Everything You Need to Know About Using Rice Water for Hair (2024)

Could using rice water for your hair dethrone TikTok darling rosemary oil? If you have a social media account you've likely been served endless content raving about rosemary oil (purchased or homemade) for reviving stressed strands. But there might just be another rising star in the hair care sphere. Homemade rice water is by no means new. Japanese women have been rinsing their strands with the vitamin-rich tonic long before social media held any claim to public perception. However, its most recent resurgence and gamut of celeb advocates (hello, Cardi B) have stirred up some newfound appreciation for the protein-packed treatment.

Needless to say, as both beauty editors and people who are always on a quest for stronger, healthier hair, we were intrigued. To understand more about this trending hair remedy–and whether or not it really helps to boost hair growth– we turned to the experts. Keep reading for more information on the benefits of rice water and how to use it according to hair stylists, dermatologists, and a trichologist.

What Is Rice Water?

As we mentioned, Japanese court ladies were the first to use rice water on their manes. As the story goes, their hair care routine involved rinsing their suberakashi (floor-length hair) with water made from washing rice, which may have contributed to their stunning lengths.

"Ricewateris rich inantioxidants, amino acids, and a plethora of minerals and vitamins including vitamin A, B and E," explains dermatologist, Lauren Penzi, MD. "It also contains inositol, whichis responsible for much of its benefits for hair.For hair in particular, the amino acids found inricewaterare the building blocks of protein. These proteins contribute to the strength of the inner cortex of the hair shaft.The inositol acts to decrease hair friction and increase hair elasticity, also contributing to stronger, longer, more lustroushair."

So whether you're looking to grow your tresses or strengthen them—or both—rice water might be the treatment to make your hair dreams come true. Rice water for your hair also helps to increase shine, smooth your locks, and detangle your strands, but more on those benefits below.

Benefits of Rice Water for Hair

• Makes hair stronger: Just as protein is an essential part of maintaining a balanced diet, it also plays an important role in keeping hair healthy. The protein in rice water is believed to help improve the overall condition of hair (read: harder, better, faster, stronger).
• Increases shine: Based on anecdotal evidence from advocates of rice water, the starchy solution is believed to lend luster to dull locks.
• Can help hair grow: "Rice water may promote hair growth because it contains amino acids that support hair regeneration. It also contains vitamins C, B, and E, which promote hair growth as well. Vitamins C, B, and E help strengthen the hair shaft, and the stronger the shaft, the longer the hair can grow," explains dermatologist, Stacy Chimento, MD."Additionally, studies have shown thatricebran mineral extract can increase the anagen phase, aka the growth phase, of the hair follicle, contributing to hair growth and length of hair," adds Dr. Penzi.
• Reverses hygral fatigue: Although hair needs moisture to stay healthy, excess moisture can actually do more harm than good. A protein treatment like a rice water rinse can help to rebalance overly moisturized or conditioned locks (aka hygral fatigue).
• Detangles hair: Proponents of using rice water for hair claim that it can soften strands, which also makes them easier to detangle.
• Creates thicker appearance: "The starch content of thericewateracts to coat the hair andreinforcethe outer protective cuticle layer, giving it a thicker and fuller overall appearance," says Dr. Penzi.
• Smooths hair: Damaged and/or high porosity hair has difficulty retaining moisture, which can result in frizz and split ends. However, the nourishing proteins found in rice water may counteract this, reducing breakage and, therefore, improving hair's texture.

Hair Type Considerations

If you're new to using protein or unsure if your hair can benefit from a protein treatment, most often, color-treated, relaxed, heat-styled, and natural hair needs a protein boost. "Because rice water is believed to make hair shinier and stronger along with helping to keep tangles at a minimum, it can be a great remedy for fine, dull hair," comments Friese. Dr. Penzi agrees, noting that "for those with thin/fine hair, rice watercan help add volume, density and improve the overall texture of the hair." She continues: "For those with thicker coarser hair, it canhelp soften and smooth your hair, making it more manageable and for those with oily hair, rice water canhelp balance oil production and reduce greasiness."

