Rice Water Is the Secret to Healthier, Longer Hair

Elle

6 days ago

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Your TikTok FYP is likely brimming with Rapunzel-esque women misting their hair with a milky white liquid. The miracle elixir in question? Rice water. Amid the hair care must-haves showcased online–like essential oils and even scalp massagers–rice water has emerged as one of the frontrunners, with even celebrity brands launching rice water-infused hair masks, sprays, and treatments.
While today's influencers have only recently discovered rice water, they're arriving late to the party. 'You may have seen one of the latest #hairtok trends on TikTok touting the strengthening benefits of rice water,' says Madison Thurman, R&D Manager at Not Your Mother's. 'But the use of rice within personal care dates back to ancient times in Japan.' Renowned for their glossy, healthy hair, Japanese women traditionally collected the leftover water from rinsing rice to condition their locks. With such a simple yet effective ingredient, it's no surprise that modern hair care products are embracing this timeless remedy and helping bring it into the mainstream.
In the spirit of anti-gatekeeping, we explored the science behind using rice water for hair growth and its ability to leave hair smooth and shiny. 'Rice water has been used for centuries in hair care as a natural treatment to promote healthy and strong hair,' says Betsy Jasper, founder and CEO of Oriza Hair. 'It is rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that nourish hair follicles, repair damage, and stimulate growth.' Packed with amino acids—the essential building blocks for supporting healthy hair growth—rice water acts like the perfect puzzle piece, stepping in to repair damage and enhance elasticity.
Personally, I've struggled not with growing my hair, but with retaining its length. Years of harsh brushing and excessive heat styling left my hair unable to keep up. Then I discovered the holy grail that is rice water—and, even better, I realized I didn't have to spend hours fermenting it at home. With readily available, tested products, my hair became noticeably smoother, shinier, and far less prone to breakage. Below, with insights from Thurman and Jasper, we've answered all your burning questions about rice water and curated a list of the best rice water hair growth products you can shop right now.
Fermented rice water is rich in proteins, nutrients, and minerals that can make your locks longer, stronger, and shinier than ever. 'Rice water is a powerhouse ingredient that contains essential vitamins and nutrients vital for hair health,' explains Jasper. 'Vitamins B and E in rice water work to nourish and moisturize hair, providing a soft and smooth texture. Rice water's inositol and niacinamide can repair damaged hair from the inside out, leading to shinier and smoother hair. The amino acids found in rice water, such as cysteine and methionine, strengthen hair fibers, making them more resilient and less prone to hair breakage. These combined benefits make rice water a highly effective ingredient for achieving healthy and beautiful hair.'
Proteins are an integral part of maintaining the strength and resilience of hair, and rice water contains various amino acids—the essential building blocks of protein—that help repair, strengthen, and nourish hair strands from root to tip. 'Proteins in hair care can be classified as film-formers. In essence, this means that they aid in restoring hair integrity and strength by forming a lightweight, permeable film on the cuticle of damaged hair,' Thurman tells us. 'Various proteins have different benefits, with rice protein providing exceptionally awesome results when it comes to shine and strength. Rice protein also contains several amino acids.'
There are various ways to incorporate rice water into your hair routines. 'You can use rice water as a rinse after shampooing, as a leave-in treatment, or even mix it with other natural ingredients to create a hair mask,' says Jasper. 'However, if you're looking for a more convenient and efficient option, using hair products infused with rice water, such as Oriza, is an excellent way to get all the benefits and more into your hair care routine.'
'Rice water is obtained by soaking rice–yes, the kind from your pantry–in water for an extended period of time. As the rice soaks, the water turns a milky, off-white color and a chemical reaction known as fermentation takes place,' Thurman explains. 'As this process continues, various proteins, nutrients, and minerals are introduced to the water.'
While you can absolutely ferment your own rice water at home, investing in ready-made products can often be a more convenient choice. Nowadays, an increasing number of brands are incorporating rice water into their hair care formulas, celebrated for its strengthening, conditioning, shine-enhancing properties. Whether in the form of a hair mask, serum, or conditioner, these products offer an easier way to enjoy the benefits of rice water.
Rice water might be trending on your feed now, but this beauty secret has been used for personal care since ancient Japan. 'The tradition of using rice water in hair care originated in ancient Japan, where women would collect the water left over from rinsing rice and use it to wash and condition their hair,' says Jasper. 'The Yao women in Huangluo Village, China, are also known for their long and healthy hair, and they credit their hair's health to washing it with fermented rice water. Over time, this practice has been adopted in other parts of the world and is now becoming a popular ingredient in hair care products.'
'Anyone wanting to improve the health and appearance of their hair should consider implementing rice water into their hair care routine, as it is suitable for all hair types. Rice water's healing and nourishing properties make it especially beneficial for individuals experiencing hair loss, breakage, and slow hair growth,' says Jasper.
One of the reasons why rice water is so beneficial for hair is because it's loaded with proteins. However, protein overload can occur due to overuse of protein treatments for hair. To avoid this, use rice water every other wash day, or use hair products that balance protein with moisture.
'The frequency of using rice water or products containing rice water depends on an individual's specific needs. People with dry, damaged, or brittle hair may benefit from using it more frequently, while others may find it sufficient to use it once a week,' Jasper tells us. 'With regular use, rice water can improve texture, reduce breakage, and promote healthy hair growth. It's important to listen to your hair and adjust your routine accordingly to achieve the best results.'
'Rice water is a natural and gentle ingredient that's unlikely to cause any adverse effects,' says Jasper. 'So, if you find that your hair responds well to rice water, there's no reason why you can't incorporate it into your hair care routine.' She adds, 'However, as with any new product or ingredient, it's always a good idea to do a patch test first to ensure you don't experience any irritation or sensitivity.'
Betsy Jasper is the founder and CEO of Oriza Hair
Madison Thurman is the R&D Manager at Not Your Mother's
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, fashion and luxury commerce editors Tatjana Freud and Moriah Polk collaborated with hair care experts to gather their professional insights and meticulously analyzed ingredient lists and combed through consumer reviews to curate the top product recommendations.
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