DIY Hair Gel Recipes For Silky Smooth Hair

Are Natural Hair Gels Really Effective?

Yes, they are effective and healthy for your hair. Commercial hair gels are loaded with chemicals and drying ingredients like alcohol. These can dry out the hair, irritate the scalp, and cause product buildup, leading to hair fall.

Homemade and natural hair gels contain natural ingredients that are gentle on your hair and scalp. When prepared and stored correctly, DIY hair gels can be as effective as (or even better than) store-bought ones.

Using DIY hair gels made of nourishing ingredients like aloe vera, flaxseeds, olive oil, jojoba oil, and lemon juice adds shine and bounce to your hair and improves your hair health.

Fun Fact

The practice of natural hair gels dates back to ancient Egypt, where people used animal fat-based hair gels for hairstyling and embalming.

Diy Hair Gel Recipes for All Hair Types

1. DIY Hair Gel With Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds are brimming with nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and zinc (1). They may keep the hair healthy minus any damage.

You Will Need

• 1/4 cup of flaxseeds
• 2.5 cups of water

How To Make

1. Boil the flaxseeds for 7-8 minutes, stirring often.
2. Let it cool down.
3. Once the gel thickens, strain it with a cheesecloth.
4. Store it in an airtight container and refrigerate. The gel will stay for two weeks.

On the other hand, a blogger shared her DIY rosewater flaxseed spray gel and shared her experience in a blog post. She says, “I like to use this on dry hair since it is gives a light hold so using it on wet hair would just further dilute down the gel (i).” She further adds, “I use it to help tame flyaways.”

2. Aloe Vera Hair Gel

Aloe vera is an emollient that prevents drying and is good for the skin (2). Applying aloe vera to the hair may also have a similar effect and prevent excessive dryness

You Will Need

• 1 large aloe vera leaf
• 2-3 drops of peppermint or lemon essential oil (optional)
• 1 tablespoon of olive or coconut oil (optional)

How To Make

1. Cut open the aloe vera leaf with a knife and scoop the pulp.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Store it in a glass jar. You can use this pure aloe vera gel as it is.

Optional Steps

1. Add essential oils to the blend for additional fragrance.
2. Add olive or coconut oil for additional moisturization.

3. Vegan DIY Hair Gel With Agar-Agar

Gelatin is often used in DIY hair gel recipes. However, if you want a cruelty-free option, you can use agar-agar. It is derived from seaweed and has a jelly-like texture, perfect for hair gels.

You Will Need:

• 1/2 teaspoon of agar-agar flakes
• 1 cup of water
• 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel
• 2-3 drops of lavender or rose essential oil (for fragrance)

How To Make

1. Activate the agar-agar by soaking it in water for five minutes.
2. Boil the agar-agar mixed water for five minutes. Stir continuously.
3. Let it cool down. Mix it with aloe vera gel and essential oils.
4. Store in a glass jar and refrigerate. It will stay for two weeks.

4. Moisturizing Hair Gel For Dry Hair

This natural hair gel incorporates olive oil in a flaxseed gel base to moisturize, nourish, and style dry hair. Olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties and promotes hair growth (4).

You Will Need

• 1/4 cup of flaxseeds
• 2.5 cups of water
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 3-4 drops of any essential oil (for fragrance)

How To Make

1. Boil the flaxseeds. Stir continuously until the gel thickens.
2. Allow it to cool down and strain the gel through a cheesecloth.
3. Mix olive oil and the essential oil with the gel.
4. Store it in an airtight glass jar and refrigerate. This batch can last you around two weeks.

5. Refreshing Citrus Hair Gel For Oily Hair

Oily hair is difficult to style. This hair gel with lemon and tea tree oil is excellent for oily hair and scalp. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the antibiotic properties of lemon can curb scalp problems and eliminate greasiness. Tea tree essential oil has antimicrobial properties and can keep the scalp healthy (5).

You Will Need

• 1 large aloe vera leaf
• 3-4 drops of tea tree essential oil
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice

How To Make

1. Slice open the aloe vera leaf and scoop the gelatinous pulp.
2. Blend the aloe vera pulp with the lemon juice and essential oil.
3. Store it in a glass jar and refrigerate. It will stay for up to two weeks.

6. DIY Hair Gel With Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants that promote hair growth and reduce damage (6). This may help moisturize your hair, prevent hair fall, and assist with styling.

