Clean Beauty Tips & Techniques How to Make a Homemade Banana Hair Mask By Sharmon Lebby Sharmon Lebby LinkedIn Twitter Writer University of South Carolina Sharmon Lebby is a writer and sustainable fashion stylist who studies and reports on the intersections of environmentalism, fashion, and BIPOC communities. Learn about our editorial process Updated August 13, 2021 Share Twitter Pinterest Email Treehugger / Sanja Kostic Clean Beauty Products Tips & Techniques Overview Working Time: 5 - 15 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes - 1 hour Skill Level: Beginner Estimated Cost: $5-10 While it may seem strange to cover your head with a smushed banana concoction, banana hair masks are in fact great for reviving dry, damaged hair. A ripe banana has high moisture content and is loaded with nutrients like vitamins A, B6, C, and D, calcium, and potassium. These nutrients help to strengthen the hair while also leaving it soft, shiny, and more manageable. An added benefit is the moisturizing effects that not only benefit your hair but also your skin. This means your homemade banana hair mask will also condition your scalp, helping to prevent and control dandruff. Below are two variations of an easy DIY banana hair mask, both of which can be great additions to your hair care routine. Using ingredients you have on hand makes this recipe simple, and using bananas that you might consider too ripe to eat is a great way to eliminate food waste. Treehugger Tip The amount of each ingredient used will depend on the length and density of your hair. The amounts listed are just a starting point. Start with a smaller amount to avoid food waste. What You'll Need Tools 1 blender or fork 1 bowl Materials 1 to 2 ripe banana(s) 1 tbsp olive oil (if not honey) 1/2 to 1 tbsp honey (if not olive oil) Instructions Blend or Mash the Bananas Treehugger / Sanja Kostic Blend or mash until smooth. Blending will take 1-2 minutes. If you use a fork, make sure all the lumps are worked out. It is helpful if you start mashing the banana with your hand while removing it from the peel. Add the Oil or Honey Treehugger / Sanja Kostic Once the banana is a smooth consistency, add the oil or honey depending on your mask of choice. Blend or whisk for another 10-30 seconds. The honey version will create more of a paste consistency. Apply the Mask to Your Hair Treehugger / Sanja Kostic Separate your hair into at least four sections. Apply the paste from roots to ends; if your hair tends to be curlier, apply from ends to roots. If you want the benefits the mask can give to your scalp, make sure you apply it there as well. Cover Your Hair and Wait Treehugger / Sanja Kostic Use a shower cap to cover hair and let it sit for 15-30 minutes. Covering hair with a towel will help the nutrients penetrate the hair by keeping it warm and opening the hair shaft. Rinse Hair Treehugger / Sanja Kostic Rinse hair thoroughly with cool to lukewarm water. You may need to use a wide tooth comb to make sure all of the banana is out of your hair. Debris left in hair can cause irritation. Benefits of Oil and Honey Treehugger / Sanja Kostic The addition of oil and honey to your hair mask are for more than just thinning the mixture and making it easier to apply. Honey has long been lauded for its antibacterial and fungicidal properties. It is also moisturizing and can regulate the pH of the skin making it great for the hair and scalp. Olive oil is another great moisturizer for the hair. The phenolic compounds within the oil also make it antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiviral. The combination with bananas have the potential to make a powerfully hydrating hair mask. Variations There are multiple ways you can vary these recipes and still have the same benefits. Some of these ingredients will even give the mask additional advantages. Change Up The Oils Treehugger / Sanja Kostic The olive oil can be substituted for other conditioning oils such as coconut oil or avocado oil. Combining all of them together is also an option. Keep in mind that the more oil you have in the mixture the runnier it will be. The oil can also cause the floor of the shower or bathtub to be slippery so use caution when rinsing out your hair. Add Avocado or Aloe Treehugger / Sanja Kostic Fruits such as avocado or the aloe plant are also known for their moisturizing properties. Avocados are rich in protein, fat, and have many minerals. The oils from avocados have the ability to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin to really condition the scalp. In addition, it stimulates the hair follicles improving blood circulation. Aloe contains anti-inflammatory components making it useful for the treating of scalp conditions. Like avocado, it improves blood circulation in the scalp and can help promote hair growth. Aloe can also leave fibers in the hair, so it's important to blend it well and make sure it is thoroughly rinsed from the hair. Straining the mixture will also assist with removing the larger pieces. Add Yogurt Treehugger / Sanja Kostic Adding yogurt to the mixture will add to the conditioning elements of the mask. The proteins in yogurt also help to keep the hair healthy and strong. For vegans, coconut milk can be used as it contains a fair amount of coconut oil. Coconut milk also possesses iron and potassium. These nutrients will reduce hair breakage. Frequently Asked Questions What can you mix with banana for hair? Honey and oil make great additions to banana in a hair mask because they both boost hydration. Besides that, you could use an avocado, coconut oil, yogurt, fresh aloe vera gel, or a raw egg for added nutrients. Can you leave banana in your hair overnight? Yes, you can leave your banana hair mask on overnight to increase its moisturizing, nourishing powers. However, take care to protect your bedding from the honey and oils that could find their way out of your head wrap. Does banana peel help hair growth? Banana peels are perhaps even more vitamin-packed than the fruit itself, meaning they're at least equally beneficial as a natural hair product. Many will use the peel by rubbing it directly on hair or by making a banana peel oil: Just chop the peel up in tiny pieces, heat it with olive or coconut oil on the stove for a few minutes, drain the oil, and include that in your DIY hair mask. View Article Sources Kumar, K.P. Sampath, et al. "Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Banana." Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, vol. 1, no. 3, 2012, pp. 51-63. Gorini, Ilaria, et al. "Olive Oil in Pharmacological and Cosmetic Traditions." Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, vol. 18, no. 5, 2019, pp. 1575-1579., doi:10.1111/jocd.12838 Barve, Kalyani and Dighe, Apurva. "Hair Conditioner." The Chemistry and Applications of Sustainable Natural Hair Products, 2016, pp. 37-44., doi:10.1007/978-3-319-29419-3_4 Barve, Kalyani and Dighe, Apurva. "Hair Oils." The Chemistry and Applications of Sustainable Natural Hair Products, 2016, pp. 5-24., doi:10.1007/978-3-319-29419-3_2 Muhammud, Adida, et al. "The Effectiveness of Coconut Oil Mixed with Herbs to Promote Hair Growth." The International Journal of Ethics in Engineering and Management Education, vol. 1, no. 3, 2014, pp. 27-30. View Article Sources Kumar, K.P. Sampath, et al. "Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Banana." Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, vol. 1, no. 3, 2012, pp. 51-63. Gorini, Ilaria, et al. "Olive Oil in Pharmacological and Cosmetic Traditions." Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, vol. 18, no. 5, 2019, pp. 1575-1579., doi:10.1111/jocd.12838 Barve, Kalyani and Dighe, Apurva. "Hair Conditioner." The Chemistry and Applications of Sustainable Natural Hair Products, 2016, pp. 37-44., doi:10.1007/978-3-319-29419-3_4 Barve, Kalyani and Dighe, Apurva. "Hair Oils." The Chemistry and Applications of Sustainable Natural Hair Products, 2016, pp. 5-24., doi:10.1007/978-3-319-29419-3_2 Muhammud, Adida, et al. "The Effectiveness of Coconut Oil Mixed with Herbs to Promote Hair Growth." The International Journal of Ethics in Engineering and Management Education, vol. 1, no. 3, 2014, pp. 27-30.