Rice Water for Haircare: Why and How to Use It

In the world of luxurious self-care products, we seem to forget about the wonderful natural elixirs we have been blessed with. Nature has given us the solution to every problem that only benefits our skin, health, and hair. But how many of us even know about it? That’s why today I’m going to share why and how to use rice water for hair care.

Rice has always been a staple in South-Asian households. Apart from delicious recipes, rice is good for our health, skin, and eyes. Did you know you can use rice water in your beauty routine? Many women consider rice water a holy grail for their hair; though my curly hair craves moisture

Rice water recipe is not something new-found; rice water usage dates back to ancient Korea, China, and Japan. The Red Yao tribe in China is famous for using rice water for a long time. It was the secret of beautifully long, healthy, and shiny hair.

5 Benefits of Rice Water for Haircare:

Rice water is infused with vitamin A, B, E, and K, which nourishes the hair strands and roots. Besides, It contains an amino acid that is considered the perfect ingredient that penetrates hair strands and improves all sorts of hair problems. And if your question is, can rice water damage your hair? No, all it has to give is the immense nutrients to your hair, nothing else.  

Promote Hair Growth

If you are losing more hair every day, rice water can help you. The amino acids in Rice Water can strengthen the hair roots. It promotes new hair growth, cleanses the scalp, and makes it able to supply all its nutrients. If you are suffering from severe hair fall, I recommend following it with the anti-hair fall shampoo to get faster results.

Reduce Dandruff

If dandruff doesn’t seem to stop chasing you, it’s time to fight back and win over it. Rice water is loaded with rich vitamins and minerals, antibacterial properties, and amino acids. It fights with dandruff without making the scalp too dry. You can also use apple cider vinegar for this. Here’s how to use apple cider vinegar for hair.

Detangles The Hair

The amino acid present in rice water deeply penetrates inside of hair tissues to improve its texture, control the damage, and layer it up with the gleaming shine that feels like a feather to touch. The starchy rice water improves manageability and protects hair from styling damage too. Besides, when your hair is healthy, there will be fewer tangles.

Strengthen the Hair

Rice water is enriched with antioxidants that keep hair roots and strands immensely healthy and strong. Besides, your hair gets a power coating of amino acid that makes it super elastic, glossy, and strong.

Make Hair Shinier

Imagine having luscious, strong & shiny hair just like you see in commercial ads. It adds volume and sheen, thus making your hair strong, shiny, and luxurious.

Now that you know the amazing benefits of rice water, it’s time to take a leap of faith and learn how to use rice water for hair growth and shine.

Suggested read: How To Straighten Your Hair Naturally

How to Use Rice Water for Haircare

Well, using rice water is way easier than cooking it. I will share with you the easiest and the most beneficial way to use rice for your hair. The method we are gonna use is called fermented rice water. Fermented substances have a higher amount of antioxidants which may combat hair and skin cell damage. This is why you can find it in many beauty products.

So what is Fermented Rice Water? When you let the rice sit in the water for 2-3 days, it becomes 3 times more enriched with vitamins and minerals, which provides your hair with extensive benefits than normal rice water. Fermented rice water is acidic, and when you rinse your hair with it, it restores and balances the pH of your hair. There are many haircare products, especially the Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate line that balances the pH and maintains hair health with the shampoo, conditioner and leave-in. I highly recommend them.

Here’s how to make fermented rice water:

1. Take 1 bowl of rice and rinse it with normal water to clear out all the impurities from it.
2. Pour rinsed rice and 2 bowls of water in a plastic container and mix them with your hands.
3. Let the rice sit in water for 4-5 hours at least. Or if you want to provide maximum nutrients to your hair, leave the rice in water to get fermented for 2-3 days.
4. As your rice water is ready, strain it in a clean jar.
5. Put the jar in the refrigerator. Try using it within about 1 week

How to use fermented rice water for haircare:

1. Use it as a pre-cleanse. Add generously before shampoo, massage well into hair and scalp and let it sit for 8-10 minutes. Then shampoo and condition as usual.
2. Use it as a conditioner. Right after you shampoo your hair and let it sit on your hair for 5-6 minutes and rinse with cold water.
3. Use it as a mask. For maximum result, use it on clean hair and leave on for 20-30 minutes. Rinse with water and follow up with a conditioner.

Have you ever tried rice water for haircare? If you haven’t, try it out this weekend and let me know if you see or feel any difference.

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