Raise your hand if you’d like healthier, shinier hair. Everyone? That’s what I thought. Creating an egg hair mask tailored to your specific hair type or hair problem is a cheap—but effective!— way to nourish, strengthen, and revitalize your strands. Here are 9 egg recipes for healthy hair to get you started.
As someone who’s always looking for ways to make her hair grow faster, look shinier, and feel thicker, I’ve got some good news: you can stop splurging on expensive hair products. The key to healthy hair has been right in your refrigerator this whole time.
Eggs make for the ultimate at-home hair therapy.
While you’re free to slather raw eggs in your hair and call it a day, I recommend a more tailored approach based on your particular hair woes. Combining eggs with other ingredients like aloe vera, essential oils, and lemon juice can target specific issues and do wonders for all types of hair.
Jump to:
- Benefits of Eggs for Hair
- How To Make An Egg Mask for Hair
- 1. Moisture-Rich Egg Hair Mask for Dry Hair
- 2. Natural Hair Conditioner for Softer Hair
- 3. Hydrating Coconut Egg Mask for Stronger Hair
- 4. Oil-Control Egg White Mask For Greasy Hair
- 5. Egg White Serum for Hair Growth
- 6. Clarifying Egg Shampoo for Scalp Buildup
- 7. Shine-Boosting Egg Mask for Frizzy Hair
- 8. Split-End Sealer for Damaged Hair
- 9. Egg Hair Mask For Dandruff
- FAQ
- References
Benefits of Eggs for Hair
The nutrients in eggs (those gorgeous golden yolks, especially) are the same ones found in strong, glossy hair. Adding eggs to your beauty regimen can refresh even the most frazzled locks due to the rich mix of vitamins, minerals, and proteins found in eggs. Here are some of the key benefits:
Moisturizes Dry Hair: Eggs can provide deep moisturization for dry and brittle hair, thanks to their high content of fatty acids and vitamins. The yolk, in particular, is rich in fats and proteins that can naturally moisturize hair. In fact, all vitamins are found in the yolk except vitamin C [source]!
Strengthens Hair: The protein content in eggs is beneficial for strengthening hair strands. Keratin, a type of protein found in hair [source], can be supported by the protein from eggs, helping to reduce breakage, split ends, and hair loss.
Promotes Hair Growth: Eggs contain various nutrients such as vitamins A and E, biotin, and folate that may support hair growth and scalp health. These nutrients can help improve circulation and cell renewal in the scalp, promoting healthier hair growth.
Improves Hair Texture: Applying eggs to your hair can improve its texture, making it softer and more manageable. This is due to the lecithin in eggs, which helps in reducing frizz and smoothing out hair strands.
Restores Shine: The fatty acids in eggs can bring back the natural shine to dull and lifeless hair. By restoring the hair's natural oils, eggs can leave your hair looking glossy and healthy.
Reduces Dandruff: Eggs can also help in reducing dandruff and soothing the scalp due to their high sulfur content, which is known for its antifungal properties.
Natural Hair Conditioner: Eggs can be used as a natural conditioner, offering a chemical-free way to nourish and condition your hair, enhancing its overall health and appearance.
How To Make An Egg Mask for Hair
To use eggs on your hair, you can create a simple hair mask by mixing an egg with other natural ingredients like olive oil or honey, depending on your hair type and needs.
- Mix Ingredients: Blend the ingredients well to form a smooth paste.
- Apply to Hair: Apply the mask evenly to damp hair, ensuring to cover from roots to tips. For oily hair masks, focus on the scalp and roots more.
- Leave It On: Leave the mask on for 20-30 minutes. You may cover your hair with a shower cap to avoid drips.
- Rinse Out: Rinse the mask out with cool or lukewarm water (to prevent the egg from cooking) and follow up with a mild shampoo if necessary.
The instructions are simple, then it's just a matter of blending up the right ingredients. We have 9 recipe suggestions below!
1. Moisture-Rich Egg Hair Mask for Dry Hair
If you have dry, brittle hair, focus on recipes that contain egg yolk (the more, the merrier!). Thanks to the nourishing fats in egg yolks, this mask helps to revitalize dry, damaged hair.
- 2 whole eggs
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 10 drops rosehip seed oil
Combine the ingredients in a small bowl and beat until frothy. Apply to your hair, then cover it with a shower cap.
Let the mask ingredients sink in for 20 minutes, then shampoo and condition like usual.
Why it works: Eggs yolks are rich in fats and proteins that can naturally moisturize hair. A dash of lemon juice clarifies locks while lavender and rosehip oils soften and strengthen damaged strands.
2. Natural Hair Conditioner for Softer Hair
Eggs can be used as a natural conditioner, offering a chemical-free way to nourish and condition your hair. Try this egg hair treatment for softer, more manageable hair.
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
Why It Works: The egg yolk is rich in fats, providing moisture. Coconut oil penetrates the hair shaft for deep conditioning, and honey is a humectant that attracts moisture.
3. Hydrating Coconut Egg Mask for Stronger Hair
Coconut milk not only detangles unruly hair, but it also boosts moisture from scalp to ends and hydrates the hair follicle without weighing it down. When combined with protein-packed eggs, this mask boosts shine and conditions hair at the same time.
