6 Natural Hair Solutions

Maybe your hair is looking dull or feeling brittle, or that pesky dandruff won’t let up. Perhaps it’s limper than limp, or frizzy and wild. While there are plenty of solutions you can turn to to come out of “hair hiding,” including special products, you might have what you need close by—you probably just never thought to use it on your strands.

Consider these six ingredients, which are both easy to find and use; they might become your go-to fixes for helping your hair (and you) look and feel beautiful.

1. Treat Dandruff With Oatmeal

The saponins in oats are like natural cleansers that remove those unwanted flakes—and help prevent them from coming back. After you shampoo and rinse, wet three or four tablespoons of oats with water and massage on your scalp for a couple of minutes. Rinse thoroughly. You can also combine the oats with two tablespoons of conditioner to create a thicker paste, which may be easier to handle.

2. Remove Residue With Baking Soda

The sodium bicarbonate in baking soda breaks down any excess product that remains in your hair. Combine one tablespoon of baking soda with a little water until the consistency is pasty. Massage into damp strands and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes before shampooing.

3. Repair Damaged Hair With Shea Butter

This protective, moisturizing botanical is commonly used to nourish and heal your skin, but it can also help restore damaged hair follicles. Take a dime-sized amount of shea butter and massage into your scalp; let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with cool water. You can also find shampoos and conditioners that contain shea butter, if you prefer not to apply it separately.

4. Smooth Strands With Honey

Since honey is a humectant, it holds on to moisture, making it an ideal ingredient to help hair feel healthy and smooth. Mix 1/2 cup of honey with 1/4 cup of olive oil and work into damp hair. Cover your locks with a shower cap or towel and leave the mixture on for 30 minutes, then shampoo (be sure to add shampoo before using any water, otherwise the oil will be difficult to remove) and rinse thoroughly.

5. Help Hair Shine With Black Tea

You’ve probably never considered pouring the tea you normally drink every afternoon over your hair. Well, you may want to: Black tea can boost your strands’ shine and enhance their color. Prepare some unsweetened black tea before your shower, allow it to cool, and pour it over your tresses after you’ve used your shampoo and conditioner. Wrap your hair in a towel and allow it to dry thoroughly (this will also keep tea from dripping onto your bathmat). This is best for brunettes, as tea may darken lighter locks.

6. Detangle Tresses With Apple Cider Vinegar

Knots are no fuss when you use a mixture of equal parts water and apple cider vinegar. Try spritzing it on your hair with a spray bottle after your usual shampoo and conditioner routine in the shower. Let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse with water; you should be able to easily comb through your locks.