Homemade Conditioner

This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information.

With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to academic research institutions, reputable media sites and, when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.

This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to medically peer-reviewed studies.

Our team includes licensed nutritionists and dietitians, certified health education specialists, as well as certified strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists. Our team aims to be not only thorough with its research, but also objective and unbiased.

The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.

Homemade Conditioner

By

(129)
Homemade conditioner - Dr.Axe

This homemade conditioner recipe is awesome! It helps to restore the hairs natural pH, thus rehydrating the hair! The result is soft, luscious and healthy hair! Try it today.

Homemade Conditioner

Total Time: 2 minutes
Serves: 20-30

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 10 drops of essential oils
  • Customize Your Conditioner: [Rosemary or sage essential oils for all types of hair] [Lemon, bergamot, or tea tree essential oils for oily hair] [Lavender, sandalwood or geranium essential oils for dry hair or dandruff]
  • BPA free plastic bottles or glass bottle with dispenser

Directions:

  1. Mix ingredients together in 8oz spray bottle
  2. Shake bottle before using and then spray hair
  3. Leave in hair for 5 minutes then rinse

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 4.4 / 5. Vote count: 129

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Comments

Please keep comments under 200 characters.

40 Comments

  1. Paula Rodgers on

    Thanks for all your great natural recipes. I am looking for a natural recipe for face lotion. Can you help me out?

    • Dr. Josh Axe on

      I will look at adding one to the site! I like to use coconut oil mixed with a few drops of essential oils on my face otherwise these options would work as well: https://draxe.com/beauty/homemade-body-butter-lotion/
      https://draxe.com/beauty/homemade-anti-aging-serum/

  2. Charlotte on

    i recently read an article about someone using Apple cider vinegar on their hair for a prolonged amount of time (2 years) and the user stated their hair fell out due to improper ph. What should Ph be for a conditioner? Since your recipe is diluted ACV would that make it be better for hair?

  3. Desire' on

    I have been using baking soda wash and a recipe similar to this for a conditioning rinse, and I love the results! It took a while for my hair to detox from the buildup of product, but even my hairstylist was able to see a difference.
    My recommendation is to use a glass oil bottle with spout like you would put olive oil or vinegar in for cooking. It makes it easy to pour right on to your scalp.

  4. Ana on

    What are your thoughts on using corn starch on oily hair? Would this have an effect on your scalp-adjusting-time while using homemade shampoos?

    Thanks for your work!

  5. AD on

    I must be the only person who this conditioner makes their hair dry and brittle. I have been using this for over 6 months, all while using the honey shampoo, and yet my hair looks so dry. Any suggestions on what I can add to help out? Any type of oil seems to cling to my hair and make it look oily but I am out of ideas of what to try next.

  6. Angela on

    I always read how Apple Cider Vinegar leaves someone’s hair shiny and soft but it fails to do that for mine. I end up with coarse, dry looking hair when I use this method. I shampoo my hair with a mixture of Dr. Bonner’s mild soap, avocado oil and Rosemary so it is not from exposing it to a harsh washing method. Any ideas of an alternative to Apple Cider Vinegar for a conditioner?

    • Dr. Josh Axe on

      The Dr Bronner’s soap can be hard on some people’s hair and really strip it of oil. I would try decreasing the amount of that in the shampoo mixture you use.

  7. Karthik on

    HI Dr. Axe,
    New fan! Great stuff. Do you have anything for graying hair? It does not run in our family, and I have started having this since the last two years (am 35), Think it might be the water, but… :)
    thx
    Karthik

    • Dr. Josh Axe on

      Great to have you! For gray hair, one cause is a lack of the essential nutrients, especially vitamin A and B group vitamins, along with the minerals copper, iron and zinc. Another big thing is lowering stress levels and anxiety…Maybe take a vacation, doctors orders? :)

      • Karthik on

        Thank you Doctor!! Guess its the Vitamins in my case :) Make it a point to take vacations and meditate/veg diet for stress elimination :) Any specific recommendations for getting those complexes?
        Thank you again!
        Karthik

      • Dr. Josh Axe on

        I think Axe Naturals and the Garden of Life multivitamins are great. Garden of Life also has a good B complex – something that I am coming out with in the next few weeks as well!

  8. LauraH on

    I’ve been using this for years. Don’t worry about the ‘vinegar’ smell at first because with the EO’s, that ‘salad dressing smell’ disappears. Also, I’ve been using homemade soap as shampoo. This rinse gets rid of all the gross, thick, coated feeling the soap leaves on hair (when it’s dried and not using any rinse), and the end result is nice, silky, shiny, wonderful-smelling hair.

  9. Trudy on

    Wow, I just recently discovered your .com site and am quite impressed. I’ve told many friends and acquaintances to check your site out. You sound like quite a busy man and I am amazed that you are able to answer so many queries. I have four sebaceous cysts on my head that have grown back after having them surgically removed. Two of my adult sons my brother and my mother also grow these cysts. My doctor and surgeon cannot tell me why they grow and say that there is nothing I can do to prevent them. I was wondering if the homemade shampoo and conditioner would help, or if there were any vitamins or essential oils that would heal and prevent the growth of these cysts. I thank God that He has given you wisdom to help others and thank you for using this gift for His glory.

    • Dr. Josh Axe on

      There are many things that could be causing it like overproduction of oil, hormone imbalance, blockage of oil, etc. There are a few things you could try incorporating to see if you notice any changes.
      -Apply tea tree oil topically 3-4x each day
      -Use a DIY shampoo containing tea tree oil and aloe vera gel
      -Apply witch hazel topically
      -Apply apple cider vinegar topically
      I would also follow protocols in this article: https://draxe.com/health/10-ways-balance-hormones-naturally/

  10. Mary Earle on

    I used this and my hair is so soft and shiney. Of course it has a different “feel” when you put it on, as opposed to commercial conditioners, but my hair just feels healthier! I am looking forward to trying the natural shampoo. Thank you!

    • Dr. Josh Axe on

      It’s hard to say because everyone is different! It also depends on the current condition of your hair, if you’ve been using conventional shampoo that strips your hair of its natural oils, etc. I would give it a try for a few weeks and see how it goes.

  11. MARTIE JUMEL on

    I made up the shampoo recipe recently but it leaves my hair limp and it gets oily quickly. Will the conditioner help that? or maybe I should cut back the olive oil in the shampoo?

    • Dr. Josh Axe on

      You could cut back on the olive oil to see if that helps but it also may take a bit for your scalp to normalize the frequency and amount of oil it produces. After using conventional shampoo, your scalp produces oil at a much higher rate then it would otherwise because the shampoo strips your hair of the natural oils. These oils are good for your hair, it may just take a little time.

Comments are closed.

More Beauty