This is the best homemade shampoo bar! Made with cocoa butter, vitamin E oil, essential oils, and a melt and pour soap base.
MELT AND POUR SHAMPOO BAR
I recently posted a melt and pour soap bar and mentioned that it was so fun to make and somewhat addicting. Immediately I wanted to learn how to make a shampoo bar. I have always wanted to experiment with a shampoo bar recipe, but just like the soap, I was scared away.
The idea of using lye and all the special equipment sounded daunting to me. So I decided to try a melt and pour shampoo bar and needless to say, I was very impressed. This is the best shampoo bar recipe because it is so easy, and it actually works.
If you are new to natural shampoo and conditioner, your hair may need a little time to adjust. Having dry shampoo on hand can make the transition a little easier.
PIN IT FOR LATER
SHAMPOO BAR FOR NATURAL HAIR
Shampoo bars are similar to a soap bar and can be used to wash your hair. They can be very moisturizing which is great for damaged hair. You can make these several different ways and customize them to fit your hair type.
I am going to be using a melt and pour soap base in this recipe. If you have dry or damaged hair, you may want to try shea butter, honey, or a coconut milk soap base.
Both glycerin and goat milk melt and pour soap base are great for healthy normal hair.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure HERE.
As you can see, there are lots of options when choosing a soap base. All of them will work similarly, and the recipe will remain the same. Depending on your hair type will determine which soap base works best for you.
Cut the soap base into small chunks and place them into a double boiler.
Add in cocoa butter.
Melt over medium heat. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon.
Remove from heat. Add in olive oil, vitamin E oil, and essential oils.
Stir to combine all ingredients.
Pour into a soap mold.
Allow it to completely harden and then pop the soap out of the mold.
ORGANIC SHAMPOO BAR INGREDIENTS
Melt and Pour Soap Base
Melt and pour soap bases make a great option for easy soap making. It is as easy as it sounds! You literally melt the base and pour it into the mold.
Now, if you are wondering why not just use the base as is, I will tell you! Once it is melted, you have the option of adding in more ingredients that can benefit your hair. And this makes it very easy to customize your shampoo bar the way you want.
Cocoa Butter
You may notice that I like to sneak this ingredient into almost all my DIY products, and that is probably why I am tempted to eat things like my homemade lip balm and body butter. This stuff is amazing for the skin, hair, and makes for delicious chocolates.
Cocoa butter is extremely moisturizing for the skin and works well at conditioning the hair. It provides shine, protects against split ends, and softens hair.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is somewhat popular in soap bars and can be found in my lard soap recipe. It is excellent for adding moisture to dry damaged hair, protecting against split ends, and leaving the scalp healthy. This is a great shampoo add-in, especially if you suffer from dandruff or extremely dry hair.
Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E oil is incredible for hair and skin. It will leave hair soft and promote a beautiful shine. It too will add moisturizing properties and protect hair from split ends.
Essential Oils
I love adding essential oils to all my soaps, skincare and hair care products. Not only do they add a pleasant aroma, but they also add a lot of benefits.
Listed below are the best essential oils for hair and several blends to try in these shampoo bars.
BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR HAIR
The best part about making your own hair care products or skincare products is that you can customize it the way you want. In this recipe, you can choose your soap base and the essential oils you want to add.
Lavender and rosemary are two of my favorites for hair because they can help to strengthen, lengthen, and thicken the hair. They can help to treat dry hair, as well as overly oily hair, and can help prevent split ends.
Other essential oils that are good for the hair include:
Sandalwood
Peppermint
Frankincense
Wild orange
Lemongrass
Bergamont
Tea tree
ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS FOR SHAMPOO BAR
This recipe calls for 25-50 drops of essential oils. This is a large range because it really depends on your personal preference. Some people like a strong scent, and others prefer little to no scent.
This can be the fun part! Use one essential oil or a blend of oils in this homemade shampoo bar.
HEALTHY HAIR
Rosemary
Lavender
Peppermint
BEST BLEND FOR MEN
Sandalwood
Bergamot
Lemongrass
BEST BLEND FOR WOMEN
Lavender
Clary sage
Wild orange
Lime
BEST BLEND FOR CHILDREN
Lavender
Roman Chamomile
WASHING HAIR WITH BAR SOAP
Use your hands to massage it into the scalp and hair. Let it sit for a couple of minutes before washing it out with warm water. After washing your hair with a shampoo bar, condition the hair with a natural conditioner.
HOW LONG DO DIY SHAMPOO BARS LAST?
If stored in an airtight container, these melt and pour shampoo bars can last up to one year.
