How to Make a Homemade Hair Mask for Dry Hair: 3 Easy Recipes

By Ashley Ess in Natural Products

Is your hair dry or damaged? If so, head straight to your kitchen! Believe it or not, your kitchen might just hold the solution to reviving hair. Damage and dryness from styling products and straightening irons can leave your hair begging for moisture. But oftentimes, treatments that restore your hair, such as conditioning masks, can be quite costly or contain ingredients you might want to avoid in your personal care products.

Instead, why not opt for a simple, homemade hair mask for dry hair? With the help of a few common culinary ingredients from your kitchen, you can be well on your way to restoring your hair and infusing it with moisture.

 

What Is a Hair Mask?

 

A hair mask is essentially a deep conditioning treatment that helps to revitalize dry or damaged hair. According to a study published in the International Journal of Trichology, the purpose of hair conditioner is to restore moisture retention, improve shine and manageability, and seal the cuticle. Deep conditioning hair masks tick all these boxes and possibly more, going beyond the typical conditioner you apply in the shower. You can apply these treatments before or after shampooing, leaving the mask on your hair for several minutes.

 

3 DIY Homemade Hair Mask Recipes

 

A homemade hair mask for dry hair that incorporates natural, readily available ingredients can be incredibly simple to make. Some only need one ingredient, while others use a combination mixed together. If you're curious about how to make a hair mask, you can start with one the following recipes.

 

Fair warning: some of these can get a little messy, so you may want to have a shower cap on hand to wear as you let the treatment soak into your hair—your choice!

 

Honey and Olive Oil Hair Mask

 

A study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology states that honey has humectant (moisture retaining) and hair conditioning effects. Manuka honey, specifically, has been used as a traditional remedy due to its high potency, compared with typical honey.

 

Here's what you'll need:

 

  • Whisk or blender
  • ½ cup manuka (or raw) honey
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • Bowl

 

Whisk or blend the honey and olive oil in a bowl until combined and smooth. Apply the mask to all parts of your clean hair until saturated. You can wear a shower cap to prevent drips and to maintain deeper conditioning. Leave the mixture on your hair for 15 minutes (or longer for severely damaged hair) and rinse thoroughly with water.

 

Jar of honey

 

Coconut Oil and Avocado Hair Mask

 

According to a study in the Journal of Cosmetic Science, coconut oil can reduce protein loss and penetrate the hair shaft, thereby moisturizing and preventing damage. As for avocados, they contain vitamins and good fats that add to the benefits of this mask.

 

For this one, round up:

 

  • 1 medium, ripe avocado
  • Bowl
  • Fork
  • 3 tbsp. coconut oil

 

Mash the avocado in a bowl with a fork and stir in the coconut oil until smooth. Apply the mixture to your hair from roots to ends until it is saturated. Leave the mask in your hair for 20 to 30 minutes, then lightly shampoo.

 

Banana and Avocado Hair Mask

 

Go ahead and gather these items for this recipe:

 

  • 1 small, ripe avocado (or half of a large avocado)
  • 1 ripe banana
  • Bowl
  • Fork
  • 1 tbsp. coconut oil or olive oil

 

In a bowl, mash the banana and avocado with the fork. Add the oil and stir until you achieve a smooth consistency. Apply the mask to your hair from the roots to the ends until saturated. Leave on for at least 30 minutes, then lightly shampoo.

 

avocados on a cutting board with knife

 

Now that you know how to make a homemade hair mask for dry hair, are you inspired to try more DIY personal care recipes? Follow the Naturally Inspired Solutions by @tomsofmaine on Pinterest!

 

Image Source: Unsplash | Unsplash | Unsplash

 

The views and opinions expressed in any guest post featured on our site are those of the guest author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of Tom's of Maine.

 

 

Why It's Good

You can use natural ingredients straight from your own kitchen to give a boost to your personal care routine. Homemade hair masks are a great, simple way to replenish dull, damaged hair with ingredients you know and trust.