Formulation and Evaluation of Fermented Rice Water-Based Herbal Hair Serum for Hair Growth and Scalp Health

Extensive studies and research suggest it could be a useful ingredient in targeted formulations for personal care items, oral products, and the pharmaceutical industry.

It's rich in beneficial and essential vitamins B, C, and E, as well as amino acids, minerals like magnesium, and antioxidants. Its antioxidants also promote strengthening properties, making it an excellent idea for transforming hair quality. Rice water deeply moisturizes the scalp and reduces dryness, prevents hair fall, increases flexibility, and imparts a natural shine. Penetrating deep into the hair, it repairs damage caused by environmental stress, temperature extremes, and chemical treatments, promoting healthy growth.

Today, rice water is being used in cosmetic products like shampoos, conditioners, masks, face washes, and scrubbers, which could contribute to the growing demand for clean, natural products.

  It contains many natural nutrients that balance hair's pH. As customer satisfaction prioritizes, rice water is emerging as a useful ingredient—combining age-old wisdom with innovative new formulations in the hair care market. Since time immemorial, communities around the world, primarily in indigenous areas, have promoted rice water as a novel ingredient—a nutrient-rich product made from soaked or boiled rice—for its health and beauty benefits. From ancient Chinese to Japanese, it's the secret to long, thick, and attractive hair and glowing skin. Today, pharmacists and researchers are thoroughly investigating its medicinal properties, firmly establishing its place as a supplement.

Human Hair

Human hair is a vital part of the human body. The main protein component of human hair is keratin, a spongy, sulfur-rich protein that makes up 65–95% of hair's weight and gives it strength, flexibility, and durability.

In addition to keratin, human hair also contains lipids, pigments, trace minerals, and water (approximately 32%). All of these elements work together to provide hair with overall function and longevity. Keratin provides hair with strength by forming a complex, layered structure. The structure and order of these proteins also greatly influence the physical characteristics of hair, including its texture and appearance. Smaller follicles form thin, "vellus" hair, similar to body hair, while larger follicles form thicker, "terminal" hair, similar to scalp hair. A person's hair type, which varies depending on their race, is also influenced by the curvature of their hair follicles.

Rice water

Rice water is a nutrient-rich ingredient obtained by soaking, rinsing, or boiling rice in water. This simple natural supplement has been used as a beauty supplement since ancient times, practiced throughout the world, where women from a specific tribe in China credit their long, beautiful, and strong hair to daily rice water. Rich in essential antioxidant amino acids, vitamins (such as B1, B2, C, and E), minerals, antioxidants, and a unique carbohydrate called inositol, rice water acts as a natural conditioner that nourishes hair from root to tip without any harsh chemicals.

For hair strength in particular, rice water is excellent due to its vital properties and high protein content, which are rich in amino acids called keratin—the primary protein that makes up the majority of hair.  When rice water is applied to hair, these proteins penetrate hair follicles and repair damage, dryness, and hair loss caused by temperature changes, excessive color use, or environmental contaminants like pollution and UV rays. This strengthening reduces hair breakage and frizz, making hair stronger and less prone to breakage when brushing or blow-drying. Keratin, a useful mineral, is absorbed into hair follicles and stimulates hair growth. Regular use can reduce hair breakage over time and significantly increase hair strength, allowing hair to grow longer without excessive thinning or loss.

In addition to these benefits, rice water provides numerous benefits to hair, as recent research has shown. Its antioxidants protect against oxidative stress, which weakens follicles and causes premature graying, thinning, and hair loss.  Inositol forms a protective layer on hair, sealing follicles to retain moisture, reducing dryness and roughness, and imparting a natural shine that beautifully reflects light and looks attractive. This smoothing effect is especially beneficial for curly or dry hair types, making hair care more manageable. On the scalp, its mild astringent and anti-inflammatory properties balance oil production, reducing dryness and eliminating dandruff by inhibiting fungal growth, creating a favorable environment for follicle health.

The pH of rice water (approximately 5-6) closely matches the natural pH of hair, minimizing scalp exposure and gently cleansing without stripping natural oils. Fermenting rice water overnight further enhances the benefits by increasing nutrient bioavailability and antioxidant levels through natural lactic acid production.

Neem

Neem, or Azadirachta indica, is an evergreen tree native to India, prized in Ayurveda as a "village pharmacy" for its leaves, seeds, bark, and oil rich in nimbin, azadirachtin, fatty acids, vitamin E, and antioxidants. Used for millennia, it combats infections with strong antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory actions.

For hair, neem excels by targeting scalp issues and fortifying strands. A PMC study shows neem leaf paste significantly cuts dandruff via antifungal effects against Malassezia yeast, easing flakes, itch, and irritation. Another 2024 PubMed review on neem-rosemary blends confirms anti-dandruff and anti-hair loss benefits by soothing inflammation and balancing sebum. "The Power of Neem Oil" notes it boosts circulation during massages, nourishes follicles, strengthens roots, reduces breakage, and hydrates dry hair for shine. Healthline adds that fatty acids seal cuticles, minimizing frizz while promoting growth. "Neem Oil for Hair" highlights vitamin E's role in scalp regeneration and strand resilience. Applied diluted 1-2 times weekly, neem fosters thicker, healthier locks per these sources.

