Is Honey Good for Your Hair?

Have you spent hours searching the internet for the right remedy to your frizzy and lifeless hair, only to be let down? Don’t worry. We are here to assist you. Let us discuss how to use honey for hair growth.

Know Your Ingredient: Honey

What Is It?

A sweet, viscous substance produced by worker bees.

What Are Its Benefits?

• Strengthens hair
• Promotes hair growth
• Treats dandruff and scalp conditions

Who Can Use It?

People who have dry and damaged hair.

How Often?

It depends on hair type and condition. Normally, once a week.

Caution

Dilute it before applying it on the hair as it is thick and sticky in nature.

Why Is Honey Good For Your Hair?

Honey is an emollient, which means it softens and moisturizes the skin by hydrating it and decreasing dryness, roughness, itchiness, and flakiness. This reduces breakage, which is often a cause of slower hair growth. Honey could work better for women with naturally curly hair or dry hair.

Honey is said to promote hair growth, though there is not enough scientific evidence to support this. However, a lot of anecdotal evidence suggests honey can aid in hair loss prevention, thus stimulating hair growth. Honey has rich antioxidant properties that work towards hair damage repair, keeping your scalp and hair healthy. Honey also acts as a humectant, attracting water from the air or within the skin and preventing dryness and irritation by keeping it moist.

Honey has antibacterial qualities that may help prevent scalp infections and soothe issues like dandruff and eczema. Honey contains enzymes that act as biological catalysts and speed up metabolism by accelerating chemical reactions. It may fight related infections pertaining to the scalp and hair. Honey may act as a cleanser, removing impurities from the scalp and minimizing clogging. Some believe that honey also stimulates hair regrowth from dormant follicles, but there is no research to support this.

A study on different commercial honey samples analyzed their phenolic and flavonoid content. According to it, honey contains high levels of these compounds that confirm its antioxidant capacity. Along with this, it is also rich in carotenoids and vitamins C and E.

Honey For Hair Growth – 15 Homemade Masks

1. Coconut Oil And Honey Mask For Hair Protection

Coconut oil penetrates the hair shaft and nourishes the hair from within. Due to its penetrative properties, it reduces protein loss and improves hydration. It creates a thin coat around the hair shaft and protects it from UV damage. When paired with honey, it nourishes and strengthens the hair.

You Will Need

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup honey

Processing Time

15 minutes

Process

If you have shoulder length hair, blend half a cup of coconut oil (for shoulder length hair) with half a cup of honey. For those who have longer or shorter hair, adjust the proportions accordingly. Massage this into your hair thoroughly and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse the mask out with cool/lukewarm water and shampoo.

How Often?

Once a week.

2. Egg And Honey Hair Mask For Hair Nourishment

Eggs are packed with the right proteins your hair needs to grow. The yolk is known to stimulate hair growth in human hair follicle dermal cells. This pack provides your follicles with the nourishment required for healthy hair growth.

You Will Need

• 2 whole eggs
• 1 cup honey

Processing Time

20 minutes

Process

Beat two whole eggs and add half a cup of honey to the mixture. Mix the ingredients until you get a smooth consistency. Apply the mixture to your hair, starting at the roots and working your way to the tips. Cover your head with a shower cap and wait for 20 minutes. Rinse the mask out with cool/lukewarm water and shampoo.

How Often?

Three times a month.

3. Olive Oil And Honey Hair Mask Recipe For Hair Conditioning

Olive oil has been used in hair care products for a very long time. It contains fatty acids like oleic acid, which help in hair strengthening. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help keep fungal infections at bay. Olive oil was also found to be a natural conditioner.

You Will Need

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup buttermilk (optional)

Processing Time

30 minutes

Process

Blend half a cup of honey and a quarter cup of olive oil and microwave for 30 seconds. Once the mixture has cooled, add a quarter cup of buttermilk and stir. Apply this mixture evenly all over your hair. Leave the honey mask on for about 30 minutes. Wear a plastic cap to prevent dripping. Rinse out the mask with cool/lukewarm water and shampoo.

How Often?

Three times a month.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar And Honey Hair Mask For Split Ends

Apple cider vinegar is a hair care remedy that many people swear by. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence to corroborate that apple cider vinegar provides frizz control and stimulates hair growth although there is little to no scientific research about it. A study done in Palestine showed that the vinegar from apple acts as a hair cleanser and reduces split ends, hair loss, balding, dandruff, lice, scalp acne, and scabies.

