Rice water and hair: what are the benefits?

One of the primary benefits of rice water for hair often cited relates to improving the softness and suppleness of the hair fibre. Rice cooking water consists predominantly of starch, together with small quantities of amino acids, minerals and antioxidant compounds. The starch can form a light film on the fibre surface, which may temporarily smooth the cuticle scales and reduce surface irregularities. This film-forming effect can create the impression of hair that is smoother, more coated and sometimes shinier, especially after the application of a hair mask with rice water.

However, it is important to emphasise that, to date, no clinical studies have evaluated the effects of using rice water on hair.

The available data are essentially empirical or derived from physico-chemical analyses of its components. It is therefore difficult to assert that rice water has a genuine softening effect on hair lengths. Moreover, it cannot be ruled out that a daily application of rice water to the hair without rinsing could result in a build-up of starch on the fibre, posing a risk of duller or stiffer hair depending on its porosity.

Tip : If you wish to make a hair mask with rice water, apply it to clean, towel-dried hair, leave it on for about 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with fresh water. It is advisable to start with weekly applications to assess your hair fibre’s tolerance and avoid potential starch build-up.

Another argument frequently advanced in favour of rice water is its potential effect on dandruff, often associated with an excessive proliferation of yeasts of the genus Malassezia on the scalp. Dandruff corresponds to a scalp desquamation disorder, often linked to mild inflammation and an imbalance of the skin microbiota. According to several studies, rice water appears able to limit fungal proliferation and, indirectly, reduce flaking.

An experimental study in vitro evaluated the antifungal activity of a shampoo formulated using rice water (4 g per 100 mL) against Malassezia strains isolated in the laboratory. Activity was assessed by the Muller-Hinton Agar diffusion method, comparing various volumes of the shampoo (20 to 80 µL) with a negative control (water) and a positive control (streptomycin). After incubation for 24 hours at 37 °C, a fungal growth inhibition zone was observed around the wells containing the rice-water shampoo, with diameters increasing according to the volume tested, suggesting a degree of antifungal activity under these experimental conditions.

If these initial results in vitro are encouraging, clinical trials involving patients with dandruff remain essential to confirm that rice water has anti-dandruff properties.

Rice water is also credited with the ability to slow hair loss. Some people even invoke rice water in cases of baldness or assert that it makes hair grow more rapidly. To date, no clinical study fails to demonstrate any direct effect of rice water on growth rate, hair density or the prevention of alopecia. The available scientific data therefore do not support these claims.

The only biologically plausible hypothesis rests on the presence of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in rice cooking water. Oxidative stress is indeed implicated in certain forms of hair loss: the accumulation of free radicals can damage the hair bulb cells, disrupt the hair cycle and promote a premature entry into the telogen phase, which corresponds to shedding. Similarly, chronic inflammation of the scalp can compromise the follicular environment and weaken growth. In theory, using rice water on the scalp could help maintain an environment favourable to growth. However, this effect would remain indirect, preventive and, to date, hypothetical, in the absence of clinical validation.

Rice water is sometimes presented as a natural solution to soothe sensitive scalps prone to itching or discomfort. This reputation is based on the idea that it possesses anti-inflammatory properties capable of alleviating irritation. However, to date, no independent clinical trial has clearly demonstrated a soothing effect of rice water when applied topically to the scalp. The available data originate mainly from experimental work carried out in vitro or following ingestion in animal models.

Some studies conducted on polyphenol-rich rice varieties show a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and TNF-α, suggesting an anti-inflammatory potential. Other research indicates that rice-derived proteins can modulate key signalling pathways involved in the inflammatory response, notably NF-κB and MAPK, leading to reduced pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β, IL-6 or TNF-α. These findings suggest that the local application of rice water to the scalp may help soothe potential tightness or itching in sensitive scalps, particularly after showering.

Nevertheless, in the absence of clinical trials, these soothing effects remain hypothetical.

• YANG L. & al. Rice protein exerts anti-inflammatory effect in growing and adult rats via suppressing NF-κB pathway. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2019).

• SANTHAKUMAR A. B. & al. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of pigmented rice consumption in an obese cohort. Food & Function (2019).

• RAMA RAO N. & al. Formulation and evaluation of fermented rice water herbal shampoo. Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics (2021).

• TAMBE S. E. & al. Formulation and evaluation of herbal shampoo from fermented rice water and its anti-fungal activity. International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Communication and Technology (2022).

• VASAN P. T. & al. Study on rice water composition and preparation of antidandruff shampoo against Malassezia species. Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science (2023).

• BHATIA L. & al. Use of rice water in cosmetology: A review. International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology (2025).