10 DIY recipes for homemade hair masks

The hair mask, applied before or after shampooing, is a concentrate of active ingredients and nutrients for the hair and scalp. Its application time guarantees optimum penetration of these elements into the hair fibre.

Cleansing products (gentle shampoo, in liquid form or as a bar, or even conditioner or vinegar rinse) are necessary to rid the hair of impurities and make it easier to detangle, but they do not have the 'nourishing' effect of a hair mask.

Depending on its composition, a hair mask can:

• Nourish the hair fibre

• Moisturise the hair

• Add shine

• Take care of damaged, tired hair

• Soften lengths

• Fortify the scalp.

Make your own hair mask with Aroma-Zone

• You can choose ingredients or customisation 100% adapted to the nature of your hair: whether it's curly, frizzy, dry or damaged, etc.

• You control the impact of your formula on your hair and the environment, thanks to a 100% natural, non-aggressive composition

• You get a natural, made-to-measure formula in no time at all, thanks to simple, effective recipes or a neutral base that's easy to customise

• You can treat yourself to a homemade skincare product for a moment of relaxation and soothing well-being in your often hectic lifestyle.

So, let's get started?

Explore below a selection of 10 Aroma-Zone homemade hair mask recipes, to be made from scratch and corresponding to the most frequently sought-after hair needs.

Ingredient dosages and equipment needed are listed in each of the links in our selection.

So, now it's your turn!

Note

When the recipe contains plant powders, the amount of water required to obtain a good paste may vary depending on the plants used. Adjust this if necessary.

Our neutral hair mask base

Another easy way to create a 100% natural, homemade hair mask tailored to your needs is to use our Neutral Base Hair Mask.

This certified ORGANIC balm is rich in virgin Jojoba and Castor oils (fortifying), Shea butter (nourishing and protective), Rosemary hydrosol (rebalancing and stimulating) and plant-based glycerine (moisturising). Fragrance- and dye-free, this base is suitable for all types of scalp and hair, even the driest, and can be applied before or after shampooing.

Its supple, light texture can be used pure or enhanced with the fragrances, active ingredients and/or essential oils of your choice. We've provided an overview below. For precise dosages, see the product data sheet.

Discover our Neutral Base Hair Mask

Our moisturising active ingredients

Intense Hydration Complex active ingredient

This active ingredient combines several complementary and synergistic components to optimally reproduce the skin's "natural moisturising factor" ("NMF"), i.e. all the compounds that naturally maintain the skin's moisture. It is therefore a high-performance moisturising* active ingredient, suitable for all types of creams, gels and foaming products for the face, body and hair *hydration of the upper layers of the epidermis.

Discover the Intense Hydration Complex active ingredient

Fucocert active ingredient

This versatile active ingredient of natural origin, composed of polysaccharides, has excellent moisturising* properties, as well as a proven soothing and restructuring effect, while adding a very pleasant soft touch to formulas. It also has interesting anti-ageing potential thanks to its action on the sirtuin mechanism, the true "longevity proteins" of cells. This multi-functional active ingredient is also very useful in the preparation of haircare products to coat and beautify the hair, and *hydrate the upper layers of the epidermis.

Discover Fucocert Active Ingredient

Urea active ingredient

Widely used in cosmetics and dermatological preparations, urea is known for its intense moisturising* properties and keratolytic effect. It can be incorporated into your cosmetic preparations to help eliminate flaky skin and restore suppleness and softness to very dry, rough or flaky skin. Its gentle exfoliating power and excellent skin tolerance also make it a good alternative to fruit acid AHAs for smoothing out skin irregularities and restoring radiance to the complexion. It is also the active ingredient of choice for treating calluses on the feet or hands.

Discover Urea active ingredient

Our nourishing active ingredients

Organic argan oil

This oil from Morocco, high in vitamin E and unsaponifiables, is renowned for its nourishing, regenerating and restructuring properties. Its antioxidant content makes it ideal for combating the signs of skin ageing, while its fatty acids restore the suppleness and softness of dry, depleted skin and hair.

Discover our organic argan oil

Organic avocado oil

Obtained from avocado pulp, this oil is an excellent anti-ageing, nourishing, protective and restructuring active ingredient. It is ideal for use in skin care products for dry or mature skin, as well as hair care products.

Discover our organic avocado oil

Organic coconut oil

Also known as coconut butter, this oil is a highly appreciated ingredient for its protective, softening and emollient properties on the skin. Exotic and with a heavenly fragrance, it can also be used to create hair care products that make hair strong and shiny. It's also great in cooking!

