Carrier Oils: Rice Bran Oil

Rice bran oil is a vegetable oil, extracted from the outer layer of rice grains. It’s a light oil that is easily absorbed into the skin and helps to keep it hydrated.

Rice bran oil boasts a rich nutrient profile that contributes to its efficacy as a carrier oil. Its fatty acid composition includes a high percentage of oleic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitic acid, providing a balanced and nourishing blend. Additionally, rice bran oil contains vitamins E and B, as well as antioxidants such as gamma oryzanol and ferulic acid.

However, as a massage oil, it needs to be combined with other oils in order to keep the consumption in line with accepted industry standards.

Benefits of Using Rice Bran Oil in Spa Treatments

Skin Health Benefits

Rice bran oil offers numerous skin health benefits, including moisturizing and softening properties, supporting skin barrier function, and reducing inflammation and irritation.

Rice bran oil contains a high level of vitamin E, which is a potent antioxidant that can help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. It may also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improve the overall texture of the skin.
The texture of rice bran oil is medium-weight, with a non-greasy feel and quick absorption into the skin. This makes it an ideal choice for various spa treatments, as it does not leave a heavy residue or clog pores.

Hair Care

Hair care is another area where rice bran oil shines. It nourishes and strengthens hair, while also promoting scalp health.

Rice bran oil has a rich history in Japan where it has been used to moisturize the hair and to improve its strength and elasticity. It contains a high level of inositol, which can help prevent hair damage and promote healthy hair growth. In fact, one of Alodia’s best selling products is a hair care oil sold exclusively in Japan.

Rice Bran Oil as a Carrier Oil

Rich in gamma oryzanol, the oil is very stable and thus allows us to avoid using any preservative in our massage oils. The refined grade has no scent which allows us to make very lightly scented massage oils when needed.

We usually combine rice bran oil with a variety of oils such as sunflower, grapeseed or sweet almond. This allows us to play with the mechanical properties of the oil and to create a carrier oil profile with our specific properties.

Rice bran oil is very stable when heated making it an ideal support for the manufacturing of macerated oils like oils coming in the composition of our Ayurveda blends.

Associated with oils such as coconut or sesame, it is a perfect carrier oil for Shirodhara oils.

Where Is Rice Bran Oil Produced?

There are several producing countries, including Japan, USA, India and Thailand. We use two types of rice bran oil in Thailand: refined rice bran oil and virgin rice bran oil.

If you’d like to know more on incorporating rice bran oil into your spa treatments, contact us today.

Author

Francois Muguet

Francois Muguet is the co-founder and director of Alodia. With over 20 years of industry experience, he loves to share his knowledge of essential oils and their applications in both spa treatments and everyday life.

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