Before FYP was inundated with people’s solutions for growing fuller, longer hair, rice scrub has been a staple of beauty rituals for centuries. It traces its origins to ancient China and Japan and is known for moisturizing and nourishing the scalp and hair, as well as soothing and brightening the skin.
As the name suggests, rice soup is water made by fermenting rice. You can easily make your own as a DIY hair treatment or find it as an ingredient in hair care products. But is it actually effective?
Benefits of rice water for hair
The main benefit that people use rice water for is hair growth. Countless TikTok videos show significant before-and-afters that creators experience in significant volume and length after just a few weeks.
But before you take the viral video’s word for it, there’s one caveat. Most, if not all, of these hair growth claims are anecdotal. Hadley King, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, and Bridget Hill, M.D., a board-certified trichologist, say more research is needed to prove that rice rinse actually helps growth. says it needs to be done.
“There’s no denying that the vitamins and minerals found in rice are important components of a healthy scalp and hair growth function,” says Hill. “There is not enough clinical data to prove that using rice water as a hair treatment is beneficial for hair growth.”
But that doesn’t mean you should be completely dissuaded. King says using rice water is generally safe and that rice water is rich in known compounds that may have other benefits. “It contains amino acids, B vitamins, vitamin E, and other antioxidants, minerals, and inositol, which may help strengthen your tresses,” she says. Hill adds that rice rinses act as a protein treatment to minimize frizz and smooth hair.
How to use rice water for hair
It’s very easy to incorporate rice soup into your routine. King suggests pouring it into your hair after shampooing and conditioner to let your hair absorb all the nutrients. She says you can also spray it on and let it soak in after your daily wash. If you choose a product that contains rice water, be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle for best results.
How to make rice water for hair
If you’re looking for a DIY solution, making rice soup is very easy. King says to soak half a cup of uncooked rice in two cups of water for about an hour. Next, strain the rice and save the liquid in a container, such as a spray bottle. Then it’s ready to use on your hair.
Side effects of rice water on hair
According to Hill, mixing food-based hair products with commercial or medicated hair products can cause side effects. “[This is]due to contaminant ingredients found in store-bought products,” she explains. She also notes that rice rinse is not suitable for all hair types. People with high-porosity hair (hair that absorbs products, water, and treatments easily) benefit from rice rinses more than people with low-porosity hair. “Highly porous hair allows rice protein molecules to fill in the gaps (in the cuticle), creating greater strength and higher shine,” she says. “If your hair has low porosity, the rice rinse will cause protein to accumulate. Be careful with the rice rinse. Know your hair type.”
