Beautifully textured, wavy, sun-kissed seaside hair – isn’t that what we all imagine ourselves having after spending the day at the beach?
Unfortunately, the reality doesn’t usually match up to our photoshoot-ready fantasies. With salty ocean water leaving locks thirsty for moisture and that coarse sand finding its way from your scalp to your ends, it’s practically a miracle to walk off the beach without a chaotic, tangly mess.
Next comes the dreaded and very frustrating process of detangling. But before you begin ripping through those knots and snags — wait! Put that comb down!
Try this all natural DIY hair detangler to gently bring your hair back to a manageable state. Enriched with essential oils to nourish and moisturize your hair and scalp, this detangler will help protect your hair and prevent breakage after a day at the beach!
DIY Hair Detangler
What you’ll need:
- 10 tsps Rose Organic Hydrosol
- 1 tsp Aloe Vera Jelly
- 1/2 tsp Vegetable Glycerin
- 1/2 tsp Apricot Kernel Carrier Oil
- 3 drops Lavender
- 3 drops Cedarwood Himalayan
What you’ll do:
First, mix the essential oils with the Aloe Vera Jelly; this will help dilute and disperse the essential oils throughout the hydrosol. Then add in the additional ingredients. The Apricot Oil will sit on top of the water.
We highly recommend the addition of ½ tsp of polysorbate 80 to encourage the carrier oil to disperse. However, if you choose not to add an emulsifier, please shake well before each use. To use, spray the detangler into your hair and gently comb through your hair.
**To extend the shelf life of this product refrigeration is necessary.
Watch one of our Certified Aromatherapists, Retha Nesmith, make this DIY and answer your questions during a live show, posted on June 16th:
Once I am out of my daughters current detangler I will be making this!! My poor daughters hair is so fine, it mats in seconds!
Would love to try this DIY but I don’t have Cedarwood Himalayan. Can I use Cedarwood Atlas?
You sure can!
My hair is very long and very fine, although I do have a lot of hair. It seems to tangle very easy – even with just an open car window. Most days, I put it in a tight bun to avoid tangling. Thank you for the recipe. I am going to try this.
I’m going to have to try this in my six year olds hair. Brushing his hair is a task with lots of tears. Maybe this will help! Thanks PT.
I’m going to try this for my 3yo daughter! Brushing her hair is a daily battle with lots of tears
Thanks for the detangler recipe! Excited to try it!
I’m so going to give this a try!!! I’m going to sub the apricot for avocado….hoping it won’t Be a problem!!
What does the vegetable glycerin do in this recipe? Would it be ok to leave that out?
I made this and for me with extremely fine, color treated hair it’s wonderful! I have found it works better in my hair when it’s mostly dry rather than wet right out of the shower. I love it! Mixing up another batch for vacay in a few days! Thanks PT!
Will hemp oil work just the same?
Hi Tiffany! Yes you can sub hemp oil!
I can’t wait to try this. I have everything to use for it but only have hemp carrier. I am afraid it won’t work quite right but I’m going to try it!
If using poly 20 I dilute to only the EO’s right, not the aloe Vera gel and hydrosol? Thanks for your help!
i should try this for my long hair, may it helps with hair fall too!
This is my favorite detangle spray for my curls! Last time I made it, I was out of regular aloe so I used Plant Therapy Lavender Aloe Vera Gel – smelled absolutely heavenly!! This recipe gives me 5 more reasons to ADORE Plant Therapy!
I’ll definitely be making this one! Sounds great.
How much of a preservative to extend shelf life?
Amber, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on the preservative you choose to help you with that question 🙂
I am excited to try this. I’m trying all natural products instead of chemically filled store bought products.
This may just be the product my daughter needs for her fine, tangle-prone curly hair! Thanks!
I’ve been hesitant to try DIY hair products…my hair is really fine and thin. I think I’m gonna try this one though.
I made a version of this for my 3 year old daughter who has long hair. She loves the smell and I love that I know the ingredients that go on her body. I used coconut oil instead of the apricot. It still worked well.
