What it is
Rice bran oil is obtained from the outer bran layer of rice grains and is rich in oleic and linoleic fatty acids along with naturally occurring tocopherols, tocotrienols, and gamma-oryzanol. In skin care it acts as a softening, conditioning emollient and contributes antioxidant constituents that help protect the oil phase of a formula. In sunscreens it improves spreadability and leaves skin feeling smooth and supple.
Safety & warnings
Rice bran oil is generally well tolerated and is not a recognized fragrance allergen. Like other fatty plant oils it has a moderate fatty acid content, so very acne-prone users may prefer to monitor for congestion, but it is broadly considered low risk for most skin types.
Origin & sourcing
Natural; cold-pressed or solvent-extracted from the bran of rice (Oryza sativa) grains.
History
Rice bran and its oil have a long tradition of use in East Asian skin and hair care, and the oil is now widely incorporated into cosmetic formulations as a conditioning emollient.
Questions everyone asks
What does rice bran oil do in a sunscreen?
It works as a conditioning emollient that softens skin and improves the spread and feel of the product, and it contributes natural antioxidant compounds.
Is rice bran oil natural?
Yes. It is pressed or extracted from the bran layer of rice grains rather than synthesized.