DIY Leave-In Conditioner

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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.

A bottle of leave-in conditioner next to dried flowers and a hair brush.

I used to struggle with dry, brittle hair. I would use a nourishing homemade shampoo and always follow it with homemade conditioner, but that just wasn’t cutting it.

Finally, I decided to up my hair care game and started using a DIY leave-in conditioner a couple of times a week. It worked amazingly well! I could feel my hair getting softer, healthier, and stronger.

If you are experiencing dryness, breakage, thinning, or you just feel like your hair needs extra TLC, you may love leave-in conditioner just as much as I do.

I am going to share 3 different leave-in conditioner recipes that can help with strengthing the hair, moisturizing the scalp, and promoting healthy hair growth. You can choose which recipe to use based on your hair type and needs.

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!

Need a quick pick? My go-to recipe is the coconut milk leave-in conditioner!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love These Recipes

Leave-in conditioner spray is an easy way to moisturize and nourish your hair. A quick spritz after your shower is all it takes!
I have found leave-in conditioner to be very effective on my hair. It has left it healthier, stronger, and softer. The conditioner spray also helped as a detangler and anto-frizz product! You may have similar results with continual use.
With just a few ingredients and a minute or two to make, this leave-in conditioner couldn’t be easier. Pour all of the ingredients into a bottle, shake, and you have yourself a simple DIY leave-in conditioner.

What Goes Into These Recipes

Coconut Milk Leave-In Conditioner

Coconut milk: Coconut milk is a great hair care ingredient! I use it in my nourishing coconut milk shampoo because it is so moisturizing. Be sure to use canned, full-fat, unsweetened coconut milk rather than the cartons found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.
Jojoba oil: Jojoba oil has so many benefits for your hair and skin that make it a must for leave-in conditioner! According to Healthline, jojoba oil “is rich in vitamins and minerals that nourish hair, including vitamin C, B vitamins, vitamin E, copper, and zinc.” It can also help with dandruff, breakage, and split ends.
Essential oils: Choose any of the oils below that are shown to benefit hair.
Filtered water
4-ounce glass spray bottle

Aloe Vera Leave-In Conditioner

Coconut water: Coconut water is a simple, nourishing ingredient for hair. It can even be sprayed on hair by itself as a natural coconut water hair tonic. The coconut water in this recipe can help to hydrate and strengthen hair.
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, prevents dry scalp, and can reduce dandruff.
Essential oils: Choose one or two from the below list of the best essential oils for hair.
Vegetable glycerin
4-ounce glass spray bottle

Leave-In Conditioner for Hair Growth

Coconut milk: Coconut milk is not just moisturizing for the hair, it also strengthens and restores hair. Coconut milk may help slow hair loss by making the hair cuticle stronger.
Melted shea butter: Shea butter is another great ingredient for hair health and growth. Take note that you may find that the shea butter hardens and won’t come out of the spray bottle. Simply warm it up again before spraying the conditioner into your hair.
Jojoba oil: We already touched on how jojoba oil is an incredible ingredient for hair care, but it can also help with hair loss! By strengthening hair and moisturizing hair follicles, jojoba oil may prevent hair loss and promote hair thickness.
Lavender essential oil: Lavender doesn’t just smell amazing and promote calmness, it also promotes hair growth!
Rosemary essential oil: Rosemary is considered one of the best essential oils for hair growth. I use it in many of my hair growth products, such as hair growth spray and homemade hair growth oil.
Filtered water
4-ounce glass spray bottle

How to Make Leave-In Conditioner

Mixing ingredients in a glass bowl to make leave-in conditioner.

Step 1. Add all of the ingredients to a small mixing bowl and whisk until they are well combined.

A glass bottle with a metal funnel in the top, full of DIY leave-in conditioner.

Step 2. Using a funnel, transfer the mixture to a spray bottle. Shake well before each use and store in the refrigerator.

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, but it is best if your hair is slightly damp.

Spray the leave-in conditioner generously over the hair and then style it like normal.

Expert Tips

These leave-in conditioners last for about a week in the fridge. The batches are small so you can make a fresh one each week.
If you have greasy or oily hair, avoid spraying the leave-in conditioner on your roots. Spraying it on the ends will moisturize the hair without making your scalp more oily.
Limit use of the leave-in conditioner to 1-3 times per week. I like to wash my hair twice a week and use the conditioner right after each wash.

A bottle of leave-in conditioner next to dried lavender and a hair brush.

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 a major 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.

Recipe FAQs

What is leave-in conditioner?

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.

What are the benefits of leave-in conditioner?

Leave-in conditioner gives the hair and scalp an extra boost of moisture and nourishment. Because it’s left on the hair rather than rinsed out, it has longer to soak in and hydrate the hair.

Moisturizing and nourishing a dry, itchy scalp can enable hair to grow stronger and thicker, which may help with thinning hair.

If you are experiencing hair loss or a lot of hair breakage, try using a leave-in conditioner a few times a week.

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 condition your hair 1-3 times a week, depending on your hair type.

Overconditioning 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 or use a homemade dry shampoo to help absorb excess grease.

Which of these recipes should I use?

That depends on your hair type and what you’re dealing with! The coconut milk conditioner is ideal for dry hair, while the aloe vera conditioner is ideal for those with oily hair as it’s a lighter recipe. The hair growth recipe is perfect for anyone who wants thicker, stronger hair.

Of course, all of the recipes are made with moisturizing and nourishing the hair in mind, so you can’t go wrong with any of them.

DIY Leave-In Conditioner

Why You’ll Love These Recipes