Homemade hair conditioners are easy on the wallet and good for the environment, since no chemical additives or microplastics disappear down the drain. Conventional shampoos have a pH of around 7 and higher. They are in the neutral to basic range and are therefore not ideal for the scalp and hair lengths. With a shampoo with a pH value of 7 and higher, the cuticle layer in the hair breaks open, so that the hair is no longer adequately protected against drying out and environmental influences. A natural hair conditioner can help here: it strengthens and protects the pH value (5.5) of the scalp, smoothes the hair structure and reduces frizz. Tip: You can find out the pH value of your shampoo with pH test strips from the pharmacy.
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What types of hair conditioners are there?
Acidic
rinses This type of hair conditioner contains acids such as vinegar or lemon, which give the conditioner an acidic pH. The acidity of the rinses closes scaly and brittle hair layers, making the hair more shiny and easier to comb. If the hair is regularly rinsed with an acidic rinse, silicone residues from synthetic shampoos are also dissolved.
Water extracts from plants
Hair conditioners made from medicinal plants are called plant extracts. They are like tea and are distributed on the scalp and down the length of the hair after washing the hair. The cuticle of the hair closes best when the conditioner is at room temperature. Because the conditioners are not washed out, they can work longer in the skin and hair.
Rinse and plant extracts can also be mixed. Another option is to pickle herbs in vinegar and then dilute the vinegar with water later.
Find out in our picture gallery which conditioner is best for your skin and hair.
Natural hair conditioner: apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is said to have health effects in many areas, but these have not yet been scientifically proven. Nevertheless, we know that the acidity of apple cider vinegar is suitable for a rinse and helps against dry but also greasy hair. Since the cuticle of the hair closes, the hair becomes noticeably easier to comb and does not dry out.
Here’s how it works:
For dry hair, mix 1 liter of water (room temperature) with 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar. Pour the mixture slowly over the scalp and distribute through the lengths of the hair. Do not rinse. For oily and dandruff-prone scalps, mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 1 liter of water.
Natural hair conditioners: Lemon
Like apple cider vinegar, lemon is suitable for a rinse. The acid it contains smoothes the hair structure and scalp so that moisture is retained in the hair. Lemon also helps against greasy scalp and has a bleaching and brightening effect, especially in combination with sunlight. Dark and colored hair should therefore not be rinsed with lemon, otherwise it will lose its color strength.
Here’s how it works:
Add the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon to 1 liter of water. A concentrate would be too strong and would damage the hair more.
Tip : Fill the mixture into a spray bottle and distribute it along the lengths if necessary. Especially in summer, this is a gentle method to gently lighten your hair.
Natural hair conditioner: black tea
Black tea is particularly suitable for dark hair, as it gives the hair new shine and intense color. The tanning agents it contains support the healing of the skin and counteract itching. Black tea therefore also helps with neurodermatitis or perioral dermatitis.
This is how it works:
Brew 3 bags of black tea with 1 liter of water and allow to steep depending on the strength of the colour. The longer the tea steeps, the darker and colored it becomes. The tea does not need to be rinsed out. For itchy skin areas, soak a cotton pad in the tea and dab on the areas.
Natural hair conditioners: nettle
A decoction of nettle leaves is suitable for both normal and slightly greasy and itchy scalps. In the case of slight hair loss, nettle water can strengthen the scalp.
This is how it works:
Nettle decoction
For the normal hair conditioner, pour 8 tablespoons of nettle leaves or 4 tea bags with 1 liter of boiling water and steep for 10 to 15 minutes and allow to cool to a comfortable temperature.
Nettle
water To make the water, put 250 grams of finely chopped nettle root in a pot with one liter of water and half a liter of wine vinegar and simmer for 30 minutes. Pour the mixture through a sieve and pour into a bottle. The water lasts about four weeks.
If necessary, spread the nettle water over the scalp and massage in. Do not rinse.
Natural hair conditioners: chamomile
With its golden yellow color, chamomile provides a warm tone for blond hair. A chamomile rinse works against oily and inflamed scalps and lightens the hair when combined with sunlight. The effect is even more intense with lemon.
This is how it works:
Pour 10-12 teaspoons or 4-6 tea bags of Roman or real chamomile with 1 liter of water and let it steep until the brew is pleasantly warm. Pour it over your hair and don’t rinse it out.
Natural hair conditioners: sage
Sage helps especially with hoarseness, sore throat, inflammation of the mouth and throat, and excessive sweating. In a hair conditioner it works against itchy scalp, as well as being antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
Here’s how it works:
Brew 4 teaspoons of finely grated sage leaves in 400 milliliters of water, leave to stand for four hours and then dilute with another 400 milliliters of warm water. Massage the sage into the scalp. Distribute the rest in the hair lengths and do not rinse.
Natural hair conditioners: lavender
Lavender has a soothing effect on dry and flaky skin, making it a great addition to a hair conditioner. The purple color benefits blond and gray hair with a yellow tinge, as the purple pigments wrap themselves around the hair like a protective layer and thus optically remove the yellow tinge from the hair.
Here’s how it works:
Pour 500 milliliters of hot water over 15-20 g of dried lavender flowers and leave to stand for four to five hours. Filter the brew and dilute with 500 milliliters of warm water. Put the brew in your hair and don’t rinse it out.
Natural hair conditioners: peppermint
Peppermint has a cooling, refreshing effect on the body, helps against irritated scalp and has the side effect of relieving headaches and feelings of tension. Since the peppermint brew becomes quite dark, it is more suitable for dark hair.
This is how it works:
Pour a liter of hot water over 4 tea bags or 6 tablespoons of fresh peppermint leaves and leave to steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Filter the brew and pour it over your hair. Do not rinse.
Natural hair conditioners: Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is the super plant when it comes to moisturizing. On the scalp, it acts against dandruff and psoriasis, soothes, reduces fats and moisturizes.
Here’s how it works:
Mix two teaspoons of pure aloe vera gel (directly from the plant or from a natural or health food store) with 500 milliliters of pleasantly warm water and apply to the scalp. Since aloe vera is not greasy like an oil, the conditioner can remain in the hair.