- 1 egg
- 1 cup organic coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Whisk one egg and combine it with coconut milk and extra-virgin olive oil. Mix well. Pour most of the mixture over the scalp and massage.
Then, pour the excess mixture onto the hair strands, concentrating on the ends. Leave it on for 15–20 minutes before rinsing hair thoroughly.
For more concentrated treatment, you can use a shower cap to allow the heat to open up the hair follicles and penetrate deeper. This mask can be done 1–2 times a month.
Why it works: The protein in eggs helps strengthen hair strands by supporting keratin, a type of protein found in hair [source], helping to reduce breakage, split ends, and hair loss.
4. Oil-Control Egg White Mask For Greasy Hair
If your hair is naturally oily or fine, egg whites are your friend. You'll still get the protein benefits without weighing down your hair. And just like egg white face masks, this egg white hair mask tones the scalp while lemon juice cuts through greasy buildup.
- 1 egg white
- Juice of half a lemon
Why It Works: Egg white helps to remove excess oil from the scalp and hair. Lemon has astringent properties that help control excess sebum production.
5. Egg White Serum for Hair Growth
Is your hair not growing as quickly as you'd like? Combine keratin-packed egg whites with hydrating coconut oil and soothing aloe vera to improve circulation and cell renewal in the scalp, promoting healthier hair growth.
- 1 egg white
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp aloe vera gel
Mix everything together and apply to your scalp. Using your fingertips, gently massage the mixture into your roots for 10 minutes. Wash out and follow up with a quality conditioner.
Why it works: Eggs contain various nutrients such as vitamins A and E, biotin, and folate that may support hair growth and scalp health.
6. Clarifying Egg Shampoo for Scalp Buildup
It’s not just the hair shaft itself that sees the benefits—eggs can do wonders for your scalp as well. Applying some directly to the roots helps infuse hair follicles with much-needed vitamins and minerals.
Incorporating a clarifying hair mask into your routine is essential for removing product buildup, excess oils, and impurities from the hair. With the help of peppermint oil, honey, and baking soda, this egg hair mask restores hair's natural shine and promotes scalp health.
- 1 whole egg
- 4 drops peppermint essential oil
- 1 tsp raw honey
- 1 tsp baking soda
Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree on high until smooth. Hop in the shower and pour a little of the egg mixture into the palm of your hand.
Apply it to your hair like you would a traditional shampoo, being sure to massage it into the scalp and throughout the length of your hair. Let it sit for 10 minutes, and then wash well. No conditioner is needed.
Why It Works: The egg nourishes the hair, honey adds moisture and softness, and baking soda gently exfoliates.
7. Shine-Boosting Egg Mask for Frizzy Hair
This two-ingredient shine-boosting hair mask is as simple as it gets. All you need is an egg yolk, which nourishes dull strands, and castor oil, which seals and moisturizes the hair shaft. That's it!
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp castor oil
Mix the ingredients together and apply from roots to tips. Let the mask sit for 30 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.
Follow up with shampoo and a quick shot of cold water to seal the hair shaft and boost shine.
Why it works: The fatty acids in eggs bring back the natural shine to dull and lifeless hair while castor oil helps smooth the hair shaft to keep hair looking glossy.
8. Split-End Sealer for Damaged Hair
This mask can help make hair softer and more manageable, thanks to the lecithin in eggs, which helps in reducing frizz and smoothing out hair strands.
If you have split ends, a split-end sealer is crucial for smoothing your frayed locks and preventing further damage. Combine an egg, argan oil, and honey to give your locks a shinier, healthier appearance.
- 1 whole egg
- 1/2 tablespoon argan oil
- 1 tsp honey
Mix everything together, and apply to the ends of your hair. Cover with a shower cap, and allow the ingredients to sink in for 20 minutes before washing off.
Why It Works: Argan oil is rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, which help repair hair damage. Honey provides moisture, and the egg supplies protein for hair reconstruction.
9. Egg Hair Mask For Dandruff
With their high sulfur content, eggs can help soothe your scalp and control dandruff. Yogurt, lemon juice, and tea tree oil help whisk away flakes and calm any irritation.
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoon yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 drops tea tree oil
Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp, leave it on for 20-30 minutes, and then wash it off with cool water and a mild shampoo.
Why It Works: Yogurt has natural anti-fungal properties that can combat dandruff, and lemon juice helps to balance the pH of the scalp. The egg moisturizes and nourishes the scalp and hair.
FAQ
Once a week should be more than enough to reap the benefits. Once your hair adjusts, you can try doing it twice a week—but no more than that.
Replenishing moisture and nutrients can eventually help your hair grow longer and thicker. Since eggs do both of those things, they may help prevent breakage, but you’ll need to be patient and consistent to see results.
Yes! You don’t want the smell of eggs spoiling your soft, shiny locks. Always use shampoo (conditioner is optional) after applying an egg mask.
References
References
Rehault-Godbert S, et al. The golden egg: nutritional value, bioactivities, and emerging benefits for human health. Nutrients. 2019.
Yang FC, et al. The structure of people’s hair. PeerJ. 2014
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Gina Jansheski, a licensed, board-certified physician with more than 20 years of practice experience. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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