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glass bottle of rice water with wooden bowl of rice on counter

Rice Water for Hair Growth, Shine + More

Learn how to make this simple, natural hair treatment at home and why it needs to be part of your hair care routine.
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Keyword: DIY beauty, rice water, rice water for hair growth
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Fermentation Time: 1 day
Total Time: 1 day 3 minutes
Author: Don't Mess With Mama

Equipment

  • 1 Strainer
  • 1 Medium-sized bowl
  • 1 8-16 oz Mason jar or glass jar

Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked rice
  • 1 cup filtered water

Instructions

  • Start by rinsing and straining your rice. This will remove any impurities before creating your rice water hair treatment.
  • Once strained, mix the rice in a bowl with 1 cup of filtered water. Stir until the water becomes cloudy.
  • Strain for a second time, but this time keep the starchy water. The rice can still be used for cooking (just do that separately). 
  • Pour the rice water into an airtight container or a glass jar with a tight lid. A Mason jar or glass jar is ideal. Make sure it is clean and sterilized to maintain the freshness of the rice water.
  • Leave the rice water to sit for 12-24 hours at room temperature. This is essential to let the rice water ferment and maximize the vitamins and minerals, however do not let it sit for longer than 24 hours. Swirl or stir the rice occasionally to enhance the extraction process.
  • Store your rice water in the fridge until you’re ready to use.
  • Fill a small container, like a travel-sized shampoo bottle or a small jar, with rice water for application. Keep the rest in your fridge.

Notes

How to Apply Rice Water Hair Treatment

  1. Start with clean, shampooed hair. I usually skip conditioner before applying the rice water, as it acts as a natural conditioner itself.
  2. To apply the rice water, pour it over your scalp and hair. Make sure to saturate the strands from root to tip. Then, gently massage your scalp to stimulate blood circulation and promote absorption.
  3. Allow the rice water rinse to sit on your hair for 10-15 minutes. This allows the nutrients to penetrate the hair strands.
  4. After the recommended time, rinse your hair with lukewarm water until the rice water is completely washed out. You can follow up with a mild conditioner if desired. Proceed with your regular hair styling routine. I prefer to let my hair air dry but you can also use a blow dryer.

How to Store Rice Water for Hair

Once you have made your fermented rice water, proper storage will help maintain the quality and effectiveness for your hair care routine. Here are my top storage tips for best results:
  • Once your rice water has fermented, it’s important to store it in the refrigerator to preserve the rice water’s properties and prevent bacterial growth.
  • It is recommended to use the rice water within one week for best results. Remember to check the rice water for any signs of spoilage, such as a foul odor or discoloration, before using it. If you notice any changes, discard it and make a fresh batch.
  • Prior to use, let it come to room temperature. This is simply because – from experience – it is not pleasant pouring freezing cold rice water over your head in the shower.
  • I then prefer to pour some into a smaller spray bottle or empty shampoo bottle for easy use in the shower. Alternatively, you may prefer to take the entire jar in with you if you have thick, long hair.