Rice is one of the oldest agricultural crops in the world and one of mankind’s most valued sources of nutrients. It’s become a staple in the diets of many cultures.
The advantages of rice go way beyond your kitchen, though. Rice is also a valuable ingredient in your hair and skincare products.
Rich in vitamin E, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids (together, these are the building blocks of protein), this little grain packs a big punch for the overall health of your hair and skin.
Unlike the now trendy “rice water rinse” popping up on social media, hydrolyzed rice protein actually works to improve the health of your hair. While rice does have protein in it, and rice water also contains protein, the proteins in each of these are simply too large to penetrate your hair. Research has proven that proteins on their own are just too big to be useful or to lend any long-term benefits. This is where hydrolyzing comes in…
A Short Science Class…
Without getting too technical, Amino acids are organic compounds that connect to one another to form peptides.
Peptides make up the building blocks of certain proteins needed by the skin, like collagen and elastin.
Proteins are just long molecules of multiple peptides. You can think of proteins as big chemical chains. And they are just that — big.
A hydrolyzed protein is a protein that has been broken down into smaller chains. Hydrolyzed proteins are small enough to penetrate the hair shaft and bond with your hair. This effectively treats and repairs hair “from the inside” rather than aitting on top of your hair temporarily, like a rice water rinse.
Why Is Hydrolyzed Protein Good?
Naturally gluten-free, hydrolyzed rice proteins strengthen and repair hair fibers. This protein bonds to your hair and increases your hair’s resistance to breaking under tension.
This makes your hair more manageable and keeps the tangles at bay.
Because it’s bonding with hair fibers, it reduces hair porosity (porous hair is dull, weak hair).
This not only makes your hair stronger but it “fills in the gaps” that porous hair has, making the hair smoother and softer. Bye-bye frizzies! And because your hair fibers have fewer gaps, your hair can hold moisture better. So, no more dry, dull hair.
Smoother, more flexible, stronger hair will naturally shine more because it reflects the light. Light literally bounces off of healthy smooth hair!
Hydrolyzed rice protein contains both cationic (positive) and anionic (negative) charges. These opposing charges help add volume to hair by repelling one another like magnets. Hydrolyzed rice protein has been shown to significantly increase your hair volume — by up to 32%.
Smoother, shinier, softer, more voluminous hair? …Count us IN!
Hydrolyzed rice protein also helps increase your skin’s moisture, keeping your skin hydrated. Its effective anti-irritant benefits leave skin smooth and soft. Translation: hydrolyzed rice protein in your hair care products also soothe and keep dry, itchy scalp under control.
To summarize, hydrolyzed rice protein:
- Reduces skin irritation and inflammation
- Softens and hydrates skin
- Nourishes hair from root to tip
- Improves hair volume
- Helps strengthen hair to prevent damage
- Retains moisture in the hair
- Eliminates frizz and tangles
- Promotes shine and manageability
In plain English, it makes your hair healthier, shinier, and easier to style. It helps reduce breakage, eliminates frizz and tangles, and makes your hair appear fuller.
…Are you in?
Where You Can Find It
We use hydrolyzed rice protein in our CoWash Cleansing Conditioner, Invigorate Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner, and our Bond Integrity Protein Hair Treatment
Like What You Just Read?
In case you were wondering, the following products were mentioned in this blog post!
CoWash Cleansing Conditioner
Invigorate Biotin Shampoo & Conditioner
