Natural Hair Care

DIY Hair Growth Stimulating Leave-In Conditioner

Updated: September 7, 2021

(This post contains affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure here)

diy leave-in conditioner

Leave-in conditioner is a must-have hair care product in your beauty bag. It really helps your hair by locking in moisture as well as adding softness and shine.

If you want to spare your hair tresses from harsh chemicals found in store-bought products, then this DIY hair growth stimulating leave in conditioner recipe is the way to go.

You’ll love the natural smooth feeling of your hair and the de-frizz effect you will get from it. It gives you the smooth and shiny texture to your hair plus it stimulates the hair growth because of effective essential oil and hair oils as the main ingredients.

Let’s take a look at what are the benefits of ingredients used in making DIY growth stimulating leave-in conditioner.


Benefits of DIY Hair Growth Stimulating Leave-In conditioner & Its Ingredients

1. Shea Butter

Shea butter is composed of different types of fatty acids and they are great for hair products to coat, condition, and protect the hair shaft without dulling or weighing it down.

Unrefined shea butter has essential vitamin A, vitamin E, phytonutrients and healing fats to help with the health of the hair and scalp.

Shea butter can be applied to both the hair and scalp. If your scalp is dry, irritated or flaky, shea butter may provide critical moisture and help to heal a variety of skin and scalp conditions.

A healthy scalp is essential to maximize hair growth. Shea butter can also be applied to the hair to moisturize the individual strands, reducing dryness, frizz, and breakage.

Reduced breakage will result in longer and healthier hair over time. It can give easy protection from the damaging action of sun exposure and act as a barrier to the chemical pollutants in the air as well.

2. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is rich in antioxidants and they provide a healthy nutrition to our hair. Antioxidants like Vitamin E and Vitamin K is found in coconut oil help repair and build healthy tissues.

When you apply coconut oil to scalp, it reduces inflammation and repairs damages done to hairs by chemical-filled hair products. Vitamin E and K will make hairs soft, manageable and shiny.

The caprylic acid of coconut oil is a good saturated fatty acid that has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.

The hair protein easily binds with Lauric acid from this oil that gradually leads to the strengthening of hair strands and stops the breakage of hair due to thinning.

3. Argan Oil

Argan oil has a number of benefits when used on hair.

It can act as a moisturizer for the scalp to fight dandruff and dry scalp. It can also promote the growth of healthy, strong hair as opposed to thin, brittle hair.

It can even undo some of the damage done through chemical treatments and dyes and can be used to treat split ends.

Vitamin E  which is present in very high quantities in Argan oil promotes healthy hair growth as it contains antioxidants, which help boost cells and encourage them to produce healthy hair. It makes dry, brittle and frizzy hair manageable and soft.

4. Witch Hazel Hydrosol

Witch hazel is believed to help reduce hair fall. It enhances the blood circulation to the roots when massaged onto the hair.

This would fortify the grasp of the hair follicle into the tissues of the scalp and help control hair fall. This is one of the more popular hydrosols for hair care.

It is a hair cleansing and antibacterial tonic which soothes itchy dry and inflamed scalps. It also hydrates dry hair and conditions damaged hair ends.

It’s also cooling and refreshing when used on its own as a hairspray.

5. Rosemary Essential Oil

It is the best oil for hair growth and hair thinning problem. It is known to increase the growth of new hair by 20%.

It is one of the premier hair growth enhancing essential oils.

It is packed with antioxidants which help scavenge free radicals – that are responsible for graying as well as hair thinning.

It is also effective for treating dandruff, itchiness, scalp irritation and oily skin.

6. Horsetail Extract Oil

Horsetail extract oil contains the mineral silica which works to make your hair strong and improves the sheen and texture of it as well.

Horsetail also contains selenium, a mineral that is essential for the proper growth of your hair, as it helps your body process iodine, which regulates hair growth and this active agent contributes to healthy hair follicle cells and prevent free radicals from damaging these cells.

