TikTok user shares DIY ‘rice water facial’ she learned during ‘dirt poor’ childhood
By Bryan Ke
July 21, 2023
A TikTok user recently went viral for sharing a DIY (do-it-yourself) “rice water facial” that her Taiwanese immigrant mother would prepare for her when she was young.
Key details: TikTok user @hillaryhelennn, who is Taiwanese American, uploaded the now-viral clip, which has already garnered over 2 million views, on July 12.
The eight-second video shows her giving herself a steam facial using her rice cooker instead of an at-home device designed for the specific skin care treatment.
“When I was a kid, my family was dirt poor but my mom knew I was obsessed with skincare so she would make DIY spa treatments for me out of the things we had,” the TikTok user explains in her video’s onscreen text. “My mom called this her ‘rice water facial’ and I’ll never forget this for the rest of my life.”
Fair warning: Before trying this hack, it is important to take care not to burn one’s skin. Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist in New York who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology, explained to InStyle last year that “keep[ing] your face six to 10 inches away from the steamer” can help prevent serious burns caused by the steam.
Surprising benefits: It turns out that rice water may be beneficial for the skin since rice naturally contains inositol and other antioxidants that may help fight the effects of free radicals on the body.
Rice water may also help treat dandruff, reduce skin aging and soothe skin affected by skin conditions such as eczema.
Meanwhile, facial steaming can help hydrate the skin, encourage blood flow and purge the skin of excess sebum.
What people are saying: While some TikTok users commented to say they found @hillaryhelennn’s post relatable, others expressed amazement.
“This is genius, actually,” one TikTok user commented, while another wrote, “Rice is good for the skin, steam is good for the skin. Rice cooker = all our prayers answered.”
“Sooo, I do this as well. I’m glad I’m not the only one,” another said. “I do this with any food that’s cooking.”
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