How to Make an All-Natural Flaxseed Hair Gel

Learn how to make your very own natural flaxseed hair gel that can even double as a hair and face mask!

As I’ve gone through my curly hair care journey, I have struggled to find a hair gel that has just the right amount of hold for my hair. Every product I’ve tried either had too little or too much hold. So, after getting fed up with fighting commercial hair gels, I decided to see if there was a way to make my very own. When I discovered that boiling flaxseeds creates a gel you can use in your hair, I knew I had to try it out. It has become a staple in my all-natural hair care routine. I’ve loved what flaxseed gel has done for my hair, and I want to share with you the recipe I use to make a natural flaxseed hair gel.

What is flaxseed hair gel?

Flaxseed hair gel is made by boiling whole flax seeds in water. As the flaxseeds boil, they release oils and turn the water into a kind of gelatin. Not only can this gel help shape your hair how you want, but it also has some other benefits worth noting.

What are the benefits of flaxseed gel?

Primarily, we use flaxseed hair gel to help bring our curls out and keep our hair shaped just right. But flaxseed gel is jam-packed with nutrients and vitamins that work wonders for revitalizing your hair. For example, flaxseed gel contains vitamin E, which you may remember from the ingredient lists of some of our other recipes, like our homemade lotion recipe. In skin and hair care, vitamin E often helps with dryness and itchiness. The fatty acids and vitamins in flaxseed gel also help promote curls and volume in your hair.

How can I adjust flaxseed hair gel to meet my needs?

Everyone’s hair is different, from porosity to texture. So it makes sense that our hair gel recipe may not work as well for your hair as it does for ours. The good news is that you can make a few adjustments to the recipe, such as changing the smell or even the level of hold.

If you need your gel to have a stronger hold, all you need to do is cook the flaxseed a bit longer. If you find that your gel has too much hold, you can cook the next batch for a shorter amount of time. Play around with the cooking time until you create the perfect consistency for your hair.

If you want your hair gel to be scented, all you need to do is add 10 to 15 drops of essential oils to the mixture while it cools. Some of my favorite essential oils to add are:

• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Peppermint
• Clary sage
• Lemongrass

We have also seen other recipes that recommend adding aloe vera to the flaxseed gel. Aloe vera is full of vitamins, like vitamins A, E, and C that can help work wonders for your skin. Aloe vera is also moisturizing, and many sources attest to its ability to fight dandruff. However, keep in mind that adding aloe vera will make your hair gel thicker, so you may want to cook the flaxseed for a shorter period in order to maintain the best consistency for your hair.

What can I use extra flaxseed hair gel for?

You may find that you have a ton of extra gel by the time it goes bad. Luckily, flaxseed gel isn’t just a hair gel. My favorite two ways to use it (outside of as hair gel) are as a facemask and a hair mask.

How to make flaxseed hair gel

Compared to some of the other recipes we’ve shared, it might seem like there is something missing. But fret not; this recipe really is only two ingredients long (if you don’t count equipment like the saucepan, mixing spoon, strainer, and container).

Ingredients

• 1/8 cup whole flaxseeds
• 1 cups water

Instructions

1. Place the flaxseeds and water into a saucepan.
2. Turn the stove to medium-low and bring the mixture to a simmer.
3. Simmer the flaxseed mixture for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Once the water has turned into a gel-like consistency, remove it from the heat. It should be thick but able to pass through a strainer. It will look lightly frothed when ready to be taken off the heat.
5. Strain the gel into a container of your choosing.
6. Then, let the mixture cool until it reaches room temperature. From there, you can seal the container and store it in the fridge.

Notes

While this is a hair gel, you want it to remain rather liquid. It should cling to itself but still be thin enough to drip through a slotted spoon. The gel will still work if you overcook the flaxseed. It will continue thickening as it boils, leading to a gel with more hold. Keep an eye on the gel’s consistency during cooking because it can quickly go from perfect to overcooked the second you look away.

Save your flaxseeds after straining them out of the gel. They can be reused in another batch of flaxseed hair gel. Just make sure to place them in a bag in the freezer so they don’t go bad before you need to make the next batch. Also, if you reuse the seeds, they won’t have as much oil and won’t be able to thicken the water as much the second time around.

How to use flaxseed hair gel

Using this gel is just like any other kind of hair gel. Just scoop some out with your fingers and run it through your hair, making sure it is applied evenly throughout your hair as you style it. I find it easiest to use prayer hands when applying for the best coverage.

How long does flaxseed hair gel last?

Storing flax hair gel couldn’t be easier. I recommend pouring your gel into a small glass jar. You can then store it in the fridge, where it will last about a week. You’ll know it has gone bad once you see white streaks forming in your gel.

Homemade Flaxseed Hair Gel Recipe

Yield: 4oz

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Learn how to make an all natural hair gel using just two ingredients!

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Ingredients

• 1/8 cup whole flaxseeds
• 1 cup water

Instructions

1. Place the flaxseeds and water into a saucepan.
2. Turn the stove to medium-low and bring the mixture to a simmer.
3. Simmer the flaxseed mixture for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Once the water has turned into a gel-like consistency, remove it from the heat. It should be thick but able to pass through a strainer. It will look lightly frothed when ready to be taken off the heat.
5. Strain the gel into a container of your choosing.
6. Strain the gel into a container of your choosing.
7. Then, let the mixture cool until it reaches room temperature. From there, you can seal the container and store it in the fridge.