3 Natural Hair Gel Recipes

Heather Dessinger

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Natural Hair Gel Recipe

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 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. And just like with this three ingredient body wash, you probably have what you need to make a batch right now.

Below are three recipes that I’ve used over the years with my boys. They’re too young to care about styling their hair on most days, so it’s not until we have a special occasion coming up that I remember to make hair gel. I don’t always have the same ingredients on hand, so I’ve experimented with a few variations and these are the best I’ve tried.

In terms of hold, I’d say the flaxseed recipe is the strongest, the gelatin is medium, and the aloe vera is the lightest, but all have worked really well for us. A few friends with curly hair have reported that they help a lot with frizz, too.

Adding Essential Oils To Natural Hair Gel

If you want to add essential oils for scent and their therapeutic benefits for the scalp and hair, here are a few of my favorites:

  • Peppermint and rosemary essential oils stimulate hair growth and add shine. They’re very strong, though, so I recommend using about half the maximum number of drops recommended in the recipes below.
  • Patchouli and tea tree have astringent properties which are beneficial for oily hair
  • Lavender and cedarwood are helpful for dry hair

Natural Hair Gel Recipe With Gelatin

Gelatin contains keratin proteins which bind with hair to strengthen it. It adheres especially well to damaged areas and helps to smooth the hair cuticle, boost shine and reduce breakage.

It is possible to get too much of a good thing, though. As I shared in this post on gelatin hair masks, healthy hair is both strong and flexible, and 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 either the flaxseed or aloe options.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon gelatin (where to buy gelatin)
  • 1/2 cup very warm distilled water
  • up to 24 drops essential oil (optional)

To Make

1. Dissolve the gelatin into warm water, using 1/4 teaspoon for less hold and 1/2 teaspoon for more hold.
2. Add in essential oils if desired. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 10 days.

Aloe Vera Gel For Hair

Aloe vera is a wonderful hair moisturizer and scalp conditioner that also happens to work beautifully as styling gel. Some brands contain additives I prefer to avoid, but this one is pretty good.

Ingredients

To Make

If using essential oils, add them to the aloe vera gel and stir to combine. Place aloe in an airtight container. Because store-bought aloe is stabilized to extend shelf life, this gel should last at room temperature for at least three months.

Flaxseed Hair Gel Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup distilled water
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1.5 teaspoons flax seeds (where to buy flax seeds)
  • up to 24 drops of essential oil

To Make

1. Place water and flax seeds into a pot and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for about 10 minutes.
3. While the mixture is simmering, line a mesh sieve with cheesecloth.
4. Once the liquid has simmered for 10 minutes, remove the pot from the stove and pour the liquid through the cheesecloth. When the liquid has filtered through, bring the corners of the cheesecloth together and lift so that the flaxseeds are at the bottom of a pouch (it should look a bit like the images in cartoons of a stork carrying a baby) and squeeze any remaining gel through the cheesecloth with a pair of tongs. (Don’t use your fingers because the liquid is very hot.)
5. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 10 days.

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How To Make Natural Hair Gel

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About HEATHER

Heather is a holistic health educator, herbalist, DIYer, Lyme and mold warrior. Since founding Mommypotamus.com in 2009, Heather has been taking complicated health research and making it easy to understand. She shares tested natural recipes and herbal remedies with millions of naturally minded mamas around the world. 

Leave a Comment

96 thoughts on “3 Natural Hair Gel Recipes”

    • Hi hi, new mom here??. Wonderful recipes! About the flaxseed gel recipe, you mentioned store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days, does that mean it cannot be used after 10 days because it expires?

      Reply
        • I make a bigger batch of flaxseed gel, put some in the fridge and make ice cubes of the rest in an ice cube tray, so I don’t have to make it so often. Just remember to thaw out ahead of time when needed.

          Reply
      • Flaxseed gel doesn’t expire. It can go bad and until that happens you can keep on using it. Mine lasts over 15 days (because I run out of it by then). How would you know it’s bad? It would get slightly milky and will smell bad even with essential oils in it. It’s easier to detect the smell change if you don’t add any perfume. You just need to be mindful and notice the change in the gel.

