Skincare

8 Possible Side Effects of Rice Water on the Face

Rice water is a liquid that is obtained after soaking rice in water. It mainly started from the time of the Tang Dynasty in China and the Heian Period in Japan. Their women used fermented rice to remove dirt from their faces and achieve glowy skin. Being rich in nutrients and an easily accessible home remedy for the skin, it has now been rising in popularity worldwide. Regardless of the numerous benefits of rice water, not everyone will have the same results. A few also face side effects. Understanding the side effects of rice water on the face will help you decide the usefulness of rice water for your skin type. What is Rice Water and Why Is It Popular for Skincare? Rice water is the leftover water that you strain out before cooking rice. You must be aware that we usually leave rice to soak in water for 30-60 minutes before cooking rice. The water in which it is soaked is then fermented for 1-2 days which later is called rice water. It hydrates skin, balances pH, fights free radicals, and prevents premature aging. You can also use it as a toner. Although there is enough scientific evidence yet, it is believed to tighten the skin and reduce wrinkles and fine lines form the face. Because of these benefits, it is now popularly used as a skincare product worldwide. It has become even more trendy ever since K-world has taken over the world. Everyone wants glass skin as Koreans have and rice water is known to be their beauty secret. Moreover, it is also an affordable, easily available, and natural home remedy. You do not even have to waste any food products just to make your skin glowy. Rice water is made from the starchy water left over after soaking or boiling rice, and it has gained popularity for its potential beauty benefits. Common Side Effects of Using Rice Water on the Face? Allergy Some people are allergic to the components of rice water that can initiate a skin reaction causing redness, and irritation in the affected area. Those with sensitivities should consider performing a patch test before using rice water on the skin. Unfortunately, no solution can help prevent this allergy. Therefore, if you have any allergy consider using an alternative. Do not know if are allergic to it? Do a patch test. Apply a small amount on your hand, wait for a minute or two, and see if it reacts. Increased Skin Sensitivity Using rice water on the face frequently can increase skin sensitivity. It contains ferulic acid, which is commonly used in combination with Vitamin C for skincare. Although the acid is a powerful antioxidant using it too much or too often on the face can cause skin irritation and increase skin sensitivity. As a result, the sun’s rays can easily penetrate your skin, causing cell damage. Continuous exposure can even cause sunburn. Therefore if you are using rice water on your face, you must wear a sunscreen or protective hats while going out. Dry and Flaky Skin Another side effect of applying rice water on the face is skin dryness and flakiness, especially if you are using fermented rice water. Fermentation results in the production of lactic acid which is responsible for changing the nature of water to acidic. It lowers the fermented rice water pH up to 3, while regular rice water has a pH of 5-6, which is comparatively less acidic. Related reading Why is My Skin Dry Even When I Moisturize? Different Eyeliner (Puppy, Cat, Fox): Which Style Do You Prefer? Is Rose Water Good for Your Face？ Using products with an acidic nature to the face strips away the moisture content of your resulting in dryness and flakiness. So if your skin is already sensitive, use rice water less frequently and apply a moisturizer on your face after rice water to hydrate the skin. Irritation in the Eyes You must have seen content creators casually applying rice water on their faces with no caution. If, by any chance, the water touches your eyes, it will irritate your eyes. The starchy content of rice water is the reason behind it. This causes redness and burning sensation in the eyes leading to discomfort. If, by any chance, rice water goes into your eyes, stop everything immediately, and rinse off your eyes thoroughly with cold water. This will give you a soothing sensation. To avoid this problem from occurring, you can just skip the application of rice water around the eyes. It’s best to apply rice water only to the areas of your face that are not near your eyes to prevent discomfort. Excessive Exfoliation As mentioned earlier, rice water has a starchy content making it a good exfoliating product. Initially, exfoliation can help remove the dead cells, letting the fresh skin emerge out and allowing you to look younger and glowing. However, excess use of rice water leads to overexfoliation of the skin. This adds to the dryness and flakiness of your skin. Over-exfoliation may also remove the fresh skin cells making your skin sensitive and irritated. This might also interfere with your normal skincare as those products may contain harsh chemicals Excessive exfoliation can disrupt the skin's natural barrier, leading to increased sensitivity. The only way to solve this is to adjust the frequency of using rice water according to its suitability for your skin. Finding the right balance in your skincare routine is essential for maintaining healthy skin. Risk of Contamination Using rice water on your face also imposes a risk of contamination leading to skin irritation and infection. Contamination occurs in cases when the rice water is not properly stored. Fermented water has more chances of getting contaminated. To minimize the risk of contamination, always store rice water in a clean, airtight container and refrigerate it. Leaving rice water in a container will provide bacteria with an optimal environment for growth and multiplication. This microbial growth contaminates rice water. You might not notice this and use it which will damage your skin further. To reduce this risk, you must store rice water in an air-tight and clean container. Also, ensure that it does not stay closed for an extended time. Related reading How Do You Get Bags Under Your Eyes? 9 Causes and 10 Treat Ways Everything You Need to Know about Laser Hair Removal Eyebrows Infections This is usually rare and mostly happens due to the negligence of the rice water users. Using contaminated water leads to skin infection. While skin infections are typically rare, it's crucial to be mindful of the water's cleanliness during preparation and use. In addition, different skin types may react differently to rice water. This is more common in sensitive skin type as aciidc nature of rice water damages the skin and give bacteria a chance to invade it. Additionally, if you are applying it on broken or wounded skin, the infection can develop easily. To avoid this, ensure that you have prepared the rice water in a clean environment. Moreover, if your skin is already irritated, broken, or has a wound, let it heal first and then use rice water for effective results. Additionally, proper sanitation and waiting for any skin issues to resolve can enhance the benefits of rice water on your skin. FAQs How Long Should You Leave Rice Water on Your Face? This depends on the way you are using rice water on your face. If you are using pure rice water, leave it on for 20-30 minutes. Similarly, if you are using it in a mask, keep the mask on your face for 30 minutes and then rinse it off. You can also mix it with simple water to dilute it. You can spray this mixture on your face and keep it all day long. Do You Wash Off Rice Water on Your Face? Yes, you need to wash off rice water from the face after a given time. Use lukewarm water to wash it off. Keeping it on the skin for a longer time can irritate your skin. However, if you have diluted it with simple water then there is no need to wash it off from the face. Can I Use Rice Water on My Face Every Day? Yes, you can apply rice water on your face every day without worrying about skin damage. If you are using it as a toner, then you can apply it twice a day while as a mask, use it once per day. However, those who have sensitive skin may have to reduce this frequently as it can irritate their skin easily. Is Rice Water Good for Acne-Prone Skin? Rice water may offer benefits for acne-prone skin by helping to soothe irritation and \1. Many users report improved skin texture and a \1 when incorporating rice water into their skincare routine. Rice water has astringent and anti-inflammatory properties which makes it beneficial for acne-prone skin. It can help reduce inflammation and soothe the redness associated with acne. You can also use it to balance the sebum production which clears out the excess oil from your face. This will make your skin clearer and help remove impurities from your face. Conclusion Rice water has an acidic nature as it undergoes a fermentation process which lowers the water pH. This makes it an irritant, especially for those who have sensitive skin types. Using it in the wrong concentration or too often can irritate the skin, increase skin sensitivity, and make it susceptible to damage by sun rays. You can also expect skin dryness due to excessive exfoliation caused by rice water. Since these side effects are mostly associated with those having sensitive skin types, know your skin type before applying it on the face. Also, conduct a patch test to ensure safety. If you are still unsure about using it, you can get professional advice from a dermatologist. Ulike Welcome to Ulike! We hope our expertise can bring value to you.

