There are tons of natural shampoos out on the market, but the cost can be quite steep to say the least. Conventional shampoos can be more cost effective, but they’re also full of toxic chemicals that are harsh on the body. With this simple natural shampoo recipe, you’ll have the best of both worlds. It’s both cost effective, and super good for your hair and scalp.
Take a look at the long list of ingredients in a typical shampoo bottle and you may be shocked at what you find. Potentially carcinogenic parabens, stripping sulfates and harsh sodium lauryl sulfate are top culprits. Even many shampoos marketing themselves as natural can contain some pretty nasty ingredients.
Simple, natural ingredients
This shampoo uses pure and simple castile soap to clear away excess dirt and grease from the hair. It’s much gentler than other options and leaves hair feeling baby soft. This recipe won’t foam as much as other shampoos, but that’s because it’s not stripping away your scalp’s natural sebum.
Next we have aloe vera. This plant is known for its skin soothing properties, but it’s equally as effective at nourishing the hair. Aloe vera makes hair softer and more manageable and increases growth.
This recipe also uses jojoba oil to give hair some extra moisture and slip. Jojoba oil is technically a wax, and closely mimics our scalps natural sebum. Even for someone with oily hair, jojoba won’t make the hair overly greasy. Sweet almond oil can be used for hair that’s more dry.
Essential oils for hair
Essential oils can be used for skincare, but they’re also helpful when it comes to your scalps health. Below is a list of different essential oils, and how they improve the health of the scalp and hair. You can use any combination of essential oils you like for this shampoo. Simply choose ones that smell good to you, and address your hair type. I’ve included some example recipes to get you started
- Lemon – dandruff, highlights light hair, treats both dry scalp and oily hair
- Grapefruit – clarifying for oily hair
- Patchouli – dandruff and overly oily hair
- Tea tree – dandruff and dry scalp
- Basil – promotes hair growth
- Peppermint – for dry or all hair types, promotes growth
- Myrrh – useful for dry scalp and dandruff
- Sandalwood – helps hair maintain moisture, adds shine, and soothes an irritated scalp, combats psoriasis and dandruff
- Chamomile – adds highlights to light colored hair, calms scalp irritation
- Lavender – promotes hair growth and treats itchiness and dandruff
- Rosemary – promotes hair growth, treats dandruff and helps with oily hair
- Cedarwood – promotes hair growth and soothes scalp irritations
- Patchouli– Useful for oily hair and dandruff.
Read More: Top 12 Essential Oils For Hair & Hair Growth
Homemade simple natural shampoo
Ingredients
- About ¾ cup liquid Castile soap (available here)
- ¼ cup aloe vera (available here)
- 1 tsp jojoba oil (available here)
- ½ – 1 tsp Sweet almond oil (optional for dry hair) (available here)
- 50-60 drops Essential oils of choice (We used Plant Therapy. All essential oils can be purchased here)
For dandruff
- 30 drops each Tea tree and patchouli essential oil
For oily hair
- 25 drops Lemon essential oil
- 15 drops Basil essential oil
- 20 drops Grapefruit essential oil
For hair growth for all hair types
- 20 drops Lavender essential oil
- 20 drops Cedarwood essential oil
- 20 drops Rosemary essential oil
Need any of these essential oils? You can purchase them all from this page on Plant Therapy Essential Oils.
Materials
- 8 oz squeeze bottle (can clean and reuse an old shampoo bottle)
Instructions
- In your container add the aloe vera, jojoba or sweet almond oil, and the essential oils. Cap and shake well to combine.
- Add the castile soap until the bottle is almost full. Stir or shake to combine.
Tips for using your natural shampoo
- Use your shampoo several times a week to cleanse hair, and follow it up with a vinegar rinse for best results.
- Over washing your hair can cause it to become overly greasy, as the scalps natural oils try to compensate.
- This shampoo is cleansing, but not extra foaming. There’s no need to dump loads on when using.
Don’t fancy a DIY but want to opt for a natural shampoo? Then take a look at our top picks for natural, non-toxic and organic shampoo brands you can trust.
Love DIY recipes like this?
Then get yourself a copy of the Everyday Roots downloadable guide with 215+ DIY recipes for making your own natural health and beauty products and non-toxic cleaning supplies. Get your copy here.
Resources used: Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health