DIY natural hair conditioners are an effective way to keep your hair soft and moisturized without soaking them in chemicals. They are simple, easy and a reliable remedy for damage repair. The best part about a DIY hair conditioner is the unmatchable customization power that allows you to play around with ingredients the way you want. 

In this article, we have given our take on DIY hair conditioners. Below you’ll find out how to make a conditioner at home with some of the most effective ingredients to ensure amazing results according to your hair type.    

Let’s start with the basics.

This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. You can read our entire affiliate disclosure here.

Why Do We Use Conditioners?

The purpose is important. Unless you know the reason for using a conditioner, you might not give it due importance. 

Conditioners seal moisture in hair to retain luster and softness which is usually lost after shampooing that washes away the natural oil – sebum, produced by your scalp. The hair gets dry and brittle if the sebum is not restored. This makes it more prone to damage by even the slightest wear like tying headbands and ponytails, eventually leading to dull, dry, and frizzy hair – your worst nightmare.

How Do Conditioners Work?

For better understanding, here is the science behind conditioners.

Applying conditioner to the hair shaft keeps the hair cuticles intact. In case you don’t know, the hair shaft is the part of the hair that has protruded the follicles and can be seen over the scalp. Cuticles are the scale-like structures on individual hair that act as a protective covering.

Harsh chemicals and over-shampooing can damage the cuticles that dry out the hair and weaken the shaft. On the other hand, the protein in the conditioner binds with hair keratin and strengthens each strand.

Do I Need A Conditioner?

Needless to say, hair care routines are incomplete without hair conditioners. They are a must for people with dry hair; particularly for those who like to suffocate their poor hair with harsh chemicals or torture them with burning hot equipment regularly. But that’s not the only condition, conditioners are equally important for those who do not regularly style or color their hair because peeking through the corner is daily wear and tear that we call the slow poison. Thus, there is practically no reason to give up on hair conditioners.  

Types of Conditioner

Different types of conditioners have been designed for different hair types. Here we have discussed 3 primary types of hair conditioners and the type of hair they suit the most.

Rinse-Out Conditioners 

Rinse-out conditioners are designed for external hair protection. They are the most common type of conditioners that are easily available in the market paired with a shampoo. This type of conditioner has a creamy texture that makes the hair silky and smooth which helps in detangling and styling the hair and protects the cuticles.

This type of conditioner is applied to the hair after shampooing and left for a few minutes before it’s rinsed out completely. They work well with all hair types – normal, dry, or oily.

Leave-In Conditioners

As the name suggests, leave-in conditioners are applied after shampooing and are left to sit in the hair instead of rinsing out. They are super light and less viscous which enables them to easily spread out over the hair shaft, covering it with a thin layer of conditioner to keep it soft and moisturized. This also protects the hair from dryness and external damage from styling.

Leave-in conditioners have the longest lasting effect on your hair which makes them the best solution for dry, frizzy, and curly hair that gets difficult to manage at times. It easily detangles them and helps in styling. Several styling products also incorporate this type of conditioners.

These conditioners are also available in the form of sprays which aids in managing their amount and eases the application.  

Deep Conditioners

Deep conditioners are formulated to repair damaged hair by restoring moisture and protein. These conditioners usually have a creamier and thicker texture that requires some time to penetrate the hair after application. That is why they are left in the hair for about an hour before washing them. However, using a hairdryer or a heating cap can reduce the time to 20-30 minutes. Once the time is over, it’s important to completely remove the product from the hair.

These conditioners largely consist of oils, emulsifiers, and waxes that help repair the damage by forming a smooth layer over the cuticles to retain moisture and rejuvenate the hair. They are mainly designed for extremely dry and dull hair and are also suitable for color-treated hair. Experts recommend using these conditioners only once a week.

Best Natural Ingredients For DIY Conditioners

Hair conditioners are an excellent way to repair damaged hair and rejuvenate them, but what if the conditioner itself is loaded with harsh chemicals that can further damage your hair? It seems like a vicious cycle!

An easy way out is to use a homemade hair conditioner.

In the case of a DIY homemade hair conditioner, you’ll know exactly what ingredients you have added to your conditioner and how helpful they are. Here are some of the most effective ingredients to add to your DIY hair conditioner.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil itself forms an excellent conditioner and significantly enhances the effect of other conditioning products when added to them. Its occlusive nature allows the hydrating agents to penetrate the hair more effectively, nourishing the hair from roots to tips. This strengthens the hair and thwarts breakage. 

As shown in several studies, coconut oil is rich in antioxidants that prevent hair damage from free radicals, heat, and the environment. Microbial actions on the roots and scalp are another important problem that coconut oil takes care of. The lauric acid in coconut oil is a triglyceride that yields exceptional antimicrobial activities. Thus, coconut oil-containing conditioners offer extra hair protection and help them grow better.

Avocado Oil

Apart from toast, avocados also feel great in conditioners. If you didn’t already know, avocado is a fruit loaded with natural oils and ‘good’ fatty acids. It also has a high vitamin content that rejuvenates the scalp and makes the hair healthier and shinier. With unbeatable hydrating power, avocado oil amplifies the hair repairing power of a conditioner like nothing else.

Avocado is also a rich source of biotin or vitamin B7 which is essential for hair growth. Biotin promotes keratin production and increases the growth of hair follicles which results in improved hair growth. It is mainly consumed through food and supplements, but since it doesn’t stay in the body for long, it has to be replenished every now and then. And what could be a better source for that than avocado oil!