You Will Need

• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Processing Time

15 minutes

Process

Combine the ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth mixture. Apply the mask to your hair and scalp. Leave it in for 15 minutes. Wash off with cool or lukewarm water and shampoo.

How Often?

Once a week.

5. Avocado And Honey Hair Mask For Preventing Hair Damage

Avocados have been used in hair care products for improved hair texture for years. They have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. These could help keep hair clean and healthy. They are packed with antioxidants that may prevent damage and boost scalp health. They also contain oils that could nourish and condition your hair.

You Will Need

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1/2 cup honey

Processing Time

20 minutes

Process

Blend half a cup of honey with one ripe avocado. Apply this mixture evenly to coat the full length of your hair. Leave it on for about 15 to 20 minutes. You can wear a shower cap to avoid a mess. Shampoo and rinse off with a honey solution.

How Often?

Once a week.

6. Yogurt And Honey Hair Mask For Hair Volume

Yogurt may increase hair thickness and hair growth. It could also be used to treat hair damage and hair loss.

You Will Need

• 1 cup sour yogurt
• 1/2 cup honey

Processing Time

15 minutes

Process

Blend a cup of sour yogurt with half a cup of honey until you get a smooth mixture. Start applying the mixture to your hair from the roots to the tips. Wear a shower cap to avoid a mess and wait for 15 minutes. Wash off with cool or lukewarm water and shampoo.

How Often?

Once a week.

7. Banana And Honey Hair Mask Recipe For Hair Softening

Bananas are great sources of vitamins B6 and C and potassium. These nutrients are essential for healthy hair growth. Banana is also said to condition your hair and make it soft and smooth.

Note: Banana could get stuck to the hair and is hard to wash off. Make sure you mash the banana well so there are no chunks or bits left behind. You can increase the amount of olive oil to make the mixture smoother.

You Will Need

• 2 ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Processing Time

20 minutes

Process

Blend the ingredients until they turn into a smooth, consistent mixture. Apply this mixture to your hair and scalp evenly. Leave it on for about 20 minutes. You can wear a shower cap to avoid making a mess. Shampoo and rinse off with cool/lukewarm water. Comb through the hair to get rid of banana chunks. Rinse again.

How Often?

Once in two weeks.

8. Organic Honey Mask Recipe For Hair Cleansing

Honey is an effective cleanser, and when combined with shampoo, it is easy to use and can make for a potent treatment for hair growth.

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon shampoo

Processing Time

5 minutes

Process

In a jug, combine a tablespoon of honey and shampoo (each), and dilute the mixture with some water. Rinse your hair with water and then use the honey shampoo mixture to wash it. Rinse the shampoo out with cool or lukewarm water.

How Often?

Once a week.

9. Honey And Water Mask For Nourishing Curly Hair

Honey’s emollient properties make it an effective natural remedy for improved hair elasticity. This honey and water mask is a great conditioning mix, especially if you have curly or kinky hair. It is ideal for all levels of hair porosity.

You Will Need

• 9 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon honey

Processing Time

3 hours

Process

Dilute a tablespoon of honey with nine tablespoons of water in a bowl and stir until well combined. Massage the diluted honey into your scalp and work it through your hair until it is covered from the root to the tip. Leave the honey on your hair for 3 hours. Wear a shower cap to avoid a mess. Rinse the mask out with cool/lukewarm water and shampoo.

How Often?

Once a week.

10. Aloe Vera And Honey Hair Mask For Dandruff

Aloe vera has antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Some believe these could help keep dandruff and alopecia at bay. It also contains vitamins B2, B6, and folic acid that may help in hair growth. This mask gets rid of dandruff while soothing the scalp and balancing pH.

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
• 2 tablespoons yogurt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Processing Time

20 minutes

Process

Combine all the ingredients until you get a smooth paste. Apply the mask to your hair and scalp. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Wash off with cool or lukewarm water and shampoo.

How Often?

Once a week.

11. Coconut Milk And Honey Hair Mask For Hair Strengthening

Coconut milk contains essential fats and proteins that your hair needs for growth. It, along with honey, can condition and strengthen your hair.

