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Rice Water Rinse Recipe & Routine For Curly Hair

ByDelilah

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If you’ve spent any time reading about the curly girl method then you’ve likely come across protein treatments and rice water rinses. But what is a rice water rinse, why would you want to do a rice water rinse for curly hair, and how do you do it?

Reviewed by Laurie Cain, Curl Specialist and Hair Stylist.

Benefits of rice water for hair

Sometimes wavy or curly hair needs special treatments, and rice water can offer many benefits. Many believe the benefits of a rice water rinse include:

  • strengthens hair
  • stimulates growth
  • conditions
  • reduces frizz
  • improves curl definition
  • adds volume
  • soothes scalp
  • smoothes the hair cuticle
  • increases shine
  • helps grow hair longer
  • increase elasticity
RICE-WATER-FOR-CURLY-HAIR BENEFITS

Rice water hair treatments are an old Asian tradition.

…The court ladies of the Heian Period, whose beautiful long hair, called suberakashi, reached to the floor, were said to have combed their hair each day using Yu-Su-Ru (rinse water obtained from the washing of rice) …. we found that Yu-Su-Ru exhibited hair care effects, such as reducing surface friction and increasing hair elasticity.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science

Other research out of Japan has examined the effects of inositol, which is contained in rice water, on hair. They found that:

…inositol penetrates into the hair gradually. Additionally, we demonstrated that inositol stays inside the hair, allowing its protective and beautifying effects to persist even after rinsing.

Spring-8

I first heard about rice water rinses when I came across an Instagram post by @powerdomi. I was so intrigued after seeing her waves turn into ringlets after one treatment.

I thought it was a bit of a hassle so I put off trying it for a year. When I finally did do it, I instantly saw what all the fuss was about. It revived my curls and gave me more defined curls.

Check out the before and after photos below. My hair did not look bad before, but it was definitely looser and the curls would loosen more and more throughout the day. They also frizzed faster and I had little volume.

After, they spring up and last for days without loosening. I have less frizz and more volume, and lots more shine.

Delilah's curly hair before rice water treatment
Before rice water treatment
Delilah's hair after rice water rinse protein treatment for curly hair
Revived curls after a rice water rinse protein treatment

How do you know if you need to do a rice water hair treatment?

Rice water acts as a protein mimicker. The protein in rice water is too large to penetrate the hair but it still helps without actually adding protein. So you can benefit from a rice water treatment for the same reasons as when your hair needs protein:

  • more frizz, wet or dry
  • limp curls
  • curls falling flat
  • hair feels too soft
  • fluffy looking, very stretchy

Check out this post all about protein treatments for hair for more information.

protein moisture balance chart

A rice water rinse will really help your hair if it’s damaged or if you’re at the beginning of your curly hair journey. It will give you more shine, definition, and strength and reduce frizz.

I always recommend a rice water rinse before an actual protein treatment as a way to test the waters. Rice water will have a more mild effect on your hair than a protein treatment and if your hair didn’t need protein, you can do some damage with a strong treatment. So doing a rice water treatment first is a safer way to determine if your hair needs the extra protein.

rice for rice water rinse

How to do a rice water rinse

Rice water hair treatments are very easy. You make the rice water, dip your hair into it or pour it over your hair after you shampoo, rinse well, and follow with a deep conditioner. Follow the recipe and routine below for the exact instructions.

How to make rice water

You can make rice water 3 ways: boiling, soaking, or fermenting. Boiling is the fastest and most popular one and is the method I use.

Fermented rice water method

This process involves fermenting the rice water for 2 days instead of boiling it. You let 1 cup of rice sit in a jar with 3 cups of water for 48 hours, then strain it.

Some say this is more potent and it has a stronger effect on the hair, but I am too impatient to do it this way.

Soaking rice water method

This is the easiest method. Soak 1 cup of rice in 2-3 cups of water for about an hour, then strain the rice.

Boiling rice water method

This is the fastest way to make rice water. I share the exact steps below.

