Organic hair products are on the rise, and for good reason! They're free of all the nasties you'll find in regular hair care products — think chemicals, pesticides, synthetics, palm oil, and harsh detergents. If you've switched to a natural shampoo or shampoo bar and miss conditioner (and don't like rinsing with apple cider vinegar), this homemade hair conditioner is a great natural alternative. You'll also be minimising waste and saving money by opting for a DIY hair treatment, so the benefits are threefold. Read on for our coconut conditioner recipe that will leave your hair feeling, looking, and smelling amazing.
If you would prefer to save the extra work and purchase a ready-made natural conditioner, rest assured that we have done all the pertinent research to pull together a collection of our favourites. Click here to see our collection.
Is Coconut Oil Good For Your Hair?
Coconut oil is one of the best natural conditioners for your hair. Research shows that coconut oil has actually been found to reduce protein loss in hair that is damaged, bleached, and UV-exposed, while other oils, such as sunflower and mineral oils, weren't found to have this effect. Lauric acid, the main fatty acid within coconut oil, gives the ingredient a long and straight structure. This structure allows the coconut oil to be more deeply absorbed into the hair. Conditioning your hair with coconut oil after you wash it helps to smooth and soften the hair, as well as prevent any breakage that may come from styling. By protecting the hair from damage, reducing protein loss, and preventing breakage, coconut oil also promotes hair growth.
DIY Shea Butter & Coconut Oil Conditioner Recipe
If you're wondering how to use coconut oil to condition your hair, we recommend combining coconut oil with a few key ingredients for the ultimate nutrient-rich treatment. Our DIY coconut hair conditioner treatment cream combines the deep conditioning properties of coconut oil, nourishing shea butter, and moisturising jojoba oil. It will leave hair feeling soft, shiny, and manageable, making it the perfect natural conditioner recipe for dry or damaged hair. You don't need to use a lot of it, so it will last you a long time. Find the recipe for our DIY coconut hair conditioner treatment cream below.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup apricot kernel oil
- 1 tbsp jojoba oil
- 1 tbsp shea butter
- 3 tbsp glycerine (palm free)
- 12 drops of essential oils of your choice
In our recipe, we used an uplifting blend of lemon, grapefruit, and bergamot, which is ideal for light hair. For darker hair, lavender and rosemary essential oils are a nice option.
Method
- Place a saucepan with about 6cm of water in it on the stove. In a separate glass jug or mason jar, add the coconut oil and shea butter. Place the jug or mason jar into the saucepan and turn heat to low-medium.
- Once the coconut oil and shea butter are just melted, remove from heat and let it cool. Add the apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil, and glycerine. Stir to combine.
- Mix in your essentials oils. Cover loosely and leave overnight at room temperature to set.
- Once set, it's time to whip it. Whip until the consistency is lovely and smooth. It should look like smooth creamy custard.
- Pour or scoop into your desired container and seal.
How To Use
After washing your hair, before applying the cream, wring out as much excess water from your hair as possible. This will help the coconut conditioner absorb more deeply into the hair. Apply a small amount of cream using your fingers and massage it into your hair. Comb through. Leave in for 5 minutes then rinse out well with very warm water. Repeat the rinse if needed. For best results towel dry your hair and then leave your hair to dry naturally. Store at room temperature out of direct sunlight and use within 4 months.
Note: Please note that due to the coconut content, this may turn to liquid during a warm day or harden on a cold morning. If this happens just shake or whisk again until you reach your desired texture.
Disclaimer
As with all our DIY recipes, you can experiment to suit your preferences. Many factors can change the end result, including temperature, humidity, light, ingredient quality. Some DIYs can be amended by remelting or adding ingredients, but some cannot. Please read the whole recipe before beginning and remember to have fun! Biome cannot issue a refund if the DIY natural skincare product, DIY hair care product, or DIY body care product you make using our raw DIY ingredients do not perform as you'd hoped. We will, however, offer a refund if the raw DIY ingredient packaging is broken or leaking, or the ingredient itself appears to be ‘off'. Before using any raw DIY ingredient for the first time, please first research that ingredient's potential benefits as well as safety precautions and possible side effects. Check with your medical professional if you have any concerns. If you have severe acne, very sensitive skin, or another skin concern or health condition, we recommend seeking medical advice before using any new product on your skin, whether that be a raw ingredient, a DIY product you've made yourself, or commercially formulated product. Please exercise caution when using essential oils. If you are pregnant or have any kind of health or skin condition, we recommend you speak to your doctor before use. Essential oils are highly concentrated liquids, so use in moderation. Pure essential oils should never be used directly on the skin and should never be ingested. When using essential oil for the first time, do a skin patch test. Each essential oil is unique and may not be suited to everyone. Please research potential benefits as well as safety precautions before using any essential oil. Some essential oils may interfere with medication. Check with your medical professional if you have any concerns.
To view our range of eco-friendly, natural conditioners, follow the link!
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