17 Best DIY Leave-In Conditioner Recipes For Smooth And Healthy Hair
These healthier alternatives to the typical market products can give you the hair of your dreams.
Leave-in conditioners are versatile hair care products that provide extra moisture to your hair. However, the preservatives in them may cause some detrimental effects on your hair. But worry not – as you can now prepare homemade DIY leave-in conditioners for smooth hair. These may prevent frizz and fight dryness. This, in turn, may reduce break and promote hair growth. In addition, they may smoothen flyaways, and make hair silkier.
The organic ingredients used in the preparation of these natural leave-in conditioners are gentle on your hair and suit all hair types. This article explores the top 15 DIY leave-in conditioner recipes and how you can use them to boost your hair health. Keep reading to know more.
In This Article
Why Use DIY Leave-In Conditioners?
- DIY leave-in conditioners are safe, cheap, and rarely have any side effects.
- Most of the ingredients used are available in your kitchen pantry.
- You can customize your DIY leave-in conditioner as per your hair concerns.
- They are free of preservatives and toxins and do not weigh your hair down.
The next section gives an insight into the ingredients used in the DIY leave-in conditioners. Keep scrolling!
Key Takeaways
- A DIY leave-in conditioner is gentle, easy to make, and addresses a variety of hair problems such as frizz and dryness.
- It uses natural ingredients like coconut oil, argan oil, and aloe vera that not only moisturize but also nourish your tresses.
- Apply a DIY leave-in conditioner after washing your hair.
Which Ingredients In Leave-In Conditioners Help Smoothen The Hair?
- Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids and penetrates the hair shafts to strengthen them from within (1). It also coats the outer layer of the hair and prevents moisture loss (2).
- Castor Oil: Anecdotal evidence suggests that castor oil promotes hair growth and conditions the hair. It is a good lubricant and helps smoothen the hair strands (3).
- Olive Oil: Olive oil contains emollients, such as oleic acidi A mono-unsaturated fatty acid that works to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, boost the immune system and enhance the mood. ,palmitic acidi A saturated fatty acid found naturally in many plant and animal sources and helps improve metabolic functions, forming other beneficial fatty acids, and skin health. , and squalenei An organic compound, rich in antioxidants, found in the liver oil of sharks and in the sebum released by the sebaceous glands of our skin. (4). These emollientsi Moisturizing substances or treatments applied directly to the skin to soothe, soften and hydrate it. may soften the hair and make it shiny.
- Aloe Vera: Aloe vera has moisturizing properties and helps condition the hair (5).
- Glycerin: Glycerin is a humectant (6). It locks in moisture and makes the hair soft and smooth.
- Argan Oil: Argan oil helps moisturize, soften, and smooth the hair (7).
- Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil is a natural emollient (8). It may help moisturize and soften the hair.
- Marshmallow Root: Marshmallowi A perennial plant indigenous to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa whose mucilage-containing roots have medicinal properties used to soothe and soften dry, rough skin and hair. root contains a thick mucilagei A thick, gelatinous substance extracted from plant roots, seeds and other organic sources. (9). Traditionally, it has been used to detangle and soften the hair.
Let’s now discover how to use simple ingredients from your kitchen to prepare DIY leave-in conditioners.
17 Effective DIY Leave-In Conditioner Recipes
1. Coconut Oil Leave-In Conditioner
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
- 1 capsule of vitamin E
- 150 mL distilled water
Directions
- Warm the coconut oil and pour it in a spray bottle.
- Prick the vitamin E capsule and empty its contents into the bottle.
- Add water and mix the ingredients thoroughly.
- Shake the bottle well before use.
Khushbu Shakyawar, a beauty YouTuber, used olive oil, water, and a store-bought conditioner to prepare a DIY leave-in conditioner. She suggests you can use coconut oil as well. She further added, “It makes the hair soft and manageable (i).”
2. Castor Oil Leave-In Conditioner
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons of castor oil
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 150 mL distilled water
- A spray bottle
Directions
- Mix the castor and olive oils well.
- Add water to this mixture and pour into the spray bottle.
- Shake it well before use.
3. Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon of shea butter
- 10-15 drops of rosemary oil
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- ⅓ cup of water
Directions
- Mix all the ingredients properly.
- Store in a spray bottle and use as required.
4. Aloe Vera Leave-In Conditioner
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon of glycerin
- ⅓ cup of water
Directions
- Mix all the ingredients and store it in a spray bottle.
- Shake the bottle well before use.
5. Argan Oil Leave-In Conditioner
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons of argan oil
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- ⅓ cup of water
Directions
- Mix the argan oil and aloe vera gel.
- Add water to this mixture.
- Shake the spray bottle well before use.
6. Jojoba Oil Leave-In Conditioner
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons of jojobai An evergreen shrub bearing seeds containing oil with healing properties. This oil is often used as a natural lubricant in many cosmetics. oil
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- ⅓ cup of water
Directions
- Mix all the oils and add water to the mixture.
- Store in a spray bottle and use as required.
Note:
Warm the coconut oil if needed as it is a solid at room temperature.
7. Sweet Almond Oil Leave-In Conditioner
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of glycerin
- ⅓ cup of water
Directions
- Mix the jojoba oil, olive oil, glycerin, and water.
- Store this mixture in a spray bottle and use as required.
8. Grapefruit Seed Extract Leave-In Conditioner
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons of grapefruit seed oil
- 1 tablespoon of argan oil
- ⅓ cup water
Directions
- Mix all the ingredients.
- Store the mixture in a spray bottle and use when needed.