Nov 26, 2025

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Table of Contents

Being rich in nutrients and an easily accessible home remedy for the skin, it has now been rising in popularity worldwide. Regardless of the numerous benefits of rice water, not everyone will have the same results. A few also face side effects. Understanding the side effects of rice water on the face will help you decide the usefulness of rice water for your skin type.

What is Rice Water and Why Is It Popular for Skincare?

Rice water is the leftover water that you strain out before cooking rice. You must be aware that we usually leave rice to soak in water for 30-60 minutes before cooking rice. The water in which it is soaked is then fermented for 1-2 days which later is called rice water.

It hydrates skin, balances pH, fights free radicals, and prevents premature aging. You can also use it as a toner. Although there is enough scientific evidence yet, it is believed to tighten the skin and reduce wrinkles and fine lines form the face.

Because of these benefits, it is now popularly used as a skincare product worldwide. It has become even more trendy ever since K-world has taken over the world. Everyone wants glass skin as Koreans have and rice water is known to be their beauty secret.

Moreover, it is also an affordable, easily available, and natural home remedy. You do not even have to waste any food products just to make your skin glowy.

Rice water is made from the starchy water left over after soaking or boiling rice, and it has gained popularity for its potential beauty benefits.

Common Side Effects of Using Rice Water on the Face?

Allergy

Some people are allergic to the components of rice water that can initiate a skin reaction causing redness, and irritation in the affected area.

Those with sensitivities should consider performing a patch test before using rice water on the skin.

Unfortunately, no solution can help prevent this allergy. Therefore, if you have any allergy consider using an alternative. Do not know if are allergic to it? Do a patch test. Apply a small amount on your hand, wait for a minute or two, and see if it reacts.

Increased Skin Sensitivity

Using rice water on the face frequently can increase skin sensitivity. It contains ferulic acid, which is commonly used in combination with Vitamin C for skincare. Although the acid is a powerful antioxidant using it too much or too often on the face can cause skin irritation and increase skin sensitivity.

As a result, the sun’s rays can easily penetrate your skin, causing cell damage. Continuous exposure can even cause sunburn. Therefore if you are using rice water on your face, you must wear a sunscreen or protective hats while going out.

