Rice is a popular and widespread foodstuff. As well as being a delicious accompaniment to tasty dishes, rice also releases some very interesting elements when washed and cooked. Here's a closer look at rice water, an unsuspected beauty ally that should never be thrown away! 

THE BEAUTY ORIGINS OF RICE WATER 

Nothing goes to waste with rice, and even the water used for washing and cooking is good for you. Its virtues are thousands of years old, and have always been recognized as miraculous in Asian countries, where it is used in abundance. Rice water is one of the world's beauty secrets, but it doesn't work miracles by chance. It's its composition that does it all! Rich in minerals, B vitamins, zinc, potassium and omega 3 and 6, it contains the perfect cocktail for beautiful skin and a porcelain complexion, but that's not all. Rice water is also very popular for caring for your mane, particularly for accelerating hair growth. In Asia, women use it as a pre-rinse water for soft, strong, shiny hair.

But how can rice water be so beneficial to our beauty?

All the good elements listed above are released into the water when rice is washed or boiled. The water becomes impregnated with these benefits and becomes a veritable lotion of youth! In Western countries, rice water is still underestimated, and we tend to throw it away after washing (if we wash at all), and to ignore the cooking water... It's a pity, because it's an economical, fast and effective solution for a responsible and natural beauty routine.

THE BENEFITS OF RICE WATER FOR THE SKIN 

To find out more, we asked ourselves: what are the benefits of this famous rice water for our skin? And why should we include it in our beauty routine? The benefits are legion, and several major brands have made it the main ingredient in their beauty products. This is particularly true of Shiseido (a Japanese cosmetics brand) and its Waso range, which focuses on the benefits of rice, promising renewed, more beautiful skin than ever. To understand in concrete terms the effects of rice water on our skin, you need to know that the starch present in these white grains (and released into the water once washed), is highly moisturizing! In contact with the skin, the starch helps the epidermis retain its moisture content, preventing the skin from drying out. The large amount of Vitamin B3 present in rice water acts as a soothing and healing agent, helping cells to regenerate. Rice water nourishes the skin and has an anti-inflammatory function, making it a precious ally for problem skin (eczema, acne, redness...). Another point worth highlighting is that rice water has a powerful anti-aging effect thanks to the presence of Omega 3 and 6 in its composition. The result is smooth, supple, soft, refreshed and rejuvenated skin... All naturally - what more could you ask for? 

In short, rice water for the skin: 

• Moisturizes
• Soothes
• Anti-inflammatory 
• Anti-aging
• Healing
• Protects against the harmful effects of the sun
• Deep cleansing 
• has astringent properties 
• acts against cell ageing

How do you use it? You can save the wash water, but you can also boil a handful of rice and collect the water before it evaporates! On the skin, it can be used as a tonic lotion after make-up removal, skin cleansing or a facial sauna (which will have opened the pores beforehand), but always before applying your eye or facecontour serum . Soak a reusable wipe in rice water and apply to the skin. Leave on for a few minutes, then rinse off with clean water! You can also use rice water as a binder in your homemade beauty preparations.

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THE BENEFITS OF RICE WATER FOR HAIR 

It is said to work miracles. It is said to be the ultimate secret for Asian women to care for their famous and envied ebony hair. We won't go into the properties of rice water here, as they are similar to those mentioned in the section on skin care. But we can add that rice water acts as a gentle cleanser for the scalp and hair fiber. It soothes itching, regulates excess sebum and other discomforts that can occur on this fragile part of the body, too often neglected. Rice water is also reputed to smooth and shine hair. It helps regrow hair, repairs damaged strands and even eliminates lice!

In short, rice water for hair: 

• fortifies 
• Improves shine 
• Effective detangler
• Cleanses the scalp 
• Cleanses hair 

How to use it For optimal use of rice water for hair, you can use it as an after-shampoo pre-rinse. Leave in like a mask, for around one to two minutes, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. This action, repeated two or three times a week, coupled with regular use of a hair serum, will quickly work wonders on damaged hair!

FIVE HEALTH BENEFITS OF RICE WATER

Beauty is a holistic affair! When all goes well on the inside, it shows a hundredfold on the outside. Rice water not only has an excellent physical effect on our skin and hair, but is also highly recommended for treating our internal ailments and boosting our organism.

• Helps digestion: a glass of rice water a day helps prevent bloating and digestive disorders, thanks to its high fiber content.
• Boost the body: rice water is an excellent stimulant when you're feeling a little tired! Its high mineral content is a natural energizer, and its carbohydrate content helps athletes keep up the pace.
• An effective remedy for... diarrhoea! Yes, it's not glamorous, but it's very useful information. Rice water and its mineral content are an excellent ally against diarrhea. Just drink a glass with a pinch of salt, and your stomach's back in its place. 
• A great ally for pregnant women. The vitamins and minerals in rice water are excellent for boosting breast milk production. Breastfeeding mothers can even drink a glass a day!