Malaysia agrees plans to create rice based cosmetics

Paddy farming in Kedah has until now been focused on ingredients for food based products. However, the intended rice farms look set to produce a main ingredient for some cosmetics products.

Kedah Besar Kedah Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, the MADA chairman, spoke to a local newspaper after the recent MADA directors meeting and stated that 'MADA had agreed to a proposal by a company to embark on a joint-venture to produce rice-based cosmetic products.'​

Although there are, at present, no definite dates for the venture, Mahdzir, also an MADA chairman, suggested that there were many quarters keen to collaborate and to produce the ingredient.

Rice has a positive image because it is both a food staple and also has a close association with health and well being, therefore making the product more marketable to consumers.

With the demand for natural based ingredients rising in the cosmetics market, the rice-based ingredient would be introduced at an exciting time for the fast-growing naturals market.

Eastman, a chemical company that has been manufacturing in the cosmetics industry for over 50 years, showcased its first natural ingredient based product earlier this year.

By creating a powerful antioxidant it answered calls for active anti-aging ingredients, however, as it was derived from rice bran it also targeted the up and coming natural market.

The key to the ingredient development was a patent-pending process that was used to gently refine the rice bran so as not to lose any of its natural properties.

The company said that the ingredient is ideal for rich night creams and lighter day creams, helping to form a protective barrier on the skin that entraps water and locks in skin moisture.

Thus already setting the standard for the MADA venture and aiding them in their research process.