11 Best Homemade Conditioners For Curly Hair

Pamper your luscious locks with the nourishment of easy-to-make, organic recipes.

Reviewed by Tiffany Young, Certified Trichology Practitioner
Written by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma
Edited by Ramona Sinha, MA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach
Fact-checked by Swathi E, MA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach  • 

Anyone with curly hair can tell you that caring for it is similar to caring for a child. It requires continual nurturing and careful treatment, and if you don’t give it what it wants, it will throw a tantrum by frizzing up. Thankfully, there are many homemade conditioners for curly hair that you can try out; these will not only bestow your hair with extreme softness but also help with frizz control and aid manageability. Women with curly hair have two major issues: it dries out quickly and tends to get frizzy. Both of these things happen because your curls impede the natural oil from your scalp from traveling down the length of your hair. As a result, your curly hair becomes dehydrated and in desperate need of moisture. While store-bought conditioners nourish your hair, the slew of chemicals they contain may cause long-term damage. What’s the alternative? Of course, homemade conditioners! Organic conditioners have a variety of benefits for curly hair, which you will learn about in this article. Keep reading to know more!

Benefits Of Homemade Conditioners For Curly Hair

  • Moisturize: First and foremost, treating your curly hair to a natural conditioner adds moisture to your hair and makes it look healthy and happy.
  • Prevent damage: When your hair is moisturized and nourished, it reduces the chances of developing split ends and becomes less prone to breakage.
  • Increases elasticity: Dry and brittle hair is not very elastic and breaks at the slightest bending and tension. Conditioning it makes it more elastic and strengthens it from within.
  • Adds shine: Using a natural conditioner on your curly hair helps smoothen the hair shaft which, in turn, makes it look shiny.

Now that you know all the wonderful ways that a DIY natural conditioner can benefit your curly hair, let’s look at the best ones you can try out!

11 Amazing Homemade Conditioners For Curly Hair

  1. Greek Yogurt And Coconut Milk Deep Conditioner
  2. Egg And Olive Hair Conditioner
  3. Coconut Milk And Honey Hair Conditioner
  4. Castor Oil And Egg Conditioner
  5. Lemon Juice, Olive Oil And Coconut Milk Hair Conditioner
  6. Avocado And Baking Soda Shampoo + Conditioner
  7. Mayonnaise, Yogurt And Egg White Hair Conditioner
  8. Banana And Milk Hair Conditioner
  9. Persimmon Hair Conditioner
  10. Aloe Vera And Sweet Almond Oil Hair Conditioner
  11. Apple Cider Vinegar Conditioner

1. Greek Yogurt And Coconut Milk Deep Conditioner

Homemade Greek yogurt and coconut milk deep conditioner to repair damaged hair
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Image: Shutterstock

Greek yogurt is one of those super refreshing treats that make for the perfect breakfast. But what I did not know was that it can also be used to make a great DIY deep conditioner for curly hair. Not only do Greek yogurt and coconut milk intensely moisturize and repair damaged hair, they also help open up your curls and give them definition (1), (2).

What You Need
  • 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 4 drops lavender essential oil
What To Do
  1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Divide your hair into 6-8 sections for easy applications.
  3. Apply this conditioner to each section of your hair, making sure you’ve coated all your hair from the roots to the tips.
  4. Roll your hair up and put on a shower cap.
  5. Leave the conditioner on for 45 minutes.
  6. Wash and shampoo your hair as normal.

2. Egg And Olive Hair Conditioner

Homemade egg and olive hair conditioner to boost sebum production in natural hair
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You may be a little grossed out by the thought of applying raw eggs to your curly hair, but hear us out. Egg yolk makes for a great natural conditioner for curly hair because it contains vitamin A and peptidesi  XBuilding blocks of proteins that consist of two or more amino acids linked in a single chain that reduce inflammation and boost immunity. that boost hair growth, and thus, increases your hair’s ability to moisturize itself (2), (3). Olive oil also hydrates your hair (4). Both of these nourishing and hydrating ingredients work together to eliminate frizz and make your curls look smooth.

