A homemade conditioner is so much more than a hair softener for more manageable hair. A natural hair conditioner is necessary to hydrate, strengthen, thicken and support healthy hair.
This recipe has been updated on April 17, 2023
As a beauty care enthusiast and recipe developer, some of my favorite DIYs involve body care; soaps, shampoos, and conditioners.
Hair conditioner is for everyone, although not every hair conditioner is suitable for every person. For me, my hair is pin straight and extremely fine
The conditioner my hair needs is going to be different than, say, my husband, who has quite the opposite hair.
His hair is thick, coarse, and curly. And out of all our children, not one got his hair. I was really hoping for at least one head of curls, but apparently, straight hair is dominant.
We may find ourselves skipping the hair conditioning step for those of us in the “fine, smooth hair” department.
I mean, do we really need to condition our hair every day? Do we even need to condition our hair at all?
Is hair conditioner necessary?
You probably already know the answer to this question, but I think understanding what conditioner is will help us better understand why conditioner is necessary.
Yes, the answer is we all need conditioner; my fellow sleek-haired friends, frizzy, curly, coarse, and everything in between.
Hair conditioner replenishes the hair with the necessary oils that have been stripped from the strands during the washing process.
In addition, the conditioner provides a protective layer to each strand as well as softens the hair.
Is it ok to just use conditioner?
NO.-Ok, I admit, I’m trying to answer some of the questions I already receive about hair conditioner.
So while conditioner may provide minimal cleaning to the hair and scalp, it is not a substitute for washing the hair with a shampoo.
Both shampoo and conditioner are necessary for clean, strong, healthy hair.
Homemade hair conditioner
This simple homemade hair conditioner will leave the hair soft, more manageable, and less prone to breakage or split ends.
Oh yeah, and the best part, it contains natural and sustainable ingredients.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure HERE.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz of distilled water
- .25 oz of emulsifying wax
- .25 oz of cocoa butter
- .25 oz argan oil
- .25 oz of jojoba oil
- .25 oz of cromollient SCE
- .5 oz of aloe vera gel
- .05 oz of Linatural broad spectrum preservative
For added fragrance, add up to 6 drops total of essential oils. See recommendations below!
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE CONDITIONER
We’ll need to start by melting the cocoa butter and emulsifying wax with the argan and jojoba oil.
This can be done using a double boiler or a small saucepan. Because it’s such a small amount, I just use a saucepan on low heat.
Once those ingredients are melted, Transfer them to a mason jar or a tall-sided bowl.
Add the water, cromollient SCE and aloe vera gel.
Use an immersion blender to emulsify the ingredients. You’ll want to blend the ingredients for 30 seconds to ensure they are properly emulsified.
A whisk or spoon will not be sufficient to combine the ingredients.
Next, add the prescribed amount of preservative along with any essential oils you may be using. Stir continuously with a spoon while it continues to cool.
Finally, transfer to an old conditioner bottle or any container with a sealable top.
Use a small amount twice or three times a week for the best results.
I store my conditioner in an old bottle to help reduce waste and save money. On that note, I don’t recommend using an open-top container such as a mason jar that water can easily enter.
Any extra water that becomes trapped in the jar becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, significantly reducing the shelf life.
Tips
- The cromollient SCE serves two purposes; combine the water and oil and aid in washing off the product. If your hair seems oily after washing, add a few drops more, and if feels dry after washing, use a few drops less.
- A preservative is required if you will be keeping this conditioner at room temperature; however, you can eliminate the preservative if you can store this product in the fridge for up to several weeks.
- Allow the conditioner ingredients to fully cool before securing the lid.
- This recipe can easily be doubled to last longer. Even with such a small amount, this bottle will last us about a month.
How often should I condition my hair?
Ideally, the hair should be conditioned after every wash to replenish the hair with the necessary nutrients. How often really varies from person to person.
If you have very coarse or dry hair, conditioning the hair more frequently may be required. For me, with very fine hair, I can get away with twice-a-week conditionings.
Use this conditioner with a natural shampoo or dry shampoo, depending on hair type.
Best essential oils for hair
Several essential oils can be used to promote a healthy scalp and hair. I use these oils in a number of hair care products, including hair growth spray, protein treatment, hair spray, and even my moisturizing hair mask.
Rosemary – is the number one oil for hair growth and thickness. It helps to treat dry hair, as well as overly oily hair and can help prevent split ends.
