Is rice water the secret to thicker, longer and shinier hair?
You know the cloudy water that's left in the pot after soaking or cooking rice? Well, what if we told you that starchy liquid you're about to throw out might actually be the secret to longer, thicker and shinier hair?
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Yep, rice water is actually an all-natural hair treatment that's been used for centuries within Asian cultures, and more recently, by Kim and Kourtney Kardashian.
Image credit: @kourtneykardashian
Japanese women have previously attributed rice water as the secret to their floor-length, healthy hair, and it's even been linked to the Yao women in China, who tend not to go grey until their 80s.
Rice water has more recently shown up as a superhero ingredient when it comes to skin care, with Japanese luxury skincare brand, Tatcha, using rice water in one of their best sellers The Rice Polish: Classic ($104, Mecca).
However, the benefits to our hair health have flown a bit more under the radar... until now.
What are the benefits of rice water for hair?
- Stimulates hair growth
- Strengthens hair
- Natural detangler
- Boosts shine
- Smoothes hair
What are the key ingredients in rice water?
- Magnesium (stimulates growth and health cell production)
- Folic acid (increases thickness and strengthens)
- Vitamin E
- Selenium (strengthens and repairs)
- Antioxidants
Alright - convinced and ready to try? There are a couple of methods to which you can retrieve your rice water, but we've decided to focus on soaking, as it's the easiest. However, boiling your rice will give you the same result.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of organic rice
- 2.5 - 3.5 cups of water
- Bowl
- Strainer
Method
- Rinse rice thoroughly
- Place rice in bowl and cover with water
- Leave to soak for 30 minutes
- Strain rice water into a clean bowl or vessel, ready to use
- Take your rice water to the bathroom. Shampoo and rinse your hair, then pour the rice water over your hair. Leave to soak for up to 20 minutes and then rinse. No need to condition afterwards.
Main image credit: @negin_mirsalehi
Have you ever used rice water on your hair? Would you try this?
63 Member Comments
interesting article; food for beauty to a new level
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Well I have never heard about the rice water benefits for thinning the hair humm that might be good for hair but I don't have any idea about it for hair loss I would recommend Islamabad FUE hair transplant for hair permanent hair loss treamtent.
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Reading through this, no comments from anyone who actually did try this. I certainly won't as I think I would want to wash my hair well after putting starchy water over it.
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wonder if this works, would be such an easy and affordable hack!
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I have knotty hair so I might be tempted to try using rice water for detangling. I'd like to know if rice water contains protein because protein in hair products makes my hair brittle and straw-like.
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I've seen this trend around for ages atm its everywhere on youtube instagram faceboo pinterest!!! Just haven't decided to use it yet i guess cause of laziness
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I’d love to hear if any beauties have tried this yet.
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I cook rice almost daily. Need to figure out if this is for me.
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I have heard of this before and quite common with Asians, but I think I will pass for now.
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I would try it before i make a decision whether or not it works. Interesting.
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Hubby wil think I’ve lost my mind.....
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I like Indian food, so I cook rice fairly often. I'll have to try this!
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This sounds to easy. I love everybody's comments with different beauty uses for rice water. I will definitely have to try it. Hmmm now if only it could colour our hair as easy as well
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New news! I know rice water works wonders on face
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I would like to know:
- do you need to use it every time you wash your hair?
- how long can you keep the rice water after making it? ie can it keep for a few days if you want to make a rice dish on Wednesday but want to use the water on Sunday?
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Yes, I'd like to know, too!
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Oh wow.Easy way to treat my hair at home.
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I use rice water on my plants and it works miracles
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Hmmmm might be giving this a try, surely it can't hurt.
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Interesting but to be honest, I couldn't be bothered...
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Interesting article, can't say I've heard of using rice water on hair before. Will give it a go
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Very popular in India. Gonna try it always heard so much about it.
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Definitely going to try! Would be amazing if it works
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It is interesting and makes sense... Plus it would be a great use of the leftover water from making rice...
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