DIY hair mask

This apple cider vinegar mask with Patchouli essential oil is the ultimate hair conditioner and can help restore and maintain your hair’s natural pH levels.

The pH balance of hair is between 4.5 and 5.5. Many hair care products have a pH factor of more than 8! This is much more alkaline than the scalp and hair and can strip your hair of its natural acid mantle. The acid mantle is a slightly acidic film that maintains the overall health and protects the hair and skin from bacteria and toxins. The acid mantle is very important for hair’s appearance. The outer layer of the hair shaft is made of tightly packed, overlapping scales, and the acid mantle helps make these scales lie flat. This gives your hair a silky, smooth appearance and helps it stay moisturized!

Unfortunately, your hair’s pH levels can be easily disrupted. This is one of the main reasons we all have bad hair days! Alkaline hair care products will strip your hair of its acid mantle. Yes, they may leave you with a "squeaky clean" feeling, but they will actually contribute to more long-term hair damage.

Help maintain your hair’s natural pH balance with this apple cider vinegar hair mask!

Apple cider vinegar has pH of around 3, that means it’s acidic, not alkaline. When properly diluted with water, it helps to balance the pH of the hair, which helps your hair look silky, conditioned, and healthy! Make sure to use apple cider vinegar that is raw, unpasteurized, unfiltered, and organic to get the maximum benefits.

Ingredients:
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 4 tablespoons water
• 3 tablespoons honey (Honey helps softens and condition hair to help it feel silky. Honey may also help strengthen hair follicles and calm the scalp.)
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil (Coconut oil helps moisturize, hydrate, and condition the hair. It can help prevent breakage and control frizz.)
• 6 drops Patchouli essential oil (Patchouli has a relaxing, calming aroma and can help promote healthy-looking hair.)

Directions:
Melt the coconut oil and honey. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Apply the mask onto your hair and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse off the hair mask with 2–3 washes of water or shampoo and conditioner if desired. Enjoy your silky, conditioned hair!

*Tip* some coconut oil may not wash completely out of your hair. If this happens, let your hair dry, apply shampoo to your dry hair before getting in the shower and then rinse out. This will help the shampoo wash out the oil before the water creates a barrier!

Another one of our favorite ways to use apple cider vinegar is in a hair rinse. Here is what you will need:

Ingredients:
2-4 tbsp raw apple cider vinegar
16 oz water
4-5 drops of Patchouli essential oil

Directions:
After shampooing your hair, mix the apple cider vinegar, water, and Patchouli essential oil in a bottle. Pour over your entire scalp and allow the mixture to run through your hair. Let the mixture sit for 1-2 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

Written by,
Haley Jensen Young Living Brittany Jacobson YL Haley Zitting Carla Belliard YL Chad Goodman YL Ed Dailey