If you think all hair conditioners are the same, it’s time to start paying closer attention to what you’re putting on your hair. As beneficial as regular hair conditioners can be, using more natural ingredients can be better for you. Natural hair conditioner alternatives have fewer harsh ingredients that tend to weigh your hair down and can give your tresses a lot of essential nutrients in a more concentrated amount.
For guys who want a break from manufactured ingredients and want some nourishment that comes straight from the source, here are some DIY recipes you can make at home.
Coconut Oil
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Coconut oil is one of the most versatile ingredients that can be used for a variety of purposes. One such purpose is to use it as a natural hair conditioner. Rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, coconut oil is an excellent way of restoring nourishment and hydration to your hair. You can leave it on for a while like a hair mask or apply it to the tips of your hair, especially if your locks are curly or are a little on the dry side.
How To Use Coconut Oil As A Natural Hair Conditioner
- Heat up coconut oil until slightly warm.
- Massage onto hair and scalp. Focus on the ends of your hair since they are more in need of extra hydration.
- Leave on for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse well.
Tip: Mix coconut oil with honey for extra hydration and sweet-smelling hair. Similar to coconut oil, honey is also an organic conditioner that can even help prevent dandruff.
Apple Cider Vinegar
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A popular homemade conditioner, apple cider vinegar is said to be a good natural ingredient that can balance your hair’s pH level. The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar can help smooth hair and combat frizziness. It can be especially helpful in bringing dull hair back to life and adding shine to your locks. Due to the acidic nature of apple cider vinegar, you have to dilute it with some water, especially if you have sensitive skin.
How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar As A Natural Hair Conditioner
- Use 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar for every 1 cup of water.
- Mix into a spray bottle for easy application. Be sure to shake it well prior to every application.
- Start spraying the solution from the tips of your hair and gradually work it into your scalp.
- Leave on for 3-5 minutes.
- Rinse well.
Tip: The one downside to using apple cider vinegar as a natural conditioner is the smell. Its strong smell can turn people away from using it on their hair. To mask its scent, we recommend mixing in an essential oil into your DIY conditioner. Moreover, certain essential oils like peppermint, lavender, tea tree, and rosemary have some healing properties that can be beneficial for your hair.
Aloe Vera
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Much like coconut oil, aloe vera is another versatile ingredient that can be used in a multitude of ways. As a natural hair conditioner, aloe vera can be used to add shine and cleanse oily hair more thoroughly. It contains vitamins A, C, and E, which can help stimulate healthy cell growth. Additionally, aloe vera can also help battle hair loss as it contains vitamin B12 and folic acid. Using fresh aloe vera straight from the plant is best for this organic conditioner but if not, store-bought aloe vera gel will work just as well.
How To Use Aloe Vera Gel As A Natural Hair Conditioner
- Mix one 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with 4 tablespoons of aloe vera gel. Lemons help with scalp health as they contain anti-fungal properties.
- After shampooing, apply your aloe vera mixture to the lengths of your hair.
- Leave on for 5 minutes.
- Rinse well.
Tip: Aloe vera gel is a popular remedy that can help soothe sunburns due to its cooling effect on your skin. Use it on your scalp after a long day at the beach to help your hair recover from sun damage.
Egg Yolk
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The protein in egg yolk can work wonders for dry hair. Egg yolks are also high in fat, which can help leave your hair feeling softer. In general, eggs are a great ingredient for homemade hair masks, but it’s their yolk that is especially beneficial in treating your locks.
How To Use Egg Yolk As A Natural Hair Conditioner
- Beat 2 to 3 egg yolks until frothy.
- Work the mixture into your hair.
- Leave on for 20 minutes.
- Rinse well with cold water. Using hot water might cause the mixture to clump in your hair and make it more difficult to wash it out.
Tip: If you’re not a fan of the eggy smell, you can mask the scent with a few drops of lemon oil.
Bananas
Photo by _Alicja_ from Pixabay
More than just a healthy snack, bananas are another great organic conditioner ingredient, especially for damaged tresses. They’re rich in potassium and vitamins that can help soften your hair and improve elasticity. Bananas contain a high amount of silica, which is a mineral element that helps your body produce collagen. It can thus make your hair stronger and is excellent for getting rid of frizziness.
What’s great about using bananas as a homemade conditioner is that it works well with other natural ingredients. Based on what your hair concern is, bananas can be used with either honey, olive oil, or coconut milk as a natural conditioner. We prefer to mix it with honey and eggs to create a super moisturizing DIY conditioner for dry hair.
