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Whether it’s damaged, dry, dandruff, frizzy or dull hair, we all face different hair problems. While there are plenty of great hair masks out there, another option is to make your own. Put on your chef’s hat and head to the kitchen to find everyday ingredients and make a homemade hair mask using a few simple kitchen utensils.
Our experts are on board with the idea of ​​making your own face mask, but “as with any DIY thing, you want to be careful,” says board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine. “You don’t want the ‘D’ to be for disaster!” She recommends looking for “reliable sources that are based on facts, not TikTok follower counts,” like these face masks we’ve listed below. “Many of the ingredients can leave your hair dry and brittle, as well as irritate your scalp, which is obviously something you want to avoid, but there are some kitchen essentials that can help soothe an irritated scalp.”
Chiara Butler, an analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Beauty, Health, and Sustainability Lab, agrees with Dr. Gohara, and particularly recommends coconut oil as a powerful food ingredient with hair care benefits. “According to this study, coconut oil can penetrate the hair shaft and be used as a pre- and post-shampoo conditioner to help prevent protein loss from hair,” she said.
As for the overall effectiveness of homemade hair masks, Butler says, “They are not as effective as regular hair products in terms of cleansing, conditioning, or maintaining manageability because these products contain ingredients like cationic conditioning agents, which are very effective at smoothing strands and preventing frizz, ingredients not found in any regular products.”
Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in New York City, recommends gradually incorporating homemade masks into your skincare routine. “In general, homemade masks can be used once or twice a week or once a month, depending on the specific concern,” she says.
Below, we have compiled the best homemade hair masks that will help you solve various scalp problems, from inflammation to dull, damaged, and dry hair. All you need is a hair mask to achieve shiny, radiant hair without even leaving your home.
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize to help prevent split ends, frizz, and breakage. If your regular conditioner isn’t cutting it, try using coconut oil as an intensive overnight treatment. “Coconut oil can penetrate the hair shaft” and repair hair, says Kyle White, a hair colorist at Brandi Salon in New York City.
Directions: Before bed, warm coconut oil in the microwave and massage into damp hair, avoiding the roots. (You can pull your hair up into a bun or wear a shower cap or headband if desired.) Wash your hair in the morning.
Hair damage can be caused by a variety of factors: overuse of styling products, coloring, chemical treatments, and more. Liana Zingarino, a hairstylist at Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon in New York City, recommends using an avocado and olive oil mask to combat damage. “This mask is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help add shine to your hair,” she says. The benefits of the avocado mask extend beyond your hair: Joel Warren of The Salon Project in Florida, Pennsylvania, and New York City says it also “helps rejuvenate and hydrate your scalp.”
Ingredients: half an avocado, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon honey and 3 drops essential oil.
How to use: Mix the ingredients together and apply to damp hair with your fingertips, working from the roots up. Warren suggests putting your hair in a bun and putting on a shower cap. To activate the ingredients, put on the shower cap and blow-dry your hair for 10 minutes. Leave it on for another 20 minutes, then shampoo.
Frizzy hair can be caused by damage, environmental factors, or a combination of both—some hair types are naturally curlier. Using emollients like castor oil to coat and seal the hair cuticle (the outer layer) can help prevent frizz. According to White, castor oil “acts as a protectant and helps strengthen the hair strands.” Castor oil is derived from the seeds of the castor plant, and “its main component is ricinoleic fatty acid, which coats and nourishes the hair, making it smoother,” explains Danusia Wnek, senior chemist at GH Beauty Labs.
Directions: Rub a small amount of castor oil between your palms and apply a thin layer to dry, frizz-prone areas of hair.
“Try a mixture of castor oil and rosemary oil—I love the combination of the two for hair growth,” says Marwa Bashir, a Nashville-based hairstylist and colorist and member of the R+COLOR collective.
Directions: Mix both ingredients and apply to dry hair as a scalp oil, massage in. Use a scalp massager to stimulate the scalp and open the hair cuticles, promoting growth.
Note: This hair mask has not been proven to be effective, and Beauty Labs recommends looking for FDA-approved medications like minoxidil to stimulate hair growth.
Curly hair is prone to dryness and damage and needs extra moisture. Dr. Garshick recommends using a hair mask containing rice water “because it contains inositol, which helps repair damaged hair, thereby helping to maintain curls.” The mask’s avocado provides instant nourishment.
Directions: Soak rice in water, then strain the rice grains from the water using a sieve. Mash the avocado and add to the rice water. Apply to hair and rinse after 20-25 minutes.
Colored hair always needs more moisture, especially bleached hair. “Be sure to use ingredients that won’t damage your hair color,” says Dr. Garshick. “This mask helps boost moisture levels without affecting your hair color.”
Protein products can help add volume to your hair, whether it’s naturally thin or slowly losing volume. Audrey Davis-Sivasoti, a Houston-based trichologist and author of Hair Restore: The Complete Guide to Restoring and Growing Your Hair, recommends making a banana protein shake with bananas and eggs, which are rich in amino acids, to nourish your hair. “The results are immediate and last until your next shampoo,” she adds.
