11 Easy And Effective Homemade Hair Masks For Dry Hair

11 Easy DIY Hair Masks For Dry Hair

1. Egg And Honey Hydrating Hair Mask

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 whole egg
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Process

1. Whisk the egg till it’s frothy.
2. Mix all the honey and apple cider vinegar with the whisked egg.
3. Apply this mixture to your hair.
4. Leave it on for 30 to 40 minutes.
5. Wash it off with cool water and a mild shampoo.

Why It Works

Egg yolk is rich in fats, proteins, and nutrients that make it a natural hair conditioner (1). It provides intense hydration to dry strands and strengthens your hair. Honey, a natural humectant, helps seal in moisture, leading to healthy and shiny locks. ACV is a clarifying agent. It helps in restoring the natural pH balance of the scalp, leading to a healthy and clean scalp. Overall, this mask helps in adding moisture, oil, and shine to your dry and dull mane.

Cindy says, “After washing your hair, apply the mask. For really dry hair, there are a couple of options to intensify your results. One option is to wrap hair in a warm towel and leave it on for the recommended amount of time. Another option is to wrap hair in a bun or a hair wrap and sleep with the mask on.”

She adds, “Whichever way you choose to go, always make sure to rinse the mask out very well. If you sleep with the mask on your hair, keep in mind your hair may feel a bit more oily the next day or until you wash it again. Therefore, I don’t advise doing this if you have an event or any reason you don’t want your hair looking its best the next day.”

Note: Apple cider vinegar is a known irritant, and it may cause skin and eye irritation when used topically. Do a patch test before applying it to the scalp.

Quick Tip

If you are not careful while using apple cider vinegar on your hair, it can be overdone and worsen your hair or scalp issues. Hence, dilute it and use it in moderation to avoid its adverse reactions.

2. Banana And Olive Oil Nourishing Hair Mask

You Will Need

• 1 ripe banana
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Process

1. Gently mash the banana into a paste.
2. Add olive oil to get a creamy mask.
3. Apply the mask all over your hair.
4. Leave it on for 10 -20 minutes.
5. Rinse it off with warm water.

Why It Works

Olive oil is a natural emollient. It is rich in oleic acid, palmitic acid, and squalene (2). Thus, it can soften and add shine to your dull skin. Traditionally, banana has been used in deep conditioning masks due to its hydrating and moisturizing properties. It is also said to nourish and strengthen your hair as it is rich in vitamins and minerals. Using this homemade mask once a week will transform your dry mane.

3. Coconut, Jojoba, And Castor Oil Nurturing Hair Mask

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon jojoba oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon castor oil
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 2 drops peppermint oil (optional)

Process

1. Mix all the ingredients together.
2. Massage your scalp with this mask for 3-5 minutes.
3. Rinse off the hair mask and shampoo and condition your hair as usual.

Why It Works

This mask contains the goodness of different oils such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, sesame oil, and castor oil. Massaging your scalp and hair with this oil mixture will replenish the moisture and natural oils of your hair. The brown sugar gently sloughs off dead skin cells and helps stimulate blood circulation. This fatty acid-rich mask will make your locks soft, smooth, and shiny.

4. Avocado, Egg, And Olive Oil Restorative Hair Mask

You Will Need

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 whole egg
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon honey

Process

1. Blend all the ingredients till you get a thick paste.
2. Apply this mask to your hair using your fingertips. Make sure you apply it generously at the tips of your hair.
3. You can leave this mask on for 20 minutes.
4. Wash off the mask and shampoo your hair as usual.

Why It Works

Dr. May says, “Some of the best options include those made with natural ingredients such as coconut oil or avocado. These masks can help to hydrate and nourish the hair, making it softer and more manageable.”

Avocado is a superfood. It is abundant in healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids and essential amino acids (3). These natural oils hydrate and condition your hair. Combined with the benefits of egg, olive oil, and honey, this mask will repair dry and damaged hair.

5. Banana, Honey, And Yogurt Rejuvenating Hair Mask

You Will Need

• 1 ripe banana
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 2 tablespoons yogurt

Process

1. Blend the banana, yogurt, and honey together.
2. Apply this mixture to your scalp and hair.
3. You can tie your hair up and cover it with a shower cap to prevent a mess.
4. Leave the mask on your hair for about 30 minutes.
5. Rinse it off with your regular shampoo and condition your hair.

