Rice Water Face Wash: My Skincare Experiment Diary
I’ll admit it up front: I’m a bit of a skincare guinea pig. Over the past year, I’ve tried everything from snail mucin serums to charcoal masks, and while some products were hits, others ended up in the “never again” drawer. But recently, I stumbled onto something old-fashioned yet kind of magical: a rice water face wash. And yes—I’ve been using it daily. This is my “real person” account, warts and all. (Pun intended.)
Let me walk you through how I got here, what happened, how my skin felt, and whether I’m still on this train. If you’re curious about natural skincare, or you’ve heard of “washing your face with rice water” and wondered whether it’s legit or just another TikTok trend, read on.
How I Discovered Rice Water Face Wash
It all started with a YouTube rabbit hole, as many beauty obsessions do. One evening I was watching a Korean skincare vlogger talk about how she always uses rice water rinse after her face mask. I thought: “Okay, those flawless K-beauty skins must have something going for them.” Then I googled. Turns out, rice water isn’t new—it’s been used in Asia for centuries as a hair rinse, a skin remedy, a “beauty water.”
I was skeptical. I mean: rice? My pantry staple? For my face? But that’s what made me curious. Spilled some of the rice-water concept into my mental “to test” folder.
So I decided: fine. I’ll make a DIY version (because I always do) and compare it with a store-bought rice water face wash (just to see what difference, if any, exists). I committed to using one version in the morning, the other at night, for a solid 30 days. (Yes, I have the discipline—or stubbornness.)
Making My Own DIY Rice Water Face Wash (and the early messes)
Let me confess: there were hiccups. The first time I rinsed rice, I ended up with cloudy water that smelled vaguely like eau de damp kitchen. Not glamorous. But I pressed on.
Here’s my go-to method:
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Rinse ¼ cup of white rice (organic, if possible) in a bowl.
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Add ~1 cup of water; swirl gently, let the water turn slightly milky.
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Strain off this “first water”—throw it away (some say it has dust).
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Add another cup of fresh water, swirl for ~30 seconds, strain again. That’s your “rice water.”
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Optional: Add a drop of tea tree oil or a few drops of diluted essential oil for scent.
Now, to turn that into a face wash: I mixed about 2 tbsp of the rice water with a dollop of gentle cleanser (a sulfate-free gel I already owned) and used that combo as my “rice water face wash” in the morning.
It felt weird at first. The texture was thin. The scent was soft and slightly grassy. And I worried: is this even cleansing?
The Store-Bought Rice Water Face Wash Experiment
For fairness, I also bought a commercial rice water face wash. (Yes, I caved.) It had extra ingredients—mild surfactants, humectants, maybe some fragrance, stabilizers. It was thicker, foamed a little, and came in a cute bottle.
I alternated: mornings with DIY, evenings with the store-bought. I tracked how my skin felt (tight? hydrated? itchy?) every day—yes, I made a Google Sheets log. (I am that person.)
My 30-Day Observations — the Good, the Weird, the “Wait, What?” Moments
Week 1 — the adjustment period
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The first couple days: my skin felt different, not necessarily better. Slightly “slick” after washing, and kind of “bare”—like I skipped something.
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I broke out a little along my hairline. Could be hormones, could be change.
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But by day 5 or 6, something subtle shifted: my face looked calmer in morning light. The redness I get after steaming my face (post-shower) seemed muted.
Week 2–3 — visible changes
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My skin texture started to feel smoother. Some small bumps (the annoying ones around chin) seemed less irritated.
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The DIY version was gentler—especially on days when my skin felt “raw” from mask overuse. The commercial version foamed nicely but sometimes made me feel a bit tight.
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I noticed I was using less moisturizer in the morning. My cheeks weren’t screaming for hydration as soon.
Week 4 — would I keep this?
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I looked in the mirror one morning and went, “Huh. My complexion looks more even.”
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The rice water face wash routine seemed to help with dullness.
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But—not gonna lie—on a particularly lazy day I skipped it and used my usual foaming cleanser. And later, my skin felt harsher, more stripped.
Over the 30 days, I personally preferred the DIY-mixed-with-cleanser rice water face wash in the morning and the store-bought at night (just out of convenience). But the real win was the unexpected glow and calmer texture.
Why (Science + Stories) Rice Water Face Wash Could Work
I dove into research because I’m that kind of nerd.
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Rice water contains inositol, a carbohydrate that can help repair damage to skin and hair (some cosmetic science articles mention this).
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It also has amino acids, vitamins (B, E), antioxidants, and minerals that may soothe inflammation.
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Many traditional skincare systems in Asia use rice water for brightening, softening, and reducing pigmentation.
