Rice Bran Oil for Beauty and Health Part 1

Image taken from bharatirice.com

For a long time, there has been a tradition in Japan that women rub rice bran in or put rice bran oil on their face to keep their skin smooth. It was a tradition and people don’t know the real reason why rice bran or rice bran oil is effective in keeping skin smooth but it is thought that it relates to the functions of minor components of rice bran oil. These women, having smooth and shiny skin, are called “Nuka-Bijin” “Bran Beauty” in English.

Rice bran oil is obtained from the husk of paddy and consists of embryo (germ) and endosperm of Oryza sativa family Graminae. You can obtain this oil as a byproduct in rice mill during polishing of rice after dehusking. Rice bran oil is known for its high smoke point of 490 degrees F (254 degrees C), making it suitable for healthy cooking methods, such as the stir frying and deep frying made popular by Asian countries. Because of its healthy fat composition being 47 percent monounsaturated, 33 percent polyunsaturated and 20 percent saturated, rice bran oil provides many health benefits. That makes it the oil of choice for improving serum cholesterol levels and preventing cardiovascular disease.It is considered by some to be the “worlds healthiest edible oil” containing many vitamins, antioxidants and nutrients.  It is also trans fat free. Studies have shown it can help lower cholesterol, enhance the immune system and fight free radicals.

Rice bran oil (INCI: oryza sativa) contains 16% palmitic acid, 2% stearic acid, 42% oleic acid (C18:1), 36.6% linoleic acid (C18:2), and 1.5% linolenic acid (C18:3). It contains tocopherols at 400 mg per kg of oil, which means loads of Vitamin E for your skin and lots of anti-oxidants to retard rancidity. All of this is great, but what makes rice bran oil fantastic are the unsaponifiables, which make up about 4% of rice bran oil. The unsaponifiables in rice bran oil contain Vitamin B, Vitamin E, and squalene (0.1 to 0.7%), which we know are great for skin applications.

Rice bran oil is a natural source for the following antioxidants: Tocopherols, Tocotrienols, Gamma Oryzanol, Phytosterols, Polyphenols and Squalene. Antioxidants of course help fight free radicals and aid in slowing down the effects of aging. Rich in Vitamins B and E, rice bran oil increases elasticity of your skin and keeps it hydrated and soft. Rice bran oil is unique in that it contains different kinds of vitamin B and vitamin E, making it a more complex and wholesome ingredient for your skin. Thus you can obtain a younger looking, wrinkle free and glowing skin with use of this oil.

Rice bran oil is used in sunscreen as vitamin E protects skin against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. The antioxidant property of this oil helps to overcome free radicals which cause damage. It is also known to promote blood microcirculation, which is beneficial in reducing dark circles and puffiness. In addition, this formula also contains refined vegetable Squalane, a phenomenal emollient derived from vitamin-rich olive oil that boosts the skin’s ability to naturally regenerate, nourish, hydrate, oxygenate and protect itself.

Rice bran oil contains about 1 to 2% y-oryzanol, a phytosterol unique to this oil. It's a mixture of "ferulic acid esters or sterols and triterpene alcohols". What does this mean? Ferulic acid is a very effective antioxidant, and the y-oryzanol has been shown to be a more effective anti-oxidant than Vitamin E (which explains why an oil with all those double bonds manages to have a shelf life of one year!). Studies are showing ferulic acid can prevent skin aging and reduce age spots. It can help with light or radiation induced damage in skin. Ferulic acid is said to stimulate hair growth but there are no studies yet to prove this. 

Rice Bran Oil is commonly used in:
- Cosmetics
- Hair care products
- Skin care items
- Lipsticks
- Nail polish
- Sunscreens
- Soap

Use of rice bran oil for skin:

• It is used to exfoliate the skin by massaging it thoroughly within the face. This helps improve blood circulation thereby making the skin radiant and glowing.
• The anti-melanin property of rice bran oil comes into play when used as a sun block. It is also known to whiten the skin slightly thus making it effective as a skin lightening and fairness product.
• Benefits of rice bran oil for skin also include its property of keeping the skin incredibly soft. Polishing the face is popular in the Far East; Japanese women use both powder and oil for keeping their skin silky smooth.
• It can also be used as a substitute for lanolin to help control inflammation and soothe irritable skin. Alligator skin can be healed completely courtesy the rice bran oil.
• The oil extracted from rice bran can also be used as a carrier oil for blending numerous other medicinal oils as it gets absorbed within seconds leaving the skin velvety smooth.
• Using it on oily skin is not taboo either. The oil is light and does not linger on the surface of the skin increasing the oiliness despite containing numerous essential fatty acids.

Active ingredients in Rice Bran Oil:

• Gamma Oryzanol: It is a powerful antioxidant and studies have shown several physiological effects related to gamma-oryzanol and related rice bran oil components. These include its ability to reduce plasma cholesterol, reduce cholesterol absorption and decrease early atherosclerosis, inhibit platelet aggregation, and increase fecal bile acid excretion. Oryzanol has also been used to treat nerve imbalance and disorders of menopause.

• Tocotrienols: Rice bran oil is the only readily available oil, other than palm, that contains significant levels (approximately 500 ppm) of tocotrienols. These occur in at least four known forms and are similar to the tocopherols in chemical structure. They belong to the vitamin E family and are powerful natural antioxidants. The protective benefits of dietary antioxidants in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer have been widely publicized.

• up to 33% omega-6

• omega-9

• stearic acid

• Ferulic acid: Beneficial for skin health. They have powerful antioxidant activity – –Phytosterols: anti-inflammatory, healing and restorative. It is also said to be up to 10 times more antioxidant than vitamin E.

• High content of vitamin E (a natural antioxidant)

• Phytoesterols: Offer calming and soothing properties when used topically. As for internal use, phytoesterols are proven cholesterol-lowering compounds and are widely used as food additives.

• Carotenoids: Beta-carotene (pro vitamin A), alpha-carotene, lycopene (for a healthy glow and natural antioxidants).

• Enzymes: Co-enzymes Q10, polyphenol oxidase and others protects the skin aging induced by free radicals

• Minerals: calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper and more

Because this is gonna be a long post I'm gonna post more benefits, uses, and precautions in Part 2.

Source:

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5541660_adverse-effects-rice-bran-oil.html#ixzz2AgOBly8U

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5541660_adverse-effects-rice-bran-oil.html#ixzz2AgO6SlDO

http://www.ifood.tv/blog/rice-bran-oil-for-skin#9wyTQWTIe8PLs32K.99 

http://susansoaps.com/blog/how-our-use-of-rice-bran-oil-benefits-you/

http://www.honestfoods.com/topgriloil.html

http://greenmakeup.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/cold-pressed-oils-rice-bran-oil/

http://www.lisaliseblog.com/2011/11/rice-bran-oil-magnificent-multi-tasking.html

http://swiftcraftymonkey.blogspot.com/2009/11/rice-bran-oil.html

http://www.eightskincare.com/blogs/blog/5877595-what-makes-eight-great-rice-bran-oil-12-0f-14

http://www.ifood.tv/blog/rice-bran-oil-for-skin

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5541660_adverse-effects-rice-bran-oil.html

http://www.theresearchpedia.com/health/health-benefits-of-foods/what-is-rice-bran-oil-and-its-benefits

http://www.livestrong.com/article/25408-health-benefits-rice-bran-oil/#ixzz2AgKZdI35

http://pattayatoday.net/features/beauty-and-wellness/younger-looking-skin-with-rice-bran-oil/

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