Quick answer: Hair gets dry when it loses moisture or cannot hold it. Heat styling, sun, wind, chlorine, and harsh products are common causes. Many people use kitchen items to soften dry hair, such as oils, egg, mayonnaise, and vinegar rinses. These are traditional remedies. Research on most is limited. They may leave hair softer for a while. Results vary.
Dry hair can look dull, feel rough, and tangle or frizz easily. This guide covers the most common traditional kitchen remedies for dry hair. It shows how each is used, what research has reported, and who should be careful.
Key takeaways
- Dry hair often comes from heat, sun, chlorine, harsh products, or rough handling.
- Oils, eggs, and vinegar rinses are traditionally used to soften and smooth hair.
- Coconut oil has the most research, from one small lab study.
- Most of these remedies have little research behind them.
- Test a small spot first. Egg, nut, and coconut allergies are common.
Jump to: Causes | Comparison | Mayonnaise | Egg yolk | Almond oil | Olive oil | Coconut oil | Apple cider vinegar | Water | Flax seeds | Daily habits | Who should be careful | When to see a doctor | Questions
Why does hair get dry?
Hair turns dry when it does not get enough natural oil or cannot hold moisture. Many everyday things can cause this:
- Harsh chemicals in hair products
- Chlorinated water in swimming pools
- Wind, sun, and air pollution
- Hair color and other chemical treatments
- Heat from curlers, straightening irons, and blow-dryers
A poor diet may also play a role. Hair is made mostly of protein, so eating enough protein and other nutrients may matter.
Gentle products and a good conditioner are the usual first steps. If hair thinning is your worry, see our page on home remedies for hair loss.
Quick comparison of the remedies
| Remedy | How it is traditionally used | Evidence label | Who should be careful |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayonnaise | Hair mask, rinsed out after about an hour | Traditional use, limited research | People with egg allergy |
| Egg yolk | Mask on its own or mixed with milk or oil | Traditional use, limited research | People with egg allergy |
| Almond oil | Warm oil massaged into scalp and hair | Traditional use, limited research | People with nut allergy |
| Olive oil | Hair pack on lengths and ends | Traditional use, limited research | People with scalp skin problems |
| Coconut oil | Applied before washing | Some research (one small lab study) | People with coconut allergy |
| Apple cider vinegar | Diluted rinse after shampoo | Limited research | Color-treated hair; sensitive scalps |
| Water | Drinking plenty through the day | Traditional use, limited research | People told by a doctor to limit fluids |
| Flax seeds | Added to meals | Traditional use, limited research | People on medicines; people with bowel problems |
Mayonnaise
Quick take: A creamy kitchen mask. It is made of eggs, oil, and vinegar.
Evidence: Traditional use, limited research
How it is traditionally used
Mayonnaise is a common hair mask. It has eggs, oil, and a little vinegar. People use it as a weekly conditioner for dull or frizzy hair.
How it is commonly prepared
- Dampen hair with warm water.
- Work mayonnaise from the scalp to the ends. About one cup is used for average-length hair. Less is used for short hair.
- Cover with a shower cap for about an hour.
- Rinse with lukewarm water, then wash with a mild shampoo.
What research has reported
We did not find good studies on mayonnaise for dry hair. Its use is based on tradition. The oil in it may coat the hair and make it feel softer.
Egg yolk
Quick take: A protein-rich mask that has been used for generations.
Evidence: Traditional use, limited research
How it is traditionally used
Egg is a classic hair mask. Many people use the whole egg for normal hair. Many use only the yolk for dry hair, and only the white for oily hair. Eggs are also mixed with yogurt, milk, or oils.
How it is commonly prepared
- Beat one egg yolk into a cup of milk until foamy.
- Let the foam settle.
- Spread on the scalp and hair.
- Leave on for about 15 minutes.
- Rinse with cool or lukewarm water. Hot water can cook the egg.
- Wash with a mild shampoo.
What research has reported
We did not find good studies on egg masks for dry hair. Its use is based on tradition. Keep raw egg away from the mouth and any cuts. Wash your hands after.
Almond oil
Quick take: A light, warm oil for scalp massage.
Evidence: Traditional use, limited research
How it is traditionally used
Almond oil has a mild smell and feels smooth. It has long been warmed and massaged into the scalp. Many people use it to soften dry hair and ease the look of split ends.
How it is commonly prepared
- Warm the oil gently. It should feel warm, not hot. Test it on your wrist.
- Massage it into the scalp with your fingertips.
- Leave it on for about 30 minutes. Some people leave it on overnight.
- Wash it out with shampoo.
What research has reported
We did not find good studies on almond oil for dry hair. Almonds contain vitamin E and fatty acids, but that does not show what the oil does on hair. Its use is based on tradition. People with a nut allergy should avoid it.
Olive oil
Quick take: A kitchen oil used as a hair pack.
Evidence: Traditional use, limited research
How it is traditionally used
Olive oil is a common pack for dry hair. Many people use it on the lengths and ends. It is also mixed with egg for a heavier mask. Other oils, like castor and mustard oil, are used in similar ways. See our page on castor oil for hair.
How it is commonly prepared
- Divide the hair into sections.
- Smooth the oil over the hair and ends.
- Cover with a shower cap for about an hour.
- Wash and rinse with lukewarm water.
What research has reported
We did not find good studies on olive oil for dry hair. Olive oil contains oils that are also used in shampoos and conditioners to soften hair. Its use on hair is based on tradition.
