How to Wash Your Face With Rice Water

Co-authored by Barbie Ritzman and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: February 22, 2024 Fact Checked

Originating in Asian cultures, rice water is a natural cleansing option for washing your face. It works well as a gentle toner and cleanser, but isn’t strong enough to remove makeup or clarify oily skin. Made with just water and rice, you can use it to achieve better-looking, tighter skin without harsh chemicals. To wash your face with rice water, you will need to prepare the rice, make your rice water, and cleanse your face.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing the Rice

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You can prepare rice water with any type of rice, though white, brown, and jasmine rice are common options. If you already own rice, whatever kind of rice you have on hand will work.
If you want to make large quantities of rice water, you can increase the amount of rice that you use, as long as you remember to also increase the water. Keep in mind that rice water has a shelf life of 1week.^{[1]
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Pour water over the rice and swirl the water to remove dirt. Strain out the rice and return it to the empty bowl. Repeat the steps to wash your rice a second time.

Part 2

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Making Rice Water

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1
Decide how to prepare the rice water. You can make rice water by boiling rice, soaking rice, or fermenting soaked rice water. Which type you pick will depend on how much time you have and how you want to use the rice water.
- Boiling your rice will create a concentrated batch of rice water, so it’s stronger. You will need to mix it with clean water when you use it.^{[2]
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- Soaking your rice is the simplest method because you have fewer steps and don’t need to attend your rice water while it’s soaking. Because it’s not concentrated, you may run out faster.
- Fermenting your rice water takes the most time, but the fermentation process brings out more vitamins and nutrients.
After rinsing the ½ cup (92.5 g) of rice, you’ll need to put it in a different container. If you are boiling your rice, place it in a lidded pot. Otherwise, place your rice in a clean bowl.
3
Add 3 cups (710 ml) of water. You will use more water than you would normally use to make rice so that you will have leftover water once you’re finished cooking the rice.^{[3]
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- Ignore the directions on your rice packaging. Using those directions, you will not have leftover rice water.
4
Boil your rice for concentrated rice water. While boiling the rice to make rice water takes more effort, the results are more potent, so you can use less of it.
- Bring the water to a boil.
- Pour in your rice, cover the container, and then cook it on medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes.
- Allow your boiled rice to cool before handling it.
5
Soak your rice for 15-30 minutes to get diluted rice water. Soaking requires less work but the results will be less potent. You will also not need to dilute your rice water if you soak your rice. Be sure to cover the container while the rice is soaking.
- If you plan to ferment your rice water, soaking the rice is the best way to prepare the rice water before fermentation.
Drain the rice water into a separate container. Drain it more than once so that you won't find any rice grains in the water. Your rice water will have a milky-white color.^{[4]
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7
Decide if you want to ferment your soaked rice water. To ferment your rice water, place rice water that you prepared by soaking into a container. Allow your rice water to sit for 1-2 days uncovered. When it begins to smell sour, place it into the refrigerator to stop the fermentation process.
- Dilute fermented rice water with 1–2 cups (240–470 ml) of clean water because it is very potent.^{[5]
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You will need to store your rice water in a sealed container, so choose something like a jar, a food storage container, or a lidded carafe.
It will last for up to 1 week if properly stored.^{[6]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Cleansing With Rice Water

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If you are using boiled or fermented rice water, measure out 2–3 tablespoons (30–44 ml) tablespoons and add it to 1–2 cups (240–470 ml) of water. If you are using soaked rice water, skip this step.^{[7]
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Over the sink or in a shower, use your hands to wash your face with the rice water. Repeat this action 4-6 times. Alternatively, you can dip a cotton ball in rice water and lightly rub it over your face.
You can cleanse away the rice water using clean water. The nutrients in the rice water will remain in your skin. Alternatively, you can allow the rice water to air dry on your skin.^{[8]
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American Academy of Dermatology
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Make sure your towel is clean to avoid transferring bacteria back onto your skin.^{[9]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

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Question

How do you prepare rice water?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You should first rinse the rice to remove dirt. Next, you can make rice water by adding rice to cool water and letting it sit for 15-30 minutes.

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Is rice water good for acne?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yes. Rice water is great for soothing the skin, making it ideal for acne. You may want to ferment your rice water for maximum benefits.

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Question

Can you wash your face with salt water?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can wash your face with salt water, but be aware that it's quite drying. Salt water can be good for oily and acne-prone skin but probably isn't suitable for other skin types.

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Rice water works well as a toner because it tightens pores.^{[10]
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You can also use rice water on your hair once a week.^{[11]
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Try soaking in rice water.^{[12]
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Warnings

Make sure that you remove all rice from the water, as even a speck can get into your eye and cause pain and irritation.

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Remember to dilute concentrated rice water prepared with boiling or fermentation.

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If you boil your rice, be careful not to burn yourself.

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If you have sensitive skin, try the rice water on a small patch of skin before using it as it could irritate your skin.

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