Deep conditioning is important to achieving healthy, soft, and well-moisturized hair. As naturalists, we want to keep our hair healthy without spending too much money.
Making your own DIY deep conditioner is a great alternative to buying expensive deep conditioners online or in stores.
You can easily make a deep conditioner using ingredients from your kitchen or garden in just a few minutes!
In this article, I will show you 5 DIY deep conditioner recipes that will help you achieve healthy natural hair. Let's start by learning the basics of deep conditioning your natural hair.
What is a Deep Conditioner?
A deep conditioner is a hair care product that moisturizes and softens hair, while also repairing and strengthening it.
Unlike regular conditioners, deep conditioners contain specific ingredients that are designed to provide intense hydration to your hair. Deep conditioners also often require heat to be effective.
Although regular conditioners also help to moisturize and soften hair, they do not provide the same level of repair and strengthening as deep conditioners.
Here are four main differences between the two types of conditioners:
Differences Between a Regular Conditioner and a Deep Conditioner
1. Effects
A regular conditioner is often referred to as a surface conditioner because it does not provide the deep penetration that results in long-lasting effects. The effects of a regular conditioner last for only a few days.
In contrast, a deep conditioner penetrates your hair deeply and its effects last for a few days longer than a regular conditioner would. You would certainly notice the difference in the effect of a deep conditioner on your hair.
2. Timing
Regular conditioner: Leave it in your hair for 5-7 minutes before rinsing out after shampooing.
Deep conditioner: Leave it in your hair for 15-45 minutes before rinsing out after shampooing, depending on the brand product's instructions. Be sure to read the instructions carefully before use.
3. Consistency
Regular conditioners have a light, runny consistency, while deep conditioners are thicker and some even have a paste-like appearance.
4. Heat application
Once you have shampooed your hair, you can apply your regular conditioner and rinse it out 5-7 minutes later.
If you are using a deep conditioner, you will need heat to help it work. You can apply heat by covering your hair with a shower cap or sitting under a hair dryer after applying the deep conditioner.
The application of heat allows the deep conditioner to penetrate your hair shaft and work its magic.
Benefits of Deep Conditioning for Natural Hair
Here are some benefits of deep conditioning your natural hair:
1. Deep conditioning helps prevent and repair damaged hair
One of the core functions of a deep conditioner is to prevent and repair damaged hair.
Deep conditioners have two important ingredients: hydrolyzed proteins (like hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed oat protein) and sealing ingredients (like shea butter, coconut oil).
These ingredients prevent hair breakage and repair damaged hair. They also make it easier to comb and style your hair.
2. Deep conditioning keeps your hair hydrated
Dry or brittle hair can lead to split ends, hair thinning, or hair breakage. This is usually because your hair is not well hydrated.
Deep conditioners contain humectants (like glycerin or honey) that restore moisture to your hair shaft, keeping it soft and preventing breakage.
if you have chemically treated or colored hair, a deep conditioner will help keep it hydrated too.
3. Deep conditioning adds shine to your hair
Using hair products can cause build-up in your hair over time, which can make it look dull.
A deep conditioner penetrates into your hair shaft and adds moisture, removes the build-up, and makes your hair shiny again.
4. Deep conditioning helps colored hair
Although coloring your hair can be a great way to change your look, the chemicals in many hair color products can cause your hair to become weak over time.
This can make your hair dry, brittle, and even damage it. To avoid this, it is recommended to deep condition your hair at least once a month.
How often to deep condition natural hair?
It depends on your hair type. If your hair is dry or damaged, deep condition once a week.
If your hair is healthy, deep condition every two weeks.
Note: Too much or too little conditioning can affect the protein and moisture balance of your hair.
5 DIY Deep Conditioner Recipes for Natural Hair
Here are five DIY deep conditioner recipes that you can try for your natural hair:
1. The Aloe Vera DIY Deep Conditioner Recipe
Aloe vera is a favorite of naturalistas because it can heal, moisturize, and remove dead skin cells from the scalp, which prevents dandruff.
To make your own Aloe Vera DIY deep conditioner, you'll need:
- Aloe Vera
- 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
- A blender
- A shower cap
- A spray bottle of water
How to Make Aloe Vera DIY Deep Conditioner
- Peel the skin of the aloe vera with a knife to reveal the gel.
- Put the gel and two tablespoons of coconut oil in a blender and blend well.
