A great way to cut down on toxins in the home is by making your own shampoo. This all-natural shampoo is made with castile soap, essential oils, and jojoba oil. All of which can help restore damaged hair, hydrate your strands, and help to replenish natural oils.
Making your own homemade shampoo can be a very simple DIY project that will help restore your hair and promote hair growth. With a combination of castile soap, water, and essential oils, you can make an all-natural shampoo for any hair type.
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. Another great option for your hair that is cost-effective would be shampoo bars. Shampoo bars can be very moisturizing, which is great for dry, damaged hair.
Ready to get toxins out of your home? Grab my ebook with my favorite DIY all-natural products.
WHY MAKE YOUR OWN SHAMPOO?
Traditional shampoos are made up of a lot of ingredients you will want to avoid. They generally contain 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 to strengthen and help with hair growth. I love using these same essential oils in serums, hair masks, and even hair sprays.
WHAT ARE THE BEST INGREDIENTS FOR DIY SHAMPOO?
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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, such as 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 it scented or unscented; I prefer unscented because I will be adding essential oils in this recipe.
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 vitamins A, B, and C, as well as zinc. All of which are amazing for the hair. If you have greasy hair, you can leave this out of the recipe.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils can be very beneficial for the hair. Lavender and rosemary essential oil can be used to thicken, strengthen, and lengthen hair. Other oils like sandalwood or cedarwood can stimulate hair follicles and help with hair loss.
Adding essential oils to your homemade shampoo will also add scent without synthetic fragrances.
- Lavender– Studies have shown that lavender produces more hair follicles to help thicken and strengthen hair. Lavender has a beautiful floral scent 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.
- Tea Tree– Tea Tree 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 prevention.
- 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.
HOW TO MAKE 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
- Add the water, castile soap, and jojoba oil to a glass container. (Use an old shampoo bottle, foaming soap dispenser, or a mason jar)
- Add in essential oils. (I used wild orange, lime, bergamot, and peppermint)
- Thoroughly mix ingredients.
NOTES:
-
- This shampoo is thinner than typical shampoo, but it does lather up a ton! Be sure to follow up with an all-natural conditioner.
- This shampoo will last for a month when stored in an airtight container.
BEST ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS 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 recipe 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.
HOW TO TRANSITION TO NATURAL SHAMPOO
If you are used to conventional shampoo, you may not like this homemade 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, flat, fluffy, or just not quite right.
Regular shampoos and over-washing your hair will alter 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 keep 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!
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.
TIPS FOR THICKENING HOMEMADE SHAMPOO
- Add in arrowroot powder or cornstarch to naturally thicken your shampoo. Start with 1/2 of a teaspoon and add more until the desired thickness is reached.
- Oat flour can be used to thicken homemade shampoo. Make your own oat flour by blending up oatmeal in a blender until it has the consistency of flour. Add a small amount to your shampoo and shake well to incorporate.
- Add one tablespoon of baking soda to the shampoo and mix well.
- Vegetable glycerin can help to thicken shampoo and add lather. Start with 1 teaspoon and add more until the desired texture is met.
IS HOMEMADE SHAMPOO SAFE FOR ALL HAIR TYPES?
The ingredients found in this shampoo recipe are safe to use on all hair types. If you notice your hair is tangly, try making the recipe with coconut milk instead of water. Some hair types do better with a coconut milk shampoo.
HOW TO ADD SHINE TO HAIR?
After washing your hair, try rinsing with a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar to increase shine. The mixture can be made with two parts water to one part ACV. This is a great way to cleanse the hair and balance pH levels too!
MORE DIY HAIR CARE PRODUCTS TO TRY
PIN IT FOR LATER
How to Make All Natural Shampoo
A great way to cut down on toxins in the home is by making your own shampoo. This all-natural shampoo can help restore damaged hair, hydrate your strands, and replenish natural oils.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup castile soap
- 1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil (for dry hair)
- 10-15 drops of essential oils
Instructions
- Add the water, castile soap and jojoba oil to a glass container. (Use an old shampoo bottle, foaming soap dispenser, or a mason jar)
- Stir well.
- Add in essential oils. (I used wild orange, lime, bergamot and peppermint)
- Thoroughly mix the oils in.
Notes
This shampoo is thinner than the typical shampoo, but it does lather up a ton.
To thicken the shampoo add 1/2 tsp of arrowroot powder.
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!
Peyton says
Does this recipe cause any fading in colored hair?
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!
Maria Allen says
Hi, thanks for this great recipe. Is it okay to replace jojoba oil to olive oil or coconut oil? Thanks.
Laura says
Yes
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.
Jessica says
How do you know it has gone bad?
Laura says
I make enough for one month and that amount works great. I would smell it to see if it is still good.
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.
Barb says
This safe for color treated hair?
Laura says
I personally don’t have color-treated hair but many followers and readers said that it works well with for that.
