Would you like to dye your hair without using chemicals? Then you've come to the right place! Many conventional hair dyes contain aggressive ingredients that can damage the hair and irritate the scalp. But there are also natural alternatives that you can use to gently tint or lighten your hair - without any synthetic chemicals.
Whether you want to dye your hair darker, lighter or in warm red tones - there are numerous home remedies that can help you. From coffee and tea to chamomile or henna - nature offers some exciting ways to give your hair a new shade.
In this article, I'll show you which natural home remedies and methods are available, how to use them correctly and what you should look out for so that your new hair color lasts as long as possible. Let's go!
Advantages: Why dye your hair without chemicals?
Around two thirds of all women and probably one in ten men dye their hair. Unfortunately, most people underestimate the health and ecological consequences of the chemicals contained in many hair dyes, which can enter the body via the scalp and respiratory tract.
Aromatic amines, such as p-phenylenediamine (PPD) and 2,5-toluenediamine (PTD), are also considered to be strong Allergens. And p-aminophenol is said to have a mutagenic and carcinogenic effect.1
MedUni Vienna has in a large study found out that above all the Risk of basal cell carcinoma, breast cancer and ovarian cancer is increased by the use of chemical hair dyes.
So if you often have to deal with hair dyes or regularly dye your hair, you should definitely pay attention to natural hair colors change. You are gentler on the skin, easy to use, allergy-friendly, they smell more pleasant, last longergenerate Natural color transitions and are ideal for a environmentally friendly and Sustainable hair care.
Good to know: Of course there are also Professional hair color for hairdressing salonsthat works without chemicals. It's best to ask your hair salon which products they use.
This is how it works: How to dye hair naturally?
Do you want to dye your hair yourself? Then a little preparation is important. Your hair should be free of silicones and styling residue for the best possible result. A wash with a mild deep cleansing shampoo is therefore ideal.
Ready? Then I'll introduce you to some natural home remedies with which you can change the color of your hair in a gentle and ecological way.
Dye hair naturally brown
To get brunette hair, the following are suitable Black tea, coffee grounds or walnut shells. A rinse with strong black tea or cold coffee intensifies dark brown tones, while a decoction of walnut shells provides a long-lasting color.
With Onion skins you can then provide some extra shine.
For a particularly intense result and a rather warm reddish brown, you can also use Henna (extract from an Egyptian dyer's bush). In combination with Indigo (bluish organic pigment from the tropical indigo plant), the hair color then becomes even browner.
Tip: Coffee grounds can be used in a variety of ways! You can find out what else the rest of the ground coffee beans can do for you in the linked article.
Dye hair naturally red
Henna is the classic among natural hair colors and provides a red shimmer or even strong red tones. The results vary depending on the original hair color. The longer the application time, the more intense the result.
For warm copper tones, you can mix henna with Turmeric mix, while a combination with Hibiscus or Beet results in a richer red. Also St. John's wort produces a slight red tint.
Lighten hair without chemicals
If you like your hair Gently bleach or lighten you can use the following home remedies:
- Chamomile tea: Brew strong chamomile tea, allow to cool and apply to the hair after shampooing, but do not rinse out.
- Lemon juice: Dilute lemon juice with water, spray into dry hair and leave on for 3-4 hours. Then rinse well to avoid build-up.
- Baking soda: Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda into the shampoo and wash as usual. After several applications you will see a slight lightening effect.
- Salt water: Dissolve 4 tablespoons of salt in 250 ml of water, spray into dry hair and massage in. Leave on for an hour, rinse thoroughly and wash your hair as usual. Then use a conditioner to prevent dry hair.
- Apple cider vinegar: Mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 1 liter of water and pour over the hair after shampooing - do not rinse. Regular use ensures gentle lightening and shiny hair.
Important: Patience is required! With regular use of home remedies, your hair will gradually become visibly lighter.
Darken hair naturally
Darker shades can be combined well with plant colors such as Sage, black tea or a mixture of Henna and indigo reach. Also Coffee grounds, oak bark and Walnut shells you can use for this.
Here is a short Instruction for the application:
- Sage and other herbs: A decoction of sage, rosemary or nettle enhances dark hair colors. Apply to the hair after shampooing and do not rinse out.
- Black tea: Pour boiling water over 3-4 tablespoons of loose black tea, leave to infuse, cool and use as a rinse. By adding nettle, you can further intensify the color intensity.
- Oak bark: Boil 50 g oak bark for 15 minutes, strain and use after shampooing.
- Henna & Indigo: Henna gives a warm tone, indigo a cooler brown. For darker shades, combine both and leave on depending on the desired intensity.
- Walnut shells: Bring to the boil, strain and use as a rinse. Wear gloves to avoid discoloration.
- Castor oil: The oil nourishes the hair, promotes shine and intensifies dark shades. Alternatively, it also works with walnut and amla oil.
- Onion skins: Boil two handfuls of peels with water and leave to infuse overnight. Then strain, place your hair in a bowl with the liquid, leave to soak and then rinse.
Important: There are some Nutrients for healthy hairthat you should pay particular attention to in your diet and when caring for your hair - from vitamin A to biotin and zinc. You can find out which other substances are included in the linked blog post.
Dye gray hair naturally
Herbs like Sage, rosemary and nettle can give your hair darker shades. For example, you can regularly use an infusion of these plants as a hair conditioner.
Also black tea or coffee are suitable for darkening gray hair. The dyes it contains accumulate in the hair and intensify the color tone with each application. For reddish nuances Beet whose juice you can use as a natural hair mask.
With Henna you have another option for transforming your gray hair with shades of red or brown. The combination of Henna and indigo in turn ensures a darker hair color, just as it does when using Walnut shells is the case.
Tips: How can you keep your new hair color for as long as possible?
Chemical-free dyes do not remain permanent, but wash out over time.
So if you want to dye your hair naturally and make sure that the color stays in place lasts as long as possibleI have a few valuable tips for you on application and care:
- UV protectionWear a hat in the hot summer and seek shade to protect the color from fading. (more under Sustainable heat tips for the summer)
- Apply to dry hairApply the color to dry hair and rinse with lukewarm water.
- Mild careSulfate-free shampoos and less frequent washing (max. 2-3 times a week) prevent rapid fading.
- Cool rinseCold water closes the cuticle and protects the color.
- Refresh color regularly: Every now and then, do another rinse with the home remedies mentioned to intensify the color tone.
Gentle hair decolorization: If you are unhappy with the result or would prefer your natural hair color again at some point, you can gently remove the color pigments from your hair with lemon juice, chamomile tea, baking soda or an oil treatment with coconut oil, for example.
Natural hair coloring with organic home remedies
Dyeing your hair using natural methods is not only gentle on your hair, but also on the environment. Whether you achieve darker nuances, reddish reflections or a gentle brightening effect there are many chemical-free plant-based alternatives!
However, be aware that natural colors often require several applications to achieve the desired intensity - and that the final result also depends on hair type, initial color and care habits. However, with a little patience and the right technique, it's pretty much guaranteed to work.
„The best color in the whole world is the one that looks good on you."
Coco Chanel (more at Beauty Quotes)
Do you have any questions or experiences with natural hair dyes that you would like to share? Then I look forward to your comment!
Stay, of course,
PS: I also gave you another big hair soap comparison made for you. And did you know that you can also Wash your hair without plastic can? Find out more in the linked article!
References:
- C. Rehberg: Hair dyes increase risk of breast and bladder cancer (as of 15.11.2024), available at https://www.zentrum-der-gesundheit.de/bibliothek/umwelt/schaedliche-faktoren/haare-faerben-ungesund. [20.02.2025]. ↩︎