That’s wonderful to hear, McKenzie; thank you so much for sharing!
I would love to make this.. unfortunately I don’t have any of these products except the lavender and cederwood oils..;(
Can’t wait to try this on my daughter’s long, thick, beautifully tangled hair
So excited to try this! My daughter’s hair tangles so bad it hurts my mommy heart everytime we brush it. Thank you Plant Therapy for giving us some relief.
can i replace Apricot Kernel Carrier Oil with coconut oil?
This is a great recipe! I’m excited to try this!
Let us know what you think!
I’ve just ordered Get Em Gone as a preventative for school/day care and this recipe would work great with that.
Great idea! Hopefully you enjoy it!
i really have to try this recipe soon. My daughter her hair is a drama after taking a shower or swimming. Thanks for sharing this recipe
Let us know what you think!
Have been looking for a hair detangler recipe. Need to make this for my girls.
You certainly won’t regret it!
This sounds like a great idea! I’ve been using rose hydrosol for several years in my hair. This sounds like a great recipe!
Can’t wait to try this!
Let us know what you think, Kem!
I would love to give this a try. Looks like I have some more ordering to do thought… 🙂
I cannot wait to try tho for my girl! Her hair is dry and I think this may do the trick!
Can I sub the carrier oil? If so, which one?
You can use the carrier oil of your choice. I like Jojoba and Argan as alternatives.
I need to try this for myself and my kids. Awesome recipe. Cant wait to try it!
This is definitely a must have for my family and I. Enjoy!
I finally got around to making this yesterday and we used it for the first time this morning. It is awesome and smells wonderful! Another keeper recipe, thank you Plant Therapy!
I’m so thrilled to hear that it is a good fit for your family!
Ok little rats nests – watch out! Super thick long hair that tangles if I look at it the wrong way, or sleep. I really want to try this, but I do not have the rose hydrosol. Is there a substitution you could recommend? Actually I have no hydrosols at the moment except cypress which I like to save for my cellulite, which is improving FYI. Any advice is welcomed and appreciated!
Katsza, I can definitely relate! I have crazy curly hair that seriously has a mind of it’s own. This detangler is my holy grail of DIY hair products and I highly recommend using Rose hydrosol. I’ve tried different alternatives and just haven’t had as much luck.
Thanks Emilee! I think I will start off using the rose hydrosol on its own and keep this recipe on the back burner for future use if the hydrosol (and patience) is not enough. I do like the idea of adding a carrier, lavender and cedarwood though. I am not a fan of polysorbates as an emulsifier, but all I have on hand are Millard’s pellets. Is there a substitution you can recommend?
Sounds great; Can’t wait to see if it does the trick or my DD. 🙂
This is a must have for my crazy curly hair! I hope it works wonders for your DD <3
I can’t wait to make this for my daughter!
It’s a household favorite here! I’m sure she’ll love it!
I love all of PT’s DIY recipes. Time to go ingredient shopping.
This is a household favorite here. 🙂 I’m sure you’ll love it!
I’m making this for our beach day next week! Is there a specific reason to use Himalayan as opposed to other Cedarwoods? I think I only have Atlas.
Cedarwood Atlas would work fine. 🙂
What size bottle will this fill/make? Ounces?
Hey Nikki! This will make about 2 ounces. 🙂
Can I used a different carrier for this? I would love to try it!
Sure! Just swap it out for a carrier of your choice.
I could really use this! What is the shelf life of this, and should it be stored in the fridge?
If you choose not to add a preservative, it should be stored in the fridge and should be used within a week or so.
tried this and LOVE it. works great in my hair (curly) and all 3 of my daughters’ hair- all of whom have very different hair types.
Glad it works well for your family. It’s a favorite here, too!
I cant wait to try this! Same as Kaley trying to grow my hair out long again.
My daughter loves this! I’m certain you’ll love it!
