DIY Beauty: Rice Recipes for Your Face and Body!

There's a reason that rice is a staple product in many countries. It's full of nutrients and easy to come by! But did you know that applying it topically has its advantages, too? Well you learn something new every day, don't you?

According to Mi-Spa, a company that makes its own rice beauty products, the white grainy stuff "has been used in Asian skincare for centuries. Japanese women used rice water & rice powder to wash their faces. The rice starch & protein provided nutrients as well as aids in exfoliation."

The following are 2 easy schmeezy DIY beauty recipes that you can make in the comfort of your own home. They will leave you feeling clean, refreshed and oh-so-beautiful! Read on.

Rice and Thyme Facial Toner

This gentle cleanser can be used on all skin types and is suitable for use multiple times a day. Here's what you need:

2 teaspoons rice (crushed)

2 sprigs of fresh thyme (crumbled) or 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme

1/2 lemon

1/2 cup water

Once you've gathered everything, here's what you need to do:

Combine your crushed rice and crumbled thyme in a small to medium sized bowl. Next, pour 1/2 cup of water into a saucepan and let it come to a rolling boil. Once it's boiling, pour the hot water over your rice/thyme.

Cut your lemon in half and squeeze the contents of 1/2 the lemon into your mixture. Let it set for 15 minutes. Make sure it has adequate time to cool off before applying it to your face. You don't want to burn yourself! Strain so that you are left with the liquid only.

After you're mixture is ready to go, pour some on a cotton ball and apply as you would a typical toner. You can store this mixture in the refrigerator and use whenever needed.

Strawberry and Rice Foot exfoliater

This is a great way to treat yourself after a long day on your feet! You can also apply it to other parts of your body (such as your hands and elbows/knees). Gather the following items:

10 strawberries

2 tablespoons grapeseed oil (extra virgin olive is an okay substitute)

1 teaspoon rice

1 teaspoon sea salt

Once you've gathered these items, the rest is easy! First, chop your strawberries into fourths. No need to wash them since they're going straight to your feet! Place the berries in a medium-sized bowl, add the oil and mash until you have a consistent texture. Don't worry about a few lumps.

Next, add your rice and the salt and mix well so that the rice/salt is mixed throughout. Now all you have to do is massage the concoction onto your feet for about 5 minutes. Let it sit for an additional 2-3 minutes and rinse off with warm water.

The acid from the strawberries serve as a natural exfoliant and the rice/salt get rid of built up dead skin. The olive oil moisturizes.

Check out my other articles on DIY beauty recipes!