Out of conditioner or shampoo?
Fret not, with these natural ingredients available in your house, you will have a recipe for great hair! There is a wide and exotic range of ingredients recommended online.
After some consolidation and researching, I have come up with a list of five common natural ingredients in your house that can benefit hair. Of course, please ensure that you are not allergic to the ingredients that you use!
Let’s start it off with some fruits!
Bananas
https://inhabitat.com/10-ways-to-use-up-mushy-overripe-bananas/
Bananas are a tasty and healthy fruit, often eaten as a snack on its own or placed in desserts. It is especially high in vitamin B6, being able to provide for about a quarter of your daily intake. Vitamin B6 helps maintain a healthy nervous system and produce red blood cells.
So, what are the benefits of applying it to your hair?
A banana hair mask can moisturize hair and help ease a dry and itchy scalp. As they are rich in vitamins and potassium. In addition to that, bananas contain a mineral called silica which aids the body in making collagen and your hair stronger and thicker.
How do you apply it to your hair?
- Smash or blend overripe/ripe banana to the point where it becomes a smooth liquid. You do not want to pick out banana chunks stuck in your hair later on.
- Leave it for 30 minutes and then proceed to wash it off.
The next fruit, joining our yellow friend on the list is
Avocado
https://cleananddelicious.com/avocado-101/
Avocados are loaded with vitamins B, K, and potassium. They are known worldwide for their essential fatty acid and antioxidant. There’s a multitude of ways to prepare and cook them so why not try out some new recipes and get a hair mask at the same time!
Benefit
Avocado is great for moisturizing dry hair, making it soft. This is because the essential fatty acid content in avocado oil is high. The fatty acids and vitamins penetrate the hair cuticle and are absorbed into the scalp and hair. This not only moisturizes your hair but protects it from further damage.
Application
To use:
- Smash up an avocado into a smooth liquid
- Massage it deep into clean, damp hair.
- Leave it for 15 minutes before rinsing it off.
Coconut oil
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-oil-uses
Coconut oil is a popular and versatile product. It has hundreds of uses from beauty recipes to cooking. For example, using it as a replacement for butter/other types of vegetable oils. And even as a remedy to soothe eczema.
Benefit
The lauric acid content in coconut oil allows it to be absorbed easily into the hair shaft. In a study done by Healthline, they examined the effects of applying coconut, sunflower, or mineral oil to hair. From the findings, coconut oil came first in reducing protein loss in hair that was bleached, chemically treated, and UV exposed.
With the vitamins and fatty acids in coconut oil, it can also help your hair grow longer. However, do keep in mind using too much coconut oil will cause a build-up of oil on your hair and scalp making it look greasy. So, start with small amounts and adjust accordingly.
Application
There are many ways coconut oil can be applied to your hair.
As a hair mask
- Massage 2 tablespoons of coconut oil from the roots to the tip of your hair.
- Leave it for 5 minutes before rinsing it off in the shower.
Pro tip - Put the coconut oil in a spray bottle to make application easier and hassle-free.
As a scalp treatment
- Massage a small amount of coconut oil from the roots to the tip of your hair.
- Leave it overnight before rinsing it off in the shower.
As a conditioner
- After shampooing your hair, comb coconut oil through the hair, from the midsection to the tip.
- Leave it for 5 minutes before rinsing it off in the shower.
Product Recommendations
There are no specific studies that show if a certain type of coconut oil is better than another. Thus, my recommendation would be to buy one that can be used for other purposes like cooking.
Honey
https://www.jessicagavin.com/honey-benefits/
Honey is a sweet substance made by bees. Often used as a natural sweetener for many recipes. It is also a natural softener and moisturizer.
Benefit
As a natural humectant, honey can take in and lock in moisture. Besides, it contains plenty of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. With its natural properties, honey will moisturize and restore the natural shine of your hair.
The anti-inflammatory properties of honey can also reduce the severity of skin conditions like eczema on the scalp.
Application
As a hair mask
- Massage 2 tablespoon honey into damp hair.
- Let it sit for 20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
Eggs
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/283659#benefits
A delicious meal on its own and a key component to many dishes. Eggs are truly a great wonder in the world. It has been used as a form of hair treatment from way back to the 11th century.
Benefit
In general, the egg is packed with proteins and nutrients that promote hair growth and repair hair damage.
The yolk which is high in fat contains lecithin which is used in various hair products. This makes it an excellent conditioning ingredient especially for people with dry hair.
The egg white is high in protein and has vitamins such as niacin and riboflavin which promotes hair growth. Most importantly, it is believed that egg whites contain enzymes that can remove excess oils.
Warning! – Do not consider this hair treatment if you are allergic to eggs
Application
As a hair mask
- For normal hair, the entire egg can be mixed and used to condition hair; Only egg whites should be used for oily hair while only egg yolks are to use for moisturizing dry hair.
- Leave it on your hair for about 20 minutes and then proceed to rinse it off with warm or cold water. Please do not rinse with hot water as it will result in cooking the egg!
Conclusion
Banana, avocado, coconut oil, honey, and eggs are common natural ingredients that are widely available at supermarkets and homes. They offer an array of benefits to your hair and can be applied in various combinations.
I hope this article has informed you and piqued your interest in the benefits and ways to utilize different ingredients to improve the condition of your hair.
Sources
Bryant, T. (n.d.). The Weirdest Hair-Treatment Ingredients. Retrieved July 10, 2020, from https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/weird-hair-treatment-ingredients
Mannino, B. (2019, September 06). This Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Treatment Will Revive Dull Hair. Retrieved July 10, 2020, from https://www.womansday.com/style/beauty/advice/g2276/homemade-hair-treatments/
West, H. (n.d.). Coconut Oil for Your Hair: Benefits, Uses and Tips. Retrieved July 10, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-oil-and-hair
Avocado Hair Mask: 4 Benefits Of An Avocado Hair Mask You Must Know. (2020, July 09). Retrieved July 10, 2020, from https://www.hairfinity.com/us/en/4-awesome-benefits-of-an-avocado-hair-mask/
Medically reviewed by Dr. Hari Hara Sudhan, & Sayee, A. (2020, January 22). How Eggs Prevent Hair Loss And Aid Hair Growth. Retrieved July 10, 2020, from https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/eggs-for-hair-how-they-prevent-hair-loss-and-help-in-hair-growth/
Egg yolk for hair: Benefits and how to use it. (n.d.). Retrieved July 10, 2020, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321971
Daniel Oon