A DIY aloe vera hair mask can enhance hair quality, is easy to prepare, cost-effective, and extremely gentle on your locks. This article explains why you should not miss this succulent from your hair care routine and DIY recipes you can try at home. Scroll down.
Aloe Vera Hair Mask Benefits
There is not much research regarding the benefits of aloe vera for hair. However, aloe vera benefits are well-known, as the plant has medicinal and other properties that may work for hair treatment. They include:
Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Aloe vera contains anthraquinones and has anti-inflammatory properties to heal wounds, skin irritation, and burns (1). This property can keep your scalp healthy and improve your hair health. Antioxidants: Aloe vera is a rich source of antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and F. It also contains B vitamins and folic acid (2). These nutrients may help enhance your hair quality. Cleansing Properties: Aloe vera gel contains saponins. These soapy substances have cleansing and antiseptic properties and can help keep your scalp and hair clean and healthy (3). Enhances Absorption: Aloe vera contains lignin, which can help other ingredients penetrate the skin (3). When mixed with hair masks, aloe vera can improve other ingredients’ absorption to keep your hair and scalp healthy. Moisturizing Properties: Aloe vera contains glucomannan, a moisturizing agent widely used in cosmetic products (2). Applying aloe vera to the hair and scalp can help keep them moisturized and soft. This is especially beneficial for dry, damaged, and color and chemically-treated hair. Tackles Hair Loss: Aloe vera hair mask is also often used for hair loss. According to anecdotal evidence, the tropical vitamins such as A, C, and E found in aloe vera deeply nourish the tresses to reduce hair fall. It is also proposed that aloe vera’s anti-inflammatory properties can diminish scalp irritation and itchiness, thus preventing any damage to the hair follicles that may hinder hair growth. However, scientific research related to these claims are limited.
Doro Cubillo, a YouTuber, documented her seven-day challenge of applying aloe vera gel to her hair daily. She outlines the meticulous routine, including detangling, applying aloe vera gel from roots to tips, and wrapping the hair for an hour. She says, “My hair throughout this entire week has never felt dry, never felt, like, greasy, dirty or anything like that. It always felt very clean…. My scalp is very cleaned, it hasn’t developed any dandruff, and I don’t see any dryness either in the scalp, even though we are washing our scalp every single day…. During this entire time my hair from roots to ends always felt very soft, deep moisturized, insanely shiny, and hair was super easy to detangle. Basically felt like I was literally applying a deep conditioner hair treatment every single day (i).” Now that you know of the benefits of using aloe vera for hair, scroll down to learn the ways to incorporate it into your hair care routine.
DIY Aloe Vera Hair Mask Recipes
1. Aloe Vera And Coconut Oil Hair Mask
Coconut oil minimizes protein (keratin) loss from the hair. It penetrates the hair shafts to keep them moisturized (4). This mask can keep your hair hydrated, soft, and bouncy. Ingredients
2 tablespoons of aloe vera 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
Directions
2. Aloe Vera And Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Mask
Apple cider vinegar is a popular ingredient in DIY hair masks and keeps the hair shiny and smooth.Ingredients
2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
Directions
3. Aloe Vera, Yogurt, And Jojoba Oil Hair Mask
Yogurt is commonly used in DIY hair masks as an emollient to soften the hair, while jojoba oil contains wax esters (5),(6). This mask is beneficial for dry and damaged hair. Ingredients
2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel 1 tablespoon of yogurt 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil
Directions
4. Aloe Vera With Fenugreek And Castor Oil
Castor oil improves hair luster, while fenugreek extracts have antifungal properties and prevent dandruff (7), (8). Ingredients
2 tablespoons of aloe vera 2 tablespoons of fenugreek leaf paste 1 tablespoon of castor oil
Directions
5. Aloe Vera, Tea Tree Oil, And Argan Oil Hair Mask
Argan oil moisturizes the hair, and tea tree oil has antifungal properties and reduces dandruff (9), (10). This mask has therapeutic properties and can help prevent flaking and itching caused by dandruff. Ingredients
1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel 1 teaspoon of argan oil 2-3 drops of tea tree oil
Directions
6. Aloe Vera And Lemon Hair Mask For Oily Scalp
Lemon juice may have some effect in minimizing dandruff (11). This mask can keep your scalp hydrated and healthy. Ingredients
3 tablespoons of aloe vera gel 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
Directions
7. Aloe Vera, Avocado, And Honey Mask
Avocado is an excellent base for any skin or hair mask. Honey has antifungal properties and can keep your scalp healthy (12). Ingredients
3 tablespoons of aloe vera gel 1 medium-sized ripe avocado (mashed) 1 tablespoon organic honey
Directions
8. Aloe Vera And Green Tea Hair Mask
Green tea has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and photoprotective effects when used topically (13). This mask can minimize inflammation and irritation to keep your scalp healthy. Ingredients
½ cup of green tea 2 tablespoons of aloe vera
Directions
9. Onion Juice And Aloe Vera Hair Mask
Onion juice promotes hair growth (14). This mask is best for people with hair fall and thinning issues. Ingredients
2 tablespoons of onion juice 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
Directions
10. Egg And Aloe Vera Hair Mask
The peptides in chicken egg yolk can promote hair growth (15). Use this mask if you have hair fall issues. Ingredients
The yolk of an egg 1 tablespoon of aloe vera
Directions Do you put aloe vera on wet or dry hair? Aloe vera can be applied to both dry and wet hair. If you are using it as a hair mask, you can put it on dry hair. You can apply it to wet hair as a leave-in conditioner. Does aloe vera help split ends? Yes, aloe vera can help reduce split ends. In addition, it effectively clears out dead cells from the scalp, locks in moisture, and improves hair growth. Which is best for hair growth – onion or aloe vera? Both onion and aloe vera can promote hair growth effectively. While onion stimulates hair growth, aloe vera imparts a shine to the hair because of its moisturizing effect. What happens if we apply aloe vera on hair daily? Aloe vera can be applied to your hair daily. It moisturizes the hair, reduces itchiness, accelerates hair growth, and helps manage dryness effectively.
Illustration: Best Homemade Aloe Vera Hair Masks For Healthy Tresses
Learn how to make a nourishing aloe vera hair mask at home. Watch this video to give your hair the ultimate hydration and shine.