Lavender – studies have shown that lavender produces more hair follicles to help thicken and strengthen hair. In addition, lavender has a beautiful floral scent that promotes calmness and reduces stress; stress can be the biggest reason for hair loss.
Peppermint – this essential 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.
Sandalwood – my personal favorite-smelling oil of all time! Sandalwood can stimulate hair growth, help against dandruff, and promote a healthy scalp.
Bergamot – studies have shown that bergamot has been very successful at promoting hair growth when massaged into the scalp. With cleansing and purifying properties, it is also effective at keeping the scalp healthy.
Lemongrass – this essential oil has a citrus with a hint of a woodsy scent, making it a perfect scent for men or women.
I make a beard oil with lemongrass that my husband loves, and he is pretty picky about having products with manly smells! 😉 Lemongrass is great for the hair and can help to strengthen and thicken.
Clary Sage – adding clary sage to the conditioner will encourage hair growth by strengthening the hair and preventing split ends.
Wild Orange – I love the refreshing and uplifting aroma of wild orange. Wild orange is amazing for supporting the mood the immune system and can benefit the hair.
Tea Tree – tea tree promotes a healthy, clean-looking scalp. In addition, it can be used to help with a dry, itchy scalp and protect against lice.
Roman Chamomile – is a delicate essential oil that is sensitive enough to use on young children. It can help to soften the hair while adding shine. I love using this oil on my kid’s hair.
Favorite conditioner blends
Refreshing floral
- 2 drops of rosemary
- 2 drops of lavender
- 1 drop of peppermint
Tropical bliss
- 2 drops of lavender
- 1 drop of clary sage
- 1 drop of wild orange
- 1 drop of lime
The mens blend
- 3 drops of sandalwood
- 2 drops of bergamot
- 1 drop of lemongrass
Gentle children blend
- 2 drops of lavender
- 1 drop of Roman Chamomile
A LITTLE ON THE INGREDIENTS
Cocoa butter
Cocoa butter is found in many, and I mean many of my DIY products. It is incredible for the skin and hair, and it’s edible (which is probably why I am tempted to eat things like my homemade lip balm and body butter)!
Cocoa butter is extremely moisturizing for the skin and works well at conditioning the hair. In addition, it provides shine, protects against split ends, and softens hair.
Emulsifying wax
Emulsifying wax is made up of cetearyl alcohol and polysorbate 60 and is a welcome addition to this homemade conditioner. In addition to its hair-softening capabilities, we’ve included this ingredient to thicken the product to a conditioner-like finish.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is often used to protect against dandruff because of its moisturizing properties. Using jojoba can also help prevent hair loss along with thickening hair by preventing dryness, a cause of hair loss.
While jojoba oil is an essential part of this recipe, if you have naturally oily hair, you may benefit from an apple cider hair rinse.
Argan Oil
Naturally moisturizing and protecting, argan oil is a welcome addition to this conditioner recipe. This hydrating ingredient promotes natural shine while hydrating your strands.
Aloe Vera
Some people use plain aloe for a hair conditioner, which works fantastic, especially as a hair conditioning treatment. You can apply aloe to the hair and allow it to soak for 2-4 hours or overnight, and then rinse to heal damaged hair.
Aloe can reduce dandruff by repairing dead skin cells on the scalp leaving your hair full and glistening.
Cromollient SCE
Necessary to aid in combining oil and water, and improves wash-off.
Natural Conditioner
Have you tried a homemade hair conditioner? How did it make your hair feel? What essential oils did you add? Share your stories with us in the comments below!
I do hope you found this simple recipe helpful. Everything we put onto our body can be absorbed into the body, which is why knowing exactly what is in every haircare and skincare product is so important.
This hair conditioner is made using simple, natural ingredients for smooth, shiny hair.
A few more popular reads
- Baby Shampoo
- Conditioner Bars
- Shampoo Bars
- Hair Growth Bars
- DIY Detangler Spray
- Simple Bath Bombs
- Top 10 Hair Care Recipes
Homemade Hair Conditioner
Homemade Hair conditioner to soften and strengthen all hair types.
This recipe has been revised to work for multiple hair types. As a result, the comments may not accurately reflect the changes.
Materials
Tools
Instructions
- Start by melting the cocoa butter and emulsifying wax with the argan and jojoba oil. This can be done using a double boiler or a small saucepan. Because it's such a small amount, I just use a saucepan on low heat.
- Once melted, add it to a small bowl along with the water, aloe vera gel and cromollient SCE.
- Emulsify the ingredients with an immersion blender for 30 seconds.
