Rice Bran Oil

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What Is Rice Bran Oil in Skincare?

Rice bran oil is a light, golden plant oil pressed or extracted from the bran, the outer brown layer of the rice grain (Oryza sativa). In skincare it is used as an emollient carrier oil that softens skin without a heavy feel, and it brings natural antioxidants, mainly vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols) and gamma-oryzanol, a compound found in very few other oils.

EWG Skin Deep score for Rice Bran Oil EWG Skin Deep rating for Rice Bran Oil

Rice bran is also the source of other cosmetic ingredients, such as hydrolyzed rice bran protein and rice bran extract. Those are water-soluble actives with different jobs, so check the INCI name to know which one a product contains.

Quick Facts

INCI name Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil
Common names Rice bran oil, rice oil, kome nuka oil
Source Bran layer of rice grains, a by-product of rice milling
Form Pale gold liquid oil
Solubility Oil soluble
Typical usage rate 1% to 100% (ingredient database range); up to 100% of the oil phase as a carrier oil
Key compounds Oleic and linoleic acids, palmitic acid, gamma-oryzanol, tocopherols and tocotrienols, phytosterols, squalene
Comedogenic rating 1 to 2 on a 5-point scale (low)
Skin types Normal, dry, combination, mature, and most oily skin

How Rice Bran Oil Works on the Skin

Softening and a light feel

Rice bran oil is mainly made of oleic acid and linoleic acid, with a smaller share of palmitic acid. That mix fills in the spaces between surface skin cells, so skin looks smoother and feels softer and less tight. Its fairly light texture is why it is popular in facial oils, eye creams, and cleansing oils.

Antioxidant support

Gamma-oryzanol, ferulic acid esters, and vitamin E help protect the oil itself and the skin's surface lipids from oxidation caused by UV light and air. That antioxidant content is a big part of why rice bran oil is used for a brighter, fresher-looking complexion.

What the research measured

  • In a 2011 study in the Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (Manosroi and colleagues), three purified rice bran compounds (ferulic acid, gamma-oryzanol, and phytic acid) were placed in niosomes, tiny lipid carriers, and added to a gel and a cream. In human volunteers, skin hydration measured by corneometer rose by about 20%. The abstract does not state how many people took part.
  • In a 2012 lab study in AAPS PharmSciTech by the same group, niosomes raised the amount of gamma-oryzanol reaching the deeper layers of skin samples about 2.4 times compared with the unencapsulated compounds.
  • The Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel published an amended safety assessment of rice bran oil and related rice ingredients in 2006.

These studies tested purified compounds from rice bran, not the whole oil. Rice bran oil contains these compounds naturally, but the results do not automatically apply to the oil, so think of it as an excellent emollient with antioxidant extras rather than a concentrated active.

How to Use Rice Bran Oil in DIY Formulas

  • Face oil. Use it neat or as the base of a facial oil blend, up to 100% of the formula. Add 0.5% vitamin E to slow rancidity.
  • Creams and lotions. Add it to the heated oil phase at 70°C to 75°C (158°F to 167°F) along with your emulsifier, commonly as 5% to 20% of the formula.
  • Cleansing oils. Combine it with an oil-soluble emulsifier so it rinses off cleanly with water.
  • Storage. Keep it tightly capped, cool, and away from light. Discard it if it smells sharp or like crayons, a sign of oxidation.
  • Compatibility. It blends with every common carrier oil and with oil-soluble actives such as bakuchiol and CoQ10.

Who Rice Bran Oil Suits

Rice bran oil suits normal, dry, combination, and mature skin, and its low comedogenic rating makes it a reasonable choice for many oily skin types. It is gentle enough for the eye area in a cream. If you have sensitive skin, patch test first on the inner arm for 24 hours and start at the lowest rate, for example a few drops blended into your usual moisturizer, then work up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does rice bran oil do for your skin?

Rice bran oil softens and smooths skin with its oleic and linoleic acids and adds natural antioxidants, including vitamin E and gamma-oryzanol. Skin feels supple without a greasy finish and looks fresher and more radiant.

Is rice bran oil good for oily skin?

Often, yes. It has a low comedogenic rating of 1 to 2 out of 5 and a fairly light feel, so many oily and combination skin types use it in facial oils or cleansing oils. Patch test a small area first.

Can I use rice bran oil under my eyes?

Yes. It is gentle and light enough for the eye area, especially in a cream. Apply a small amount with your ring finger and keep it out of the eyes.

What is the difference between rice bran oil and rice water?

Rice bran oil is the fatty oil from the bran layer and works as an emollient. Rice water is the starchy water left after rinsing or soaking rice and is used as a toner or rinse. They contain different compounds and do different jobs.

Can I use rice bran oil on my face every day?

Yes. As a well-tolerated carrier oil, it can be used daily, morning or night. Use a few drops on damp skin or blend it into a moisturizer.

How long does rice bran oil last?

Its natural antioxidants make it fairly stable, but like any plant oil it eventually oxidizes. Store it cool and dark, add vitamin E to blends, and follow the supplier's best-before date.

Shop and Learn More

The products in this collection use a rice bran protein, not the oil. Regu-Age Eye Serum Booster (hydrolyzed rice bran protein and soybean protein, 2% to 5%, or 45 drops per fl oz at the top rate) is designed for the look of under-eye puffiness and dark circles, and it is one of the actives in the Uplift Eye Cream. For a full guide to rice bran ingredients, read Rice Bran Benefits for Skin, and see our vitamin E glossary entry.

Sources

  • Manosroi A, et al. Antioxidant activities and skin hydration effects of rice bran bioactive compounds entrapped in niosomes. J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2011;11(3). Journal abstract
  • Manosroi A, Chutoprapat R, Abe M, Manosroi W, Manosroi J. Transdermal absorption enhancement of rice bran bioactive compounds entrapped in niosomes. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2012.
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review. Amended final report on the safety assessment of Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil and related rice ingredients. Int J Toxicol. 2006.
  • Evigrade, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil ingredient profile (usage 1% to 100%, comedogenic rating 1 to 2). Ingredient profile
  • DSM, Syn-Coll formulation guidelines, 2013 (supplier data: eye contour cream with REGU-AGE PF at 3%).

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About the Author
Written by Kari Thomas, cosmetic formulator and founder of Skin Perfection.