By Happiness Nkan
Rice water is rich in beauty minerals and vitamins that are awesome for the hair and skin/ rice water is the water leftover after washing off rice in preparation for eating. It could be diluted, concentrated or fermented.
Using rice water which contains nutrients is a natural way to care for your skin and hair when used as a facial wash or hair rinse. As a facial wash it renews the skin and fortifies the hair as a hair rinse.
Any kind of rice can be used in three ways. Choose whatever methods suit you.
BOILED RICE WATER
-To make concentrated rice water that would last a week, use 2 or 3 times the amount of water you would normally used to boil your rice.
-After the rice is cooked, strain out the rice and allow the water to cool.
-To wash your face, dilute this concentrated rice water with water and store the leftover in a clean airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 week.
NO BOIL RICE WATER
-Simply wash 1 cup of rice with 1 cup of water to get rid of impurities
-Then soak the rice for 15 minutes with a cup of water.
-Strain the rice water after 15mins and use.
FERMENTED RICE WATER
This method is more suitable for the hair because of the pH change that occurs to the water during the fermentation process, as it brings the rice water pH to be in line with the hair’s natural pH. It also causes the release of pitera, a chemical responsible for promoting the regeneration of cells.
-Wash 1 cup of rice with 1 cup of water
-Soak with 1 cup of water at room temperature until a slightly sour smell arises from the rice water (that is fermentation).
-Stop the fermentation process by keeping the solution in the fridge and use it as a skin toner or hair rinse.
However, note that fermented rice water is very potent so it is best dilute with 1-2 cups of warm water before using it.
HOW TO USE FOR SKIN
-Use the rice water every day as a regular toner/ cleanser morning and evening. Dab a bit of the water on your face and massage for some minutes. With regular use, you will notice your skin feeling soft, tight and radiant.
-Use a face mask by mixing grounded rice with milk to form paste.
-Make a body scrub from the left over rice. Grind the rice and mix with 1 or 2 teaspoons of olive oil and lemon juice each and rub into the skin (face and whole body) to exfoliate and nourish.
HOW TO USE FOR HAIR
-To bring shine, health and strength to your hair, rinse hair with rice water. After shampooing, pour the rice water on your hair, massage scalp gently and leave for 5mins. Then rinse hair thoroughly with plain water. Use only once/ twice as a last rinse.
