Scroll through social media for a few minutes, and you are bound to see it: people rinsing their hair with rice water for shine or spraying rosemary water to boost scalp health. These natural hair care products are everywhere, but with all the buzz, it’s hard to reveal what actually works and what is just a trend. Both rice water and rosemary water have deep roots in traditional practices and promising scientific interest for their incredible potential to support hair growth, strength, and volume.
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Explore this article to discover more about how they work, their benefits, possible side effects, and how to use them safely in your regular hair care regimen.
Rice Water
Rice water is the starchy liquid obtained after soaking or boiling rice. Rice water has been famed by the traditional Yao women of China, and it’s known for their long, dark black coloured and lengthy hair.
Nutrients in Rice Water
Amino acids
B vitamins
Vitamin E
Minerals
Inositol is a carbohydrate that strengthens hair and reduces breakage.
Benefits of Rice Water for Hair
The presence of inositol helps repair damaged shafts, increases elasticity, reduces breakage, and strengthens hair strands.
Rice water forms a protective coating that smoothens the hair cuticle and makes your mane more shiner.
Rice water works well to tame rough, frizzy hair and helps you manage locks effortlessly.
Moreover, studies have proven that rice water may reduce hair breakage, resulting in a longer and healthier mane over time.
How to Use Rice Water?
Hair Rinse
Wash hair well using a mild shampoo and then rinse it with rice water liberally, let it stay for 10-20 minutes and wash off the hair with water.
Leave-In
Dilute with water in the ratio 1:3 to avoid stiffness and make it look frizz-free.
Fermented Rice Water
Fermentation enhances the nutrient availability of rice water, which makes your hair stronger and more voluminous.
Side Effects of Rice Water
It may lead to dryness or stiffness if left for too long a period.
Scalp buildup can occur if not properly washed.
Possible irritation if fermented too long, and can lead to scalp infection.
Not Suited For
People with low-porosity or protein-sensitive hair.
Rosemary Water
Rosemary water is made by steeping rosemary leaves in hot water; this process releases beneficial volatile oils and bioactive plant compounds.
Some of the Active Compounds present include:
Rosmarinic acid
Carnosic acid
Antioxidants
Anti-inflammatory
Benefits of Rosemary Water for Hair
Studies reveal that rosemary works similarly to minoxidil (it is a medicated shampoo used to treat hair baldness) in improving hair density and stimulating follicles, thereby helping the mane grow stronger and voluminous.
Rosemary water promotes blood flow and nourishes hair roots from deep within, and increases growth activity.
Potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects of rosemary water reduce inflammation of the scalp, prevent dandruff, and make the scalp healthy.
Regular application strengthens hair follicles, reduces hair shedding, and supports thicker regrowth.
Powerful antioxidant qualities of rosemary water prevent oxidative stress and slow down greying progression.
How to Use Rosemary Water?
Scalp Spray
Spray rosemary water directly onto the scalp daily and massage gently.
Hair Rinse
Use rosemary water after shampooing for the final rinse and strength.
Combination With Oils
Blend rosemary water with rosemary oil or any other carrier oils for deeper nourishment and strengthening the root from within.
Side Effects
Mild scalp irritation in sensitive individuals.
Possible dryness if overused.
Rare allergic reactions.
Avoid if:
You have a rosemary allergy or certain skin sensitivities.
Rice Water vs. Rosemary Water: Which Is Best for Hair Growth?
For Hair Growth
Rosemary water is the winner.
Rosemary water is backed by strong research showing significant improvement in hair density, thickness, and scalp stimulation.
Hair Strengthening
Rice water is powerful.
The potent blend of key hair-friendly nutrients, amino acids, and inositol strengthens strands and reduces breakage.
Scalp Health
Rosemary water is more beneficial due to its anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties.
Shine and Smoothness
Rice water provides a smooth and glossy look.
Long-Term Benefits
Rosemary water offers consistent results and shows significant improvements in preventing hair loss or thinning of hair.
Which is Best?
If your goal is hair growth, choose rosemary water. On the other hand, if you want stronger, smoother, shinier hair, choose rice water.
You can also combine them by using rice water weekly and rosemary water daily for balanced results.
Can You Use Rice Water and Rosemary Water Together?
Yes. They complement each other well.
How to use?
Use rosemary water as a daily scalp spray.
Use rice water once or twice a week to strengthen your hair.
Avoid mixing them in a single bottle because rice water ferments and spoils quickly.
References:
Evaluation of Herbal Hair Lotion loaded with Rosemary for Possible Hair Growth in C57BL/6 Mice
Asia Begum 1, Sandhya S 2,✉, Anoop Kumar N 3,4, Syed S Ali 1
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10186041/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352561846
Formulation Of Face Pack And Hair Products Of Rice Water For The Use Of Skin And Hair Problem
June 2021World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 9(4):683-694
Prachi Barsagade
Shri Chatrapati Shivaji College of Pharma
Pranali Patil
bhartiya vidyapeeth deemed to be university
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