Who can even skip shampooing? It becomes an inseparable part of our daily routine to maintain healthy hair, which will support your overall look. Based on their needs, shampoo products on the market today will not only make your hair smell good. Some are even formulated for hair growth and loss and can also thicken your hair. Unfortunately, most of them are not sensitive-skin friendly, knowing they contain harsh chemicals which can potentially irritate the scalp. For that reason, we have made an easy DIY guide on how to make natural shampoo easily at home.
Apart from that, we will also share a DIY organic shampoo recipe that will help you overcome the problem of hair loss and dandruff. But before discussing everything further, it is better to know what natural shampoo is, why it benefits your hair and scalp, and how effective it is compared to typical shampoos.
Let’s have a look!
Table of Contents
Introduction of Natural Shampoo
Before we discuss more about how to make natural shampoo and DIY herbal shampoo recipes, let us introduce you to natural shampoo. This kind of shampoo gains popularity nowadays, especially among those who have sensitive scalps and care about the environment. So, without any further ado, let’s dive in!
1. What Is Natural Shampoo?
As the name suggests, natural shampoo refers to hair care products (the shampoo!) that are made from organic ingredients. Basically, this shampoo is a solution for those whose skin is sensitive to harsh chemicals, including parabens and sulfates. These chemicals are generally contained in typical shampoos widely sold in the market. Some natural shampoos are also fragrance-free, making them suitable for those who can’t deal with essential oils.
Among DIY hair care ingredients commonly used in natural shampoos are aloe vera, chamomile, tea tree oil, and honey. These materials are safe for sensitive scalps and work great to hydrate, smoothen and nourish your hair. They also have antibacterial properties to reduce the musty smell of hair and excessive sweating on the scalp. You can also add essential oils for hair care, like lavender oil, peppermint oil, and rosemary oil, to give a pleasant scent to the product.
2. Benefits of Using Natural Shampoo
Featuring natural ingredients, using natural shampoo surely gives users tons of benefits. Besides looking healthy and shiny, the natural shampoo also works excellently to eliminate dirt, dust, and excessive oil on your scalp.
Here are some other benefits of using organic shampoo that can make your doubts go away to switch from chemical to natural:
- Gentle on your hair and scalp. Since they are made of natural ingredients, which generally include apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and aloe vera, organic shampoos work gently on your scalp and hair. They will help you deal with dandruff, greasy hair, and remove dirt with no irritation.
- Healthier scalp. As we mentioned earlier, tea tree oil and aloe vera are two star ingredients that are commonly included in natural shampoos. They have soothing, hydrating, and anti-bacterial properties that ensure the scalp gets refreshed and healthier. The combo also helps reduce dandruff and prevent hair damage because of chemicals.
- Sensitive skin-friendly. Since they have little to none chemicals, like synthetic fragrances, and hydrating and soothing ingredients, natural shampoos are considered safe for sensitive scalps. However, it is wiser to test one product and observe the progress. Always choose fragrance-free shampoo if you have an allergy to essential oils for hair care.
- Environmentally friendly. Most natural shampoos only use organic ingredients that are sustainable and, thus, friendly to our earth. Some brands even use biodegradable packaging to match the eco-friendly value of their zero-waste hair care products.
3. How Long Does Homemade Shampoo Last?
Homemade or DIY, organic shampoo shelf-life depends on several factors, including DIY hair care ingredients. If you include tea tree oil, neem oil, or rosemary oil in making your natural shampoo, it may last a bit longer.
These ingredients contain antimicrobial and antifungal properties that inhibit fungal and bacterial growth in the product. Besides, they belong to natural preservatives you can add to your DIY organic shampoo to prolong its expiration date.
Without these preservatives, your homemade shampoo may only last about two weeks at max. You must also pay attention to the storage condition. Make sure you keep the area dry and cool to prevent microbial growth.
Recipes for Natural Shampoo
Now, it comes to the tips and simple step-by-step guide on how to make natural shampoo. Actually, making homemade shampoo is relatively easy. The most important thing is paying attention to your needs, such as hair type and what ingredients you want to add to optimize the benefits of shampoo for your hair issues.
