As you walk down the hair care aisle of your local pharmacy, you might wonder why anyone would go through the trouble of making homemade shampoo. There are so many options on the market today in brightly colored bottles and iwth attractive marketing pitches to convince you they are the best possible product. But unfortunately, commercially produced shampoo is often packed with questionable chemicals that come with health warnings and cause potential damage to your hair.
If you’re interested in going more natural with your hair care routine, here are some suggestions for homemade and all-natural shampoo recipes for various hair types.
DIY Shampoo for Dry Hair
If you shampoo your hair often, live in a dry climate, or simply have naturally dry hair, you need a shampoo that is extra hydrating and adds a layer of protection. Try this simple recipe for dry hair, or you can skip the olive oil ingredient if you have oily-to-normal hair.
INGREDIENTS:
- ¼ cup liquid castile soap
- ½ cup canned coconut milk
- ½ tsp. extra virgin olive oil
- About 15 drops of mint or lavender essential oil
DIRECTIONS:
- Combine the ingredients in an old washed-out shampoo bottle
- Shake the mixture well and also before each use
- Apply about a tablespoon of the shampoo to your hair with each use
- Continue to use until it’s gone or for about a month (then toss out and make a new batch)
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DIY Shampoo for Oily Hair
On the flip side, you can make specialized shampoo for oily hair if you find yourself dealing with greasy strands at the end of the day rather than dryness. This clarifying shampoo recipe is also great to try if you use a lot of gel, hairspray, or other styling products that build up in hair throughout the day. This is a good recipe to use only every other wash because the baking soda can be drying.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tbsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
- 10 drops almond oil
- 2 drops lemon juice
DIRECTIONS:
- Combine the ingredients in an old washed-out shampoo bottle
- Shake the mixture well and also before each use
- Apply enough shampoo to cover your hair and allow to sit for 3 minutes before rinsing out
- Rinse out shampoo and follow with conditioner
DIY Shampoo for Dandruff
Many people are hesitant to try DIY shampoo recipes because they have a scalp condition, such as dandruff. Here is a dandruff shampoo recipe that takes about 15 minutes to make and contains all-natural ingredients.
INGREDIENTS:
- 4 oz. liquid castile soap
- 1 oz. water
- 1 oz. melted coconut oil
- 1 oz. melted shea butter
- About 15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
DIRECTIONS:
- Combine the ingredients in an old washed-out shampoo bottle
- Shake the mixture well and also before each use
- Pour shampoo into hands and apply liberally to hair and scalp
- Allow shampoo to sit on hair for about 2 minutes
- Rinse out thoroughly while avoiding contact with the eyes