It’s no secret that using a hair mask with aloe vera can get you closer to thick, dense, strong, and silkier hair. This centuries-old treatment is still a favorite among dermatologists and haircare devotees alike since it contains a plethora of hair-strengthening and nourishing compounds. And the best part? You don’t have to hit the store to put your hands on an aloe vera hair mask. You can save your money and make your own mask at home with ingredients you can get straight from your kitchen.
While it should be fairly easy to find a DIY recipe from the countless available on the internet, experts and I recommend sticking only to the tried-and-true ones. So to help you cut through the vast options, we rounded up the most effective aloe vera hair masks praised by researchers for their ability to stimulate hair growth. We’ve also compiled an A to Z guide on how to prepare and use each of them for A-class results.
Benefits of aloe vera hair masks
For sure, aloe vera masks load plenty of benefits for the hair. This is due to the famous “gel” of aloe vera that contains over 75 active ingredients, including vitamins, fatty acids, enzymes, amino acids, antioxidants, and minerals.[1] When applied to the scalp as a mask, all these compounds help nourish and hydrate the hair, soothe follicles inflammation, reduce dandruff, and protect cells from UV damage. Besides, aloe vera contains polysaccharides that have been clinically studied to promote hair growth as well as moisturize and heal damaged hair.
So simply rubbing aloe vera into your scalp and letting it work for 30 minutes before rinsing can considerably improve dry, weakened, and brittle hair. Better still, you can whip this hair savior into a nourishing and revitalizing homemade mask and mix it with other ingredients to make your hair grow faster and thicker. To get the most out of it, we recommend the following aloe vera hair masks made with compounds scientifically proven to have hair growth-stimulating effects.
Castor oil and aloe vera
Aloe vera and castor oil form a great mask for boosting hair thickness and adding volume. This is because castor oil contains a host of beneficial compounds for hair, including omega-3 fatty acids, ricinoleic acid, flavonoids, vitamin E, phenolic acids, amino acids, and terpenoids. While both aloe vera and castor oil have anti-inflammatory, healing, and moisturizing effects, castor oil also works to improve scalp blood flow thanks to its high content of ricinoleic acid, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach hair follicles.
For this homemade hair mask, you’ll need 1/4 cup of aloe vera gel, two tablespoons of castor oil, and, optionally but preferably, a few drops of peppermint oil. First, warm up the castor oil to make it easier to blend, then add in the aloe vera and stir well. Finally, pour 2-3 drops of peppermint oil to help detoxify and balance your scalp, and voilà, you just made an effective aloe vera mask for hair growth.
To apply the mask:
- Section your hair in four and use the mix starting at the scalp and working down to the ends. Here’s a great video that teaches how to section your hair.
- Wrap a towel around your head to protect the mask from dripping.
- Leave the mask on for about 50 minutes before rinsing it off.
- Repeat twice weekly.
Onion juice and aloe vera
Onion juice is a key player in lots of hair masks thanks to its antibacterial, cleansing, healing, stimulating, and nourishing powers, and it teams nicely with aloe vera to promote healthier and fuller hair. According to two independent studies, applying onion juice can actually aid in regenerating follicles and stimulating new hair growth.[2] The reason is that onion juice contains a high amount of minerals and vitamins such as vitamins C and B6, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Plus, onion has high sulfur content, which is often called the “healing mineral” due to its ability to boost circulation and mitigate inflammation at a cellular level.[3]
Simply mix equal parts of aloe gel and onion juice. Apply the mixture evenly to your scalp and gently massage it for 5 minutes. Then, let it sit for about 45 minutes before rinsing it with a mild shampoo.
Coconut oil and aloe vera
Coconut oil is a great hair strengthener you’ll definitely want to have in your mask. According to studies, it can quickly penetrate the hair shafts and reduce protein loss when used as a pre-wash and post-wash product.[4] This can be a great help, especially if you regularly expose your hair to heating tools (which are known to affect hair proteins). Also, using coconut oil as a hair mask is a clever way to lock in moisture and protect hair from breakage and dehydration. As a fan of this mask, we can firmly say no one can go wrong with it. And considering how easy it is to DIY and how accessible the ingredients are, you can test it right away.
Take two tablespoons of aloe vera gel and one of coconut oil and blend well until you get a smooth paste. Apply the mixture over your scalp and hair, and wash with your regular shampoo after 45 minutes. For extra shine, you can add a tablespoon of honey to the mix.
Olive oil and aloe vera
As a rich source of antioxidants and fatty acids, olive oil is often added to leave-on treatments as a hair-restoring and -protecting agent. You can easily benefit from everything olive oil has to offer by doing this mask. First, mix two tablespoons of aloe vera gel with three tablespoons of olive oil. Massage the mixture on the scalp for 10 minutes, wrap a towel around your head and leave it on for another 30 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and a mild shampoo until the hair is completely clean.
Jojoba oil and aloe vera
You can also achieve a great hair moisturizer if you mix equal parts of jojoba oil and aloe vera gel. Massage the mixture into your scalp and hair and let it absorb for 10 minutes. Wash your hair as usual and repeat once weekly. This mask won’t grow your hair overnight, but it will surely improve it due to the boost of vitamins (C, B, E) and minerals (copper, zinc) that nourish the hair follicles from within.
The bottom line
Even though you shouldn’t expect miraculous results, these aloe vera hair masks can still give you better and healthier hair. They are cheap, easy (and fun) to do, and feel really pampering and rewarding. There’s literally no reason to try them at least once.
Footnotes
Women’s Concepts uses reliable sources, including dermatologists’ insights, clinical trials, and scientific journals, to find accurate information and support all the facts shared in our articles. All statements and claims have clear and legit references. Read our editorial policy to learn more about our sources of information, our process of researching and fact-checking the content, and how our team strives to keep all articles updated, completed, and trustworthy.
- Surjushe A, Vasani R, Saple D G. Aloe vera: A short review. Indian J Dermatol 2008;53:163-6
- Sharquie KE, Al-Obaidi HK. Onion juice (Allium cepa L.), a new topical treatment for alopecia areata. J Dermatol. 2002 Jun;29(6):343-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2002.tb00277.x. PMID: 12126069.
- Hajare, Rahul & A.G.Tated,. (2012). Onion Juice: An Effective Home Remedy for Combating Alopecia. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and DEVELOPMENT. 4. 93-97.
- Rele AS, Mohile RB. Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage. J Cosmet Sci. 2003 Mar-Apr;54(2):175-92. PMID: 12715094.