You Will Need

• 200 g coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons honey

Processing Time

1 hour

Process

In a bowl, combine the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture. Apply the mask to your hair and scalp. Leave it in for an hour. Wash off with cool or lukewarm water and shampoo.

How Often?

Two times a week.

12. Castor Oil And Honey Hair Mask For Scalp Infections

Castor oil is one of the best oils you can use to boost hair growth. It contains vitamins and fatty acids needed for hair growth. It is also antifungal, meaning it fights off scalp infections.

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoons castor oil
• 1 whole egg

Processing Time

1 hour

Process

Mix the ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth mixture. Apply the mask to your hair and scalp. Leave it on for an hour. Wash off with cool or lukewarm water and shampoo.

How Often?

Two to three times a week.

13. Mayonnaise, Avocado, And Honey Hair Mask For Boosting Hair Health

Mayonnaise is a mixture of egg, vinegar, and oil. It contains oils and fatty acids that are essential for healthy hair growth. This, combined with the antioxidant properties of avocado and honey, could make for an excellent hair mask.

You Will Need

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 tablespoon honey

Processing Time

30 minutes

Process

Mash a ripe avocado in a bowl until it is free of lumps. Add a cup of mayo and a tablespoon of honey to the mashed avocado. Mix until well combined. Apply the mask to your hair and scalp. Leave it in for 30 minutes. Wash off with cool or lukewarm water and shampoo.

How Often?

Once a week for normal hair and two times a week for dry hair.

14. Oatmeal And Honey Hair Mask For Scalp Irritation

Oatmeal has soothing properties that can relieve itchiness and irritation. If you have an aggravated scalp, this mask can soothe and cleanse it. Maintaining scalp health is crucial for healthy hair growth.

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons oatmeal
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 tablespoon yogurt

Processing Time

20-25 minutes

Process

Blend the ingredients together to get a smooth, consistent mixture. Apply the mask to your hair and scalp. Ensure that your hair is detangled before you start the application. Leave it on for 20-25 minutes. Wash off with cool or lukewarm water and shampoo.

How Often?

Two times a week.

15. Potato, Egg Yolk, And Honey Hair Mask For Moisturizing Dry Hair

Potato juice, like honey, has properties that promote hair growth. When combined with egg yolk, it makes for a wonderful mask that provides ample conditioning and reduces hair breakage. This mask is recommended for dry hair types.

You Will Need

• 1 potato
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon honey

Processing Time

30 minutes

Process

Extract the juice from one potato and add the egg yolk and honey to it. Mix all the ingredients until you get a smooth, consistent mixture. Apply the mask to your hair and scalp. Leave it on for 30 minutes. Wash off with cool or lukewarm water and shampoo.

How Often?

Once a week.

Is Honey Safe for Hair?

Honey is known for its high nutrient value and its many health benefits. The major issue with honey is it tends to stick very fast and could remove hair when pulled. Using water or oils to make honey more creamy can prevent this.

Quick Tip: Honey hair masks should be at room temperature or slightly warm, not too hot, or it will burn your scalp.

Infographic: Top 5 Benefits Of Honey For Hair And 3 DIY Hair Masks To Try

Honey is one ingredient that is used extensively in home remedies and treatments. While it is often used for its skin and health benefits, it also offers many advantages for your hair. Honey contains many essential nutrients that help nourish the hair. In the infographic below, we have listed the major hair benefits of honey along with a few effective DIY hair mask recipes you can try at home.

Honey’s antioxidant and antibacterial qualities make it a popular hair care ingredient. It helps keep your scalp healthy, improves moisturization, and soothes issues like dandruff, dry scalp, and eczema. You may use honey for hair growth in the form of hair masks. Following the recipes and methods discussed above will help you know how to use them for hair growth. These recipes are simple to prepare as the ingredients mentioned are easily available. Since the research on the efficacy of honey is limited, you may consult your doctor before using it on your hair.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should you leave honey in your hair?
It is safe to leave honey in your hair for 15-20 minutes.

Can I use honey on my hair every day?
Yes. Honey is an antioxidant-rich, natural way to keep your hair nourished.

Are milk and honey good for hair?
Yes. Milk and honey are good for the hair as they have antibacterial and nourishing properties.

Can I keep honey in my hair overnight?
Yes. Natural honey is mild and non-irritating, so it is safe to leave in your hair overnight.