If you make a large batch at a time, be sure to store the ones you are not using in an airtight container to preserve longer.
NOTE: Rosemary essential oil is a natural preservative and can be used in the bars to extend shelf life.
Love your recipe! How much citric acid should I add in to lower the pH? My melt and pour base is super basic. Also I have very dry hair, can I add in more olive oil? Or would that ruin the bar?
First time using this recipe. all of the oils seem to float to the top when I pour into the mold. I did half goats milk and half shea butter soap bases.
Hi
Just made your recipe, I only made a quarter of the amount as just testing it out. They came out great but can’t get much larger from them. Can you think why? I substituted cocoa for Shea as couldn’t get any.
Thanks
Amy
Hi I just made ur soap bars they turned out nice but was wondering what could I add to make it more soapy? Could I add perhaps a teaspoon of dr bronners Castile soap?
I’m having a really hard time finding out what soap base might be good to use for oily hair?? I was hoping maybe you would have a suggestion. Can’t wait to try this😊 thanks in advance and thanks for the recipe!
After reading comments on conditioner bar you posted I am going to make and use both the diy shampoo and conditioner bars. People mentioned a residue. I need that since my hair is dry extra thick and curly. Thankls so much for posting! I cannot wait to get these made and try them both! It is ironic for some a residue is bad. But I pay a lot of money for products like Carol’s Daughters hair products to get an extra moistening and softening my hair so badly needs.
I think the residue people are mentioning here, is a wax residue, which you probably won’t like. That will make your hair feel heavier and even dryer. So, the ACV will remove some of that residue.
Hi Laura, thank you so much for these recipes! I’m new to natural shampoo and conditioner bars, and have just made this shampoo bar (I used african black soap as a base, as I had some left over) as well as your conditioner bar (https://www.ouroilyhouse.com/homemade-conditioner-bars/). I’ll be trying the ACV rinse too.
My question is, aside from using dry shampoo, do you have any recommendations for a newbie in regards to the order/routine for getting through the transition period? Such as, using only the shampoo for a few weeks, before adding in the conditioner. Or using both off the bat, and giving it a few weeks. Or even using ACV in the middle, or at the end of using both? I’m thinking of trying the shampoo and conditioner together and hanging in there for a few weeks, but I do have quite fine, flat, dry hair and I’m not sure about the best way to get it used to all the changes!
Thank you in advance 🙂
Isobel
I am so glad you are enjoying my recipes! Definitely start with the shampoo, most hair types don’t need conditioner. Also, doing an ACV after washing is very helpful! I do have a youtube video all about this that may help you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIRjSkfHN7Y
Question? How can I convert I have one pound of honey melt and pour soap base and 5 ounces of goats milk soap base. How can I make shampoo bars using these to ingredients. How much of what? So as not to over use one or the other. Thank you.
I’ve made the bars using this recipe, they clean my hair well but there are no suds. You mention in the article adding vegetable glycerine for more suds. I want to reheat my bars to melt them down, how much vegetable glycerine would I add? Thanks for any help!
I have very short hair that is thick, and it tends to be oily. I was wondering if I could replace the olive oil in the shampoo bar with jajoba or FCO or even if there was a way to make a cleansing conditioner bar and just have one instead of 2 in the shower since I also have bars for my face and body.
I am 75 and have thinning hair and lose quit a bit when I shampoo and brush. My hair use to be thick and coarse, now is grey and lot of white I was told by beautician to use tea tree shampoo bu great clips. I also used their conditioner but my hair gets so slippery I can’t put rollers in, and get itch scalp. So having been using a vinegar rinse that helps the itching. My daughter sell Doteera essential oils and we were going to try making a shampoo that would help with hair loss. I saw a post on bar shampoos and read about all the waste of bottled shampoos and thought that sounded intriguing. So I was wondering what bar base and essential oils you would recommend that would help my hair loss and help correct my oily, flaky scalp. I appreciate your time. Thanks for this post. It is very much appreciated.
I’m a single mom no income no foodstamps no stimulus no child support and I’m making my own company with what I have…. I have all molds and some oils… I need HELP FAST plz any supplies needed to make shampoo bars conditioner bars, soaps, bath bombs, shower steamers, lotion bars, body butter! I have less than two weeks!!
This is my first time making and using a homemade shampoo and it made my hair weird. Once it started to dry it became almost sticky. Sticky isnt the right word for it, it was just hard to run my hands through it. Almost like right after I get it highlighted. Can you tell me if there is something I did wrong? I used goat milk base, cocoa butter, olive oil and vitamin e oil, and rosemary essential oil.
