5 DIY Protein Hair Masks

These 5 DIY protein hair masks will help repair damaged hair, add moisture, and leave hair soft and smooth. With just a few ingredients, you can give your hair a nourishing protein treatment right at home.

Why You’ll Love These Recipes

• Protein hair treatments work to strengthen your hair and improve overall hair health. You’ll love how your hair looks after incorporating DIY protein treatments into your routine!
• Many of these recipes use simple kitchen ingredients that you might already have on hand! They are made with simple ingredients and take just a couple of minutes to whisk together.
• With five different recipes, I have something for everyone in here! Try them all to find what works best for your hair.
• With all-natural, biodegradable ingredients, these protein hair treatments are better for the planet and better for you.

Natural Protein Treatment for Your Hair

If your hair is thin, prone to breakage, or struggling to grow, it may benefit from a natural protein treatment. This is often as easy as smearing protein-rich foods in your locks, letting them sit, and rinsing them out.

Some of the best ingredients to use for a protein treatment are eggs, oils, avocado, milk, gelatin, yogurt, or sour cream.

To make the perfect protein treatment, you can mix a few together and add in essential oils. The essential oils can have some incredible benefits for your hair and help mask the scent of massaging weird foods into your head.

DIY Protein Hair Treatments

1. Egg and Yogurt Hair Treatment

Ingredients

1 egg (you may need to use more for thick, long hair)

1 tablespoon whole fat yogurt

2-3 drops lavender essential oil (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Whisk until well combined. 
3. Massage the mixture into your scalp and hair. Then, run your fingers through your strands to ensure the serum is covering all of the hair.
4. Let the protein treatment sit for at least 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
5. Wash out with a shampoo, like my cold process shampoo and follow up with these homemade conditioner bars.

2. Gelatin Protein Hair Mask

Ingredients

1 teaspoon gelatin

1 teaspoon honey

1/2 cup hot water

2-3 drops rosemary essential oil

Instructions

1. Bring the water to a boil and remove it from the heat.
2. Add in the gelatin and stir until mixed in. The water will thicken as it sits, so move fast.
3. Next, add in the honey and rosemary essential oil, stir it in well.
4. In the shower or over a sink, pour the mixture over wet hair and massage it into the scalp and hair strands.
5. Allow the mixture to sit on the hair for 15-20 minutes and rinse with warm water.
6. Wash out with homemade shampoo and homemade conditioner.

3. Avocado and Milk Hair Treatment

Ingredients

1 ripe avocado (the riper, the better)

2 tablespoons of milk (whole milk or coconut milk will work)

1 teaspoon of coconut oil

1 teaspoon honey

2-3 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions

1. Mash the avocado in a small bowl until smooth.
2. Add milk, then stir in coconut oil and honey.
3. Finally, add the tea tree oil and mix in well.
4. Apply the mixture to scalp and hair strands. Allow it to sit for 15-20 minutes.
5. Rinse with warm water and wash hair with shampoo and conditioner.

4. Coconut Milk & Aloe Vera Protein Mask

Ingredients

1/4 cup full-fat coconut milk
2 tablespoons aloe vera gel (pure, no additives)

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk the coconut milk and aloe vera gel together until fully combined.
2. Apply to damp hair, starting at the roots and working it through to the ends. Make sure your hair is evenly coated.
3. Let it sit for 15–20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Follow up with shampoo and conditioner if needed.

5. Banana & Egg Protein Mask

Ingredients

1 ripe banana
1 egg (use 2 for long or thick hair)

Instructions

1. Mash the banana in a small bowl until smooth, or better yet, toss it in a blender to get it super creamy.
2. Crack in the egg and blend or whisk until fully combined. You want a nice, lump-free texture so it’s easy to apply and rinse out.
3. Apply to damp hair, starting at the roots and working your way down to the tips.
4. Let the mask sit for 15–20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
5. Follow with shampoo and your favorite conditioner bar.

Why Is Protein Important for Hair?

Our hair is mostly made of a protein called keratin. Keratin is a protective protein and forms the tissues of our hair, nails, and skin. It can also be found in our internal organs and glands.

Along with keratin, our hair also contains water, minerals, and melanin. The amount of melanin pigment in the hair is what determines the color of our hair. It is crucial for hair to have protein for it to be healthy, strong, and fast-growing.

If your diet lacks protein or your body doesn’t absorb it properly, you may experience hair loss, thinning, or breakage. Protein is vital for healthy hair!

What Does Protein Treatment Do for Your Hair?

Performing a protein treatment or deep conditioning treatment on your hair will add protein to the hair cuticle. Doing this can strengthen hair and help reduce split ends and breakage.

Adding protein to your hair is a great way to improve hair quality and help your hair grow faster, longer, and more robust.

After a protein treatment, your hair may be less frizzy, smoother, and well-hydrated. In addition, it can repair damaged hair that has been colored, treated, or heat-damaged.

How Do I Know If I Need Protein Hair Masks?

With so many different hair types, what works for one person might not work for another. Most likely, a protein hair treatment can help your hair, as we all likely have some level of damage.

Even if you have avoided dying your hair and have never used heat styling tools, damage can come from a variety of sources, such as sun exposure, towel drying your hair, or even brushing and styling. As I said, we all have damage to some degree.

If you are dealing with anything from the list below, try doing one of the five DIY hair protein treatments to restore and hydrate your hair:

• split ends
• breakage
• slow growth
• hair thinning
• frizzy hair
• dull hair
• lack of shine
• dry hair
• damage from heat or treatment
• brittle hair

Natural Ways to Add Protein to Your Hair

• Do an at-home hair protein treatment
• Add more protein to your diet, such as meat, eggs, or plant-based protein
• Switch to sulfate-free shampoo (better yet, make your own homemade shampoo)
• Wash hair less often – DIY dry shampoo helps a lot between washes!
• Use a protein-boosting homemade rice water hair rinse
• Air dry hair whenever possible
• Avoid heat styling tools and color treatments when possible
• When you do need to use heat, use a natural heat protectant spray first

Essential Oils for Hair

Several essential oils can be used to promote healthy, strong hair. Some of my favorites to use for hair are the ones I listed in the above recipes: lavender, rosemary, and tea tree. I share my top 10 favorite essential oils for hair in another post.

Though using essential oils in your hair treatment is optional, they may promote hair growth, reduce split ends, lessen frizz, and leave a long-lasting scent. 

If you decide to add essential oils to your at-home protein hair treatment, remember that they are concentrated, and a small amount goes a long way. You can use a single oil or a blend of oils to customize your hair mask just for you.

More essential oils to try for hair:

• Peppermint 
• Cedarwood 
• Lemon 
• Lemongrass 
• Clary Sage
• Bergamot 
• Basil 

Frequently Asked Questions

More Natural Hair Care Products

Making your own hair care products gives you control over ingredients, is more sustainable, and will save money in the long run. Be sure to check out some of my more popular hair care products, or check out my top 12 hair care recipes.

• Hair Butter Recipe
• Homemade Hair Growth Oil for Beautifully Thick Hair 
• DIY Hair Growth Spray
• DIY Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
• Aloe Vera Hair Mask for Hair Growth
• Hydrating Coconut Water for Hair 

If you tried these DIY Protein Hair Masks or any other tutorial on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!