Discover our organic coconut oil

Our restorative active ingredients

Active ingredient - Phytoceramides

Derived from sunflower oil, Phytoceramides are a lipid-replenishing and protective active ingredient for skin and hair. In 'homemade' haircare products, Ceramides are highly effective at smoothing, protecting and strengthening the hair fibre. They are particularly well known for caring for coloured hair, helping to maintain its shine. Incorporated into your skincare recipes, they protect against dehydration and restore the skin's hydrolipidic film.

Discover Active ingredient - Phytoceramides

Our fortifying active ingredients

Active ingredient - Maca Vital

Extracted from the root of Maca, the sacred plant of the Incas renowned for its revitalising and strengthening effects, this active ingredient can be incorporated into your hair preparations to stimulate hair growth and combat hair loss. A study shows that it can improve hair bulbs' resistance to stress. It can easily be incorporated into your shampoos, creams or hair lotions.

Discover Active ingredient - Maca Vital

Organic castor oil

This oil can be used in your cosmetic formulas to strengthen nails, hair and eyelashes. Perfect for repairing and nourishing dry, damaged, split, brittle or frizzy hair, it is said to encourage hair growth.

Active ingredient - Provitamin B5 (Panthenol)

Also known as Panthenol, provitamin B5 is highly effective in both haircare products, for its strengthening and beautifying action, and skincare products, for its restorative and soothing properties.

Discover Active ingredient - Provitamin B5 (Panthenol)

Our disciplining active ingredients

Organic Piqui vegetable oil

Traditionally used in Brazil, this oil has a pleasant fruity fragrance and is renowned for its use in preparations to control unruly hair and shape curls. Revitalising, it can be used to create effective products to combat stretch marks. Its richness in carotenoids also makes it an excellent anti-ageing ingredient, particularly after exposure to the sun.

Discover Piqui Organic Plant Oil

Active ingredient - Phyto'liss

This highly innovative 100% natural active ingredient has a smoothing and disciplining effect on hair, even curly and frizzy hair. It gently and naturally relaxes curls, without chemical attack or damaging the hair. It coats and smoothes the hair fibre, reduces frizz on all hair types, and has a beautifying and softening effect.

Discover Active ingredient - Phyto'liss

Our anti-dandruff active ingredients

Active Plant Salicylic Acid

This extract of Black Willow bark, concentrated in salicylic acid, is a powerful ally to incorporate into your mixtures for oily, dull or acne-prone skin. Purifying and keratolytic, it stimulates skin renewal, smoothes imperfections and combats blackheads, ingrown hairs and dandruff. It also improves the conservation of aqueous products and can be used to boost the effectiveness of preservatives. A much sought-after active ingredient, we offer it in plant origin, which is better tolerated than synthetic salicylic acid.

Discover Plant Salicylic Acid Active Ingredient

Active ingredient - Algo'Zinc

This zinc-based active complexed with Laminaria seaweed extract has proven purifying, sebum-regulating and soothing properties. It is therefore a very interesting active ingredient for making skincare products for oily skin with blemishes, but also for oily hair or hair prone to dandruff.

Discover Active ingredient - Algo'Zinc

Urea active ingredient

Widely used in cosmetics and dermatological preparations, urea is known for its intense moisturising* properties and keratolytic effect. It can be incorporated into your cosmetic preparations to help eliminate flaky skin and restore suppleness and softness to very dry, rough or flaky skin. Its gentle exfoliating power and excellent skin tolerance also make it a good alternative to fruit acid AHAs for smoothing out skin irregularities and restoring radiance to the complexion. It is also the active ingredient of choice for treating calluses on the feet or hands.

Discover Urea active ingredient

Our Volumising Active Ingredients

Active ingredient - Hydrolysed Rice protein

Rice proteins are a particularly interesting active ingredient in the preparation of haircare products, where they play a strengthening and volumising role. They can also be used in your DIY skincare products to moisturise* and soften the upper layers of the epidermis.

Discover Active ingredient - Hydrolysed Rice protein

Plant Collagen Active Ingredient

A natural extract, this active ingredient is made up of glycoproteins with properties similar to those of the collagen naturally present in the dermis. Plant Collagen is ideal for softening, smoothing and protecting all skin types, especially dry, dehydrated and mature skin. Plant Collagen also has excellent thickening properties for hair and eyelashes.

Discover Plant Collagen Active Ingredient

Our soothing active ingredients

Active ingredient - Allantoin

Allantoin is renowned for its softening and soothing properties. It's the ingredient of choice for your DIY restorative skin products and formulas for sensitive or blemished skin.

Discover Active ingredient - Allantoin

Active ingredient - ORGANIC Bisabolol

An active compound found in several plants, including Chamomile and Candeia, alpha-bisabolol is known as a powerful soothing active ingredient that is highly effective in low doses. It is an excellent choice for the care of sensitive and uncomfortable skin. It can be incorporated into your balms, oils and creams.