Ingredients: 2 egg yolks, 2 ripe bananas, 2-3 tablespoons honey, half a glass of conditioner, 2 tablespoons olive oil.
Directions: Mix all ingredients until smooth. Apply conditioner to hair and leave for 20-30 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
“If you experience dandruff on your scalp when the temperature drops, it may be because the high temperatures in your home are drying out your scalp,” says Paul Cucinello, celebrity stylist and owner of Cucinello Beauty. Your scalp is no exception. This exfoliant helps get rid of dandruff and (bonus!) can also be used as a facial scrub. Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids and has anti-inflammatory properties, peppermint oil helps improve circulation to the scalp, and tea tree oil has antifungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties.
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons unrefined raw coconut oil, 4 teaspoons unrefined sugar, 5 drops peppermint oil, 2 drops tea tree oil.
Directions: Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. After showering, apply the mixture to clean, damp hair about 2 inches long with your fingers or a coloring brush. Once evenly applied, massage gently for 1-3 minutes, then secure hair to keep the mixture in place while showering.
“If you have a dry scalp, almond or coconut oil are key ingredients, as they both help maintain the strength and moisture of the skin barrier,” says Dr. Gohara. “People often mix mayonnaise with yogurt or honey, as they both have anti-inflammatory properties.” Bonus: Yogurt is also great for preventing hair loss.
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons almond butter (or coconut oil), 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon yogurt (or 1 teaspoon honey)
Directions: Mix all ingredients evenly and apply to scalp. Leave on for 15-30 minutes and rinse.
Sada Salzman, a hairstylist at AKS Salon in New York City, says an egg mask is great for those with oily hair. Use only egg whites, which contain protein enzymes that help remove excess oil.
Directions: Apply to hair from roots to ends and leave on for 30 minutes to an hour – the longer the better. Rinse with warm water, not hot!
It’s easy for buildup to occur between hair care products and styling products. The residue can lead to greasy, flat hair and even dandruff. Davis-Sivasothy Baking Soda Cleanser is an effective way to remove excess oil and dirt.
Directions: Mix shampoo and baking soda, stir thoroughly and apply to damp hair. Gently massage scalp, leave for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Stephanie Brown, a master colorist at IGK Hair Salon in New York City, says that keeping your hair hydrated and healthy will always help it look its best. When your hair starts to lose its shine, apply an apple cider vinegar-based conditioner to cleanse and smooth the outer layer of your hair, boosting shine.
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon raw honey, apple cider vinegar and coconut oil (adjust the amounts but keep it the same if you have long or thick hair)
Directions: Apply the mixture to damp hair, leave for at least 20 minutes, then rinse with shampoo. Suitable for all hair types and helps maintain color.
“While green tea has a ton of health benefits, you can also add in its “scalp-soothing properties,” says Saltzman. A toner that combines antioxidant green tea and peppermint oil helps soothe dry, irritated scalps.
Revive dull hair with this protein-rich conditioner made with oatmeal, milk, and almond oil. For best results, Brown recommends applying to damp (not soaking wet) hair.
Directions: Mix the ingredients evenly. Apply the mask evenly to your hair, leave for 20-40 minutes, then rinse with shampoo.
“My favorite DIY hair mask contains three superfood oils to deeply repair hair after bleaching or severe breakage,” says Richie Kandasamy, vice president of hair color research and development and a member of the R+COLOR Collective. Coconut oil is rich in vitamins and fatty acids that nourish the scalp and help hair grow healthier, thicker, and longer. It also smoothes the cuticle around split ends, controls frizz in humid weather, and helps eliminate breakage. Argan oil, rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, is an excellent moisturizer that helps improve hair elasticity, reduce breakage, and enhance shine. Almond oil softens hair follicles and has anti-inflammatory properties. It nourishes and locks in moisture, keeping the hair and scalp hydrated and preventing dryness and flaking.
Directions: Mix equal parts of essential oils in a small bowl. Adjust the amount depending on the length and thickness of your hair. Apply the mixed oil to dry hair to maximize absorption. Starting at the scalp and moving toward the ends, gently massage the product into your scalp and hair. Note: If you are concerned that the mask may be too heavy for your hair, you can apply it to damp hair after washing. Leave the oil mixture on your hair for at least 15-20 minutes. Wash your hair thoroughly with a mild shampoo to remove oil. You may need to wash your hair twice to completely remove oil.
For deeper conditioning, leave in overnight, cover with a shower cap and rinse thoroughly in the morning.
Dolly Price is a freelance writer, editor, and beauty, style, and wellness expert based in New York City. She served as the beauty and style director at Family Circle for 13 years before joining Good Housekeeping, Prevention, and Woman’s Day as a freelance beauty editor. She has also written for WomensHealthMag.com, Elle.com, and HealthCentral.com.
Andrea Cheng is a New York-based fashion and beauty writer. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Glamour, Allure, Fashionista, and more. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @andrealeecheng.
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