What You Need
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
What To Do
  1. Whisk the egg and mix the olive oil into it.
  2. Apply this mixture all over dry hair.
  3. Put on a shower cap and blow dry it on low heat for 10 minutes.
  4. Wash and shampoo your hair with cool water.

3. Coconut Milk And Honey Hair Conditioner

Homemade coconut milk and honey conditioner to repair damaged hair
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If soft curly tresses are what you desire, then that is exactly what you’ll get with this DIY natural hair conditioner. While coconut milk restores damaged hair, honey softens and moisturizes it (5), (6). Try out this natural conditioner to get shiny and smooth curls.

What You Need
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 4 tablespoons honey
What To Do
  • Beat the coconut milk and honey together until they are thoroughly mixed.
  • After shampooing your hair, apply this mixture all over it.
  • Leave the conditioner on for 10 minutes.
  • Wash off with cool water.

4. Castor Oil And Egg Conditioner

Homemade castor oil and egg conditioner to boost hair growth
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Worried about hair fall and damaged hair? Then this natural conditioner is just for you. Castor oil is ridiculously famous for boosting hair growth and adding volume to your hair. Egg, on the other hand, contains proteins and amino acids that preserve your hair’s natural oils and makes your curls look naturally bouncy and shiny.

What You Need
  • 1 tablespoon castor oil
  • 1 egg
What To Do
  1. Beat the castor oil and egg together in a bowl.
  2. Apply the mixture to dry hair and put on a shower cap.
  3. Leave it on for an hour.
  4. Wash off and shampoo with cool water.

5. Lemon Juice, Olive Oil, And Coconut Milk Hair Conditioner

Homemade lemon juice, olive oil, and coconut milk conditioner to revive dull hair
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Say goodbye to dull and poofy curls with this citrus-based hair conditioner. We all know by now that olive oil and coconut milk are great for moisturizing hair and boosting hair health. But, lemon juice is another great ingredient that you can use to combat humidity, reduce frizz, and help tame your wild curls (7).

What You Need
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon coconut milk
What To Do
  1. Mix the lemon juice, olive oil, and coconut milk together in a bowl.
  2. Apply the mixture on dry hair and leave it on for 20 minutes.
  3. Wash off and shampoo with lukewarm water.
protip_icon Trivia
People living on the west bank of Palestine use this powerful mixture of lemon juice and olive oil to treat scalp and hair disorders.

6. Avocado And Baking Soda Shampoo + Conditioner

Homemade avocado and baking soda shampoo and conditioner for healthy and bouncy hair
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If you want healthy and bouncy curly hair, then you need to stop putting avocado on toast and start putting it on your hair. Avocado contains fatty amino acids that not only hydrate your hair but also help it retain moisture. Using it as a DIY natural shampoo cum conditioner for curly hair cleanses the dirt and buildup off your scalp while nourishing your curls.

What You Need
  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 2 tablespoons baking soda
  • Water
What To Do
  1. Mash the avocado and mix the baking soda into it.
  2. Add 1 tablespoon water to the mixture at a time until you end up with a smooth paste.
  3. Wet your hair and coat it with this paste from roots to tips.
  4. Leave the paste in for 5 minutes.
  5. Wash off with cool water.

7. Mayonnaise, Yogurt, And Egg White Hair Conditioner

Homemade mayonnaise, yogurt, and egg white hair conditioner to moisturize hair
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Now that’s a gross combination that you probably can’t even imagine putting on your hair. But trust me when I say it works wonders. First up, mayonnaise is known for working miracles on curly hair as it calms down frizz and adds definition to the curls. While yogurt moisturizes your hair, egg white contains luteini  XA natural pigment belonging to a class of antioxidants called carotenoids that protect the body’s cells from oxidative stress. that makes your curls oh-so-shiny. So, try out this natural conditioner to see the results for yourself.

