Homemade Natural Hair Gel

Styled Hair Photo credit: Valerie Elash on Unsplash

Want to tame flyaway frizz, keep curls in check, or spike short hair with a non–toxic version of your favorite store–bought stuff? Many of the commercially manufactured styling gels on store shelves contain hormone disrupting fragrances and formaldehyde releasers, but you can make natural hair gel with just 1–3 simple ingredients. This homemade styling gel contains no harsh, drying chemicals or synthetic ingredients.

Gelatin contains keratin proteins which bind with hair to strengthen it. It adheres especially well to damaged areas and helps smooth the hair cuticle, boost shine and reduce breakage. It is possible to get too much of a good thing, though. Hair that has too much protein can harden, lose flexibility, and become vulnerable to breakage.

The amount of gelatin in this recipe is so small that this likely won’t be an issue even if used very frequently. However, if you do notice that your hair loses flexibility, it’s a good idea to deep condition and rotate this recipe with any of our other vegan hair gel options, such as our Flaxseed hair gel, Chia seed hair gel, Aloe Vera hair gel, Agar Agar hair gel, Xanthan gum hair gel or Marshmallow root hair gel.

Use this homemade product on wet or dry hair and style as usual. I have had great results with both. Best of all, you’re not left with crunchy, stiff curls, but with soft, shiny and flexible curls. This natural styling gel washes out easily and never leaves flaky residue.

Vegan Alternates

If you’re looking for vegan alternatives to bovine gelatin, flaxseed, Chia seeds, Aloe Vera, agar powder (also referred to as agar agar), Xanthan gum and Marshmallow root can be substituted.

Homemade Natural Hair Gel Photo courtesy: Unsplash

How to Make Basic Hair Gel

Making a batch of hair gel takes a few minutes with this simple recipe, though you will need to let it chill for a few hours before you can use it. Be sure to make enough to last a couple of weeks, so you don’t have to make it too often. If you need more or less hair gel, simply maintain the ratio in the recipe and you can make as much or as little as you need.

Ingredients

¼ teaspoon unflavored gelatin (pasture–raised, not Jello®!)
½ cup hot distilled or filtered water (distilled H₂O gives a longer shelf–life)
½ tsp. Vitamin E oil (gives a longer shelf–life)
2–3 drops essential oils

Directions

Dissolve gelatin in warm water in a small bowl.
Add more gelatin as needed to reach the desired consistency, and stir.
Stir well to combine and refrigerate for about 3 hours, or until set.
Once cooled and set, add essential oils if desired, and stir to combine.
Transfer your mixture to a clean jar. Or, if you prefer a small squeeze bottle for easiest dispensing, use a funnel to transfer.
Keep styling gel refrigerated between uses.
Gel will keep for about 2 weeks in the refrigerator. It lasts longest when you avoid getting your fingers in the mixture.

Using Your Hair Gel

Style your hair as you normally would. Your homemade hair gel can be used on wet or dry hair and has a shelf life of around one to two weeks when stored in the fridge.

Storing Your Hair Gel

The only challenge you may have with this formula is storing the hair gel. This DIY version can break down when exposed to light for long periods or if exposed to extreme temperatures. I recommend storing the freshly made gel in a glass jar with a tightly sealed cap (like a mason jar).

Since you are not adding preservatives to your homemade hair gel, try to keep it in the fridge. This ensures that your gel lasts longer and will not become contaminated. Be sure to label the containers with the fragrance and date, so no one mistakes your hair gel for food.

Customizing the Hold

Whether you prefer a light or strong hold (or something in between), you should be able to make this recipe work for you. It’s just a matter of tweaking the amount of gelatin until you achieve the right amount of hold. Just choose your preferred amount of hold below, and follow the accompanying recipe. It may take a few batches to nail the perfect mix.

Light Hold: use ½ teaspoon gelatin per cup of water
Medium Hold: use ¾ teaspoon gelatin per cup of water
Strong Hold: use 1 teaspoon gelatin per cup of water

“Light hold” gel will control frizzy hair, while the “strong hold” can be used for spiking hair.

Customizing the Fragrance

Remember, your hands carry bacteria that can contaminate your gel and impact the viscosity, smell and shelf–life. For a scented hair gel with essential oils, a few drops is all it takes. Many of the most common oils also have therapeutic benefits for the scalp and hair, so it’s a win–win. Here are several to try:

