5 Ingredients Rinse-Out Conditioner

My hair has been in a protective style for some time, and as I was getting ready to loosen it, wash, and prep for a new style, I realized I didn’t have any rinse-out conditioner left at home. Since I’ve been making my own personal care products for a while, I wasn’t ready to spend a high fee on commercial products that may not even work well for me.

So, I challenged myself to come up with a conditioner formula using only the few ingredients I had left. After some deliberating, I was able to come up with a simple 5-ingredient rinse-out conditioner, and let me tell you, it turned out amazing! It was creamy and left my hair soft, moisturized, and with enough slip to detangle easily. Plus, it was super easy to make. Even beginners in formulation can try this recipe confidently.

Why “Rinse-Out” Conditioner?

There are two main categories of conditioners; rinse-out conditioners and leave-in conditioners. Rinse-out conditioners are used after shampooing to restore lost moisture, soften hair strands, and provide slip for easier detangling, especially for people with tighter curls or coils. They can also be formulated to strengthen hair and reduce damage. Leave-in conditioners, on the other hand, are applied after washing and left in the hair. They focus more on softening, sealing in moisture, and protecting hair from daily stress, styling, and environmental factors.

Because of their roles, rinse-out conditioners typically contain more conditioning agents, while leave-in conditioners rely more on humectants and fatty acids.

The Ingredients I Used

This rinse-out conditioner is simple but effective, relying on just five key ingredients. I used distilled water as the base and solvent. Distilled water is purified, free of salts and contaminants, and helps prevent microbial growth. It’s essential for creating stable emulsions in haircare formulations. It's also used to create emulsion products such as conditioners, when combined with fats, oils and emulsifier.

The star conditioning agent of this formulation, is centrimonium chloride. It smooths the hair cuticle, reduces knots, provides slip, and leaves hair soft and silky. And the best part is that, it provides all this benefits at just a small percentage.

The BTMS-25, serve as our emulsifier that helps binds water and oil together. It also conditions the hair, adds slip, and increases the product viscosity. BTMS-25 is made up of 25% behentrimonium methosulfate (conditioning agent) and 75% cetearyl alcohol (emollient and thickener).

I also included shea butter in this formula, to help add nourishment to the hair, reduces frizz, softens strands, strengthens hair follicles and improves the product viscosity. In this formulation, I used unrefined shea butter, and this gives a nutty scent, but you can substitute it with a refined shea butter or add fragrance/essential oils (up to 1%).

I added liquid germall plus, a broad-spectrum preservative that protects against bacteria, mold, and rancidity to help preserve this conditioner and extend its shelf life. Broad spectrum preservatives are essential for water-based formulations to ensure safety and longer shelf life.

Materials Used 

• 2 heat-safe containers

• Measuring scale

• Immersion blender

• Spatula

• Gloves

• Sterilized jar or pump bottle

200g Batch Size Formula

Heated Water Phase

• Distilled Water – 180g (78%)

• Cetrimonium Chloride – 4g (2%)

Heated Oil Phase

• Shea Butter – 26g (14%)

• BTMS-25 – 13g (5.5%)

Cool Down Phase

• Liquid Germall Plus – 1g (0.5%)

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Place a container on the scale, tare to zero, and weigh the water phase ingredients.
• In another container, weigh the oil phase ingredients. Always tare the scale after each addition.
• Place both containers in a water bath (a pot half-filled with water). Heat for 10–20 minutes until everything is fully melted and dissolved.
• Pour the hot water phase into the hot oil phase. Blend with an immersion blender until a smooth emulsion forms.
• Allow the mixture to thicken and cool to room temperature.
• Once cool, add Liquid Germall Plus. Stir gently with a spatula to combine.
• Transfer into a sterilized jar or pump bottle. Label with product name, formulation date, and shelf life.

FAQs

1. What is a humectant?

A humectant attracts and retains moisture in the hair, keeping it hydrated. Examples: glycerin, honey, panthenol.

2. What is an emollient?

An emollient softens and smooths the hair by filling in gaps along the hair shaft. Examples: shea butter, oils, fatty alcohols.

3. Alternatives to BTMS-25?

You can use BTMS-50 or other cationic emulsifiers, though texture and conditioning strength may differ.

4. Can I substitute Liquid Germall Plus?

Yes, try Optiphen, Euxyl PE 9010, or Geogard ECT. Always check usage rates.

5. Can I add glycerin?

Yes, you can add up to 3–5% vegetable glycerin for extra moisture (reduce water to keep formula balanced).

6. Can I use tap water instead of distilled water?

No, tap water may contain minerals, salts, and microbes that compromise the product’s safety and stability

Final Thoughts

This was such a fun and rewarding project. I love that with just five simple, affordable ingredients, I was able to make a creamy, effective rinse-out conditioner that rivals store-bought products. It’s beginner-friendly, easy to customize, and budget-conscious.

Would you give this recipe a try? If you’re new to making your own beauty products, check out my Skincare and Haircare Formulation for Beginners ebook, a step-by-step guide to creating safe, natural products from the comfort of your home.