How to Make a Nourishing Hair Serum

Maybe you thought you had every hair product you would ever need. But then there’s this product called hair serum; it’s easy to make, protects the hair from environmental damage, reduces unwanted frizz, and promotes natural shine. To learn how to make a nourishing hair serum, try out the recipe below.

This post was originally published on March 29, 2019

What is hair serum & what does hair serum do

Hair serum is a liquid solution, usually with a water base, that is used primarily as a styling product. It’s not so much a hair spray where it provides a firm hold, but more of provides a light coating to soften the hair in order to smooth out frizz.

Many hair serums provide a layer of protection over the hair strands as well to protect against environmental damage.

How does hair serum differ from hair oil

Hair serum differs from homemade hair oils in that hair serum is more for styling while hair oil is primarily used to provide nourishment and hydration to the hair and scalp.

A lot of different hair serums, this one included, really enhance the hair’s natural color and promote shine without leaving a greasy finish.

Many serums also provide some level of sun protection. While some sun is good for the hair, over-exposure to the sun can cause dry, brittle hair, prone to breakage and split ends.

can we use hair serum daily

Apply hair serum as often as you need it. However, most experts recommend using hair serum only after washing your hair, or 3-4 times a week.

Most hair types will not need a serum every day. Limit use to an as-needed basis. If you have extremely frizzy hair that can’t be contained, then use the serum more frequently.

I like to use it just a couple of times a week, and use a rosemary water spray on the other days.

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How to make hair serum at home

INGREDIENTS  

• 1 cup of water 
• 1 tablespoon of dried nettle ( Find it here.) 
• 2 tablespoons of aloe vera (Find it here.) 
• 1/2 teaspoon of jojoba oil (Find it here.) 
• 5 drops of rosemary essential oil 
• 5 drops of lavender essential oil 
• 3 drops of sandalwood essential oil 

Glass or stainless steel spray bottle 

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Bring the water to a boil, then add nettle to steep for 5-10 minutes.
2. Strain the tea, then use a funnel to pour it into the spray bottle. (make sure the tea has cooled before adding it to the glass bottle)
3. Stir in the remaining ingredients.
4. Secure the lid and shake well before using it.
5. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 months. 

How to use hair serum 

Apply the hair serum to wet or dry hair, preferably after showering. Your hair type will determine how often you will need this product.

Lightly mist the serum over the hair. Then, use your fingertips to coat the hair, starting at the base and working your way to the ends.

Give this homemade hair serum some time to soak into the hair and then style like normal. There is no need to rinse it out. 

I use this serum in the evening before bed, followed by a quick brush in the morning. (which is about all I have time for most mornings!)

Related: Say bye to greasy hair with this cornstarch dry shampoo.

Homemade hair serum ingredients

• NETTLE – Nettle has amazing properties for the hair. It can protect against hair loss, promote hair growth, and helps restore hair color. 
• ALOE VERA- Aloe can reduce dandruff by repairing dead skin cells on the scalp and will leave the hair with a more full and shiny appearance.
• JOJOBA OIL – Jojoba oil does a great job of taming frizzy hair by sealing in moisture. In addition, because of its moisturizing properties, jojoba oil is a prominent ingredient in dandruff shampoos. As if that’s not enough, using jojoba oil can also prevent hair loss and give hair a thicker appearance. 
• ROSEMARY- If you look up essential oils for hair, rosemary is going to be a top 10 on any list. And for reasons too many to list here. So add rosemary to your daily hair care routine to help with hair growth, prevent hair loss, hydrate, and help with circulation.
• LAVENDER-Lavender produces more hair follicles to help thicken and strengthen hair. In addition, lavender has a beautiful floral aroma that can promote calmness and reduce stress; stress can be a common factor in hair loss.
• SANDALWOOD- Sandalwood can be nourishing to the hair, and like the other essential oils, it can promote hair growth and thickness. 

Other oils that benefit the hair include:

• Peppermint 
• Cedarwood 
• Tea Tree
• Bergamot 
• Roman Chamomile 

Natural hair care & picking the right serum

I love making natural hair products because I know exactly what is in them, and I am able to save SO much money by doing so.

Because a plethora of hair products are loaded with toxins and chemicals that are harsh and damaging to the body, when I do buy skin care or hair care products, I try and make sure the product I am buying is environmentally friendly, organic, and contains only natural ingredients.

Many natural hair care products contain many similar ingredients, which help keep costs down overall. You will find many of these ingredients in this homemade shampoo and even my homemade hair conditioner.

Key takeaways:

• Homemade hair serum is simple to make, using minimal ingredients.
• The added aloe will help protect the hair from UV damage.
• This homemade hair serum works for all hair types, including men’s hair.
• For best results, only apply hair serum on clean hair.

This spray-style homemade hair serum is a great way to tame frizzy hair and protect it from any type of environmental damage.

If you try this recipe, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know how it worked out for you! And if you want more great hair care products, check out some of these favorites below!

• DIY Sea Salt Spray (for wavy beach hair)
• Simple DIY Dry Shampoo
• Baby and Kid Shampoo DIY
• DIY Detangler Spray  
• Homemade Clarifying Shampoo
• DIY Curl Enhancing Cream
• Homemade Dandruff Shampoo