15 DIY Hair Masks That Actually Work
Hair mask recipes for growth, repair, frizz, dandruff and more.
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Whether it's damage, dryness, flakes, frizz or fading, we all run into some type of hair issues. While there are lots of great treatment masks available, there is another option: homemade hair masks. Put on your chef's hat and head straight to your kitchen for everyday ingredients that you can whip into a DIY mask using a few simple pantry staples.
Our experts are on board with making your own masks, but "like anything prefaced with DIY, you have to proceed with caution," says Mona Gohara, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. "You don't want the 'D' to stand for disaster!" She advises to get reliable sources "that are based on fact, not the number of followers on TikTok," like our masks listed below. "There are a lot of ingredients that can make hair dry and brittle and potentially irritate the scalp, which you would obviously want to avoid, but there are also some kitchen staples that can help out a struggling scalp."
Chiara Butler, Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Reviews Analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, agrees with Dr. Gohara and specifically touts coconut oil as a strong pantry ingredient with hair-protecting benefits. "Coconut oil can penetrate the hair shaft and prevent some protein loss from hair when used as a pre-wash and post-wash treatment, according to this study," she says.
In terms of how well DIY masks work generally, Butler feels that "they will not work as effectively as regular hair care products for cleaning, conditioning or keeping hair manageable, as products contain ingredients like cationic conditioning agents which are very effective at making strands smooth and preventing tangling and those ingredients are not found in any pantry products."
Marisa Garshick, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in New York, advises starting slowly when incorporating any homemade mask into your routine. "In general, DIY masks can be incorporated one to two times per week or once per month depending on the specific concern," she says.
Below, we've compiled the best DIY hair masks for all of your biggest woes, from an irritated scalp to dull hair to damage and dryness. Shiny, lustrous hair is only a hair mask away — and you never even have to leave the house.
For Dry Hair and Scalp: Coconut Oil Mask
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize — which will help prevent split ends, frizz and breakage. If your regular conditioner isn't cutting it, opt for an intensive overnight treatment with coconut oil. "It can penetrate the hair shaft" to repair hair, says Kyle White, a colorist at Blandi Salon in New York City.
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
Directions: Before bed, warm coconut oil in the microwave, then massage into damp hair, avoiding the roots. (Tie strands into a bun and/or cover with a shower cap or hair wrap if desired.) Shampoo in the morning.
For Dry, Damaged Hair: Avocado, Honey and Olive Oil Mask
Various factors can cause strand damage: styling tool overuse, hair color, chemical treatments and more. Help counteract it with an avocado and olive oil hair mask, suggests Liana Zingarino, a hair stylist at Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon in New York City. "Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, this treatment helps add shine," she says. The benefits don't stop with strands: An avocado-based mask also "helps to rejuvenate and moisturize the scalp," says Joel Warren of The Salon Project salons in Florida, Pennsylvania and New York.
Ingredients: Half an avocado, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of honey and 3 drops essential oil of choice
Directions: Stir ingredients together until fully combined, then apply to wet hair with your fingertips, starting at the bottom and working your way up. Warren suggests wrapping your hair into a bun and covering with a shower cap. To help activate the ingredients, blow dry your shower cap-covered hair for 10 minutes. Let it sit for another 20 minutes, then shampoo.
For Frizzy Hair: Castor Oil Mask
Frizz can be caused by damage, the environment or both — and some types of hair are inherently more prone to it. Keep fuzz at bay by laying down and sealing hair's cuticle, or outer layer, with an emollient ingredient like castor oil, which "acts as a protectant and can help fortify strands," White says. Derived from the castor plant's seeds and "comprised mainly of the fatty acid ricinoleic acid, it coats and conditions to improve smoothness," explains GH Beauty Lab senior chemist Danusia Wnek.
Ingredients: Castor oil
Directions: Rub a dab of castor oil between hands and glide a very thin layer over frizz-prone areas on dry hair.
