How to Use Rice Water for Your Face, According to Dermatologists

Many 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 generating buzz for its skincare benefits, with users citing improved brightness, reduced irritation, and even “glass skin.”

“Rice water has a long history in skin care in East Asia, especially in K-Beauty and J-Beauty,” says board-certified dermatologist Joyce Park. “I generally think of it as a gentle, supportive ingredient. I like to recommend it to people with sensitive, dry, irritated, or dull skin, especially if their barrier is a little compromised,” she says. But before you incorporate your rice water recipe into your skin routine, there are a few things you need to know.

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Below, we asked dermatologists to tell us how to use rice water for your face, including where to add it to your routine, the realistic benefits you can expect, and when to avoid it.

What does rice water do for your skin?

“Rice water and rice-derived ingredients may demonstrate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hydrating, and skin-brightening properties,” says Lauren Moy, board-certified dermatologist. “It contains amino acids, antioxidants and vitamins that help calm the skin and support the skin barrier,” says Dr. Park.

Specifically, Dr. Moy says that rice water and rice-derived extracts contain phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and bioactive peptides, ingredients that are particularly useful for treating hyperpigmentation and melasma. Additionally, she says that rice water can “help stimulate collagen and inhibit elastase,” while “rice-derived glucosylceramides and ceramides improve hydration and reduce transepidermal water loss.”

While Dr. Park doesn’t recommend rice water as a substitute for your acne or hyperpigmentation treatments, it can be a helpful extra step: “It can be a very soothing and subtle brightening step when your skin needs a reset,” she says. And although Dr. Moy notes that direct clinical evidence for the benefits of rice water on the skin is limited in the medical literature, many people find gentle relief and support when using it correctly.

How to Use Rice Water in Your Skincare Routine

Rice water is most often used as a tonic step or essence, according to experts. This means it should be used after cleansing, but before applying a serum or moisturizer. “You can pour a small amount into your hands and gently press it onto the skin, or apply it lightly with a cotton pad,” says Dr. Park. “It can be used morning or evening as a simple calming step.”

Some good news for the rest of your routine: Dr. Moy says rice water should generally play well with the actives you’re using, although she says best practice in cosmetic chemistry is to avoid combinations that “drastically change pH or cause protein denaturation.” Studies have also suggested that antioxidants like vitamin C may “work synergistically” with rice extracts, according to Dr. Moy.

Most skin types tolerate rice water products well, according to Dr. Park — “but skin that is very prone to acne or fungal acne may not like it, depending on the formula.” When using a new rice water product, she suggests testing it on a small area first, especially if you have sensitive skin. As long as your skin tolerates it well, Dr. Park says you can use it daily in your skincare routine.

Should I use homemade or store-bought rice water products?

While homemade rice water can be great for your hair, store-bought products may be a safer choice for your skin. “Homemade rice water seems easy and cheap, but it can be inconsistent and spoil quickly, increasing the risk of irritation,” says Dr. Park. “Commercial products contain standardized extracts and have more consistent bioactive concentrations than homemade options,” says Dr. Moy. “Standardized extracts ensure specific levels of active ingredients.”

Over-the-counter products containing rice water may also provide additional benefits: “Fermented products may also provide increased benefits because fermentation increases the bioavailability of nutrients,” says Dr. Moy. If you want to use homemade rice water on your face, Dr. Park says to make sure it’s fresh (never stored) and to stop using it immediately if irritation occurs.