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How to make a natural hair gel using flaxseeds for safe, nontoxic hair care. Works especially well for curly heads!
I first learned about how to make a natural flaxseed hair gel from a friend who told me that she was looking into making some herself at home.
She suggested I look into it also as we both have long curly hair.
I started researching the idea of making this personal haircare product for myself right away as I found the concept intriguing. I’ve had success in the past making rice water for hair, and I also blend my own deep conditioning hair mask. So why not try my hand at making gel too?
I scoured the internet for various recipes and started experimenting to see which would work best for my type of hair. (1)
In the video included with the recipe below, I demonstrate the best natural hair gel formulation I tried for curly or wavy hair, and it only takes about 10 minutes to make!
Commercial vs Natural Hair Gel
If you use store hair gel, I would recommend that you give this homemade gel a whirl and see what you think.
If you’ve ever checked the label on commercial hair gels, you know that they are loaded with chemicals and synthetic fragrances.
Even though these toxins aren’t going to absorb into your bloodstream like they would if you slathered it on your skin, these chemicals still get on your pillowcase at night potentially contacting your skin while you sleep. Â
In addition, anything on your hair is close to your nose so you would breathe in the hormone-disrupting fragrances.
I would particularly recommend this natural hair gel if you are pregnant or nursing as you don’t want to come into daily contact with the toxins that could potentially harm your baby.
Do you make your own homemade, natural hair gel? Â If so, please share your recipe in the comments section!
The natural hair gel I demonstrate in the video below is made with flax seeds, but there are many other ways to make it. Â
Don’t worry that you can’t use this recipe if you have thyroid issues because flax seeds are a bit goitrogenic. Â
While this would be a problem if you ate them, putting them on your hair is fine!
Homemade Hair Gel How-to Video
Flaxseed Hair Gel Recipe
Makes about 4 oz
Ingredients
1 cup filtered water
2 Tbl organic whole flax seeds (sources)
Few drops of essential oils for natural fragrance (optional)
Few drops of aloe vera gel for a moisturizing effect (optional)
Directions
Bring the cup of filtered water to a boil. Â Stir in the flax seeds, turn down the heat to medium and let simmer for between 7-10 minutes.
*Do not simmer longer than 10 minutes else you won’t be able to strain out the flax seeds from the gel.
Strain out the flax seeds using a strainer or fine cheesecloth and let the gel cool. Mix a few drops of essential oils and/or aloe vera if desired.
Pour natural hair gel into a small bottle and use immediately or refrigerate.
Pour a dollop into the palm of your hand and mix through wet hair as frequently as desired.
Because this natural hair gel has no preservatives, it will last about 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
I’ve not frozen this natural hair gel before as I prefer to use it fresh or cold out of the fridge. But if you’ve tried it, let us know if it maintains the proper consistency when it thaws!
I’ve been looking for a product for my toddler sons hair for those days when I want to smooth it away from his eyes … So far we use a paste that my husband uses but it’s not natural at all. It bothers me. So I wish there was a way to make a hair paste!
Thank you for your recipe for the hair jel- I have short hair and I like it spikey but I’ve found a recipe for palmade and it works great! +homemade pomade from Organic Authority uses beeswax and jojoba oil as its base. You’ll need a mason jar, which you’ll place in a double boiler by adding water around the jar until it reaches the middle of the jar. Gently drop in a 1/2 lb of chopped beeswax. Turn up the heat until the water boils, then remove the pan from heat and stir in 1 tbsp jojoba oil. Add in 1 tbsp arrowroot powder, and then stir in a few drops of peppermint oil. Let the mixture cool and then pour it into whatever container you will use to store your pomade.
I am wondering how thick this is when fully cooled? And what is the consitency? Thank you.
Consistency is really viscose, like egg whites. It’s runny (thin), but sticks together when you try to pour it. Hope that helps.
This is AWESOME! My husband has thick, wavy, course hair and we’ve struggled for years now trying to find something chemical free and DIY that is able to “manage” his hair.
I’m wondering, though. Do you think replacing the flax seeds for chia seeds would do the same thing?
I thought hair was made up of dead skin cells. How much stuff can be absorbed back into the body thru our hair?
it doesnt absorb THROUGH the hair—but in the video Sarah mentions that you sleep with your hair on your pillow, and your face will be in the chemicals that were on your hair. also, when you shower, the water carries those chemicals over your skin. and when the water is hot, your skin absorbs more of the toxins. hope that helps. im sure someone can give more details. 🙂
My thoughts exactly. I’m not sure if this is worth all the effort. Plus there’s lots of more natural products available nowadays. I honestly can’t imagine using egg white and flax gel when it dries it probably looks crusty
Ummm… there is NO egg white in this hair gel recipe. That would be gross.
I found this same recipe a few months ago. I find that it is too runny. I am wondering what to add to make it more of a gel. Aloe vera gel? Grass-fed beef gelatin? When I put in my hand, almost half of it runs out through my fingers!
I wonder if you tried with 3/4 c water or 1/2 c water if it would help with making it thicker? Just a curious thought…
boil down after straining. have done this many times
I used to have curly hair but after having three children it is really just wavy now. I used to use hair gel all the time to keep the curls looking nice and frizz-free but I gave up looking for a chemical-free brand.
Needless to say, I am excited about trying this. I don’t have any flaxseed but I was wondering if flaxseed meal would work just as well since that’s what I have on hand? If so, would I still use 2 Tbsp.?
Jamie, you wouldn’t be able to strain the meal out. I don’t think you want flecks of flax meal in your hair.
I honestly use ground flax seed and you don’t even notice, it all comes out when you blow dry it. Saves a lot of time and frustration. I also add one egg white for extra hold – keep in the fridge.
Can you also suggest something for thin straight hair ? I need a mousse or something to give my hair body and in order to keep an elastic in (otherwise it slides out).
many thanks,
Ellen.
Yes this is what I also need. I wear my hair short and kind of spiked …and I need a pretty super holding gel….
yup i use too look for my other post below for adding in stuff
ellen – Scunci makes elastics that are flat- and have a stripe of rubber-ish material on the inside. they Don’t slide!! I have curly/wavy hair- so I just enjot the flat ones enough- but I have tried the ones with the grip strip- they don’t mess around!
Just to be sure, so the flaxseeds are ot ground right?
no, whole seedis used
Sarah, I use to use this recipe, but I got tired of two things: burning my fingers trying to strain the seeds out when it was easiest to do so; and having to keep it across the house in the fridge. Now I dissolve gelatin in 1/2 cup boiling water, add 1/2 cup cold water, add any EOs I want and put half of this in my sprayer. The other half gets refrigerated. With my LONG curly hair, the amount kept in my sprayer is used up before it turns bad (and I get to keep it in the bathroom where I do my hair). Just an alternate recipe for you.
Heather,
I am interested in how much gelatin is used in your recipe. Although I do not have curly hair it would help me greatly to have some gel to run through my straight hair before styling.
Thanks Sarah for a great recipe. Any idea if chia would work as well as flax?
I wonder if it has to be refrigerated if you added a bit of Vitamin E oil as a preservative?