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Collagen Hair Mask Recipe
DIY Collagen Hair Mask How-To Video
DIY Collagen Hair Mask Recipe Blog Post:
Today I’m excited to share one of my secrets for how I got super strong, healthy hair. My little secret is collagen! And today I’m sharing my Collagen Hair Mask recipe. It’s such a good one! You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for sure, especially if your hair could use some help. And while this mask benefits all hair types, those of you with damaged and/or color treated hair will notice some pretty dramatic benefits.
Now I have naturally curly hair and if you happen to have curly hair like I do, you probably already know that curly hair is a lot more prone to damage, breakage and split ends.
And boy did I used to have some damaged hair. My hair was lifeless, dry, thin, frizzy, and super fragile. It took tons of product and work to get my hair to look halfway decent.
And then collagen entered my life. Oh, collagen! A girl’s best friend as I now lovingly like to call it 🙂 Supplementing with collagen works wonders for the skin, hair, joints, bones, and more. (Learn more benefits from collagen supplementation in my post HERE).
I sing the praises of supplementing with collagen and gelatin all the time. I take 2 tablespoons of collagen peptides every single day in my green tea frappuccino and I’ve experienced some really amazing benefits from it. The biggest benefits I’ve personally noticed are with my hair and skin.
But you may be surprised to find out that collagen can also do wonders for your hair when applied externally.
It’s true!
I started noticing that a few fancy-schmancy salons now offer collagen hair treatments. And those treatments cost around $200 and up! Woah.
So I did some research, discovered what I needed and developed my own homemade Collagen Hair Mask that costs about $1 to make and it’s just as effective as those expensive salon treatments. Super awesome, right? You are going to love this!
Benefits of Collagen for the Hair
Collagen peptides, also known as hydrolyzed collagen, absorb into the hair and strengthen it from the inside out. Collagen also helps fortify and strengthen the entire hair shaft by forming a protective shield over each strand of hair. This will not only reduce breakage and make your hair stronger, but it will also protect it from damage caused by heat, sun and other environmental factors. Collagen is also known to make hair shiny, soft and more manageable. How cool is that?!
Really cool if you ask me. Because collagen really did transform my hair. I went from having really fragile, damaged hair to strong, healthy hair in just a matter of a few months. I used to have a big clump of hair in the shower drain after every shower – ugh! After seeing that huge clump of hair after each shower, I was always amazed that I had any hair left! But since supplementing with collagen and applying this once a month Collagen Hair Mask, I don’t have any hair in the shower drain anymore. It’s crazy. That’s how awesome it works! I also rarely have split ends anymore, my hair has so much more volume and wait for it…..no more frizz!!!! For us curly haired girls, that is a small miracle 🙂
When shopping for collagen, it’s really important to look for collagen peptides or hydrolyzed collagen for this mask to be effective. Protein molecules are much too large to absorb into the hair, but collagen peptides or hydrolyzed collagen go through a process that make the molecules small enough to penetrate the hair, allowing the collagen to work it’s magic. I use THIS kind of collagen – it’s high quality and I love it.
*Just a word of caution* — there is such a thing as too much protein for your hair. As much as this Collagen Hair Mask rocks, you don’t want to overdo it by applying it too often. Once a month is all you need!
Collagen Hair Mask Recipe:
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil (I use THIS kind)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (I use THIS kind)
- 1 tablespoon collagen peptides or hydrolyzed collaged (I use THIS)
- 2 teaspoons water
- Mix the water and collagen peptides together and then add in the oils.
- Mix until smooth.
- Apply to your entire head of dry hair massaging into the scalp and applying it all the way down to your ends.
- Leave on for at least 20 minutes.
- Shampoo out and rinse well. Repeat shampoo, if necessary.
*Make sure to use Collagen Peptides or Hydrolyzed Collagen for this mask to be effective!THIS is the kind I use.
That’s all there is to it! I can’t wait for you to try this! And please keep me updated on your results. I’m excited to hear how much your hair improves from collagen 🙂
Watch My Video Tutorial For How To Make this DIY Hair Treatment HERE!
Pin Collagen Hair Mask Recipe HERE:
Cannot wait to try this! I have just switched from Great Lakes to Vital Proteins. Do you know anything about using this on highlighted hair? I’m getting mine done at the end of the week and wondering if it makes more sense to do this treatment before or after coloring. My hair is fine and prone to breakage. Taking collagen internally has definitely helped, so I’m sure this will improve it even more.