Why This Works

Yogurt is hydrating in nature. It is also rich in lactic acid, which is a natural exfoliant (4). It helps in gently removing excess oil, dead cells, and dirt from the hair and scalp. Honey and banana add moisture and hydration to dry hair. This deep conditioning mask makes your hair glossy and frizz-free.

Quick Tip

If you are allergic to honey or bee pollen, avoid using honey and its related products on your hair and scalp.

6. Coconut Milk Repairing Hair Mask

You Will Need

• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Process

1. Mix the ingredients together.
2. Divide your hair into small sections.
3. Apply the mixture from the roots to tips.
4. Leave this mask on for 15-20 minutes.
5. Rinse it off with cold or lukewarm water.

Why This Works

Coconut milk is super hydrating for your hair. It is also nutrient-dense, which helps in repairing dry and damaged hair. It helps in detangling the hair so you have silky, soft tresses. Anecdotal evidence suggests that coconut milk can promote hair growth.

7. Egg And Mayonnaise Hair Conditioning Hair Mask

You Will Need

• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 whole egg

Process

1. Whisk the egg and mayonnaise together.
2. Apply this mixture to your hair, focusing more on the hair ends.
3. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes.
4. Rinse it off with cold water.
5. Shampoo your hair thoroughly till you remove all traces of the mask.

Why This Works

This ultra-conditioning hair mask coats the hair with rich fatty acids from eggs and mayonnaise. They help in locking in moisture and sealing the cuticles. It leaves your hair super soft and glossy. Make sure you use cold water to rinse off the egg as the heat from warm water can cook it. You can use this mask once a week.

Aleeza, a blogger, shared a simple and affordable DIY protein hair mask using kitchen ingredients like eggs, mayonnaise, honey, and coconut oil, emphasizing, “It’s super easy and affordable, plus it’s all natural. Kitchen stuff is really all you need to prepare this mask.” Regarding results, she recommends, “Do this at least twice or thrice a month to see results 🙂 However I must say that it does a great job at making my hair soft after just one use (i).”

8. Aloe Vera And Honey Moisturizing Hair Mask

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon olive oil

Process

1. Combine all the ingredients to make a thick paste.
2. Apply this paste to your hair and scalp.
3. Rinse it off thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Why This Works

Aloe vera has moisturizing properties (5). This homemade hair mask for frizzy hair provides intense hydration to dry, rough hair. It also softens your hair and adds shine to it.

9. Flax Seed Hair Mask

You Will Need

• 1/4 cup of flax seeds
• 2 cups of filtered water
• 1 tablespoon of honey

Process

1. Boil the water and flax seeds till you get a gel-like consistency
2. Add honey
3. Strain this mixture after it cools down. Strain before it cools. Once the gel is cool, the flaxseeds will be so sticky that it will be almost impossible to strain these sharp seeds out.
4. Apply this to your hair and leave it on for 30 minutes.
5. Rinse as usual.

Why This Works

Flax seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids (6). This mask conditions your hair and helps fight dryness and frizz. It is widely believed that flax seeds can promote hair growth and thickness.

10. Green Tea Hair Mask

You Will Need

• 2 green tea bags
• 2 cups of hot water
• 1 tablespoon of honey

Process

1. Steep the green tea bags in hot water and let it cool.
2. Mix the honey into the tea.
3. Apply the tea to damp hair.
4. Leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water.

Why This Works

Green tea is rich in antioxidants. It stimulates the hair follicles, boosts hair growth, adds moisture and shine, and helps manage dandruff (7).

11. Cinnamon Hair Mask

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons cinnamon powder
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey

Process

1. Mix the cinnamon powder, olive oil, and honey to make a paste.
2. Apply the paste to dry hair and scalp.
3. Leave it on for 30 minutes.
4. Rinse it off thoroughly.

Why This Works

Cinnamon boosts blood circulation, thus soothing an itchy, irritated scalp, which is often linked to dandruff (8), (9). The honey and olive oil in this mask deeply hydrate and nourish dry hair.

