Homemade Coconut Oil Hair Mask

Don’t let that jar of coconut oil go to waste! In this post, I’m sharing an easy coconut oil hair mask you can whip up at home. The best part? You only need TWO ingredients to create this must-try natural hair product!

Homemade Coconut Oil Hair Mask

I’m always looking for something that is natural and that works well in my thick-but-thin hair. It tends to get dried out, snarly, and just a big mess in general. My hair stylist recommended that I use a hair mask on a regular basis to keep it under control.

I was all for it until I started reading the ingredients (and the prices!) of the store-bought hair masks. Couldn’t their be a simpler and more frugal option?

I discovered that there was!

What is Coconut Oil and How Is It Good for Hair?

Coconut oil is a natural wonder that has been used for centuries for its beauty benefits. The fatty acids in coconut oil help moisturize and nourish hair, making it softer, smoother, and shinier. Plus, it can help protect hair from damage and treat dandruff and other scalp conditions.

I’ve shared a few DIY ideas and projects featuring this excellent ingredient before – from lotions to insect repellents to polishing furniture. Give this a read: 20 Coconut Oil Uses You Probably Didn’t Know About.

Benefits of Coconut Oil for Hair

• Moisturizing and nourishing hair
• Protecting hair from damage
• Treating dandruff and other scalp conditions
• Promoting hair growth for hair loss
• Making your locks softer, smoother, and shinier

Ingredients in the Coconut Oil Hair Mask

Coconut Oil. You can use extra virgin coconut oil (if you don’t mind the coconut scent) or you can use expeller-pressed coconut oil. I buy mine from Azure in bulk.
Honey. You can use whatever honey you have on hand! It won’t matter for this particular recipe.
Essential Oils. Optional but a nice addition if you want your mask to smell nice. Do not use any oils that aren’t safe for skin. I get all my oils from Rocky Mountain Oils. Peppermint Oil is recommended for repelling bugs and preventing buildup. Plus it’s very invigorating to the scalp.
Vitamin E or Argan Oil. Both good additions if you have them on hand!

DIY Coconut Oil Hair Mask Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Essential oils, vitamin e oil, or argan oil (optional but really great additions if you have them on hand)

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Mix or stir together well.
3. Apply mixture onto clean damp hair.
4. Rinse from hair.

How to Use Coconut Oil as a Hair Mask

1. Apply the mask to your hair. Start from the scalp and work your way down to the ends.
2. Optional: cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap.
3. Leave the mask on for 30 minutes to an hour.
4. Rinse the mask out with warm water.
5. Shampoo and condition your hair as usual.

While searching for natural alternatives to chemical-filled hair products (way back in 2009), I realized that I could use coconut oil as a hair conditioner. I’ve never looked back since. It made my hair shiny, smooth, and with no flyaways. Read more about my DIY coconut oil conditioner recipe here. This new recipe for a coconut oil mask is simply a more intensive treatment for more highly damaged hair.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Coconut Oil Hair Mask

• Use warm coconut oil. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, so you must warm it up slightly before using it. You can do this by microwaving it for a few seconds or placing it in a bowl of warm water. Melted coconut oil will mix better.
• Apply the mask to clean damp hair to help it penetrate your hair more deeply.
• Leave the mask on for at least 30 minutes. The longer you leave the mask on, the more time the nutrients have to work their magic.
• Rinse the mask out thoroughly. You don’t want any leftover coconut oil in your hair if you can help it, as this can weigh it down or make it greasy.
• Shampoo and condition your hair, as usual, to remove any excess oil and leave your hair feeling soft and healthy.
• If you already have greasy hair but want to take advantage of the hair mask, only apply it to the ends of your hair.

Tip: If you’re ready to take your coconut oil game to the next level, try my homemade coconut oil lotion recipe! I’m sure you’ll love it as well.

How to Repair Dry Dull Hair

Beyond using the Coconut Oil Hair Mask, here are some other ways that I’ve used to help tame the frizz that likes to take over my hair. These tips work for dry hair as well as hair that tends to get a lot of split ends. If your hair is already very greasy and oily, I would caution against using the coconut oil hair mask.

• Use apple cider vinegar as a hair rinse or as a conditioner. It sounds weird (and doesn’t smell good) but it WORKS.
• Use an all-cotton or even a jersey material towel on your hair to help save the stands and keep the moisture and hydration in your hair after showering.
• Use a Wet Brush Paddle if you brush your hair after showering. This thing is my saving grace for my sensitive scalp and for preventing hair breakage.
• Wash your hair in lukewarm water.

More Questions About Coconut Oil Hair Masks

Do I wash my hair before a coconut oil mask?

You don’t need to wash your hair before using a coconut oil hair mask but you can wet it if that makes it easier for the product to go through your hair. Wet or dry hair will work fine.

How do I wash out a coconut oil hair mask?

Rinse out the mask with water and follow with your regular shampoo. You might find that conditioner is not needed on a day when you use the hair mask.

Is it okay to use a coconut oil hair mask every day?

I wouldn’t use the mask daily. It’s good for a deep condition once a week or less. More than that and your hair might get too greasy.

Using coconut oil is a great and frugal addition to your hair care routine. It has nutrients that protect, moisturize, and nourish your hair, and you get to smell like coconuts – so it’s a win-win!

What do you use coconut oil for? Share them with me in the comment section below. 

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Merissa has been blogging about and living the simple life since 2009 and has internationally published 2 books on the topic. You can read about Merissa’s journey from penniless to freedom on the About Page. You can send her a message any time from the Contact Page.

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This blog post recipe for Homemade Coconut Oil Hair Mask was originally published on Little House Living in July 2023.