Instead of using a conditioner, using apple cider vinegar or other sour cream is becoming more and more popular. Acidic rinses are good for hair and scalp. Acid rinsing restores the hair to its natural acidity. However, acid rinsing is not always a sufficient hair conditioner. Especially after the summer, the hair ends are dry, tangled and hard to comb. The oils do not improve the condition of dry hair. It needs moisture. Next, I’ll give you a recipe for a conditioner that really moisturizes your hair.
What is the purpose of the conditioner?
Hair care products are always tailor made -products. At least that’s how it should be. One conditioner is not good to solve all hair problems. There are many different hair issues.
- Dry hair
- Dry ends
- Weak hair
- Oily hair
- Broken hair
- Hair loss
- Itchy scalp
- Scarred scalp
- Exfoliating scalp
- and many other hair problems
Read more about dry ends and conditioner here
Did you know that dry hair and dry ends are not necessarily due to the same reason? There can be really many different causes for hair dryness.
- Excessive sunlight
- Sea water along with sunlight
- Dry air
- Frost
- Too strong shampoos/detergents
- Strong chemical treatments
- Hair styling with hot curling iron
- Hair follicles do not produce enough sebum
- Medication
- Nutrition
- Hormonal factors
I recommend a consultation with a professional eco-hairdresser
If it is difficult to clarify your hair problems, take time to consult a professional eco-hairdresser. Many of them do advertise themselves as eco-hairdressers, but in my experience, there are not so many real ones. An authentic eco-hairdresser masters more than just plant dyeing.
A real hair professional has seen many types of hair and scalps during hers/his career. She/he has trained herself to clarify hair problems. I think eco-hairdressers have even more acquainted with holistic human care. A hair issue may sometimes tell to experienced person that there are problems throughout the body. Hair is the part where body problems appear first. Therefore, you should rely on the professional skills of hairdressers.
Moisturizing conditioners for dry hair
Rarely is the whole hair really dry. Usually the ends are the dry part. Whatever the reason, moisturizing is effective on dry ends. I’ve explained in my blog why oil or water is not enough to moisturize the hair. You need an effective moisturizing emulsion that you can leave on the ends to protect them from drying out.
Moringa oil is a hair moisturizing oil
I recently wrote an article moringa oil. You can read it here. Moringa oil contains a moderate amount of very rare, moisturizing behenic acid. Behenic acid is used in many hair products to provide a moisture-binding effect. Behenic acid does not actually moisturize the hair but it is able to bind it effectively.
Marshmallow root
Marshmallow root is an herb that everyone making Hair Cosmetics should get in stock. The Marshmallow root is one of the most moisturizing herbal preparations. It is rich in mucus that is able to bind moisture effectively. The root of the Marshmallow is also a particularly gentle herb that is also suitable for products designed for children. Personally, I usually get the Marshmallow root online in large batches at a time. It survives very well for a few years when stored in a dry, cool and light-protected place.
Olivem-1000 emulsifier
The Oliviem-1000 emulsifier is the easiest to get -emulsifier for natural cosmetics. For the conditioner, I think the Olivem-1000 emulsifier is the best choice because it strengthens the protective greasy layer of the hair. Olivem-1000 is made from olive oil. It is a very easy to use and stable emulsifier.
Water
In hair care products, the quality of the water is especially important. If your tap water is too hard and mineralized, prefer to use distilled water. Even battery water goes. All the minerals have been filtered out and the shelf life of your product will be much longer. If your tap water is soft, use it.
Geogard 221 preservative
I don’t usually use preservatives in my own products. Hair end conditioner is an exception. The product contains a lot of water, so it gets spoiled easily. Hair is practically a dead substance from which the preservative cannot be absorbed into the skin. Therefore, the use of a preservative can be justified in conditioners.
Moisturizing hair lotion; how to make it?
You will need the following accessories and ingredients for the hair conditioner
- 150 ml pump bottle, sterilize the bottle with strong alcohol
- Small funnel
First, prepare the marshmallow root infusion
- 120 ml of soft tap water or battery water or distilled water
- 2 Tablespoons of dried marshmallow root
Boil the root of the marshmallow for 5 minutes and allow it to cool down. Filter the infusion through the gauze carefully. Try to get all small particles of the root away from the liquid.
Then prepare a moisturizing hair lotion
- 120 ml of marshmallow root infusion
- 20 ml of moringa oil
- 5 ml Olivem 1000 emulsifier
- 1-1,5 ml of Geogard 221 preservative
- a couple drops of essential oils (optional)
Do like this:
- Measure all substances in a double boiler or water bath. Heat the mixture until Olivem 1000 is completely dissolved in the liquid. Keep the mixture at 80 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes to improve shelf life.
- Whisk the mixture evenly and cool down to room temperature.
- Add Geogard 221 preservative and, if desired, essential oils
- Mix the emulsion thoroughly and pour into a clean pump bottle
- The product will be preserved in the pump bottle when stored in a cool place and protected from light for about 3-4 months. Without preservatives, the product gets spoiled in the refrigerator in a week.
How do you use moisturizing hair conditioner?
With this recipe, the emulsion becomes a nice, milky-like liquid. It is easy to apply evenly to the ends of the hair. Use Moisturizing Hair Emulsion for washed, towel-dried hair.
Rub about a teaspoon of the emulsion on your palms. Go through the dry ends carefully. Leave the conditioner on the ends to treat and moisturize dry hair.
Moisturizing emulsion conditioner makes your hair shiny and healthy looking. Hair combability improves. After conditioner treatment, the ends no longer break and become tangled.
You will soon realize how much conditioner your own hair needs. The conditioner should leave the hair shiny healthy, not greasy at all. If your hair remains greasy, there is too much conditioner in your hair. If the hair still feels tangled, the conditioner should be applied more.
As the hair dries, the conditioner is absorbed into the cuticles and also locks in moisture. Moisture remains in the hair only because the emulsifier is present in the conditioner.
Did you try this recipe? Tell us all about your experiences in the comments section below!