- Add your preservative and any essential oils you may be using and stir with a spoon continually as it cools.
- Finally, transfer to an old conditioner bottle or any container with a sealable top to prevent water from entering.
- Use a small amount twice or three times a week for best results.
Notes
All hair types are different, and as a result, this conditioner may not be for everyone.
Because there is water in this recipe, you must use a preservative or store it in the fridge.
The cromollient SCE allows the oils to emulsify with water and improves the wash-off of the product. You can adjust the amounts based on how well the conditioner washes out of your hair. The recommended usage is 2-10%.
If you use essential oils, be sure to store the product in a thick plastic or glass container.
Lauren says
This is my favorite! I add orange and lavender and it smells amazing!
Laura says
That is a great combo!
wilhelmina says
I am so happy to have the conditioner recipe! Thank you!
Laura says
You’re welcome! I am so glad you like it!
Veronica Travers says
All of the conditioners that I have made with coconut oil or olive oil leave my hair incredibly greasy. Will this do the same or do you have a recommendation for a substitute that I should try to avoid that…my hair gets greasy incredibly easily.
Laura says
If your hair is prone to being greasy this might not be the best recipe for you. I do know that it will take your hair a little while to adjust to any natural shampoo and conditioner.
Veronica Travers says
I will give it some time to adjust. If that doesn’t seem to do the trick, do you have any other recommendations for conditioner recipes? I LOVE the shampoo one.
Laura says
I am so glad you love the shampoo! I currently only have this conditioner recipe, but I am working on more options!
Katie says
Could I use shea butter instead of cocoa butter?
Lora says
Interested to know if this substitution works.
Abbey says
Question for you….you have a cocoa butter linked in this post and then you have a cocoa butter in your Amazon store. Do you recommend one over the other for this conditioner? AND for use in other DIY’s as well?
Laura says
I like both of them. Sometimes products sell out and come back so depending on when I linked it, it may be different.
Abbey says
Makes sense!!
Abbey says
Another quick question, the shampoo says it’s good for about a month. What about the conditioner?
Laura says
I keep them for the same amount of time.
Holly says
Hi, I love the shampoo. Can you keep it longer than a month ? I made the conditioner it got hard . Did I put too much of one ingredient in I measured out following the recipe ? The only thing I used slightly different was I used pure aloe I had froze.
Thank you for all your recipe .
Holly
Laura says
Yes I have kept it longer and it was fine, I am glad you like it! It is normal for the conditioner to harden, scoop a little in your hand and rub it together and it will melt and be ready to put in hair.
Desiree Knoles says
Can you use liquid aloe Vera? I did mine hasn’t completely cooled but I’m afraid it’s won’t solidify like it’s supposed to.
Brigitte says
With coconut oil do we have anything to worry about drains clogging etc…
Laura says
It hasn’t been an issue in my home.
Jessica says
Do you live in the city or have a septic system? I have a septic system and am worried about using coconut oil even though I love it.
Laura says
Yes, I do! I have never had any issues.
Jaime says
I’m in the process of making the conditioner and the aloe Vera keeps sinking to the bottom no matter how much I stir it. How can I get it to be mixed in so that when it cool completely it’ll be included in what goes on my hair and not just at the bottom?
Laura says
Make sure to add it slowly and you can use an immersion blender to mix it.
Lau says
hi Laura!
Can you use anything else instead of aloe vera? or could i just leave it out? I am allergic to it so i would love to make one without!
Laura says
Yes you can leave it out.
Katrina Hardeman says
I mixed mine by weight (30g coconut oil, 30g coconut butter, 15 jojoba) i left out the aloe and essential oils. Was that wrong to do? Cause now it’s fairly solid like a bar in a jar. Is there a way to fix this? Should I melt and pour it into a bar mold?
Laura says
Yes, you can remelt and try again!
Anna says
I love this homemade conditioner! It does harden after a little but I transfer it into a jar! I have tested it with many different EOs! I just made it with blue tansy and it made it kinda smell like apples! I really enjoy all of your posts! This is my go-to DIY website! Thanks!
Adrienne says
Do you know how to make this non-greasy? It made my hair very oily. Also, this hardens very fast. Do you know how to help with this? Thanks!
Megan says
A lot of the canned coconut milks I’m finding have guar gum in them. Does that work, or should I keep looking for straight coconut milk?
I tried your shampoo recipe and absolutely love it! Can’t wait to make this, too!
Laura says
I am so glad you love the shampoo! You can try that coconut milk and see how it works! I have found one brand from Trader Joes that has just coconut milk in it, it is hard to find!