Can’t wait to try this. Just need to get polysorbate and bottles. Will this work with the bottles in the bargain bin?
Yes! They will!
ooohh this sounds heavenly! I can’t wait to try it!
My daughter loves it! I’m sure you will, too!
Ooh this is perfect! I’m in the process of growing my hair out and it gets so tangled sometimes. I’m going to whip this up and see how it works! Thank you!!
Could you use this as a conditioner in the shower or is it best as a leave in?
You could give it a try. 🙂
My daughter has long, thick hair!!! We are making it together and making memories!!!
Hope you guys enjoy it!
I’m will be trying this for my curly hair. Tangles are the worst. Thanks for a natural detangler. OT your the best
Hope you love it!!
This is exactly what I am looking for!!! And I have all the ingredients. Now I know what I am doing after kids bedtime!!
Hope you enjoy it!
Interesting! So far rose hydrosol has been enough for our daily tangles but I’m definitely saving this in case we need the next step up!
It’s amazing! My daughter loves it. 🙂
Do you need to wash after using this? Will it leave your hair greasy? This sounds amazing and I can’t wait to try it!
In a house full of curly haired adults and kids, detangler is a must! Can’t wait to try, thanks PT!
This is something I need to try!
Definitely! It’s a favorite here!
What other carriers would you recommend aside from Apricot kernel? Would like to try this but I don’t have any. Would sweet almond be an appropriate substitute?
I used sweet almond came out great-I love this detangler- really great for curly hair
i cant wait to try this!!
I hope you enjoy it!
What about Polysorbate 60….I only have 20 & 60. I bought them before I knew about the 80?
Thanks!
Would this work without the vegetable glycerin?
Oh what a great new recipe! Perfect timing holidays start next week. Can’t wait to try!! Thank you xo
Excited to try on my daughter! Should I leave in the fridge because of the hydrosol? Also have poly 20 and not 80.
Poly20 should still work, and if not adding a preservative, I would store in the fridge. 🙂
Good way to use more of my apricot oil…..this sounds great.
Love this idea and bet that it smells amazing.
It does! It’s a household favorite here. 🙂
This sounds fabulous!
Looking forward to trying this detangler DIY! Thank you
Will definitely try… Can we substitute Polysorbate 20 vs 80?
Yes, it would be okay to sub out. Just make sure you look into the directions for each to make sure it translates properly.
Can’t wait to try this! My daughter and I have curly hair and it easily tangles. I wonder if switching out the carrier oil would affect the mix?
Also would a preservative be needed? There is no water, so I’m thinking it wouldnt be necessary just only make enough to use up in a few days, right?
A preservative would be recommended for long term storage, otherwise it’d need to be stored in the fridge for not longer than a couple weeks. You could switch out the carrier if you wanted.
Just a heads up, the hydrosol is water based and so is the aloe vera jelly. This is why a preservative would be needed if keeping long term. I just wanted to let you know so if you came across other recipes containing them you would know. For non single ingredient products like the aloe vera jelly you can look at their ingredients. Hydro in hydrosols means water. Also, if you are unsure of about an ingredient, you can Google it or just make smaller batches. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
This is particuarly useful for this summer season. Thank you for introducing this to us!
Can’t wait to try this
Let us know what you think!
Making this right now! I bet it smells amazing too.
It is lovely Lauren! Be sure to let us know what you think.
I am so happy to have found this brand and am very excited to try this recipe and the hydrosols!!
We’re thrilled to have you as a customer! Enjoy the recipes and hydrosols.
I already use rose hydrosol as a detangler for my curly crazy hair and it works so well! I’m definitely going to try this recipe. Can we use polysorbate 20 or does it have to be 80?
Could you use lavender hydrosol instead?
Can’t wait to try!
Yes!! I have been waiting on a DIY for a detangler. We go through so many bottles of detangler spray in this house with my 6 year old that has hair to her waist that I have been wanting to just make my own.
I use this recipe every day now! Definitely a must have for my knot prone curly hair.
Nice to know