Learn how to make an all-natural shampoo with this simple recipe and video tutorial using essential oils. 
Making your own shampoo can be a very simple DIY project. Learn how to make an all-natural shampoo with this simple recipe using essential oils. You can also customize the recipe to make it even more beneficial for your specific hair type. Furthermore, essential oils can be used for scent as well as added benefits.
After trying a few natural shampoos, I decided to make my own because it is a whole lot cheaper! If you aren’t a DIYer, you can most definitely find natural recipes that work great, but not without a price tag. Once you start DIYing things within your home, you may get addicted. Just saying.
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HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE SHAMPOO
ALL-NATURAL SHAMPOO INGREDIENTS
- 1/4 cup water (can substitute the water for coconut milk)
- 1/4 cup castile soap (I use Dr. Bronner’s unscented.)
- 1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil (for dry hair, OPTIONAL)
- 10-15 drops of essential oils (I have my favorite blends listed below.)
HOW TO MAKE ALL-NATURAL SHAMPOO
- Mix together all the ingredients in a storage container. You can use an old shampoo bottle, foaming soap dispenser, or a mason jar.
- After getting hair wet, apply a quarter-size amount to the hair and lather in. This shampoo is thinner than the typical shampoo, but it does lather up a ton! After shampooing follow with all-natural conditioner.
- This shampoo will last for a month when stored in an airtight container.
ESSENTIAL OILS FOR ALL-NATURAL SHAMPOO 
MY FAVORITE SCENT
- 6 drops wild orange essential oil
- 5 drops lime essential oil
- 4 drops bergamot essential oil
- 2 drops peppermint essential oil
BLEND FOR HAIR LOSS
- 6 drops rosemary essential oil
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- 4 drops thyme essential oil
- 2 drops peppermint essential oil
BEST SCENT FOR MEN
- 6 drops lemongrass essential oil
- 4 drops sandalwood essential oil
- 4 drops melaleuca essential oil
- 2 drops bergamot essential oil
Get my lemon cedar beard oil here.
BEST SCENT FOR CHILDREN
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- 3 drops roman chamomile essential oil
- 2 drops wild orange essential oil
Get my baby shampoo and body wash recipe here.
WHY HOMEMADE SHAMPOO?
Traditional shampoos are made up of a lot of ingredients you will want to avoid. They have ingredients that have been known to mimic estrogen, which will cause hormone imbalances. Ingredients that are known carcinogens, and ingredients that can also cause severe allergic reactions.
Plus, essential oils can be used for hair growth and help it to strengthen. I love using these same essential oils in serums, hair masks, and even hair spray.
MORE ON THE INGREDIENTS IN THE ALL-NATURAL SHAMPOO 
CASTILE SOAP
Castile soap is a very concentrated, vegetable-based soap. It is typically made out of olive oil or coconut oil. It has natural antibacterial properties that can help kill infections on the skin and is also known to help with skin imperfections, like acne.
Castile soap is a gentle soap that can be used on sensitive skin, and it is very beneficial for the face. You can buy scented or unscented castile soap, I prefer unscented, so I can scent it how I want with my essential oils.
JOJOBA OIL
Jojoba oil is very moisturizing and can protect the scalp against dry, flaky skin and dandruff. It is rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C, and zinc. All of which are amazing for the hair. If you have greasy hair, you can leave this out of the recipe. 
BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR THE HAIR
- Lavender– Studies have shown that lavender produces more hair follicles to help thicken and strengthen hair. Lavender has a beautiful floral smell that can promote calmness and reduce stress; stress can be the biggest reason for hair loss.
- Rosemary– Rosemary essential oil is the top oil for hair growth and thickness. It helps to treat dry hair as well as overly oily hair and can help prevent split ends.
- Melaleuca– Melaleuca promotes a healthy, clean-looking scalp. It can be used to help with a dry, itchy scalp and protect against lice.
- Cedarwood– This woodsy oil is excellent when you are making products for men because it has a very masculine scent. In fact, I use cedarwood in all the DIY products I make for my husband, and he approves. It stimulates hair follicles and increases circulation to the scalp making it a top oil for hair loss.
- Peppermint– Peppermint oil is known for the cooling effect it has on the skin when used topically and for its refreshing minty scent. Peppermint is also great for the hair as it promotes hair growth and thickness.