Talking about ingredients, we will discuss further in the following section. Check it out!
1. Ingredients for Natural Shampoo
There are several hero ingredients that we recommend for making homemade shampoo. One of the best is castile soap. It is a vegetable-oil-based soap that provides lathering properties for gentle cleansing. In addition, the soap can also effectively remove dirt on your scalp without leaving irritation.
Apart from castile soap, aloe vera is also a favorite ingredient in DIY organic shampoo. This plant has a transparent gel that has a slimy texture and is generally applied directly to the scalp to hydrate and thicken hair.
In fact, the gel contains acemannan, which functions as a soothing and hydrating agent. Not only that, but acemannan also works excellently to inhibit bacterial growth on the scalp, knowing it has antibacterial properties.
You can also add coconut milk and herbal extracts to moisturize, soften and make your hair less frizzy. Herbal extracts, like chamomile and calendula, can improve the conditioning effect on your hair even without using conditioner. Baking soda is also recommended for cleansing agents and balancing pH of your shampoo.
And suppose you want to give your homemade organic shampoo a pleasant aroma. In that case, you can add essential oils, such as lavender, rosemary, or peppermint. They are pretty gentle to your skin and give no overwhelming scents.
2. How To Make Basic Homemade Shampoo?
Some people prefer to make homemade shampoo instead of purchasing natural shampoo from the market. The reason is simply that they can make it from the materials needed according to the condition of their hair.
If you are one of those who like to experiment with making hair care, like DIY hair masks and DIY shampoos, we have a simple guide to do:
- Prepare the ingredients, like castile soap (bar or liquid), vegetable oil (coconut oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil), herbal extracts, and essential oils for fragrance.
- Take one one cup of herbal extracts or distilled water into a bowl. Then, add ¼ cup of liquid castile soap and mix it well. In case you choose bar castile soap, make sure it is dissolved well in the distilled water.
- Next, add one tbsp of vegetable oil to the mixture. We love to use coconut oil as it is more affordable but works excellently as moisturizer.
- After that, you can add essential oils, like lavender, if you want to make the product smell great. Then, mix it evenly.
- Lastly, transfer the homemade shampoo into a dry and clean bottle by using a funnel. Store it in a cool and dry area to prevent fungal and bacterial growth.
3. Homemade Shampoo for Hair Growth
The steps for making homemade shampoo for hair growth are actually similar to basic natural shampoos. It’s just that there are some additional ingredients as a nutrient booster for your scalp and hair roots to stimulate growth, like green tea.
The following are the steps in making homemade zero-waste hair care to promote hair growth:
- Prepare honey, green tea, liquid castile soap, aloe vera, olive oil, and essential oils (lavender or peppermint!).
- Add 2 tbsp of honey, ¼ cup of liquid castile soap, one tsp of olive oil and aloe vera. Then, mix all the ingredients well.
- Next, brew some tea leaves and set aside a half cup of the tea.
- After that, add the tea in the cup to the mixture and stir it well.
- For the finishing touch, add 5-10 drops of essential oils of your choice and blend it away with the mixture.
- Pour the shampoo into a bottle and voila! Apply the shampoo on wet hair. Don’t use the heat frequently to dry your hair as it can cause hair loss.
4. Homemade Shampoo for Sensitive Scalp
Those who have issues with sensitive scalp often have difficulty finding the right shampoo. Most hair products, including shampoos, on the market contain chemicals which actually make the itching sensation on the scalp worse.
For that reason, we would love to share one of the ancient shampoo recipes to solve this problem.
- Prepare a bowl, a whisk or spoon, and a container bottle.
- To the bowl, add one cup of liquid castile soap and ¼ cup of vegetable glycerin.
- Then, mix them well with a spoon or whisk you have.
- Next, pour one tsp of rice bran oil and 5 drops of essential oils. However, you can skip the essential oils if you have an allergy or are sensitive to it.
- After that, mix all the ingredients together before transferring into a container bottle.
