Natural Hair Conditioners for Dry, African, and Homemade

What is the best natural hair conditioner? A good conditioner is integral to hair growth. It coats its cuticle, moistens and detangles making it manageable by removing curls and frizz. Below is a better understanding of what the best including homemade recipes and tips on how one at home including for dry and black hair types.

Best Natural Hair Conditioner

Conditioning is an important part of natural hair treatment. According to forbes.com in The 7 Biggest Curly Hair Mistakes, “All curly girls should deep condition at least two times a month.

For women with tighter curls, I recommend deep conditioning once a week for extra moisture.” A leave-in treatment, like Dove Quench Absolute Supreme Crème Serum, will also add an extra layer of moisture to help fight frizz.”

Natural treatments, unlike the crème rinses, have a thicker consistency and work by coating the hair cuticle and shaft to moisten and remove frizz. Most treatments are moisture-enhancing with deep conditioning properties. They help detangle curls and frizz while softening it without adding weight and residue to the hair.

The best natural hair conditioner should be able to seal in moisture and protect against heat and styling damage from blow dryers and flat irons. It should also soothe the scalp and create an ideal foundation for healthy hair without knots and tangles making it easy to comb through when styling.

This reduces breakage and increases the growth rate cycle. Making homemade organic conditioner among the best practices for healthy, strong, and break-resistant hair.

Other than keeping your scalp clean and stimulating the roots, growth can be maximized by using natural conditioners which infuse essential elements without depositing unwanted residue. These products are inexpensive and save you lots of the time at the salon while skipping the heat treatment part.

Depending on the needs of your hair there are different types of natural conditioners; moisturizing conditioners, protein conditioners, and deep conditioners. Here is a better understanding of what these moisturizers do.

1. Moisturizing conditioners

These type of conditioners are meant to hydrate it and retain as much moisture to improve on the texture. If it feels dry and fragile, this is the best option for you. They contain ingredients such as coconut oil, castor oil and olive oil that are good for deep conditioning. These oils deposit proteins and coat the hair shaft to protect against moisture loss. Examples of natural moisturizing conditioners that can be found at the store include;

  • Sofn’free Gro Healthy’s Milk Protein & Olive Oil Really Deep Conditioning Treatment
  • Sheamoisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque
  • Eden BodyWorks Jojoba Deep Conditioner

These moisturizers can be used regularly as often as daily to help in detangling it and keeping it hydrated. This makes it easier to style and reduces the rate of hair breakage due to dryness. They also reduce split ends and dandruff, a common problem with African American hair. Using these moisturizers will leave it soft with a natural sheen and also promotes its growth rate.

2. Protein conditioners

These treatments are meant to treat the cuticle and replace lost proteins. They also protect it from external damage by coating the shaft and follicle. These all natural conditioners are good for natural, relaxed, and transitioning one. It can also be used to revive damaged hair by strengthening its strands and preventing further damage.

Protein hair treatments need not be used on a daily basis. Use a mild protein once a month for natural black hair as opposed to a stronger protein meant to rebuild damaged one due to chemical treatments. When considering a protein treatment, hydrolyzed proteins like wheat, soy or silk are the best. They are moisture binding and easily penetrate the cuticle.

Silk amino acids– are the best protein treatments to opt for. They come from silkworms. These proteins are water-soluble and bind hair keratin creating a protective layer against moisture loss. They also strengthen it making them the best protein conditioners if it is dry and damaged.

Examples of natural protein conditioners sold at stores include;

  • Giovanni – Smooth as Silk Xtreme Protein Hair Infusion
  • Aubrey Organics GPB Glycogen Protein Balancing Conditioner
  • Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise Treatment
  • Queen Helene Cholesterol Cream
  • Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor

3. Deep conditioners

Deep conditioners come in a thicker consistency than the other types of conditioners as discussed. These type of treatments penetrate the cuticle to repair and restore damaged hair. They should be used at most, once in a month to prevent buildup and extreme dryness.

Unlike other types of conditioners, for maximum effectiveness, using this treatment takes a long time and a plastic cap is required to aid in the penetration and maintenance for a longer time. When buying these products from the store, check out for hydrolyzed proteins and sealing agents such as lanolin and Shea butter. Here are two intense hydrating conditioners you can buy at Walmart;

  • Eden’s Body Works All Natural Deep Conditioner
  • Elasta QP Soy Oyl Ultra Hydration Deep Conditioner

Whether homemade or bought at the store, the difference between deep conditioners and other types is the penetration. This determines how deep it is going to stay on and the extent at which it repairs damage and infuse the hair follicles with essential elements.