Rosemary: Stimulates hair growth and adds shine.
Tea Tree: has astringent properties which are beneficial for oily hair.
Cedarwood: is helpful for dry hair as it stimulates circulation in the scalp, and promotes hair growth.
Chamomile: Great for fine and normal hair, chamomile has a light floral fragrance and conditions hair. Can have a lightening effect overtime, so it’s best to avoid if your hair is medium to dark color.
Lavender: Perfect for all hair types, lavender promotes hair growth and balances oils.
Lemon: Lemon oil is great for oily hair as it helps balance oils.
Ylang–Ylang: Also perfect for oily hair, ylang–ylang pairs well with lavender or lemon.
Peppermint: Go easy on this strong scent, and combine it with others. Peppermint oil is beneficial for dry hair and promotes hair growth.
Bay: Sweet and uplifting with a touch of spice, bay pairs well with black pepper and juniper.
Black Pepper: Spicy and sporty, black pepper goes well with marjoram and sandalwood.
Copaiba Balsam: Woody and rustic, this essential oil pairs well with cypress and sandalwood.
Patchouli: Spicy, rustic and earthy. Pairs well with tea tree.
Sandalwood: Sweet, woody, and long–lasting. Pairs well with bergamot and black pepper.
Vetiver: Deep, earthy, and uplifting. Pairs well with cinnamon and sandalwood.

Herbal Additives

Want to get fancy with your homemade styling gel and customize it for your hair type? Here are some suggestions for utilizing dried herbs or essential oils to create your perfect formula:

Lavender: The most versatile oil for hair care, lavender is good for all hair types. Bring about 1 cup water to a boil. Steep 1–2 tablespoons of dried lavender flowers in your water for about 15 minutes, strain, and measure out ½ cup of the hot water for your recipe. Or for an easier method, use the original gel recipe and add a few drops lavender essential oil.
Chamomile: Great for light hair, chamomile will add shine and enhance natural highlights. (Since chamomile can have a lightening effect over time, it’s not recommended for dark hair.) Chamomile can also improve the texture of hair that is dry and brittle. Brew a strong cup of chamomile tea, and measure out ½ cup to use as the liquid in your recipe. Alternately, chamomile essential oil may also be used.
Rosemary: An excellent choice for dry hair. This herb will keep dark hair glossy. It has been used historically to help stimulate hair growth, and has antioxidant properties that aid in protection against cell damage. Use a few drops rosemary essential oil or steep dried rosemary leaves in hot water for 15 minutes, strain, and use in your gel recipe.
Horsetail: This herb can improve the condition of your hair due to its silica content. Silica is a mineral that strengthens hair and adds shine. Steep 2 tablespoons dried horsetail herb in 1 cup hot water, strain, and measure out enough for your gel recipe.

Hair Gel for Kids

If you’re making this hair gel for your child, consider using an essential oil blend that contains tea tree oil. Bugs don’t like it, so it may be a good way to protect your children from lice when you send them off to school.

Suggestions for Tweaking This Recipe

You can add Epsom salts or Magnesium flakes (Magnesium Oil) to define curls. While Epsom salts produce more defined curls, they also leave your hair dry. An alternative would be Magnesium flakes (Magnesium oil) that produce curls but won’t leave your hair dry.
If your hair is dry, you can add a teaspoon of Avocado or Apricot kernel oil.
Aloe Vera can be added for its nourishing and moisturizing properties. However, if you dislike the natural scent of this plant, skip it.
If you want a hair gel that helps with detangling add Slippery Elm or Marshmallow root.

Enjoy the benefits of the above herbs or just choose an essential oil that is pleasing to your senses. I encourage you to do more of your own research to find other herbs that are beneficial for hair. You can purchase pure essential oils at your local health food store. You can also find great quality essential oils online.

Note: Essential oils are highly concentrated pure plant extracts that can benefit the condition of skin, hair, and body. Always use caution when handling these powerful oils, and label clearly all DIY products containing essential oils. Consult your health care provider before using if you are pregnant or nursing, and use half the suggested amount of essential oils when making any DIY product for children.

Other Resources

If you are curious how toxic your current hair gel brand is, I highly recommend checking it out through EWG’s Skin Deep cosmetic database. Enter your product and it will rate how toxic it is and even break those toxins by individual ingredients.

Having so many options to making your own homemade hair gel means the possibilities are endless. Have you tried to make you own hair gel? How did it work out? Do you have any tips to share? If so, please leave a comment below.

Sources:
DIY: Homemade Natural Hair Gel
https://www.organicauthority.com/energetic-health/diy-homemade-natural-hair-gel
AYLIN ERMAN, UPDATED: OCT 22, 2018, ORIGINAL: OCT 28, 2013
How to Make Homemade Hair Gel (18 DIY Recipes)
https://brightstuffs.com/how-to-make-homemade-hair-gel-diy/
DECEMBER 10, 2018
How To Make Your Own Hair Gel at Home
https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-make-your-own-hair-gel-at-home-1387811
by ERIN HUFFSTETLER, UPDATED ON FEB 11, 2022, Reviewed by NIGELLA MILLER
3 Natural Hair Gel Recipes
https://mommypotamus.com/diy-hair-gel/
Heather Dessinger
Homemade Natural Hair Gel
https://www.diynatural.com/homemade-natural-hair-gel/
By Betsy Jabs

The Repurposing Life