It is astringent, therefore, it shrinks tissues and in this way reduces inflammation of any scalp hair follicles leading to hair loss. It rejuvenates the hair, adding sheen to the appearance and strength to the hair shafts.

leave-in conditioner


Procedure to Make Hair Growth Stimulating Leave-In Conditioner or Cream

5.0 from 1 reviews
DIY Hair Growth Stimulating Leave-In Conditioner
 
This leave-in conditioner will help you to get smooth and shiny hair which have hair growth stimulating factor to make your hair manageable and strong.
Author:
Recipe type: Leave-In Hair Conditioner
Cuisine: DIY, Beauty
Ingredients
Instructions
How to make
  1. Make sure that your blender or immersion blender, bowl, and all utensils are very clean when you make this. If they’re not fully sanitized, then your leave-in conditioner or hair cream can grow bacteria or mold. Clean everything with hot soapy water, then swab with rubbing alcohol or vinegar and let air dry.
  2. Make a double boiler by adding a few inches of water in a large saucepan. Heat the pan on low flame. In a glass bowl, combine the coconut oil, shea butter, argan oil and place the glass bowl on top of a saucepan. Stir occasionally until everything is melted and combined.
  3. Now, add vitamin E oil and mix all ingredients and let this mixture cool until it’s room temperature. It should look creamy, thick and opaque, but don’t let it get solid. Optional: You can place the blender in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes to speed up the process.
  4. Now, if you are adding witch hazel then transfer it to a high-speed blender, close the lid (leaving the hole open) and start blending on high. Note: Your witch hazel hydrosol should be about the same temperature as the oil/wax mixture.
  5. Slowly add the witch hazel hydrosol in a constant stream into the open hole of the food processor while it’s blending the oil mixture on high. It will take about 3 to 5 minutes or more for everything to fully incorporate and blend until you get a creamy white mixture.
  6. If you are not adding witch hazel, then, whip the mixture using your blender when the mixture is at room temperature for a couple of minutes until you get a creamy texture.
  7. Now add essential oils into the creamy leave-in conditioner and mix well. Transfer to an airtight jar. Store in a clean and dry place.
How to apply
  1. Just scoop a little hair conditioner or cream with your cleaned fingers and apply to your hair. You can leave it for overnight and wash the hair with shampoo or simply use it as a leave-in conditioner to control frizzy and dry hair.
Notes
1. You can use an immersion blender or a food processor instead of a blender.

2. If you are adding witch hazel to the leave-in conditioner, you can add a preservative to keep the conditioner for a longer period otherwise don’t use any preservative(no water is added). It will keep for about 1-2 months (or longer), provided you keep it away from water and contamination. If you keep it in the fridge, it’ll last longer.

3. You can use water instead of witch hazel hydrosol/aloe vera juice but using water, without a preservative, shortens the lifespan of products, so it’s always best to use water-based products for short-term use.

4. It contains essential oils so do a patch test before applying it to hairs.

5. While shea butter is quite safe and can be beneficial for the skin and hair, you should avoid shea butter or shea butter products if you have tree nut allergies.

Free Recipe PDF

 

Try the leave-in conditioner and tell me how was it in the comments section below!

diy leave-in conditioner

 

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63 Comments

  • Reply
    Nimotallah
    August 6, 2017 at 7:34 pm

    Hi, please what kind of natural preservative and I’m what quantity can be used to store this wonderful recipe over a long period of time.
    Thanks

    • Reply
      Mamta
      August 11, 2017 at 12:41 pm

      Hi Nimotallah, for natural preservative, I have used vitamin E oil and rosemary oil extract which is a natural antioxidant and helps to extend the life of your products. Make sure to keep it in cool dark places to extend its life up to 1-2 months.

      You can also keep it in a refrigerator to preserve it for a longer period of time. You can try to make the conditioner (as per your hair requirements) to keep it for a period of 1 month.