How To Use Bananas As A Natural Hair Conditioner
- Mash 2 ripe bananas.
- Break open 1 fresh egg into the mixture.
- Add 2 teaspoons of honey.
- Beat the mixture until you end up with a smooth paste.
- Apply onto hair.
- Leave on for 20 minutes.
- Rinse well.
Tip: Bananas can also be mixed in with aloe vera gel for an extra hydrating hair mask. You’re going to want to use a blender to create a fine mixture for this, though. Leave it on your hair and scalp for 2 hours. You’ll be left with smooth and shiny locks after washing.
Yogurt
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Great for all hair types, yogurt is an excellent natural hair conditioner that helps maintain natural texture and shininess. The protein found in yogurt can help prevent split ends, fight damage, and strengthen hair altogether. It’s also been known to soften hair, while the lactic acid in yogurt helps with hydration. It’s best to use plain yogurt or make your own yogurt with this culture kit.
How To Use Yogurt As A Natural Hair Conditioner
- Beat 1 fresh egg.
- Mix the egg with 6 tablespoons of plain yogurt.
- Apply the mixture to your hair and massage into your scalp.
- Cover your hair with a shower cap to seal in the mixture.
- Leave on for 15-30 minutes.
- Rinse well.
Tip: You can also mix yogurt with honey to give your hair some additional nourishment. Alternatively, add some coconut oil into your homemade hair conditioner if you want to leave your hair feeling really soft.
Mayonnaise
Photo by Welikodub from Pixabay
Work some mayonnaise into your hair care routine for smoother, shinier, and softer locks. It works especially well on curly hairstyles for men. This is due to the fatty acids and vitamins in mayonnaise that help seal in moisture in hair strands. Since mayonnaise is made primarily of oil, it can be the best deep conditioner for guys with dry hair.
How To Use Mayonnaise As A Natural Hair Conditioner
- This hair conditioner recipe works best with wet hair, so make sure your hair is nice and wet beforehand.
- Apply mayonnaise on your hair like you would with a regular hair conditioner. To ensure an even application, use a wide-tooth comb.
- Use a shower cap to trap in heat and ensure deep penetration of mayonnaise into your hair.
- Leave on for 20 minutes.
- Rinse well. Shampoo afterward to thoroughly remove mayonnaise.
Tip: If you don’t have a shower cap, you can use cling wrap or a plastic bag instead.
Olive Oil
Photo by Couleur from Pixabay
What better way to replenish your hair’s natural oils than with oil itself? Olive oil is a great substitute for conditioner. It’s readily available and can be combined with other natural hair conditioners. Moreover, it efficiently penetrates the hair shaft to preserve moisture and strengthen hair. Olive oil is rich in emollients, so using it as a hair conditioner can leave your tresses soft and smooth.
How To Use Olive Oil As A Natural Hair Conditioner
- Depending on how much of your hair you want to soak, you can use as little as 1 tablespoon (for just the hair ends), or as much as 1/4 cup of olive oil if you want to cover your entire head.
- Work the olive oil through your hair.
- If you have a dry scalp, be sure to massage the oil onto your scalp as well.
- To make sure the olive oil fully saturates your hair, use a shower cap.
- Leave on for 15 minutes.
- Rinse well. Proper washing of your hair will ensure that your locks are smooth and soft to the touch without feeling greasy.
Tip: Suffering from head lice? Olive oil can be used to help remove those pests from your hair, as oils deprive lice of oxygen. This effectively suffocates the lice and subsequently kills them. Take note, however, that olive oil shouldn’t be utilized as a total replacement for medicated shampoos that target lice and their nits. They can instead be seen as a supplementary treatment that moisturizes your hair in the process.
Shea Butter
Photo by Hopkinsuniv from Wikimedia Commons
Another superb source of essential fatty acids and natural oils for your hair is shea butter. It’s a natural hair conditioner that contains moisturizing properties to help with dry and frizzy hair. As it’s a heavy moisturizer, some people may consider shea butter as the best conditioner for curly hair. It’s a no-brainer for guys with tightly-coiled, kinky hair who want a rich and creamy hair moisturizer. Mix in some coconut oil to create a homemade conditioner that locks in moisture and adds luster to your hair.