9. Vitamin E Leave-In Conditioner
You Will Need
- 2 capsules of vitamin E
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil
- ⅓ cup of water
Directions
- Add aloe vera gel, olive oil, and water to a spray bottle.
- Pour the contents of the vitamin E capsules into this mixture.
- Shake the bottle well before use.
10. Coconut Milk Leave-In Conditioner
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons of coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- ⅓ cup of water
Directions
- Mix all the ingredients and store the paste in a bowl in the refrigerator.
- Use when required.
11. Coconut Water Leave-In Conditioner
You Will Need
- Equal parts of coconut water and distilled water
Directions
- Dilute the coconut water with distilled water.
- Spritz the mixture on your hair as required.
12. Rooibos Tea Leave-In Conditioner
You Will Need
- ½ cup of rooibosi A flowering plant whose leaves are plucked, dried and fermented to make aromatic herbal tea. tea
- ½ cup of water
Directions
- Dilute the tea concoction with water.
- Use it when needed.
13. Olive Oil Leave-In Conditioner
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 4 tablespoons aloe vera gel
- ⅓ cup water
Directions
- Mix the olive oil with water and add aloe vera gel to this mixture.
- Store the blend in a spray bottle.
- Use this conditioner as needed.
14. Avocado Oil Leave-In Conditioner
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons of avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- ⅓ cup of water
Directions
- Mix the coconut and avocado oils with water.
- Add aloe vera gel to this mixture.
- Shake the bottle well before use.
15. Marshmallow Root Leave-In Conditioner
You Will Need
- 3 tablespoons of marshmallow gel
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- ⅓ cup of water
Directions
- Mix all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Store the mixture in a spray bottle.
- Shake well before use.
16. Honey Leave-In Conditioner
You Will Need
- 4 tablespoons of coconut oil
- 8 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- 2 teaspoons of honey
- 2 teaspoons of sweet almond oil
- ½ cup of water
Directions
- Mix honey and warm coconut oil in a bowl.
- Pour the mixture, along with aloe vera gel, sweet almond oil, and water, into a spray bottle.
- Shake well before use.
17. Green Tea Leave-In Conditioner
You Will Need
- ½ cup of steeped and cooled green tea
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 2 teaspoons of jojoba oil
- 12 drops of any essential oil
Directions
- Mix the aloe vera gel with the cooled green tea in a spray bottle.
- Add lemon juice, jojoba oil, and any essential oil to the spray bottle.
- Shake well before use.
Apart from these recipes, you may also try using homemade banana hair conditioner. Bananas are known to soften the hair and are exceptionally good for dry, frizzy hair. So, do give it a try.
If you are wondering how to apply the DIY leave-in conditioners the right way for smooth, frizz-free hair, scroll down to the next section.
How To Use Leave-In Conditioners Effectively
- Wash your hair thoroughly.
- Apply the leave-in conditioner 2 inches from the hair roots. Do not apply it to the scalp.
- Divide your hair into small sections and coat each section with the conditioner.
- Don’t forget to apply the conditioner to the hair ends since they tend to get dry the most.
- Air or blow dry the hair and style it.
Say, one of the formulas caters to your skin like no other and you want to use it again and again. Wouldn’t it be more cost and energy-efficient to make the formula in a big batch? If so, you will benefit from knowing how to keep the conditioner fresh for a longer time. Scroll down to know more!
Tips For Storing DIY Leave-In Conditioners
- Store leave-in conditioners in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight to preserve their effectiveness.
- Keep the container tightly sealed to prevent contamination.
- Refrigeration can also extend shelf life.
Always label the container with the preparation date for freshness tracking. Plus, do not forget to check the freshness before applying it to your skin each time.
Infographic: 5 Best Homemade DIY Leave-In Conditioner Oils For Smooth Hair
Opting for natural remedies to sort out rough hair is better than putting them through chemical treatments. Here are some of the leave-in conditioners that are convenient and easy to make.
Leave-in conditioner prevents your hair from becoming frizzy, curbs dryness, promotes moisturization, and aids hair growth. But some of these leave-in conditioners contain preservatives that can seriously damage your tresses. A healthier alternative is making DIY leave-in conditioners with natural ingredients from your kitchen. They reduce the risk of side effects and damage. And most of these ingredients are gentle on most hair types. However, it is recommended to perform a patch test to check for allergic or adverse reactions. Scroll up to go through these homemade DIY leave-in conditioner oils for smooth and healthy hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to include essential oils in my DIY leave-in conditioner?
Yes, you can add essential oils to your DIY leave-in conditioner. Choose oils like lavender or rosemary for added nourishment but ensure proper dilution to avoid irritation or sensitivity.
How do you make a creamy leave-in conditioner?
To make a creamy leave-in conditioner, you can refrigerate your mixture of nourishing ingredients like coconut milk, honey, and aloe vera.
Is a leave-in conditioner just a watered-down conditioner?
No. The formulation of a leave-in conditioner is different from a regular conditioner as the former is free of oils and doesn’t contain any ingredients that may weigh your hair down.
Can honey be used as a leave-in conditioner?
Yes. Honey has humectanti A water-absorbing substance that helps retain moisture and keep the skin healthy and supple. and emollient properties, so you can use it as a leave-in conditioner after diluting it to reduce its stickiness (10).
Illustration: Easy DIY Leave-In Conditioner Recipes For Smooth Hair
Learn how to make your own DIY leave-in conditioner with simple ingredients! Get ready to have soft, manageable hair with this easy-to-follow tutorial. Watch the video to know more.
Personal Experience: Source
StyleCraze's articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.
(i) DIY leave in conditionerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbCk4QcfGTI
References
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
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