Tracy says
This conditioner along a few others I’ve tried from other sites makes my hair greasy. I massaged it on my scalp as directed but find I have to wash it again to get the oils out.
Laura says
Sometimes it takes a while for your hair to adjust to natural products, it took my hair a couple of months to fully switch over. It could also be hair type.
Heidi says
How many bars does this recipe make?
karen turner says
Could I substitute shea butter instead of cocoa butter?
Laura says
Yes!
Ashlie says
What can I substitute coconut for? I have a coconut, peanut and tree nut allergy. I can’t seem to find anything in stores so I figured I’d try my hand at making my own. TIA!
Laura says
You can use a different carrier oil.
Abbi appleby says
Hello, just curious. Does the conditioner solidify or no?
Laura says
It turns solid, but not hard.
Molly says
Mine isn’t solid. What did I do wrong? Now I’m having trouble washing out of my hair.
Laura says
It probably didn’t set up enough. You can try putting it in the fridge. Also, follow up with an apple cider vinegar rinse.
Preeti says
Thank you for sharing your recipes. In one of your posts I read about shampoo bars as well. Can you please share that recipe?
Laura says
Search in the search bar at the top of my blog and it will pop up.
Cuba says
Hi Laura,
My one year old son has eczema all over his body and face I use only organic/ natural products for him which is costly. Do you have any solution that I can make at home?
And do you only use doterra essential oils for your products or you use other brands?
Cuba x
Laura says
Yes, I have an eczema cream on my blog that you can search in the search bar.
Hailey says
I have a 13oz conditioner bottle I am reusing, but it barely even fills it enough to pump, am I supposed to add water or anything? Or am I supposed to like quadruple the recipe? Lol
Laura says
It makes a small amount and it won’t really be pumpable. You won’t need a lot per washing!
Alakshita says
Thank you for sharing! I am excited to try both the shampoo and the conditioner. Is the conditioner a leave-on type or should it be washed off?
Laura says
This is wash off kind, I do have a leave-in conditioner recipe too!
Angie says
IHi there, this recipe left our hair too greasy. What can we do to make it less greasy? My oldest daughter got very upset. What can we use to make our hair less greasy?
Laura says
Try following up with an apple cider vinegar rinse.
Diana says
I am very appreciative for this information and very easy recipes. I have made a drastic decision to make a GRAND CHANGE in my life. It starts by getting rid of so many CHEMICALLY INFUSED products, I’ve been using for years that are life threatening. What made me change my mind? I looked at a show in HBO MAX, called ” NOT SO PRETTY”. Moving forward ” NO MORE CHEMICALS”!!! meat MS. ALL NATURAL 😍😘
Solana says
How long do you rinse your hair out for? I rinsed mine twice and it was still
super oily.
Laura says
Follow up with an apple cider vinegar rinse.
Susan A. Stoneman says
When do you apply this condition to the hair? After shampooing and doing the final rinse? Then, do you rinse again after using the conditioner? Just making sure I understand how to use this correctly.
By the way, I use your formula for your shampoo and just love it. It is the best shampoo I have ever used on my hair and I have finicky hair, i.e., thick, course and long, beyond my waste.
I love all the information you share on your sight. Love your products !!!
Megan says
Can I use Shea butter instead of cocoa butter?
Laura says
Yes
Pam says
I have made homemade shampoo
and placed it in small silicone molds.
After freezing, I put them into a container for storage in the freezer.
Then I take 1-2 out when I shower.
Do you recommend freezing your shampoo?
I can’t wait to try your recipe.
Laura says
You can do that or you can store it in the fridge as well.
Amy Ryan says
I have a significant allergy to nuts including coconut. What is a suitable substitute for coconut oil in the recipes?
Cat says
What brand of essential oils do you use?And where do you buy them from?
Laura says
I use doTERRA. You can purchase them here: https://shopoils.com/laura-ascher/
Dee Dee says
I really want to try this but I’m a bit confused. Is there a carrier in the recipe that I’m missing? How do 5 tablespoons of oil, 1 tsp of aloe and 21 drops of essential oils make a bottle of conditioner? Am I misreading the recipe?
Drea says
Me too! I thought I was being stupid. But that does not seem to make enough to even put in a bottle. What am I missing??
Laura says
You are welcome to double the recipe! Because only so little is needed for each use, 3 ounces lasts me about a month!
Taylor says
I’m unfortunately allergic to coconut, is there anything I can use as an alternative?