This shampoo bar really is great. It took about a month’s time for my hair to adjust – just like Laura said. I finally have shampoo with ingredients that I can feel good about using on my family. Thank you Laura!
I love shampoo bars & would like to make my own, but I use one that has purple on it to brighten grey hair. What would I need to add to replicate this please?
Ingrid says
I am looking for a melt and pour recipe for a bar of soap to wash dishes with. Do you have one?
Laura says
I don’t but now I am going to make one! I am obsessed with melt and pour!
Gertrude Emily says
I love melt and pour as well O had never knew that I would be making my own soap bars. I love and enjoy!
Amanda says
Hi
I would love to make this shampoo bar, how many bars will the ingredients make ? I could not see this.
King regards
Amanda
Laura says
It will make 5 bars if you are using the same molds as I am, which are linked in my bog post.
Carly Stella says
How many ounces are in your molds?
Laura says
Here are the specs off amazon: Cavity size:3.1″x2.2″x1″, It can hold 110g water. Net weight(gram): 175g.
Meredith says
Hi!
Love your recipe! How much citric acid should I add in to lower the pH? My melt and pour base is super basic. Also I have very dry hair, can I add in more olive oil? Or would that ruin the bar?
Julie says
Can you use Shea Butter instead of cocoa? Do the melt and pour soaps have different ingredients for different hair types?
Laura says
Yes and yes! I talk about it a little in the post.
Sandy says
I’m allergic to coconut. Do you know of a good melt and pour that doesn’t have coconut in it? (coconut is known by so many other names)
Laura says
You can look at a goats milk soap base. I have several soap bases listed.
Nicola says
First time using this recipe. all of the oils seem to float to the top when I pour into the mold. I did half goats milk and half shea butter soap bases.
Lade says
How do I get the base soaps pls? This is all new to me!
Laura says
I get them on amazon and they are linked in my post!
Nancy says
Hi I was wondering have u ever used infused oils? If so do you know how much I can add to this recipe? Thanks
Laura says
I have made infused roller bottles before but never for a recipe like this.
Stephanie Desjardins says
if the consistency is the same then you should use the same safe percentile as regular essential oils
Amy says
Hi
Just made your recipe, I only made a quarter of the amount as just testing it out. They came out great but can’t get much larger from them. Can you think why? I substituted cocoa for Shea as couldn’t get any.
Thanks
Amy
Laura says
That really depends on the soap base you used? I am glad they turned out great for you!!
Nancy says
Hi I just made ur soap bars they turned out nice but was wondering what could I add to make it more soapy? Could I add perhaps a teaspoon of dr bronners Castile soap?
Laura says
Yes, you can or you can add vegetable glycerin!
Stephanie Desjardins says
You could also add-in some foaming Apple, which is derived from amino acids obtained from apple juice.
Nicole says
I’m having a really hard time finding out what soap base might be good to use for oily hair?? I was hoping maybe you would have a suggestion. Can’t wait to try this😊 thanks in advance and thanks for the recipe!
Denise says
Do you have any suggestions to substitute cocoa butter? I’m interested in making dog shampoo- so I don’t want the cocoa smell
Laura says
Mango or shea butter
Tamorah J Baugh says
After reading comments on conditioner bar you posted I am going to make and use both the diy shampoo and conditioner bars. People mentioned a residue. I need that since my hair is dry extra thick and curly. Thankls so much for posting! I cannot wait to get these made and try them both! It is ironic for some a residue is bad. But I pay a lot of money for products like Carol’s Daughters hair products to get an extra moistening and softening my hair so badly needs.
Laura says
I am so glad that you are enjoying my recipes! Everyones has different hair types so it is hard to say what will work for everyone!
Stephanie Desjardins says
I think the residue people are mentioning here, is a wax residue, which you probably won’t like. That will make your hair feel heavier and even dryer. So, the ACV will remove some of that residue.
Paulina Alejandra Sanchez Gaete says
I read you can’t use soap base for shampoo bars because with the time your hair will damage, for the Ph of the soap base. it’s true?
Stephanie Desjardins says
You need to make sure to get the detergent free soap bases.
The SLS in some soap bases will damage the hair more than anything else.
Sofia says
How many grams of soap you get from this recipe?
Sharon A Weeks says
Love ALL the information and the recipe as I’m new with shampoo bars!
Isabelle says
How long do the bars take to set? For both the shampoo and conditioner bars?
Laura says
That really depends on the size of the mold you use, typically 24 to 48 hours.
