Recently, rice water has gained popularity as a skin and hair treatment. However, too many people are omitting the most important step, the FERMENTATION phase! Due to the pH change that fermentation causes, it is essential, and pH is one of the most significant factors to take into account when creating a DIY hair or skin treatment.
PH Skin And Hair
Your skin's pH varies depending on where it is; exposed areas, like your face and hands, can range from 5 to 6 pH, with 5 being ideal for many cosmetics
The pH of your hair and scalp is typically even lower than that of your skin. The pH of the scalp is typically approximately 5.5 while that of the hair shaft is about 3.7.
Why is Rice Water Fermented?
Since rice has a pH above 6, rice water likewise tends to have a pH above 6. For healthy skin and hair, the pH level should be below 5, which is achieved by fermenting the rice water. The amount of chemicals in rice water can be more than doubled by fermenting it for just 24 hours; many of these compounds have antioxidative, antibacterial, and anticancer activities. Ethyl alpha-D-glucoside, another component of fermented rice water, can boost skin's collagen levels, shield it from UV rays, and strengthen the skin barrier to reduce water loss and thickening.
Fermenting Rice Water: A Guide
Because the rice has everything required to initiate the fermentation process, the approach is simple. Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus paracasei are two naturally occurring bacterial strains that are used in the fermentation of rice water. The latter, when ingested and applied topically once daily, may lessen the need for topical steroid treatment of atopic dermatitis or eczema.
Ingredients
a cup and a third of rice (preferably brown rice)
water, 1 cup (preferably distilled water)
Method
1. Just like cooking the rice, first wash the rice. The quantity of rice you need will depend on how you intend to use it, but 1/3 of a cup is a good place to start.
2. The rice should be given three times as much water (1 cup), covered tightly with a lid, and left to remain at room temperature for 24 hours while being shaken occasionally.
3. Remove the rice from the water by straining it, then fill a suitable-sized jar almost to the top with the water. The smaller the jar, the better.
4. Seal the jar tightly and keep it at room temperature away from direct sunshine for two days.
5. Once the two days are up, slow down the fermentation process by placing it in the refrigerator. Each day, you will need to shake it and "pop" the lid to allow the accumulation of gases to be expelled.
Utilization and Shelf-Life
The jar needs to be shaken before use. There are several additional methods to use the fermented rice water, which are discussed below, but you may still benefit from it in terms of your hair, skin, and digestive system by drinking a tablespoon of it every day as a probiotic. I advise, however, that you just make a small batch of the water-based product because it lacks powerful preservatives and you run the risk of mold and the incorrect bacteria proliferating.
For Hair
Fermented rice water is a protein therapy used as a hair care product. A protein treatment may only be used once a month, as some hairdressers advise, but some clients report success using it once a week. I've read that it varies depending on the type and degree of damage to your hair, but in any case, start with a once-a-month treatment. You have two options for applying it: either comb it through damp hair or mix a spoonful of fermented rice water with a little amount of shampoo or conditioner.
For Skin
Use fermented rice water for your skin in a variety of ways;
Two cups can be added to a bath for general skin care.
Place a washcloth over your face for 10 to 15 minutes after soaking it in the solution, squeezing away the excess.
Small patches of eczema can be treated with a cotton swab.
Apply it as a toner before applying moisturizer.
Storage
Any product that includes fermented rice water needs to be kept cold. It should keep for at least a week in the refrigerator, and if you used distilled water and sanitized your equipment beforehand, it might even keep for two to three weeks.
How to Tell If Your Fermented Rice Water Is Bad
Of course, fermented rice water would smell fermented and look turbid. It might even start to slightly separate, but a short shake will fix it. However, if you see any deterioration, mold, or the scent becomes really strong, it has passed its use-by date. Sterilize your jar, then prepare a fresh batch after disposing of the residues in the compost.
Read and adapted from Hamdani, S {blog post} https://www.bebeautiful.in/all-things-hair/everyday/fermented-rice-water-for-skin-and-hair#:~:text=Take%20a%20cup%20of%20rice,sour%20and%20started%20to%20ferment.
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