Dull, Dry Strands? There’s an Avocado Hair Mask for That

There are many reasons to love the avocado: it’s packed with vitamins and healthy fats, you can eat one at any meal, it’s the key ingredient for guac, and, oh yes, it’s also nature’s gift to dry skin and hair.

This is likely why the creamy green fruit (they’re technically berries) is commonly used in DIY beauty recipes. We’ll walk you through four of our favorite ways to use an avocado as a hair treatment, but first, let’s talk about why it’s such a powerhouse ingredient.

Most of us know that avocados are high in fatty acids (both monosaturated and polyunsaturated, in case you’re wondering). In addition to keeping your belly full longer, these healthy fats can also be incredibly moisturizing for dry, damaged hair.

The green berry is also rich in biotin, which can help strengthen brittle strands and make them look shinier. Plus, it has vitamins B and E to protect against environmental damage and dryness. In short, avocados will avocuddle your hair with nourishment. But seriously, they’re a great alternative for when you run out of your go-to mask or simply prefer a more natural routine.

We will concede that the only knock to avocados is that they are notoriously fickle and have a tendency to go from an underripe rock to an overripe ball of mush if you don’t keep an eye on them. The next time that happens, we invite you to make a hair mask.

No need to whip out a blender or mixer, all you need for these recipes is some good ol’ arm strength, a fork and a bowl for mashing.

Let’s start with the basics. If you have fairly healthy, unprocessed hair and just want to add a bit of moisture and shine to the mix, this single ingredient mask is for you.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado

Directions:

1. Drop the ripened avocado into a bowl and mash it up until it forms a paste.
2. Apply it from the mid-shaft of your hair to the ends.
3. Let it sit for 20 minutes.
4. Shampoo and condition as usual.

For extra damaged or color-treated hair, this mask can help restore some much-needed moisture and shine, while smoothing over split ends.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil

Directions:

1. Mash the avocado until it's a creamy paste.
2. Mix in the honey and olive oil.
3. Apply to the driest areas of your hair, which is likely your ends.
4. Leave it on for 15 to 30 minutes.
5. Rinse and wash hair as normal.

If you have curly hair and want to give your strands some TLC, try this recipe. Between the moisturizing fatty acids from the avocado and the protein in the eggs, your ringlets will bounce back from any wear and tear.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 ripe avocado
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• Optional: Add 1 tablespoon of honey

Directions:

1. Mash avocado until it's a paste.
2. Mix in the rest of the ingredients.
3. Apply on wet hair.
4. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Rinse and wash hair as normal.

To quickly soothe any itching or dryness on your scalp, we recommend this mask. It combines our hero avocado with two potent oils that are known to condition and calm: argan and tea tree oil.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 8-10 drops of argan oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1-3 drops of tea tree oil

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mash up the avocado until there are no visible chunks.
2. Slowly add in the argan oil, tea tree oil and honey. Stir well to incorporate.
3. Massage the bulk of the mask directly onto your scalp using your fingertips, and apply any remainders onto the rest of your hair.
4. Let sit between 10 to 20 minutes.
5. Shampoo and condition as usual.

Dealing with frizz? We’ve got you. This creamy mask uses only two ingredients that work in tandem to smooth things over.

Ingredients:

• ½ ripe avocado
• 1 ripe banana

Directions:

1. Mash the avocado and banana together until it’s a creamy paste.
2. Work it into damp hair, making sure it coats your strands from root to tip.
3. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Rinse thoroughly, then shampoo and condition as normal.