DIY Hair Spray with Essential Oils for Healthy Locks

QUICK SUMMARY

This DIY hair spray with essential oils is an easy, alcohol-free homemade hair spray made with purified or distilled water, organic sugar, and your favorite hair-loving essential oils. It gives your hair flexible, natural hold without the aerosol propellants, heavy alcohol base, synthetic fragrance, and mystery ingredients found in many storebought sprays.

Sugar is the secret ingredient. When it’s dissolved properly and misted lightly, it helps hold your hairstyle without leaving your hair sticky, crunchy, or attracting insects.

The best essential oils for homemade hair spray include rosemary, lavender, cedarwood, tea tree, and bergamot. Rosemary is a favorite for hair thickness support, lavender is calming and scalp-friendly, cedarwood is a classic oil for hair blends, tea tree helps freshen the scalp, and bergamot gives this recipe a clean, uplifting aroma.

When going all-natural with your hair care, don’t forget to include your finishing products, such as hair spray. My DIY hair spray with essential oils smells great, is extremely budget-friendly, and works beautifully for everyday styling and natural hold.

While it contains sugar, it doesn’t leave your hair sticky or attract insects when used as directed. The sugar simply gives this homemade hair spray its holding power without the harsh feel of many conventional sprays.

As a Mom of girls, non-toxic hair spray brings me so much peace of mind. Every swap matters. When we choose cleaner personal care products, we’re reducing our family’s toxic burden, stewarding our bodies well, and creating a healthier home one simple recipe at a time. Protect yourself and the environment by whipping up this easy DIY! I just know you’ll love it.

Reasons to Avoid Store-Bought Hair Spray

Store-bought hair spray may help hold a style, but it can also expose your family to aerosolized chemicals, strong fragrance, drying alcohols, and indoor air pollutants. That’s why this DIY hair spray is such a practical non-toxic beauty swap.

1. Hair Spray Poisoning

Did you know that hair spray exposure can cause poisoning symptoms? It’s true. Hair spray poisoning happens when someone breathes in hair spray, sprays it down the throat, or gets it into the eyes. Symptoms can include blurred vision, breathing difficulty, burning pain in the throat, eye irritation or burns, low blood pressure, slurred speech, and even coma in severe cases. (1)

Reality check: not every accidental exposure becomes an emergency, but I still don’t want my family breathing in a cloud of hair spray every time we style hair. Aerosol cans can be hard to control, and overspray can drift toward the eyes, nose, mouth, and lungs.

When you make this DIY hair spray, you know exactly what’s in the bottle. The ingredients are simple, recognizable, and much gentler for everyday family use. I don’t recommend drinking it because essential oils are concentrated plant medicine, but I do love knowing we’re not spraying mystery fragrance and propellants all over the bathroom.

2. Indoor Air Quality Concerns

Storebought hair spray isn’t just something that lands on your hair. You spray it into the air, and then your family breathes that air.

The EPA explains that volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are emitted as gases from many household products, including cosmetics and other products used in the home. Indoor VOC levels can be higher than outdoor levels, and exposure may contribute to eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and other symptoms depending on the chemical and amount of exposure. (2)

This is important. We can eat clean, use essential oils wisely, and make healthy recipes, but if we ignore the air inside our homes, we’re missing a big piece of biblical health. Reducing aerosol products is one simple way to lower your family’s toxic burden.

3. Environmental Concerns

Storebought hair spray has a complicated environmental history. Older aerosol products, including hair sprays, were once associated with ozone-damaging fluorocarbon propellants. In 1978, the EPA announced a federal phaseout of ozone-destroying fluorocarbon gases in most aerosol products, including hair sprays. (3)

That was a major improvement, but it doesn’t make every modern aerosol hair spray an earth-friendly choice. Hair styling and hair spray products can still contribute to air-quality problems through VOC emissions. The California Air Resources Board has fined hair styling and hair spray manufacturers for violating air-quality rules related to smog-forming VOCs. (4)

So what does this mean for you? This DIY is about more than beauty. It’s about caring for your body, your home, and God’s creation with practical daily choices.

DIY Hair Spray Ingredient Breakdown

The best DIY hair spray is simple: clean water, a natural holding ingredient, and essential oils that smell beautiful and support a healthy scalp. This recipe doesn’t use vodka or rubbing alcohol because alcohol can be extremely drying to the hair.

You might notice that this ingredient list doesn’t call for vodka. That is because vodka can be extremely drying to the hair. Storebought hair sprays can make hair brittle because of their alcohol levels. I searched high and low for DIY hair spray recipes that didn’t use alcohol, and I gave one a try. It wasn’t quite what I was looking for, so I tweaked it and added some amazing essential oils. Now, I feel like I’ve come up with the perfect natural homemade hair spray! Here’s what this recipe includes.