Hey Elizabeth! My hair is highlighted and it works great for it! I always do this treatment after coloring. I’ve noticed that it really seems to protect and prolong the color. Can’t wait to hear what you think of it!
Kelly, I loved it! I used castor oil instead of olive oil, because I have tons of it right now and it is supposed to stimulate haor growth. My hair feels soft and looks super shiny. Something else that has really helped my hair stopping using any heat on it at all. Really hard to do, since my hair is flat and straight, but so worth it. Thanks for the great post!
Nice!! I really need to figure out a better way to curl my hair without heat. When my hair is short or long, it looks good naturally curly without a curling iron. But this mid length hair that I’ve got sporting right now looks so much better with a couple quick curls with a curling iron. But I know that kind of heat can be so damaging over time! I try to limit my curling iron to just 2 or 3 times a week. If you or anyone else has any suggestions about nice looking curls without heat (that don’t require a lot of work — I have no patience) let me know!
I use sponge curlers with simply dampening the strand of hair, dries quickly. I do it at night or early in the morning. Thanks for information on Collagen mask for hair.
Have you tried ceramic curling irons? I have crazy hair and it needs a few swipes to tame it. I noticed the ceramic one on lower heat settings actually seem to condition my hair. No more metal for me! Sally beauty supply has a good selection. Get one with adjustable heat settings.
Thanks, Des! I haven’t tried them, but will now thanks to you! I’ve been trying to find something for a long time that wouldn’t damage my hair so much. Thank you 🙂
My hair was damaged from years of salon coloring. About a year ago I started oiling my hair at least 2 times a week. I alternate between coconut, castor, avocado, and olive oils. I always mix at least 2 different oils for my treatments. I want to grow my hair super long. In May I started taking collagen internally. What a difference that made. It was as if my hair grew overnight! I added the collagen to my coconut oil and castor oil this morning. My hair is smooth despite the heat and humidity in southeastern Pennsylvania today!
Wow, Maryann, that’s great to hear! I really want to grow my hair long also. The collagen taken internally has definitely helped the new hair growing in, but my ends are still very prone to breakage which is why I am struggling to grow it longer. Hopefully this treatment will make a difference!
Elizabeth,
In the beginning I had a problem with my ends breaking but that has subsided. I make sure I put a tiny dab of oil on the ends of my hair everyday. Also I stopped using color that contains ammonia. I now color my hair myself. I have stopped using plastic combs. I use a wooden detangling comb and a bone comb. I also use a wooden brush with wooden bristles. This has been a long journey for me, it is finally paying off. Any questions feel free to ask. Take care.
Wow, thanks so much! I have been using a natural bristle brush but the wood sounds interesting. My hair really thinned out from several courses of accutane years ago as well as some major stress a few years ago. I’m seeing improvement but always trying to tweak my routine.
Nice!! I can’t believe the difference collagen makes – so glad to hear it’s been amazing for you, too! Love your tip about using 2 oils for your hair. I try to give myself a scalp rub with olive oil and a few drops of rosemary essential oil (so great for hair growth!!) about once a week, but I’m not quite as faithful as you! You’ve inspired me to keep at it 🙂
Hi,
I’ve got the hair mask on my hair right now. I have to ask though, in the directions it didn’t say to try to dissolve it before it goes on the hair. It’s very grainy – is that right? How can the grains I can feel with my hands go into the hair shafts unless it’s dissolved? I’m just needing clarification. This is the first time I’ve tried anything like this. My hair is wavy like yours and is VERY frizzy/straw-like. It doesn’t break easily, but it’s falling out, just like you described with yours before you started this routine.
I posted a question on your Facebook page but haven’t heard back. I was wondering how long after you started taking colleaen internally and the hair mask externally did you see results?
Thanks much! I really enjoy your site.
Hi Susan! Thanks for bringing this up! Yes, it is very grainy and that’s ok. The oils will condition and smooth your hair during the 20 minutes, but once you begin to rinse the treatment out with water, the collagen then begins to work it’s magic. You should even notice thicker hair after the very first treatment. It took me about a month of taking collagen internally to notice my that hair was getting noticeably thicker (friends noticed too without knowing I was taking collagen!). After about 2-3 months is when I noticed a huge reduction in the amount of hair in the shower drain and that my hair was growing a lot faster.
