How to Make Rice Water for Hair 

Unleash the power of rice water for your hair! Discover an age-old beauty secret that boosts hair health and vitality while promoting faster hair growth.

Today, we are going to learn how to make rice water for hair, and it’s easier than you think!

You’d be forgiven if you read the title of this post and couldn’t quite piece together the rice and hair bit. What the?!

OK, stick with me!

Rice water. In short, all you need to know is that it works wonders for hair strength and vitality!

But first up, what even is rice water? 

Well, it’s simply water that you cook rice in. It’s that cloudy, watery stuff that’s left over once the rice has been drained if it hasn’t soaked it all up during the cooking process.

Rather than throwing it down the sink, you simply strain it into a bottle, leave it overnight, then apply it to your hair for a protein-packed hair treatment that costs next to nothing!

I’ve included the recipe for rice water for hair below. Give it a go and see for yourself the fantastic results of rice water.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• It’s easy: Whether you’re cooking up a curry or a chili, rice is one of those staple foods in the home. Simply make a batch of rice water as and when you need it (or use leftover rice water as I sometimes do!)
• It works: You’ll notice a difference in the softness and strength of your hair after just one application of rice water. 
• It’s budget-friendly: Rice water is incredibly cheap to make (and use) compared to a store-bought protein treatment for the hair. Why waste money if you don’t need to?

It’s crazy to think that common kitchen ingredients can be so good for our hair. You can use bay leaves to help with hair growth, tea to hide greys, and lemon juice to lighten hair!

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How to make rice water for hair

Tools:

 A bottle with a spray nozzle

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of organic brown rice
• 2 cups of water

Instructions:

Step 1: Bring water to a boil.

Step 2: Carefully add the rice.

Step 3: Boil until the water turns cloudy. This step will take approximately five minutes. Essentially, the longer the water and rice are left to boil, the more protein the water will take on.

Just be careful, as too much protein on your hair can be a bad thing, leading to hair that’s prone to breakage. So – don’t leave it boiling too long!

Plus, if the rice is left to overboil, it’ll absorb all the water, leaving you with dinner instead of a hair treatment.

Step 4: Remove the rice water from the heat to let it cool.

Step 5: Strain the rice water into an airtight container or spray bottle. I used a small funnel to keep the mess to a minimum.

Refrigerate for up to 7 days and use within this time frame. 

How to use rice water for hair

It’s so simple and fun! 

Follow the instructions below when using rice water for hair for the best results. 

1. Wash your hair with shampoo.
2. Rinse thoroughly.
3. Pour or spray the rice water onto the hair.
4. Massage the rice water into the hair and scalp.
5. Leave it on for up to 20 minutes.
6. Rinse hair thoroughly.
7. Dry and style as usual, noticing how soft and nourished your hair feels!

Tips

• Rice water is crammed full of vitamins and minerals beneficial for hair health, but you don’t need to use it daily. In fact, it’ll work better if you only use it as an occasional treatment, say once or twice a week max.
• Be careful using it too much or too often. Excess protein can cause problems and may even damage your hair in the long run, causing it to become brittle.  
• You use more water than you would usually to make rice water, and don’t let the rice soak so long that the water gets fully absorbed. Of course, if you want to use leftover rice water from cooking rice to eat, you can do that – just be sure to add more water so the rice doesn’t soak it up!

Benefits of rice water

Strengthening the strands: A rice water hair rinse can strengthen hair follicles and potentially stimulate hair growth by adding nutrients to the strands.

Reducing frizz: The starch in the rice water hair rinse can provide a protective barrier that helps minimize frizz, promoting a smoother hair texture.

Helps with detangling: Many people found that using rice water in their hair has helped “soften” the hair, reducing the chance of knots and making tangles easy to comb out.

FAQs & Answers

How long should I leave rice water in my hair?

It’s best to leave rice water on your hair for up to 20 minutes at a time (after you’ve washed your hair). Then rinse it off and style it as usual. 

Do I put rice water on wet or dry hair?

You put it on wet hair right after you’ve washed it with shampoo. I find it easiest to spray rice water on after towel-drying my hair. 

I spray it on, comb it through, then go get dressed, leaving it to work its magic. Once I’m dressed, I rinse it off and dry my hair.

Is rice water effective for hair growth?

Yes! It contains many minerals, vitamins, and amino acids, contributing to stronger hair and faster hair growth. 

Did you know, too, that rosemary water is one of the best natural hair growth boosters? 

You could use rice and rosemary water in the same week, just not on the same day, as it’ll be too much for your hair at once. 

Should I use rice water before or after shampoo?

I recommend using it after shampoo, not before. Treat it like a conditioner that you leave in for 20 minutes, then rinse it off and style your hair as you like. 

Brown rice vs. white rice – which works better?

When it comes to making rice water, the process is the same for both brown and white rice. The only thing to know is that brown rice is less refined and contains more fiber which, to some, would be preferable to use.

Why not try both and see which you prefer?

Whoever came up with rice water for the hair?

Rice water originates from East Asia and has been hugely popular for centuries across China, Japan, and Malaysia, to name a few. Some studies date it back to the time of 700AD, if not before!

It’s notably been used by women, with rice water being hailed as a beauty product to promote healthy hair condition and as an anti-aging tool for the skin. 

How long does it take to make rice water for hair?

It takes around 20 minutes to boil the rice until it’s cooked enough to release its goodness to make rice water, but it needs to cool down completely before you use it on your hair. 

Therefore, it takes around 3-4 hours to make in total.

Your best bet is to make rice water in the evening, leave it overnight to cool and then apply it during your morning shower routine. 

Key takeaways

I hope you love this post and enjoy making rice water for your hair! I’d love to hear how it works for you, so drop me a comment once you’ve tried it. 

Rice water may seem a little unconventional to some, but it’s a great way to add protein to the hair without breaking the bank.

For more great recipes, check these out:

• Homemade Hair Moisturizer
• Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
• How to Make a Green Tea Hair Rinse
• How to Use Coconut Water to Hydrate Your Hair