- Lastly, store the bottle in a dry and cool place. You can keep it for a month in a shower room.
5. Shampoo for Hair Loss
How to make natural shampoo for hair loss? That’s easy! Nothing can beat aloe vera as the best main ingredient to thicken your hair, stimulate growth, and reduce hair loss. Therefore, we include this plant to make homemade shampoo for those who are dealing with hair loss. Check it out!
- Prepare a medium-sized bowl.
- Add ½ cup liquid castile soap into the bowl.
- Then, add ½ cup aloe vera and 4 tbsp of almond oil. Mix all the ingredients evenly.
- Next, add ½ cup of water to dissolve all the ingredients. Mix them thoroughly again using a spoon or whisk.
- Finally, pour the mixture into a bottle. Use it when your hair is wet. Avoid covering your hair while it is wet. Also, minimize using heat treatment, like curling or hair-drying.
- Additional info: You can add fragrance, like essential oils, after the water.
Best Natural Shampoo Products
One of the most appropriate ways for folks who have no time to deal with natural ingredients or reading tips on how to make natural shampoo is to buy it. Nonetheless, you must pay attention to the needs of your hair first before deciding to buy a product.
Instead of sourcing the websites, we’ve curated the five best natural shampoo products to help you with your hair issues. Let’s take a look!
1. PURA D’OR Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo & Conditioner
For those of you who experience dandruff or your scalp often itches due to product build up and excessive oil, PURA D’OR Apple Cider Vinegar is the answer to solving this problem.
This product contains ACV which has anti-microbial properties. Thus, it is great to reduce the itchiness. Not only that, ACV also makes your scalp healthier by balancing an alkaline pH due to exposure to chemicals. Besides, the acetic acid in ACV can smoothen the hair, making it manageable and less frizzy. Most importantly, the product is pretty cheap, costing $29.99 for a shampoo and conditioner.
Why We Love It:
It comes with a conditioner that can complement the shampoo, allowing the best result. The hypoallergenic products are also paraben and sulfate free, making them perfect choices for those with sensitive scalps.
What To Consider:
This product contains argan oil and castor oil. Some who are allergic to these oils must be aware of the ingredients and observe the reactions.
2. Tea Tree Shampoo for Men and Women
Dealing with dandruff is indeed frustrating. Mistakes in choosing shampoo can trigger this problem. But, you don’t have to worry since Tea Tree Shampoo will help you reduce the dandruff from your hair.
Tea tree oil itself is popular for its antimicrobial properties which can help reduce oily scalp. Moreover, it also has antifungal properties that can reduce stubborn dandruff. In addition, tea tree oil serves as a natural scent that isn’t overwhelming. To get this product, you only need to pay $ 11.95 for 8 oz!
Why We Love It:
It is suitable for men and women with almost all hair types, including color-treated hair, dry, oily, and normal ones. Also, the natural shampoo is pretty affordable for 8 oz.
What To Consider:
If you are a lover of hair care products with fragrances, this product may not suit your preference because it does not contain any essential oils other than tea tree oil.
3. Luv Me Care Rice Water Hair Growth Shampoo
Having healthy, volumizing hair may be the dream of many women to support their appearance. Unfortunately, hair loss causes thinning and flat hair which can reduce confidence. But with Luv Me Care Rice Water Hair Growth Shampoo, you can expect healthy hair growth.
With rice water, this shampoo is claimed to be able to stimulate hair growth. Thus, your hair will appear more voluminous and thicker. Besides, rice water has been included in ancient shampoo recipes for centuries to nourish, moisturize, and make hair soft and shiny. For these amazing benefits, you only need to spend $24.99 for 10 oz.
Why We Love It:
We love the fact that this shampoo features an ancient ingredient, the rice water, to promote healthier hair growth. Besides, it is infused with biotin to make the hair appear thicker.
What To Consider:
The product contains citrus fragrance. If you are sensitive to scents or allergic to specific essential oils, you must check on the ingredients before purchasing this shampoo.
