We all love feeling great when we look in the mirror, and one of the most popular self-love subjects is the importance of a good skincare routine. However, after the many articles available on that subject, let’s put it to bed for now, and focus on another crucial element of looking and feeling our best…our hair!

What Is Rice Water?

As simple as it sounds, rice water is purely water that has been used to boil rice; this can involve waiting for all the starch to be soaked into the water, or waiting for the rice to be completely dissolved. The aim is to leave the water holding a ‘suspension of starch’.

Whilst rice water can have some other benefits, our post today is going to focus on those related to keeping our hair lively, radiant, and healthy.

Why Rice Water?

You’re probably asking yourself why on earth you should be soaking your hair in rice water at this point, right? Well, the reasons are about to make sense!

One thing that won’t come as a surprise is the exceedingly high starch content of rice, which clocks in at around 63%. When the rice is placed in water, however, a process happens which allows the bonds of the starch to break. This process allows the rice to release its starch into the water.

But why is this starchy liquid so prized? Well, it just so happens that within the starch of rice is a massive combination of elements that can all work together to improve the health of your hair. These include antioxidants, vitamin E, B vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Now, aside from these facts, the choice to use rice water can be made. Much of the evidence used to promote rice water is ‘anecdotal’, meaning it relies on the stories from others as opposed to hard proof.

As much as we would like to believe many of these trials that people have posted about, it can be hard to believe that there isn’t a vested interest in the matter; This is because, although you can make rice water at home, it has become a commercial product.

How Can You Make And Use Rice Water?

The process of making rice water is an easy one and is mostly a game of patience. It should be noted that you don’t always have to boil the rice to make rice water, and both leaving it to soak and boiling the rice are viable methods.

First, you want to take no more than half a cup of rice, rinsing it thoroughly to ensure it is clean.

Next, place that rice into an adequately sized bowl alongside 2-3 cups of water (dependant on the bowl)

Finally, you can leave it to soak before straining the water into a new clean bowl, ready to be used. Different sites will tell you different things when it comes to soaking the rice. Judging by today’s sources, you can leave your rice to soak for anywhere between 30 minutes to 24 hours! We would recommend leaving the rice to soak overnight, allowing you to add it into your morning shower routine, and allowing plenty of time for the starch to release.

So, there you have it. Our run through the benefits and science behind rice water. Maybe, the next time you feel in need of a bit of TLC, you’ll have TSW to thank!