How to Make a Shampoo Bar

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 recipe 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 homemade natural shampoos and homemade conditioner, your hair may need a little time to adjust. This DIY works rather well right away, but if needed, you can always incorporate a DIY dry shampoo to make the transition a little easier. 

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SHAMPOO BAR FOR NATURAL HAIR

Shampoo bars are similar to your typical soap bar, such as this homemade olive oil soap bar, yet they are meant for 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 normal hair. 

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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 

Honey 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

• Melt and pour soap base 
• Cocoa butter
• Olive oil
• Vitamin E oil
• Essential oils
• Silicone soap mold 

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Cut the soap base into small chunks and place them into a double boiler.
2. Add in cocoa butter. 
3. Melt over medium heat. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon. 
4. Remove from heat. Add in olive oil, vitamin E oil, and essential oils. 
5. Stir to combine all ingredients. 
6. Pour into a soap mold. 
7. 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, which is probably why I am tempted to eat things like my homemade lip balm and homemade 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 soaps, especially my glycerin soap bar recipe, because of the beautiful fragrance it provides.

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 them 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 them longer. 

NOTE: Rosemary essential oil is a natural preservative and can be used in the bars to extend shelf life. 

Be sure to try an apple cider hair rinse after shampooing for more additional benefits.

How to Make a Shampoo Bar

Laura Ascher

This is the best homemade shampoo bar! Made with cocoa butter, vitamin E oil, essential oils, and a melt and pour soap base.

4.45 from 144 votes

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Project Type Soap Bars

Category Hair Care

Create ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Active Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Yield 5 bars

Equipment

• ▢
  soap molds I use silicone molds

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 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.

Video

Notes

Once the bars have hardened, remove them from the molds and let them sit on their ends for 48 hours before using.

Refer to the video instructions for visual reference.

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This recipe is for your own viewing pleasure and is not meant for healing purposes. Readers must perform their own research and tests before making any recipe.