        Reply
    • Can you recommend a smaller amount of gelatin that is cheaper since i will only use it once in awhile and only need 1/2 tsp of the gelatin for the hair gel??

      Reply
  1. LOVE gelatin!!

    Your recipe and instructions have different amounts of how much gelatin to add. One says 1/4-1/2 the other says 1/2 to 1.

    Love your recipes and ideas, always! Can’t wait to make some beeswax food wrap! 🙂

    Reply
  2. A friend of mine makes hair gel for her son, who likes the spiky look: She just boils up flax seed and then strains the seeds out. That stuff is megahold!!!

    Reply
  3. Straight up regular plain gelatin. If you look at that list of weird ingredients, they use protein in commercial hair gel anyway.

    Reply
    • I have curly, frizzy hair, and this one works great for me. I use a generous amount of peppermint oil, and it lasts in the fridge a lot longer than 2 weeks — I think it depends on how much essential oil you use.

      Reply
      • 5 stars
        Which recipe are you using that you add the peppermint oil to? I have curly frizzy hair too. I was just looking for a hair gel recipe I could use on my sisters’ dogs and children when they leave them at my house without asking first so I could send them home with fauxhawk hair dos. It never even occurred to me that I could use it on my hair. I’d mostly acquiesced to the certitude that I have hair like a q-tip or like Albert Einstein (both of which I’ve been told since primary school 🤣) I’d love to hear which recipe you use for curly hair! I had a friend’s wife put gel in my hair once, years ago, and I had ringlets….. but they were super crunchy. 😕

        Reply
    • boiling flaxseed in water yields a wonderful gel and you can still add oils, essential oils . I have naturally curly dry hair and this gel is amazing!

      Reply
  4. I use this ALL of the time on my curly hair and have been VERY pleased with the results* and how easy it is to make. Precise measurements are not critical AT ALL, I just guess and go and it’s always worked! 😀
    *Over time, it seemed to be drying to my hair, (curly hair tends to be drier than straight) so I’ve found it helpful to use a little coconut oil on my hair at the same time. And sometimes I just use coconut oil, and a little goes a long way!
    Mine lasts maybe 1 week un-refrigerated, 2 weeks refrigerated. When refrigerated, you have to get little blob out and kind of melt it in your hand before you use it.
    Thanks for sharing the recipe! I’m sure a ton of your readers will LOVE it!

    Reply
  5. I tried the gelatin hair gel but couldn’t get it to hold together enough. It almost melted in my hands and off if my hair, even when I used the highest recommended amount of gelatin, so I went back to my flax gel. Does this gel hold together well enough to put it on my hair?

    Reply
  6. I make this for my husband and son all the time, and hubby loves it better than store-bought gel. It will keep for many weeks out on the counter, in a closed container, if you put Grapefruit Seed Extract in it (GSE). I boil my water and then stir in the gelatin, let it cool on the counter, put several drops (2-3) GSE into the gel in my measuring cup, mix and then pour into a lidded container. (I’ve tried mixing the GSE in after putting it into the container, but inevitably there is some around the upper edges that doesn’t get incorporated into the whole, and it goes bad. Better to mix it in a separate cup and then transfer to the storage container.) At that point, you can leave it out on the counter. It will go bad after awhile, but it’s usually a couple of months at least. Depending on which essential oils are used, they could also work this same way.

    Another tip for those who have consistency issues: I put mine in the fridge for a few hours so that it gets more gelatinous, and then pull it out and stir it up. It softens some as it goes back to room temp, but stays more gelatin-y than it does without refrigerating first–if I don’t do this, it stays too liquidy.

    Reply
  7. I LOVE the idea of making my own hair gel, but what is everyone’s thoughts on the free glutamates in gelatin? My husband developed a neurological disorder called “Dystonia” and gelatin is listed as an ingredient that always contains neurotoxins – free glutamates. I buy a hair gel from RealPurity.com that contains…Purified Water, Pure Aloe Vera Gel, Panthenol, Wheat Germ Protein. Seems like something one might be able to make at home?

