Making your own DIY leave-in conditioner is simple to make and will leave your hair feeling well moisturized. Learn how to make a leave-in conditioner with coconut milk or aloe vera, as well as a DIY leave-in conditioner for hair growth. Each recipe is made with natural ingredients that are very cost-friendly.
DIY LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER
Most conventional hair products will be full of harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients that are best to stay away from. Making your own leave-in conditioner will take you less than 5 minutes and will cost you next to nothing. Plus, it can be made with natural ingredients!
I am going to share 3 different leave-in conditioner recipes that can help with strengthing the hair, moisturize the scalp, and promote healthy hair growth. Depending on your hair type, will determine which leave-in conditioner you will want to try.
Leave-in conditioner is a product that is applied to the hair after you showered and is meant to stay in. It can be especially beneficial for curly hair and dry hair.
Leave-in conditioners will moisturize the hair leaving it softer, smoother, and shinier. It can also be used as a hair detangler or a hair styling product.
DIY LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER WITH COCONUT MILK
Coconut milk for hair? Say what?! Yup, you read it right. I have used coconut milk in shampoo before, and it works perfectly with a leave-in conditioner.
Coconut milk has so many great benefits for your hair and can even help to promote hair growth when massaged into the scalp.
The best coconut milk to use for your hair is canned coconut milk that is full fat and unsweetened. Coconut milk found in the refrigerator section can contain lots of extra ingredients that you won’t want in your hair.
INGREDIENTS
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Whisk the ingredients together until they are well combined.
Using a funnel, transfer the liquid to a spray bottle.
Shake well before each use.
DIY LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER WITH ALOE VERA
Aloe vera can be used to help moisturize dry hair and reduce breakage. I use it in my homemade conditioner because it leaves your hair soft, smooth, and shiny.
Aloe vera promotes hair growth, strengthens hair follicles, can prevent dry scalp, and reduce dandruff.
Whisk the ingredients together until they are well combined.
Using a funnel, transfer the liquid to a spray bottle.
Shake well before each use.
DIY LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER FOR HAIR GROWTH
As said earlier, coconut milk can promote hair growth. Jojoba oil and shea butter also have excellent benefits for strengthening and lengthening the hair.
I added in rosemary and lavender essential oil because studies have shown these essential oils to be the best for hair growth and thickening.
Whisk the ingredients together until they are well combined.
Using a funnel, transfer the liquid to a spray bottle.
Shake well before each use.
NOTE: If shea butter rehardens, you may need to warm before spraying.
WHAT ESSENTIAL OILS ARE BEST FOR HAIR?
Lavender– Studies have shown that lavender produces more hair follicles to help thicken and strengthen hair. Lavender has a beautiful floral smell that can promote calmness and reduce stress; stress can be the biggest reason for hair loss.
Rosemary– Rosemary essential oil is the top oil for hair growth and thickness. It helps to treat dry hair as well as overly oily hair and can help prevent split ends.
Tea tree– Tea tree promotes a healthy, clean-looking scalp. It can be used to help with a dry, itchy scalp and protect against lice.
Cedarwood– This woodsy oil is excellent when you are making products for men because it has a very masculine smell. In fact, I use cedarwood in the DIY products I make for my husband, and he approves. It stimulates hair follicles and increases circulation to the scalp making it a top oil for hair loss.
Peppermint– Peppermint oil is known for the cooling effect it has on the skin when used topically and for its refreshing minty scent. Peppermint is also great for the hair as it promotes hair growth and thickness.
HOW TO USE LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER?
Typically, you will want to apply a leave-in conditioner to the hair after it has been washed and conditioned. You can apply it to wet or dry hair. However, it is best if your hair is slightly damp.
Spray conditioner generously over the hair and then style like normal. Avoid roots if you are prone to greasy or oily hair.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I USE LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER?
You shouldn’t use a leave-in conditioner on your hair daily. In fact, you should only conditioner your hair 2-3 times a week, depending on your hair type.
Over conditioning the hair can cause build up and make the hair look greasy. If you have super fine hair that is oil-prone, then you may need to consider less conditioner.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER?
Moisturizing and nourishing a dry, itchy scalp can enable hair to grow stronger and thicker. Using a DIY leave-in conditioner can do just this to the scalp!
If you are experiencing hair loss or a lot of hair breakage, try using a leave-in conditioner a few times a week.
DIY Leave-In Conditioner
Prep Time2 minutes
Additional Time8 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Materials
1/4 cup filtered water
1 tbsp coconut milk
1/4 tsp jojoba oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops rosemary essential oil
Instructions
Add all the ingredients to a small mixing bowl.
Whisk the ingredients together until they are well combined.
Using a funnel, transfer the liquid to a spray bottle.
Thank you. You are such a blessing. It has been a very easy transition from dangerous chemicals to all natural. My Husband and I were just talking about your channel the other night. We watch you together and my husband always tells me I’m glad you went all natural. Especially with us trying to start a family in the next year.
Hi Alexis, I’m new to the essential oil world so forgive me for commenting on such an old post but… I was specifically looking through these comments to see if this exact question was asked before I tried to ask her:) I don’t see a reply though. Did you find out if there is a substitution? Everything I look up comes back with, substitute with another type of glycerin. LOL I HATE when I want to make something and I’m missing one thing, I’m finding that to be the most frustrating part of being a newbee bc I’m so impatient, if I don’t have an ingredient I go and try to order it to be delivered now hahahaha Hope this finds you well thanks for listening/reading:)
Hi,
Thanks for the amazing recipe. I wanted to ask if it is possible to use natural coconut milk directly from the coconut fruit itself instead of the canned coconut milk?