Purified or Distilled Water: I recommend using distilled water in all of my recipes, DIY or not. Distilled water gives homemade personal care products a cleaner base, which is especially helpful for water-based recipes that don’t contain a broad-spectrum preservative. Tap water quality can vary from home to home, so starting with clean water is a simple way to make a better DIY. In our home, we use a water filtration system. It hooks right up to the tap and produces some of the best water I’ve ever tasted!

Organic Fair Trade Sugar or Coconut Sugar: These options work great in this recipe. Organic Fair Trade sugar or coconut sugar helps hold the hair in place without leaving it sticky or crunchy. I love that this ingredient is budget-friendly and found in most people’s pantries! No more overspending on name-brand toxins.

Put simply, sugar gives this natural hair spray its hold. Start with the recipe as written for flexible hold. If you need a firmer hold, you can slightly increase the sugar in your next batch, but don’t overdo it or your hair may feel stiff.

Essential Oils: Essential oils give this recipe a great scent, and they give your hair a boost. God made us unique, and I recommend customizing your products to reflect that fact! Here are some essential oils I love.

• Rosemary: Rosemary is one of my favorite essential oils for hair. In a 6-month randomized comparative trial for androgenetic alopecia, rosemary oil and 2% minoxidil both produced a significant increase in hair count at the 6-month mark, and scalp itching was more frequent in the minoxidil group. (5) This EO is fantastic for hair!
• Cedarwood: Cedarwood is a classic oil for scalp and hair blends, especially in men’s products. In a randomized, double-blind trial for alopecia areata, a blend of thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood in carrier oils was significantly more effective than carrier oils alone. (6)
• Lavender: Lavender smells beautiful and helps create a calming hair-care routine. In an animal study, topical lavender oil increased hair follicle number, hair follicle depth, and dermal layer thickness in mice, which makes it an exciting oil for hair-support research while we wait for more human studies. (7)
• Tea Tree: Tea tree is one of my favorite oils for a fresh, clean scalp. In a randomized placebo-controlled trial, 5% tea tree oil shampoo improved dandruff severity by 41% compared with 11% in the placebo group. (8)
• Bergamot: Clean, uplifting scent. I love it in hair care blends, especially when I want a bright citrus aroma. Choose bergapten-free, FCF bergamot if you want the scent without the same phototoxicity concern.

Application: I always use some rosemary since it’s perfect for hair, but I also love to add some lavender, grapefruit, and bergamot. This blend is my favorite, but you can use any combination you like!

One quick note: essential oils do not truly dissolve in water. Shake your DIY hair spray before each use to help disperse the oils, avoid spraying it into the eyes, and use a lighter amount of essential oils for children or sensitive scalps.

A Note About Photosensitization

Many essential oils can interact badly with tanning booth light bulbs and UV rays from the sun. Be cautious when you use these oils! If you plan to spend all day in the sun or go tanning, you shouldn’t use the oils listed below.

Photosensitizing essential oils can cause burning or skin pigmentation changes after UV exposure. NAHA recommends staying out of the sun or tanning booth for at least 24 hours after photosensitizing oils have been applied to the skin. (9)

Taken from the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (9)

PHOTOSENSITIZERS

• Angelica root (Angelica archangelica)
• Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
• Cumin Cuminum cyminum)
• Distilled or expressed grapefruit – low risk – (Citrus paradisi)
• Expressed lemon Citrus limon)
• Expressed lime (Citrus medica)
• Orange, bitter expressed – (Citrus aurantium)
• Rue (Ruta graveolens)

NON-PHOTOTOXIC CITRUS OILS

• Bergamot: Bergapteneless – FCF: Furanocoumarin Free (Citrus bergamia)
• Distilled lemon (Citrus limon)
• Distilled lime (Citrus medica)
• Mandarin- Tangerine (Citrus reticulata)
• Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)
• Expressed tangerine (Citrus reticulata)
• Yuzu oil expressed or distilled – (Citrus juno)

Application: If your scalp, forehead, neck, or shoulders will be exposed to the sun, choose non-phototoxic citrus oils or skip citrus oils that day. This is especially important if you have thinning hair, a visible part, or a sensitive scalp. You can also learn more about citrus oils and photosensitization here.

How to Make DIY Hair Spray with Essential Oils

This recipe is perfect for beginners! In just a few easy steps, you’ll have an excellent smelling hair spray that will keep your hair luscious and toxin-free.

