Rowan & Thistle

PLATE No. 034

Ingredient Collection

Hydrolyzed Rice Protein

Oryza sativa

Botanical plate of Rice (Oryza sativa): tall rice stems with long arching leaves and drooping golden panicles of grain, beside a single spikelet, a grain cut lengthwise, a dehulled grain and a drop of pale hydrolyzed rice protein.

Figure Key

  • Fig. 1 Rice plant
  • Fig. 2 Rice spikelet
  • Fig. 3 Longitudinal section of rice grain
  • Fig. 4 Dehulled rice grain
  • Fig. 5 Hydrolyzed rice protein

The Ingredient

Rice holds more than starch beneath its husk—it also contains protein. Hydrolysis breaks those proteins into much smaller pieces, making them more useful for conditioning hair. The result is a lightweight plant protein that helps hair hold onto moisture while supporting strength, body, and shine.

From Plant to Ingredient

  1. Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, step 1 — Rice plant: rice stems with long green leaves and drooping golden panicles of grain.

    1. Rice plant

    Rice produces its familiar grains along the flowering stems of the plant.

  2. Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, step 2 — Rice grain: a single golden rice grain in its husk.

    2. Rice grain

    Each mature grain contains bran layers naturally rich in plant nutrients and protein.

  3. Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, step 3 — Rice Bran: a small heap of golden-tan rice bran.

    3. Rice Bran

    The grain’s outer bran layers contain the plant protein used to make our ingredient.

  4. Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, step 4 — Hydrolyzed Rice Protein: a pool of thick golden-amber liquid.

    4. Hydrolyzed Rice Protein

    Hydrolysis breaks the protein into smaller pieces, creating the liquid ingredient we use.

Why We Chose It

Hydrolyzed rice protein gives hair added support without relying on heavy oils or butters. It helps improve moisture retention, adds body to fine or limp hair, and leaves strands feeling smoother, stronger, and more manageable.

What You'll Notice

  • Fuller Feel — Helps give fine or limp hair more body.
  • Stronger Feel — Helps support hair strength and resilience.
  • Moisture Support — Helps hair hold onto moisture for a softer, conditioned feel.
  • Smoother Hair — Helps improve shine and manageability.

Botanical Profile

Scientific Name
Oryza sativa
INCI Name
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Plant Part Used
Rice Bran
Final Ingredient
Liquid Protein
Origin
USA

A Closer Look

“Hydrolyzed” simply means that a larger protein has been broken into smaller pieces. In this case, protein from rice bran is transformed into smaller components that can interact more readily with hair—turning an everyday grain into a surprisingly useful conditioning ingredient.

Products Featuring Hydrolyzed Rice Protein Featured In

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