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.
BEST SOAP BASE FOR HOMEMADE SHAMPOO BARS
Shea butter melt and pour soap base
Organic oil clear glycerin soap base
Goats milk melt and pour soap base
Coconut milk melt and pour soap base
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.
HOW TO MAKE A SHAMPOO BAR
INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
- 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 can add a lot of moisture to dry damaged hair, protect against split ends, and leave 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 natural 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.
How to Make a Shampoo Bar
Materials
- 1 pound melt and pour soap base
- 2 tablespoons cocoa butter
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons vitamin E oil
- 25-50 drops essential oils
Instructions
- 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.
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!
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.
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!
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!