DIY Hair Spray With the Best Essential Oils for Hair Care

Author Mama Z

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Quantity

2x4x6x

Ingredients

• 1 cup purified OR distilled water
• 1 tablespoon organic fair trade sugar  OR organic coconut sugar
• 32 drops essential oils*

Supplies

• Saucepan
• Glass spray bottle for storage

Instructions

 

• In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, bring the water to a simmer. Immediately remove from heat.
• Add the sugar and whisk until completely dissolved.
• Allow the mixture to cool, then add essential oils.
• Store in a glass spray bottle with a fine mister.
• Shake before each use to distribute the essential oils as they separate.

Notes

*Essential Oils I Love – I always use some rosemary since it’s perfect for hair, but I also love to add some lavender, grapefruit, and bergamot. This blend is my favorite, but you can use any combination you like!

Water-based DIY preparations have a limited shelf life, usually lasting 3-4 weeks, be aware of this, so you make the right amount for your needs.

Photosensitization – Many essential oils can increase your photosensitivity, so you should use them with caution. If you plan on spending all day in the sun, you shouldn't use the potentially phototoxic oils listed above, as the skin on your scalp can get sunburned, particularly if you are balding or have thinning hair. Learn more about photosensitization here. 

Step One: Simmer Water

In a saucepan over medium-low heat, bring the water to a simmer. Immediately remove from heat.

Step Two: Add Sugar

Add the sugar and whisk until completely dissolved. If you use coconut sugar, your mixture will look darker like mine. The color shouldn’t have any effect on your hair! You’ll have a lighter hair spray if you’re using white sugar.

Step Three: Add Essential Oils

After the mixture has cooled, add the essential oils of choice and gently stir to combine.

Step Four: Store and Use

Enjoy your gorgeous hairstyle! Store your hair spray in a glass spray bottle with a fine mister. To use, shake to distribute the oils and lightly mist the hair.

Because this is a water-based DIY without a broad-spectrum preservative, make small batches, use clean supplies, and discard it if the scent, color, or texture changes. I like using it within 3-4 weeks.

DIY Hair Spray FAQs

Does DIY hair spray really work?

Yes, DIY hair spray works when it uses a natural holding ingredient like dissolved sugar. This recipe gives flexible, touchable hold for everyday styles without the aerosol cloud, drying alcohol, or synthetic fragrance found in many storebought sprays.

What is the best homemade hair spray?

The best homemade hair spray is simple, alcohol-free, and easy to customize. This recipe uses purified or distilled water, organic sugar or coconut sugar, and essential oils like rosemary, lavender, cedarwood, tea tree, or bergamot for a clean beauty finishing spray.

Will sugar hair spray make my hair sticky?

No, sugar hair spray should not make your hair sticky when you use it lightly. Mist your hair, let it dry, and add another thin layer only if you need more hold. If your hair feels sticky, you probably used too much or sprayed too close.

Will homemade hair spray attract bugs?

I’ve never had this issue when using the spray as directed. The sugar is diluted in water, and you’re misting a small amount onto your hair. Be sure to wipe up spills so you don’t leave sugar residue on counters or floors.

Can I make this natural hair spray stronger?

Yes. Start with the recipe as written, then add a little more sugar next time if you want a firmer hold. Increase slowly because too much sugar can make hair feel stiff or crunchy.

Can I use DIY hair spray on curly hair?

Yes, this DIY hair spray can work well on curly hair when used lightly. Mist from a distance, scrunch gently, and let it dry. If your curls need more softness, use less sugar or pair it with your favorite non-toxic curl routine.

Can I use this hair spray on children?

Yes, but use common sense. Avoid spraying near the face, choose gentle essential oils, and consider using fewer drops for little ones. You can also spray it into your hands first and smooth it over their hair.

Can I use citrus essential oils in hair spray?

Yes, but choose carefully. Some citrus oils are phototoxic and can increase the risk of burning or pigmentation changes when skin is exposed to UV light. If you’ll be outside for long periods, choose non-phototoxic citrus oils such as sweet orange, distilled lemon, distilled lime, or FCF bergamot.

How long does homemade hair spray last?

Because this DIY hair spray is water-based and preservative-free, make a small batch and use it within 3-4 weeks. Store it in a clean glass spray bottle, shake before each use, and discard it if it smells off, changes color, or develops cloudiness or growth.

Should I use this before or after heat styling?

I prefer using this DIY hair spray after heat styling. Sugar can become sticky when heated, and essential oils are volatile, so style first and then mist lightly for hold.

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