Dry and Flaky Skin

Another side effect of applying rice water on the face is skin dryness and flakiness, especially if you are using fermented rice water. Fermentation results in the production of lactic acid which is responsible for changing the nature of water to acidic. It lowers the fermented rice water pH up to 3, while regular rice water has a pH of 5-6, which is comparatively less acidic.

Irritation in the Eyes

You must have seen content creators casually applying rice water on their faces with no caution. If, by any chance, the water touches your eyes, it will irritate your eyes. The starchy content of rice water is the reason behind it.

This causes redness and burning sensation in the eyes leading to discomfort. If, by any chance, rice water goes into your eyes, stop everything immediately, and rinse off your eyes thoroughly with cold water. This will give you a soothing sensation.

To avoid this problem from occurring, you can just skip the application of rice water around the eyes.

It’s best to apply rice water only to the areas of your face that are not near your eyes to prevent discomfort.

Excessive Exfoliation

As mentioned earlier, rice water has a starchy content making it a good exfoliating product. Initially, exfoliation can help remove the dead cells, letting the fresh skin emerge out and allowing you to look younger and glowing. However, excess use of rice water leads to overexfoliation of the skin.

This adds to the dryness and flakiness of your skin. Over-exfoliation may also remove the fresh skin cells making your skin sensitive and irritated. This might also interfere with your normal skincare as those products may contain harsh chemicals

Excessive exfoliation can disrupt the skin's natural barrier, leading to increased sensitivity.

The only way to solve this is to adjust the frequency of using rice water according to its suitability for your skin.

Finding the right balance in your skincare routine is essential for maintaining healthy skin.

Risk of Contamination

Using rice water on your face also imposes a risk of contamination leading to skin irritation and infection. Contamination occurs in cases when the rice water is not properly stored. Fermented water has more chances of getting contaminated.

To minimize the risk of contamination, always store rice water in a clean, airtight container and refrigerate it.

Leaving rice water in a container will provide bacteria with an optimal environment for growth and multiplication. This microbial growth contaminates rice water. You might not notice this and use it which will damage your skin further. To reduce this risk, you must store rice water in an air-tight and clean container. Also, ensure that it does not stay closed for an extended time.

Infections

This is usually rare and mostly happens due to the negligence of the rice water users. Using contaminated water leads to skin infection.

While skin infections are typically rare, it's crucial to be mindful of the water's cleanliness during preparation and use.

In addition, different skin types may react differently to rice water. This is more common in sensitive skin type as aciidc nature of rice water damages the skin and give bacteria a chance to invade it. Additionally, if you are applying it on broken or wounded skin, the infection can develop easily.

To avoid this, ensure that you have prepared the rice water in a clean environment. Moreover, if your skin is already irritated, broken, or has a wound, let it heal first and then use rice water for effective results.

Additionally, proper sanitation and waiting for any skin issues to resolve can enhance the benefits of rice water on your skin.

FAQs

How Long Should You Leave Rice Water on Your Face?

This depends on the way you are using rice water on your face. If you are using pure rice water, leave it on for 20-30 minutes. Similarly, if you are using it in a mask, keep the mask on your face for 30 minutes and then rinse it off. You can also mix it with simple water to dilute it. You can spray this mixture on your face and keep it all day long.

Do You Wash Off Rice Water on Your Face?

Yes, you need to wash off rice water from the face after a given time. Use lukewarm water to wash it off. Keeping it on the skin for a longer time can irritate your skin. However, if you have diluted it with simple water then there is no need to wash it off from the face.

Can I Use Rice Water on My Face Every Day?

Yes, you can apply rice water on your face every day without worrying about skin damage. If you are using it as a toner, then you can apply it twice a day while as a mask, use it once per day. However, those who have sensitive skin may have to reduce this frequently as it can irritate their skin easily.

Is Rice Water Good for Acne-Prone Skin?

Rice water may offer benefits for acne-prone skin by helping to soothe irritation and \1. Many users report improved skin texture and a \1 when incorporating rice water into their skincare routine.

Rice water has astringent and anti-inflammatory properties which makes it beneficial for acne-prone skin. It can help reduce inflammation and soothe the redness associated with acne. You can also use it to balance the sebum production which clears out the excess oil from your face. This will make your skin clearer and help remove impurities from your face.

Conclusion

Rice water has an acidic nature as it undergoes a fermentation process which lowers the water pH. This makes it an irritant, especially for those who have sensitive skin types. Using it in the wrong concentration or too often can irritate the skin, increase skin sensitivity, and make it susceptible to damage by sun rays.

You can also expect skin dryness due to excessive exfoliation caused by rice water. Since these side effects are mostly associated with those having sensitive skin types, know your skin type before applying it on the face. Also, conduct a patch test to ensure safety. If you are still unsure about using it, you can get professional advice from a dermatologist.