Thank u
I really loved the smell of this recipe! I’ve been looking for a good conditioner to make and stumbled upon this. To be honest, I’ve been using this as a detangler for my girls, and it has been working much better than a traditional detangler recipe. I just leave it in for a couple of minutes and the tangles come out much easier! Thanks for the recipe!
Most of your recipes have a coconut products in them but I’m allergic. For the conditioner for example, do you think I can use Shea butter instead of the coconut oil? And for these leave in conditioners, do you thi k I can replace the coconut water with regular water? Or is there any substitute for the coconut milk?
I read that you use the leave in conditioner after shampooing and conditioning your hair. Can I only use the leave in conditioner to condition my hair without using the other conditioner that you wash.
Thank you for these recipes. I am very sensitive to many chemical and avoid them as much as possible. Is it ok if we use home made coconutmilk as it is very commonly used ingredient in our cooking.
Maggie says
Great ideas. Guess I’m moving from skincare to leave in conditioner
Thanks for the tips
Laura says
Thank you! I am so glad you are enjoying my content!
Yasmin says
Which leave-in conditioner is for curly hair? Is it the one with the coconut milk or the one with the aloe Vera in it?
Laura says
I would suggest the Aloe vera one for curly hair.
Unnati Jain says
For how many months we can store it?
Deborahnell Elisha McClendon says
Thank you. You are such a blessing. It has been a very easy transition from dangerous chemicals to all natural. My Husband and I were just talking about your channel the other night. We watch you together and my husband always tells me I’m glad you went all natural. Especially with us trying to start a family in the next year.
Laura says
Awww thank you so much for sharing this with me! I am so glad!
wilhelmina says
This is a great replacement for store bought detangler while styling my daughter’s hair! It is light enough not to weigh down her fine hair.
Lindsay Cotter says
This was so easy to make! Thank you!
Eswaree says
Hi, how long can I keep these for as it has coconut milk/water in it? Should it be stored in the fridge?
Laura says
Rosemary essential oil is a natural preservative so this is good for one month.
Ellie says
Awesome recipe, love your hair DIY’s! Do you think this would work with coconut cream?
Laura says
Thank you so much! That would make it to thick and then it wouldn’t spray out of the bottle I’m afraid.
SANGEETHA DSOUZA says
what is the shelf life of the spray ?? Thank you.
Alexis says
Is there a replacement that could be used for the vegetable glycerin? Would it be possible to add aloe to the first recipe that has coconut milk in?
Gabby says
Should this be stored in the fridge? Or is it fine to leave it room temp for the whole month?
Laura says
I keep it in the fridge.
Michelle W says
Hi Alexis, I’m new to the essential oil world so forgive me for commenting on such an old post but… I was specifically looking through these comments to see if this exact question was asked before I tried to ask her:) I don’t see a reply though. Did you find out if there is a substitution? Everything I look up comes back with, substitute with another type of glycerin. LOL I HATE when I want to make something and I’m missing one thing, I’m finding that to be the most frustrating part of being a newbee bc I’m so impatient, if I don’t have an ingredient I go and try to order it to be delivered now hahahaha Hope this finds you well thanks for listening/reading:)
HALEY JEAN WATSON says
Is something like this safe on color treated hair?
Anyathub says
Hi,
Thanks for the amazing recipe. I wanted to ask if it is possible to use natural coconut milk directly from the coconut fruit itself instead of the canned coconut milk?
Thank u
Laura says
Yes!
Amanda says
I really loved the smell of this recipe! I’ve been looking for a good conditioner to make and stumbled upon this. To be honest, I’ve been using this as a detangler for my girls, and it has been working much better than a traditional detangler recipe. I just leave it in for a couple of minutes and the tangles come out much easier! Thanks for the recipe!
Laura says
That is a wonderful idea, thanks for sharing! I am so glad you are enjoying it!
Lari says
Most of your recipes have a coconut products in them but I’m allergic. For the conditioner for example, do you think I can use Shea butter instead of the coconut oil? And for these leave in conditioners, do you thi k I can replace the coconut water with regular water? Or is there any substitute for the coconut milk?
Thanks
Laura says
Yes! You can use water instead in this recipe. Shea butter should work in the conditioner, but I have not personally tried it.
Madeline says
Hi, i love your recipes but can i eco preservatives to keep it for more time please?
Laura says
You can add an antioxidant like vitamin E antioxidant or rosemary antioxidant to help extend the shelf life of the product if desired.
Christine Dorn says
is there a substitute for the filtered water like distilled water?
Laura says
Yes
Jacky says
I read that you use the leave in conditioner after shampooing and conditioning your hair. Can I only use the leave in conditioner to condition my hair without using the other conditioner that you wash.
Laura says
Yes, you can!
Letha T Tobias says
what is the shelf life on the growth leave-in-conditioner?
Sandhya says
Thank you for these recipes. I am very sensitive to many chemical and avoid them as much as possible. Is it ok if we use home made coconutmilk as it is very commonly used ingredient in our cooking.