17 Best DIY Leave-In Conditioner Recipes For Smooth And Healthy Hair

Leave-in conditioners are versatile hair care products that provide extra moisture to your hair. However, the preservatives in them may cause some detrimental effects on your hair. But worry not – as you can now prepare homemade DIY leave-in conditioners for smooth hair. These may prevent frizz and fight dryness. This, in turn, may reduce break and promote hair growth. In addition, they may smoothen flyaways, and make hair silkier.

The organic ingredients used in the preparation of these natural leave-in conditioners are gentle on your hair and suit all hair types. This article explores the top 15 DIY leave-in conditioner recipes and how you can use them to boost your hair health. Keep reading to know more.

Why Use DIY Leave-In Conditioners?

• DIY leave-in conditioners are safe, cheap, and rarely have any side effects.
• Most of the ingredients used are available in your kitchen pantry.
• You can customize your DIY leave-in conditioner as per your hair concerns.
• They are free of preservatives and toxins and do not weigh your hair down.

The next section gives an insight into the ingredients used in the DIY leave-in conditioners. Keep scrolling!

Which Ingredients In Leave-In Conditioners Help Smoothen The Hair?

1. Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids and penetrates the hair shafts to strengthen them from within (1). It also coats the outer layer of the hair and prevents moisture loss (2).

2. Castor Oil: Anecdotal evidence suggests that castor oil promotes hair growth and conditions the hair. It is a good lubricant and helps smoothen the hair strands (3).

3. Olive Oil: Olive oil contains emollients, such as oleic acidⁱ  A mono-unsaturated fatty acid that works to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, boost the immune system and enhance the mood. ,palmitic acidⁱ  A saturated fatty acid found naturally in many plant and animal sources and helps improve metabolic functions, forming other beneficial fatty acids, and skin health. , and squaleneⁱ  An organic compound, rich in antioxidants, found in the liver oil of sharks and in the sebum released by the sebaceous glands of our skin. (4). These emollientsⁱ  Moisturizing substances or treatments applied directly to the skin to soothe, soften and hydrate it. may soften the hair and make it shiny.
4. Aloe Vera: Aloe vera has moisturizing properties and helps condition the hair (5).
5. Glycerin: Glycerin is a humectant (6). It locks in moisture and makes the hair soft and smooth.
6. Argan Oil: Argan oil helps moisturize, soften, and smooth the hair (7).
7. Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil is a natural emollient (8). It may help moisturize and soften the hair.
8. Marshmallow Root: Marshmallowⁱ  A perennial plant indigenous to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa whose mucilage-containing roots have medicinal properties used to soothe and soften dry, rough skin and hair. root contains a thick mucilageⁱ  A thick, gelatinous substance extracted from plant roots, seeds and other organic sources. (9). Traditionally, it has been used to detangle and soften the hair.

Trivia

It is said that the Greeks used marshmallow root for healing. Althaea (the scientific name for marshmallow plant) means ‘to heal’ in Greek.

Let’s now discover how to use simple ingredients from your kitchen to prepare DIY leave-in conditioners. 

17 Effective DIY Leave-In Conditioner Recipes 

1. Coconut Oil Leave-In Conditioner

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
• 1 capsule of vitamin E
• 150 mL distilled water

Directions

1. Warm the coconut oil and pour it in a spray bottle.
2. Prick the vitamin E capsule and empty its contents into the bottle.
3. Add water and mix the ingredients thoroughly.
4. Shake the bottle well before use.

Khushbu Shakyawar, a beauty YouTuber, used olive oil, water, and a store-bought conditioner to prepare a DIY leave-in conditioner. She suggests you can use coconut oil as well. She further added, “It makes the hair soft and manageable (i).”

2. Castor Oil Leave-In Conditioner

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of castor oil
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 150 mL distilled water
• A spray bottle

Directions

1. Mix the castor and olive oils well.
2. Add water to this mixture and pour into the spray bottle.
3. Shake it well before use.

3. Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of shea butter
• 10-15 drops of rosemary oil
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• ⅓ cup of water

Directions

1. Mix all the ingredients properly.
2. Store in a spray bottle and use as required.

4. Aloe Vera Leave-In Conditioner

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
• 1 tablespoon of glycerin
• ⅓ cup of water

Directions

1. Mix all the ingredients and store it in a spray bottle.
2. Shake the bottle well before use.

5. Argan Oil Leave-In Conditioner

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of argan oil
• 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
• ⅓ cup of water

Directions

1. Mix the argan oil and aloe vera gel.
2. Add water to this mixture.
3. Shake the spray bottle well before use.

6. Jojoba Oil Leave-In Conditioner

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of jojobaⁱ  An evergreen shrub bearing seeds containing oil with healing properties. This oil is often used as a natural lubricant in many cosmetics. oil
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
• ⅓ cup of water

Directions

1. Mix all the oils and add water to the mixture.
2. Store in a spray bottle and use as required.

Note:

Warm the coconut oil if needed as it is a solid at room temperature. 

7. Sweet Almond Oil Leave-In Conditioner

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of glycerin
• ⅓ cup of water

Directions

1. Mix the jojoba oil, olive oil, glycerin, and water.
2. Store this mixture in a spray bottle and use as required.

8. Grapefruit Seed Extract Leave-In Conditioner

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of grapefruit seed oil
• 1 tablespoon of argan oil
• ⅓ cup water

Directions

1. Mix all the ingredients.
2. Store the mixture in a spray bottle and use when needed.

9. Vitamin E Leave-In Conditioner

You Will Need

• 2 capsules of vitamin E
• 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
• 1 teaspoon of olive oil
• ⅓ cup of water

Directions

1. Add aloe vera gel, olive oil, and water to a spray bottle.
2. Pour the contents of the vitamin E capsules into this mixture.
3. Shake the bottle well before use.

