Lots of people swear by rice water for strong, shiny hair, but do you know how to use rice water for your face? The ancient ingredient has been receiving buzz for its skin care perks, with users citing improved brightness, reduced irritation, and even “glass skin.”
“Rice water has a long history in East Asian skincare, especially K-Beauty and J-Beauty,” says board-certified dermatologist Joyce Park. “I usually think of it as a gentle, supportive ingredient. I like to recommend it for people with sensitive, dry, irritated, or dull skin, especially if their barrier feels a little off,” she says. But before you bring your rice water recipe into your skin routine, there are a few things you should know.
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Below, we asked dermatologists to weigh in on how to use rice water for your face—including when to add it to your routine, the realistic benefits you might expect, and when to avoid it.
What does rice water do for your skin?
“Rice water and rice-derived ingredients can demonstrate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and skin-brightening properties,” says board certified dermatologist Lauren Moy. “It contains amino acids, antioxidants, and vitamins that help calm the skin and support the skin barrier,” Dr. Park elaborates.
Dr. Moy says that rice water and rice-derived extracts contain phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and bioactive peptides—ingredients which are especially helpful for treating hyperpigmentation and melasma. Additionally, she says rice water can “help with collagen stimulation and elastase inhibition,” while “rice-derived glucosylceramides and ceramides enhance hydration and reduce trans-epidermal water loss.”
While Dr. Park doesn’t recommend rice water as a replacement for your acne or hyperpigmentation treatments, it can be a helpful supplementary step: “It can be a really nice calming and subtle brightening step when your skin needs a reset,” she says. And although Dr. Moy notes that direct clinical evidence of rice water’s skin care benefits are limited in medical literature, lots of people find relief and gentle support from using it correctly.
How to use rice water in your skin care routine
Rice water is most commonly used as a toner or essence step, according to the experts. That means it should be used after cleansing, but before applying serums or moisturizer. “You can pour a small amount into your hands and gently press it into the skin, or lightly apply it with a cotton pad,” Dr. Park says. “It can be used morning or night as a simple soothing step.”
Some good news for the rest of your routine: Dr. Moy says that rice water should generally play nicely with the actives you’re using—though she says that according to cosmetic chemistry, the best practice is to avoid combinations that “drastically alter pH or cause protein denaturation.” Studies have also suggested that antioxidants like vitamin C can “work synergistically” with rice extracts, according to Dr. Moy.
Most skin types will tolerate rice water products well, according to Dr. Park—“but very acne-prone or fungal acne-prone skin may not love it, depending on the formula.” When using a new rice- water-based product, she suggests testing it out on a small area to start, especially if you have sensitive skin. If your skin is tolerating it well, Dr. Park says that you can use it in your skin care routine daily.
Should I use homemade or store-bought rice water products?
While homemade rice water can be great for your hair, store-bought products might be a safer choice for your skin. “Homemade rice water sounds easy and cheap, but it can be inconsistent and spoil quickly, which increases the risk of irritation,” Dr. Park says. “Commercial products contain standardized extracts and have more consistent bioactive concentrations compared to homemade options,” Dr. Moy says. “Standardized extracts ensure specific levels of active ingredients.”
Over-the-counter products containing rice water can also provide supplementary benefits: “Fermented products also may provide enhanced benefits, as fermentation increases the bioavailability of nutrients,” Dr. Moy says. If you do want to use homemade rice water on your face, Dr. Park says to make sure that it’s fresh (never stored), and to stop use immediately if irritation occurs.