11 Traditional Beauty Rituals Gen Z Is Bringing Back

3. Rice-water hair rinses

Rice-water rinses have roots in East Asia, where women traditionally used the starchy water left after rinsing rice to shine and strengthen hair. Gen Z rediscovered this through viral videos showing glossy results and longer feel. There are anecdotal reports and some lab work suggesting rice water can improve hair elasticity, but rigorous clinical evidence is limited. To make a rinse at home: soak one cup of rinsed rice in two cups of water for 20–30 minutes, strain, and use the cloudy water as a final hair rinse after shampooing. Some people prefer a short fermentation (leave the strained water at room temperature for 24–48 hours) for a tangier rinse; dilute properly to avoid scalp irritation. Use once a week to start and watch for dryness. If your hair is low-protein or already brittle, skip frequent rice-water use — the starch can build up and stiffen strands. For US readers, consider using filtered water and keep hygiene in mind so the rinse doesn’t sour prematurely.