I am RICE and you are RIGHT
Do you know other than being a nutritious ingredient in our meals, rice is also one of the most used ingredients in skincare products in Eastern cultures such as Korea, China and Japan,…? The first synthetic cosmetic is believed to be the invention of the water-in-oil brightening emulsion cream by a German pharmacist in 1810. This, undoubtedly, marked a significant leap in cosmetic formulation. However, long before the strike of synthetic products, in Chinese culture, there was awareness among people in regards to the utilization of plants for the basic needs of brightening skin and rice happened to be chosen. But was it a random choice of nature or something inside the rice that made it the right choice for the title “king of the ancient brightening ingredients”?
The chemistry behind
One of the oldest rice-based natural products used as a cosmetic is rice water – RW, i.e., a milky-coloured suspension of starch obtained by draining boiled rice or boil it until it is completely dissolved. Firstly, the water can be used to take care of your hair. Inhibiting the growth of Malassezia, a fungus that causes dandruff, the water has been used for either the prevention or the treatment of dandruff. Moreover, the addition of fermented RW to a shampoo made from different traditional herbs results in a product that overall effectively cleans hair without removing the natural oils or altering pH, thus preventing scalp dryness and itchiness. [3]
Besides bananas, rice is endowed of anti-oxidant and anti-ageing activities and is a magnificent ingredient for stimulating hair growth and, colour preservation. What are the chemicals staying behind this magical activity?
1. pH = 5.4-6.8
RW has a neutral pH, which is suitable for haircare and skincare products.
2. Phenolic compounds:
The plant contains different phenolic compounds – such as tocopherols, tocotrienols and γ-oryzanol. These compounds neutralise radical species and inhibit pro-oxidant enzymes like tyrosinase and elastase. Many sunscreens contain them to limit the harmful effects of UV-induced free radicals on the skin, potentially contributing to anti-ageing effects. Noteworthy, one vitro study indicated that RW has a relatively high anti-oxidant activity compared to Vitamin C, which is widely used as a brightening ingredient in cosmetics [1]
3. Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E
A small amount of these vitamins are for skin hydration, brightening and healing. [2]
4. Starch
Starch is the most abundant molecule in it. Besides being a nutrient ingredient, starch promotes skin healing and brightening. Moreover, starch has moisturizing, barrier-enhancing and mattifying properties, making it a valuable ingredient in skincare products. Besides, starch could prevent and treat disorders like atopic dermatitis. [2]
Is rice alright? Two sides of a natural ingredient
Rice is a well-known source of nutrients, unfortunately, it accumulates Arsenic the most compared to other cereal plants. To unveil this uncertainty, scientists from Wroclaw University of Science and Technology published a study showing that the accumulation of Arsenic in three types was less than 2-20ng/g of rice. The Arsenic concentration limit in drinking water and cosmetics use is 10 ng/mL and 3 micrograms/g respectively. Therefore, homemade rice water is safe for health and cosmetic external uses [5]. However, the test only covered a small number of types and could not give a holistic view. To make sure your skincare product is safe, you need to search for guaranteed stocks coming from reputable retailers.
Rice-way to get your face mask
Some people believe formulating is for specialists. However, science lies in every slice of life and everything surrounding you. If you want to formulate your own face mask, this could be a helpful recipe.
Face-mask made of rice husk
1. Mix 2 tbsp rice water with a tbsp of ground grain flour and a teaspoon of honey.
2. Mix well to form a curd
3. Apply all over the face and neck.
4. Rinse with lukewarm water after 20 minutes and pat dry.
This mask pack helps get rid of suntans and facial impurities caused by pollutants. Therefore, its constant use can significantly brighten your skin. [4]
References
1. Cosmetics | Free Full-Text | Rice Water: A Traditional Ingredient with Anti-Aging
Efficacy (mdpi.com) by Joana Marto 1,Ângela Neves 1,Lídia Maria Gonçalves 1,Pedro
Pinto 1,2,Cristina Almeida 1 and**Sandra Simões** 1,*
2. MULTIPURPOSE INGREDIENT FOR COSMETICS: RICE (Oryza Sativa) 1Anuja Madne,
2Miloni Vora, 3Nibha Bajpai, 4Deepak Wasule IJNRD2207016.pdf
3. (PDF) Formulation and Evaluation of Fermented Rice Water Herbal Shampoo
(researchgate.net) ***Meduri Teja Sri, Munnangi Lakshmi Divya, Potharaju Sreevani,
Suravarapu Sri Tejaswi, Swami Vasavi Rama Deepthi, Uppala Vandana, Yepuri Divya,
Vadlamudi Pallavi, Nadendla Rama Rao
4. (PDF) A FORMULATION OF FACE PACK AND HAIR PRODUCTS OF RICE WATER FOR
THE USE OF SKIN AND HAIR PROBLEM (researchgate.net) Prachi D. Barsagade*,
Pranali Patil and Dr. Milind J. Umekar
5. Processes | Free Full-Text | Rice Water—More a Source of Nutrition Elements or Toxic
Arsenic? Multi-Element Analysis of Home-Made (Natural) Rice Water and
Commercialized Rice-Based Products Using (HG)-ICP OES (mdpi.com) Maja
Welna ,Anna Szymczycha-Madeja and*Pawel Pohl**
6. Analysis on the Natural Remedies to Cure Dandruff/Skin Disease-causing Fungus –
Malassezia furfur. 628PublishedVersion.pdf
Comments