Samantha says
I made this and left it in my shower the night and it solidified a bit did I do something wrong? I measured everything right I think…
Laura says
That is normal, depending on the temperature of your house. When you put a small amount in your hand it will re-melt and be ready to use.
Reily says
What is the shelf life for your shampoo and conditioner? xx
Laura says
The shampoo is good for one month, the conditioner will last much longer because the ingredients are shelf stable.
Ligia says
Hi,
Thank you so much for these lovely alternatives.
I have a question regarding the conditioner. What type of aloe vera should we buy? Liquid, like a gel? Or the actual plant and use the pulp?
Many thanks.
Ligia
Laura says
I use gel, it is linked in the post.
Lesley says
Can you give us your source for where you buy the ingredients? Thanks!
Laura says
YES! Everything is linked in the blog post.
Crystal says
Can I omit aloe vera? I can’t find any that doesn’t contain citric acid.
Laura says
Yes, you can!
Hijade Yeshua says
The link to cocoa butter takes you to Corn Remover pads!! lol…
Mary says
Can I use cocoa butter that’s already turned into a cream? It’s seems to be the only ingredient listed on the body butter.
Laura says
It is usually solid, you can see the kind I linked in the post.
J says
What can be used instead of coconut oil please? Im highly allergic and to many of its derivatives. Essential oils would be a no go for me as it flares my eczema. The less the better really for me
Laura says
Check out my other conditioner recipes! I have several!
Lauren says
How much water do you use? I just tried it and guessed at the amount and mine doesn’t look like it’s going to turn out
Laura says
The water is just for the double boiler. Fill the saucepan with enough water so that the bowl with the ingredients sits in about 1-2 inches of water. The bowl should also be big enough that it rests on the sides of the saucepan and does not float in the water.
Lauren says
Thank you!
Rebecca Rachel says
Can fractionated coconut oil be used in place of non-fractionated coconut oil?
Laura says
No, fractionated coconut oil will not work in this recipe.
Emy says
What size bottle do you use to store the conditioner?
Laura says
My bottle is 8 ounces.
Terri Wilson says
HI,
Thanks so much for all your information. I followed your recipe for the shampoo and conditioner and I love the results, from the first day. I have a question regarding the conditioner. Mine was solidified in the bottle when I went to use it a couple of days after the first day. I saw that it would melt down slowly when I ran the hot water in the shower over the bottle, but not quick enough for using it that morning. Is it ok to put the bottle in some hot water in a pan to melt it down before using multiple times? I don’t know if reheating it will change the ingredients in a way that’s unhealthy. Thanks so much!
Laura says
The aloe vera gel should not be reheated multiple times. If it’s kept above 70° it shouldn’t have solidified with the jojoba and aloe vera gel. You may consider adding in an additional teaspoon of jojoba oil.
Hayley says
Hi there. How many uses does this make roughly? Thanks 😊
Silke says
Hey!
Just made this conditioner the other night and used it.
Are you just supposed to rinse it out with water?
As it left my hair extremely greasy.
I have a huge bunch of thick rather coarse hair.
I hardly wash it (doesnt really need it), but it does get a bit dry and frizz at times.
So it seemed like a good idea to use a conditioner, but it’s like my hair doesn’t absorb it or something 😅.
What can i change?
(I don’t use regular shampoos, make my own with rhassoul clay, aloe, EO, plant powders)
Greets
Silke
Laura says
You only need a small amount. You can also follow up with an apple cider vinegar rinse; I have a recipe on my blog.
Courtney says
Is it possible to make this without an immersion blender?! Maybe rapidly shaking a mason jar?
Laura says
You’ll really need an immersion blender to emulsify the oils with the water.
I have not tried it this way, but a blender with a small blade near the bottom may work to combine the ingredients.
Rochelle says
Is the original recipe for the homemade conditioner still available? It had coconut oil & cocoa butter in it. The supplies I purchased to make it have arrived, but I now see the recipe has changed.
Laura says
Hi Rochelle, yes, here is the link: https://www.ouroilyhouse.com/original-conditioner-recipe/
Gabrielle says
cromollient SCE is not available for purchase in Australia where I live. Do you know if there is a substitute I could use?
Melanie says
Hello!
I would also like to know if there is something else I can use instead of cromollient SCE. I can’t seem to find it in my area.
Thank you!
Anexys says
Hi, since “Linatural broad spectrum preservative” is often unavailble, can vegetable glycerin or even Sodium lactate be used instead?