How to make a homemade leave-in hair conditioner to help moisturise and detangle hair. This leave-in hair conditioner is great to use before or after swimming in the ocean, as it protects the hair from drying out in the salt water, and is a great detangler. Simply apply the conditioner to the hair before swimming, leave it in, braid your hair, and watch as it protects hair from drying out in the salt water. Alternatively, you can apply it after swimming for a similar effect.
On really warm, hot days, where it’s too hot to stay in my room and edit videos or photos, I escape to the forests near where I live and take some time to reconnect with nature, bathing in the cool streams and natural pools that form under the waterfalls there.
I try and do this regularly, while the weather is warm and if I feel like I’ve been cooped up indoors for too long. Sometimes, when I’m so focused on a project, I become a little obsessed and it takes all of my attention. I can end up running myself down or burning myself out if I’m not careful. So, I try and remember to take breaks regularly and time away from my computer, to get outside, in nature, and reconnect with myself again. I find nature to be very grounding, and I always come away feeling fresh and rejuvenated again.
I’ve been going out of a morning or afternoon and taking my camera with me to film shots under the water, which I then edit on my computer at home. I find free diving to be so revitalising for the soul. When I find myself spending too much time on my computer or shut up indoors, I like to go the beach and spend some time exploring the underwater world. I find that all of my worries and stresses are washed away when I resurface from the sea, and that those things that were bothering me before don’t seem so big anymore.
But, this love for swimming in the salty sea water comes at a cost. My hair gets so dry and brittle from the salt water, and splits ends inevitably form.
I’ve learned a lot about caring for long hair over the past few years, one thing being that long hair can’t just be combed with a “regular†hair brush. Oh no, a paddle brush works so much better. At least that’s been my experience. A paddle brush is a wide, flat hair brush with soft, flexible bristles that help to detangle and smoothen out any type of hair. I love it for my thick, long hair, as this brush banishes knottiness (I also use a leave-in conditioning detangler treatment on my hair) and gives the scalp a heavenly massage.
I’ve also been using all sorts of products on my hair to help keep it looking silky smooth and healthy while I’ve been growing it out, with this leave-in hair conditioner being a recent game changer for me in helping to combat the damage my hair endures after long swims in the ocean.
For those of you who are tired of toxic, chemical-filled leave-in conditioners, here is a recipe for a natural leave-in conditioner that’s inexpensive, won’t leave any residue (very important), and can be made in less than five minutes! This recipe works for all hair types hair, whether you have straight or curly hair, and helps to hydrate dry hair without those ingredients that often weigh hair down (such as coconut oil or shea butter).
Ingredients Used in this Natural Leave-In Conditioner
This DIY leave-in hair conditioner recipe works better than most of the store-bought products (in my opinion). In fact, this natural homemade version is by far the best, and I’m really excited to share it with you! The following ingredients have been selected for their moisturising and beneficial properties.
Glycerin
Vegetable glycerin is a sugar alcohol derived from plants or vegetable fats. There is also a synthetic version made from petroleum, but I recommend staying away from that. Glycerin is used in many beauty products because of its moisturising properties, as it has the ability to pull moisture from the air. It’s not recommended, however, to use glycerin on its own as it can strip the hair of its moisture. But, when its diluted, glycerin is able to soften the hair and reduce frizziness. I recommend this glycerin.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel (found inside the leaves of the aloe vera plant) is great for moisturising the skin and hair. Aloe has the ability to seal in moisture, and contains many beneficial nutrients such as vitamins A, C, and E, which help promote healthy cell growth and strong, shiny hair. I recommend this aloe vera gel. If you’re using aloe vera gel straight from the plant, here is a guide on how to extract as much of the gel as possible.
Coconut Milk
While coconut oil can be used to make many beauty products ranging from shampoo bars to homemade deodorant (or simply to rub on as a lovely body oil), when it comes to using it as a DIY leave-in conditioner, it’s not so great . . . It can be too heavy for most hair types.
Heavy oils and butters can weigh down hair and leave a greasy residue, and the goal of this recipe is to provide a hydrating, revitalising effect to hair and aid in detangling, without needing to wash out the leave-in conditioner (which is the whole aim of a leave-in conditioner).
Coconut milk, on the other hand, softens and conditions the hair without weighing it down, and only takes minutes to make into a conditioner.
Rosemary Essential Oil
Pure rosemary oil (rosmarinus officinalis) is great for hair health as it may improve hair growth by increasing blood circulation to the scalp, stimulating hair growth, and counteract the effects of the hormone, DHT, a testosterone that shrinks hair follicles. Here is how to make your own rosemary-infused oil at home for hair growth.
Before we get started in learning how to make this homemade leave-in hair conditioner – if you like what you’re seeing, subscribe to my email newsletter at the bottom of the page to keep up to date on the latest recipes, DIYs, gardening and health tips I share!
Homemade Natural Leave-In Conditioner
Making this homemade leave-in hair conditioner takes less than five minutes and doesn’t require any special equipment. Simply grab a small spray bottle, add the glycerin, aloe vera gel, coconut milk, distilled water (or tap water that has been boiled for five minutes and allowed to cool), vitamin E oil, and essential oil (if using). Place the cap on the bottle and give the ingredients a good shake, then it’s ready to use!
Use this homemade leave-in conditioner just as you would any store-bought leave-in conditioner. Just spray the conditioner generously onto hair strands, let it sit for a couple of minutes (to work its conditioning magic), then comb the product through the hair. I recommend using a wet brush or comb to evenly distribute the conditioner throughout the hair.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 tbsp vegetable glycerin
- 1 tbsp aloe vera gel
- 1 tbsp full-fat coconut milk
- 4 tbsp distilled water (or tap water that has been boiled for 5 minutes and allowed to cool)
- 1 tsp vitamin E oil
- 10 drops rosemary essential oil (or if using on a child, opt for essential oils that are safe for use on children)
- 4-ounce glass spray bottle
To make:
- In a 4-ounce glass spray bottle, combine all the ingredients including the glycerin, aloe vera gel, coconut milk, water, vitamin E oil, and essential oil.
- Cap the lid on tightly then give the bottle a gentle shake to combine the ingredients and to dissolve the aloe vera gel. Store this natural leave-in hair conditioner in the refrigerator for up to one week. Shake the bottle before each use as the ingredients can separate.
- Use as you would a normal leave-in conditioner. Simply shake the bottle before use, then spray the hair generously with the leave-in conditioner. Allow the product to sit on the hair for a couple of minutes, then brush it through with a wet brush or comb to coat each hair strand.
Please note that rosemary essential oil is NOT recommended for children under 10 years of age.
Homemade Leave-In Hair Conditioner Tutorial
As always, none of these statements have been evaluated by the FDA and is not meant to diagnose, cure, or treat any condition. This is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor before trying or using any new products. I am not a doctor. All opinions expressed are my own personal thoughts and feelings of the products mentioned. Check with your doctor or health practitioner if you are uncertain about trying out any of the products, recipes or tips mentioned in this post.
Have you made homemade leave-in hair conditioner before? How was it? Share in the comments below.
Lots of love,
🖤 Vanessa