  • Reply
    Ruby
    August 10, 2017 at 11:18 am

    To get the recipe for leave in conditioner

    • Reply
      Mamta
      August 11, 2017 at 12:52 pm

      Hi Ruby, not sure what you meant.
      Thanks

  • Reply
    TA
    September 10, 2017 at 9:58 pm

    This leave in conditioner is for natural hair only or for perm & or colored treated also?

    • Reply
      Mamta
      September 11, 2017 at 6:28 am

      Hi, TA, You can use this leave-in conditioner on any type of hair. It helps to promote hair growth as well as condition it. It will not affect on perm or colored hair.

  • Reply
    Meghan
    September 12, 2017 at 12:18 am

    I am allergic to coconut … Is there anything else I can use.
    thank u
    Meghan

    • Reply
      Mamta
      September 13, 2017 at 6:18 am

      Hi Meghan, You Can use the mango butter instead of coconut oil. It is full of vitamins that balance sebum production and also packed with fatty acids, mango butter is great moisture-rich food for your hair. Its benefits include softening the hair and preventing environmental damage. It is good for dry and oily scalp both.
      OR, You can make the leave-in conditioner without coconut oil. The only thing you have to do is to increase the proportions of other oils by 1 tablespoon each.

  • Reply
    Nikki
    September 15, 2017 at 5:28 am

    Hi what essential oils should I use?

    • Reply
      Mamta
      September 19, 2017 at 5:54 am

      Hi Nikki, thanks for writing.
      As mentioned in the post, you should use Argan Oil, Coconut Oil, Rosemary Essential Oil, Horsetail Extract Oil and vitamin E oil. I have added the links to buy to amazon.com in the post from where you can buy these ingredients.

      Thank You!

  • Reply
    Heather
    September 22, 2017 at 3:00 am

    Witch hazel hydrosol is WATER based, however it is not a preservative. Optiphen is a great natural choice as it is formaldehyde and sulfate free. Lovely post!
    Heather B Cosmetic formulator

    • Reply
      Mamta
      September 24, 2017 at 5:41 am

      HI Heather, Thanks for sharing this information with us.

    • Reply
      Candy
      February 23, 2018 at 2:33 pm

      “Classified as toxic or harmful (only for products for use around the mouth; products for use on the lips)”

      According to skin deep.

  • Reply
    Veronika
    September 27, 2017 at 4:32 am

    I was unable to find unscented Witch Hazel Hydrosol, but I did find Witch Hazel Hydrosol Floral Water. Will that work for the conditioner?

    • Reply
      Mamta
      September 30, 2017 at 9:57 am

      Hi, Veronika,
      Witch Hazel Hydrosol Floral Water will help as well. Go ahead and use it.

      Thanks
      Mamta

  • Reply
    Gail
    October 3, 2017 at 2:21 pm

    This is a great recipe for hair conditioning and moisturizing. How often do you recommend applying the treatment to the hair? How long do you assume that it will take to see positive effects?

    • Reply
      Mamta
      October 4, 2017 at 4:38 pm

      H Gail,
      I would recommend to use it 2-3 times in a week but you can use it for more than that as well. Give this around 4 weeks to see any positive effects.

  • Reply
    Gail
    October 7, 2017 at 3:32 pm

    Thank you for the recipe. The combination looks as if it will be effective. How often should the application of the moisturizure be performed? How long do you anticipate that it will take to see results?

    • Reply
      Mamta
      October 8, 2017 at 5:01 pm

      Hi Gail, I would recommend using it twice a week but you can use it for more number of time as well.

  • Reply
    barley
    October 9, 2017 at 1:03 pm

    Appreciate it very much intended for publishing this kind of fascinating article on this matter. It has definitely created me personally believe as well as I’m hoping to learn to read much more.

  • Reply
    emu
    October 11, 2017 at 5:34 pm

    I read ur article,its really helpfull.thanks for ur advice

    • Reply
      Mamta
      October 11, 2017 at 6:48 pm

      Hi Emu,
      Glad you liked it.

  • Reply
    Carolyn
    October 29, 2017 at 10:27 pm

    Do you use both witch hazel and aloe vera gel or choice one?