DURING THE TRANSITION
If you are used to a conventional shampoo, you may not like this all-natural shampoo in the beginning. It takes some getting used to for you and your hair. When you first start using a natural shampoo, you may notice your hair seems greasy or flat or fluffy or just not quite right.
Here is the thing: Regular shampoos and over-washing your hair can mess up the natural oil balance and pH levels in your scalp. Your scalp produces oils; this is a good thing. The oils help your hair to remain smooth as well as keeps your hair from drying out and breaking off. When you wash your hair, you remove these oils, and your scalp produces more oils, so the more you wash, the more oils your scalp is going to produce.
The less you wash your hair, and as your hair gets used to the new homemade shampoo, your oil levels will balance out. Promise! I used to be one of those people that had to wash my hair daily, and by the end of the day, it was already looking greasy. Now I only wash my hair twice a week, and it never gets greasy. It’s amazing!
DRY SHAMPOO 
While you are “training” your hair, dry shampoo can be your best friend! You can make your own dry shampoo powder or dry shampoo spray to help you during this transition.
PIN IT FOR LATER
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How to Make All Natural Shampoo
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup castile soap
- 1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil (for dry hair, OPTIONAL)
- 10-15 drops of essential oils
Instructions
- Mix together all the ingredients in a storage container. You can use an old shampoo bottle, foaming soap dispenser, or a mason jar.
- After getting hair wet, apply a quarter-size amount to the hair, and lather in.
Notes
This shampoo is thinner than the typical shampoo, but it does lather up a ton.
This shampoo will last for a month when stored in an airtight container.
Savanna says
I’m so excited to try this!! Once you have adjusted is there just no need for conditioner then?
lauraascher says
My hair is really fine and straight so I don’t need conditioner but I think some hair types might. I am working on a conditioner recipe now!
Shirley says
Was curious if there is an essential oil for grey hair.
I embrace my grey and would love to treat it kindly.
Laura says
Rosemary and lavender are the best for hair!
Kelin says
Great tutorial on making shampoo! Thanks for sharing
lauraascher says
You’re welcome! It is so simple and works great!
Susan says
I’ve really been wanting to try natural shampoo. This seems like a great recipe to start with. Thanks!
lauraascher says
You’re welcome!
Jayden says
I love this! I just bought an organic and all natural shampoo brand, but am definitely going to try this when I run out. And yessss, I used to have to wash my have EVERY day and it would get greasy by the end of the day. But switched to about 2-3 times a week and was so surprised when it just adjusted! And its much healthier now <3 thanks for the awesome post and tutorial I can't wait to give it a try.
lauraascher says
You’re welcome! I wish I would of learned about this earlier, I love that I don’t have to wash it as often and it looks so much better!
Misty says
I am already using toxin free shampoo, but it is not working on my daughter. I am going to make this soon to try for both of us!
YEN says
Thanks for this great natural recipe!! I have just started using essential oils due to their benefits and only have a few basic ones. I’m so glad to have found your page 🙂
Marisa says
Great recipe idea! Your favorite scent option sounds like it would smell so good!
lauraascher says
Thank you!
Hannah Witherwax says
I’m curious about what the benefits of using coconut milk in place of water are?
lauraascher says
It just makes a different texture and more like conditioner. Coconut milk has a lot of benefits for the hair, but some people don’t like it and prefer water.
Emily says
Do you still use conditioner as well?
lauraascher says
I am working on a homemade conditioner recipe now and will be posting it soon! My hair is really fine and straight so conditioner isn’t a must for me, but because I have had so many request I am working on it now!
Rosie says
Hello! Can Vegetable Glycerin be added in for a more lather type? I’ve been using the shampoo for a couple of weeks but it’s very liquidity.
lauraascher says
Yes it can! I add that into my baby wash and it does help with lather.
Tina says
Hi! How much glycerin should I add?
Thanks!
Laura says
One tablespoon
Kathleen says
From your article “How to Make All Natural Shampoo”, could you use xanthum gum to make the shampoo a little thicker?
Thank you!
lauraascher says
I have not tired that, but you can add glycerin to make it lather more and a little thicker. I will experiment with the xanthum gum.
