Looking for a greener way to get luscious locks? Use up overripe avocados with this natural, effective DIY avocado, coconut oil, and honey hair mask. It builds strong, soft, and healthy locks, giving everyone you know total hair envy!
And the best part? This DIY Avocado & Coconut Oil Hair Mask uses common household ingredients—saving you a little dough and skipping out on all the additives and chemicals.
When I was pregnant, I went completely fragrance-free and was basically washing my hair with baking soda and using no conditioner for 9 months. Let me tell you, it took a toll on my hair. Even 6 months postpartum, my hair still felt like straw. Yeah like, the straw that horses eat, straw.
I spent anywhere from $15-$50 on hair masks, most of which were ridden with chemicals and additives and they made ZERO difference. It turns out, making your own hair masks from natural ingredients are much more effective—and bonus: less expensive for you and less detrimental to the environment.
Green tip: Reduce your food waste by using overripe avocados to nourish your hair!
Did you know the Department of Agriculture estimates that we waste upwards of 133 BILLION POUNDS of food per year? That means all of the resources and energy that went into producing, harvesting, and distributing that food has gone to waste.
Using up your overripe avocados that you would otherwise throw out is just one tiny way you can reduce your personal contribution to food waste, and achieve a more sustainable lifestyle. Because let’s face it. If your avocado is a little brown, your hair doesn’t care.
Hair Mask Ingredients
There’s three ingredients in this hair mask that you probably have in your pantry that really rehabilitate your hair:
1. Avocado for softening and thickening
Avocado is rich in vitamins B & E which absorb into the hair follicles and nourish to soften and thicken. This hair mask is a great excuse to use up those overripe avocados.
2. Honey for hydration
Honey has the best humectants for hair, this means it allows itself to bind to water, locking in moisture on your hair.
Try buying raw, locally sourced honey. Generally, smaller-scale honeybee operations harvest honey in the fall, when the bees produce it in excess. They often have higher quality control standards and keep the bees safe from pesticides.
3. Coconut oil for strengthening
Coconut oil prevents breakage by penetrating deep into the follicles and providing essential fatty acids and nutrients. If you don’t have coconut oil in your pantry, olive oil is also great for hydration.
It is very close in composition to the natural oils in your hair. You can substitute 1 tablespoon of coconut oil for 1 tablespoon of olive oil if your hair seems extra dry.
I wouldn’t do this more than once a month because you do not want your scalp to stop producing its natural oils. If using once a week, coconut oil is best.
Avocado Hair Mask Frequently Asked Questions
Do avocado hair masks work on all types of hair?
Yes! Results may vary depending on an individual’s hair texture, but this avocado and coconut oil hair mask is all-natural and perfectly safe for any hair type and color.
Can I half the recipe for this hair mask?
Yes! This recipe yields enough avocado hair mask for long hair, so if you have a short ‘do, you may want to half it. You’ll use 1/4 avocado, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, and 1 & 1/2 teaspoons of honey.
Can I substitute another oil in this hair mask?
Olive oil is also great for hydration. It is very close to the natural oils in your hair. You can substitute 1 tablespoon of coconut oil for 1 tablespoon of olive oil if your hair seems extra dry. I wouldn’t do this more than once a month because you do not want your scalp to stop producing its natural oils. If using once a week, coconut oil is best.
When should I apply this avocado hair mask?
Always apply this hair mask to dry hair. Water repels oil, so if your hair is wet, you will not see the results you want.
Want to sharpen your kitchen skills?
Why You Should Make This DIY Avocado & Coconut Oil Hair Mask
- It’s less expensive. Don’t overpay for a brand name, use ingredients you probably already have at home!
- It’s more sustainable. No excess plastic for packaging, and use up those overripe avocados you would otherwise throw away to reduce your food waste!
- It’s effective. I’ve noticed a drastic difference in the feel and look of my hair.
- It’s natural. No chemicals and additives. Just real, natural, healthy ingredients.
DIY Avocado and Coconut Oil Hair Mask
PRINT PIN RATEIngredients
- 2 tablespoons pure coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ avocado
Instructions
- Add coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 20 seconds. The heat will liquefy the coconut oil but also help bond the ingredients to your hair.
- Add honey and avocado.
- Mash the avocado with a fork and stir until smooth. Some lumps are okay.
- Apply directly to dry hair starting at tips and, making your way up to the roots. Leave in for at least 30 minutes. It is safe to keep in overnight. Use once a week or when your hair needs a little lift!
Pro Tips
- This yields enough of the avocado hair mask for long hair, so if you have a shorter ‘do, you may want to half the recipe.
- Water repels oil, so if your hair is wet, you will not see the results you want. Always apply this hair mask to dry hair.
- Olive oil is also great for hydration. It is very close to the natural oils in your hair. You can substitute 1 tablespoon of coconut oil for 1 tablespoon of olive oil if your hair seems extra dry. I wouldn’t do this more than once a month because you do not want your scalp to stop producing its natural oils. If using once a week, coconut oil is best.
7 thoughts on “DIY Avocado & Coconut Oil Hair Mask”
A great recipe, leaving my hair softer are break free.
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that That reminds me, I have 1/2 an avocado leftover… hair mask time for me too!
How often do you have to do this? Does it helps with thinning hair as well? Thanks!
Hi Len!
Both the honey and the coconut oil in this D.I.Y. mask do help with breakage, which can certainly help with thinning! I personally use this mask once every 2-3 months, but it is safe for use up to once per week as needed.
Hello, I want to try this all Natural hair mask but I need to know, where do you rinse this avocado mixture out of your hair? I don’t want to put chunky avocado and sticky honey and greasy oil down my drain. Also, do you wash your hair after you rinse out this avocado mixture or leave your hair be after rinsing it out? Thank you.
Hi Gabriela!!
I do wash mine out in the shower with shampoo. The shampoo tends to break down the oil and stickiness, so I haven’t had any issues with my drain! I highly recommend using a super ripe (or even overripe) avocado so it’s easy to mash down into a very smooth mixture with no lumps! Let me know how it turns out 🙂
Marley
Your hair looks beautiful!!