For Hair Growth: Rosemary and Castor Oils Mask
"Try a blend of castor oil and rosemary oil — I like the combination of these two ingredients for hair growth," says Marwa Bashir, hairstylist and colorist in Nashville and R+COLOR Collective member.
Ingredients: Equal amounts of rosemary oil and castor oil
Directions: Blend these two ingredients together and apply to dry hair as a scalp oil and massage in. Use a scalp massager to stimulate the scalp and open the hair cuticle to invigorate growth.
Note: The effects of this hair mask aren’t proven, and the Beauty Lab recommends seeking out FDA-approved drugs like minoxidil for hair growth.
For Curly Hair: Rice and Avocado Mask
Curly hair is prone to dryness and damage and can always use a little extra hydration. Dr. Garshick suggests using a mask that has rice water, "as it contains inositol which helps to repair damaged hair and in doing so, can help to retain curls." The avocado in the mask adds instant nourishment.
Ingredients: 1 cup rice, 2 cups water, 1/2 avocado
Directions: Soak the rice in water, then use a sieve to eliminate the rice grains from the water. Mash the avocado then add to rice water. Apply to hair and rinse after 20-25 minutes.
For Bleached or Colored Hair: Honey, Banana and Coconut Oil Mask
Color-treated hair can always use more hydration, especially bleached strands. "Make sure to use ingredients that won't compromise the color," Dr. Garshick says. "This mask helps to enhance moisture without affecting your shade."
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon honey, 1 peeled banana and 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil
Directions: Blend ingredients together and then apply to hair for 15 minutes and rinse.
For Thin Hair: Banana, Honey, Egg and Olive Oil Mask
A protein treatment can help plump strands, whether they are naturally fine or losing fullness. Make a banana protein smoothie for hair with amino acid-rich bananas and eggs, says Audrey Davis-Sivasothy, a trichologist in Houston and the author of Hair Care Rehab: The Ultimate Hair Repair and Reconditioning Manual. "Results are immediate and will last until your next shampoo," she adds.
Ingredients: 2 egg yolks, 2 peeled ripe bananas, 2-3 tablespoons of honey, half a cup of condition, 2 tablespoons of olive oil
Directions: Blend all ingredients until pureed. Fully coat hair with the treatment, leave on for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
For Dandruff: Coconut Oil, Sugar and Essential Oil Mask
If flakes start to appear on your scalp when the temperature is dropping, it may be because the heat in your home is higher and is drying out your skin, says Paul Cucinello, celebrity stylist and owner of Cucinello Beauty. Your scalp is no exception. This exfoliating treatment helps remove flakes and (bonus!) doubles as a great facial scrub. The coconut oil is rich in fatty acids and has anti-inflammatory benefits; the peppermint oil helps promote circulation to the scalp; and tea tree oil is anti-fungal, antimicrobial and antibacterial.
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of raw unrefined coconut oil, 4 teaspoons of raw sugar, 5 drops of peppermint oil, 2 drops of tea tree oil
Directions: In a small bowl, mix ingredients together. Using your fingers or a hair color brush, apply mixture directly to two-inch sections of clean, damp hair in the shower. Once evenly applied, gently massage for 1-3 minutes and then clip your hair up and let it sit for the duration of your shower.
For Dry Scalp: Almond Oil, Mayo and Yogurt Mask
"If you suffer from dry scalp, almond or coconut oil is a key ingredient as either can help to keep the skin barrier strong and hydrated," Dr. Gohara says. "People often mix with mayonnaise and yogurt or honey as each have anti-inflammatory properties." Bonus: yogurt can also reel in flyaways.
Ingredients: 2 tbsp almond oil (or sub in coconut oil), 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tsp yogurt (or sub 1 tsp honey)
Directions: Mix all ingredients well in a bowl and apply to the scalp. Leave for for 15-30 minutes and rinse out.