There are those conditioners that penetrate the shaft while others do not. Most professionals recommend a deep conditioner with both ingredients to penetrate the shaft and also rejuvenate the hair strands and end from the outside.

Deep conditioning also depends on the porosity of your hair. According to moknowshair.com, “If you have a higher porosity, deep conditioning may take just 10 to 15 minutes, if you have low porosity, this time may increase to 30 minutes.”

4. All Natural Conditioner

There are many recipes for homemade conditioners that allow you to use easily accessible ingredients that are beneficial depending on the needs of your hair. Dry types require deep reconstructive conditioners that moisturize it while stimulating the oil production from the scalp.

On the other hand, a conditioner for the oily hair type should be cleansing and lightweight with oils such as tea tree oil that help absorb the excess oil from the scalp.

All natural conditioners infuse the hair with lots of nutrients and vitamins, the presence of coconut oil, castor oil, avocado oil or any other good oils is a plus when checking out ingredients in the best deep conditioners. Essential oils such as tea tree oil help to cleanse, regulate oil production and stimulate blood flow to the scalp.

Homemade recipe – how to make it

There are so many commercial conditioners on the market, a factor that makes it a little harder to choose the right one. Best all natural ones are versatile, chemical free and make use of natural foods and ingredients such as yogurt, bananas, eggs, and mayo to enrich the hair with proteins and oils. A proper understanding of the composition and its essential needs should make it easy for you to decide what ingredients to use in what proportions.

While there are hundreds of products in the stores with promising benefits for your hair, you can easily make one at the comfort of your home at a lower cost and with no side effects from chemicals that can ruin your hair structure. There are many recipes that allow you to be flexible with what you decide to use depending on the type of your hair and the needs of your hair.

One thing I love about these recipes for homemade conditioner is the fact that they are all organic and have no side effects. The use of special carrier oils ensures that dryness typical of natural hair is taken care of. They deeply condition, moisturize and leave it with a natural sheen. Here is some info that will help you choose the best oil to use depending on the type and needs.

  • Normal Hair- Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil
  • Dry, Damaged or Frizzy- Castor Oil, Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, Shea Butter, Virgin Coconut Oil
  • Oily- Grapeseed Oil, Jojoba Oil
  • Thinning – Avocado Oil, Castor Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil
  • Dandruff- Avocado Oil, Castor Oil, Olive Oil, Sesame Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil

Source: Best Carrier Oils for Your Hair Type

With a little imagination and some pop of organic love, you can now drop the store bottle and get a little messy in the kitchen with these top recipes for homemade natural conditioners.

With egg

What you need:

  • Whole egg
  • A cup of plain yogurt
  • A cup of mayo
  • Coconut oil or castor oil

Directions

  1. Mix up all the ingredients to a smooth paste
  2. Apply the paste to your hair focusing on the oldest part and on its ends
  3. Do not forget to coat the strands too
  4. Massage your scalp if you have any paste left in the bowl
  5. Let it sit for 30-45 minutes and wash off

This treatment will leave it feeling very strong with an intense color. It might feel a little drier when you rinse off. This only means that you let the conditioner stay on for long. Moisturize and style as desired.

With vinegar for dry thinning hair

Requirements

  • Water
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Mixing bowl

Method

  1. Mix apple cider vinegar with water in a ratio of 1:1
  2. Add essential oil of your choices such as lavender or rosemary
  3. Carefully apply this mixture
  4. Let it dry on for about 15 minutes and rinse off

Note:

  • This recipe is very good for those with dandruff and psoriasis.
  • Vinegar can, however, make the scalp feel very oily- use sparingly
  • Vinegar has a strong smell, rinse thoroughly
  • Essential oils make the smell a little bearable
  • Be careful not to get vinegar into the eyes and open wounds

How to make a natural moisturizing one

Ingredients: 

  • 1 cup rose water,
  • half a cup of plain yogurt,
  • 1 tablespoon jojoba oil,
  • 10 drops vitamin E oil

Directions:

  1. Gently warm rose water
  2. Add in jojoba oil
  3. Pour in half a cup of plain yogurt and stir to form a smooth paste
  4. Apply it to the hair massaging the scalp, stands, and ends
  5. Allow it to dry on for 20 minutes
  6. Rinse off with warm water

How to make a deep conditioning natural hair conditioner

Ingredients:

  • Plain yogurt,
  • egg yolk,
  • lemon juice
  • eucalyptus oil.

