3 DIY Moisturizer Recipes For Natural Hair This Winter

Winter will officially arrive this month, and as naturals, we want to be ready. Part of that preparation is finding an adequate moisturizer. If your current product isn’t cutting it and you’d like to try something homemade, here are a few worth mixing.

1. Creamy Shea Moisturizer

Ingredients:
– ½ cup unrefined shea butter
– ½ cup creamy leave-in conditioner (e.g., Oyin Hair Dew)
– 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Instructions:
Soften the shea butter slightly in a pot on the stove or by warming over a hot water bath. (Do not melt the butter entirely.) Whip the butter with a hand mixer on low/medium speed until fluffy. Then whip the creamy leave-in conditioner and olive oil into the shea butter. Cover the mixture and store in a dry cool place. Shelf life: about 3-6 months.

2. Aloe Jojoba Moisturizer

Ingredients:
– ¼ cup rosewater
– 1 tbsp aloe vera gel
– 2 tsp apricot oil
– 2 tbsp jojoba oil
– 2 tsp grapeseed oil
– few drops essential oil (e.g., jasmine, lavender)

Instructions:
Pour the rosewater, aloe vera gel, apricot oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, and essential oil into a spray bottle, pump bottle, or mister, whichever you prefer. Shake the bottle until the ingredients are thoroughly mixed together. Store the bottle in a refrigerator and shake before each use.  Shelf life: a few weeks.

3. Castor Cocoa Moisturizer

Ingredients:
– 2 tbsp castor oil
– ¼ cup liquid leave-in conditioner (e.g., ApHogee Curlific! Moisture Rich Leave-in)
– 2 tbsp melted cocoa butter
– few drops of essential oil (e.g., lemon, orange)

Instructions:
Use a pot to melt the cocoa butter on the stove at low heat. Blend the melted butter, castor oil, and leave-in conditioner with a hand mixer or blender. Add the essential oil and mix again. Pour the mixture into a mister or pump bottle, whichever you prefer. Cover and store in a refrigerator and shake before each use.  Shelf life: about 4-8 weeks.

What moisturizer (homemade or other) do you use to combat winter dryness?