Who should use rice water to improve spots and wrinkles?

The use of rice water in skincare may seem like a recent trend, but it's actually been a popular ingredient in Asian culture for centuries. As such, there's plenty of evidence to support its benefits for the skin. We asked expert dermatologists to give us their opinion on the use of rice water for the skinincluding its benefits and how to use it.

What is rice water?

Rice water is a product obtained by soaking rice in water, thus extracting some of its nutrients and beneficial compounds. Rice water has been used for centuries in Asia for its properties. Although this type of lotion is easy to make yourself, you can also buy rice water-based skin care products, such as rice water toner or rice milk toner.

Key benefits :

• Soothes inflammation
• Helps reduce skin blemishes
• Possible anti-aging properties

The benefits of rice water for the skin

Protection against free radicals Rice water is rich in antioxidants, which can help protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun.

Anti-aging properties Rice water has also been shown to block the activity of elastase, an enzyme responsible for the breakdown of elastic fibers, leading to the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin. Although studies are limited, some suggest that rice water may have beneficial anti-inflammatory effects for skin problems such as dry skin and eczema.

Skin lightening Inositol, a sugar found in rice water, has been shown in some studies to have skin-lightening effects.

Who should use it :

• Suitable for most people, but can be drying for very dry or dehydrated skin; people allergic to rice should avoid it.

Potential side effects

Unless you're allergic to rice, dermatologists say there aren't many side effects to worry about when using rice water for the skin.

How to use rice water for the skin?

Rice water offers the most benefits for the skin as a toner, and can be used once or twice a day after cleansing your face. To prepare your own rice water, Dr. Akhavan suggests soaking half a cup of rice in two cups of water for 30 to 60 minutes. If you don't want to make your own rice water, look in the stores for products based on rice water or rice extract.

For centuries, rice water has been popular in Asian countries such as Japan, Korea and China for its benefits on the skin. With few side effects for most people, rice water seems an interesting ingredient to integrate into skin care routines. However, if you have any doubts or concerns, it's always best to consult a dermatologist before adding it to your routine.