What You Need
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup yogurt
  • 1 egg white
What To Do
  1. Whisk mayonnaise, yogurt, and egg white together.
  2. Apply this thick paste all over your hair from roots to tips.
  3. Put on a shower cap and leave it on for 30 minutes.
  4. Wash off with a mild shampoo.

8. Banana And Milk Hair Conditioner

Homemade banana and milk hair conditioner to reduce hair breakage
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Treat your curls to some banana goodness and you will definitely thank me later. This is because banana contains a ton of vitamins, potassium, and natural oils that moisturize your hair, make it look shiny, and increase elasticity, which reduces breakage. Use it with milk to condition your hair from within (8).

What You Need
  • 1 banana
  • 3 tablespoons milk
What To Do
  1. Mash the banana and mix in the milk until you have a thick paste.
  2. Apply this paste to dry hair from roots to tips.
  3. Put on a shower cap and leave it on for 30 minutes.
  4. Wash off with lukewarm water and shampoo your hair.

9. Persimmon Hair Conditioner

Homemade persimmon hair conditioner to stimulate growth
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I will not blame you for not knowing persimmon because it really is quite an obscure fruit. This orange-colored fruit contains vitamins A, B, and C that stimulate hair growth and make your curls look more voluminous. Combine it with honey and essential oils to pamper your curly hair and condition it from within.

What You Need
  • 1 persimmon
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 twig dried rosemary
  • 3 tablespoons almond oil
  • 5 drops lavender essential oil
What To Do
    1. Peel and grind the persimmon in a food processor.
    2. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix them together until you have a thick paste.
    3. Apply the paste all over your hair from roots to tips.
    4. Leave it on for 10 minutes.
    5. Wash it off with lukewarm water and mild shampoo.
protip_icon Quick Tip
Use ripe persimmons for your homemade hair conditioner. You can also extract the ripe juice from the fruit and combine it with the below-mentioned ingredients to make your DIY conditioner.

10. Aloe Vera And Sweet Almond Oil Hair Conditioner

Homemade aloe vera and sweet almond oil conditioner to soothe hair cuticles
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Make your curls look smooth and shiny with this nourishing aloe vera and sweet almond oil conditioner. Aloe Vera gel works as a natural emollienti  XA property or ingredient that helps impart gloss and softness to the skin by keeping it hydrated and preventing dryness. that smooths your hair cuticle to reduce frizz (9), (10). But it is especially great for curly hair because it provides as well as seals moisture in your hair. And sweet almond oil provides your curls with the luster and shine that you’ve always dreamed of.

What You Need
  • 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
  • 1 tablespoon sweet almond oil
  • ½ cup water
What To Do
  1. Combine the aloe vera gel, sweet almond oil, and water until you have a thin paste.
  2. Apply the paste on damp hair and leave it on for 20 minutes.
  3. Wash off with lukewarm water and shampoo your hair as usual.

11. Apple Cider Vinegar Conditioner

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is said to balance the hair and scalp pH, reduce frizz, enhance hair shine, detangle the hair, and address various scalp issues to give you defined, healthier, and more manageable curls. However, comprehensive research is required to prove the same.

What You Need
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons water
What To Do
  1. Mix the ACV and water to create a diluted solution.
  2. Start with clean, damp hair, free from any styling products.
  3. Gently apply the diluted ACV on your hair, ensuring even distribution.
  4. Massage the mixture into your scalp and hair, focusing on the ends.
  5. Allow the ACV conditioner to sit on your hair for 5-10 minutes.

Rinse it off thoroughly with cool water to eliminate the ACV smell or any residue.

Precaution

Anytime you decide to use a natural conditioner on your hair, it’s important to check if the ingredients you use have the potential to cause an adverse reaction. So, always do a patch test by applying a little bit of the natural conditioner at the nape of your neck or on the inside of your arm and leaving it on for an hour. If you see redness or irritation developing, do not go ahead with using it on your hair.

