If you want to moisturize and strengthen your hair then a hair mask is the right way to go. Lustrous and shiny hair, with improved strength and growth can be achieved with a No Poo hair mask.
No Poo hair masks have many benefits for your hair. Not only can they moisturize, repair damage and lessen frizz, they are also capable of protecting your hair from environmental damage!
No Poo has been gaining in popularity over the last few decades. Rejecting man-made chemicals in favor of cleansing your hair only by using natural ingredients. In addition to the many different washes, hair mask recipes using ingredients such as egg, avocado, and honey, are abound. Each ingredient helps your hair and scalp in its own unique way.
With such a wealth of choice of ingredients for your No Poo mask, you will want to whittle the ingredients down to those that will really bring a benefit to your particular hair type.
Therefore, whether you have dry hair, scalp problems, curly or straight hair, there is a recipe below to help your specific hair type.
No Poo Hair Masks
The No Poo movement is a hair care ethos that encourages followers to use only natural products to keep their hair clean and healthy.
No Poo is an umbrella term, which includes the following No Poo hair washing methods:
| Hair Wash | Description |
|---|---|
| Water Only | Users clean their hair only with water, no other ingredients |
| Sebum Only | Sebum, a naturally produced scalp oil is used to keep hair healthy and moisturized |
| No Poo | Household ingredients such as baking soda and ACV, honey, egg, and aloe vera are amongst ingredients used to clean and moisturize hair |
| Co-Washing | Using conditioner to wash hair and keep it in good condition |
| Low Poo | Commercially available shampoo that does not contain sulphates, silicons, or parabens |
If we compare the different No Poo hair washes we an see that the water only and sebum only No Poo methods are the most extreme forms of hair cleaning.
Although each method is different, they are all linked by their rejection of traditional shampoos.
In addition, none of these methods use the following chemicals:
- Silicons
- Sulphates
- Parabens
Many followers start with Low Poo and then move over to No Poo within a short time-scale.
The method that is best for each individual will depend upon their:
- Lifestyle
- Hair Type
- Water Type i.e. Hard / Soft
For example, if you have hard water then you might struggle with the minerals in your hard water, because this can make it harder to follow a water only method of No Poo hair care.
If you have recently started your No Poo journey and are struggling with dry hair, consider using a No Poo hair mask to re-inject moisture back into your hair.
No Poo hair masks are literally one of the best and easiest ways of adding nutrients and moisture to your hair. Their benefits must never be underestimated!
If we take a closer look at No Poo hair masks, we can see that they can help your hair in many ways, from encouraging hair growth and strength, to reducing hair loss, cleansing and calming an irritated scalp.
There are however a few checks that should be undertaken before using such a mask for the first time. Make sure you follow the checklist below to ensure you get the very best from your mask:
- Irritants: Before using any ingredient (even if it appears harmless) for the first time, carry out a patch test to check that your skin is happy and shows no reaction after 24 hours.
- Wet Or Dry: Most masks are applied to wet hair, but there are those which work best when used on dry hair. Check the recipe and instructions first to get the most out of your mask.
- Time: Check the length of time that a mask is to remain on your hair. Some masks will work best when left overnight, whereas others should be rinsed out after a maximum of an hour.
Below are some of the key benefits that a No Poo hair mask can bring to your hair and scalp:
- Softness
- Volume
- Thickness
- Strength
- Moisture levels
- Antibacterial
- Antifungal
- Growth
10 No Poo Hair Mask Recipes
For individuals looking to give their hair an extra boost, here are 10 of the best No Poo hair mask recipes for you to try at home.
1. Damaged Hair
Hair that is broken and damaged can be more prone to spit ends, look dull, and be less manageable than you would like.
Use the following mask to help your hair repair itself and look and feel healthier:
Ingredients
In addition to the ingredients listed below you will also need a blender, bowl, and comb:
- 4 tbsp – Egg White
- 5 tbsp – Almond Milk
- 2 tbsp – Coconut Oil
Method
- Mix the ingredients together.
- Apply to damp hair.
- Cover with a shower cap or warm towel.
- Leave for up to an hour.
- Rinse with cold water.
2. Curly hair
Curly hair can be dry and have low porosity.
