Nine natural hair mask ingredients you can find in your home
Love the look and feel of healthy, shiny hair but can’t afford expensive hair products? Here are nine natural hair mask ingredients you can find in your home.
If you don’t want to – or can’t afford to – invest in expensive salon treatments or home-based hair products, there is an alternative: you can make your own.
It’s easier than you may think to make your own natural hair masks using products that are already in your kitchen. To help inspire you, here are nine natural hair mask ingredients you can find in your home.
1) Brown sugar exfoliates the scalp gently
You have probably exfoliated your face before – it may even be a part of your daily routine. You may not, however, have exfoliated your scalp. Many people don’t even know that this is something you can do.
Exfoliating your scalp will aid in the removal of dead skin cells and dandruff. Use brown sugar in a base, such as olive oil, coconut oil, honey or the like. This makes the sugar much easier to apply.
2) Avocados are full of hair-healthy vitamins
Avocados contain several vitamins that can help your hair. Avocados are composed largely of healthy fats which serve as an excellent moisturizer for your hair and skin.
Hair masks are an excellent way to deal with stress. Cream up an avocado and mix it with yogurt or honey, or apply it as a hair mask alone.
3) Coconut oil will hydrate your locks
Coconut oil has become quite common in kitchens today, but it’s just as helpful in your bathroom. Coconut oil is full of healthy fats, and consuming some in smoothies or with cooked veggies can improve your hair inside and out.
Coconut oil has a lot to offer as a component of hair masks, too. The rich fatty composition of coconut oil penetrates hair follicles, and works as a deep conditioner naturally.
Coconut oil works as a lovely hair mask on its own. Simply warm it up in the microwave for 10 or so seconds, until it is warm – not hot – and apply immediately. Also use coconut oil as a face mask moisturize and make you look younger.
4) Cinnamon aids hair growth
Cinnamon has antioxidant properties that are great for your skin. When applied to your scalp in a higher potency, cinnamon can apparently help to increase circulation, and encourage your hair to grow as a result.
To use it, just add some cinnamon (a couple of teaspoons is fine) in with a hair mask base (yogurt, honey, etc).
5) Replenish the protein in your hair with egg yolks
You may already know that your hair is made up of protein. Eggs are full of protein, too, and can thereby help to replenish the protein in your hair. Eggs also contain vitamins that are really good for your hair, like A, E and D.
To try, whip up some egg yolks and apply them alone or along with some other ingredients.
6) Use apple cider vinegar for a deep hair cleanse
When it comes to beauty, apple cider vinegar is something of a powerhouse substance. This simple household ingredient will wash your hair without stripping healthy oils away.
Apple cider vinegar also has impressive antimicrobial and anti fungal properties, and is a potent cleanser that can strengthen your hair and add to its shine.
Apple cider vinegar must always be diluted before external use. A cup of water per tablespoon or two of apple cider will be enough. You can also use apple cider vinegar on your face and neck as a toner, to tighten your skin. This can help with double chins and other areas of loose skin. If you experience skin issues like this, you can combine apple cider with other effective skin treatments, such as Belkyra.
7) Olive oil conditions your hair naturally
Olive oil is a natural humectant; olive oil moisturizes your hair, and locks-in this moisture. This makes it especially good at fighting splits ends, fly-away hair, and other breakage, and giving added strength and shine.
To make an olive oil hair mask, simply place a few tablespoons of olive oil in a microwave-safe bowl and warm it for 10 or so seconds. You don’t want it hot, but pleasantly warm. Apply it to your hair while the heat remains.
Leave the oil in your hair for 20 to 40 minutes, then rinse with shampoo. You may need to use a little more shampoo than you would normally, as your hair will clearly be quite oily.
8) Bananas have healthy oils for dry hair
Bananas are a good hair mask ingredient if your hair is dry, as they contain lots of hair-healthy oils. A banana hair mask can be used to hydrate your hair and scalp nicely.
Mash a moderately-ripe banana up and apply as a hair mask. You may wish to add yogurt, honey or another ingredient to improve the texture of the mask.
9) Honey is a natural humectant
Honey has long been considered a valuable beauty ingredient, and there’s no exception when it comes to hair. This sweet, sticky substance is a natural humectant, which means that it both conditions and locks moisture in, for long-lasting protection and shine.
You can warm a few tablespoons of honey and apply it as a honey hair mask by itself, or with a few other ingredients, to maximize the benefits.
Ready raid your kitchen for hair mask ingredients?
As you can see, there are lots of hair mask ingredients you can find in your own kitchen every day. Combine a few and see what you can make. Once you’ve concocted the best hair masks for you, you can reap the benefits of stronger, healthier, shinier hair – naturally.
Photo by Thought Catalog
