It’s tempting to reach for a bottle of complex formulas that contain biotin, keratin and/or collagen when your hair needs a little treatment. But sometimes the solution for healthy, strong and long hair is far simpler than that.
Rice, or more specifically, a rice water rinse, is the newest old trick for boosting shine, increasing elasticity and strengthening hair for longer, healthier and more luscious locks.
So, before you toss out that bowl of cloudy water you’ve just used to boil your rice, take a look at all its potential hair benefits below!
What is rice water?
It’s simple: rice water is the water left behind from soaking or boiling rice. Indeed, that slimy, opaque liquid that doesn’t seem too appealing at first glance is your ticket to better hair.
Once that water sits over a period of time to ferment, it gains superpowers that can:
- Strengthen roots
- Increase shine
- Boost volume
- Smooth and detangle
What’s in rice water that’s good for hair?
There’s a reason rice water promises all of the above. It creates a better hair-growth environment because of its:
- Low pH value
- High concentration of antioxidants and amino acids
- Powerful minerals (folate, zinc and magnesium) and vitamins (B, C and E)
But that’s not all. Modern beauty experts have discovered some of those complex, scientific-sounding ingredients that contribute to rice water’s hair-boosting super powers, including:
- Inositol: a carbocyclic sugar that penetrates and repairs hair from the inside out (even after rice water has been rinsed out)
- Pitera: a yeast extract produced during fermentation that’s believed to promote cell regeneration
And, because of the starch in rice water, it coats each follicle, locking in moisture and nutrients – acting much like a protein treatment.
The ‘lengthy’ history of rice water for hair
Applying rice water to hair is no new idea.
During Japan’s famous Heian period, court ladies combed their hair with Yu-Su-Ru (i.e: rinse water made from the washing of rice), and their hair spoke for itself. These women boasted unbelievable floor-length locks called suberakashi that were thick, shiny and healthy.
Even today, women from the Red Yao Tribe in China feature similar hair lengths – and they too, practice Yu-Su-Ru.
Regardless of these women’s personal experiences with Yu-Su-Ru, an abstract from the International Journal of Cosmetic Science reveals that this practice is indeed effective – if only because it increases hair elasticity and reduces surface friction (which directly helps to reduce breakage).
How to use rice water for hair
While you may not be seeking floor-length locks, rice water can still help you grow healthier and stronger hair – whatever length you’re aiming for!
First, spray or pour a generous amount of rice water onto your head and work through hair, from root to tips. Let sit for 3 to 5 minutes (depending on hair type; leave on longer for thicker hair, and shorter for fine hair). Rinse with regular water. The, use a deep conditioner or apply a leave-in conditioner.
There are even some products out there that already contain rice water, such as SheaMoisture Extra Comforting Oat Milk & Rice Water Wash & Shampoo.
Ready to get rice-y? Let’s get started!