- Sieve the mixture to remove any lumps.
- Your Aloe Vera deep conditioner is now ready!
How to Use Aloe Vera DIY Deep Conditioner
- Divide your hair into small parts and spray water over it.
- Apply the aloe vera deep conditioner to your hair generously and wear a shower cap.
- Leave the mixture on your hair for about 30 minutes to an hour.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly after after the time has passed.
2. The Banana DIY Deep Conditioner Recipe
Bananas are good for your hair and scalp. They can heal damaged hair, moisturize, stop itching, and make your hair shiny.
Bananas have lots of vitamins A, B, and C, plus potassium that helps your hair be healthy. To make a banana deep conditioner, you need:
- 2 - 3 overripe bananas (depending on your hair's length or volume)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 - 2 tablespoons honey
- A blender
- A shower cap
- A spray bottle of water
How to Make Banana DIY Deep Conditioner
- Mash the bananas into a paste.
- Put the mashed bananas into the blender and add the honey and coconut oil.
- Blend until the mixture is smooth and lump-free.
- Your banana deep conditioner is ready to use!
How to Use Banana DIY Deep Conditioner
- Firstly, divide your hair into sections and spray them with water.
- Next, apply the banana deep conditioner from the tips to the roots and onto your scalp.
- After that, cover your hair with a shower cap and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Finally, rinse your hair.
3. The Greek Yogurt DIY Deep Conditioner Recipe
Our natural hair needs protein to help strengthen it and prevent breakage. Greek yogurt is rich in protein and fatty acids, which also help prevent dryness and itching.
Using Greek yogurt as a deep conditioner gives your hair a healthier look. To make your own Greek yogurt deep conditioner, you will need:
- 3 tablespoons of pure and plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- A mixing bowl and spoon
- A spray bottle of water
How to Make Greek Yogurt DIY Deep Conditioner
- In a bowl, thoroughly mix together the Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and honey.
- Your Greek yogurt deep conditioner is now ready to use!
How to Use Greek Yogurt DIY Deep Conditioner
- Start by sectioning your hair and spraying water all over it.
- Apply the mixture to your hair, starting at the roots and working your way down to the tips.
- Allow the mixture to sit for 20 minutes.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water.
4. The Avocado DIY Deep Conditioner Recipe
Avocados are rich in natural oils and vitamins, including A, D, and E, that are really good for your hair and scalp. They keep your hair and scalp moisturized and healthy.
An avocado deep conditioner can help prevent hair breakage and damage, eliminate frizz, and strengthen natural hair.
To make your own avocado deep conditioner, you will need the following:
- One overripe avocado
- A few drops of coconut oil
- ¼ cup of honey
- A blender
- A shower cap
- A spray bottle of water
How to Make Avocado DIY Deep Conditioner
- Start by slicing the avocado into small pieces.
- Then, put the avocado slices into a blender, add the honey and coconut oil, and blend until smooth.
- Your avocado deep conditioner is now ready to use!
How to Use Avocado DIY Deep Conditioner
- Begin by parting your hair into sections.
- Next, spray water over all the sections.
- Apply the avocado deep conditioner thoroughly on your hair, from roots to tips.
- Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave it to sit for 45 minutes to one hour.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly.
5. The Mayonnaise DIY Deep Conditioner Recipe
For soft, moisturized, and well-defined curls, the mayonnaise deep conditioner is perfect. The only downside is its smell, which you may not like.
Nonetheless, mayonnaise is a great DIY deep conditioner. To make it, you'll need:
- 1 cup of mayonnaise
- 1 - 2 eggs
- ½ cup of olive oil
- A spray bottle of water
- A shower cap
- A Mixing bowl and spoon
How to Make Mayonnaise DIY Deep Conditioner
- Mix the mayonnaise, olive oil, and egg yolk in a mixing bowl using a spoon for about 30 minutes.
- Once you have mixed the ingredients well, your mayonnaise deep conditioner is ready to use!
How to Use Mayonnaise DIY Deep Conditioner
- Section your hair into smaller parts and spray water over it.
- Apply the mayonnaise deep conditioner on your hair thoroughly.
- Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave it on for 30-40 minutes.
- Rinse out the mayonnaise thoroughly with warm water.
These recipes will help you keep your natural hair moisturized with a deep conditioner without breaking the bank. Simply try one of these DIY recipes and let your hair thank you for it.