Thanks much! I’ve tried it twice now and I’m really impressed. I’ve noticed shinier, smoother hair, I’ll definitely keep doing this. Thanks for the recipe and the reply!
Awesome, Susan!
Hi Kelly! Thanks for putting this recipe out again. I am definitely going to try this in the next couple of days. I already use that brand of collagen…Costco has it at a really good price. I just have one question….if you have really long hair do you double the recipe? Is that too much collagen at one time for the hair? Maybe just double the oil so it covers all of the hair? My hair is down to my rear but it does fall out quite a bit. I’m hoping this might help. Taking the collagen internally has helped a lot but I want to try this also to see if it helps even more.
Thanks for all the amazing recipes 🙂
I didn’t know Costco carried it, Tracy – how awesome! Thanks for letting us all know! And yes, I’d double the recipe if your hair is that long.
I used this mask today and my hair feels amazing!! It doesn’t feel like straw! Yay! Thank you for the recipe. My hair was highlighted about 3 weeks ago- and this mask didn’t bother it.
Woohoo!
This sound awesome. I just bleached my hair so I need to try this out. Can I substitute with gelatin like the one from Great Lakes?
Hi Jean! The gelatin isn’t able to penetrate the hair shaft, but the hydrolyzed collagen will.
Hi, I’m in the UK and struggling to find either of the collagen peptides or hydrolysed collagen in powder form. I do have some Great Lakes “collagen hydrolysate” in and reading the label this looks to be the same as hydrolysed collagen-can you confirm if this is ok to use? Many thanks
Yes, that works, Sheridan!
I’m also in the UK, and the Great Lakes is available on Amazon UK.
Hey Kelly,
Thanks for this awesome recipe, I cannot wait to try it! Can I use the Great Lake (red can) for this? I have s whole can I need to use up. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks so much!
Amy ?
Hey Amy!
The molecules from the red can are too large to penetrate into the hair and won’t provide strength from the inside out when applied externally. It will still give some benefit like temporarily thickening the hair. The green can is able to penetrate into the hair, though!
If I make a large batch of this and keep it in a jar, how long will it stay good? Thank you! I can’t wait to try this! I have very curly and frizzy hair!
That’s a great idea, Kelley! It will keep for a really long time — about 2 years!
I’m so excited to try the mask, living in Ga my hair is a frizz ball mess, and being pregnant double trouble. I’m in my third trimester what are your thoughts of taking it internally?
Hi Amber! Congrats!! 🙂 I’m not a doctor, but I personally would take (or eat! since it’s considered a whole food) collagen while pregnant and nursing. I think it’s one of those important foods and even more important while growing a new little one and recovering the body from giving birth. Here is what the response is from Vital Proteins when asked if it’s safe for those pregnant and nursing: “Getting enough collagen while pregnant is critical because it provides essential proteins that our bodies utilize daily and that promote optimal health for a growing baby. Collagen helps to build and repair our bones, joint surfaces, skin, teeth, eyes, arteries, intervertebral disks, and much more. Collagen is needed to ensure a strong body and to help you to continually heal. Although, we always recommend speaking with your physician regarding your specific health needs while pregnant and nursing.”
I wish you the best with your delivery!!!
Can I use the mask and take the collagen orally without exposing my hair to too much protein?
Hi Majorie! I’ve been doing once a month externally and taking collagen internally daily.
Hello Kelly, can I add rosemary essential oil and vitamin E as well? Vitamin E being a natural preservative, do you think I can make the paste and keep it in a jar for at least 3 to 6 months?
Would it be okay to add essential oils?
Yes, definitely! Some of my favorite for healthy hair support are lavender, rosemary or peppermint 🙂
Hey Kelly – so glad I found your site. Losing hair like crazy – not sure why Covid, diabetes, thyroid issues… age (59) so I’m crazy looking for what you have… Just a question on essential oils in you recipe… how many drops if I am using Rosemary? Thanks again – you are a blessing!
Ooo, I’d love to hear this, too, Kate! I’ve noticed it makes my eyebrow hair grow a little faster, but that’s all I’ve personally noticed. Love to hear anyone else chime in!
Hi Kelly
I have broken/thin edges will the collagen hair mask help me
Hi Cindy! It really helped my hair last summer when I had some damaged/broken hair from the summer so I think it should help yours, too!