10. Coconut Milk Leave-In Conditioner

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• ⅓ cup of water

Directions

1. Mix all the ingredients and store the paste in a bowl in the refrigerator.
2. Use when required.

11. Coconut Water Leave-In Conditioner

You Will Need

• Equal parts of coconut water and distilled water

Directions

1. Dilute the coconut water with distilled water.
2. Spritz the mixture on your hair as required.

12. Rooibos Tea Leave-In Conditioner

You Will Need

• ½ cup of rooibosⁱ  A flowering plant whose leaves are plucked, dried and fermented to make aromatic herbal tea. tea
• ½ cup of water

Directions

1. Dilute the tea concoction with water.
2. Use it when needed.

13. Olive Oil Leave-In Conditioner

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 4 tablespoons aloe vera gel
• ⅓ cup water

Directions

1. Mix the olive oil with water and add aloe vera gel to this mixture.
2. Store the blend in a spray bottle.
3. Use this conditioner as needed.

14. Avocado Oil Leave-In Conditioner

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of avocado oil
• 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• ⅓ cup of water

Directions

1. Mix the coconut and avocado oils with water.
2. Add aloe vera gel to this mixture.
3. Shake the bottle well before use.

15. Marshmallow Root Leave-In Conditioner

You Will Need

• 3 tablespoons of marshmallow gel
• 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• ⅓ cup of water

Directions

1. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly.
2. Store the mixture in a spray bottle.
3. Shake well before use.

16. Honey Leave-In Conditioner

You Will Need

• 4 tablespoons of coconut oil
• 8 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
• 2 teaspoons of honey
• 2 teaspoons of sweet almond oil
• ½ cup of water

Directions

1. Mix honey and warm coconut oil in a bowl.
2. Pour the mixture, along with aloe vera gel, sweet almond oil, and water, into a spray bottle.
3. Shake well before use.

17. Green Tea Leave-In Conditioner

You Will Need

• ½ cup of steeped and cooled green tea
• 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
• Juice from 1 lemon
• 2 teaspoons of jojoba oil
• 12 drops of any essential oil

Directions

1. Mix the aloe vera gel with the cooled green tea in a spray bottle.
2. Add lemon juice, jojoba oil, and any essential oil to the spray bottle.
3. Shake well before use.

Quick Tip

Use any of these leave-in conditioners 1-2 times a week for the best results. Using them every day may cause an oily scalp, product buildup, and scalp irritation.

Apart from these recipes, you may also try using homemade banana hair conditioner. Bananas are known to soften the hair and are exceptionally good for dry, frizzy hair. So, do give it a try.

If you are wondering how to apply the DIY leave-in conditioners the right way for smooth, frizz-free hair, scroll down to the next section.

How To Use Leave-In Conditioners Effectively

1. Wash your hair thoroughly.
2. Apply the leave-in conditioner 2 inches from the hair roots. Do not apply it to the scalp.
3. Divide your hair into small sections and coat each section with the conditioner.
4. Don’t forget to apply the conditioner to the hair ends since they tend to get dry the most.
5. Air or blow dry the hair and style it.

Say, one of the formulas caters to your skin like no other and you want to use it again and again. Wouldn’t it be more cost and energy-efficient to make the formula in a big batch? If so, you will benefit from knowing how to keep the conditioner fresh for a longer time. Scroll down to know more!

Tips For Storing DIY Leave-In Conditioners

• Store leave-in conditioners in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight to preserve their effectiveness.
• Keep the container tightly sealed to prevent contamination.
• Refrigeration can also extend shelf life.

Always label the container with the preparation date for freshness tracking. Plus, do not forget to check the freshness before applying it to your skin each time.

Infographic: 5 Best Homemade DIY Leave-In Conditioner Oils For Smooth Hair

Opting for natural remedies to sort out rough hair is better than putting them through chemical treatments. Here are some of the leave-in conditioners that are convenient and easy to make.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to include essential oils in my DIY leave-in conditioner?

Yes, you can add essential oils to your DIY leave-in conditioner. Choose oils like lavender or rosemary for added nourishment but ensure proper dilution to avoid irritation or sensitivity.

How do you make a creamy leave-in conditioner?

To make a creamy leave-in conditioner, you can refrigerate your mixture of nourishing ingredients like coconut milk, honey, and aloe vera.

Is a leave-in conditioner just a watered-down conditioner?

No. The formulation of a leave-in conditioner is different from a regular conditioner as the former is free of oils and doesn’t contain any ingredients that may weigh your hair down.

Can honey be used as a leave-in conditioner?

Yes. Honey has humectantⁱ  A water-absorbing substance that helps retain moisture and keep the skin healthy and supple. and emollient properties, so you can use it as a leave-in conditioner after diluting it to reduce its stickiness (10).

Illustration: Easy DIY Leave-In Conditioner Recipes For Smooth Hair

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn how to make your own DIY leave-in conditioner with simple ingredients! Get ready to have soft, manageable hair with this easy-to-follow tutorial. Watch the video to know more.

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Madison DufourBarber & Cosmetologist

     

Madison Dufour is a licensed and practicing barber and cosmetologist with 10 years of experience, as well as an entrepreneur running several hair businesses, including MadisonD Barbering and The Exquisite Find Hair Blog. After working behind the chair for several years, she felt the calling to start the non-profit Barber in a Bag that teaches basic hair cutting skills in street and slum communities in South America.

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Annie Jangam is a researcher-turned-content writer with 11 years of experience. She enjoys dissecting complex clinical studies and shuffling through the scientific jargon to make science interesting and easy to understand.

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Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.

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Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.

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