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PSA: You Should Be Adding Carbs to Your Beauty Routine

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We know, we know. Carbs aren’t exactly the most popular food component on the block. But they are picking up steam in the beauty world. More and more brands are using rice and oat ingredients in their cleansers and exfoliants for the anti-inflammatory properties, and even in dry shampoo for their ability to soak up excess oil without robbing skin of moisture.

Rice may not look like much, but it’s actually rich in amino acids, vitamin E and ferulic acid. It’s one of the most ancient sources of skin nutrients (you can trace it all the way back to the first Japanese geishas). And, although super gentle, it polishes skin to perfection. (It’s no wonder Meghan Markle is a fan.)

Similarly, oats are great at removing excess oil and grime from the body, face and hair thanks to saponins, or soap-like compounds that create a natural lather. Like rice, they’re also anti-inflammatory and help to calm itchy or severely dry skin.

Want in on these skin-soothing benefits? Here are ten carb-infused products to try.

tatcha rice polish
Sephora

Tatcha The Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder

It’s part of Meghan Markle’s everyday beauty routine. Enough said.

cosrx
Dermstore

Cosrx Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask

Made with rice extract to soften and smooth skin’s texture, this sleeping mask has us waking up with a brighter, more rejuvenated complexion.

oat milk scrub
Dermstore

Archipelago Botanicals Oat Milk Sugar Scrub

This scrub mixes sugar crystals and dried milk solids to slough off dead skin cells and reveal your softest skin to date.

Buy It ($19)

color wow carb cocktail
Dermstore

Color Wow Carb Cocktail Bionic Tonic

Limp, lifeless hair is no match for this plumping tonic. Made with oat bran to expand hair mass, it adds a bit of grit to hold volume for hours.

fresh rice dry oil
Amazon

Fresh Rice Dry Oil

Formulated with rice bran and jojoba oils, this product sinks deep into skin, leaving it soft, smooth and radiant. The camellia and grapefruit scent doesn’t hurt either.

100 percent pure
Dermstore

100% Pure Fermented Rice Water Toner

Sake, aka rice wine, promotes cell regeneration to diminish fine lines, hyperpigmentation, enlarged pores, free radical damage and dehydrated skin.

briogio
Dermstore

Briogeo Curl Charisma™ Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Shampoo

Curly girls—this shampoo smoothes down and helps control frizz, which makes curls look defined and bouncy. We’ll take two.

naturopathica
Dermstore

Naturopathica Oat Cleansing Facial Polish

Gentle and natural, this face “scrub” buffs away dead skin cells without irritating even the most sensitive skin.

youngblood
Dermstore

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Mineral Rice Setting Powder

Rice powder absorbs excess oil while soothing and improving skin’s overall moisture.

Buy It ($24)

klorane dry shampoo
Dermstore

Klorane Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk

Oat milk—so hot right now (even in dry shampoo). This product gets rave reviews thanks to its gentle formula that softens, smoothes and refreshes hair.



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Writer

Brianna Lapolla formerly held the role of Senior Commerce Editor at PureWow covering all things shopping across beauty, fashion, and lifestyle. Now, she's putting her 12 years of professional experience to use on a freelance basis. When she's not typing away, you can find her somewhere in Europe or at home catering to her dog, King Louis.