Toni Arielle says
hi! do I need to use a foamer bottle?
Laura says
Yes that works best!
Heidi says
I realize this is an old post so don’t know if you reply to comments still but I had a question about these diy body care products. I am just new to the essential oil world and am excited about making my own products that are clean and natural. Anyway is it really necessary to have 3 different products for hair, face, and the rest of the body? I’d like to simplify the number of bottles in the shower.
Laura says
You can use the shampoo for body wash if you wish.
Anna says
I have made this many times and it generally works! It smells good with the blend that I like to use (ylang-ylang and lavender) but I have found a few issues that I need help with. I store them in a small, clear container and half the recipe, which is perfect for me but I noticed that something in the recipe separates which is the color of light brown and the rest is clear. The brown substance is very thick and is hard to get out. Do you know what this is? I have tried to thicken it with a few things that you have recommended but that really isn’t much of a problem to me and still enjoy the consistency, just something to notice. I might try a foamer bottle as well. This recipe is still very good and is super fun to make when I am bored I just want to know if there is a way to change this. Thank you!
Laura says
I am so glad you like the recipe! I find it to work best in a foaming soap container.
Anna says
I realized that it was my mistake for the separation between the layers. I used an old shampoo bottle and there was still some residue from the old shampoo! Thank you for the recommendation of the foaming bottle! I have made many of your products and they always turn out swell! Thanks again!
Laura says
I am so glad!
Bridget says
Hey found this recipe about three weeks ago and I was so excited to give it a try! Ever time I use it my scalp burns right after application and continues to burn for a few hours. I thought this was just my scalp getting use to it at first but it’s been three weeks and it still happens. Is this normal or should I try another shampoo/ shampoo recipe?
Laura says
I have never had that issue. Maybe don’t add in the essential oils?
Cindy Doda says
Hi Laura,
Have some itching on my scalp. No dandruff, maybe allergies? Wondering if you can add aloe Vera gel?
Laura says
I just posted scalp scrubs for dandruff and an aloe vera hair mask! Check those recipes out!
Karol says
I’m reading that the Ph level of Castile can be an issue for hair and that you must rinse with ACV or something very acidic?
Laura says
Yes, I reccomend a ACV rinse! I have a blog post on this.
Lauren says
Hi! this looks great and I am super interested to try making it! How long does it stay fresh? Do you store in the fridge or just your shower??
Laura says
I recommend leaving it in the shower for 1 month and then make a new batch.
Gail says
I am very allergic to coconut oil. Castile soap has it. Is there anything you can recommend? SLS is in almost everything I can find.
Thank you
Nina B says
I love the foam bottle. Where can I get it?
Laura says
It is from amazon, I have it linked!
Vivi says
Hi! I made this today but it’s super thin and not gel like, like regular shampoo. Is this how it’s supposed to be? I also noticed my hands feel kinda sticky when washing my hand with Castile soap and water
Laura says
Yes, that is normal.
Deanne Eden says
Just thought I’d mention – Castile has a very high natural pH (10-11) so without any counter-acting ingredients this recipe may interrupt the scalp’s natural pH (4.5-5.5) over time and cause itching and flaking. The same goes when you “shock” the scalp using an acidic rinse. The high pH is also not good for coloured hair and may strip colour quicker. Great recipe additions with a lower pH include ACV (ph 3.1) and raw honey (ph 3.9). Although to counteract the Castile you may need to use a very large amount….
Barbara says
I made this a few days ago, and LOVE IT. My hair has body again!
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us.
Laura says
Awesome, thank you so much for sharing!
Melissa Waetjen says
If I use Quinn’s castile soap, it already has Jojoba oil in it, do I still add the 1/2 tsp. that the recipe calls for? Thank you
Laura says
No, you don’t
Patsy Vicek says
I made the All Natural Shampoo and my hair is not good. I know you said it would be different but my hair doesn’t even look or feel even a little bit clean. It’s “mucky” feeling. I’m 69 years old so my hair is obviously older and drier. It’s also naturally curly. I can’t get a comb through my hair when it’s dry and now it’s very difficult to get a comb through it when it’s wet.
Did I put too much Arrowroot in it? Is it just my hair? What did I do wrong?
Help me! I’d really like to make my own shampoo.
Laura says
It takes time for your hair to adjust to natural shampoo. Try doing an apple cider vinegar rinse!
Allyssa says
Hello,
I was wanting to know if you can use Argan oil or apricot kernel oil as a substitute for jojoba when making shampoo?
Laura says
Yes!
Flor M Reyes says
I’m trying this shampoo
My hair needs it
I have thin hair and damaged
Tired of the different shampoos that keep damaging my hair.
Claudia says
Thank you for your recipes, Laura!
I was wondering if I could replace castile soap with marseille soap. It’s pretty more common here in Italy.
Thanks!
Claudia
Laura says
I have never tried that so I am not sure.