Have you ever considered alternating your hair care routine with some homemade goodness? Your kitchen cabinet and fridge may already contain all the prime ingredients your hair needs. And since you’ll have to do the labour to prepare these edible crèmes of goodness, it’s the perfect excuse for a lazy, yet productive spa day.

My boyfriend had a blast making one sarcastic remark after the other after seeing me cooking up hair masks in our otherwise hardly occupied kitchen. “If only you fed me as well as you feed your hair”. After extensive research I decided to share the wealth with this list of natural ingredients your hair will adore.

Ingredients to look for in your products or use in your own beauty recipes:

• Dry Hair:

– Olive oil: an excellent conditioning emollient that’s also good for the scalp and may even prevent dandruff thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Not likely to cause irritation and good for people with allergies or sensitive skin. Excellent as a pre-wash-treatment for dry hair.

– Honey: natural antibacterial properties, smoothes the cuticles and acts as a humectant (=helps retain water).

– Avocado (vitamin A, D, E, nutrients, potassium, protein): Nourishes, regenerates cells and is easily absorbed thanks to its penetrating properties.

– Shea butter is also excellent for frizzy hair, and since it’s an great emollient (larger fats, that won’t penetrate the hair follicle as easily – similarly to jojoba oil), it coats the outer layer of your hair without weighing it down. In other words, it seals the hair to help retain moisture. Good to end your moisture routine.

– Mayonnaise: Restores shine, volume and moisture.

– Jojoba oil: A good humectant with antioxidant properties, rich in vitamin E and similar to our body’s sebum. (Almond or Argan oil will also work wonders)

– Lavender oil: heals and strengthens hair cuticles.

– Castor seed oil: Its Ricinoleic Acid (an unsaturated fatty acid) helps counter bacterial growth in the scalp and adds shine to the hair.

– Coconut oil (and milk): due to its small molecular structure, this lighter oil easily penetrates your hair follicles and skin. Replaces your hair’s natural oils and is supposedly also a great supplement for hair growth (& smells better than olive oil).

– Greek Yoghurt: great for dull hair. The lactic acid (lactose enzymes) will gently dissolve and strip away dirt while the fat of the milk nourishes.

– Mango: long lasting moisture and supposedly promotes healthy hair growth.

– Eggs: (vitamins A, E and D): the yolk is rich in proteins (which replenishes our keratin protein bonds) and fats, ideal for moisturizing, whilst the egg white contains bacteria-eating enzymes, removing unwanted oils. The proteins also make it ideal for fine, brittle hair.

– Beer: for extra shine & strength, beer will thicken hair and give your hair a volume boost. Yeast extract also helps prevent dandruff and its amino acids and enzymes repair damaged hair.

– Dead sea salt: full of minerals that will give extra strength and texture to fine hair.

• Troubled Scalp:

– Banana: moisturises, smoothes frizz and soothes irritated scalp. Apparently also good for thinning hair.

– Lemon zest or juice: the acidity will calm the scalp. Rinse your scalp with lemon juice to get rid of dandruff.

– Tea trea oil: antibacterial and soothing for dry scalps.

– Strawberries help tone the scalp, add shine & contain lots of vitamin C and antioxidants.

– Aloe vera: well known for its moisturising and healing properties. It’s a great cell growth stimulator making it excellent for irritated or sunburnt skin and even reduces the risks of scarring.

Packed with vitamins (especially Vitamins B & B12), proteins, minerals and amino acids, it promotes hair growth and stops hair loss. Has astringing and antibiotic properties making it an ideal treatment for scalp conditions. Thanks to its sticky nature, it can even be used as an alcohol free gel that won’t dry your hair.

• Oily Hair: 

  (In need of astringents)

Apple vinegar removes build up (baking soda also eats away product build up) and conditions hair shaft, kills bacteria, adds shine, balances the scalp’s PH level and is good for dandruff.

Lemon: Strengthens roots, fights dandruff, stimulates scalp, natural bleacher, adds shine.

Green tea: Contains polyphenolic antioxidants which helps prevent cell damage.
Rooibos Tea: full of antioxidants, helps balance oily hair, supposedly increases hair growth, prevents hair loss,  adds shine and smoothness and protects hair colour.

• Directions for use:

– Coat your dry, unwashed hair with the mixture, cover hair with shower cap or plastic wrap, leave in for at least 30 minutes (or overnight if you can), rinse (with unhardened water, champagne or apple vinegar). Some ingredients like avocado can be difficult to to get out of your hair using only water, so if you need a wash afterwards be sure to use a gentle (e.g. baby) shampoo.

– Some recommend heating up the concoction but since heat will kill certain vitamins etc. I’d advise against this.

– If you’re left with leftover mask, rub it onto your hands or skin. Most of these ingredients are also great for your skin, but I’ll leave those recipes for another article

Note: These all-natural ingredients may cause allergies, so if you’re allergic to any of the listed ingredients you should obviously avoid using them.