How To Use Shea Butter As A Natural Hair Conditioner
- Melt 1 tablespoon of shea butter.
- Mix in 2 tablespoons of coconut oil.
- Let the mixture cool for a few minutes.
- Once cooled to a reasonable temperature, apply the mixture from your roots down to the ends of your hair.
- Leave on for 30 minutes.
- Rinse well with cool water to seal in moisture.
Tip: As shea butter easily absorbs into the skin without clogging pores, you can also use it to help soothe a dry and itchy scalp.
Avocado
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For another natural source of fatty acids that add nourishment to your hair, look no further than to avocado. On top of containing protein and minerals, avocados are also jam-packed with vitamins A, B6, D, and E. If you want to give your hair an extra boost, then avocado will be perfect for you. It even helps with hair growth and improves hair shine. Make use of some coconut oil in order to achieve a consistency that’s easier to apply as a hair mask.
How To Use Avocado As A Natural Hair Conditioner
- Mash 1 full avocado.
- Mix in 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. You can increase this amount if you want a more liquid consistency.
- Apply liberally from the tips of your hair to your scalp.
- Leave on for 20-30 minutes.
- Rinse well. For best results, apply onto dry hair.
Tip: If you don’t want to use an entire avocado fruit, a good alternative would be to use avocado oil instead. Not only will avocado oil be easier to use, but you’ll also get the benefits of sun protection with avocado oil as a natural sunscreen for your hair and scalp.
Hair Conditioners Made With Natural Ingredients
Some guys might not be into the idea of a DIY conditioner. After all, making your own homemade conditioner requires some prep time that can take you away from your busy schedule. If you want an organic conditioner that’s ready to use, then have a look through some of these best conditioners that are all-natural and rejuvenating for your hair.
100% PURE Yuzu & Pomelo Glossing Conditioner
Photo from Amazon
For a conditioner that adds shine and bounce, go for the 100% PURE Yuzu & Pomelo Glossing Conditioner. It’s made with coconut oil for moisturization and sea kelp to give your hair some volume. Additionally, its use of yuzu will leave your hair looking glossy and healthy. Pomelo is added in to promote stronger and thicker hair, too. 100% PURE’s conditioner is not only a natural hair conditioner, it’s also vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free as well.
Living Libations True Blue Spirulina Conditioner
Photo from Amazon
With spirulina as a central ingredient, you know that the Living Libations True Blue Spirulina Conditioner will be exactly what your hair needs. Spirulina’s high levels of protein can improve hair strength and prevent hair loss. As such, it’s another natural alternative to make your hair thicker. In using hand-selected organic ingredients such as wild-harvested seaweed extract and organic virgin coconut oil, this conditioner is perfect for guys whose hair is in desperate need of hydration and nourishment.
Everyone Nourish Conditioner
Photo from Amazon
Made with plant extracts like organic chamomile and quinoa protein, the Everyone Nourish Conditioner does away with any of those harsh chemicals found in more commercial conditioners. On top of being gluten-free and vegan, it’s also free of sulfates, parabens, and artificial fragrance. Your hair will be able to retain moisture healthily and naturally with this organic conditioner.
Andalou Naturals Argan Stem Cell Conditioner
Photo from Amazon
Want something that will help with aging and thinning hair? The Andalou Naturals Argan Stem Cell Conditioner is ideal for such concerns. This conditioner works well for weak hair prone to breakage. By using argan stem cells, hair is completely revitalized, nourished and strengthened to become fuller, healthier, and more youthful-looking. Plus, it makes use of natural ingredients like soy protein, B vitamins, and plant-based oils from argan and grapeseed.
ArtNaturals Argan Oil Conditioner
Photo from Amazon
Formulated with argan oil and aloe vera, the ArtNaturals Argan Oil Conditioner promises to repair hair damage and hydrate from root to tip. It’s suitable for all hair types, whether you have straight hair or loose waves. Both men and women swear by this natural hair conditioner for its restorative formula that brings damaged hair back to its former glory. It’s even certified vegan and cruelty-free. Plus, it’s ethically sourced and makes do without sulfates, phthalates, and parabens.
Considering how beneficial natural ingredients are, you really can’t go wrong with a good natural hair conditioner. Your hair deserves to be taken care of, especially if you put it through a lot of damage. Whether you want to make your own DIY conditioner or are looking at more organic alternatives, taking the natural route when it comes to hair care can definitely be one of the best choices for your tresses.
