No woman wants to feel insecure about thin, frizzy, or dull-looking hair. How can they fix it without dropping their entire paycheck on hair treatments? Fortunately, the DIY hair care game is strong because more and more women understand the dangers of chemical hair products. Instead of pouring gasoline (chemical hair products) on the fire (frizzy damaged hair), women turn to natural ingredients to improve thickness and vitality. 

How Do You Know What’s Right For Your Hair?

It can be tricky to find the right natural ingredients that benefit your hair and promote healthier, faster growth. Coconut oil improves shine, rice water improves growth, and lavender essential oil nourishes the scalp…the list goes on and on. This is because so many ingredients encourage a healthier scalp and hair. It’s best to focus on simple ingredients, though, especially ones that you can easily find in your backyard. 

Aloe Vera For Healthier Hair

Aloe vera benefits the hair, skin, gut, and more! The high concentration of mannans, vitamins, minerals, lectins, and polysaccharides help to encourage healthier hair. Not only does it deep clean your oily hair, stripping away excess sebum and residue, but it also strengthens and repairs hair strands. Aloe vera contains vitamins A, C, and E, all of which encourage cell turnover. This process promotes new hair growth and adds extra shine to your existing hair. Additionally, aloe vera increases blood circulation to the scalp, and researchers found that better blood flow increases hair growth. Improved circulation also decreases the risk of hair breakage and loss. 

Rosemary Essential Oil For Healthier Hair

Rosemary essential oil has the signature fragrance of the rosemary plant, and it contains rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, camphor, and ursolic acid. These powerful antioxidant compounds help to increase blood flow to the scalp, which as we previously mentioned encourages hair growth. Researchers found that stress is a large contributor to hair loss, and rosemary essential oil actually counteracts cortisol (the stress hormone). That means that it encourages hair growth and helps fight hair loss at the same time. Rosemary essential oil also contains antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, which fight any dandruff-causing fungi on the scalp. This can reduce itchiness, redness, and inflammation on the scalp. Lastly, a 2015 study compared rosemary essential oil to 2% minoxidil, a conventional hair growth treatment. There were 100 patients with androgenic alopecia in the study. 50 patients used rosemary oil and 50 patients used 2% minoxidil. After six months, the group that used rosemary oil saw as much new hair growth as the other group, but minoxidil comes with a long list of side effects.

DIY Hair Mask

Ingredients:

• 1 stick aloe vera
• 6-12 drops rosemary essential oil

Instructions:

• Peel the aloe stick and add the gel to a blender. Add a little water to aid the blending process and blend until you achieve a juice-like consistency.
• Pour the aloe juice into a glass measuring cup with a pour spout and stir in the rosemary essential oil. 
• Rub this mixture into the scalp and roots of your hair. Leave it in for at least 20 minutes and then rinse out with warm water. You can use a natural shampoo as well. 

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The quest for beautifully thick and commercial quality hair is never-ending. Even the people with near perfect hair are constantly on the hunt for the newest, strangest, or cutting edge hair care routine. While rinsing with rice water, combing with olive oil, or using a DIY leave-in conditioner can all encourage healthier hair, including specific vitamins and minerals in your diet is the best way to promote hair growth.

Our Hair Needs Vitamins

If you want your immune system, heart, or colon to be healthier, you have to include certain foods in your diet. The same can be said if you want your hair to go from damaged to nourished. Most hair problems often result from nutritional deficiencies. An unhealthy diet has a major influence on the overall appearance and health of your hair, skin, and internal systems and organs. There are vitamins and minerals that work to strengthen hair follicles, use protein efficiently, and increase circulation to the scalp. Be sure to include the following vitamins and minerals in your diet for optimal hair health and growth.

Iron

The body needs iron for optimal growth and development, and to carry oxygen from the lungs to all other areas of the body, including your hair follicles. Iron also helps the body use protein for hair growth more efficiently. Several studies have shown that female pattern baldness (hair loss in the center of the scalp) is partially attributed to low iron levels. Great food sources of iron include green leafy vegetables, lentils, cashews, quinoa, chia seeds, hemp seeds, dried gifs, pumpkin seeds, and chickpeas.

