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Rice water is thought to have some amazing properties that help hair maintain its strength and become shiny.
It has been used for centuries but only became popular in the last few years in the Western world. Using rice water is a really simple and straightforward thing.
It’s not only easy to use but also super easy to make yourself at home. Chances are, you have everything you need sitting in your cupboard as you read this.
In this post we are going to take a look at what rice water actually is and the different things it can be used for (it isn’t only hair!).
What is rice water?
It’s simple—rice water is the starchy water that is left over when rice is either left to soak or cooked.
If you have ever made rice, you will know exactly what it looks like. It is water, but it’s thicker because of the starch that’s left in it from the cooked rice.
Hence, it’s the perfect option for you to try out!
What Can Rice Water Be Used for and What Are the Benefits?
So, rice water can be great for your hair. It will also help your hair look shiny. Not only for hair, but it’s also a great product to use on skin. The starchy water also has a cooling effect on the skin.
How to Make Rice Water
There are two different ways you can make rice water that is ideal for hair or your face, so just pick the option that suits you best.
For both of these methods, you will need two base ingredients: rice and water. I know, it’s obvious, but it has to be pointed out.
There are other popular methods of making rice water that are ideal for ingestion (usually as a drink), so in this post I will be talking about the two methods that are best for beauty use.
Boiling Your Rice
Boiling your rice is super easy, and you are making food at the same time, so I don’t see any downsides at all. As always, you will want to use organic rice if possible.
To make your rice water by boiling, use 1/2 cup of rinsed rice with 2 cups of water and cook the rice as directed.
Do NOT add any salt, oil, or any other ingredients you may typically add while cooking rice! Since the water is going to be used on your hair, you want nothing else added.
Cook the rice until it is done (up to 25 minutes for white rice and 45 minutes for brown rice).
When the rice has finished cooking, strain it and collect all of the water that the rice cooked in into a clean bowl.
Cool your rice water before using it, as it may burn you. You may use it warm if you prefer; just use caution since it was recently boiling water!
REMEMBER: If you plan to use the rice water for your hair or skin, do not add anything else to the water.
Soaking Your Rice
Soaking your rice to make rice water is another super easy method. It can take longer than the boiling method to obtain a potent rice water, but this method is heat-free.
To do this, all you need is ½ a cup of uncooked rice, rinsed thoroughly. Add your rice to a large bowl with 3 cups of room temperature water.
Leave the rice to soak in the water for at least 30 minutes, however, longer is better. You can leave your rice to soak for up to 24 hours to ensure all of the nutrients are removed from the rice and into the water.
I find soaking for a couple of hours does the trick nicely.
Once your rice is thoroughly soaked, your water will look a little cloudy. Strain the rice from the water, and your rice water is ready to use.
It’s really that simple!
Common Questions About Making Rice Water
Still unsure about making your own rice water? I’ve got you.
Can Any Type of Rice Be Used to Make Rice Water?
Yes, any type of rice can be used to make rice water. This includes white rice, brown rice, basmati rice, Jasmine rice, or anything else. And make sure you choose organic rice.
Is White or Brown Rice Better for Making Rice Water?
Although you can use any kind of (organic) rice, I personally feel that using long-grain white rice is the best option.
You can dilute your rice water if you choose to use brown rice, but I personally think it’s just easier to use white rice instead. I haven’t personally tried it with brown rice, only white, so I can’t speak to how different it feels on hair.
Do You Always Have to Rinse Your Rice Before Using It to Make Rice Water?
It is always best to rinse your rice before making rice water or cooking it to eat. There will always be impurities on rice, so if you want it to be clear, you need to rinse it with water first.
Rinsing your rice before you make rice water won’t remove any of the rice goodness that’s destined to go in your rice water!
How to Use Rice Water
People use rice water differently, so you will need to figure out what works perfectly for you.
Usually, though, you will wash your hair like you regularly do (using a regular shampoo) and either use the rice water after a conditioner or as a conditioner replacement.
You will find people who leave their rice water in the hair for as little as two minutes, and people who will let the rice water soak in there for up to 20 minutes before rinsing it out.
I recommend starting with a 5-minute soak and go from there. See how your hair feels after, and decide if you’d like to try it for longer next time.
Just make sure to rinse the rice water out of your hair.
Some people like to use rice water as a hair mask, but I don’t think it’s necessary. 30 minutes is more than enough time for your hair to absorb the rice water goodness, and leaving it on longer than that can actually cause unnecessary scalp dryness.
There are a few main side effects you can experience from rice water, as well as a few things you should consider before starting to use rice water:
Rice Water Needs Consistent Use to See Results
Some people might see results after just one wash, but for others it could take months. Depending on your level of patience when it comes to hair products and results, consider trying other options if you don’t think you can stick it out.
If you can wait a few weeks or months to see results, though, I assure you it will be totally worth it.
It all comes down to individual differences. So don’t knock it until you try it because you never know if it really could help you.
Final Thoughts on Rice Water for Your Hair
Rice water can be a great option for you if you fit the typical criteria—porous, brittle hair. No matter your hair type, though, rice water is always worth trying out, as long as you start slow and work your way up.