Rice bran: food for beauty
It’s interesting to note that more and more Japanese, Korean as well as Taiwanese skincare manufacturers are using discarded items used in the production of rice, such as rice chaff and rice bran to create high priced beauty products like face lotion, eye creams and even shampoos.
According to an article in the Taiwan Headlines today, the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute under the Ministry of Agriculture has completed a detailed five-year research and development program in which it has now introduced various beauty and cosmetics products using rice bran and rice chaff.
64 percent of the nutrients of a kernel of rice are contained in rice chaff and rice bran…various components in the parts of the rice make them entirely safe to be used in cosmetics. For example, one compound helps to prevent darkening, while another element serves as an anti-oxidant and helps maintain moisture.
In fact, the use of rice bran, which is the brown outer layer of the rice kernel is an age old secret of the Japanese women to achieve their legendary smooth and flawless complexions.
Based on what I’ve read, this is because rice bran is rich in oil, makes an effective exfoliant and contains phytic acid, a B-complex vitamin that can help improve blood circulation and stimulate cell turnover when used topically. Hence, rice bran powder is said to prevent wrinkles, quickly heal blemishes, absorb the dirt and oil from the pores, balance the natural oils in the skin, and moisturize.
I’ve taken quite an interest in this natural ingredient and has so far, tried an eye cream containing rice bran. I have to say I’m quite impressed with it and would probably venture to try out more beauty products containing this ingredient. And of course, I’ll post reviews in time.
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I went with my family and relatives when I was really young to visit an old chinese sinseh. One of those who checks your health by pressing two fingers on your wrist. One of my cousins had bad complexion and he recommended washing your face with rice water. I guess that there must definitely be some truth in this. =D
saryn: Really? Rice water? Wow, I’m tempted to try.
yes i read it somewhere cant remember will check one of my beauty books when i get home,but i heard it tightens & firms(rice water)
yanju: It’s supposed to give soft and smooth skin.