Rice Water for Beautiful Skin and Hair

The rice starch-soak has been an ancient beauty secret by Asian women. Rice contains 'pitera' and many other vitamins and minerals that help make skin and hair healthy. Rice water gives that brighter complexion and calm down inflammation in our skin. It is also used as a main ingredient in skin care products to achieve that clear skin.

Fill a bowl with a cup of organic rice, and pour water an inch above the rice height. Swill it for few seconds until it gets cloudy. Throw away the first wash because this wash was used to clean the rice. Pour water again and swill the rice around for few minutes, and with this second wash, pour it in a container to use it as your toner. Store it in the fridge for 2-3 days.

As for hair, pour the rice water after shampooing for a minute to make hair soft and shiny. Wash it off with water.

Botany Works: Grapeseed Oil and Sunflower Oil

I am going to combine these two products in this blog post: Grapeseed Oil and Sunflower Oil from Botany Works, both in a 100ml, are two of my favorite products from them. If I remember correctly, I think I bought them at Alabang Town Center months ago. I knew about these products way back but never had the chance to try them because I had no idea what to do with it -- I was entirely clueless so to say. But I soon did my research and found the benefits of these oils, and from there, I reintroduced myself to these products and bought them as soon as I spotted them right in those shelves. 

The packaging (from the images) are already faded, and can be quite difficult reading what it says on the label.

The Grapeseed Oil from their website:

GRAPESEED OIL, Expeller-Pressed, Food Grade 

100mL - Php130
250mL - Php250
500mL - Php450 

For oily and combination skin. Great for toning and tightening skin, acne treatment, balancing oily skin, signs of skin aging, skin lightening, dark under eye circles, sun protection, varicose veins, stretch marks, skin cleansing, massage. 

What is the meaning of "expeller-pressed?"
It means the oil is extracted from nuts or seeds solely through mechanical means (by crushing). They do not undergo a chemical process to yield more oil. Thus, they retain most of the natural nutrients from the source without the chemicals. 

Properties of Grapeseed Oil: 

Skin-nourishing
Has skin-regenerative and restructuring properties
Astringent; Good for acne and oily skin
Excellent for massage due to its lightweight and penetrating properties 

Botanical Name: Vitus vinifera
Viscosity: Thin.
Absorption/Feel: Leaves a Glossy Film on the Skin.
Shelf Life: 6-12 Months. 

Grapeseed Oil is commonly used in aromatherapy as it is a fairly all-purpose oil and can be used in a wide array of applications ranging from massage to skin care. From a nutrititive standpoint, the most noteworthy aspect of Grapeseed Oil is its content of the essential fatty acid, linoleic acid.  

Grapeseed Oil, however, has a relatively short shelf life. Easily absorbed, mildly astringent, tightens and tones the skin, which makes it useful for acne.  

Apply on affected areas
Keep in a cool dark place or refrigerate
Best consumed within 1 year from purchase date 

Sourced from Italy

And as for their Sunflower Oil from their website:

SUNFLOWER OIL, Certified Organic, Cosmetic Grade

50mL - Php90
100mL - Php140
250mL - Php270
500mL - Php500 

Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus
Viscosity: Thin.
Absorption/Feel: Penetrates Well and Does not Lave an Oily Residue.
Shelf Life: 12 Months. 

For all skin types. Great for head to toe moisturizing, inflamed itchy skin conditions, signs of skin aging, skin lightening, dark under eye circles, skin cleansing, stretch marks, hair and scalp conditioning, acne treatment, massage 

Sunflower oil, exctracted from sunflower seeds, is very nourishing and is also a wonderful moisturizer. Sunflower oil contains natually occuring Vitamin A and E. Vitamin A, also known as retinol, provides many health benefits, as does vitamin E. Both vitamins neutralize free radicals. Sunflower oil is recommended for most skin types, from normal to oily. A non-greasy, protective layer is formed on the skin when Sunflower oil is used, providing a smooth and luxurious texture every time. 

Apply on affected areas
Keep in a cool dark place
Best consumed within 1 year from purchase date 

Made in USA

I love these oils especially for massages. I applied it once on my face and it didn't caused me breakouts or redness. I also apply this after my bath, then top it off with my favorite lotion which adds that e-x-t-r-a moisture. I love the benefits it does! Will definitely repurchase!

A MUST-HAVE!

Human Heart Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil

I am no stranger to this product because I have tried this couple of years ago (and now I am finally going to make a review). This Sunflower Beauty Oil is one of their 'Best Sellers', and unsurprisingly, I am one of those people who loved it because of the miracles it does on one's skin and hair making it a versatile product. Seriously, it still bugs me WHY I stopped purchasing this product after purchasing a bottle or two. Anyhow, I am happy that I bought a 50ml bottle when I visited one Human Heart Nature branch -- 2-3 hours away from our place! Long story.

 

According to their website:

Our premium and best-selling Sunflower Beauty Oil is 100% Natural and packed with vitamins A, D & E that help moisturize and nourish your skin to give it that healthy glow -- without any harmful chemicals. It’s so effective and so versatile, the uses are endless! What kind of miracles, you ask? Well for starters it…

1. Helps soften and lighten underarms  

2. Helps lighten dark spots & pimple marks 

3. Under eye moisturizer 

4. Helps prevent & diminish the appearance of stretch marks 

5. Helps lighten dark under eye circles 

6. Softens feet soles, knees & elbows 

7. Removes stubborn makeup 

8. Overall body moisturizer 

9. Helps diminish fine lines around the eyes 

10. Helps soften cuticles and dry skin 

11. Makes skin glow and helps keep it youthful 

12. Helps relax tired, puffy eyes 

13. Helps relieve itch & redness caused by insect bites 

14. Nourishes & conditions eyelashes 

15. Helps lighten dark lips 

16. Adds shine to dull hair  

17. Helps ease dry & itchy scalp 

18. Helps improve skin condition after sunburn 

19. Smoothens dry, rough skin from shaving 

20. Helps calm skin & ease rashes 

21. Helps relieve symptoms of skin infections 

22. Helps hydrate dry patches on face 

23. Helps lighten lesions and scars

Ingredients: premium cosmetic grade Helianthus annuus (sunflower) oil 

I've been using this for almost two months now, and I am definitely loving it! I sometimes use this as my moisturizer before I go to sleep and wake up with that healthy glow. It amazes me that it doesn't clog my pores despite my oily skin. A little bit of this product goes a long way! I love applying it on my cuticles at night to keep them looking good. And oh, not to mention, now that I ran out of ROC Multi-Correxion Eye Treatment months ago, I now use this as my under eye moisturizer. I also tried applying it on the ends on my hair, but it only made it looking greasy that I had to stop.

I'm astounded by the benefits of this sunflower oil. It really is true to its claims! I really need to buy a back-up before I ran out of this! Organic. Philippine-made. Affordable. Makes skin soft and healthy. Versatile. Carry it anywhere in your travel. This is a must product to have.

Remember to store it in a room below 35 degree Celsius, and away from direct sunlight.

Price:
50ml - Php149.75
100ml - Php274.75