Jeanne Haegele, a blogger, made a DIY conditioner using vinegar, water, rosemary, and chamomile apple tea. She states in one of her blogs, “After using a vinegar rinse, my hair was shiny, soft, and knot-free. And after it dried there was absolutely no smell. Even my boyfriend didn’t notice it when I tested him. How awesome (i)!”

Infographic: Try These Top Homemade Conditioners For Curly Hair

Maintaining curly hair can be difficult without the right products, and your hair may appear lifeless and drab. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough effective solutions for curly hair on the market, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get your locks properly maintained. Check out the infographic below to learn about homemade conditioner recipes you can attempt at home!

try these top homemade conditioners for curly hair (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Conditioners are a godsend for anyone with curly hair. But store-bought conditioners contain too many chemicals that can do more damage than good to your curly locks. Instead, rummage through your pantry to try some effective and amazing homemade conditioners for curly hair. You can replenish your curls with ingredients like eggs, honey, coconut oil, and more. And the benefits of using these conditioners are plenty. They moisturize your hair, increase its elasticity, prevent hair damage, and enhance hair shine. And, they are free of all chemicals! But if nourishing your tresses with a DIY conditioner isn’t enough for you, don’t hesitate to experiment with some homemade hair masks and hair oils, and take your hair care game to the next level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it OK to condition your hair every day?

Just like shampoo, you should also not condition your hair every day because it will subdue the production of its natural oils.

Do conditioners damage hair?

No. On the contrary, conditioners moisturize your hair.

What oil is best for curly hair?

Olive oil, almond oil and coconut oil are the best oils for curly hair.

How often should you wash your hair if you have curly hair?

You should wash your hair 2-3 times a week if you have curly hair. Avoid washing it every single day.

What essential oils are good for curly hair?

Lavender and geranium essential oils are good for curly hair.

What conditioner should not be used for curly hair?

Conditioners with mineral oils, waxes, and parabens may weigh down your curls. So, it is best to avoid conditioners that have these ingredients.

Does conditioner affect curls?

If you have loose curls, some conditioners may weigh down the hair and make it less bouncy, thus affecting the curls. Therefore, it is important to use a conditioner that is specifically formulated for curly hair.

How much conditioner should I use for curly hair?

Generally, it is advised to use one or two quarter-sized dollops of conditioner. However, the amount you use also depends on your hair thickness, length, and texture.

Key Takeaways

  • Regularly using homemade conditioners can help improve the volume and appearance of naturally curly hair.
  • Ingredients like yogurt, coconut oil, olive oil, or eggs can help define curls, reduce frizz, and increase elasticity.
  • Applying aloe vera and sweet almond oil can help seal the moisture in your hair and add a shine to it.


Experience the benefits of using fresh aloe vera leave-in hair conditioner for healthy and strong hair growth. Watch this video to learn how to make this homemade remedy for luscious locks.

Personal Experience: Source

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. How well do plant based alternatives fare nutritionally compared to cow’s milk?
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  2. The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review
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  3. Naturally Occurring Hair Growth Peptide: Water-Soluble Chicken Egg Yolk Peptides Stimulate Hair Growth Through Induction of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Production
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  7. Citrus limon (Lemon) Phenomenon—A Review of the Chemistry Pharmacological Properties Applications in the Modern Pharmaceutical Food and Cosmetics Industries and Biotechnological Studies
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC7020168/
  8. Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Banana
    https://www.phytojournal.com/vol1Issue3/Issue_sept_2012/9.1.pdf
  9. Medicinal and cosmetological importance of Aloe vera
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233818204_Medicinal_and_cosmetological_importance_of_Aloe_vera
  10. A Close Look at Aloe Vera Barbadensis and It’s Effect on Hair Health
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342588964_A_Close_Look_at_Aloe_Vera_Barbadensis_and_It%27s_Effect_on_Hair_Health
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