Seaweed isn’t likely to be the first ingredient you think of when it comes to making your own hair products, but it’s actually a quite powerful ingredient that helps protect and moisturize your strands.

Seaweed contains valuable nutrients and minerals, including vitamins A, B, C, and E, amino acids, and antioxidants, which can help moisturize and repair hair. Another perk? Seaweed farming can help reduce pollution and sequester carbon.

These five DIY seaweed hair products will make you an algae believer in no time—and your hair will thank you.

Seaweed and Clay Hair Mask

Rhassoul clay comes from the mountains of Morocco, where it has been used as a natural soap and shampoo for centuries. Also known as ghassoul clay or Moroccan red clay, the ingredient is rich in magnesium and other minerals and pairs amazingly well with the antioxidants in seaweed.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons powdered seaweed3 tablespoons rhassoul clay10 drops of essential oil2-6 tablespoons water

Steps

  • In a small bowl, combine powdered seaweed, rhassoul clay, and your favorite essential oil—lavender is a great option. Mix thoroughly.
  • Add water one tablespoon at a time while you stir. Continue adding water until you reach a thin paste consistency.
  • After wetting your hair, apply the mask from scalp to ends.
  • If you have longer hair, knot it atop your head.
  • Leave in place for 30 minutes.
  • Rinse your hair thoroughly to remove the mask. Since the clay can make this mask lumpy, you may need to rinse a few times and run a comb through your hair to remove the residue.

Easy Conditioner Booster

If you want to reap the benefits of natural ingredients but don’t want the hassle of making hair products from scratch, this conditioner booster is for you.

Your base will be your favorite conditioner, enhanced with seaweed and olive oil for additional hydrating power.

  • 1/4 cup olive oil1/4 cup conditioner1 teaspoon seaweed powder

  • Combine olive oil, your favorite conditioner, and seaweed powder in a bowl. Stir until thoroughly mixed.

  • Apply conditioner to clean, damp hair.

  • Leave in for 15 to 30 minutes before rinsing out.

Seaweed Hair Rinse

For shiny, smooth hair, treat yourself to this pre-shampoo rinse. The seaweed powder provides an extra dose of nutrients for lasting benefits.

To make the rosemary tea needed in this recipe, simply boil a pot of water, add two sprigs of fresh rosemary, and remove from heat. Let the tea steep for five minutes.

Ingredients:

  • 6 teaspoons seaweed powder1/4 cup apple cider vinegar1/4 cup orange juice1/4 cup rosemary tea1/2 quart of water

  • Add seaweed powder, apple cider vinegar, orange juice, and rosemary tea to a bowl. Pour in water and mix well.Over the sink or in the shower, pour the rinse over your hair and scalp.Wait at least five minutes before washing your hair with a mild shampoo.Let your hair air dry for maximum effect.

Clay Mask With Apple Cider Vinegar

This mask—another seaweed and clay concoction—will make your hair feel hydrated and renewed. And the natural ingredients will leave your scalp revitalized and exfoliated by removing dirt and environmental toxins.

  • 1 tablespoon seaweed powder1 tablespoon bentonite clay1/4 cup water1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

  • Combine seaweed powder and bentonite clay in a small bowl.

  • Add water and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and mix until the texture becomes pasty.

  • Apply the paste to your hair from scalp to ends.

  • Leave in for 15 minutes before rinsing out with warm water until you no longer see residue.

  • Repeat one to two times per month.

Lemongrass and Seaweed Shampoo Bar

This refreshing shampoo combines the nutrients of seaweed with the aromatherapy benefits of lemongrass. By opting for a homemade shampoo bar, you’ll also help eliminate plastic from your beauty routine.

This nourishing bar starts with a basic shampoo bar recipe and adds a few ingredients to make it extra moisturizing. Note that all the oils should be measured by weight. And be very careful when combining your lye and water; the lye should be slowly poured into the water while stirring constantly. This step is very important to avoid a dangerous chemical reaction.

  • 5 ounces olive oil

  • 4 ounces coconut oil

  • 2 ounces sustainably sourced palm oil

  • 2 ounces shea butter

  • 2 ounces castor oil

  • 2 ounces lye

  • 6 ounces water

  • 1.5 ounces lemongrass oil

  • 1 tablespoon seaweed powder

  • 1 tablespoon white kaolin clay

  • In a glass or stainless steel bowl, combine olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, shea butter, and castor oil. Using a double boiler, gently warm all the oils until completely melted and combined.

  • In a separate container, measure out your water and slowly pour the lye into the water stirring constantly. Wear protective goggles and stand back as you mix the ingredients to avoid the fumes.

  • Using a thermometer, make sure that the lye mixture and the oils are at about the same temperature. If needed, use an ice bath to bring the temperature down.

  • Combine the oils and lye and mix using a hand blender.

  • Once the ingredients are thoroughly combined, add the lemongrass oil, seaweed powder, and white kaolin clay and continue mixing. Consistency should be pudding-like.

  • Transfer mixture to a silicone mold or a parchment paper-lined wooden or metal mold. Cover and let sit undisturbed for 24 hours.

  • Remove soap from mold and cure in a dry place for a month.

Warning

Never pour water into lye. This can cause the chemicals to erupt in a caustic volcano of hot, corrosive liquid.