Vitamin D

The sunshine vitamin has more influence on overall health than people realize. People with low vitamin D levels can experience anything from reduced immune function to alopecia. According to research, vitamin D helps to create new hair follicles, the tiny pores from which new hair grows. Most people in the Western world are deficient in vitamin D, which is sad when you consider that 50-90% of our vitamin D intake comes from being in the sun. All you have to do is go outside, people! If you are sensitive to the sun and take vitamin D supplements, please be careful to not ingest too much because excess vitamin D can increase the risk of kidney stone formation.

Zinc

Zinc is actually a popular ingredient in over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoos. Being an essential trace mineral, zinc is involved in many physiological processes in the body. When it comes to your hair, zinc helps to repair damaged hair and maintain sebaceous gland function on the scalp. Some research revealed that low zinc levels contributed to hair loss, but more research is necessary on this matter. Because zinc is plentiful in a variety of foods, it is easy to add more of this mineral to your daily diet. Start eating pumpkin seeds, lentils, spinach, chickpeas, quinoas, walnuts, hemp seeds, wild rice, shiitake mushrooms, and black beans to increase zinc levels.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can help fight free radical damage, which can interfere with optimal hair growth. Limited research is available for vitamin E’s ability to slow hair loss, but other research shows that vitamin E adds a protective layer and increased shine to hair. Vitamin E oil is also beneficial for nourishing the scalp, especially if it is dry. One study found that people, who supplemented with vitamin E for eight months, experienced a 34.5% increase in hair growth. You can find vitamin E in avocados, spinach, almonds, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pistachios, red bell peppers, Brazil nuts, mangos, and kiwis.

Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

Biotin is what you call an essential vitamin, meaning the body needs it to function properly. Dietary biotin helps the body turn the food you eat into energy, but it also breaks down protein into amino acids that your hair needs for optimal growth. Scientists say that biotin actually improves the body’s keratin infrastructure, and keratin is the protein that comprises your hair, skin, and nails. If you have sun-damaged hair or brittle hair from heat styling, biotin works to enhance the volume and strength of your hair. You can find biotin in peanuts, avocados, raspberries, walnuts, sweet potatoes, spinach, cauliflower, almonds, mushrooms, and broccoli.

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The world of DIY beauty recipes and hacks is flooded with essential oils, cocoa or shea butters, rosehips, aloe vera, and other ingredients that promote skin and hair health. One simple remedy, which has become famous on beauty blogs and YouTube videos, is rice water, the liquid that is loaded with amino acids and vitamins that encourage healthy, glowing skin.

What Is Rice Water?

Rice water is the water that you obtain by soaking rice in water. Many women in Japan have been using rice water for over 1,000 years, primarily to lighten skin and reduce dark patches. The Yao women in Huangluo, China, which has become known as “the world’s longest hair village, accredit their ankle-length hair to rinsing with rice water. Many commercial beauty products, including creams, toners, and soaps, actually contain rice water. The health benefits are attributed to the rice itself, because rice grains contain antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins B, E, & K.

How To Make Rice Water

It turns out that rinsing the rice is a key step that must not be forgotten. It doesn’t just yield less starchy rice; rather, it helps the nutrients from the rice infuse into the water. Pour a half-cup of uncooked rice into a bowl with 2 cups of water. Once you’ve given your rice a stir, let it sit for about 15-20 minutes. Strain the rice from the water and store the rice water in a sealable glass jar. It will stay fresh for up to one week in the fridge.

Benefits Of Rice Water

For Dry Skin

Sodium laurel sulfate (SLS) is an ingredient found in a lot of personal hygiene products, and it has been known to cause skin irritation. While no scientific studies have been conducted, anecdotal evidence suggests that using rice water twice a day can reduce the damage done by SLS.

