Learn how to save money, simplify and make your own DIY leave in conditioner and detangler with this easy two-ingredient recipe for super soft, healthy hair.
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What if I told you that you can make your own homemade leave in conditioner, in a matter of minutes, with just two simple ingredients you probably already have on hand? Sounds good right.
Other homemade leave in conditioner recipes call for bunch of complicated of ingredients and time to make. But I'm going to show you a little hack to make your own leave-in conditioner using your every day conditioner, and water. It's that simple.
In fact it's so easy, one reader commented this isn't really DIY because the conditioner is already made. But as a busy mum I am all for cutting as many corners as possible, if it delivers the same result.
The trick to this recipe is to use your existing hair conditioner, store-bought or homemade, and diluting it with demineralised (distilled) water to create a sprayable leave-in formula. This type of water is boiled and the steam is collected and condensed back into a liquid.
Tap water is also fine to use but if you want your product to last longer, use distilled water as it's free of potential contaminants that can cause your homemade beauty products to spoil quickly.
My favourite conditioner is Moogoo Natural Cream Conditioner. MooGoo use all natural ingredients and are kind of the environment. I am not sponsored by them in any way, I just love their products! The key ingredients are jojoba, olive oil and hydrolysed milk protein (for hair repair) so I know am getting all the benefits of natural moisturising ingredients.
How to make DIY leave in conditioner
Equipment
Ingredients
Moogoo Natural Cream Conditioner, or your preferred hair conditioner
Demineralised (Distilled) Water
Method
- Squirt 4 pumps (approx. 4 teaspoons) of hair conditioner into the sprayer bottle.
- Top with water and replace the lid.
- Shake well to combine. That's it, you're good to go!
Watch the video tutorial
How to use it
Gently shake the bottle prior to use to ensure the product is well mixed. Spray onto wet or dry hair and style as required.
To restore definition in wavey and curly hair, spray onto the ends of the hair and scrunch. Allow your hair to dry naturally.
It's great for kids hair too! Spray a couple of pumps into the hair before brushing to detangle knots and avoid tantrums.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can make your own leave-in conditioner by combining regular conditioner with water in a spray bottle.
Yes, it works great and save time and money. Simply dilute your regular conditioner with a little distilled water in a spray bottle and you're good to go.
When I compared the ingredients on the label of my usual conditioner and leave in conditioner I found that most of the ingredients are the same. The only difference was the leave-in conditioner also had glycerin, coconut oil and Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E) added to the formula.
This recipe is suitable for all hair types because you can use whatever conditioner works best for your hair.
Fine hair is more susceptible to being weighed down by using too much hair product and heavy moisturisers. To avoid this, only use leave in conditioner on the ends of your hair and experiment with different dilution ratios of conditioner to water.
The regular conditioner you use in this recipe will likely already include preservatives. You can also add a natural preservative, or just make a small amount using Demineralised (distilled water) and store it in a cool place away from direct sunlight to prevent spoilage.
If you are prone to greasy or oily hair, stick to using leave in conditioner on the ends of your hair only, and avoid applying it to the roots.
Printable Recipe
Easy two ingredient DIY leave in conditioner
Learn how to make your own DIY leave in conditioner with this easy two ingredient recipe for super soft, healthy hair.
Materials
- Conditioner
- Demineralised (Distilled) Water
Tools
- 100 ml spray bottle
Instructions
- Squirt 3-4 pumps of hair conditioner into the sprayer bottle.
- Top with water and replace lid.
- Shake well to combine. That's it, you're good to go!
Notes
Note: Tap water is fine to use but if you want your product to last longer, use distilled water.
If you loved this DIY recipe try our essential oil lip balm and Castile foaming hand soap.
Thanks for following along!
Mellie
But conditioner is meant to be washed out.... Wouldn't this be bad to leave-in your hair? Maybe you meant a leave-in product and not regular conditioner?
If anything I would use a leave-in mask or leave-in conditioner and mix THAT with some water... At least that's meant to be left in and there is absolutely reasons you NEED to wash regular conditioner out....
Emily
Hi Mellie. I've never had a problem leaving the MooGoo conditioner in. It's fairly well diluted and works fine. Thanks, Emily
Meg B.
It seems no different than adding a product to control my hair to me. Even after using conditioner, I still get knots. I plan to try it.
Emily
Hope it works for you Meg!
Bec
Thanks for this just watched a video on using leave in conditioner on the mid lengths and oil on the ends to help with hair growth and I remember my mum and aunty used to do this with normal water and conditioner in a spray bottle. They used it on us kids for detangling. Thanks again I’m going to start today
Emily
I'm glad you found the tutorial useful Bec!
Hairy_baby
This isn't DIY because the conditioner is already made. Title of this article is misleading, feels like an ad for whatever conditioner is being sold
Emily
Thanks for feedback. I am actually in the process of reviewing this post so I will try to make it more clear that it's and easy DIY hack rather than a homemade recipe, as you've suggested.