For Oily Hair: Egg White and Lemon Hair Mask
If you are prone to greasy hair, an egg mask can work wonders, says Sadah Saltzman, a hairstylist at Salon AKS in New York City. Stick with just the whites, which have protein enzymes that help remove excess oil.
Ingredients: 1 egg white, juice from half a lemon
Directions: Smooth over hair from roots to ends and leave on for 30 minutes to an hour — longer is better. Rinse with lukewarm water, not hot!
For Buildup: Baking Soda Mask
Between haircare and styling products, it's easy to accumulate layers of residue. Buildup can lead to strands that look and feel greasy along with flatness and even dandruff-like flakes. Cut through excess oil and buildup with this clarifying "baking soda power cleanse" from Davis-Sivasothy.
Ingredients: Half a cup of shampoo, 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda
Directions: Combine shampoo with baking soda, stir well and pour over wet hair. Gently massage the mixture into the scalp and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
For Shiny Hair: Honey, ACV and Coconut Oil Mask
Keeping hair moisturized and healthy always makes your hair look better, says Stephanie Brown, master colorist at IGK Hair Salon in New York City. When strands start to lose their luster, apply a treatment made with apple cider vinegar, which clarifies and smooths hair's outer layer, to boost shine.
Ingredients: One tablespoon of raw honey, apple cider vinegar and coconut oil (adjust the amount but keep equal parts if you have really long or thick hair)
Directions: Work the blend through damp hair and leave on for at least 20 minutes, then shampoo it out. It’s great for all hair types and helps lock in color as well.
For Irritated Scalp: Green Tea and Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
While green tea has a laundry list of health benefits, you can also add "scalp soother" to the list, Saltzman says. A tonic that combines antioxidant green tea and peppermint oil can help soothe dry, irritated scalp skin.
Ingredients: 1 cup of green tea, 2 drops of peppermint oil, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
Directions: Mix well, massage into scalp and let sit for at least five minutes before rinsing.
For Flat Hair: Oats, Almond Oil and Milk Mask
Give lifeless strands an energizing boost with a protein-rich oatmeal, milk and almond oil hair treatment. Apply to damp (not soaking wet) hair for the best results, Brown advises.
Ingredients: Half a cup of oats, 2 tablespoons of almond oil, half a cup of milk
Directions: Mix ingredients well. Smooth the mask all over hair and leave it on for 20 to 40 minutes, then shampoo.
For Breakage and Split Ends: Coconut, Argan and Almond Oils Mask
"My favorite DIY mask is using three superfood oils to deeply heal the hair after it’s bleached or has a lot of breakage," says Richy Kandasamy, vice president of color development and R+COLOR Collective member. Coconut oil can help hair grow healthier, thicker and longer, thanks to the vitamins and fatty acids that nourish the scalp. It also smooths the cuticle on split ends, controls frizz in humid weather and helps heal breakage. Argan oil is a top moisturizer due to its fatty acids and vitamin E and helps to improve elasticity, reduce breakage and add shine. Almond oil is a softening agent for the hair follicles and is also anti-inflammatory. It’s nourishing, locks in moisture and keeps hair and scalp hydrated, preventing dryness and flakiness.
Ingredients: 1-3 tablespoons of coconut, argan and almond oils (equal amounts of each)
Directions: Combine equal parts of the oils in a small bowl. Adjust the quantity based on your hair length and thickness. Apply the oil mixture to dry hair so the hair can absorb the treatment to its maximum. Start from the scalp and work your way to the ends, massaging it gently into your scalp and hair. Note: You can also apply it to damp hair after washing if you are worried that the mask will be too heavy for your hair. Leave the oil mixture on your hair for at least 15-20 minutes. Wash your hair thoroughly with a gentle shampoo to remove the oil. You may need to shampoo two times to ensure all the oil is washed out.
For a deeper conditioning treatment, leave it on overnight, cover your hair with a shower cap and wash thoroughly in the morning.
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