How to Make Flaxseed Hair Gel

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 16, 2022 References Tested

Flaxseed hair gel is a natural, inexpensive hair product particularly suited for curly or wavy hair. It defines and moisturizes your curly hair without creating stiffness or crunchiness. The best part is it only takes 2 ingredients, flaxseed and water, though you can add other ingredients like essential oils and aloe vera.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Making Flaxseed Gel

1
Place 1/4 cup (37 g) flaxseeds in a bowl with water overnight. Measure out your flaxseeds in a container you can cover. Pour in 2 cups (470 mL) of distilled or filtered water. Put the solution in the refrigerator for 8 hours or so.^{[1]
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- You can find flaxseeds at most grocery stores in the baking aisle or health food aisle.
- It's fine if you need to leave the solution in the fridge for longer.
- Soaking the flaxseeds first isn't absolutely necessary, but it will increase how much gel you get.
- Distilled or filtered water has fewer additives, meaning your hair gel will likely last longer if you use one of these types of water. However, tap water will also work.
2
Bring the flaxseeds and water to a rolling boil in a saucepan. Dump the mixture from the container into the pan. Place it on the stove over medium-high heat, letting it come to a rolling boil.^{[2]
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- Aim for a pot that's 2 to 3 US quarts (1,900 to 2,800 mL).
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3
Simmer for 7-10 minutes, stirring often until the mixture thickens. Once the mixture reaches a rolling boil, turn the heat down to medium-low. As it simmers, stir it frequently so that the flaxseeds don't stick to the bottom and burn. Keep an eye on the pot, as it can overflow if you're not careful.^{[3]
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- If it looks like it's about to overflow, take it off the heat for a few seconds to let it cool.
4
Take the pot off the heat when you see tan-colored foam and a thicker consistency. After 7-10 minutes, the mixture will start to thicken. It won't be as thick as typical gel while it's still hot, but it will have a gelatinous quality when you pour some off the spoon.^{[4]
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5
Pour the mixture through a strainer lined with cheesecloth or pantyhose. Set the lined strainer over a bowl or glass measuring cup with a spout. Allow the mixture to drain as much as possible while you move the seeds around with a spoon. Once the mixture has cooled enough to touch, you can gather up the cheesecloth or pantyhose to squeeze out more gel.^{[5]
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- If you don't have cheesecloth or pantyhose, a fine mesh strainer will suffice to get out most of the flaxseed bits.
- Rinse the pot immediately, as the gel is difficult to remove once it dries.
6
Add essential oils if desired and pour the gel into a clean container. Stir in 30-35 drops of your favorite essential oil once the mixture has cooled. However, if you don't have any oils, you can leave them out.^{[6]
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- At this point, you can also add 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of olive oil, shea butter, or aloe vera gel, which will create a thicker consistency.^{[7]
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- Tea tree oil or lavender oil are good options, as they can extend the life of the gel from 2 weeks to 1-2 months. When the gel goes bad, it will smell rancid. Clove and cinnamon oils may dry out your skin and hair.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Storing Flaxseed Hair Gel

1
Pour the mixture into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Keep air and bacteria out as much as possible. A jar with a spring-top lid works well, as it is very airtight. Refrigerate this gel for a much longer shelf life.^{[8]
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- If you make a lot at once, you can store some in the freezer for up to 6 months.
2
Portion out a little at a time into a small squeeze bottle. Put a few spoonfuls into a small squeeze bottle to use for a couple of days at a time. It's easier to apply to your hair, and you're not introducing bacteria to the main gel with your hands.^{[9]
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- Plus, if you forget and leave this jar out, you've only wasted a little gel.
3
Smell the gel every time you open it to see if it's gone bad. You should be able to tell easily if the gel isn't good anymore. It will have a bad, off-putting smell that will overpower the essential oils. If it smells rotten, it's time to toss the gel and make more.
- If you find you can't use all the gel before it goes bad, try making it in smaller batches.^{[10]
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- It can last as long as 2 months.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Styling Your Hair with Flaxseed Gel

1
Add flaxseed gel to damp hair for soft curls with bounce. Squeeze a cherry-sized amount of gel into your hands and use your fingers to work it through your damp hair. Let your hair dry naturally for light and natural curls.^{[11]
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- You may need to use a touch more gel then you would with a commercial product, as flaxseed may not have quite as much hold.
2
Use flaxseed gel in combination with other products for more definition. Apply a cherry-sized amount to damp hair with your fingers, then add a similar amount of pomade or another product. Style your hair as you normally would.^{[12]
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- This gel has good, natural hold, but if you need a bit more definition, you may want to add a pomade or another product.
3
Flip your head upside down to add volume, scrunching the ends for curls. Get a cherry-sized amount in your hands and rub it into your palms. With damp hair, turn your head upside-down and run your hands through your hair from the roots. When you get to the ends, use your hands to squish them a bit to apply the gel and encourage curls.
- Flip your head back up and adjust your hair as needed.

Community Q&A

Question

Does flaxseed gel word on dreads?

Community Answer

Flaxseeds work on dreads as a great moisturizer. If you look up tutorials, you see that many people use flaxseed gel to re-lock their dreads.
Question

How do I use milled flaxseed to make hair gel?

Community Answer

Use in the same way you would use whole flaxseed, just make sure you use a stocking to strain it.
Question

What can I use instead of flax seed?

Community Answer

Chia seeds work well as a replacement for flaxseed. They both create a sort of gel product.