Isobel says
Hi Laura, thank you so much for these recipes! I’m new to natural shampoo and conditioner bars, and have just made this shampoo bar (I used african black soap as a base, as I had some left over) as well as your conditioner bar (https://www.ouroilyhouse.com/homemade-conditioner-bars/). I’ll be trying the ACV rinse too.
My question is, aside from using dry shampoo, do you have any recommendations for a newbie in regards to the order/routine for getting through the transition period? Such as, using only the shampoo for a few weeks, before adding in the conditioner. Or using both off the bat, and giving it a few weeks. Or even using ACV in the middle, or at the end of using both? I’m thinking of trying the shampoo and conditioner together and hanging in there for a few weeks, but I do have quite fine, flat, dry hair and I’m not sure about the best way to get it used to all the changes!
Thank you in advance 🙂
Isobel
Laura says
I am so glad you are enjoying my recipes! Definitely start with the shampoo, most hair types don’t need conditioner. Also, doing an ACV after washing is very helpful! I do have a youtube video all about this that may help you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIRjSkfHN7Y
Emanda S Gnacinski says
How many bars did this make?
Heather says
Question? How can I convert I have one pound of honey melt and pour soap base and 5 ounces of goats milk soap base. How can I make shampoo bars using these to ingredients. How much of what? So as not to over use one or the other. Thank you.
Donna J says
I’ve made the bars using this recipe, they clean my hair well but there are no suds. You mention in the article adding vegetable glycerine for more suds. I want to reheat my bars to melt them down, how much vegetable glycerine would I add? Thanks for any help!
Laura says
I would add 1 teaspoon.
Maygan says
I have very short hair that is thick, and it tends to be oily. I was wondering if I could replace the olive oil in the shampoo bar with jajoba or FCO or even if there was a way to make a cleansing conditioner bar and just have one instead of 2 in the shower since I also have bars for my face and body.
Carolyn Knutson says
I am 75 and have thinning hair and lose quit a bit when I shampoo and brush. My hair use to be thick and coarse, now is grey and lot of white I was told by beautician to use tea tree shampoo bu great clips. I also used their conditioner but my hair gets so slippery I can’t put rollers in, and get itch scalp. So having been using a vinegar rinse that helps the itching. My daughter sell Doteera essential oils and we were going to try making a shampoo that would help with hair loss. I saw a post on bar shampoos and read about all the waste of bottled shampoos and thought that sounded intriguing. So I was wondering what bar base and essential oils you would recommend that would help my hair loss and help correct my oily, flaky scalp. I appreciate your time. Thanks for this post. It is very much appreciated.
Laura says
Rosemary and lavender are both great for that! Check out this post: https://www.ouroilyhouse.com/10-best-essential-oils-for-hair/
Carolyn Knutson says
which base would you recommend. Thank you for the recommendations for oils.
Ann hart says
I’m a single mom no income no foodstamps no stimulus no child support and I’m making my own company with what I have…. I have all molds and some oils… I need HELP FAST plz any supplies needed to make shampoo bars conditioner bars, soaps, bath bombs, shower steamers, lotion bars, body butter! I have less than two weeks!!
Heather Johnson says
This is my first time making and using a homemade shampoo and it made my hair weird. Once it started to dry it became almost sticky. Sticky isnt the right word for it, it was just hard to run my hands through it. Almost like right after I get it highlighted. Can you tell me if there is something I did wrong? I used goat milk base, cocoa butter, olive oil and vitamin e oil, and rosemary essential oil.
Laura says
It can take your hair a while (mine took a month) to get adjusted to natural shampoo. Try an apple cider vinegar rinse.
Mary says
This shampoo bar really is great. It took about a month’s time for my hair to adjust – just like Laura said. I finally have shampoo with ingredients that I can feel good about using on my family. Thank you Laura!
Laura says
I am so glad you are loving it! Thanks for sharing!
Debbie Miller says
I am going to try! Your photos are beautiful…did you use glycerine base for the bars in the photos. Did you use any coloring? Thanks!
Laura says
Yes, it is the glycerin base. Thank you so much!
Darlene says
can you add Goat Milk to shampoo bars ?
I have someone wanting that kind.
Im new to all this .
Ty for your time.
Darlene
Laura says
Yes, you can!
Madhuri says
If we use Sheabutter melt and pour base than do we need to add butter to the shampoo bar
Laura says
No you do not.
Sue says
I love shampoo bars & would like to make my own, but I use one that has purple on it to brighten grey hair. What would I need to add to replicate this please?