Yield: 1 treatment

Rice Water Rinse Recipe for Curly Hair

the best products for low density fine curly hair
Prep Time 15 minutes
Active Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Materials

  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup of rice

Tools

  • pot
  • strainer
  • 2 bowls, or cups

Instructions

  1. Rinse the rice.
  2. Put the rice in a pot and add double the amount of water.
  3. Boil until the water becomes cloudy.
  4. Strain out the cloudy water and put it in a bowl or cup.
  5. After the rice water has cooled, pour the rice water onto shampooed hair while catching it with another cup or bowl underneath OR dip the length of your hair into the bowl of rice water and squish towards the scalp.
  6. Repeat this a few times until you feel all your hair has absorbed enough of the rice water or you run out of rice water.
  7. You can wait a few minutes or rinse off right away.
  8. Deep condition and continue with the rest of your routine.

Notes

I use 1/4 cup of rice because I don't have a lot of hair but you might want to try with 1/2 a cup of rice and adjust from there.

*Don't leave the rice water in your hair for more than a few minutes.

Did you try this?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Facebook

© Delilah
Category: Curly Hair Care

Frequently Asked Questions About Rice Water

How often can you do a rice water rinse?

You can do it weekly, biweekly, or monthly. I definitely would not do it more than weekly though. I like to do it monthly.

Pay attention to how your hair looks and feels after. If it’s doing well, looks better, feels better, then continue on the schedule.

But if it feels rough or dry, then don’t continue with the rice water treatments.

Does it matter which type of rice I use?

Different types of rice have different amounts of proteins in them, but ultimately they all have the same effect. I have used white and brown rice and both have worked fine for me. So I say use whatever you have on hand.

I did a rice water treatment and didn’t notice a difference!

This happens. Your hair probably just didn’t need the treatment or it wasn’t strong enough.

If your hair has the signs that it needs protein, then try an actual protein treatment instead.

I did a rice water rinse and my hair feels hard and dry!

If this happens to you then hair might be sensitive to proteins. Focus on moisturizing your hair until it feels better. You don’t have to eliminate proteins but focus on having more moisture overall.

I’ve heard about rice water for hair growth. Does rice water help hair grow?

Some people say this is their experience with it. I have not found any research to support this and none of the stylists I’ve spoken to will support this claim. So try it out and see if it helps.

I heard rice water rinses are a protein treatment?

A lot of people think this and a lot of bloggers say this but it’s NOT a protein treatment for your hair because your hair cannot absorb the large proteins in rice. It is true that rice has protein in it, and rice water contains protein. But the proteins are simply too large to penetrate the hair.

Regardless, it does provide a lot of the benefits a protein treatment does and can help your hair and I recommend you try it out.

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT ANY PROTEINS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN HYDROLYZED ARE TOO LARGE TO PENETRATE INTO THE HAIR SHAFT AND BOND ONTO THE HAIR. Check out this science based post on proteins if you don’t believe me.

You can also read my other popular posts on curly hair:

Also, follow me on Instagram as I’m always posting tips and tutorials.

Want to remember this? Save Rice Water Rinse For Curly Hair – Protein Treatment to your favorite Pinterest board!

rice water rinse pin

Delilah Orpi is the founder of The Holistic Enchilada, a blog about curly hair and conscious beauty. She followed the Curly Girl Method to bring back her curls and is passionate about using more ethical products. Delilah is a trained Curly Hair Consultant and has been featured in Curl magazine, GLAMOUR, and Yahoo. She writes to create awareness about the clean beauty movement and simple curly hair care.

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22 Comments

      1. Hi..my hair loved the rice rinse. I clarified with apple cider vinegar first. But not fond of how my hair smelled after the fermented rice rinse. Can I add essential oil to the rinse. Does the boil method eliminate the smell?
        Thank you

        Reply

    1. I try to do it once a month. Some people can do it more often. Pay attention to how your hair is after. If you notice hard or crunchiness then cut back.

      Reply

  5. I am going to try clarifying (and then deep conditioning) once a month. Should I do a rice water rinse before or after deep conditioning?

    Reply

  6. I tried this rice water rinse and did not see any improvement in my curls. They remained undefined and limp. My hair still shows the signs you mentioned of needing protein. My biggest issue with my curls in general is not getting any definition. Do you have any suggestions?

    Reply

    1. You can try a protein treatment like Ecoslay Matcha Boost or Curlsmith Bond Curl Salve. Make sure you are clarifying correctly too as this can cause limp curls.

      Reply

  9. My hair seemed to love this. Thanks for the recipe! How frequently can I apply rice water without over doing it?

    Reply

  10. Do I HAVE to apply the treatment right after shampooing, or can I do it the next day and then deep condition? Also, what do I use to deep condition?

    Reply

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