A mask that penetrates deeply into the hair shaft is therefore necessary to help the health of your hair.
Ingredients
In addition to the ingredients listed below you will also need a blender, bowl, and comb:
- ½ cup – Bentonite Clay
- ½ cup – ACV
- ¼ cup – Water
- 2 Drops – essential oil if desired
Method
- Only use a plastic or ceramic bowl for the clay mixture.
- Add ACV and water.
- Mix until all are incorporated and have a smooth consistency.
- Spray your hair with water.
- Smooth the clay mixture through your hair and massage into scalp.
- Spray hair with water again.
- Cover hair with a shower cap and leave for 10 minutes.
- Rinse out thoroughly with water followed by your normal No Poo wash.
It is important only to use a plastic or ceramic bowl, not metal for this recipe.
Do not allow the clay to dry on your hair, this is the reason for spraying your curls with water; to keep your hair (and the clay) moist.
3. Adding strength
Strong hair is healthy hair.
The stronger your hair is, the less likely it will be damaged either by environmental factors or simply through brushing.
The potassium and protein in this recipe will help give you the hair you desire!
Ingredients
In addition to the ingredients listed below you will also need a blender, bowl, and comb:
- 1 – Ripe Banana
- 1 – Egg White
Method
- Mash banana or blend to a smooth paste.
- Mix in egg so it is fully incorporated.
- Smooth mixture over wet hair.
- Leave mixture on your hair for one hour.
- Rinse off hair mask with water that is no warmer than lukewarm.
4. Moisturizing Mask
Dry hair can be more prone to breakages. It can also lose its shine and volume.
If your hair is dry this likely means that your scalp is prone to:
- Dryness
- Itchiness
- Flakiness
The following mask will help to keep hair dryness at bay:
Ingredients
In addition to the ingredients listed below you will also need a blender, bowl, and comb:
- 5tbsp – Mayonnaise
- Essential oils of your choice (optional)
Method
- If desired mix 2 drops of essential oil into mayonnaise.
- Slick through hair and scalp paying attention to the ends.
- Leave mixture on hair for half an hour.
- Rinse hair thoroughly with cool water.
- Use your usual No Poo wash, if necessary.
This mask will hydrate and volumize your hair leaving it less vulnerable to breakage.
5. Protein mask
Protein is known to add strength and boost hair elasticity, which is particularly good for curly haired gals.
Protein can also stop hair looking limp and help your hair retain moisture for longer.
Banana masks contain protein, but one of the best ingredients for adding protein is egg.
The recipe below is also good for individuals who have greasy hair:
Ingredients
In addition to the ingredients listed below you will also need a blender, bowl, and comb:
- 1 – Egg white
- Juice from ½ lemon
Method
- Mix the two ingredients together.
- Spread the mixture from your scalp to the tips of your hair.
- Leave mixture on your hair for up to an hour.
- Rinse hair thoroughly with tepid water.
- Rinse hair with cold water to finish.
Make sure that you only use tepid water to rinse the mask from your hair, to avoid cooking the egg white in your hair and leaving bulky residue in your hair.
A final rinse with very cold water will close your hairs cuticles and leave hair even more shiny, whilst also keeping in the moisture.
6. Scalp Soothing Mask
Sometimes your scalp needs a little help, either to regulate the bacteria, fight off a fungal infection, or simply to provide enough moisture so that any flakiness can be reduced.
Aloe vera is a well respected ingredient for soothing scalps.
Ingredients
In addition to the ingredients listed below you will also need a blender, bowl, and comb:
- 4tbsp – Aloe Vera Gel
- 1tbsp – Castor Oil or Sesame Oil
Method
- Mix aloe vera gel with the oil.
- Massage mixture through hair and scalp.
- Wrap head in a warm towel to allow the heat to improve the absorption of the oil.
- Leave mixture in your hair for 20-30 minutes.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly.
- Use a No Poo wash if oil remains on your hair.
Castor oil is often used in hair growth recipes and to thicken hair.
Sesame oil is great along with the aloe at soothing and improving scalp health.
7. Conditioning Mask
A No Poo conditioner mask that locks moisture in your hair can help keep it healthy and shiny.
