Does rice water help with acne?

Why rice water is not a substitute for acne treatment

Acne develops when hair follicles, the openings where hairs grow, become blocked with excess oil and dead skin cells. Bacteria can grow inside those blocked follicles and cause inflammation and pus. Treatment needs to address those problems, rather than simply add another rinse to your routine.1

What does rice water help with?

Rice water is the starchy liquid left after soaking or cooking rice in water. Its main beauty use is as a hair rinse: the starch coats the hair's outer surface and helps reduce friction between strands. Claims about longer, stronger or shinier hair remain uncertain despite enthusiastic promotion on social media, where a cloudy jar can acquire quite a CV. A hair conditioning claim is not an acne treatment claim, even if the same jar fits beside the sink.3

Does rice water help skin?

Benefits for facial skin, including clearing spots, are not established. There is no established rice water concentration, application schedule or waiting time for acne improvement. Fermenting rice water is not a reason to expect better results: a long soak can introduce bacteria into the mixture. Do not use hair rinse instructions as directions for treating your face.3

What should you use instead?

• Salicylic acid helps loosen and unplug blocked hair follicles.
• Benzoyl peroxide reduces bacteria on the skin and settles inflammation, meaning redness and swelling.
• Azelaic acid reduces inflammation and helps fade dark marks left after acne clears.
• Adapalene and tretinoin encourage skin cell renewal and shedding. They can initially cause dryness and peeling; availability without a prescription depends on the country.

How to build the routine

1. 1Wash your face with a gentle cleanser morning and evening. Remove makeup at the end of the day, and do not scrub.
2. 2Ask a pharmacist about a suitable acne treatment and follow its directions. Apply acne products across the affected area rather than only to individual spots.
3. 3Use moisturizer every day when your skin feels dry. Look for oil free, noncomedogenic, meaning unlikely to clog pores, or won't clog pores on the container. Applying moisturizer after washing helps trap water in the skin.

Moisturizer is especially useful if benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or a retinoid dries or irritates your skin. Keeping dryness under control can help you tolerate treatment. Avoid harsh skincare and excessive exfoliation, and do not pick or squeeze spots because that increases the risk of scars.246

Would drinking rice water help?

Drinking rice water is not an established acne treatment either. A diet that avoids sharp rises in blood sugar might reduce breakouts, but findings are mixed. Diet changes do not replace acne friendly skincare and medication.7

How long should you wait, and when should you get help?

Most acne treatments take at least 4 to 6 weeks to make a noticeable difference; clearer improvement can take months. Stop a product and seek medical advice if it causes severe irritation. See a doctor if self treatment is not helping, or sooner for deep painful spots, scarring, lots of spots or acne affecting your mental health. Hot, swollen or red skin also needs medical assessment; redness can be harder to see on brown and black skin.456