Avocado oil also contains a considerable amount of minerals like magnesium and potassium which help to seal cuticles, making your hair look smoother and shinier. Avocado conditioners work wonders for dull and dry hair.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Loaded with acetic acid, apple cider vinegar makes an excellent natural hair conditioner. The idea is that brittle, dull, and frizzy hair is more alkaline in nature and thereby treating it with apple cider, an acidic substance, helps to achieve a favorable pH balance and restore hair health.

Apple cider also exhibits excellent antimicrobial activities to protect and nourish the scalp. Its anti-inflammatory properties help exfoliate the scalp and prevent dandruff. It also has a considerable amount of vitamins and minerals, making it a good food for your hair.

Honey

Honey is both a humectant and an emollient. A humectant is a substance that pulls in water and works as an excellent moisturizer. Thus, adding honey to your conditioner boosts its moisturizing ability. However, a slight problem here is that this type of moisture leaves the hair as quickly as it enters. This calls for an emollient – a substance that creates a barrier around the hair shaft to trap the moisture, keeping the hair soft and smooth.

Packed with a number of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants, honey has exceptional conditioning powers. Not only does it hydrate your hair but also promotes hair growth.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera to beauty is like oxygen to living beings – free and crucial. Every other person who has ever heard of the word beauty must have also come across aloe vera. This legendary plant is packed with amazing health and beauty benefits.

Aloe vera is loaded with enzymes and fatty acids that grant it fantastic anti-inflammatory properties that fight irritation, itchiness, and dandruff. Its choline content along with folic acid and vitamins nourishes and strengthens the hair and promotes hair growth.

Not to forget, aloe vera has exceptional cleansing and moisturizing powers. Unlike other harsh chemicals, aloe vera gently cleanses the hair shaft, efficiently getting rid of the extra sebum without weakening the roots or drying out the hair strands. 

DIY Natural Hair Conditioner Recipes

Do not let those chemical-filled hair conditioners strip your hair of its charm and beauty. Instead, going all-natural is an effective way to care for your hair and help them grow while providing all the essential nutrients. Here are some of the most effective homemade hair conditioner recipes for you to treat your hair with nothing but the best.

Natural Hair Conditioner Recipes For Dry Hair

Apple Cider Vinegar Conditioner

Ingredients

• Apple cider vinegar
• Water

Method

This is the easiest homemade conditioner recipe. Take a jar and pour in the two ingredients. Shake well to combine and you are all done. You can apply it to your hair after shampooing and wash it off if needed. Some people also use it as a leave-in conditioner, though I prefer washing it off. You can also apply a drop or two of coconut oil after rinsing this conditioner, but that’s completely optional.

Coconut Lavender Conditioner

Ingredients

• Coconut oil
• Avocado oil
• Lavender oil
• Rosemary essential oil

Method

Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl and whip for about 4-5 minutes. This is an average duration; you might need more or less time based on the equipment you choose to mix with – hand or stand mixer. You’ll end up with a thick, white, creamy paste. Transfer it into a container that you can easily keep in your shower.

Apply this conditioner after shampooing your hair and let it sit for about 2-3 minutes. Wash it off completely and enjoy softer and shinier hair. You can use this 2-3 times a week.

Note: this conditioner can make the floor a bit slippery.

Homemade Leave-In Conditioner Recipe

Aloe Vera Coconut Leave-In Conditioner

Ingredients

• Coconut oil
• Aloe vera gel
• Avocado oil
• Water

Method

Note: If you have solid coconut oil, melt it before beginning with this recipe.

Mix coconut oil and avocado oil in a small bowl and set aside. In a bottle, add aloe vera gel and water and shake well to combine thoroughly. Add the oil mixture into the bottle and shake again. Your conditioner is ready to use. Do not forget to shake it well before use too.

Coconut Herb Conditioner

Ingredients

• Coconut oil
• Water
• Aloe vera gel
• Shea butter
• Olive oil
• Thyme oil
• Rosemary oil
• Coconut milk

Method

Note: If you have solid coconut oil, melt it before beginning with this recipe.

Add water, aloe vera gel, and coconut milk in a spray bottle. Mix all the oils in a separate container and them in the water mixture. Shake well to thoroughly combine all the ingredients. This essential oil rich hair conditioner will give your hair the perfect feast it deserves.

DIY Deep Conditioner

Banana and Honey Conditioner

Ingredients

• Banana
• Olive oil
• Yogurt
• Honey

Method

Blend banana and olive oil together for a smooth paste. Add other ingredients into the blender and blend again until you get a lump-free paste. Strain the mixture to remove the remaining pulps. Voila!!

Apply this conditioner to wet hair and wear a plastic cap. Leave it for about 30 minutes and wash it off thoroughly.

Avocado and Honey Deep Conditioner

Ingredients

• Mashed avocado
• Honey
• Avocado oil

Method

Note: the avocado should very well mesh.

In a blender, add mashed avocado, honey, and oil and blend well until you get a super smooth paste. Apply this paste to wet hair, wear a plastic cap and leave it for an hour. Rinse well to make sure your hair is completely free of the paste.

Conclusion

Conditioning your hair is extremely important, but how and with what you condition your hair matters a lot. Using natural ingredients is always better than chemical-based products. The fact that you can make super-effective conditioners at home further supports this idea. Look through the recipes shared in this article and decide the best one for your hair. You can also create your own conditioners using the given ingredients.