Discover Active ingredient - ORGANIC Bisabolol

Active ingredient - Provitamin B5 (Panthenol)

Also known as Panthenol, provitamin B5 is highly effective in both haircare products, for its strengthening and beautifying action, and skincare products, for its restorative and soothing properties.

Discover Active ingredient - Provitamin B5 (Panthenol)

As you can see, there are many, many ways to formulate homemade hair masks.

Nevertheless, we've put together a summary of the top ingredients to add to a homemade hair mask, so you can get the maximum natural benefits for your hair.

Carrier oils

Organic castor oil

This oil can be used in your cosmetic formulas to strengthen nails, hair and eyelashes. Perfect for repairing and nourishing dry, damaged, split, brittle or frizzy hair, it is said to encourage hair growth.

Organic Piqui vegetable oil

Traditionally used in Brazil, this oil has a pleasant fruity fragrance and is renowned for its use in preparations to control unruly hair and shape curls. Revitalising, it can be used to create effective products to combat stretch marks. Its richness in carotenoids also makes it an excellent anti-ageing ingredient, particularly after exposure to the sun.

Discover Piqui Organic Plant Oil

Sapote oil

Traditionally used to stimulate hair growth, this oil is an exceptional ingredient for caring for dry, curly or Afro hair. It is also known to soothe the most sensitive scalps.

Discover Sapote oil

Hydrosols

Organic grapefruit hydrosol

Invigorating and refreshing, this hydrosol can be incorporated into your homemade formulas to cleanse the skin, tighten pores and revive dull complexions. It can also be used to treat excessive perspiration.

Discover organic grapefruit hydrosol

Wild Patchouli hydrosol

This purifying hydrosol is useful for preparing skincare products for skin with blemishes. It combats dandruff and is also known to give your legs a feeling of lightness. You'll love its enchanting fragrance!

Discover Wild Patchouli Hydrosol

Organic rosemary verbenone hydrosol

Purifying and regulating, rosemary verbenone hydrosol is known as an active ingredient for blemished, oily and acne-prone skin. It is also used in hair care formulas to prevent hair loss and combat dandruff. Highly aromatic, rosemary verbenone hydrosol is also an excellent addition to your food or wellness drinks.

Discover rosemary verbenone hydrosol

Essential Oils

Grapefruit essential oil

Grapefruit essential oil is known as a tonic, astringent and lipolytic. Its invigorating fruity fragrance brings optimism and good humour and promotes relaxation.

Discover Grapefruit essential oil

Ginger essential oil

This oil is reputed to be an aphrodisiac and general tonic. It is also known to help with motion sickness, when inhaled on a handkerchief. Its fresh, spicy scent blends well with citrus fruits.

Discover Ginger essential oil

DARK Patchouli essential oil

Famous for its powerful, bewitching fragrance, Patchouli essential oil is also appreciated for its tonic, purifying and regenerating properties. It also has a reputation for being an aphrodisiac!

Discover DARK Patchouli essential oil

Extracts in powder form

ORGANIC donkey milk active ingredient (powder)

Rich in nutrients, donkey's milk is an exceptional skincare product, soothing and nourishing. Used in beauty care since ancient times, it is particularly well tolerated by all skin types, even if sensitive, and works wonders in preparations for dry, sensitive and reactive skin. Its tightening and regenerating effects are also appreciated in anti-ageing skincare products. This powder is obtained using a freeze-drying process that preserves the richness of the milk's active ingredients and nutrients.

Discover ORGANIC donkey milk active ingredient (powder)

Active ingredient - ORGANIC powdered coconut milk

Obtained by freeze-drying without additives, this powder concentrates all the benefits of coconut milk. Rich in fatty acids, minerals and vitamins, it brings softness, shine and nutrition to damaged hair and revitalises all skin types. Its delicate coconut scent is an invitation to travel, and its authentic creamy taste makes exotic dishes and desserts a real treat.

Discover Active ingredient - ORGANIC powdered coconut milk

Powdered Marshmallow

Rich in mucilage, marshmallow forms a gel-like paste with water, ideal for preparing plant-based masks for the skin or hair. It works wonders in the preparation of 100% plant-based haircare products to coat, detangle and beautify the hair, combined with other powders. Softening and emollient, it is also appreciated in skincare to soothe uncomfortable areas or moisturise and revitalise dry, dehydrated skin.

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Ayurvedic powders

ORGANIC Amla powder

Rich in vitamin C, Amla is renowned in Ayurveda as a powerful regenerator. This powder is traditionally known for preventing hair loss, brightening the complexion and purifying the skin. It soothes individuals with a Vâta and Pitta constitution.