THIS IS A MIRACLE MASK. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING. IS IT OK TO DO THIS TWICE A MONTH?
Yes, definitely!
Hello, I was wondering if you should start with clean washed hair or if you can use this the day after washing if you have product on your hair such as hairspray from the day before?
You can use it anytime, Dawn…either with clean hair or hair with product. The benefits and results will be the same 🙂
Hi Kelly!
I can’t wait to try this but I have three questions first:
My hair tends to be quite oily and is quite damaged right now. Would this make the oiliness worse? Maybe I should use it on a weekend?
Second, I worry about rinsing all those oils down the shower drain, especially into a septic tank. Should this be a concern?
Third, I use homemade shampoo bars, would that suffice in washing out the mask?
Thank you!
Hi Rachel!
The only way it would make your oiliness worse is if your shampoo bar wouldn’t wash all the oil out.
To be on the safe side, I would ask a plumber that oil question because I’m not sure of the accurate answer and I’d hate to give you the wrong answer that could potentially cause a problem. All I can say is that I’ve been using many, many oil based products for years and years (probably over 15 years now!) and we’ve always had a septic and have never had any problems.
I’m not really sure about your shampoo bar because I don’t have experience with your exact one. But I’ve used shampoo bars in the past with this mask! I had to wash my scalp 2-3 times to get the oil out, but it did wash out beautifully 🙂
I hope you get a chance to try this! <3 Take care!!
I am going to try but use hemp oil with the collagen. Hemp oil makes my hair feel amazing. Look forward to seeing some better hair days as it is fine so I have some breakage and damaged ends.
Oooo, that’s a great idea, Jana!
I’ve taken collagen supplements in the past, but never even considered actually applying collagen directly to my hair! I’ll definitely have to try this soon 🙂
Thank you for a great recipe, for the great answers to questions. I wonder, and I suppose it is somehow to an option, but would it work if one just mixed some collagen peptides in a glass of warm water and used it as a rinse after a shampoo? Just wondering. I’m not much for masks and the time it takes (and the mess).
Also, if anyone is reading … hair grows from the scalp outward. So, in using CP internally, it will take months of hair growth (at least on my slow growing hair head) to actually realize all the benefits, but as I have been using it now for 2 months, I expect to see the miracle any day now. And my skin, at 67 years old, looks great.
Arlene, I think that is such a great idea to use it as a quick rinse for the hair!
Hi, I love the idea of using collagen as a protein treatment! I’m a complete naturalista and still on my journey to replace all my commercially made, albeit natural and organic, beauty and household products. I have a lot of pale gold highlights in my crinkly-wavy (and infuriatingly frizzy!) hair which makes it damaged and porous. It needs protein but I refuse to buy commercial products for my much detoxed and now natural hair. A natural DIY protein treatment has always stumped me as I know the molecules have to be small enough to penetrate the hair shaft. Until recently I just thought that it needed to be synthetically created or at the very least manufactured by hair care companies, and that there were no DIY natural products that could do the job. It’s great to know hydrolysed collagen powder works as I already take it internally. It’s going to be exciting to try 🙂
I’ve seen quite a few other recipes online using gelatin but I was sceptical as I know that this is not quite as effective internally as hydrolysed collagen as it’s more difficult for the gut to break down, so why would it be any different for hair?
I use Great Lakes green can, I just wondered if yourself Kelly, or anyone else has tried it with marine or plant hydrolysed collagen, and if it was just as effective? Marine collagen has a good reputation for being very effective and plant collagen is good for veggies and vegans.
Also has anyone used this in a different way as a protein treatment conditioner? Ie after a normal shampoo but before conditioning or mixing it with a conditioner? That’s generally what I’d want to do with a protein treatment, but mixing it with a bit of honey, aloe vera gel, perhaps some coconut milk, and maybe even some oil if some people’s hair needs it. I’d always use a conditioner afterwards or at least add it, as protein is a building block, not a moisturiser, and after a while too much protein can make hair stiff and brittle. If this were to happen a few deep conditions would sort that out, and I’d reduce the frequency. So I may do a protein treatment on my blonde hair weekly at first to repair it, and then reduce it to 2 weekly, and then maybe even monthly, as maintenance. As long as my hair is bleached, coloured, porous, curly and with very fine strands, I’ll always need some kind of protein, and it’s what my hair is currently lacking, and is frizzy and unmanageable as a result. Super excited to try this!
