You probably pour it down the drain without a second thought. But the cloudy water left after rinsing rice may be worth saving. Rice water uses stretch from soups and vegetables to hair care and houseplants.
Here are nine ways to use it and what is and isn’t proven. Where the evidence is thin, we’ll say so. How to make it and keep it fresh is covered below the list.
1Hair rinse
This is probably the most talked-about use, and one of the least proven. The University of Minnesota Medical School quotes a dermatologist who says there isn’t enough evidence for the hair-growth claims and warns that the starch can pull moisture from hair, especially coiled hair that breaks easily. Cleveland Clinic dermatologists call the benefits mostly anecdotal and the risk low, but say to skip it if your scalp is inflamed. A 2024 analysis of TikTok videos tagged #ricewater found hair growth was the top claim, while protein overload and dry hair were among the problems people mentioned in comments.
If you want to try it, pour it over clean, damp hair and leave it about 20 minutes before rinsing, per Cleveland Clinic. If your hair turns dry or stiff, stop. Prefer herbs? Our rosemary water guide covers a similar rinse.
2Face toner
Rice water is widely promoted online as a way to hydrate, brighten and improve skin, but those claims aren’t well established. The TikTok analysis above found that glowing skin, anti-aging and fading dark spots were the most common claims, and that acne was the most common problem mentioned, followed by redness and dryness. Only about 2 percent of the videos came from board-certified dermatologists.
If you have a rice allergy, skip it. If you want to try it, patch-test a small area first and stop if you develop redness, burning or irritation. Use a fresh batch and dab it on with a cotton pad after cleansing. Treat it as a mild, low-cost toner, not a treatment.
3Bath soak
A small study put rice starch in bathwater and found better skin barrier function on irritated skin and on mild eczema patches. Healthy skin showed no change. There were only about a dozen volunteers per group, and it used starch powder, not rice water, so it’s unclear whether a rice water soak does the same. It’s a gentle, inexpensive experiment for dry skin. If you have eczema, check with your dermatologist first.
4Houseplants
Gardeners use rice water as a mild boost for potted plants. A 2021 lab analysis found that washed rice water contains plant nutrients and some beneficial bacteria, but its authors said crop growth studies were still needed to confirm any real benefit. A common rule of thumb is to dilute it with several parts fresh water rather than pouring it on straight. That is a habit, not a tested dose. Use plain, unsalted water only, since salt can harm plants. Too much organic material can contribute to mold or attract pests, so if you see either, or notice a sour smell, stop. Treat it as an occasional extra, not a replacement for plant food.