According to Dr. Chimento, "Those with dry, brittle, curly hair may benefit because the protein in rice water improves the condition of hair and helps make it bouncy. Those who want to boost shine and improve and strengthen the condition of the hair cuticle may benefit, as well." Dr. Penzi adds, "For those with dry hair, rice water canhelp moisturize and nourish your hair, but overuse can paradoxically make dryness and brittleness worse."

While Chimento admits that rice water is safe for all hair types, she includes a caveat: "Those with low porosity hair may want to use it in moderation because the proteins may attach to your hair instead of your hair absorbing them."

How to Use Rice Water for Hair

Since rice water only requires two ingredients to make, whipping it up at home—Cardi-B style—seems like a no-brainer. Friese agrees: "My favorite way to use rice water is the old-fashioned 'in kitchen' method (more on that below)." Still, she adds that you can find hair care products—like BosleyMD's Follicle Energizer and BosRevive Nourishing Shampoo —that contain strengthening rice amino acids if DIY remedies aren't your thing.

Because rice water acts like a protein treatment, you'll want to apply it as often as you typically use masks and treatments formulated with protein to avoid brittle, dry hair. Friese recommends replacing a regular conditioner with rice water about once a week. Both hair stylist, Michelle Cleveland, and Dr. Penzi caution against using more than once a week as you could risk protein buildup in the hair. "Those with dry or brittle hair may want to use it less often (like~ once monthly)," adds Dr. Penzi.

The DIY recipe involves either boiling or soaking; however, the latter method is thought to wield the most benefits.

DIY Rice Water

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of rice
• 2 cups of water
• Strainer
• 2 bowls
• 1 container with a lid
• 1 spray bottle

Directions for Soaking:

1. Pour ½ cup of uncooked rice into a strainer
2. Rinse well
3. Place rice in a bowl with 2 cups of water
4. Soak for up to 24 hours at room temperature
5. Strain the rice water into a clean bowl
6. Funnel rice into a spray bottle and refrigerate until you're ready to use

Directions for Boiling:

1. Pour ½ cup of uncooked rice into a strainer
2. Rinse well
3. Boil 2 cups of water
4. Pour rice into boiling water and boil into the water is cloudy
5. Let the water cool
6. Strain
7. Funnel into a spray bottle
8. Refrigerate until use (up to a week, max)

Instructions:

1. Wash hair with shampoo and rinse
2. Towel dry hair
3. Pour the rice water onto the hair
4. Massage into hair and scalp
5. Cover with a plastic cap or bag (a shower cap works, too)
6. Leave on for up to 20 minutes
7. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and style as desired

Aftercare

Leaving this treatment on for up to 20 minutes is ideal, but if your hair is crunchy post-rinse, try removing it sooner the next time. "Alwaysthoroughly rinse the rice water out with lukewarm water. Be sure to rinse all traces of rice water from your hair and scalp to prevent buildup," says Dr. Penzi. Follow up with a hydrating deep conditioner. Finding the right balance of hydration and strength can take some time, so don't give up if your hair doesn't love protein right out of the gate. "Adjust the frequency of use based on how your hair responds," continues Dr. Penzi.

Potential Side Effects

According to Dr. Chimento, some rice water users have experienced side effects such as a protein overload, which can make a dry scalp worse, and cause breakage to hair. If this happens, you may need to invest in a good clarifying shampoo to break down the extra protein.

"Those with eczema or sensitive/allergy-prone skin should be careful, as some studies have shown reactions like redness, dryness, and itching on the surrounding skin," advises Dr. Penzi. "If your hair is very dry to begin with, this might not be the best treatment for youbecause of the starch component can actually pull water out of the hair, making it more dry." She continues to mention that while rice water itself is not harmful, it could pose a risk for someone who has allergies to either the rice or "ingredients present in the rice water compound."

The Final Takeaway

If you're looking for a natural beauty remedy for hair growth or hydrating thirsty strands, look no further than homemade rice water. Taking the time to boil and strain the tonic is well worth the effort, especially compared to far more expensive options available. "The benefits from Rice water vs a bond multiplying ingredient is that rice water is completely organic and natural with no chemicals as opposed to some other products currently on the market," says Cleveland.