Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Says This Rice Water Treatment Is the 'Best Product for Postpartum Hair Loss'

When it comes to her beauty secrets, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is an open book. Last night, the Rose Inc. founder did a Q&A on her Instagram Stories to answer her followers' dire questions about her life, including her favorite beauty products. When one person asked, "Best product for postpartum hair loss?" Huntington-Whiteley responded with a picture of the Shu Uemura Izumi Tonic Strengthening Energizing Water (Buy it, $58, sephora.com).

After giving birth to her first son, Jack, back in 2017, the model opened up about the realities of postpartum hair loss and the changes she experienced with her hair. "My hair is thick, but the strands themselves are fine, and when I was pregnant, they just broke," the model told The Strategist in an interview about her favorite products. "I was not that person whose hair got really thick and luscious while pregnant. Mine got really brittle and snapped, leaving me with weird layers."

About 40 to 50 percent of child bearing people experience postpartum hair loss, according to the American Pregnancy Association. And while the condition is a normal and seemingly common experience, it can be tricky to manage.

Strengthening hair products can prove useful is managing hair loss, since they can prevent further breakage when your hair is looking thinner than usual. So it makes perfect sense that Huntington-Whiteley would reach for Shu Uemura Izumi Tonic Strengthening Energizing Water to help restore her hair after giving birth. The formula is a leave-in treatment infused with rice water to restore hair by strengthen strands and prevent breakage. It promises to leave hair stronger after one use while boosting smoothness and shine. (

Buy on Sephora Buy on Shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com

ICYMI, rice water is a buzzy ingredient that recently gained popularity on TikTok with users swearing that it promotes hair growth in addition to strengthening hair. The practice of rinsing hair with rice water to help hair health has existed for centuries within ancient Asian communities, William Yates, M.D., hair transplant surgeon and founder of haircare brand Yates Enterprises, previously told Shape.

"Rice water contains many antioxidants and vitamins, which are beneficial for hair health and growth," Michele Green, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist based in New York, previously told Shape. Using rice water also improves the bioavailability of vitamins and minerals (how easily the body absorbs these nutrients) to the scalp and hair, which can restore damaged hair follicles, she said.

In addition to rice water, the leave-in treatment also incorporates ceramides to moisturize and strengthen hair strands. Ceramides are lipids that play a crucial role in locking in moisture into skin or the hair cuticle, and research suggests that ceramide treatments may also help promote healthy hair growth.

The product intended for use on damp, clean hair from scalp to ends, and you can proceed to style your hair as desired after applying the treatment. If your hair needs a postpartum refresh (or a refresh in general), you might want to take note of Huntington's go-to pick.