Friday, January 10, 2020
Have you ever wondered that all the products that cater to women’s needs are so unnecessarily expensive? I had this realization when I was making a list of my monthly groceries in a popular shopping app. Not only my shampoo and conditioner were twice as expensive as my husband’s, but I also needed to buy both of them as compared to my husband’s 3-in-1 shampoo-conditioner-body wash combo. I wondered if there was something that could work as an all-in-one solution for all my skin and hair issues so that I could pinch a few pennies.
While the internet seemed like a DIY galore for such hacks that promised me miraculous results for my hair and skin, not many promised to be beneficial to both. This was till I came across this Korean beauty hack that promised the one-stop solution to all my skin and hair problems. Korean skincare has recently become very popular all over the world, with people in different parts of the world trying to incorporate it into their routines.
To me, this was appealing because of its basic principle which focused on preventive care, and the need of supplementing the skin and hair with the nourishment it needs. Also, it was an easy hack that helped me save a pretty penny in the comfort of my home. What was this hack?
It was rice water, yes, the same water which you throw away after washing rice. Now, if you are wondering how it managed to be my perfect hair-and-skin solution, here’s how.
1. It’s A Great Cleanser
Instead of using the chemically-formulated cleansers available in the market, one could use rice water instead as it is said to be a great natural cleanser. Not only is it totally organic, but it also promises to clean your skin without being unnecessarily harsh on it. It keeps your skin hydrated and nourished while getting rid of its impurities. It manages to do all this without making it greasy or dry.
2. It Provides Immediate Relief To Inflamed Skin
Rice water also helps in providing relief to my dry, itchy skin. During my periods, I tend to have these flare-ups wherein the skin on my face becomes very inflamed and dry. It also itches constantly. Using rice water helps in calming it down. It also helps with the redness. You can also use it for treating sunburns too.
3. It Can Help Fight Acne
As if it wasn’t enough of a miracle worker, rice water can also double up as an acne-fighting tool. Apart from soothing the skin, it also keeps it from being greasy by working as an astringent. This prevents the skin from producing excessive amounts of oil which help in preventing breakouts. Furthermore, it has also been known to provide relief to skin ailments such as eczema, and rashes. In fact, in 2002, there was a study which found that people suffering from eczema found their drastic improvements in their condition after they started bathing in rice water twice a day .
4. It Makes For Perfect Hair Food
If you’re still unconvinced about the goodness of this Korean discovery, then let’s give you another use of rice water. It also has amazing benefits for hair! It is said that women in ancient Japan (Heian period, 794–1185 CE) maintained their long, floor-length tresses by bathing it in rice water. Using this historical fact, researchers conducted a study which found that rice water helps in reducing the surface friction in hair and increases its elasticity (it makes the hair bouncier) (2). It is also said to make the hair stronger, shinier, and smoother. Thanks to the reduced surface friction in hair, it also makes detangling an easy task (3).
How To Use It
Now that you are aware of the miraculous power of this simple home product for skin and hair, let’s see how you can use it. Put a cup or two of rice in a bowl and pour water over it till the water is about 1 inch above the rice. Let the rice sit in water for a while. After some time, you will see that the water has turned white in color, by this time the nutrients, minerals and even the starch has trickled into the water. This is your rice water. Strain the rice and store the water in a jar and keep it in the refrigerator. Once made, you can use for this for about a week if kept in the fridge.
You can use it twice a day on your face. Just dab some onto a cotton pad and apply it on your face. Let it dry. It will give you smooth, supple skin, and keep those pesky pimples at bay. For your hair, you need to shampoo your hair as you usually do, then massage rice water onto the damp hair and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Following that you can rinse it off.
Apart from having these replenishing properties, rice water is also said to be an excellent source of antioxidants (4). All the more reason for you to include it in your skin care and hair care regimen. In case you are still in two minds of efficacy, we will give you the biggest reason to opt for it — rice water is completely organic and environment-friendly as well! It benefits you as well as mother earth. So go ahead and adopt rice water as your perfect skin and hair care product.
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