If you regularly soak and cook rice at home, you probably throw away the leftover “rice water” once you’re done. But believe it or not, rice water, the milky liquid left when you soak rice for several hours, offers many benefits for hair health and beyond — and rice water for hair isn’t the only use.

Not only may rice water promote hair growth and defend against hair thinning, but it also benefits those with sensitive and ageing skin. Considering it can be made with two very inexpensive and widely available ingredients, water and rice, there’s little reason not to try it.

How to Use Rice Water for Hair

First and foremost, what is rice water, and why is it beneficial? Rice water (sometimes called kanji) is a cloudy liquid made by soaking rice for a few hours.

Some rice water is also fermented, which means it has sat for longer and developed some beneficial compounds, just like other fermented foods.

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a grain that contains some nutrients. When rice is soaked in water, some nutrients are released into the liquid, which can then be applied to hair or skin.

Rice water has been found to contain:

Antioxidants
Vitamin B6
Vitamin E
Starches, polysaccharides, and other carbohydrates
Amino acids
Organic acids

Some research has also shown that fermented rice water contains a compound called inositol, a type of sugar molecule with free radical-fighting capabilities that may help protect hair breakage damage. Additionally, it contains the compound pitera, a byproduct of yeast fermentation, which is associated with cellular renewal.

Benefits of Using Rice Water for Hair Growth and Appearance

Benefits of using rice water for hair growth and appearance may include:

Supporting hair growth
Making hair shinier and more “lustrous”
Rinsing hair of impurities without stripping it and drying it
Softening hair
Detangling strands
Strengthening hair strands to defend against damage and split ends

Aside from using rice water for hair, you can also use it to help support skin health. Kanji has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional system of medicine that has origins in Ancient India, as well as in Japan and Korea, for centuries.

Benefits of Using Rice Water for Skin Health

Uses of rice water for skin health include:

Helping moisturize skin and reduce symptoms of eczema and skin dryness
Decreasing dermatitis symptoms and irritation among people with sensitive skin
Gently cleaning the skin
Softening the skin and improving its texture and general complexion, including by “brightening” and tightening the skin and reducing the appearance of pores
Defending against signs of ageing due to its antioxidant effects, including fine lines and dark spots
Increasing circulation to the skin

How to Make Rice Water

Here is a basic rice water recipe that can be used on your hair and face:

Ingredients:

1 cup rice (ideally organic rice, whether white or whole grain/brown rice)
1 cup water (ideally use filtered water so the finished product is free of impurities)

Directions:

Rinse the rice well under running water for about a minute. Strain it to remove the water.
Add the rice and water to a bowl and let it sit for several hours or more.
Strain the rice, and keep the water left over in the bowl.
Put the rice water in a glass jar, cover it with a lid and let it sit at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours. This will allow fermentation, in which beneficial microbes develop in the water.
Once fermented, put the jar in the refrigerator. Try using it within about one week.

How Long Can You Leave Rice Water in Your Hair?

A popular way to use rice water for hair is as a cleaning hair rinse. Before shampooing your hair, add a generous amount, massage it in and let it sit for about three to five minutes. Then, condition as usual.

You can use it more as a hair mask by letting it sit in clean hair for 20 minutes or longer before rinsing well.

How Often Should You Use Rice Water?

Like other hair treatments, using rice water for hair once or twice weekly may give you the best results. There’s no detriment to using it often or every other day, so this is up to you.

When using rice water on your face, try spreading it on clean skin once you’ve already used a gentle cleanser before applying moisturizer. This will help seal in moisture and soften skin.

You can do this once daily or several times per week, depending on other skincare products you use.

How Long Does It Take for Rice Water to Grow Your Hair?

Using this ingredient on your hair likely won’t result in an immediate, noticeable difference in length. However, over several weeks, you may find that your hair feels fuller, thicker, and more voluminous.

By preventing breakage, it will help your hair grow in more healthfully. This allows it to grow out for longer without cutting off split ends.

Risks and Side Effects

What are the potential side effects of rice water on hair? Overall, it seems very safe for most people to use, considering it’s made with simple ingredients like rice and water.

It’s generally non-toxic and non-irritating, and it’s even suitable for those with a sensitive scalp and skin. However, it can trigger irritation among people with allergies to rice.

Don’t use products containing this ingredient to prevent an allergic reaction if you have a known rice allergy.

If you notice side effects like itching, redness, worsened irritation or increased dryness, stop using this ingredient. These may indicate that you’re not responding well due to yeast growth or an allergy.

Conclusion

Rice water is a milky liquid made by soaking rice that contains nutrients, including B vitamins, antioxidants, carbohydrates, and amino acids. It’s long been used among Asian women to support hair and skin health, but there’s generally no scientific evidence showing how effective it is. What is rice water good for? A popular use of rice water is for hair growth, but it can also be used on your face for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Benefits may potentially include softening and strengthening hair, preventing breakage, managing eczema symptoms and skin dryness, and reducing the formation of wrinkles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is rice water good for hair growth?
Yes, rice water contains nutrients that support hair growth and improve hair health.
Can rice water be used on the face?
Absolutely! Rice water can benefit the skin, offering moisturizing and anti-ageing effects.
How often should I use rice water on my hair?
You can use rice water on your hair once or twice weekly, depending on your preference.
Are there any side effects of using rice water on hair?
Rice water is generally safe, but individuals with rice allergies may experience irritation.
Can I leave rice water in my hair overnight?
Leaving rice water in your hair overnight is not recommended as it may lead to excessive drying.