Fig: Neem

Lemon grass

Lemongrass is an evergreen plant, Cymbopogon citratus, belonging to the palm family and native to South Asia. It has long, straight leaves with a distinctive lemon scent. This scent comes from citral, a cyclic monoterpene found in essential oils.

Lemongrass is now used in many large laboratories and industries as a medicinal ingredient. It possesses a variety of properties, including antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and detoxifying properties. Its strong scent also makes it a fragrance agent.

Lemongrass has several properties that promote its use in hair care products. Lemongrass possesses antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce dandruff.  Strengthens follicles to reduce hair loss, and repels lice with its antibacterial compounds. Antioxidants like flavonoids protect scalp health, balance oil production, and promote growth by reducing stress.

Fig; lemon grass

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Method for prepare Serum – (Methodology)

• Prepare fermented rice water:

1. To make fermented rice water, clean rice is soaked in water and allowed to ferment naturally. Initially, the rice is washed to remove impurities and then soaked in water at room temperature for 24 hours.
2. During this process, the starch content gradually decreases, and nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins (B and E), and antioxidants are released into the water.
3. The fermentation process produces a slightly sour odor, indicating the formation of keratin acids that help improve scalp health. After fermentation, the liquid is filtered to remove the rice, providing a complete solution of all the nutrients. This fermented rice water is then added to formulations such as hair serums. It strengthens hair, promotes growth, reduces dandruff, enhances shine, and reduces dryness.

Fig: Fermented rice water

1. Fresh or dried lemongrass is washed, then chopped into small pieces, and added directly to the rice and water during the soaking or fermentation process.
2. The mixture is left to steep for 24 hours, allowing the lemongrass' active ingredients and essentials to naturally dissolve into the liquid. Once complete, the solution is filtered to remove solid particles.
3.  This ensures an even distribution of the fragrance and active ingredients, while maintaining simplicity, effectiveness, and improved stability in the final serum.

• Neem extract:

1. To make neem extract, fresh neem leaves are first thoroughly washed to remove dirt and microbes.
2.  The cleaned leaves are then ground with a little water using a mortar and pestle. The resulting mixture is filtered through a cotton cloth or filter paper to yield a clear green extract rich in bioactive compounds like nimbidin and azadirachtin.
3. Extract should be prepared fresh or stored in a cool, dry place to prevent spoilage and maintain their effectiveness in herbal formulations.

• Prepare of gel base:

1. The gel base for the serum is created using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as a gelling agent. Approximately 0.5g of HPMC is slowly added to approximately 20ml of warm water, stirring constantly to prevent lumps and bubbles.
2. The mixture is then allowed to swell and hydrate properly. Upon complete hydration, a smooth, clear, viscous, and thick gel forms.
3. This gel base gives the serum the correct consistency and ensures even mixing of the fermented rice water and herbal extracts, improving the stability of the final serum formulation.

• Incorporation:

1. Dissolve methyl paraben in a small amount of warm water.
2. Fermented rice water is slowly added to the prepared HPMC gel base with constant stirring. Neem extract are then slowly added to ensure even distribution of the active ingredients.
3.  Methyl paraben, previously dissolved in a small amount of warm water, is then added for preservation. Thorough stirring during incorporation prevents clumping and bubbles, prevents phase separation, and maintains a consistent consistency, resulting in a smooth, stable, and effective hair serum formulation.

• Make up volume:

After properly mixing all ingredients, such as the gel base, fermented rice water, and herbal extracts, distilled water is slowly added to bring the total volume to 50 ml. This step ensures uniform concentration of all ingredients in the formulation. Constant stirring is essential during this process to maintain consistency and prevent separation. Proper volume adjustment is crucial for the consistency, stability, and correct dosage of the final product, which contributes to the quality of the hair serum.

• Filtration, Filling  and packaging:

1. Filtration and filling are the final steps in making hair serums. Filtration is done using cotton cloth or filter paper to remove undissolved particles or impurities, resulting in a clean and smooth product.

2. This step improves the product's appearance and stability. After filtration, the serum is carefully transferred into clean, dry, and sterilized containers. Proper filling ensures the correct volume, prevents contamination, and maintains product quality.
3. The container is then tightly sealed and labeled for storage and use, with the labels indicating the manufacturing date, expiry date, MRP rate, batch number, and maintenance measures.

Evaluation test

• Ph test:

Ph paper method

1. Pour 5ml of the prepared serum into a clean beaker.
2. Immerse a strip of pH paper in the serum for 2-3 seconds.
3. Remove the strip and allow the excess liquid to drain.
4. Note the corresponding pH value.

Result – 6-7

Fig: PH test

• Viscosity test:

Flow test method

Pour a small amount of serum into a clean glass or beaker. Gently tilt the container and observe how the serum flows. If it flows rapidly like water, the viscosity is low. If it flows very slowly or clumps, the viscosity is high. If the serum flows smoothly in a single stream, it has good viscosity.

Fig: Viscosity test

• Appearance test:

Slide method

A small drop of serum is placed on a clean glass slide. The slide is then viewed under normal light. Parameters such as color, clarity, texture, and the presence of any particles or impurities are checked. The slide can also be tilted slightly to check for spreading and uniformity. A good quality serum should be uniform, smooth, without lumps, and appear slightly clear or transparent.

Fig: Appearance test