Hi Vanessa, I’m so excited for you to try this! I love all your thoughts and ideas. I do sometimes put hydrolyzed collagen in my conditioner for a super easy protein treatment – we must think alike 🙂 It works great, but isn’t quite as moisturizing as the mask recipe so I still like to do the mask for a nice moisture drench.
I’ve never used the marine collagen, so I hope someone else can answer your question, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work, too.
Please keep me updated – I’m trusting you’ll see some wonderful improvements in your hair 🙂 🙂
Hi again, I’m back with my update 🙂 Ok so I didn’t do the full pre-poo mask, I already have a pre-poo routine that I have just got right, so didn’t want to start by changing that.
So yesterday I simply dissolved 1 tbsp hydrolysed collagen powder in 1 tbsp filtered water, then added 1 tbsp of my regular conditioner and blended it. It turned into a pudding-like consistency which I really liked. I added a few drops of tea tree oil for good measure, good for the scalp.
The mix was really easy to apply (to wet, cleansed hair), and I could already feel it was going to be good for my hair. I used it in place of my normal conditioner as a “conditioning protein treatment”.
I covered my hair with a shower cap and fully intended to leave it for only an hour, but got distracted and it ended up being on my hair about 3 hours! I was worried the protein may have hardened on my hair and made it brittle. But it rinsed out really well and my hair was ok! Phew.
I then styled my hair (leave in conditioner, gel, scrunching etc) and left to air dry.
So a mistake I made is I did this alongside experimenting with another technique (a styling technique rather than a product) which I should have known better to do, but because that didn’t go well it’s taken my focus off the protein treatment. Sigh…
Anyway, today my hair is definitely softer and I have a bit more curl spring and definition. bit difficult to tell after messing about with my styling. Suffice to say it made my hair flat rather than the normal volume!
However, what I have noticed is I have more shine on my bleached blonde highlights, which is quite difficult to create, due to damage and simply because the lighter the hair is the more difficult it is to see shine reflecting. An unfortunate side effect of being blonde. But I do have it now 🙂
Overall I’m quite impressed with my simple adaptation of just adding collagen to my normal conditioner. I think because my hair is damaged I’ll need a few more regular treatments before I see some really tangible results, but all positive so far. It has potential!
Next I might blend a concoction of collagen, water, aloe vera gel (the real runny lumpy stuff, not the thickened glop that has barely seen an aloe plant), some honey, perhaps some coconut milk, possibly some oil but only a smidgen, and then use that as a post-wash conditioning protein treatment.
Then maybe after that I’ll do the pre-poo mask! I don’t want to change my pre-poo right now as I’m doing it with honey, olive oil, coconut oil to keep my blonde highlights bright. It works fabulously! I may even be starting to see my naturally dark hair lighten a little, which will be great with blending into my highlights for a more natural, ombre effect 🙂
I’ll report back the next time with experiment no 2!
Love this detailed update, Vanessa – thank you so much! Can’t wait to see what the collagen can do for your hair after a few more times 🙂
Hi Kelly,
I want to try this on my thin, dead, flyaway and non-growing hair!
Question: can I use liquid hydolized collagen instead? The dose for the one I have is
1 tablespoon daily of 5,ooo mg strenghth. If so, how much would I use for the hair masque?
Awaiting your answer! Thanks!
Yes, that would be perfect! 1 tablespoon is what I would suggest using. Enjoy!
Hello Kelly!
You are my hero! I wrote you in May wanting to try your collagen hair mask.
I finally got around to it this morning. It is nothing short of fabulous! I used coconut oil plus a mix of castor and avocado oils, and rosemary essential oil. Left it on for 45 minutes and even slathered it on my face!
Result: a different texture, thicker. My hair feels alive! I am confident that it will stop falling out. I will stop freaking out and expecting split ends.
I plan to repeat in two weeks after I colour my hair, and after that do it once a month.
I haven’t had a haircut in 4 months because up here near Montréal the coronavirus is so heavy that the hair salons are still closed down and not about to open…
So now thanks to you I will not worry about my hair.
Thank you thank you!?
Johanne L.
Oh that is wonderful, Johanne! I still love this mask, too and my hair is so full of life and shiny! Now you have me wanting to try it for my face, too 🙂