Rice Water for Hair: Benefits, DIY Recipes, and the Best Products to Try

For centuries, women across Asia have used rice-infused water to add length and strength to their hair. Fast forward to today, and this time-tested beauty ritual has taken over TikTok—where creators rave about its shine-boosting, strand-smoothing magic.

We're all about highlighting beauty trends that actually work, and rice water is no exception. Using our data-backed algorithm, we’ve rounded up the top rice water hair products packed with nutrients your hair will love, including rice water shampoo and even a rice water shampoo bar. Plus, we’re breaking down everything from how to make rice water for your hair to the key rice water benefits you need to know. Keep scrolling for DIY recipes, product picks, and everything else you need to try the rice water trend for yourself.

What Is Rice Water for Hair?

Rice-infused water is a hair elixir rooted in Asian and Southeast Asian beauty traditions. Legend has it that centuries ago, women discovered that the starchy water left over after soaking or cooking rice made a wonderful rinse for the hair and scalp. 

In China, the Yao women from the Huangluo village had dark, shining hair that would grow over 6 feet long and keep its color for decades. They credited fermenting rice-infused water and herbs in clay pots with giving them beautiful hair. In Japan, during the Heian period, ladies of the court used a similar practice called Yu-Su-Ru to keep their locks long and lustrous. These women were famous for their floor-length hair, called kurokami, which symbolized beauty and status.

No great beauty tradition can stay secret forever, so it’s no surprise that TikTok users singled out rice water as the key to gorgeous hair. Rinsing or soaking rice in water for half an hour is enough to produce plain vitamin- and mineral-rich rice-infused water, which also contains protein and carbohydrates that may help improve elasticity and even stimulate hair growth. Fermented rice water, made by letting plain rice-infused water sit for 24-48 hours, is claimed to have the most dramatic results due to a higher concentration of antioxidants, enzymes, and other nourishing compounds.

What Are Rice Water Benefits for Hair?

If your hair could use a little extra love, rice water for hair might be worth a try. Both plain and fermented rice water have been used for generations to help strengthen strands, soothe the scalp, and support healthy growth—and these days, fans say they’re seeing real results.

Here are some of the top rice water benefits that people are excited about:

• Easier detangling
  Softer strands mean less tugging and breakage when brushing or styling.
• Stronger, smoother hair
  The proteins, vitamins, and nutrients in rice water can help reinforce the hair shaft and improve overall texture.
• Shinier, silkier strands
  Vitamins B and E work to moisturize and protect, leaving hair looking glossier and feeling soft.
• Better elasticity
  Minerals like zinc support collagen production, which can help hair bounce back instead of breaking.
• Support for hair growth
  Amino acids (like proline and cysteine) may encourage new growth while making your hair more resilient over time.
• Scalp health boost
  Nutrients such as magnesium can help create the right environment for healthy roots and less shedding.
• Damage repair
  Inositol, a unique carbohydrate found in rice water, can actually soak into the hair shaft and help repair damage from the inside out.
• Environmental protection
  Antioxidants like ferulic acid help shield hair from the elements, like sun and pollution.

And while the science is still catching up to all the TikTok buzz, experts say there’s more to this trend than hype. It’s widely known that rice-infused water is high in starch, which can make hair feel fuller. Add in amino acids and nutrients to improve scalp health and you give your hair the best environment for growth at the follicle level.

So whether you’re trying a rinse, a DIY treatment, or a rice water shampoo bar, this simple ingredient might just give your hair the refresh it’s been waiting for.

Is It Safe to Use Rice Water on Your Hair?

Since rice is a commonly available food staple around the world, it's no surprise that the natural, nutrient-rich liquid made by soaking or cooking it might be good for your hair. Rice-infused water is generally safe for most hair types. It’s free of harsh chemicals and artificial additives, and because it’s biocompatible with hair, it's unlikely to trigger allergic reactions.

In fact, many dermatologists agree it’s a low-risk treatment to try. For most people, that means it’s safe to test out rice water shampoo, a DIY rinse, or a rice water shampoo bar without much concern.

However, like any treatment, it’s not for everyone.

Who Should Skip Rice Water for Hair?