You Will Need

• 1 cup chia seeds
• 4 cups water
• Vitamin E oil
• Carrier oils
• Essential oils

How To Make

1. Soak the chia seeds in water overnight.
2. If they do not have a gel-like consistency, add more water and let it soak for a bit longer.
3. Strain the seeds with a clean muslin cloth.
4. Store the liquid in a clean, dry jar and add a few drops of a carrier oil of your choice.
5. Add in a few drops of the vitamin E oil and any essential oils of your preference for fragrance.
6. Store it in the fridge and use it within two weeks.

DIY hair gels are simple to make and also beneficial for your hair health. Here is how to use them.

How To Use DIY Hair Gel

Natural hair gel works best on damp hair. Apply it to towel-dried hair and then style accordingly. For proper application,

1. Take a small amount of hair gel and rub it between your palms.
2. Gently run your hands through the length of your hair.
3. Comb with a wide-toothed hair brush.
4. You may blow dry your hair on a low heat setting.

Grabbing a jar of your regular hair gel from the supermarket may seem easy. However, taking out a few minutes to make homemade hair gel with natural ingredients will be more beneficial in the long run.

Benefits Of Using Natural Homemade Hair Gels

• Homemade hair gels are made of non-toxic and natural ingredients that are gentle on your hair and scalp.
• Making your own hair gel lets you customize a recipe according to the unique needs of your hair.
• Natural products moisturize and nourish your scalp and hair from within.
• Most DIY hair gels cost a fraction of the price of popular store-bought ones.
• DIY hair gels suit all hair types, including dry, normal, oily, curly, straight, and wavy hair.
• Homemade hair gels are made of plant-based ingredients and are cruelty-free and eco-friendly.

Quick Tip

Natural homemade hair gel recipes can be left in overnight. You can wash them off your hair using mild shampoo the next day.

Natural Hair Gel Alternatives

1. Homemade Sugar Hairspray

This alternative seems to work for many people who have tried it. The results may vary from individual to individual.

To prepare it,

• Dissolve two tablespoons of sugar in a cup of warm water.
• Use this hairspray on freshly washed hair and style as usual.
• You can add 2-3 drops of lavender oil for fragrance.

2. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil can be used as a styling product instead of hair gel. It moisturizes the hair and keeps it healthy (7). Follow these steps to style your hair with coconut oil:

• Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo and towel dry.
• Apply a few drops of coconut oil to damp hair.
• Comb to style your hair.

3. Lemon Hairspray

Lemon has a refreshing fragrance, and this spray can keep your hair smelling fresh all day long.  To prepare lemon hairspray,

1. Mix the juice of a lemon with two cups of water.
2. Add a teaspoon of baking soda to balance the acidity.
3. Spray liberally on damp hair and comb.

4. Coconut Milk

Fresh coconut milk conditions the hair and is a good alternative to hair gel. Here is how you can use coconut milk:

• Wash your hair with your regular shampoo and towel dry.
• Apply a little coconut milk to the length of your damp hair.
• Style your hair as usual.

5. Rose Water Hair Spray

If you don’t have any hair gel, you can try this rose water spray instead. It has a mild floral fragrance and keeps the hair feeling refreshed.

• Warm a cup of natural rose water or distillate.
• Add two tablespoons of sugar and mix until it dissolves.
• Spritz your freshly shampooed hair with this spray liberally.
• Style your hair with a wide-toothed comb.

Infographic: 3 Easy DIY Hair Gel Recipes To Get Silky Smooth Hair

If you are looking for simple, affordable, and organic ways to attain smooth and healthy hair, you have come to the right place. We have compiled the 3 best and easy hair gel recipes you can make from the comfort of your home. Check out the infographic below to get started!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Vaseline as hair gel?

Yes, you may use a small amount of Vaseline as hair gel. However, it may not be suitable for fine or thin hair.

Can you use honey as hair gel?

Yes, you may use honey as hair gel. However, apply it gently for a hassle-free experience.

How do you make strong hold hair gel?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the gel obtained from flax seeds yields a naturally strong hold on the hair and can simultaneously nourish your strands.

Can I use toothpaste as hair gel?

No, it is not recommended to use toothpaste as hair gel as it can draw moisture out of your hair strands and leave them dry. It may even cause hair breakage and further irritate your scalp.

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Madison DufourBarber & Cosmetologist

     

Madison Dufour is a licensed and practicing barber and cosmetologist with 10 years of experience, as well as an entrepreneur running several hair businesses, including MadisonD Barbering and The Exquisite Find Hair Blog. After working behind the chair for several years, she felt the calling to start the non-profit Barber in a Bag that teaches basic hair cutting skills in...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

 

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Eshna DasAssociate Editor

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru. Her passion for writing and editing and her background in psychology help her create content that...more

Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends. Her passion for and understanding of all things related...more