Apri says
I know I use kosher salt to thick my dish soap so I’m sure you could add it in to this as well as I know they make salt body scrubs. Good luck!
Laura says
Thanks for the tip!
Rosalie says
I’m wondering why this mixture only lasts 1 month. I am the only user and very short hair so I’m sure I won’t use it all in one month. Of course I know I could make a half recipe, but I don’t want to be making it often either. What makes it spoil in one month?
lauraascher says
After doing some research I decided to put it at one month, I have personally had it longer and had no issues. I like to be overly cautions when telling my readers how long things lasts just to be safe.
Lindsay Cotter says
Excited to try this shampoo! Love how easy it is to make!
April says
Love this! I’m already making my own dish soap and laundry soup and dryer sheets. Just needed hand soap, shampoo and conditioner. Looking forward to trying this shampoo. Thanks so much!!!!!!
Laura says
That’s great! Glad you are replacing everything with more natural options!
Anna says
HI!! do you know if this can be used on color treated hair? Also what oils promote hair growth? My son who is so young has very fine hair and I would like to make this for him.? Blessings..Anna
Laura says
Castile soap—even though it’s chemical-free—can be harsh on dyed or highlighted hair, stripping follicles of color. To protect your colored hair, it’s probably best to stick with a color-safe shampoo.
Rosemary and lavender can be used to help promote hair growth.
Elaine says
Great tutorials! I think I will try it.
Do you have links for where you buy your products please?
Laura says
Thank you! Yes, everything is linked in the post.
wilhelmina says
This is such an informative and easy to follow guide. I love all of the options and your advice is invaluable! Thank you!
Ta Jauna Rhodes says
I was wondering if I wanted to thicken up the shampoo what could I use?
Laura says
Vegetable glycerin will thicken it a bit, you can add a tablespoon.
Angel says
Hi, I would love to try your all-natural shampoo with the essential oils. One thing that I’m wondering, I have newly rebonded hair, do you think it safe to apply on my hair? I am a bit skeptical about this. Please enlighten me. Let me share another post that I found recently, perhaps it may help those who seek for hair DIY conditioner, my friends used this as well I hope it helps the others too, https://juvetress.com/shampoo-recipes/
Jelsey S says
Hi Laura. How does this work on your husband’s hair? I know you’ve mentioned that he has curly hair compared to your straight hair. Or I can’t remember if it was the body wash or shampoo you mentioned that you both use… I have curly and thick hair and I am really interested in this shampoo. Could you tell me what I could add or do to make it more for curly hair? Thank you.
Myranda says
Hello!
I just used this recipe last night and it left my hair with a waxy film on it. It was not brushable, a tangled mess, and I couldn’t even blow dry it. I had to use my old shampoo to wash it out. Do you recommend anything to combat this?
Laura says
I will say that it can take a little time for your hair to get used to natural shampoos, I talk a little bit about this in the post.It took my hair several washes before my hair adjusted. Mine didn’t get tangling, but it felt greasy. Now it works perfect!
Michelle says
I just made this all-natural shampoo today! It was so much fun making the recipe. So I just want to say that I just shampooed for the first time with it and I experienced less hair shedding during the shampoo. Usually there’s a lot of strands but not with this! I also made your leave-in conditioner and once my hair towel dries some I will apply it. Like you’ve mentioned, it didn’t have a lather. I have long hair and I may have used too much but we will see lol I will comment again once I complete this new shampoo/conditioner regime. Can’t wait! Thank you so much for sharing this. So great!
Laura says
YAY! I am so glad you are making your own and trying natural solutions. Glad you liked it!
Nancy says
Hi excited to try out this shampoo but I have a question I want to add lavender oil, rosemary oil and cedar wood oil how much of each oil for this recipe? Also how often can this shampoo be used? Thanks
Laura says
I would do about 5 drops of each. I wash my hair twice a week.
Alan says
I made my shampoo, using your recipe. It works great, have to give it a few more tries to see what happens .
Laura says
I am glad you like it!
Madelene says
I would exclude the water. Not so runny and it would last longer (before it spoils).
Nadira says
Thanks great recipe
Laura says
Thank you!
Kendra says
Would this be suitable for a sensitive and oily scalp?
Laura says
You can add in lemon for oily scalp.