While most people can use rice-infused water without issue, people who have certain skin conditions or are sensitive to the starches in rice may need to use a different kind of hair care. Doing a patch test can help you recognize allergic reactions or irritation to this treatment.  

You should avoid using rice-infused water if you have:

• Psoriasis or eczema:
  Rice-infused water can aggravate these conditions, which can affect the skin’s moisture barrier and lead to inflammation.
• Alopecia or hair loss:
  Although rice-infused water may help hair grow, conditions like alopecia and severe hair loss may require prescription medication or treatment to show significant improvement.
• Sensitive scalps:
  The starches in rice-infused water could worsen scalp inflammation, disrupt its natural biome, and cause irritation.

How to Make Rice Water for Hair at Home

The staff at Rank & Style love a good DIY so if you want to learn how to make rice water for your hair and scalp at home, we’re happy to help. Below, we’ll cover the two popular methods for making rice-infused water: soaking and boiling.

Method 1: Soaking

The soaking method is the easiest and most popular way to make rice water at home. It’s quick, requires zero heat, and helps preserve more of the hair-loving nutrients found in rice.

What You’ll Need:

• ½ cup uncooked rice (white, jasmine, or brown rice work well)
• 3 cups lukewarm water
• A strainer or fine-mesh colander
• Two quart-sized bowls or jars

Steps:

1. Rinse the rice thoroughly under cool water to remove dirt, dust, and any surface starch or residue.
2. Add the clean rice to a bowl or jar.
3. Pour in 3 cups of lukewarm water, making sure the rice is completely submerged.
4. Let it soak for at least 30 minutes. Some people let it sit for up to 2 hours to maximize the nutrient content.
5. Strain the water into a clean container, discarding the rice or saving it for cooking.
6. Use the rice water immediately, or store it in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Pro Tip: Want to make fermented rice water for hair? Let the soaked water sit at room temperature for 24–48 hours before refrigerating. It’ll develop a slightly sour scent—that’s normal and signals the fermentation process. Be sure to refrigerate and use within 3 days for best results.

Method 2: Boiling

Boiling is another effective way to make rice water, especially if you’re already cooking rice and want to save the nutrient-rich water. Keep in mind, though, that high heat may break down some of the beneficial vitamins and minerals.

What You’ll Need:

• ½ cup uncooked rice 
• 3 cups water
• Medium saucepan or pot
• A strainer or colander
• A quart-sized container for storage

Steps:

1. Rinse the rice thoroughly until the water runs clear.
2. Place the rice in a pot and add 3 cups of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the rice is fully cooked.
4. Strain the excess water into a clean container.
5. Let the rice water cool completely before using it on your hair.
6. Store in the fridge for up to one week.

Note: The texture and consistency of boiled rice-infused water may be thicker than soaked rice water. If that’s the case, dilute with a bit of plain water before using.

How to Use Rice Water for Hair

Rice water is simple to make, and it’s also easy to use as a rinse or a treatment once or twice a week, especially if you have coarse, curly, or damaged hair. Don’t overdo it—using rice-infused water too often can dry out your hair or cause protein overload and weigh hair down. We recommend that you start slow and find the method and schedule that works for you.

Here are a few easy ways to use DIY rice water for your hair:

• As a rinse:
  Wash and condition your hair as you normally do, and then pour rice-infused water over your scalp and hair and massage it in. Let it sit for five to 30 minutes, and then rinse it away with warm water.
• As a leave-in treatment:
  Pour the rice-infused water into a spray bottle and apply to damp hair, focusing on your scalp and ends. Leave the treatment in your hair for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse it out with warm water. To prevent dryness, follow up with a hydrating conditioner or a hair mask.
• As a hair mask or pre-shampoo treatment:
  Make a rice-infused water hair mask or treatment by mixing rice-infused water with essential oils like lavender oil. Massage the combination into your wet hair and scalp and let it sit for 10–20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, and then shampoo and condition your hair as you normally do.

The Best Rice Water Products to Shop

If you want to try out rice-infused water without making it yourself, there are plenty of fantastic rice water hair products that can give you a luxurious experience without the fuss.

Our experts have rounded up the best rice-infused water hair products to take the guesswork out of your search. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the different types of rice water products, what they can do for your hair, and a few expert-approved picks we love.