When I was a kid, I did dance and every performance my mother would lather my hair in gel so that it would fit the dance guidelines. So much gel! I had no idea what ingredients were in that hair gel, all I knew was that we needed the crazy strength stuff and if it came in a fun color then…all the better, eh!??
Of course, now I’m more aware about the stuff lurking in my beauty products. I now know that there are ingredients like benzyl salicylate, methylisothiazolinone, PEG-8, and the vague “fragrance” (which could be anything, really). Even though it might seem like the hair gel is just on my hair and not seem too likely to really effect my body, it can. Hair gel gets on your scalp and your hands. Once there it can soak into your body and it’s time to wonder what those ingredients are doing to you!
The ingredients I just mentioned above are only a few from one single container of hair gel.
There were actually many other ingredients, but just those four ingredients are linked to allergies, irritation, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, and organ system toxicity. Hmm, I think I’ll pass on all those risks!
If you are curious how toxic your current hair gel brand is, I highly recommend checking it out through EWG’s Skin Deep cosmetic database. Enter your product and it will rate how toxic it is and even break those toxins by individual ingredients.
Thankfully, I’ve come across and easy way to make my own DIY hair gel! Sure, I could go find a great natural hair gel. I’m sure there’s a few great brands out there, but honestly…I hate having to do all that research to make sure a product is really as clean as it claims. Making my own hair gel ensures that it’s completely safe. It also means it’s very affordable and I can always find it! No need to worry about a store not having it in stock or having to wait for it to be delivered to your home.
As I mentioned, making your own hair gel is incredibly easy. This is not a recipe that involves intricate methods or crazy ingredients. In fact, it’s very likely that you have all the ingredients in your kitchen! How handy is that? What’s more, this DIY hair gel can actually benefit your hair! The gelatin in this hair gel recipe is full of proteins that your hair just loves to soak up!
- 1/4 tsp. Unflavored Gelatin (Not Jello®! Click to find our favorite grass-fed gelatin. It's the bees knees.)
- 1/2 cup Hot Water (Distilled H2O gives a longer shelf life)
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Mix your gelatin and hot water together in a bowl. Stir for a few minutes until full dissolved.
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Transfer your mixture to a clean jar (or your preferred hair gel container). Place in the refrigerator for an hour or two to thicken up.
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Store in the refrigerator between uses. This mixture should last about 2 weeks. It lasts longest when you avoid getting your fingers in the mixture.
How To Use Your DIY Hair Gel Recipe
Take a small amount of hair gel and rub between your palms. Rub through hair and style as you would with any hair gel.
This is the plain jane DIY hair gel, but I know all you Scratch Mommies just love to get creative…so feel free to add a couple drops of your favorite essential oil!
Looking for more great DIY hair recipes? We’ve got you covered!
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Easy DIY Conditioner
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Strengthening Hair Mask
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Herbal Hair Rinses
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Nourishing Hair Oil (no more brittle, dry hair)
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Non-Toxic Hair Taming Oil
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Vitamin C Spray (neutralize chlorine in your hair)
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How To Do A Dry Scalp Treatment (with 3 deep moisturizing DIY recipes
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and for the bearded folks…DIY Beard Balm (and check out Scratch Mommy Founder Jess’s fantabulous Pronounce Skincare Beard Balm!)
- Also, check out Jess’s Hair Serum (…it’s a hair serum and hair oil in one)!
Comments 2
Now, I may date myself here, but decades ago when synchronized swimming first became an Olympic event, they made known the secret to the swimmers hair: gelatin! I think then, they used Knox unflavored, but still; gelatin. So interesting!
I just made some of this and used your recipe exactly. I added 4 drops of essential oils. After sitting in the refrigerator for several hours, it is still not ‘gelled”. It does pull away from the sides of the container, but it is a liquidy consistency. How do I fix this?
Reply, please?