Now that you know what masks to try, it is also important to be aware of the duration you need to keep them on for the best results. Go through the next section for more details.

How Long To Keep A Hair Mask

Dr. May advises, “A hair mask is left on the hair for some time, usually 20-30 minutes. While there are many benefits to using a hair mask, make sure you do not leave it on for too long. If you leave it for more than the recommended time, it might strip your hair of its natural oils, making it dry and brittle. It can also cause your scalp to become irritated.”

Cindy elaborates, “Depending on the ingredients, you can leave a hair mask on for long. If it is a protein-based hair mask, you don’t want to leave it on longer than the instructions advise. Protein left on the hair too long can build up on the hair and cause breakage. Therefore, if you are using a protein mask be sure to follow the directions on the package. If the product you are using is not a protein mask, you can leave it on longer than the time allowed, and it will not be harmful for your hair.”

However, consult a dermatologist if hair dryness persists even after using these hair masks. They may be able to recommend other treatments that may be more effective.

Infographic: 5 Homemade Hair Masks For Dry Hair

A homemade hair mask for dry and damaged hair is the best solution for damaged strands. It not only provides the hair with necessary nutrients to aid their recovery but can also be very easily done as the ingredients are usually available in one’s pantry, saving you both time and money. Check out the infographic below to see 5 easy homemade hair masks.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

In A Nutshell

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my hair so dry?

Dry hair can be caused due to many factors like:
• Living in a hot and dry climate.
• Spending too much time in the sun or wind.
• Swimming in chlorinated or saline water regularly.
• Over-washing your hair.
• Using abrasive shampoos, conditioners, or styling products.
• Hair coloring or chemical treatments.
• Blow-drying, straightening, or curling your hair regularly.

Can I use a homemade hair mask every day?

No. Apply a homemade hair mask once a week to dry and frizzy hair and once every two weeks to oily hair.

Can adding protein to a hair mask benefit dry and damaged hair?

Yes. Protein is an essential component of the hair, and adding it to a hair mask benefits dry and damaged hair. Including it in hair masks may improve hair smoothness, hair strength, and the morphology of damaged hair (10).

Can hair masks be customized depending on hair type or specific hair concerns?

Yes, hair masks can be customized to meet specific hair concerns, depending on hair type. A hair mask can be made to specifically meet the needs of various hair types, including dry, greasy, curly, straight, and color-treated hair.

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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

• Dr. Michael MayMD

  Dr. Michael May, MD, is the Medical Director and Principal Surgeon of the Wimpole Clinic in Harley Street, London. He has 25 years of experience in the field of hair transplant surgery and has completed over 10,000 hair transplant procedures. He is the current president of the European Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, a registered member of The Trichological Society, and a Diplomat of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS).
  
  Dr. Michael May, MD, is the Medical Director and Principal Surgeon of the Wimpole Clinic in Harley Street, London. He has 25 years of experience in the field of hair transplant surgery and has completed over 10,000 hair transplant procedures. He is the current president of the European Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, a registered member of The Trichological Society, and a Diplomat of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS).
• Cindy MarcusHair Specialist

  Cindy Marcus has been a hairstylist for 17 years, and she loves helping people find a hairstyle, haircut, and color that brings out their inner beauty. She graduated from the Academy of Hair Design in Las Vegas, NV, in 2007 and became a licensed cosmetologist and hair designer with the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology in 2008.
  
  Cindy Marcus has been a hairstylist for 17 years, and she loves helping people find a hairstyle, haircut, and color that brings out their inner beauty. She graduated from the Academy of Hair Design in Las Vegas, NV, in 2007 and became a licensed cosmetologist and hair designer with the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology in 2008.

Annie JangamBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Annie Jangam is a researcher-turned-content writer with 11 years of experience. She enjoys dissecting complex clinical studies and shuffling through the scientific jargon to make science interesting and easy to understand. Her scientific aptitude and love for writing paved the way to pursue a career in writing research-backed articles on skin care and hair care. Her expertise stems from her...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

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach. Her interest in staying updated on beauty and lifestyle...more