4. FIRST BOTANY Anti Hair Loss Shampoo and Conditioner Set
This is another product to deal with hair loss: First Botany Anti Hair Loss Shampoo and Conditioner Set. As the name suggests, this hair care product comes in two pieces. They contain argan oil which functions to nourish and moisturize the scalp.
In addition, the antioxidants in argan oil also help stimulate the growth of hair follicles. Thus, it is the star ingredient in the shampoo to help you have healthier and thicker hair growth. Moreover, argan oil also protects your hair from UV damage, especially in summer. Meanwhile, shea butter soothes your scalp from irritation caused by using chemical shampoos. In addition, you can buy them for $24.98, relatively affordable for two products.
Why We Love It:
This product comes in one set, making it easy for you to switch from chemical to natural ones since you don’t have to seek for conditioner to complement the shampoo. In addition, the combination of argan oil and shea butter is helpful to help promote hair growth while protecting the scalp from irritation and UV exposure. They are also suitable for all hair types.
What To Consider:
Some people may have allergy reactions to argan oil. Make sure to check the ingredients or talk to your doctor prior to buying this product.
5. Tree To Tub Lavender Dry Hair Shampoo For Sensitive Scalp
Suppose you are struggling to find a shampoo product that is suitable for sensitive scalps. In that case, we recommend trying Lavender Dry Hair Shampoo by Tree To Tub. This natural shampoo contains argan oil which nourishes the scalp with antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamins to promote healthy hair growth.
Not only that, but this hero ingredient also prevents brittle and dry hair by moisturizing and soothing your hair. Argan oil has also been used for a long time to promote hair follicles. No wonder you often find natural shampoo products that include this oil. To get this natural shampoo, you only need to spend $17.99 for 8.5 oz.
Why We Love It:
The shampoo is perfect for sensitive scalp, dry, treated, damaged, and normal hair. It also contains no sulfate, which is great for those who prefer no harsh chemical product. Besides argan oil, it also features aloe vera and chamomile to help heal your scalp and hair.
What To Consider:
In case you are sensitive to essential oils or even have allergy reactions to them, you better check the ingredients since the product contains lavender oil as the fragrance.
Tips for Using Natural Homemade Shampoo
After knowing various recipes on how to make natural shampoo at home, we understand that you might be excited to formulate one. Nonetheless, no matter how good the ingredients you include in your homemade natural shampoo, they won’t work great if you don’t use them properly.
The first thing you need to pay attention to is testing your homemade shampoo on a specific area of your body. It is crucial to know whether you are allergic or sensitive to specific ingredients. We recommend doing a patch test behind your ear and observing your skin’s response. If there is no itching or redness, you are good to go.
Apart from that, you better apply the shampoo thoroughly on your scalp and hair. You can try massaging your hand gently. Take as much time as needed to absorb the star ingredients properly. Furthermore, we recommend adding conditioner to your routine if your hair type is dry. It will provide extra moisture to soothe and detangle your hair.
And finally, be consistent. As with other skincare or haircare, shampoo must be used regularly to get the best results. The frequency for showering is about 3 times a week, depending on your activities and hair type.
Tips To Maintain Hair and Scalp Health
Taking care of hair and scalp is actually quite easy. You only need to wash it regularly, about three times a week, to remove dirt, dust, and build-up products from your scalp and hair. Then, use gentle shampoos and conditioners with no sulfates, parabens, or other harsh chemicals, which can increase the risk of irritation to the scalp. Consider applying a conditioner to add extra moisture if your hair is dry.
Moreover, don’t use heat treatments too often, such as brushing, curling, or drying your hair with a hair dryer. Those treatments will reduce the moisture in your hair, resulting in frizzy and brittle hair. You can also wear a hat or scarf to protect your hair from UV and scorching sun. In addition, avoid chemical treatments, such as using hair dyes, relaxers, and perms which can damage hair.
And the most important thing is to maintain the diet and manage stress. Stress can cause severe hair loss to baldness. Meanwhile, you can start consuming more fruits and vegetables, which are rich in vitamins and minerals, to help maintain your hair and overall health.