Discover ORGANIC Amla Powder

Organic nagarmotha powder

Also known as nutsedge or musta, nagarmotha is used when making purifying and soothing scalp and skin care products. It can be incorporated into your hair blends to combat dandruff and soothe uncomfortable scalps. This aromatic plant is well known in ayurvedic traditional medicine for its woody, spicy fragrance. On the skin, nagarmotha can be used in combination with other natural powders to make masks, or as a macerated oil to formulate soothing, purifying cosmetics. A must for acne-prone skin!

Discover organic nagarmotha powder

Bhringaraj powder

Bhringaraj is "the plant for hair" in Ayurveda and can be incorporated into your mixtures to combat hair loss and premature grey hair. Soothing Vâta and Kapha, it is also used in soothing skin care products.

Discover Bhringaraj Powder

Hair cosmetics

Active ingredient - Hydrolysed Rice protein

Rice proteins are a particularly interesting active ingredient in the preparation of haircare products, where they play a strengthening and volumising role. They can also be used in your DIY skincare products to moisturise* and soften the upper layers of the epidermis.

Discover Active ingredient - Hydrolysed Rice protein

Active ingredient - Hydrolysed Silk protein

Silk proteins are an excellent active ingredient for the hair thanks to their coating and smoothing properties. They add softness and shine to hair and help maintain its natural moisture. They are therefore ideal as an active ingredient in your shampoos and styling products. In DIY skincare products, they are appreciated for their softening effect.

Discover Active ingredient - Hydrolysed Silk protein

Active ingredient - Phytoceramides

Derived from sunflower oil, Phytoceramides are a lipid-replenishing and protective active ingredient for skin and hair. In 'homemade' haircare products, Ceramides are highly effective at smoothing, protecting and strengthening the hair fibre. They are particularly well known for caring for coloured hair, helping to maintain its shine. Incorporated into your skincare recipes, they protect against dehydration and restore the skin's hydrolipidic film.

Discover Active ingredient - Phytoceramides

A natural moisturising gel

Organic native aloe vera gel

This aloe vera gel is made from fresh native juice, with a guaranteed aloeverose content of at least 1200 mg/L, from the heart of the aloe vera plant, simply by adding a natural gelling agent (xanthan gum), a natural preservative and arginine (a natural pH adjuster) to make a formula suitable for cosmetic use. This gel is made cold to preserve its richness in mucilage, vitamins and nutrients. Aloe vera juice is known for its many skin care properties.

Discover our organic native aloe vera gel

The application time for a homemade hair mask depends on the recipe and the needs of your hair. As a general rule, we recommend leaving the mask on for 20 to 30 minutes. However, some recipes may require a shorter or longer application time.

It's essential to follow the instructions in the recipe you've chosen, as the application time may vary depending on the ingredients used. For example, moisturising masks may need to be left on for longer to allow the hair to absorb moisture better, while masks containing essential oils or powerful active ingredients may need to be left on for a shorter time to avoid irritation.

During the application time, you can wrap your hair in a warm towel to help the active ingredients penetrate. It's also a good time to relax, so take the opportunity to unwind.

Applying a homemade hair mask is simple, but it's essential to follow a few tips to ensure the best results. Here are a few tips:

1. Prepare your hair: Before applying the mask, make sure your hair is clean and wet. You can use a mild shampoo to cleanse your hair.

2. Distribute evenly: Apply the mask evenly throughout your hair, concentrating on the ends. Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute the mask evenly.

3. Gently massage: Gently massage your scalp during application to stimulate blood circulation.

4. Avoid the roots: Avoid applying the mask directly to the roots if you tend to have oily hair. Concentrate on the lengths and ends.

5. Use a hair cap: To prevent the mask from drying, cover your hair with a plastic hair cap or shower cap.

Rinsing your homemade hair mask is a crucial step in removing all product residue. Here's how to do it effectively:

1. Rinse with lukewarm water: Use lukewarm water to rinse your hair. Avoid hot water as it can damage hair.

2. Use a shampoo if necessary: In some cases, you may need to use a mild shampoo to completely remove the mask. Follow the instructions in your recipe.

3. Rinse thoroughly: Be sure to rinse your hair thoroughly to remove all mask residue.

4. Dry carefully: After rinsing, wrap your hair in a clean towel to absorb excess water, then let it dry naturally or use a hair dryer on low heat.

By following these steps, you'll have soft, nourished, healthy hair with your homemade hair mask.

Lou graduated from HEC in 2012. She gained ten years of experience in marketing for cosmetics and perfumes before becoming an independent consultant in this field. She recently completed a three-year naturopathy program at the European College of Holistic Naturopathy (CENATHO, Paris) with the goal of supporting the physical and mental health of the people she works with through a holistic approach to lifestyle.