    Reply
    • The Amazon link for the aloe vera gel does not work for me. Can you tell me what brand you use? I’m very careful what I put on my body. I need to tame the frizz in my curls and I’m trying to find something for my husband, too! Anyone else that uses aloe vera gel… please share the brand you use. Thank you so much!

      Reply
  8. This doesn’t emulsify and turn slimy in the heat or near the scalp? I’m looking for a natural product for our wee ones curls. She doesn’t look it, but those tight curls are past her shoulders when wet. They don’t do much, but they sure know how to frizz. 😉

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  9. This is an awesome idea – but how long does it last? It says the shelf life is 1-2 weeks, but can it be longer if refrigerated? It seems like a lot to use in a week.

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  10. Great ‘recipe’, looks so simple! However, reading your list of ‘bad ingredients’ I saw phospholipids. Those phospholipids would be made of some vegetable oil or petroleum base, but just ‘phospholipids’ aren’t bad in themselves. Our cells have phospholipids! It just means that it can hold water on one side and fats/oils on the other 🙂

    Reply
    • Oops! I meant to remove that one. There were other ingredients, like, um, WATER that I did take out but I guess I missed it. Thanks for letting me know – correcting now!

      Reply
  11. This stuff works way better than the store bought gel. I have been making it for about 6 months now and no complaints. And when you make it yourself you can make it smell how ever you want!! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  12. I have a question. I made this last night and used it this morning. I guess I was thinking that it would add ‘lift’ to my hair, as that’s why I would buy hair gel. I put some on the roots of my hair this morning after my shower and blow dried it. It is now four hours later and my hair is flat, flat, flat. Is this gel just to tame the frizzies? If so, is there something I can add to it to give my hair body? (Another site said to use sugar water, but I don’t really want to use sugar! (bees anyone?)
    Heather, I absolutely LOVE your site! Thank you for all you share.

    Reply
    • Mousse is for volume, gel is for hold, so you will need to use it a bit differently to achieve a volume effect. The only way I have managed to get body into my hair with gel is by putting it up at night, either a French braid down the middle, rope twist, or just a high bun! Whichever you choose, put gel in slightly damp hair, put up overnight, and in the morning take it down. Flip your head upside down and shake your hair out. If you want curl, scrunch in more gel 🙂

      Reply
  13. I have curly hair that has always been a challenge for me. For many I’ve used different gels and hairspray to keep my curls under control. I read your post recently and decided to try it and love it!! I’m so excited. I didn’t even need to use hairspray. It has hold that you can adjust depending on the amount of gelatin (i used WAY too much the first time) and still leaves hair soft. Thank you!!

    Reply
  14. Mine is very watery and is not setup at all. What did I do wrong? I put 1/4 tsp of gelatin in a small cup, added a few drops of cold water, and then added 1/3 cup of hot water and 4 drops of EOs. It’s like water. I put some in my hands and applied, but it is not anything like the picture.

    Reply
    • Did you put it in the fridge? I believe it needs to be chilled to thicken (like making “jello” or gummies with gelatin).

      Reply
    • Happened to me the first time too! Some Geletin needs to be hydrated before using. Put your powder into a cup or bowl and add just enough water to get it to gel up. Stir it a little and let it soften for 2-3 minutes. Now you can pour in your hot water to dissolve the Geletin with no problem. Put it in the fridge and it should set!

      Reply
  15. Why oh why didn’t I try this when you first posted this?! This is the best! I, too, put too much gelatin in the first batch….

    Anyone with crazy curly hair has to try this. I just hate to think how much time and money I wasted trying to find a product that worked. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!

    Reply
  16. how long does it take to solidify?
    i followed directions and i used the recommended red gelatin can, but its still liquid in the fridge after couple of hours….

