It is said that rice is beneficial for both the hair and skin. It contains lots of nutrients that can provide the body with vitamins and minerals to keep it looking and feeling healthy.
And it isn’t just the rice that you see in the packaging either. It is the water too, otherwise known as rice extract, and the rice kernel that is found all the way inside of each grain.
Because there are only a limited number of people who have reported an allergy to rice, it also makes it a very versatile and useful grain that can be used in many skincare products.
In fact, you may have already seen the plethora of products that use rice as a skin and hair care benefit. So, why is rice so good for the skin? Well, let’s take a look!
What Does Rice Include?
Rice has a number of skin loving properties. The main ones when it comes to skincare are peptides and rice extracts.
Peptides
Peptides have a few different names. For example, rice proteins, rice hydrolysate, or hydrolyzed rice protein.
However, peptides are just another form of rice extract that is often used within skincare for their beneficial properties.
They are water-soluble and created via rice being treated with specific enzymes to help break down the proteins within the rice to form amino acids.
This means that the rice peptides are made from these amino acids. It is these peptides which are beneficial to our skin.
The ways they are beneficial include helping to protect the skin’s barrier. This means it stays strong, hydrated and in good condition.
Extracts
The latter is also known as rice water, or even rice solution. It is often used as an alternative for the ingredient glycerin.
Not only that, rice extract is often found within products that have a moisturizing effect.
This is because rice is known to help hydrate the skin, hence why it is used within products that nourish and moisturize dry skin.
Also, rice extract is often used in products that deal with skin irritation and redness.
This is because rice extract has antioxidant properties that protect against free radicals in the air.
Free radicals can damage skin, and they can be found within our day-to-day life. For example, cigarette smoke, pollutants in the air, and even the ozone – among so much more.
Is Rice Good To Use On Different Types Of Skin?
Rice packs a lot of punch despite it being so gentle to use. This is because the majority of people are able to tolerate rice, including those who have very sensitive skin.
In fact, rice has so many benefits that it is often used within sensitive skincare ranges. As well as skincare that focuses on healing and hydration.
Its ability to be caring and gentle on any skin type makes rice a great source of skincare – it is very effective and has many positive effects. So, what are they? Let’s take a look at some of them.
Has Natural Antioxidant Properties
Alongside your sun lotion, rice extracts can help to protect your skin and body from the damage that is done via the sun’s UV rays.
This is also a natural anti-ager too, as too much sun causes wrinkles.
Can Reduce Wrinkles
Along with helping to protect against UV damage, rice extract can help to reduce both wrinkles and fine lines. This is because it can help to increase the natural production of collagen.
As we get older, we start to lose collagen in certain areas of the face and body.
Rice extract can help to build that back up which in turn will reduce the appearance of any wrinkles and fine lines.
Hydration And Smoothing
Rice extracts are naturally hydrating, and in doing so they can combat dryness and make sure the skin is smooth.
Because of this, rice extract is often used in place of glycerin as a different alternative.
Remove Dead Skin Cells
An important part of our natural skin routine is the deshedding of old skin cells which happens in a cycle.
After so many weeks, our skin cells turnover – the old skin cells are removed and new ones form underneath.
Some people naturally struggle to remove all the dead skin cells, and this can cause blockages which appear as acne. Rice extract naturally exfoliates to remove the dead layer of skin cells.
Reduces Skin Redness And Irritation
There are properties within rice extract that can help to reduce any redness and irritation upon the skin.
You may even find that such an ingredient is also very soothing, so may help those who suffer with something like eczema.
Can Rice Help With Acne?
Rice is a great ingredient to use if you suffer from acne. It is gentle on compromised skin, but it is also unlikely to cause further outbreaks.
Instead, it will act as a natural skin detoxifier, and will hydrate the skin gently to rebalance oil production.
Also, rice extracts have the ability to help regulate the skin’s natural cell turnover process. This is the cycle where the dead skin cells on the stratum corneum (the skin layer you see) sheds old skin cells.
Dead skin cells can cause follicles to become blocked, and in doing so it can create painful acne bumps.
Helping to remove dead skin can prevent acne from forming in the first place.
Does Eating Rice Benefit Skin?
Eating rice has just as many benefits as using it as an extract directly onto the skin. Brown rice in particular has phenolic compounds that can help to reduce redness and irritation upon the skin.
Also, rice is naturally full of antioxidants so can help with your everyday environments outdoors, such as pollution, cigarettes and the sun’s UV rays.
Though you should always wear something like sun lotion to help you directly when it comes to UV rays.
Rice cannot stop you from getting burnt! And while it can help to repair cell damage done by UV rays, it cannot stop you from the full damage that can occur from being out in the sun too long.
Because of the high amount of antioxidants, rice can also help to slow down the aging process. You could call rice a natural anti-aging treatment.
Brown rice is also said to be better for those with acne too, as it contains vitamins, antioxidants, and magnesium which will help the skin in the long-term.
Final Thoughts
Rice is commonly used as a skincare product due to its natural ability to help with many skin conditions. But not only that, it can specifically treat skin conditions but also keep it healthy in the long run.
This makes rice, or more specifically rice extract, a very beneficial ingredient indeed.
Rice is a fantastic addition to anyone’s skincare routine, whether you are in need of some help or just want to keep your skin looking its best.
Rice extract can help to hydrate your skin and stop it from being dry, itchy and sore.
It can also help the natural exfoliation process of the skin, as well as help our skin to be protected when it comes to pollution and UV rays.