Procedure

  1. Pour natural plain yogurt into a bowl
  2. Add in egg yolk
  3. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
  4. Slowly add 10 drops of eucalyptus oil
  5. Stir until you get a creamy texture
  6. Apply the mixture to damp hair and massage gently
  7. Wear a plastic cap and wrap your head with a towel for deep conditioning
  8. Let the paste dry for 30-45 minutes
  9. Rinse off with cool water, gently towel dry and style as desired

Considerations:

  • Yogurt forms a creamy base for your conditioner. It has antifungal and antibacterial properties that gently wash it
  • Egg yolk deeply conditions it, making it smooth and silky. It also reduces breakage
  • Lemon removes build-up and regulates its PH
  • Eucalyptus has a minty cool effect that stimulates the blood flow to the scalp stimulating growth

This natural recipe will cleanse to remove buildup, tighten the hair shaft and give you healthy sheen while stimulating growth. It will feel soft and well-conditioned.

For dry hair

Dry hair conditions can be caused by many things including weather changes, over-shampooing, using the wrong products and heat styling. Depending on your approach, it can be easily managed with moisture restoration reducing the formation of split ends.

Natural conditioner for dry damaged hair should penetrate its cuticle, moisturize and seal the cuticle from the surface. This reduces the rate at which it gets weathered by external factors like in the winter. It strengthens it and reduces the rate of breakage or fall.

A good store brand gotten from a store should be able to mend brittle ends. They are natural and free of harsh chemicals that can further damage it.

Try out these great store conditioners if it is dry and damaged.

  • Herbal Essences Hello Hydration
  • Curls Ecstasy Hair Tea Deep Conditioner
  • Eden BodyWorks Jojoba Deep Conditioner
  • Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner
  • African’s Best Hair Mayonnaise
  • Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner

While buying a bottle a conditioner for dry hair, sounds like an easy to go thing, making your own at home is the best as it gives you the liberty to make a mix up any ingredient with benefits. After all, the world is going organic and home remedies are fast rising in popularity. Make your own concoction at the comfort of your home with inexpensive ingredients.

Homemade treatments for dry hair type should be rich in deeply moisturizing and conditioning ingredients such as avocado, mayo, cocoa butter, honey, and eggs. Remember that oils such as coconut and castor oil are very rich and help to seal in moisture giving it a glossy appearance.

For black hair

African American hair is prone to dryness and tends to be a little tough to manage. A conditioner is meant to make its management easier by moisturizing and detangling the little tufts and frizz. A natural one should be a good detangler while hydrating it, making combing and styling easier.

Leave-in conditioners for black hair are the best if you want instant results. They restore shine and make its color even better. Leave in conditioners also protect it from heat and wind.

The problem with these treatments, however, is that they coat the cuticle and strands sealing in the little moisture there is while preventing moisture penetration. Leave-in conditioner can also be made at home with ingredients such as coconut oil, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and jojoba. They add shine and restore moisture instantly.

For better long lasting results, a balance between a leave-in conditioner and a moisturizing conditioner is what you need. Make one with rich ingredients that penetrate the shaft distributing moisture, vitamins and minerals. This will boost growth, restore strength and improve color intensity.

A good natural brand for black hair should:

  • Be an effective detangler
  • Improve manageability
  • Strengthen its shaft
  • Intensify color
  • Seal in moisture
  • Simulate growth

More tips

If you opt for natural hair conditioning whether store-bought or homemade;

  • Avoid products that contain Isopropyl Alcohol, Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, and Ethylparaben, Petrolatum and Mineral Oil and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. This is because these products will dry it up and are not suitable for curly hair
  • Always use a cream-based conditioner instead of a gel-based conditioner that can dry out curly hair. Moisture is extremely important for a curly black one and hence, cream-based conditioners for African-American type are the best option.
  • Alternate between a leave-in conditioner and cream-based conditioners. This is because leave-in conditioners act as protection from heat, wind and also keeps the moisture locked in.
  • Always check for oils such as lavender, jojoba, rosemary, and olive oils. These oils are very beneficial when used in any conditioner.