helo.my: The answer to your skincare woes could be sitting in your kitchen cupboard!
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This year, experts are going back to basics by hailing everyday ingredients as heroes. Now it’s the turn of the humble rice grain, with rice water believed to banish everything from eczema to acne and damaged hair. Anyone can have a go at making rice water; it’s super quick and easy.
Simply rinse ½ cup of uncooked rice under a cold tap to remove any impurities, then place in a bowl along with two to three cups of water. Leave to soak for 30 minutes, then strain the rice water into a clean bowl or jar and cover. That’s it! The mixture will keep for up to a week in the fridge.
Rice water has been used for centuries in Japan and is believed to help tone, brighten and rejuvenate skin. This simple mixture is bursting with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids that help keep skin soft, supple, and nourished. Rice water also protects against free radicals and has an anti-inflammatory effect.
In fact, it has a string of famous fans including Alexa Chung, who swears by COSRX Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Mask.
Read on for how rice water could help you this year.
Dull complexion or acne:
Pour a little rice water onto a cotton wool pad and massage over your face. Leave to dry to minimise and tighten pores. This can be done as part of your daily skincare regime or twice a week for a boost of vitamins and minerals.
If you suffer from acne, rice water will reduce redness and act as an astringent to prevent future flare-ups.
Eczema or dermatitis:
Rice water calms itchy, dry skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties, plus it contains high levels of allantoin – a compound that helps soothe and heal the skin’s natural barrier while promoting cell regeneration.
Soak a cloth in rice water, apply to the affected area and leave to dry (this also works for sunburn), or add a cup of it to a warm bath and relax while you hydrate.
Damaged hair:
Rice water contains inositol, a carbohydrate that helps strengthen roots and prevent future damage and is rich in amino acids that will leave hair smooth and shiny.
Regularly rinse your hair in the starchy stuff, or for a more intense treatment, massage into your scalp and hair and leave to work its wonders for ten minutes before rinsing thoroughly with warm water. Add a few drops of lavender oil if you’re feeling as stressed as your hair!
And finally:
Mixing rice water with coconut oil tackles unwanted skin discolouration, while combining the liquid with rosehip seed oil is believed to work wonders on ageing skin!
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