, this DIY ice facial is a must-try. It is natural, inexpensive, and brings results that you can see and feel. Go ahead and give it a try, and let us know in the comments below if it worked wonders for your skin too.