Coconut oil
Quick take: The oil with the most research for hair.
Evidence: Some research (one small lab study)
How it is traditionally used
Coconut oil has long been used on hair in warm regions where coconuts grow. Many people rub a little into the hair before washing.
How it is commonly prepared
- Warm a small amount until it melts.
- Smooth it over dry hair, mostly on the lengths and ends.
- Leave it on for a short time, then wash it out with shampoo.
What research has reported
A lab study tested coconut, sunflower, and mineral oil on hair. Only coconut oil reduced loss of hair protein during combing. It worked on both damaged and undamaged hair (PubMed). The study was on hair samples, not people. It was done by researchers at a coconut oil company. So it is a hint, not proof.
Apple cider vinegar
Quick take: A sour rinse used after shampoo.
Evidence: Limited research
How it is traditionally used
Vinegar rinses are an old hair habit. People use them to wash away leftover shampoo and to smooth the hair surface. Vinegar is acidic, so it is always mixed with water.
How it is commonly prepared
- Mix vinegar with water. A common mix is about one part vinegar to five parts water.
- Pour it over hair after shampooing.
- Leave it for a few minutes, then rinse with cool water.
- Keep it out of the eyes.
What research has reported
Medical News Today says much of the interest in vinegar rinses rests on anecdotes, or on studies of vinegar in general. It adds that there is no evidence that a rinse used on the outside is unsafe (Medical News Today). People with color-treated hair are often told to skip it.
Water
Quick take: Not a hair mask, but a common habit.
Evidence: Traditional use, limited research
How it is traditionally used
Many people sip water through the day for skin and hair. The thinking is that the body needs enough fluid to work well.
What research has reported
We did not find good studies showing that drinking more water changes dry hair. Its use is based on tradition. Water is still a healthy habit for the rest of the body.
Flax seeds
Quick take: A small seed with plant omega-3 fats.
Evidence: Traditional use, limited research
How it is traditionally used
Flax seeds are rich in plant omega-3 fats. People add them to salads, cereal, and smoothies. Many do this hoping for shinier hair and skin.
What research has reported
We did not find good studies showing that eating flax seeds changes dry hair. Its use is based on tradition. Flax seeds are high in fiber, so most people eat them with plenty of fluid.
Daily habits for dry hair
These small habits cost nothing. Many hair care guides list them.
- Use mild shampoo and a good conditioner. Harsh products can dry hair out.
- Wash with lukewarm water. Very hot water can dry hair.
- Go easy on heat. Curlers, straighteners, and blow-dryers can dry hair.
- Cover up in sun, wind, and pools. A hat helps. Rinse hair after swimming in chlorinated water.
- Trim split ends. A trim removes the damaged ends.
- Eat a balanced diet. Hair needs protein and other nutrients.
Who should be careful
- Allergies: eggs (mayonnaise and egg masks), nuts (almond oil), and coconut can cause reactions. Do a patch test first. Dab a little on the inner arm and wait 24 hours.
- Scalp problems: skip masks, oils, and vinegar on red, sore, or broken skin. Ask a doctor first if you have a scalp skin problem.
- Hot oil: test the heat on your wrist. Hot oil can burn the scalp.
- Children: never leave a child alone with a cap, bag, or wrap on the head. Ask a doctor before using these on young children.
- Color-treated or chemically treated hair: vinegar and some masks may change how it looks. Try a small strand first.
- Eyes: keep vinegar and oils out of the eyes. Rinse with water if they get in.
- Flax seeds and medicines: fiber can change how some medicines are absorbed. Ask a pharmacist if you take any. Pregnant women and people with bowel problems should ask a doctor first.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor or a skin and hair specialist if you notice:
- hair coming out in clumps, or bald patches
- a red, sore, scaly, or very itchy scalp that does not clear up
- a rash, swelling, or itching after using a remedy
- dry hair along with other changes, such as feeling very tired or a change in weight
Home remedies do not suit everyone, and results vary.
Disclaimer: This page shares traditional information for general interest. It is not medical advice.
Questions people ask
Why does my hair get dry?
Hair gets dry when it loses moisture or cannot hold it. Heat styling, sun, wind, chlorine, hair color, and harsh products are common causes.
How often do people use oil on dry hair?
Many people use an oil or mask about once or twice a week. There is no fixed rule. Hair type and the product used both matter.
Does mayonnaise help dry hair?
Mayonnaise is a traditional hair mask. It has oil and egg, which may leave hair feeling softer. We did not find good studies on it, and results vary.
Is apple cider vinegar safe on hair?
People usually mix it with water first. Medical News Today notes there is no evidence that a rinse on the outside is unsafe. Keep it out of the eyes. People with color-treated hair or a sensitive scalp should be careful.
Does coconut oil work better than other oils?
In one small lab study, coconut oil reduced hair protein loss, but sunflower and mineral oil did not. The study was on hair samples and was done by researchers at a coconut oil company. More research is needed.
Does drinking water help dry hair?
We did not find good studies showing it does. Water is still a healthy habit for the body as a whole.
Can these remedies stop hair loss?
There is no good proof that they do. These remedies are traditionally used to soften dry hair. If you are losing hair in clumps or patches, see a doctor.
Related reading
Sources
- PubMed: Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage (Rele and Mohile, Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2003).
- Medical News Today: Apple cider vinegar for hair.