For generations, kitchen-cabinet beauty remedies have been passed down from mothers to daughters, grandmothers to grandchildren, or, in modern times, between friends over a group chat. While some of these DIY strategies are more folklore than formula, others are known to deliver legit, transformative results. Enter rice water — the starchy liquid left after rinsing or soaking rice — which has roots in traditional hair care routines across Asia, and in recent years, has attracted a devoted fanbase on TikTok. These devotees believe rice water can help hair with everything from gray prevention to growth and shinier, thicker strands. (If you’re telling me that I should have been saving all my rice water all of these years instead of dumping it down the drain, I owe both my hair and the planet an apology.)
Quick Overview
The practice of using rice water for hair goes all the way back to Japan’s Heian period, when women of its imperial court combed it through their long, robust locks. The ritual extends to China, where even today, the Red Yao women of China’s Longji village use a special rice water recipe to retain their hair’s vibrancy and length. (These women even set a Guinness World Record in 2023 when they formed the longest-ever hair-combing chain during their annual “Long Hair” festival.)
With all this buzz, I wanted to know: Could rice water give us all long, glorious Crystal Gayle-esque locks? I spoke to experts, including a dermatologist, trichologist and celebrity hair colorist to find out the truth.
The benefits of rice water for hair
Rice water enthusiasts say that it leaves hair smoother, shinier, softer and thicker — some claim it helps their hair grow faster too. “The thought process [about rice water] is that the leftover starchy water from boiled rice is super rich in amino acids and minerals, antioxidants and vitamins (B, E and others), all of which our hair does need to protect from damage and promote healthy growth,” says Tracey Cunningham, celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of LA’s Meche Salon. “But science and scientists have moved forward extracting the key raw ingredients from ancient botanicals or treatments to put into the formulations of the best products. They have also improved upon [these ingredient formulations] so we really don’t need to sit around and do these ancient rituals.”
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According to hair loss specialist Dr. Jodi Lofergo, rice water may provide some benefits because it is high in protein, amino acids and antioxidants that could possibly strengthen hair and improve its appearance. “Some science-backed support for using rice water and/or rice bran extract is that they have compounds that may improve hair strength, hair quality and may promote hair growth,” she says. “Ingredients that originate from rice have shown anti-inflammatory effects that can conceivably be efficacious for scalp health, while some components of rice might be moisturizing for hair, too.” Additionally, rice contains phenolic compounds which are antioxidants that could defend hair from environmental damage.
Strengthening strands
One ingredient that pops up a lot in the discourse around rice water in hair care is inositol, a sugar commonly found in hair growth supplements. “Although the studies done on the benefits of rice water have their limitations, there is some science behind it,” says Dr. Shereen Teymour, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. “It contains a carbohydrate called inositol that can actually stick to the hair shaft and make strands feel smoother and stronger. It’s not a miracle cure, but it’s a simple, gentle way to boost shine and reduce breakage.”
Boosting shine
Experts I spoke were dubious about anecdotal claims that rice water prevents premature graying (that usually has more to do with genetics or luck) but there is evidence that it can give hair a gleam: “The starchy water does a great job of closing the cuticle down, creating a smooth surface and giving the appearance of healthy, shiny hair,” says Kerry E. Yates, trichologist and founder of Colour Collective. People who have tried DIY versions of rice water claim that their hair looks shinier, sometimes instantly after one rice water rinse, so at the very least, it may help hair look richer and less dull.
Can rice water really help with hair growth?
According to Lofergo, the specific compounds in rice that are helpful for hair include linoleic acid and (γ-Oryzanol), which studies have shown to promote hair growth in animals. Still, she says that scientific evidence exclusive to rice water is limited and instead, most research is centered on rice bran extracts. “Rice bran extract has displayed hair-growth effects in animal studies, but clinical analysis on humans using simple rice water is insufficient,” she adds. There’s also the risk of using too much rice water, which can lead to something called protein overload, which can make hair become brittle and stiff, and in turn, lead to breakage — the opposite of what we want!
The bottom line on rice water
While rice water may not be the miracle hair growth ingredient we all wish it to be, the overall consensus from our experts is that, while the evidence is currently limited, it still can’t hurt — and, for most people, may even help with the health of your hair. In some cases, says Yates, it can make hair “feel a bit thicker since each hair strand is coated with a thin film from the starchy water.”
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Keep in mind that when it comes to all beauty products, formula is key. The Yao Women don’t even use plain rice water themselves; they actually employ a traditional mix of citrus peel, tea bran, ginger and local herbs — meaning, the magic is likely the synergy, not a single ingredient. Thankfully, modern rice-water hair products are made in that same spirit: They’re formulated with pH-balanced, stabilized and scientifically-proven ingredients in shelf-stable bottles. If you’re rice-water curious and don’t want to bother with brewing your own potion, the following are the best, top-rated (and ready-made!) rice water hair products I’ve found.
Kitsch
Hairitage
Pantene
Yao Secret
Ulta
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