You will not find many better No Poo hair masks than conditioning masks that include coconut.
The following mask needs to be made in advance and refrigerated, it is the coconut hair mask No Poo:
Ingredients
In addition to the ingredients listed below you will also need a blender, bowl, and comb:
- Coconut Milk
- Lemon Juice
Method
- Mix the two ingredients together in a 2:1 ratio, i.e. 2tbs coconut milk to 1tbs lemon juice (how much in total depends upon the length of your hair).
- Mix ingredients together well.
- Pop hair mask into the fridge for 4+ hours.
- Apply the hair mask to your entire hair and scalp.
- Cover your hair with a shower cap.
- Leave mask on your hair for up to an hour.
- Rinse mask out of your hair with warm water, followed by your favorite No Poo wash.
This mask can also help fight against dandruff.
8. Protective Mask That Reduces Frizz
Hair that takes in moisture from the surrounding environment can be prone to frizz.
A mask made from the right ingredients can help keep your frizz at bay.
The following No Poo avocado hair mask will deeply moisturise your hair, keeping it wonderfully hydrated:
Ingredients
In addition to the ingredients listed below you will also need a blender, bowl, and comb:
- 1 cup – Plain Greek Yogurt
- ½ Avocado
- 2 tbsp – Oil
- 1 tbsp – Honey
Methods
- Blend the avocado into a very smooth paste.
- Stir in the yogurt.
- Mix in the oil and honey.
- Apply to dampened hair.
- Cover with a shower cap.
- Leave on hair for up to an hour.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Wash with your usual No Poo wash.
All of the ingredients in this mask have their own benefits, in combination, they provide one of the best masks around for your hair.
9. Growth
The are many ingredients that are said to help your hair grow.
The following apple sauce hair mask (No Poo) contains just such an ingredient. With only one ingredient it is also probably the easiest mask you will ever use.
Apples have been said to improve growth, and reduce hair loss. They can also help with scalp problems such as dandruff.
Ingredients
In addition to the ingredients listed below you will also need a blender, bowl, and comb:
- 1 jar of apple sauce OR
- Peel & core 2 apples and simmer until the pulp reaches the right consistency
Method
- Apply mixture to dry hair.
- Cover hair with a shower cap.
- Leave mixture on hair for 15 minutes.
- Rinse out with warm water.
- Style as usual.
10. Antibacterial
Occasionally, the good bacteria on your scalp might need some extra help.
This mask will balance your scalp and leave your hair feeling nourished and soft.
Ginger helps to reduce dandruff and reduce inflammation. It also brings nourishment to your hair and can increase the blood flow to your scalp which in turn promotes hair growth.
Ingredients
In addition to the ingredients listed below you will also need a blender, bowl, and comb:
- 2tbsp – Olive Oil
- 1tbsp – Ginger
Method
- Pour olive oil into a bowl.
- Peel and mince fresh ginger so that it becomes a paste.
- Mix the two ingredients together well.
- Smooth mixture onto dry hair and massage into the roots of your hair.
- Leave mask on your hair for a minimum of one hour, or even overnight (covering with a shower cap).
- Rinse out with warm water.
- Clean your hair with a No Poo wash.
- Leave hair to dry naturally.
These masks will aid volume, growth, strength, and shine, whilst also improving scalp health (sources 1,2,3,4,5,6,7).
The table below details how the ingredients listed above are beneficial to your hair:
| Ingredients | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Egg | Adds protein for strength |
| Banana | Protein for strength, hydration, removing frizz |
| Oil | Hydration and nutrition |
| Aloe Vera | Antibacterial, soothing for scalp, improves hydration |
| Lemon | Antibacterial and adds shine |
| Ginger | Antibacterial, antifungal |
| Apple Sauce | Provides vitamins and aids hair growth |
| Yogurt | Strengthens, hydrates, clarifies |
| Honey | Moisturizes, antibacterial, softens |
| Avocado | Antibacterial, softens, nutrition |
| Coconut Milk | Vitamins, nutritious, strengthens |
With all these benefits and others, hair masks can really help your hair become the healthiest and best that it can be.
Is No Poo Good For Hair?
No Poo means that your hair is not subjected to man-made chemicals.
