Well beauties, as we stare at beautiful Korean pop stars and marvel at their flawless skins and thick hair, it seems they have some kind of ancient beauty secret that somehow has remained a mystery from the rest of us.
Apparently, it’s a secret that’s not so secret, and it’s been all over TikTok. Now we must also admit, we only found out about it from the Kardashians when Kim K admitted she used rice water to grow her hair stronger.
But what are the facts? We asked Dr. Costi to give us some insight from his professional point of view.
Asia’s oldest beauty secret is literally all you need for glowing skin and lustrous hair: rice water.
Japanese and South Korean cosmetic giants have been using rice water in their cosmetics, as well as several main stream brands who are adding it to their face wash and serums.
With its origins in china, the use of rice water is exactly how it sounds: people were washing their hair and their face with the water that’s left after soaking rice.
“As rice water is rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, phytic acid and the hormone inositol, it actually can have many benefits” explains Dr. Costi. “All these components have nutritional value for the skin and hair”.
As part of Asia’s traditional foods, it is also part of its traditional beauty secrets.
Studies in Europe have shown that patients with skin conditions like inflammation, rashes and dermatitis benefitted greatly from taking a bath in rice water twice a day.
Rice water is a natural astringent, thanks to its high starch content, and so it’s good for people suffering from chronic acne and pimples as well.
When using rice water, skin texture is improved and elasticity restored, especially in the case of dry and dehydrated skin. The fact is that rice water is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, flavonoids and phenolic compounds. In addition, it contains ferulic acid and allantoin, all of which are necessary for skin function.
Especially as we are in summer, our skin needs all the help it can get to stay supple and smooth. Rice water promotes cell regeneration, as well as being rich in antioxidants which helps keep the skin protected from external aggressions and dangers such as skin cancer.
Soaking in a bath of rice water will provide your whole body with extra smooth and healthy skin. We like adding a few drops of lavender oil and enjoying the bath for at least half an hour.
Rice water has inositol: it is a carbohydrate naturally made by our bodies, and its function is to structure our cells. This nutrient helps improve hair elasticity and texture, therefore reducing frizz.
Rice water’s a great option if you need to balance your scalp’s pH level. It keeps your hair’s natural oils intact and its own natural pH level is similar to that of the scalp.
Rice water is a natural cure for eczema, fever and other bacterial infections. It is full of energy, with a low-cal but high-carb way of providing your body with a boost to get through the day.
You can soak 1 cup of rice in 2 cups of water- leave it for an hour, and there you go. Strain it and you have rice water.
Or, the rice is boiled until half cooked, then strained and you get the water.
Store the water in a glass jar at room temperature or in the fridge, and no longer than 5 days.
Use organic rice, clean filtered water, and rinse the rice thoroughly before use to get rid of any topical pollutants and pesticides.
Of course rice water may have many benefits, but it is not to replace a visit to your dermatologist! If you have a serious skin or hair issue please consult your doctor.
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