Final Thoughts
You can be creative in formulating ingredients to make natural shampoos. However, you must consider scalp and hair conditions in order to get the best results. In addition, choose elements that you don’t have allergic and sensitive reactions to. We recommend adding no fragrance to your homemade shampoo if you are sensitive to essential oils. While DIY organic shampoo is an excellent pick to solve your hair problems, hair care is also crucial. Both must go hand in hand so that your hair can grow healthier as you expect.
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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can natural shampoo damage hair?
As the name implies, natural shampoo, or organic shampoo, is a product made from herbal ingredients with little to no chemicals. Some of the ingredients that are often used in herbal shampoo recipes are aloe vera, tea tree oil, chamomile, honey, and apple cider vinegar. These natural ingredients are gentler for all skin types, including sensitive ones.
Hence, people prefer organic shampoo to deal with sensitive scalps. While the chance of damaging hair is lower, natural shampoos still have the potential to cause hair issues if the formulation is improper. These natural hair cleansers usually contain essential oils, including lavender oil, peppermint oil, and rosemary oil, which may be harsh for sensitive skin.
What is the healthiest way to wash your hair?
Getting healthy natural hair is everyone’s dream, especially women. Unfortunately, not many know how to properly wash the hair and maximize the function of natural hair cleansers to make them look healthier and thicker. For that reason, you can follow this simple step-by-step to wash your hair:
- Wet your hair evenly and thoroughly. Make sure there’s no dry part to easily dissolve the hair product into your hair.
- Use sulfate-free, plant-based hair care. Choose the one that is free of harsh chemicals, like sulfate, parabens, and synthetic fragrances. Then, apply it to your hair.
- Gently massage your scalp. It is better to ensure the shampoo is well absorbed into your scalp and hair. Use your fingertips to make circular motions while massaging the skin.
- Rinse the hair and scalp thoroughly. You can use your fingertips again to massage while showering. It is helpful for removing residual shampoo on the scalp that may trigger dandruff.
- Dry your hair with a dry towel. We recommend drying the hair naturally without using a hairdryer which may damage your hair.
Can you use aloe vera as shampoo?
Aloe vera is often the main ingredient in homemade shampoo bars and recipes. This plant has a slimy and transparent gel. The gel contains acemannan, a polysaccharide that provides hydration, scalp soothing, hair growth stimulation, and serves antibacterial properties. Apart from acemannan, aloe vera also contains other beneficial chemicals, which are continuous with acemannan to help nourish your hair and scalp.
Do natural shampoos still clean the hair?
If you are interested in natural shampoos but are still determining whether or not they can make healthy natural hair, worry no more. These plant-based hair care products contain active ingredients that can remove dirt, dust, excess oil, and build-up dandruff from the scalp. So, they will surely clean your hair. And the plus is that they are less harsh than shampoos on the market, making them perfect for those with sensitive scalps.
Can you put aloe vera in your hair everyday?
Basically, aloe vera is safe to use every day. However, it highly depends on the hair type. If you have an oily scalp, adding aloe vera to your daily hair care may cause greasy hair. Your hair may also weigh down as a result of excess hydration. Hence, it is better to use it mildly, like twice a week, and observe how the aloe vera works on your hair and scalp. Don’t forget to rinse thoroughly to remove the gel from the scalp.
Why is my hair greasy after using natural shampoo?
Whether you use homemade shampoo bars or buy natural shampoo from the market, you must consider your hair type. Otherwise, you may find your hair turns greasy after using natural shampoo. Apart from that, greasy hair can also be caused by excessive product build-up when you don’t rinse your hair thoroughly. In addition, this issue may arise due to the transition from chemical products to organic shampoos. Thus, your hair takes time to adapt.
Do you need conditioner if you use natural shampoo?
Even though adding conditioner is not a must, it is recommended to use conditioner with natural shampoo. The combination will soothe, moisten, and nourish your hair, making it easier to style and reducing frizz. However, make sure to choose conditioners that complement the shampoo ingredients and match your hair types to get the maximum benefits.