4 Natural Alternatives to Hair Conditioner (and How They Compare)

Maybe you've run out of conditioner, maybe you want a shorter ingredient list, or maybe you're just curious whether the things in your kitchen can do the same job. Plenty of people swap conditioner for apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, aloe vera or argan oil. Each can work, but they do different things, and none is a perfect one-to-one replacement. Here is a fair look at all four.

What does conditioner actually do?

To judge an alternative, it helps to know what you're replacing. Hair carries a slight negative electrical charge, especially when it is damaged. Conditioners work by neutralizing that charge with positively charged ingredients and by lubricating the cuticle, which reduces friction, static and frizz and makes hair easier to comb¹. The most widely used conditioning agents are silicones such as dimethicone, which protect the hair surface and add shine¹.

That's worth saying plainly because older articles, including a previous version of this one, suggested that silicones and other conventional conditioner ingredients are harmful. That isn't supported. Conventional conditioners are well designed for their job, and dermatologists recommend using conditioner after shampooing². Natural alternatives are an option, not a rescue.

Why skipping conditioner altogether isn't ideal

Without some kind of conditioning step, hair is more prone to tangling and friction during combing, which leads to breakage over time¹. Whatever you choose, give your hair something to reduce friction after washing.

1. Apple cider vinegar rinse

What it does: Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is acidic. The idea behind an ACV rinse is that lowering the pH on the hair surface can make it feel smoother after an alkaline shampoo. There is some logic to this: a study measuring 123 shampoos found that many had a pH above 5.5, and the authors noted that alkaline pH may increase the hair's negative charge, which raises friction and can contribute to cuticle damage and breakage³. However, there are no good clinical studies of ACV rinses themselves, and claims that vinegar grows hair or treats dandruff aren't supported.

The caution: Vinegar is an acid, and it can burn skin. Doctors have reported a chemical burn in a teenager who applied apple cider vinegar to the skin following an online home-remedy protocol⁴. Always dilute it well and keep it out of your eyes.

How to use it:

1. Mix about 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into a cup (about 240 mL) of cool water.
2. After shampooing, pour it slowly over your lengths, avoiding your eyes.
3. Leave it for a minute, then rinse thoroughly with water.
4. Use it no more than once a week to start, and stop if your scalp stings or feels irritated.

Best for: people with product buildup or hard water who want a "squeaky" clean feel, and who don't need much conditioning. It adds little moisture, so dry hair may still feel rough.

2. Coconut oil

What it does: Coconut oil is the best-studied natural hair oil. Lab research has shown that it penetrates the hair shaft, while mineral oil does not⁵. In a comparison with sunflower and mineral oil, coconut oil was the only one that markedly reduced protein loss from hair, for both undamaged and damaged hair⁶. It is not proven to regrow hair or treat dandruff.

The trade-offs: Coconut oil is heavy and solid at cool room temperatures, so it can be hard to wash out, and some people find it leaves their hair feeling stiff or greasy, especially if their hair is fine or low porosity.

How to use it as a pre-wash treatment:

1. Melt 1 to 2 teaspoons between your palms (more for long or thick hair).
2. Work it through the mid-lengths and ends of dry hair, in sections.
3. Cover with a shower cap and leave for 30 minutes or overnight.
4. Shampoo out, washing twice if needed.

Best for: thick, dry, coarse or damaged hair, used before washing. We compare it with argan in detail in argan oil vs. coconut oil for hair.

3. Aloe vera gel

What it does: Aloe gel is light and slippery, which makes it pleasant for detangling and defining curls without weight. The evidence for aloe on hair is thin. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that only a small amount of research supports most topical uses of aloe, mainly for burns and some skin conditions, not hair⁷.

The caution: Topical aloe gel is generally well tolerated, but there have been occasional reports of burning, itching, rash and eczema⁷. Patch test first, especially if you plan to put it on your scalp.

How to use it:

1. Use a plain aloe vera gel without added alcohol or fragrance.
2. Smooth a tablespoon or so through damp hair after shampooing.
3. Leave for 3 to 5 minutes and rinse, or use a small amount as a light leave-in for curls.

Best for: fine or curly hair that is weighed down by oils and needs light slip and hold rather than heavy conditioning.