    Reply
  17. hey there ! i tried this just now but as it dried i saw many flakes in my hair 🙁
    has anyone experienced this? i have jet black hair so it was really obvious… i looked like i had dandruff hahah

    Reply
  18. Dear Sweet Heather,
    I could give you a big hug right now! After having several surgeries I started losing massive amounts of hair, I’m guessing from drugs and anesthesia. My once thick hair was my crowning glory. I’m desperately trying to heal, and that meant throwing out chemical laden hair products. I’ve been using Branch Basics for all of my cleaning and now it’s time to take action with my personal care products. I made the hair gel this morning… WOW! I’m never going back! I used Great Lakes Gelatin and added Rosemary, lavender and peppermint essential oil to it. After it set, I blended it in my Vitamix and the texture greatly improved and even turned a bit white-ish in color… resembling store bought hair gel! THANK YOU! I am truly grateful and hoping and praying that my hair will be restored. Already I’ve notice a difference. (I’m anxious to try some of your shampoo recipes next and will let you know how it goes… but until then I’ve been using Dr. Christopher’s BF&C shampoo and conditioner that I purchased at iherb. Love it! There is absolutely nothing bad in them at all, and my hair washed up great. I’m a big fan of his herbal products) Again… Thank you Heather!!!!

    Reply
    • Oh Joyce, I’m so glad you were pleased with the hair gel! You know, it can actually be used as a hair mask to strengthen hair. I need to write up a post with full instructions 🙂

      Wishing you a speedy recovery and a wonderful holiday season!

      Reply
  19. Hi Heather

    lovely gel, it works really well! In your gelatin hair mask post you mention that it is not good to use the mask too often; how about the gelatin hair gel? I use it ever day to style my bob length hair between washes-I wash once a week. Will this cause protein overload and damage?

    Reply
  20. Made this this morning and used it on my little one. I used 1/2 t. Gelatin and added 1/2 t. Sugar. A recipe I made some time back called for sugar to increase the hold, so I added it as an insurance that the gelatin would hold up (and maybe even, then some). It seems to be holding up very well. Thank you so much!

    Reply
  21. i feel like my hair are so light is there anyway i can make them heavy :/ because when i shampoo they get really messed up . Thanks

    Reply
  22. Love these recipes! I have curly hair that has always been a challenge, but I have been using flax seed hair gel for a while now and my hair loves it! I’ve kind of combined a few of these recipes and made my own!

    Reply
  23. I’m eager to try this recipe for hair gel, but my concern is having to keep it in the refrigerator. My husband is stubborn about trying these new things, and if he has to make a trip to the fridge every time he showers and fixes his hair, he is likely to give it up. Has anyone tried keeping the flaxseed or gelatin ones at room temp? Does it just get runny, or go bad?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • It will go bad. If you want something that is shelf stable I recommend using the aloe version listed above. The aloe I link to has a natural preservative that will extend shelf life.

      Reply
  24. Wow! I’ll definitely try the Aloe Vera hair gel. I only need a little hold against the wind so I think this will be just right. Hope this can withstand humid weather and my oily scalp. Will update soon. Thanks!

    Reply
  25. Thank you for sharing this idea natural gel treatment for hair as i have already tried other natural products but still the same issues on my hair..

    Reply
  26. I’m worried about using the peppermint in the recipe with children under the age of 6
    According to Using Essential oils safely

    Reply
  27. DO i have to rinse the leave in conditioner (coconut milk)off or can i keep it till the next day on my hair?
    Also thank u so much for these tutorials

    Reply
  28. 5 stars
    I loved your illustrative wording in regards to the flaxseed one I totally got exactly what you meant so it was highly effective! I also appreciate your reminder about using tongs because that stuff is 🔥. I am definitely one of those people who knows better but whose body moves faster than their brain and if not for your reminder I may have scalded myself. (I can be a bit of a daft twit sometimes lol! 🤣).

    Thank you for your recipes. My sisters like to drop off their dogs and children at my house without my consent (literally open my door with the keys I gave them for emergencies stick their kids and or dogs inside then get back in their trucks and call me while they are driving away from my house to inform me that I am babysitting. I was looking for a safe way to send all children and dogs left at my house without authorization or agreement on my part home with fauxhawk hair dos. Your recipes for natural hair gels seem just the ticket! 😀

    Reply
  29. These look really good. I am tired of buying products that do more damage than good. Do you have a recipe for a natural detangler? My granddaughter has thin but long hair and her split ends are really bad. Thank you

    Reply