Leave-in conditioner can be all it takes to give your hair a boost of shine, bounce, curl, or irresistible softness.
There are plenty of options on store shelves, but what about making it yourself?
DIY leave-in conditioner can be a cheaper, healthier, and more eco-friendly alternative to store-bought options.
Read on to get the details on why to make it, how to make it, and when to make it.
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Did you know that your head produces its own natural conditioner? It’s called sebum.
The problem is that shampooing removes it. And not shampooing can leave your hair looking and feeling greasy.
Conditioners do a lot of useful things. They:
All of this is due to ingredients in the conditioner, like:
Scientifically speaking, dry and damaged hair has a negative charge, while conditioning ingredients have a positive charge. By clinging to the hair, the conditioner makes hair less static.
But what about leave-in conditioners?
According to Celeste Arnold, senior stylist and owner of Celeste Arnold Hair and Makeup, “Nearly every hair type can benefit from the use of leave-in conditioners, but you may find them particularly useful if you have dry, damaged, or frizzy hair.”
The ingredients in leave-in conditioners are slightly different than regular conditioners. They usually contain more water, which means leave-in treatments aren’t as heavy since you won’t be rinsing them out.
When it comes to DIY leave-in conditioner specifically, it all comes down to ingredients, cost, and sustainability.
Holly Zoccolan, holistic lifestyle and nutrition coach and founder of The Heath Zoc, says, “They’re natural and contain no…additives or preservatives. They nourish the hair, and they’re cost-effective, too.”
You may have many of the ingredients for leave-in conditioner in your pantry already. This means you’ll be saving money by skipping the beauty aisle.
Making your conditioner at home also gives you the option of using a reusable container. That’s one less plastic bottle in a landfill!
These 13 recipes give you plenty of options. Experiment, or simply use what’s on hand in your pantry.
Zoccolan recommends this recipe to make your hair look and feel thicker.
Arnold suggests lavender essential oil, but you can use any skin-safe scent you prefer. Glycerin is an optional ingredient for extra moisture and sheen.
While research suggests there are health benefits, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It’s important to talk with your healthcare professional before you begin using essential oils.
Be sure to research the quality of a brand’s products. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.
Shiny Aura of Tea & Breakfast created this recipe and suggests using it especially if you have dry hair. You can also try the Klorane Nourishing Leave-In Cream with Mango Butter.
Using green tea on hair has plenty of benefits. You can also try the tgin Green Tea Super Moist Leave-In Conditioner.
Shea butter has several potential benefits for hair and skin, like moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging effects.
Meanwhile, argan oil has antioxidant properties and several potential benefits for hair.
Coconut milk softens and conditions hair without making it feel heavy. This DIY coconut milk leave-in conditioner from Mommypotamus only takes minutes to make.
To use, shake well and spritz onto clean, damp hair. Comb through hair with fingers or brush.
If you’d rather buy a coconut milk leave-in conditioner, check out the Alba Botanica Hawaiian Leave-In Conditioning Mist, Drink It Up Coconut Milk.
Ylang-ylang essential oil is often used for a dry scalp. It can stimulate the production of sebum.
While a patch test is recommended before using any new products on your skin or hair, it’s definitely recommended for ylang-ylang, as it contains several possible allergens, including isoeugenol. Linked to contact dermatitis, ylang-ylang can be irritating to the skin when topically applied.
Shiny of Tea & Breakfast recommends this DIY leave-in conditioner recipe for damaged hair.
Hibiscus may help balance hair’s pH and prevent a dry and itchy scalp. Combined with lavender, this creamy leave-in conditioner will leave your hair smelling fantastic.
Shiny of Tea & Breakfast suggests using this leave-in conditioner at least three times per week for the best results. You’ll likely notice significant improvement after a month of use.
Geranium essential oil is said to help promote hair growth and improve circulation.
Grapefruit seed extract is a natural immune system stimulator and may relieve some skin and scalp conditions.
This super-moisturizing recipe is great for low porosity hair, which can be slow to absorb moisture.
Marshmallow root has commonly been used to detangle and soften hair. Spray lightly over your hair and brush gently using a wet brush.
Most of these recipes are applied by spritzing or spraying them on. If you’d rather grab a ready-made leave-in conditioner spray, there are plenty of options. Here are a few:
Leave-in conditioner is applied after you finish washing your hair and before styling it. Unlike traditional conditioners, it’s not washed out.
You can either use it as a replacement for the conditioner you normally use in the shower or you can use both. People who have dry or damaged hair may find it beneficial to add that extra step.
The process for all leave-in conditioners is more or less the same:
Be careful to avoid your eyes if spraying or spritzing on your conditioner.
If you have naturally oily hair, you may find leave-in conditioner leaves too much residue.
If a product or ingredient is irritating your skin or scalp, wash it out immediately and stop using it.
Some people may have allergic reactions to certain ingredients. Always do a patch test before you apply a new ingredient to your hair, scalp, or skin.
If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or have skin conditions or allergies, always check ingredients with your healthcare professional before use.
Making your own leave-in conditioner is a pretty simple process.
It may help you cut down on costs and allow you to know exactly what’s going on your hair.
Plus, it means you can skip the plastic bottle.
Depending on your hair type, you may have to go through some trial and error before finding the recipe you like best.
Always consult a healthcare professional if you have skin or scalp conditions or other concerns.
Ashley Hubbard is a freelance writer based in Nashville, Tennessee, focusing on sustainability, travel, veganism, mental health, social justice, and more. Passionate about animal rights, sustainable travel, and social impact, she seeks out ethical experiences whether at home or on the road. Visit her website wild-hearted.com.
Last medically reviewed on August 19, 2021
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