Sulfates which are often found in traditional shampoos and conditions are considered bad for your hair. This is because they strip the moisture from your hair.
No Poo’ers state that silicons (also found in traditional shampoo and conditioner) prevent moisture and nutrients from being absorbed by the hair strands.
A No Poo lifestyle therefore benefits your hair in the following ways:
Natural Ingredients
To successfully follow a No Poo lifestyle it is vital that you only use natural ingredients to keep your hair clean.
Naturally Clean
No Poo uses natural products rather than traditional shampoos to cleanse and nourish our hair.
Honey, tea tree, aloe vera, and cleansing clay can all be used to keep your hair in tip-top condition.
Chemical Free
Truly No Poo recipes do not contain:
- Sulfates
- Parabens
- Silicons
All of these chemicals are considered to be damaging not only to your hair and scalp but also to the environment.
These chemicals strip your hair of its natural oils and lead to an unhealthy scalp with dry, unmanageable hair.
This is a vicious cycle as you then use the more manufactured shampoo and conditioner products to try and restore your hair to its natural state.
More Manageable / Shiny
Many followers of the No Poo methods say that their hair is more manageable and shiny when using No Poo methods, especially those with curly hair.
Less Hair Damage
Not only is using natural products better for your hair, but reducing the reliance on hair straighteners and driers means your hair will not be damaged by heat.
A boar bristle brush like this one will distribute the scalp sebum oils over each hair shaft leaving your hair nourished and strong.
Control
When following a No Poo hair care regime you get to decide what goes onto your hair and when.
For example, if you hair needs some shine, then lemon can be used. Whereas, if your hair is dry a little more honey in the No Poo wash or mask will make all the difference.
Why No Poo Is Bad For Your Hair
No Poo in itself is not bad for your hair. However, extra care must be taken to find the best No Poo wash method and ingredients for your own particular hair type.
No Poo’ers need to be aware that damage tends to occur when too much of an individual ingredient is used, or used too often.
For example, too much baking soda and ACV is considered bad for your No Poo hair.
This is because baking soda is a wonderful cleansing ingredient, but only in small amounts and only when used no more than every 10 days.
Here’s how to use baking soda and ACV as a wash correctly.
If you use too much baking soda and ACV, or use it too often then your hair can become dry and brittle.
Individuals experiencing problems after using baking soda and ACV should aim to reduce the amount of baking soda used, or wash with these particular ingredients less often.
There are plenty of other natural ingredients to choose from though, so if the ingredients you are currently using do not work for you, it is unlikely you will have a problem finding an alternative.
Soapnuts and amla are both No Poo favorites and are less harsh on your hair than baking soda can be. Why not give these two No Poo wash methods a go?
Does No Poo Help Hair Grow?
There are many people who say that going No Poo has helped their hair to grow.
There are also those who swear by an individual No Poo ingredient.
Whilst No Poo may not actually make your hair grow more quickly, it can lead to less hair loss and a healthier scalp.
A healthier scalp with unblocked follicles will mean that all your hair is enabled to grow to its best ability.
The natural No Poo ingredients that have been recorded as helping hair growth are as follows:
- Aloe Vera
- Coconut Oil
- Geranium Oil
- Lemon
- Onion Juice
- Rosemary Oil
It is just as important to keep your whole body healthy though, so make sure you take a close look at everything you consume. For example, are you eating enough vegetables and nutrients?
The reason we ask this is that luscious locks will not grow if your body is concentrating on keeping its most important organs healthy and nourished.
Therefore, make sure that you are eating well and drinking plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated and in great condition (source 1).
Conclusion
No Poo hair masks are an invaluable tool in your hair care regime.
You can use almost any ingredient. Each ingredient allows you to easily target problem areas with your hair i.e. dry scalp, over moisturized hair.
Some masks can be successfully left in overnight, although most are beneficial to your hair when left on for up to an hour.
Related Questions
No Poo Products
The best thing about No Poo is that you can either make your own No Poo products at home, from your own ingredients, or purchase online No Poo products in your local stores.
No Poo Method Water Only
Those who use the No Poo water only method keep their hair clean and healthy just by using water to rinse off the dirt and debris. The bodies naturally produced sebum moisturizes and nourish the hair.