What Makes Rice Bran Oil Essential for your Hair Care

If you’re searching for a natural yet powerful hair care ingredient, rice bran oil might be just what you need. While it may seem like a simple kitchen item, it's actually a beauty secret long celebrated in Asian skincare routines—and it's time you see why.

Introducing rice bran oil—a little-known gem in the beauty world that’s been a part of Asian hair care routines for centuries. Grown in countries like India, China, and Japan, rice isn’t just a food staple. After milling rice, the bran that’s left behind is packed with nutrients that are amazing for your hair. (1)

Benefits of rice bran oil for Hair

With antioxidants like oryzanol, tocopherols, and tocotrienols, these help your body fight oxidative stress and keep your hair looking its best. Rice bran oil contains around 860 ppm of tocopherols—and it’s loaded with vitamins B and E, fatty acids, and minerals like calcium and magnesium. Basically, it's hair food in liquid form. (2)

It also has vitamin E that helps reduce inflammation and can reverse damage caused by heat styling and harsh chemicals. And for those of us who love our flat irons or blow dryers, this is for you. The amino acids in rice bran oil encourages healthy hair growth.

5 Reasons Rice Bran Oil is a great addition to your hair care:

1. Helps Your Hair Grow
Research shows that the linoleic acid and oryzanol in this oil help trigger the anagen phase of hair growth (the stage when your hair is actively growing). One study even that rice bran oil can promote hair growth similarly to minoxidil (3). So, you can get longer locks naturally, just by massaging a little oil into your scalp.

2. Strengthens Your Hair
Rice bran oil can help with weak, breakage-prone hair. Rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, it promotes healthy growth while strengthening each strand. Rather than battling split ends and breakage, you'll notice your hair becoming stronger and more resilient with regular use.

3. Fights Off Premature Graying
If you’ve noticed a few popping up gray hair, rice bran oil could be your remedy. Oxidative stress from UV rays and other environmental factors can lead to early graying. Rice bran oil helps fight this by enhancing melanin production—the pigment that gives your hair its color. One research (4) found that rice bran extract can help boost melanin synthesis, which means less gray, more shine!

4. A Natural Conditioner
Rice bran oil is a natural conditioner that softens and hydrates your hair without any of the junk. It’s loaded with emollients that help lock in moisture, making your hair feel silky smooth. If you’ve ever struggled with frizz or dryness, this could be your new favorite hair treatment.

5. Protects Your Hair from the Sun
Rice bran oil contains compounds that shield your hair from harmful UV rays (5). One of its star ingredients, oryzanol, acts like sunscreen for your hair, preventing sun damage and dryness. So, next time you’re headed out in the sun, a little rice bran oil can give your locks the extra protection they need.

Ready to Try Rice Bran Oil?
Rice bran oil is easy to find, and adding it to your hair routine is a breeze. Whether you use it as a hot oil treatment, add a few drops to your conditioner, or apply it directly to your scalp, rice bran oil is a natural way to nourish your hair and keep it looking fabulous. 

So, next time you're browsing for beauty products, consider giving this under-the-radar ingredient a try. Your hair (and maybe even your skin) will thank you!

Our recommended shampoo bar with Rice Bran