Here are some of the main ways Rice Bran Oil benefits your skin based on the studies we've found

 16 week long study on oral Rice Bran Supplementation in mice showed “RBS consumption suppressed UVB-induced wrinkle formation and inhibited the loss of water content and epidermal thickening in the mouse skin.” The researchers found that supplementation inhibited UV induced epidermal thickening of the skin (a core marker of inflammation and the progression of photo-aging).

According to the Patent number US3988436A from 1974, rice bran oil “is absorbing a very high percentage of UV light in the burning region” (between 295-315 wavelengths) is non-irritating, has an excellent stability and upon exposure to sunlight retains its effectiveness for several hours. This is confirmed by in vivo and in vitro studies in animal and human cell studies.

A study on rice bran oil encapsulated into hydrogel prevented ear edema induced by UVB irradiation by 60 ± 9%, when compared to control using MCT oil. Additionally biomarkers of oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory and carcinogenesis response were reduced by 81% and 87%, comparing to control.

Another study reported that topical application of γ-Oryzanol into a bare guinea pig ear reduced UV-induced erythema (sunburn).

A 2000 in vivo study on human volunteers using topical application of caffeic and ferulic acids in aqueous solution was shown a significant protection against UVB-induced skin erythema, showing to be a good protective agents against UV radiation-induced skin damage.

A study on Rice Bran bioactive compounds (gamma-oryzanol, ferulic acid and phytic acid) entrapped in noisome, in 30 human volunteers, found improved skin properties including hydration, pigmentation, thickness and roughness, and skin elasticity, after 28 days of use.

A study on topical application of gamma-oryzanol ointment 3 times daily for 12 weeks alleviated the symptoms of dryness in atopic dermatitis and dry skin.

Another study on oral administration of Fermentad Rice Bran Extract (FRBE) and some medicinal plants administered orally to mice with Atopic Dermatitis, FRBE significantly improved the appearance of skin lesions and skin thickness compared to that of atopic dermatitis-affected skin.

Ibata et al. examined the effect of gamma-oryzanol on tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in the synthesis of melanine. The result showed that gamma-oryzanol inhibited tyrosinase activity thus inhibiting the production of melanine and the darkening of skin.  This effect was compared to that of L-ascorbic acid.

Another clinical study showed that intradermal administration of g-oryzanol 10 mg improved the condition of liver spots.

Gamma-Oryzanol is the most potent natural antioxidant in rice, a multi-compound nutrient made up of a mixture of ferulic acid esters and phytosterols. It has been demonstrated that γ-oryzanol exerts its antioxidant activity at least through three mechanisms: by acting as a free radical scavenger, by boosting our internal antioxidant enzyme activities, and by modulating pathways (Nrf2) involved in gene expressions.

γ-oryzanol was found to possess SOD-like activity in inhibiting superoxide radical. In in vitro cells, pretreated with the main compounds of γ-oryzanol prevented H₂O₂-induced ROS production via scavenging free radicals. Another study demonstrated how oryzanol prevented the induction of free radicals by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as SODs, tocopherols and and tocotrienols.

As an oil soluble nutrient, Gamma Oryzanol is easily absorbed into the skin where it has an inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity, an enzyme involved in melanin production. A clinical study showed that intradermal administration of γ-Oryzanol 10 mg improved the condition of liver spots. It has thus a dual way of preventing hyperpigmentation: one by the sunscreening activity and two by inhibiting melanin production.

One in vitro study found that γ-oryzanol was more than four times as effective at stopping tissue oxidation as Vitamin E.

According to a recent study where the lipid peroxidation of linoleic acid was measured after exposure to UV light with and without 1% gamma oryzanol, peroxidation was suppressed indicating that topical gamma oryzanol has the ability to prevent some of the damage to skin caused by sunlight.

This and other studies suggest that gamma oryzanol helps to maintain skin function by improving microcirculation, protection against lipid peroxidation and direct stimulation of sebaceous gland function. With continuous use, it prevents some aspects of skin aging for long periods of time.

A study using Fermented Rice Bran Extract (FRBE) on human cell lines, showed increased collagen synthesis in fibroblasts supplemented with 0.5 and 1% FRBE after UV irradiation. These results indicate FRBE treatment could be used to increase collagen expression in human skin fibroblasts. Additionally the study found decrease in collagen-degrading matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 which contributes substantially to dermal damage and a reduction in UV-induced inflammation IL-1α