Nourishing Hair Mask for Dry Winter Hair
There’s something about winter that seems especially hard on our hair.
Between cold air outside, dry heat indoors, and the natural hormonal shifts that come with perimenopause and menopause, many women find their hair becoming drier, coarser, or more brittle than it used to be.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and the good news is, sometimes the most effective solutions are also the simplest. This nourishing hair mask is made with just a few natural ingredients you may already have on hand. It’s deeply moisturizing, easy to make, and brings back a little softness and shine when your hair needs extra care.
A Little Personal Note
When I was younger, I was introduced to hot oil treatments through a popular store-bought product that was heavily marketed at the time. I always found it incredibly helpful for my dry, coarse hair.
This recipe is a more natural, homemade version of that idea without any unnecessary ingredients or shopping!
Nourishing Hair Mask Recipe
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
1 tablespoon honey
2 drops rosemary essential oil
How These Ingredients Work
Olive Oil
Olive oil is rich in healthy fats and antioxidants that help soften the hair shaft and lock in moisture. It’s especially beneficial for dry, coarse, or aging hair, helping to improve elasticity and reduce breakage. When it is warmed it penetrates the hair shaft even better and leaves hair silky smooth.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera is deeply hydrating and soothing. It helps calm a dry scalp, supports healthy hair growth, and adds lightweight moisture without weighing hair down. For this recipe I prefer to use the aloe vera gel you get in a bottle rather than the plant. The plant does work but it is quite difficult not to get pieces of the exterior plant in the gel. To keep things easy and less messy the bottled aloe vera gel works amazing.
Honey
Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture. It helps keep hair hydrated, adds shine, and supports overall hair strength. Don’t worry, the recipe isn’t sticky at all, the honey melts and adds a slightly sweet scent to the mixture.
Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary essential oil is traditionally used to support scalp health and circulation. It can help strengthen hair, promote a healthy scalp environment, and adds a fresh, herbaceous scent to the mask.
If you don’t already have rosemary essential oil, I recommend doTERRA’s for the cleanest option. If you want to shop my store you can click here and I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.
Directions
Add the olive oil to a small saucepan and warm gently on the stove.
Warm—not hot.Add the honey and stir until it melts into the oil.
Remove from heat.
Whisk in the aloe vera gel and rosemary essential oil until emulsified.
Apply to dry hair, combing through to ensure even coverage.
Allow the mask to sit for at least 30 minutes.
Wash hair as usual.
How Often to Use
Use once a week for very dry or coarse hair
Or every other week during winter months for maintenance
With regular use, hair often feels softer, more manageable, and noticeably more nourished.
A Simple Little Beauty Routine
These days it seems like, simple home beauty care routines have disappeared. I have some nostalgia with this one and it’s so quick and easy to make it feels like a little nod back to simpler times. I can almost see my grandma doing this back in her day.
If you try this mask, I hope it becomes a simple beauty routine you look forward to—one that leaves your hair soft, silky, and you feeling your very best.