Rice bran oil: properties, benefits and uses

Rice bran oil is great not just for cooking, but also for beauty. In this guide we will discover together the uses, benefits and properties of this vegetable oil.

Rice bran oil is obtained from the hard outer brown layer of rice called bran. It is appreciated in cooking for its high smoke point and in beauty for its moisturizing, anti-aging and antioxidant properties. Let us now see together what are the main uses, the benefits and properties of this oil.

But first let’s open a short parenthesis on rice. It is a cereal belonging to the grass family, native to Asia that is one of the most popular foods in the world, to the point that for about half of the Earth’s inhabitants, rice is the main food.

After it is harvested, rice undergoes a long process that goes through two main stages, cleaning by which all foreign matter is removed, and bramatura, which separates the whole grain from its husk, the husk, which is rich in oily substances.

Note: in both food and cosmetics, we always refer to the oil resulting from cold-pressing process without the use of solvents and the final product pure, not cut with other substances.

Rice bran oil properties

Rice bran oil is mainly characterized by the presence of unsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic acid and linoleic acid, lower is the presence of palmitic acid.

Very important is the presence of vitamin E, also known as tocopherol. Compared to other vegetable oils, it also contains a substance called gamma oryzanol that helps reduce Ldl cholesterol levels.

It is these substances that make rice bran oil an antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering and cardiovascular disease preventive oil.

Rice bran oil: applications in cosmetics

The cosmetic properties of this oil are also highly valued, especially for the skin and hair; indeed, they are sometimes undervalued in favor of more sought-after and more expensive vegetable oils.

In cosmetics, rice bran oil is used as a moisturizing, emollient, elasticizing and soothing product. It is very useful for moisturizing skin that is asphyxiated and no longer youthful, for preventing the formation of wrinkles and signs of aging, and for diminishing signs already present on the face.

Rice bran oil is also very good for massages against burns. Not surprisingly, rice oil is among the ingredients in several sunscreen products.

As a moisturizer and emollient it is recommended for smoothing out those spots, especially in feet subjected to constant rubbing, where the skin hardens, or it can be used during manicures and pedicures to soften and remove cuticles, simply soak the fingers and toes in a little rice oil for a few minutes, rinse with warm water, and perfect the work with the orange wood stick.

As a soothing agent, in addition to application in case of sunburn from excessive or wrong sun exposure, apply to the legs after waxing, it helps eliminate irritation.

Rice bran oil is also a great beauty treatment for hair. You can apply it directly to the lengths and leave it on, the longer the application time the better the results. It is removed with shampoo and the result will be shiny, soft and more vigorous hair.

Rice bran oil for cooking: cakes and desserts

In cooking, rice oil can be used to accompany both raw and cooked dishes, however, it is preferable to use it as a raw condiment so that it retains its properties and nutrients.

It is also important to know that rice bran oil is very appreciated for frying and high-heat cooking because it has a high smoke point.

It is often used in the preparation of cakes and pies because it has a mild flavor. So, let’s see now a quick recipe with rice bran oil.

Orange cake with rice bran oil

The ingredients needed are:

• 180 g of sugar
• 4 eggs
• 300 gr of flour 00
• 200 ml of rice bran oil
• 50 ml of orange juice
• 1 sachet of vanillin
• 1 packet of confectioners’ yeast

Preparation:

• Pour the eggs with the sugar in a bowl, add the rice bran oil and orange juice a little at a time, then add the flour to which vanillin and baking powder were previously combined.
• When the mixture of ingredients is well blended, it is placed in the baking pan and baked at 180° for 35 minutes.

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