For The Face

If you leave the rice water soaking for about two days, it begins to ferment into a mild form of rice wine, which as been known to increase collagen in the skin. A 2013 study found that rice wine may have natural sunscreen properties, and that it may improve skin damage from too much sun exposure. Other research found that fermenting rice water richens the antioxidant content, which may result in an anti-aging effect when applied to the skin.

For Eczema

Eczema affects about 35 million Americans, and it can be a chronic problem for lots of people. About 1-3% of American adults have it, 10-20% of children have it, and about 70% of eczema cases begin in children under the age of five. Applying rice water to the skin can help to reduce itchiness and clear up eczema blemishes. More research needs to be conducted, but anecdotal evidence has proven this to be true so far.

How To Use Rice Water On The Skin

As A Cleanser

Splash your face with rice water and massage the liquid into the skin. Gently rinse the rice water away with cold water to help seal your pores. That’s it!

Toner

After cleansing with warm and cold water, soak a cotton ball or pad in a little rice water and dab your face and neck. Allow the rice water to dry on the face and then continue you to moisturize. You can click here for a great all-natural moisturizer.

Face Mask

Get a paper towel and cut out holes for your eyes, nose, and mouth. Soak this paper towel in rice water for 10 minutes. When you remove it from the rice water, be careful not to tear it. Place the soaked paper towel on your face and leave it there for 10-15 minutes. Remove and rinse with cold water.

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With so many “miracle serums” and “amazing hair growth products” out there, you may find yourself asking, “Do any of these actually work?” Given that most people want to have silkier, thicker hair, people purchase these products and expose their bodies to a variety of chemicals. It’s time to look past enticing marketing materials and focus your attention to an ingredient in your kitchen.

According to historical accounts, women during the Heian period (794-1185 CE) in Japan had hair that went down to the floor. Their secret was that they continuously bathed and combed their hair with rice water. A modern day equivalent would be the Yao women in China, who are famous for their hair that reaches up to six feet in length. They even have rich, black hair well into their 70s!

What Is Rice Water?

Rich in vitamins and minerals that nourish the hair and skin, rice water is the starchy water that is left over after soaking rice. Rice water contains amino acids, vitamin E, B-vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, all of which help with hair growth. Not only is it beneficial for your hair, but it is also the simplest DIY beauty product you’ll ever make. All you need is rice and filtered water.

Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence that supports the claim that rice water strengthens hair. Most of the accounts are anecdotal, but current success stories can also be seen online in modern DIY beauty bloggers. People may find success using rice water, but the health of your hair also has to do with diet and the beauty products you use. If you are interested in trying out this technique, follow the instructions below.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup uncooked jasmine rice
• 1 cup filtered water

Instructions:

• Rinse and strain the rice with tap water to help remove any impurities, which you don’t want on your hair.
• Mix the strained rice and filtered water in a medium bowl until the water becomes cloudy.
• Strain the rice, reserving the water in an airtight plastic container. You can cook the rice now!
• Let the rice water in the container sit at room temperature for 12-24 hours (not more than 24, though) to allow a little fermentation to happen. This is how the vitamins and minerals come out. You can then refrigerate it for up to a week after these initial hours at room temperature.
• Before refrigerating the rice water, you can transfer it to little jars because pouring the rice water from a bowl onto your head can be tricky.

How To Use:

• After completing your regular shampoo and conditioner routine, bust out the rice water. When you pour it on your hair, try to focus it on your scalp at first and work your way out.
• Let it sit in your hair (you can comb it through if you like) for about two or three minutes before rinsing.

Rice water is also beneficial for the skin and you can use it as a cleanser. Make rice water as instructed and then dip a cotton ball into the liquid. Gently massage this on your face, or areas with acne, eczema, or irritated skin for a couple minutes. The most important thing when using rice water on your skin is to let it air dry to let your skin absorb the nutrients. Use this every day to help improve skin elasticity and achieve more radiant skin.

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