Is rice water the secret to your healthiest, shiniest hair yet?

What even is rice water?

So, if you’re wondering what exactly rice water is, it’s fairly straightforward – it’s simply just the water you get from soaking rice, a beauty-DIY-straight-from-your-kitchen-cupboard that doesn’t cost a bomb.

TikTok users are sharing how they soak rice in a bowl to release the ‘rice water’ and rinse their hair in it, almost like a hair mask, leaving them with gorgeously shiny locks. Easy, non?

Benefits of rice water for hair

The practice of using rice water as a hair treatment goes back to an ancient Japanese ritual which saw court ladies soaking their hair in fermented rice water (sometimes called Yu-Su-Ru) to help it grow. The process had a revival on YouTube, with influencers and bloggers making their own rice water at home by soaking rice for up to three days to ferment, then straining from the water and slathering over their hair as a rinse-out or leave-in treatment.

It was later found that the amino acids, vitamins and proteins found in rice can really improve your hair’s health. Studies have proven that inositol, another ingredient that can be found in the grain, helps restore damaged hair.

As hair expert Jack Miles explains: “Rice water has been used for centuries in Asia as an all-natural remedy for hair health and growth, but it has gained popularity among beauty enthusiasts worldwide in recent years due to its many amazing and surprising benefits.

“Rice water is packed with vitamins B, C, E and K, essential nutrients needed by our bodies to maintain healthy skin cells and promote healthy hair growth. It also contains amino acids that can help repair damaged hair follicles, as well as protective antioxidants that protect the hair from breakage or split ends from environmental stressors like pollution or UV radiation from the sun. Rice water can also help balance out pH levels on the scalp, meaning it won’t become dry or oily meaning fewer scalp issues like itchiness, irritation, or dandruff.”

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Jack says that the most notable benefit of using rice water is its ability to make your strands stronger, thanks to its high protein content. “Proteins are necessary building blocks when it comes to creating strong bonds between individual hairs as this makes them less likely to fall out. Proteins also have hydrating properties, helping to keep moisture locked into each strand thus preventing frizzing and tangling issues often associated with dryness, meaning rice water is perfect for helping strengthen hair against damage caused by drying heating tools,” he said.

Elena Lavagni, owner and founder of Neville Hair & Beauty, agrees, hailing rice water a “miracle water” that helps improve overall health of the hair, reduce breakage, strengthen the hair shaft and roots, improve the scalp’s elasticity, and add shine. “These nutrients can benefit the scalp and is a natural remedy to treat flaky scalp and dandruff and the protein and minerals in rice water help to reduce inflammation and irritation in the scalp leading to healthier hair health.”

For those that are fans of a good DIY hair mask, this news is not hard to digest – if you’ve tried to soak your hair in coconut oil or even beer, you know the results are worthy of the laborious process – but the results of rice water are even better, because they are long-term.

Are there any downsides to using rice water?

Ok, rice water sounds seriously great. But are there any negative side effects to be aware of before we drown our hair in the stuff?

Well, there are a few to watch out for. First, your hair can actually get too much protein. If your hair is low porosity, it won't be able to absorb the protein in rice water. Instead, the water will simply cling to your hair, effectively creating a layer around your hair that can eventually damage the hair, leaving it feeling dry.

We should also mention… the smell. Yes, rice water can leave behind kind of a funky odour.

How to make your own rice water

So, where to start? “The best thing about rice water is that it is cheap to make and doesn’t require any fancy equipment,” says Jack Miles. “Simply boil some plain white or jasmine rice with filtered, unsalted tap water.”

First, rinse your rice to remove any dirt or impurities. If you’re planning to use eat the rice afterwards (less waste!) then make sure you add more water than you usually would to cook it. Let it boil for 10-15 minutes and remove the excess water into a sealed container. Once cooled, the milky liquid can be used immediately, or leave it to ferment for a further 24-48 hours – for extra glossy benefits. Transfer your rice water to a spray bottle for easy application – it will last about a week before you’ll need to make more.

How to use rice water for hair

“If you are planning to add this to your routine, I recommend washing your hair first with your chosen shampoo, rinse with water and then soak with rice water before massaging into your hair and leaving on for around ten minutes,” advises celebrity hairdresser, Jay Birmingham. “The key is making sure you rinse your hair thoroughly too to avoid any starchy residue remaining in your hair. In my opinion, there is no harm to adding this to your hair routine but the key to healthy, strong hair is in the products you use.”

While protein is essential for stronger, healthier hair, Jack says too much protein in the hair can lead to protein overload, which can actually make the hair more brittle and less likely to absorb moisture, so only do this treatment once a week and don’t combine it with other protein treatments or masks. “After washing your hair, saturate your hair and scalp with the rice water, massaging it in to ensure it penetrates the hair shaft. Leave the rice water in your hair for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it out with warm water. You can then condition your hair as normal.”

“With regular use, rice water can increase the rate of hair growth fast, and you can start to see improvements in your hair in as little as two to three weeks,” says Rhysa Phommachanh, hair and skincare expert at Landys Chemist. “However, you should allow up to six months of regular use to see the full effect and benefits of using a rice water treatment.”