How to Make a Dry Conditioner for Hair

Dry conditioner helps nourish hair by locking in moisture, leaving it soft and shiny. Typically, it’s used on damp or wet hair, but can also be applied to dry hair. Store-bought dry conditioners can be expensive, while regular conditioners may weigh hair down or leave it flaky if left on. Luckily, you can easily create your own dry conditioner at home, whether in a spray or cream form.

Mix a simple spray conditioner using water and regular conditioner. Pour 300 ml of distilled water into a spray bottle, then add 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of regular conditioner. Tighten the lid and shake well to blend the ingredients.

• If you'd like more moisture, you can mix the conditioner and water in equal parts. If the mixture is too thick to spray, simply add a little more water to dilute it.

Make a moisturizing conditioner by adding water and oil. Combine the ingredients listed below in a spray bottle. If you’re adding essential oils, be sure to use a glass spray bottle. Close the lid tightly and shake well to mix everything together. Spray the conditioner onto dry or damp hair to soften or detangle it.

• 120 ml distilled water
• 30 ml silicone-free conditioner
• 30 ml almond oil, avocado oil, fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil (optional)

Add a touch of aloe vera or coconut oil for extra moisture. Pour the following ingredients into a spray bottle. Tighten the lid and shake until the conditioner and aloe vera blend together. Spray the conditioner onto damp hair to boost moisture and shine. If you have curly hair, this conditioner will help define your curls.

• 250 ml lightweight conditioner
• 150 ml distilled water
• 90 ml aloe vera juice or gel
• 30 - 60 ml fractionated coconut oil

Make a moisturizing conditioner by adding oil and glycerin. Mix the ingredients listed below in a spray bottle. Be sure to use a glass spray bottle if you plan to add essential oils. Tighten the lid and shake until everything is well blended.

• 60 ml lightweight conditioner
• 45 ml distilled water
• 30 ml avocado oil, coconut oil, or olive oil
• 15 ml vegetable glycerin
• 1 teaspoon silk peptide powder (optional)
• 2 - 3 drops of essential oils (optional)

Revive dry, brittle hair with coconut oil. Pour aloe vera gel and water into a spray bottle and shake until well mixed. In a separate container, combine coconut oil and avocado oil, then pour the oil mixture into the spray bottle and shake again to blend the ingredients. Spray the conditioner onto damp hair.

• 30 g coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon avocado oil
• 60 ml aloe vera gel
• 80 ml distilled water

Moisturize hair and prevent dandruff with aloe vera and jojoba oil. Combine the following ingredients in a spray bottle, preferably a glass one. Close the lid and shake well to blend the ingredients. Spray the conditioner onto damp hair; remember to shake the bottle before each use.

• 350 ml aloe vera juice
• 480 ml coconut water
• 2 teaspoons jojoba oil

Lock in moisture with jojoba oil and lavender essential oil. Melt shea butter first, then stir in coconut milk, followed by jojoba oil and lavender essential oil. Pour the mixture into a glass spray bottle. Warm the conditioner before spraying it onto your hair. This conditioner also helps stimulate hair growth and soothes an irritated scalp.

• 120 ml coconut milk
• 3 teaspoons shea butter
• 2 teaspoons jojoba oil
• 5 drops lavender essential oil

Make a detangling conditioner with aloe vera, glycerin, and essential oils. Pour the ingredients listed below into a glass spray bottle, then shake until the aloe vera gel dissolves. Spray the detangling conditioner onto damp hair, wait a minute, and then gently comb through with a wide-toothed comb. Start from the ends and work your way up. This conditioner also helps reduce dandruff and dryness.

• 80 ml water
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) aloe vera gel
• ½ to 1 tablespoon (7.5 to 15 ml) vegetable glycerin
• 10 drops rosemary or lavender essential oil

Control oil, remove buildup, and soften hair with apple cider vinegar. Pour distilled water into a 240 ml glass spray bottle. Add apple cider vinegar and lemon essential oil (to reduce the vinegar smell). Tighten the lid and shake to mix the ingredients. Spray the conditioner onto damp hair to detangle, remove oil buildup, and add shine.

• 160 ml distilled water
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 7 drops lemon essential oil

Soften hair, reduce frizz, and prevent breakage with ylang-ylang oil. Mix aloe vera and coconut water in a glass spray bottle. Stir in distilled water and honey. Melt coconut oil in a separate container, then stir in ylang-ylang oil and essential oils. Add the oil mixture to the aloe vera blend.

• 2 teaspoons aloe vera juice or gel
• 2 teaspoons coconut water
• 120 ml distilled water
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 2 teaspoons coconut oil
• 2 teaspoons ylang-ylang oil
• 6 drops essential oil

Make a simple cream conditioner using coconut oil. Mix the ingredients listed below with a blender, then transfer the mixture into a glass jar. Apply the conditioner to damp, dry, or wet hair. Store the mixture in a cool, dry place.

• 60 ml aloe vera gel
• 30 g softened coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon avocado oil

Use honey and shea butter to create a moisturizing conditioner. Melt the shea butter and coconut oil in a double boiler or microwave. Stir in honey and essential oils. Pour the mixture into a small glass jar and allow it to set before applying it to your hair.

• 30 g shea butter
• 30 g coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2-3 drops lavender essential oil

Utilize tea tree oil to treat scalp conditions like psoriasis. Melt the shea butter, then stir in coconut milk, aloe vera, jojoba oil, and tea tree oil. Pour the mixture into a small glass jar and let it cool and solidify before applying it to your hair.

• 120 g shea butter
• 120 ml coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) aloe vera gel
• 2 teaspoons jojoba oil
• 2 teaspoons tea tree oil

Treat dandruff and frizzy hair with hibiscus flower powder. First, melt the shea butter, then stir in distilled water and aloe vera gel. Add lavender essential oil and grapefruit seed extract. Mix in hibiscus flower powder, then pour the mixture into a glass jar. Let it solidify before use.

• 120 g shea butter
• 240 ml distilled water
• 60 ml aloe vera gel
• 1 teaspoon lavender essential oil
• 1 teaspoon grapefruit seed extract
• 1 tablespoon (15 g) hibiscus flower powder

Scalp nourishment and hair growth stimulation with avocado oil. Melt shea butter, then stir in avocado oil and rosemary essential oil. Pour the mixture into a glass jar and place it in the fridge to solidify. You can apply the conditioner to your hair for nourishment or massage it into your scalp to promote scalp health.

• 120 g shea butter
• 2 teaspoons avocado oil
• 6 drops rosemary essential oil

• Fractionated coconut oil is simply coconut oil that is liquid at room temperature.
• Some of the conditioners mentioned above may separate. If this happens, simply shake the bottle again.
• Sunlight can reduce the beneficial properties of essential oils. Store your conditioner in a dark cupboard.
• Conditioners containing essential oils should be kept in glass jars or spray bottles. Essential oils can degrade over time. If you can't find a glass jar or spray bottle, a high-quality glass cup will work as well.
• Spray conditioners with coconut oil may need to be warmed up before use.
• If you don't have distilled water, you can substitute it with purified water or bottled water. Boiled and cooled water also works.
• You may need to melt coconut oil before mixing.
• If your home is too warm, you might need to store cream-based conditioners in the fridge to prevent them from melting.