Next time you make rice, don’t toss away the water. Rice water is probably the simplest and most amazing DIY “beauty product” of all times.

Women in Asian cultures are known for their flawless skin and super-shiny, silky hair. Since ancient times they have used pure rice water as a daily skin toner and hair wash. Even today it is a popular method to preserve one’s natural beauty in Asia. Rice water, in its simplest form, is the water that is leftover after cooking rice for a meal. It can be concentrated or diluted and is extremely rich in vitamins, minerals and amino acids, all of which amazing for your hair and skin. It also contains ferulic acid, which is a great antioxidant, as well as allantoin, known for it’s anti-inflammatory properties.

Benefits of rice water:

For Shiny Hair
After shampooing, work in some rice water into your hair. Leave it on for a few minutes, then rinse it out. Rice proteins strengthen the hair shaft and fill in the cracks. The result? Ultra-smooth, shiny hair.

For glowing skin
Clean your face, soak a cotton pad in rice water and apply it to your face. Continue to do this for some minutes and make sure you let it air dry. This will help to tighten pores and create a natural glow. .

Acne Cure
Rice water can also help to heal acne and soothe the redness of an outbreak. Dip a clean washcloth into the water and pat all over the affected areas.

For irritated skin
Apply rice water to rashes or other skin irritations to soothe it naturally. In a dermatological study at Brussels University, patients with atopic dermatitis (chronic inflammation of the skin) saw a 20% improvement after taking 15-minute baths filled with rice water twice a day.

Heals eczema
The starch components in rice water are effective at relieving the effects of eczema on your skin.

Heals sunburn
Rice water is also used for cooling inflammations and burnt skin. It will help your skin recover fast and prevent further damages. Cold rice water, in such cases, works best.

Cleanser
Using rice water to cleanse your face is as simple as dipping a cotton ball or pad into the liquid and gently massaging it into your skin for couple of minutes. Let your face air dry to make sure it really absorbs all of the good stuff. With regular use you will notice your skin feels more soft, tighter, and more radiant. Use it every day as part of your skin care routine.

Skin toner
You can also use rice water as a toner. Soak a cotton ball or pad and apply it to your face after cleansing to minimize the appearance of pores and tighten skin. This natural skin toner promotes cell growth, stimulates blood flow, and helps keep your skin smooth and bright.

Drink it
Drinking rice water is also extremely beneficial for your overall health. It contains 8 essential amino acids, which form the building blocks for tissue and muscle regeneration. Rice water also provides energy due to high concentration of carbohydrates.

How to Make It:

What you will need: Organic brown, white or jasmine rice (whatever you have at home)  

1. No-boil quick method
If you want to extract rice water quickly, simply take two cups of water and put a half cup of rice into it for 30 minutes. Strain the rice from the water and use this rice water to wash your face, hair, or both.  

2. Boiled method
Just prepare rice as usual, but use two to three times the amount of water you normally would. After the rice has cooked, strain it out. The leftover water will have a milky white color, and will contain a high concentration of nutrients. Dilute a few tablespoons of this concentrated rice water into a cup of clean water, making a barely milky-looking mixture. Use this diluted solution to wash your face or to treat your hair, and store the leftover concentrate in the refrigerator in a covered container for up to one week.