Rice water has become a popular ingredient in skincare routines due to its potential benefits for the skin. However, there are also potential side effects that you should be aware of. Here are the positive and negative aspects of using rice water on the face:
Positive:
- Rice water contains antioxidants, such as inositol, that help fight the effects of free radicals, which are volatile molecules that can damage cells in the body.
- A small 2018 study found that rice water had the same antioxidant activity as ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, and reduced the size of wrinkles by 12.4% and increased elasticity by 17% .
- Rice water is known to help with skin irritation caused by sodium laurel sulfate (SLS), an ingredient found in many personal care products.
- Rice water can offer several benefits for the skin, such as nourishing and soothing the skin, repairing the skins natural barrier, and exhibiting a skin brightening effect.
Negative:
- Rice water may cause skin irritation and trigger rashes, redness, and itchiness.
- Excessive use of rice water can cause dry, flaky, and itchy skin, and even cause adverse effects like red rashes and streaks on the skin.
- Rice water can be drying for some skin types, and if you have extremely sensitive and dry skin, the excessive use of rice water may further dry out the skin and cause flaking.
- Rice water contains a compound called ferulic acid, which has been shown to increase the skins sensitivity to the sun. This means that using rice water on your face could make you more prone to sunburn and other sun damage.
- If rice water is not prepared properly, it can become contaminated with harmful bacteria, which can lead to skin infections and other health problems.
In summary, rice water can offer several benefits for the skin, but it is important to use it in moderation and always patch test on a small area to avoid potential side effects.