    • Reply
      Mamta
      November 15, 2017 at 4:37 pm

      Hi Carolyn,
      You should use any one of them.
      Thanks
      Mamta

    • Reply
      Errica
      March 19, 2018 at 12:29 pm

      Hi do you have any suggestions for shampoo and conditioner to go along with this recipe that also promtes hair growth and thickness for natural hair? Lastly can I use this on my daughter’s hair as well she is fully natural and she 10yrs.

  • Reply
    Love
    November 15, 2017 at 10:33 pm

    Hi, Mamta,
    How long does each batch of moisturizer last?

    • Reply
      Mamta
      November 22, 2017 at 4:03 pm

      Hi Love, It purely depends on your hair density and length and how many time you apply weekly. If you apply this conditioner 2-3 times a week and have a normal hair density, above waist length then it will last for 3-4 weeks.

  • Reply
    bevvy
    December 11, 2017 at 12:43 am

    This recipe looks good,but I was a little worried when you suggested that vitamin E as well as other things should be used as a preserative. As the product would not last for as long as you suggested. I’m also pleased that Heather suggested a preservative, which is formaldyde and sulfate free.

    • Reply
      Mamta
      December 19, 2017 at 2:54 pm

      Hi Bevvy,
      You can use Optiphen or Neodefend as a preservative. Vitamin E and Rosemary essential oil do help in extending the life of the product but they are not that effective as compared to Optiphen and Neodefend.

  • Reply
    Deb
    January 16, 2018 at 3:21 pm

    Do you make and sell this?

    • Reply
      Mamta
      January 22, 2018 at 4:07 pm

      Hi Deb,
      No, I don’t sell this.

  • Reply
    Jennifer D.
    February 27, 2018 at 2:33 am

    Someone mentioned that Rosemary oil turns blond hair dark, is that true? Could the Rosemary oil be replaced with a more “blond-friendly” oil?
    Thanks!

    • Reply
      Mamta
      March 15, 2018 at 3:57 pm

      Hi Jennifer,
      You can use chamomile or thyme oil.

  • Reply
    Laura
    March 2, 2018 at 4:45 pm

    Can I make this without a blender? If not, what would I change to have something but not blended? Also, how much would you use at a time and is it for scalp only or the whole head? Thanks!

    • Reply
      Mamta
      March 15, 2018 at 4:14 pm

      Hi Laura,
      Yes, you can make this without a blender, but you will have to put an extra effort while blending with a spoon.
      Take amount according to your hair density. You can apply on scalp and whole head as well.

  • Reply
    Jaime
    March 22, 2018 at 11:58 pm

    I made this just as the directions said and mine turned out all crumbly and not creamy at all! What did I do wrong?

    • Reply
      Mamta
      March 23, 2018 at 3:55 pm

      Hi Jaime,
      Just melt the mixture again using the double boiler. Then pour it into a container and let it be cool for hours. When the mixture solidifies, whip it again.

  • Reply
    Lisa
    April 7, 2018 at 7:50 pm

    I do not have a blender or food processor so I used my powerful kitchenaid mixer, but it will not thicken up and become creamy. Please help!

    • Reply
      Mamta
      May 11, 2018 at 5:31 am

      Hi Lisa, Store the cream in the refrigerator for 30-40 minutes and then blend it in the mixer for some time. I hope this will work.

  • Reply
    Brenda
    April 19, 2018 at 11:40 pm

    I do not have Shea butter will raw cocoa butter work. Since raw mango butter(which I have) can be used to replaced the coconut oil… can the two butters work in this cream. Any subs for the horsetail extract oil. Can Aloe Vera juice or Aloe Vera powder be used for the witch hazel?

    • Reply
      Mamta
      May 9, 2018 at 8:44 am

      Hi Brenda, Cocoa and mango butter, both are great for dry, frizzy and damaged hair. You can use them in this recipe. You can use any hair growth promoting oil in the recipe but horsetail extract is recommended. And also aloe vera juice will be great for this recipe.

