DIY LeaveIn ConditionerAffiliate Disclosure | in DIY Beauty | by Heather | with 20 Comments

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Coconut is the Swiss Army Knife of beauty productsIts oil can be used to make this three-ingredient shampoo bar, homemade deodorant, tooth whitener, lotion bars, and even shaving cream.

Oh, and body butter. (And, hey, you can just rub it on as a lovely body oil.)

But as a leave-in conditioner? Yeah, not so much . . . it’s just too heavy for most people. Fortunately, coconut milk softens and conditions without weighing hair down, and only takes minutes to make. Just spritz it on clean, damp hair and you’re good to go. I hope you love this recipe as much as I do!

DIY Leave-In Conditioner Spray

Ingredients

1/4 cup distilled water (or tap water that has been boiled for 5 minutes and allowed to cool)

1 tablespoon canned coconut milk or 2 tablespoons homemade coconut milk (For this purpose, canned tends to work a little better)

Up to 10 drops essential oil*

*Choosing An Essential Oil For Your Leave-In Conditioner

Though most often recommended for oily hair due to their astringent qualities, a small amount of tea tree or rosemary essential oil can be helpful for maintaining freshness. Rosemary also boosts shine. (Where to buy tea tree, where to buy rosemary)

Lavender is one of my favorite nourishing oils for normal/dry hair (Where to buy lavender essential oil)

Vanilla resin just smells amazing, especially with the light coconut scent of this conditioner. It doesn’t have any properties that would assist in keeping the conditioner fresh, though, so I would pair it with another oil. (Here’s what I use)

I also love this anti-age blend because it smells like honeysuckle. (It’s pricey, though!)

Equipment

2 oz. spray bottle

To Make

If using canned coconut milk: Whisk together coconut milk, water, and essential oils (if using) and pour mixture into a spray bottle. To save the rest of the coconut milk for future batches, use an ice cube tray to freeze it in 1 tablespoon increments.

If using homemade coconut milk: After straining the coconut milk as described here, whisk it together with water and essential oils (if using). Place mixture in the fridge for a couple of hours. As it cools a thin layer of cream will harden on the top. Remove mixture from the fridge, give it a whir in the blender, and then pour it into a spray bottle.

To Use

Shake well before using. Spritz through damp hair and comb through.

Storage

Store in the refrigerator. Because it doesn’t not contain any preservatives, I make small batches and use within about a week.

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about the author: Heather

Hi, I'm Mommypotamus. My mission is to help you put delicious, healthy meals on the table, find effective natural remedies for common complaints, make your own fuss-free personal care and home products, and save time and money in the process.

» DIY Beauty » DIY Leave-In Conditioner

20 Responses to DIY Leave-In Conditioner

1. Staci

June 24, 2015 at 1:42 pm

Umm…if you put it in the fridge, wouldn’t it congeal?

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o Heather

June 24, 2015 at 5:59 pm

The homemade coconut milk does tend to separate when chilled, but if you run it through a blender while cold it tends to stay pretty well dispersed after that. The store-bought typically mixes bag up when shaken.

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2. Rebecca Simons

June 24, 2015 at 3:45 pm

HI there, I was wondering if it’s ok to use canned coconut milk with the guar and xantham gums for this recipe? I am having trouble finding any other kind where I live.Thanks!

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o Heather

June 24, 2015 at 5:58 pm

I tested it with one that had guar gum and it worked fine

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3. Laura

June 25, 2015 at 1:47 am

I have naturally curly hairhair nice curls sometimes frizz with weather changes I live in AZ

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o Lily

July 3, 2015 at 6:08 pm

I have naturally curly hair, too, and I always need a good leave on. I’m trying this!

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4. Pam

June 25, 2015 at 7:13 am

I love the way you always share the products you have used… it always gives me an option for a starting point and makes clear what is being used. Can you share a link to the coconut milk you used with the best success? Thank you so much for all of your great thoughts and insights!! Blessings!

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o Heather

July 1, 2015 at 8:48 pm

I used Native Forest to test along with my homemade coconut milk.

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5. Sarah

June 25, 2015 at 4:06 pm

Please excuse my ignorance but does the coconut milk include the cream? Thank you!

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o Monica

June 25, 2015 at 11:20 pm

Good question! I’m glad you asked because mine is always separated at room temperature.

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Heather

July 1, 2015 at 8:51 pm

Yes, it does. Though they typically separate when refrigerated, I’ve found that store-bought milk redistributes reasonably well when shaken. For homemade coconut milk (or store bought that continues to have issues with separating), I recommend chilling the mixture and, running it through a blender, and then placing back in the fridge. In my experience this step results in very few issues with separation.

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6. Rachael

June 27, 2015 at 11:55 am

Thanks for this amazingly simple recipe! I’ve used it on my thick, curly hair, as well as my young daughter’s fine, tangly hair, and it leaves our hair feeling soft and looking smooth. Hair brushing time is now almost tear free, what a huge relief!

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o Heather

July 1, 2015 at 8:51 pm

YAY! I’m so happy to hear that!

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7. L. Bates

June 30, 2015 at 6:36 am

As a retired stylist I recommend also, if you get any product build up, such as hair sprays or heavy oils, use a clarifying shampoo once a week instead if your usual shampoo. Let it soak in for 5 minites before rinsing it out. It helps especially if you use cheap hair speay. It also helps perk a perm up too by removing the build up.

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o NativeAtlantaGirl

July 7, 2015 at 8:10 am

A rinse with apple cider vinegar also clarifies without chemicals and way

cheaper.

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8. Reham

July 7, 2015 at 1:48 pm

can I use Argan oil as an essential oil in this recipe?

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o Heather

July 7, 2015 at 5:34 pm

Argan oil is not technically an essential oil. You could try it, but it may cause the conditioner to weigh hair down.

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