Rice water and hair: what are the benefits?

One of the main benefits often claimed for rice water in hair care is the improvement of fiber softness and flexibility. Rice cooking water mainly contains starch, along with small amounts of amino acids, minerals and antioxidant compounds. The starch can form a light film on the fiber surface, which could temporarily smooth the cuticle scales and reduce surface irregularities. This film-forming effect can give the impression of hair that is smoother, more protected, and sometimes more lustrous—particularly after applying a hair mask with rice water.

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

The available data are essentially empirical or derived from physico-chemical analyses of its components. Therefore, it is difficult to assert that rice water genuinely softens hair lengths. Furthermore, a daily application of rice water on hair without rinsing could potentially lead to a build-up of starch on the fiber, increasing the risk of duller or stiffer hair depending on its porosity.

Tip : If you want to prepare 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 plain water. It’s best to begin with weekly applications to assess your hair fiber’s tolerance and avoid potential starch buildup.

Another argument frequently cited in favor of rice water: its potential effect on the dandruff, often associated with an excessive proliferation of yeasts of the genus Malassezia on the scalp. Dandruff corresponds to a disorder of scalp desquamation, often linked to mild inflammation and an imbalance of the skin microbiota. According to several studies, rice water may help to limit fungal proliferation and, indirectly, reduce flakes.

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

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

Rice water is also credited with the ability to slow down hair loss. Some people even go so far as to suggest rice water for baldness or assert that rice water makes hair grow more rapidly. To date, no clinical study demonstrates a direct effect of rice water on hair growth rate, hair density, or the prevention of alopecia. The available scientific data therefore do not confirm these claims.

The only biologically plausible hypothesis is based 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 hair bulb cells, disrupt the hair cycle, and promote premature entry into the telogen phase, which corresponds to the shedding phase. Similarly, chronic scalp inflammation can compromise the hair follicle environment and weaken growth. In theory, applying rice water to the scalp could help maintain a favorable environment for hair growth. However, this effect would remain indirect, preventive, and to date hypothetical, in the absence of clinical validation.

Rice water is sometimes touted as a natural solution for soothing sensitive scalps, prone to itching or discomfort. This reputation rests on the notion that it has anti-inflammatory properties capable of calming irritations. However, to date, no independent clinical study has clearly demonstrated a soothing effect of rice water when applied topically to the scalp. The available evidence comes mainly from experimental work conducted in vitro or following ingestion in animal models.

Certain studies conducted on rice varieties rich in polyphenols show a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and TNF-α, suggesting anti-inflammatory potential. Other research indicates that rice-derived proteins can modulate key signaling pathways involved in the inflammatory response, notably NF-κB and MAPK, leading to a reduction in pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β, IL-6, or TNF-α. These results suggest that a local application of rice water to the scalp could 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).