Asia's best kept secret

By Gazal Sharma

Rice water is an ancient remedy used by the Japanese as a skin and haircare panacea. Gazal Sharma examines the history behind this miracle cure and explains how you can incorporate it into your beauty routine.

In the ancient Chinese village of Huanglu in the Guangxi Zhuang region, also known as the ‘long hair village’, the women have hair that grows down to their feet, sometimes longer.

To this 2000-year old tribe, long hair is a sign of prosperity, longevity and good fortune. The average hair length among its female inhabitants is six feet, and their hair continues to grow thick and jet black well into old age. The secret to their long, lustrous locks? Rice water.

For centuries women in China, Japan and Southeast Asia have used the water left over after cooking rice as a staple in their beauty and hair care regimes.

According to research by the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, courtesans and geishas in the ancient Heian period had beautiful floor-length hair, which they would keep healthy by using the water collected after washing rice. This miracle ingredient was passed down through generations by word of mouth. And now, after decades of cross-cultural exchanges, it’s taken centre stage in modern beauty and hair care solutions.

Brands like Kiehl’s and The Face Shop are capitalising on this ingredient and have recently introduced entire skin and hair care lines centred around rice water. But before you buy into this beauty trend, let’s take a look at what rice water is and what its beauty and health benefits actually are.

What is rice water?

Rice water is simply the starchy water that remains after we cook or soak rice. Rice, once soaked in water, will start to ferment and release a number of minerals and vitamins. This water can then be drained and used on your skin and hair.

How can rice water help hair?

The protein and inositol (vitamin B8) present in rice water vitalises damaged and weak hair by repairing the hair shafts and keeping the locks healthy and glossy. The inositol stays in the hair even after rinsing and acts as a protective shield for the hair against stress, hair balding or thinning. Rice water also has anti-dandruff, anti-itch, anti-hair loss properties and helps to control the amount of oil on the scalp. Research also

shows that rice water can reduce friction and increase hair elasticity, which means minimum hair breakage. Finally, the amino acids in the water, boost hair volume, strengthen the roots and make hair appear more lustrous.

How can rice water help skin?

Rice water contains vitamins B, C and E, along with minerals like iron, which help to tighten the skin and shrink open pores. It also promotes skin cell growth, stimulates blood flow, and slows down the ageing process. According to one study, it can also help repair skin damage from sun exposure, as well as act as a low-key sunscreen. All these qualities, in addition to rice water being readily and easily available, makes it an ideal home remedy and a potent liquid for a healthier and more beautiful you. Plus, it’s natural, safe and has absolutely no side effects.

How can I make rice water?

With boiled rice, you can use the excess water that remains after cooking. Boiled rice doesn’t yield much leftover water, so just remember to add more water than you usually would when you start cooking. By the end, the liquid should look white and cloudy. It can be strained and kept in the fridge in a sealed container for up to a week. Whenever you use it on the face or hair, make sure to dilute it with a little more water for better results.

Alternatively, soaking rice overnight or even for a few hours leads to fermentation (but be warned it can cause a pungent and tangy smell). The water from this can, as with boiled rice, be separated and put in an air-tight container in the fridge for a week. Some say fermented rice water is better than boiled rice water because it has more vitamins and nutrients in it. The pH level of the fermented water and our hair is very similar, making it ideal for hair nourishment.

If you’re keen to make your own concoction of rice water shampoo you can take your rice water (boiled or fermented), add orange peel or lavender essential oil which will work to counter the unpleasant odour, and anything else you might like - Indian Gooseberry powder, tea seeds, slices of ginger, castile soap. Decant this mixture into a bottle and let it sit for a few days before using. Use as you would a normal shampoo, gently massaging it into your scalp before rinsing off thoroughly. You can use this twice a week and expect to see results pretty quickly.

The beauty of home remedies like this is how easy they are on the pocket as well as gentle on the skin and hair. Go ahead and give it a go and give your hair and skin the shine and glow they deserve.