We cannot do without rice in our daily life. It is commonly available in every house in India. It is also a common ingredient for beauty care since time immemorial.
Rice, the popular staple diet, is a natural skin toner that helps in cell growth, stimulates blood flow and keeps the skin smooth and bright. Rice water can definitely bring moisturising and anti-inflammatory benefits to the skin. Beauty expert Shahnaz Husain will give you some important tips.
Rice is rich in minerals, vitamins and high on the nutritional side that reduces dark spots on skin and tightens the skin’s open pores. The amino acids in rice make hair and skin beautiful. It also has ferulic acid, a powerful antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
So whether you eat rice or not, use it in your face pack for glowing skin. The starch in rice water is said to soothe the skin in conditions like eczema. Dip a clean washcloth into the rice water and apply it on the affected area. After 2 to 3 minutes, allow the skin to dry. In fact, acne-prone skin or even skin with acne eruptions can be washed with rice water to soothe and heal. It also helps to tighten the pores and refine the skin. Rice water may be applied on the face with cotton wool and then massaged for a few minutes to revitalise the skin. In fact, rice water has an astringent effect and helps to prevent pimples and acne.
Rice powder or rice flour can be used as a facial scrub. It is ideally suited to oily skin and is effective as a facial scrub. It helps to deep cleanse the skin and unclog the pores, discouraging and dislodging blackheads. It removes dead skin cells, tightens the pores and brightens the skin.
Mix rice powder with curd and a pinch of turmeric. Apply on the face and rub gently on the skin with circular movements. Wash off with water. Rice powder can also be added to ubtan or body scrubs along with gram flour, curd, rose water, powdered lemon and orange peels.
You can use rice water for reducing dark patches by mixing rice powder with raw milk to form a thick paste. Apply the paste on your face and uncovered skin and leave it for a few minutes and wash it with water. Repeat it once in a week to achieve amazing results. Although many beauty companies have launched soaps, toners and creams containing rice water but it is always advisable to go for home-made products.
Mix corn starch powder and rice powder in 1:2 ratio. Apply the powdery material evenly on face by using a make-up brush and wash with clean water after a few minutes for silky smooth skin.
Fermented rice water protects the skin from UV rays and sun tan. Rice wine increases the collagen in the skin and makes it supple. It prevents wrinkles.
Rice wine contains antioxidant properties and prevents premature ageing.
Prepare a thick paste of rice flour, castor oil and banana and apply on dark circles and wash it after some time. It will lighten the skin around the eyes and keep you younger and fresh.
Take rice powder and multani mitti in equal proportions and make a paste of it. Apply the paste on your scalp and rinse off with fresh water after 45 minutes for smooth, soft and lustrous hair.
Mix honey and rice powder and apply the thick paste on your face and open areas. Leave it to dry in natural atmosphere and wash after it has dried completely.
Cook a cup of rice. Remove the water and grind it to a thick paste with honey and milk. Apply a thick layer of this paste on the face and neck and let it dry before washing it off with lukewarm water.
Add yogurt to a mixture of sugar and rice. Apply the paste on face and wash your face with fresh water after half an hour to get flawless and fair complexion.
Rice water acts as an excellent hair conditioner. Add lavender and rosemary oil to rice water and apply it on hair to balance the PH level on scalp and as conditioner.
Transcending the boundaries of food, rice offers a plethora of benefits for your skin and hair, a rather surprising beauty staple that’s been used across the world.