4. Argan oil

What it does: Like other hair oils, argan oil lubricates the hair surface so it combs with less friction, can fill small gaps between cuticle cells, and forms a thin film that slows the uptake of moisture from humid air, which helps with frizz^1,8. In a lab study, hair tresses pretreated with argan oil lost less protein when exposed to an oxidizing agent⁹. On the other hand, a 2022 systematic review found no significant clinical evidence that argan oil improves hair growth or quality¹⁰. Fair summary: it is a light, versatile conditioning oil, not a repair treatment, and it won't make hair grow.

The trade-offs: It is lighter than coconut oil and easier to use as a leave-in, but it can still weigh down fine hair if you use too much, and genuine argan oil costs more than kitchen staples.

How to use it as a leave-in:

1. After washing, wrap your hair in a towel to absorb water.
2. Warm 1 to 3 drops between your palms, depending on hair length and thickness.
3. Smooth over the mid-lengths and ends, then comb through.
4. Style as usual.

How to use it as a pre-wash treatment: coat the lengths of dry hair, leave for 30 minutes or overnight, then shampoo. Our guides to how to use argan oil for hair and argan oil hair masks go into more detail.

Best for: most hair types as a leave-in or frizz finisher; dry, curly or color-treated hair as a pre-wash treatment. If you want to try it, our 100% organic argan oil is a single ingredient with nothing added, so you know exactly what you're putting on your hair.

How the four alternatives compare

Which alternative should you choose?

• Dry, thick or damaged hair: a coconut or argan oil pre-wash, plus a drop of argan oil as a leave-in.
• Fine hair: aloe vera or a single drop of argan oil on the ends only.
• Curly or coily hair: argan oil on damp hair, or aloe for light hold. See argan oil for curly hair.
• Buildup or hard water: an occasional, well-diluted ACV rinse, followed by a little oil on the ends.

And there's no rule that says you must choose. Many people use a regular conditioner most days and an oil treatment once a week. If your scalp is flaky or itchy, that's a different problem; see argan oil for dandruff and dry scalp, and talk to a dermatologist if it persists.

Frequently asked questions

What can I use instead of conditioner?

Coconut oil or argan oil are the closest natural substitutes, used as a pre-wash treatment or a few drops as a leave-in. Aloe vera gel and a diluted apple cider vinegar rinse are lighter options.

Is it bad to skip conditioner?

Not harmful in itself, but hair tends to tangle and break more without something to reduce friction. A drop of oil on the ends after washing is an easy minimum.

Can I use argan oil instead of conditioner?

Yes, as a leave-in on damp hair or a pre-wash treatment. It is lighter than coconut oil, but use only a few drops so it doesn't weigh hair down.

Is apple cider vinegar safe for hair?

Diluted well and rinsed out, it is generally fine for occasional use. Undiluted vinegar can irritate or even burn skin, so never apply it straight.

Are silicones in conditioner bad for hair?

No. Silicones such as dimethicone are among the most effective conditioning ingredients, reducing friction and adding shine. Some people simply prefer simpler routines.

Sources

1. Gavazzoni Dias MFR. Hair cosmetics: an overview. Int J Trichology. 2015;7(1):2–15. Link
2. American Academy of Dermatology. Tips for healthy hair. Link
3. Gavazzoni Dias MF, de Almeida AM, Cecato PM, Adriano AR, Pichler J. The shampoo pH can affect the hair: myth or reality? Int J Trichol. 2014;6(3):95–99. Link
4. Feldstein S, Afshar M, Krakowski AC. Chemical burn from vinegar following an internet-based protocol for self-removal of nevi. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(6):50. Link
5. Ruetsch SB, Kamath YK, Rele AS, Mohile RB. Secondary ion mass spectrometric investigation of penetration of coconut and mineral oils into human hair fibers: relevance to hair damage. J Cosmet Sci. 2001;52(3):169–184. Link
6. Rele AS, Mohile RB. Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage. J Cosmet Sci. 2003;54(2):175–192. Link
7. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Aloe vera. Link
8. Keis K, Huemmer CL, Kamath YK. Effect of oil films on moisture vapor absorption on human hair. J Cosmet Sci. 2007;58(2):135–145. Link
9. Sharifi N, Hamedeyazdan S, Shokri J, Monajjemzadeh F. Argan oil as a pretreatment of human hair before exposure to oxidative damage: attenuated total reflectance and protein loss studies. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022;21(10):5010–5017. Link
10. Phong C, Lee V, Yale K, Sung C, Mesinkovska N. Coconut, castor, and argan oil for hair in skin of color patients: a systematic review. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(7):751–757. Link