I’ve made natural alternatives to body wash, dry shampoo, and other hair products, but homemade shampoo is by far the hardest to use. After a lot of (failed) experimentation, I finally came up with a DIY moisturizing homemade shampoo recipe. It uses natural ingredients and leaves my hair feeling soft and silky!
DIY shampoo
I wanted to get away from store-bought shampoos that contained unhealthy preservatives, synthetic chemicals, and artificial fragrances. Many commercial shampoos are not suitable for your hair and scalp.
I tried the “no poo” method, which works great for some people, but it didn’t work at all for me (I have some horrific Christmas photos to prove it!). If you have coarse and normally dry hair, this method may be perfect for you! I have finer, oilier hair but it didn’t work for me.
If you’re new to “no-poo,” baking soda and water are often rubbed into your scalp as an alternative to shampoo. Many people then use an acv rinse (apple cider vinegar rinse) and maybe apply some coconut oil to the ends of their hair as a conditioner. Some people find it works well, while others report itchy scalp, hair loss, and gunk buildup in their hair follicles. Over time, it can also strip your hair of its natural oils.
Don’t want to succeed?
When I’m traveling or don’t have time to make my own, I use some organic shampoo that works really well. My favorites are:
- Wellnesse Shampoo – I co-founded this company and help formulate it. It uses ingredients that are not only non-toxic but have proven health benefits. There are even options for curly hair!
- Morrocco Method Original Natural Organic Shampoo – It doesn’t lather like regular shampoo, but it works really well on my hair and helps strengthen it over time.
Different homemade shampoos
I missed the lathering aspect of shampoo (I know…the “lather” in regular shampoo is made from synthetic chemicals and detergents…).
The first time I made my own shampoo, I tried regular liquid castile soap, which left my hair frizzy and messy. Then I tried a bunch of homemade recipes and they didn’t work well at all. Finally, inspired by my favorite natural coconut milk (scented) shampoo, I finally found a formula I’m happy with that doesn’t leave my hair tangled, greasy, or both.
It also works well on children’s hair. Here’s a picture of my daughter’s freshly washed hair (not tear-free though, so watch your eyes!). It lathers a bit like a traditional shampoo and you can customize it to suit your needs.
This is such a simple natural hair shampoo recipe, I can’t believe it took me so long to come up with it…
Secret ingredient: coconut milk!
What you need to make your own shampoo
- coconut milk – Coconut milk helps soften and adds natural oils. (Update: A few readers have mentioned that the canned stuff doesn’t work well for them, but homemade coconut milk works great… depending on your hair type, homemade may be better for you).
- liquid castile soap (like Dr. Browners)
- Selected Essential Oils (I’ve used mint, lavender, rosemary and orange or a combination of these). Or you can skip them and opt for the unflavored version.
- base oil – If you have dry hair, add hair nourishing oil. I usually use olive oil, but castor, avocado, or jojoba oils also work well. Castor oil also helps in hair growth.
Other homemade shampoos require ingredients such as raw honey, vitamin E, aloe vera gel or glycerin. Feel free to experiment until you find what works for your hair! Another wonderful and cost-effective option is to make shampoo bars (like soap for hair).
hair oil
Adding a few drops of essential oil not only adds a wonderful scent. They also improve scalp and hair health, helping to thicken hair, prevent breakage, and fight dandruff. Here are some of the different options and what they do. I’ve written more about hair essential oils here .
- tea tree oil – Useful for dandruff and itchy scalp. It can also treat head lice!
- rosemary – Reduces itchy scalp and dandruff, restores hair’s natural oil balance and helps prevent split ends.
- Lavender – Studies show it increases the number of hair follicles, thereby promoting better hair growth.
- Mint – Increases hair growth, thickness and length, deepens hair follicles and makes hair stronger.
Natural Homemade Shampoo
This homemade natural shampoo smells great, works great, and lathers!
yield: 4 ounce
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Mix all ingredients in a bottle or jar. A pump soap dispenser or even a foam dispenser can be a great solution to this problem. If you are using a foam dispenser, you may need to add ¼ cup of distilled water.
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Shake well to mix.
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Shake well and massage into scalp before each use.
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Store shampoo in the refrigerator after each use.
- If you use a foam dispenser, it also makes a great shaving cream.
- This shampoo has a shelf life of about a week when stored in the refrigerator.
Troubleshooting Tips
The effectiveness of this shampoo depends on your hair type and water. Some people with hard water find that it doesn’t cope well with the extra minerals in the water.
The type of coconut milk you use can also make a difference. Some people indicate that canned coconut milk doesn’t work for them, but homemade coconut milk does. Keep in mind that homemade coconut milk has a shorter shelf life than canned coconut milk.
If you find your hair is very greasy and unmanageable after using this product, try doubling the castile soap to 2 parts soap to 1 part coconut milk.
natural hair conditioner
Now that you have your natural shampoo, what about your conditioner? Since coconut oil (and optional carrier oil) are already moisturizing, you may not need to use any conditioner. Here are some different options if you want to try them!
- Rinse with chamomile tea at the end of every shower (leave it in your hair!) and over time, your hair will become smooth, silky and naturally lighten in color.
- Some people find that a 50:50 mix of apple cider vinegar and water used as a rinse aids in making hair cleaner and adding shine. You can also put it in a spray bottle for easy use.
- This homemade conditioner recipe contains hair-nourishing oils, glycerin, and essential oils.
But…don’t wash your hair every day!
I can’t ignore one of my biggest healthy hair discoveries. Hair is happiest when you don’t wash it every day! Read this article to learn why experts say how you wash your hair is just as important as what you use to wash it with!
Ever made your own shampoo? Has “No Poo” disappeared? How about it? Share it below!