  • Reply
    Brenda
    April 20, 2018 at 12:04 pm

    Can I use Neem oil or my ayurvedic fused oil to sub for the horsetail extract oil? Can Aloe Vera juice or Aloe Vera Powder work in this cream?

    • Reply
      Mamta
      May 9, 2018 at 8:39 am

      Hi Brenda, yes, you can use neem oil in the recipe and aloe vera juice will work great for the cream.

  • Reply
    Brenda
    April 21, 2018 at 8:44 pm

    Are there any subs for the horsetail extract oil?

  • Reply
    Tiffany
    June 26, 2018 at 12:42 pm

    Hi Mamta, I’ve found that the recipies containing shea butter solidify and become solid/hard and too heavy for my girls hair. How do I keep the conditioner creamy like in your pic? What am I doing wrong?

    • Reply
      Mamta
      July 4, 2018 at 10:35 am

      Hi Tiffany,
      I think it because of whether it might be solidifying. You can add more witch hazel to make it more creamy. Please follow these steps –
      1. Melt your leave-in conditioner using double boiler system with 1 – 1.5 tablespoon of emulsifying wax.
      2. When the melts properly then allow to cool it for some time.
      3. When the mixture is creamy and not too hard add 1/4 cup of witch hazel and blend it high until it becomes creamy and fluffy. Remember witch hazel and cream should be at same temperature.

      Let me know if you have more questions.

      • Reply
        Nilam
        August 12, 2018 at 12:15 pm

        Can i make leave in conditioner skipping wich hazel and rosemery essential and horsetail extract..???

        • Reply
          Mamta
          August 22, 2018 at 7:36 am

          Hi Nilam, yes, you can skip witch hazel but rosemary and horsetail extract are the hair growth-boosting oils. You can substitute them with other hair growth promoting oils.

  • Reply
    Lisa
    July 14, 2018 at 12:38 am

    Is this also good for alopecia?

    • Reply
      Mamta
      February 5, 2019 at 6:15 am

      Hi Lisa,
      This leave-in conditioner makes hair soft and manageable. It also helps in hair growth, not regrowth.

  • Reply
    Patricia
    August 26, 2018 at 4:35 pm

    Thanks for this great recipe. Ma , can you develop a recipe on curly cream for natural hair.

  • Reply
    Elizabeth
    November 9, 2018 at 8:53 pm

    I haven’t used it yet. It was easy to make. I just whipped it all together. No melting this time. Mine is yellow not white. I used lavender and mint oils. I hope this still works and keeps my scalp hydrated.

  • Reply
    Kiran
    February 27, 2019 at 5:43 am

    Hi ,
    Where Can I get certified abv e.oils in India.Kindly share link if you know.Thank you.

    • Reply
      Mamta
      September 19, 2020 at 5:57 am

      Hi Kiran,
      You can check Plant Therapy which is available on Amazon.

  • Reply
    joan
    February 28, 2019 at 1:57 pm

    Hi,
    Can i substitute Argan oil for any other oil?

    • Reply
      Mamta
      March 12, 2019 at 6:43 am

      Hi Joan,
      You can use almond, olive, or any other your favorite oil.

  • Reply
    Jessica C Adeola
    June 25, 2019 at 6:28 pm

    Hi I don’t have the witch hazel hydrosol, I have the distilled extract of witch hazel and has 14% alcohol. So what can I use,I don’t have the aloe vera either.

    • Reply
      Mamta
      July 5, 2019 at 8:38 am

      Hi Jessica,
      You can use the rose hydrosol. Rose water or hydrosol are easy to find and also good for healthy hair.

  • Reply
    Viva Glow
    July 27, 2019 at 6:30 am

    Wonderful, in-depth article! Thanks for sharing this recipe! I have curly hair and want to give this a try.
    https://vivaglow.com

  • Reply
    Brahmi
    February 6, 2021 at 11:32 am

    Hi,

    Really like your recipe. Just needed to know – could using rosemary or any essential oil have a reaction with minoxidil solution? Because I’m currently on minoxidil therapy as recommended by my dermat.

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