I’ve featured rice water for hair and fermented rice water for hair and skin on the website before. You can catch up on earlier articles below:-
- Fermented Rice Water for Stronger Hair & Beautiful Skin
- 15 Frequently Asked Questions About Using Rice Water for Hair Growth
Rice water is the milky liquid you get from rinsing any type of rice. It is a great way to strengthen dry and damaged hair and promote hair growth.
It is a very popular product for cleansing hair by Yao women in the Huangluo region of China.
The key component in rice water is a vitamin-like substance known as inositol, which repairs, strengthens, and promotes strand elasticity.
Rice water is also rich in amino acids for soft, shiny, and silkier hair.
Can Rice Water Be Used as a Shampoo?
Yes, you can use rice water as a shampoo. It contains saponins, which is a natural cleanser. It won’t foam up like a sulfate shampoo but it is still effective.
You can use it on its own or mix it with a little bit of African black soap if you want more suds.
You can also try out one of the rice water shampoos recommended below.
How to Make Rice Water Shampoo
You can make rice water shampoo by boiling rice until the starchy water rises to the top then straining into a spray bottle like this one.
Once the mix cools down, use as is or add other elements like essential oils and Ayurvedic elements like shikakai powder and reetha powder.
For more on using Ayurvedic herbs in your hair regimen, check out Tea Rinsing Secrets for Healthy Hair Growth.
Can Rice Water Really Grow Hair?
Rice water can grow hair when used correctly and you’ve eliminated other harmful practices from your hair care regimen.
Rice water is a potent partner on any hair growth journey and can help combat and eliminate hair loss.
Rice water is also one of my recommendations in The Ultimate Hair Growth Guide: Stop Hair Loss. Regrow Bald Spots. Fill in Thin Areas.
I share some of my favorite and best rice water recipes for hair in the book. Learn more HERE.
Rice Water Hair Products - 15 Best Shampoos
MyKirei By Kao Rice Water Shampoo
MyKirei by KAO Japanese Tsubaki & Rice Water Nourishing Shampoo is infused with Japanese Tsubaki extract and rice water for a nourishing and restoring treatment.
The product is packaged in a sustainable bottle which reduces waste...
SheaMoisture Purple Rice Water Strength & Color Care Shampoo
Shea Moisture Purple Rice Water Shampoo helps improve the appearance of color-treated hair and strengthens hair.
Purple rice is combined with wild orchid and sweet violet extract for a mineral-rich cleansing experience….
Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Shampoo
Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Shampoo is formulated with naturally derived cleansers that gently remove buildup without stripping curls.
The shampoo smoothens the hair, controls frizz, and allows for uniform curl definition…
Nexxus Keraphix Shampoo for Damaged Hair
Nexxus Keraphix Shampoo for Damaged Hair works deep into the hair to help repair from within with keratin-infused with black rice water.
This shampoo helps replenish and repair dry and damaged hair. The shampoo comes in 13.5 oz bottle…
Naturally Native Fermented Rice Water Shampoo
Naturally Natiive LLC Fermented Rice Water Shampoo also contains the goodness of aloe vera, vegetable glycerine, baobab, avocado, and black castor oil. The shampoo comes in an 8 oz bottle…
Royal Herbal Organics Fermented Rice Water Shampoo
Royal Herbal Organics Fermented Rice Water Shampoo is 97% organic and is formulated with fermented rice water, aloe vera, yucca root, and argan oil among others.
The manufacturer claims the product awakens the crown chakra. The shampoo comes in a 16 oz bottle…
Naturel Bliss Rice Water Shampoo Bar
Naturel Bliss Rice Water Shampoo Bar is a conditioning bar that cleanses as it detoxifies with bentonite clay, rice water, basil, lemongrass, moringa, aloe vera, sea moss, flaxseed, shea butter, and a variety of plant oils. You have the option to order a scented or unscented bar…
Jakeala Rice Water Hair Shampoo
Jakeala Rice Water Hair Shampoo also contains bamboo extract for an extra dose of strength and sunflower seed oil for a smoothening effect. The shampoo is vegan, paraben-free, and ships in an 8 oz bottle…
Sirod Naturals Fermented Rice Water Black Soap
Sirod Naturals Fermented Rice Water Black Soap Shampoo is formulated with Ayurvedic herbs, organic black soap, and black castor oil for cleansing, repairing, and moisturizing dry and damaged hair. The shampoo is available in 4 oz and 8 oz bottle…
Conscentual Love Fermented Rice Water Shampoo
Conscentual Love Fermented Rice Water Shampoo is also infused with essential oils that stimulate healthy hair growth. The shampoo is available in a 10 oz bottle…
J. Lexi Rice Water Conditioning + Detangling Shampoo
J. Lexi Rice Water Conditioning + Detangling Shampoo is formulated with aloe vera gel, fermented rice water, zinc, and hydrolyzed soy protein along with some other great conditioning ingredients. It’s protein-rich for strengthening hair. The shampoo is available in 7. 25 oz and 14 oz sizes…
Nature’s Ego Fermented Rice Water Shampoo
Nature’s Ego Fermented Rice Water Shampoo has some really great key ingredients apart from rice water - glycerin, oat, peppermint, panthenol, marshmallow root, and hibiscus.
If I were putting together a rice water shampoo, this is what I’d include in it. The product comes in an 8 oz bottle…
Curly Chic Rice Water Remedy Revitalizing Shampoo
Curly Chic Rice Water Remedy Revitalizing Shampoo is a creamy shampoo rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein. It revives curls and restores moisture and elasticity to dry hair. The shampoo comes in a 12 oz bottle…
Jiu yu me Pure Rice Shampoo
Reviews of Jiu yu me Pure Rice Shampoo repeatedly mention the softness this product infuses as well as the awesome smell. It’s a hard shampoo to come across so grab it while you can. The shampoo comes in a 26.4 oz bottle…
Well's Fermented Rice Moisturizing Shampoo
Well's Fermented Rice Moisturizing Shampoo is formulated to reduce split ends, strengthen hair, and promote healthy hair growth with peppermint oil and lavender oil. It also contains lemongrass oil and lemon oil for treating dandruff. The shampoo comes in an 8 oz bottle…
You can also use rice water as a hair rinse. The next article will cover the best rice water rinse recommendations.
Have you tried any of the rice shampoos above? Share your experience in the comments section.