Now: does a rice water face wash clean as well as a regular cleanser? Probably not on its own, especially if you wear makeup or heavy sunscreen. That’s why mixing with a gentle cleanser is smart. You get the benefit of rice water’s soothing/brightening action plus actual surfactants to remove grime.
Also: individual skin types differ. What worked for my combo/sensitive skin might not fly for you if you have deep cystic acne or reactive rosacea.
Tips & Tricks I Learned (so you don’t mess it up like me)
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Use short-grain or organic rice when possible (less likely to have pesticide residues).
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Fresh is better. Use your rice water within 24 hours (store in fridge).
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Don’t rub hard—apply gently. Let it sit for a moment if you can.
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Be cautious with added essential oils (some skins hate them).
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Always patch-test on your jawline for a couple days before full use.
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If you wear heavy makeup or SPF, double cleanse: first a gentle oil or balm, then rice water blend.
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Don’t expect overnight miracles. Give it ~2–4 weeks.
My Actual Skincare Routine + How Rice Water Face Wash Fit In
Here’s what a typical day looked like:
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Morning
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Rinse face lightly with lukewarm water
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Use my DIY rice water + gentle cleanser face wash
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Pat dry
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Layer hydrating toner / essence
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Serum or vitamin C
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Moisturizer
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SPF 30+
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Evening
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(If wearing makeup/ SPF) Oil or balm cleanse
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Use store-bought rice water face wash
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Tone
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Treat (retinol, etc., depending on the evening)
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Moisturizer
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I made sure to listen to my skin. On dry, cold nights, I sometimes skipped the rice water mix and stuck with a creamier cleanser. That’s okay — adaptation is allowed.
How My Skin Looks Now — The Verdict
After 4 weeks, here’s what I’d tell my best friend if she asked: “Hey, is rice water face wash worth trying?”
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Yes, if your skin is fairly resilient and you don’t have extreme sensitivities.
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It gave me a glow (not glitter, just a gently even tone).
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My texture feels “softer” — those tiny bumps are less pronounced.
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It’s not a magic wand. If you cancel the rest of your skincare (moisturizer, sunscreen), you’ll regret it.
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I’ll keep it in my rotation, especially on “gentle days.”
I should also mention: as with any new skincare habit, there were days of panic (“is this breakout rice water? Or hormones?”). But nothing horror-show worthy. My skin was never red raw or burning.
FAQs — Common Questions About Rice Water Face Wash
Q1: Can rice water face wash remove makeup and sunscreen alone?
A: Usually not. Rice water is gentle and nourishing, but doesn’t have strong surfactants to break down heavy makeup or full-spectrum sunscreens. I strongly suggest using a double cleanse (oil or balm cleanse first) if you wear makeup or heavy SPF, then use the rice water blend.
Q2: Will rice water face wash lighten pigmentation (dark spots)?
A: Possibly over time. Some users report that consistent use can help fade mild pigmentation, thanks to antioxidants and gentle brightening compounds. But don’t expect huge changes overnight or replacement of strong actives (like vitamin C, niacinamide, etc.).
Q3: How long until I see results from a rice water face wash routine?
A: For me, the first subtle improvements showed around day 5 or 6. More visible smoothing and glow by week 3 or 4. But results vary depending on skin type, how consistent you are, and what else you’re stacking in your routine.
Q4: Can I buy a rice water face wash instead of DIYing it?
A: Absolutely. There are commercial formulas that incorporate stabilized rice water, surfactants, humectants, etc. The pros: convenience, consistent concentration, extra ingredients. The cons: sometimes extra fragrance, preservatives, or price premium. If buying, pick a gentle formula and check ingredients for irritants.
Final Thoughts / Conclusion (From My Diary to Yours)
Alright, here’s my bottom line: using a rice water face wash has been one of those experiments that surprised me in a gentle, slow-bloom kind of way. It’s not a flashy overnight solution, but it’s a kind companion to your skin—softening texture, calming irritation, giving a quiet glow.
Do I expect everyone to switch their entire routine? No. Maybe some of you have super reactive skin, or you’re on prescription treatments—obviously check with your dermatologist first. But if you’re curious, bored with the same cleansers, or want to try something natural and kind, rice water face wash is worth a shot.
If you try it, remember: be patient, listen to your skin, patch test. Don’t expect miracles in a day, but maybe in three weeks or a month, you’ll look in the mirror and feel, “Huh—I like how my skin feels.”
Care to try this with me? (Yes, I’ll be your accountability buddy.) And if you do, drop me a note—let me know how it goes, good or weird. Skin diaries are always messy, but that’s where the fun is.
