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How to Make All Natural Shampoo | Simple Recipe using Essential Oils

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.

All-natural shampoo dispenser with homemade shampoo and essential oil bottles on white shiplap.

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 hefty 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.

Homemade shampoo on wooden table with essential oil bottle and soap bar.

WHY MAKE YOUR OWN SHAMPOO?

Traditional shampoos are made up of a number of ingredients you will want to avoid. They generally contain ingredients that have been known to mimic estrogen, causing hormone imbalances as well as carcinogens and allergens.

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? 

Glass shampoo container with soap bar on bathtub edge.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure here. 

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 to 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. For example, 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. 

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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. In addition, it stimulates hair follicles and increases circulation to the scalp making it a top oil for hair loss prevention.
  5. Peppermint– Peppermint oil is known for its cooling effect 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.

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HOW TO MAKE ALL-NATURAL SHAMPOO 

Clear shampoo dispenser on white table with bar soap and essential oil bottles.

INGREDIENTS 

HOW TO MAKE ALL-NATURAL SHAMPOO 

  1. Add the water, castile soap, and jojoba oil to a glass container. (Use an old shampoo bottle, foaming soap dispenser, or a mason jar)
  2. Add in essential oils. (I used wild orange, lime, bergamot, and peppermint)
  3. 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 

Glass dispenser of homemade shampoo, soap bars, oil bottles and decorative towel on white shiplap.

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

DIY shampoo with castile soap, water, and essential oils.

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.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Additional Time 3 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes

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

    1. Add the water, castile soap and jojoba oil to a glass container. (Use an old shampoo bottle, foaming soap dispenser, or a mason jar)
    2. Stir well.
    3. Add in essential oils. (I used wild orange, lime, bergamot and peppermint)
    4. 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.

© Laura
Category: Hair Care

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Comments

  4. 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.

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  5. 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!

    Reply

  6. 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 🙂

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  10. 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.

    Reply

  11. 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!

    Reply

  12. 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?

    Reply

  13. 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!!!!!!

    Reply

  14. 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

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  16. 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!

    Reply

  18. 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/

    Reply

  19. 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.

    Reply

  20. 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?

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  21. 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!

    Reply

      • Thelma krager says

        How do you make conditioner ?
        Thanks in advance , my hair is thin and wavy it has natural curls I love my curls Any idea to keep curls bouncy ? Thanks

        Reply

  22. 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

    Reply

  23. Alan says

    I made my shampoo, using your recipe. It works great, have to give it a few more tries to see what happens .

    Reply

  29. 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.

    Reply

  30. 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!

    Reply

  31. 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!

    Reply

  32. 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?

    Reply

  33. Cindy Doda says

    Hi Laura,
    Have some itching on my scalp. No dandruff, maybe allergies? Wondering if you can add aloe Vera gel?

    Reply

  34. 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?

    Reply

  35. 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??

    Reply

  36. 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

    Reply

  38. 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

    Reply

  39. 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….

    Reply

  40. 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.

    Reply

  41. 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

    Reply

  42. 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.

    Reply

  43. 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?

    Reply

  44. 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.

    Reply

  45. 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

    Reply

  46. Mick says

    Any idea how this would work if you’re a summer constantly in pool water? I never see anything about that and swimmers can’t just not wash their hair for several days.

    Reply

  47. Susan smith says

    Is this safe for coloured hair? I read that the soap can strip the colour. I wash my hair weekly and use dry shampoo in between if needed

    Reply

  48. Signe says

    Hi Laura. Can’t wait to try this. I’m just curious – do you prefer this liquid kind of shampoo or your shampoo bars for your hair?

    Reply

  50. Jeanie says

    My husband and I love this shampoo but I would like to know if I double the recipe do I double the amount of oil drips.

    Reply

  51. Tessa says

    About how much does this make, like 5.5oz maybe? Just wondering what size glass jar I’d want to have on hand before making it. Thanks!

    Reply

  52. Jewels says

    Hi! If I use coconut milk instead of water, do I need to store it in the fridge? Or will it hold in a dispensing container in the shower?

    Reply

  54. Pat says

    I’m definitely going to try this…I have Celiac, so the thyroid is off…everything is off. As a kid, I never washed our hair as much as I do, now. And, yes; (we didn’t have Apple Cider Vinegar)we always rinsed our hair in water/vinegar solution. We never used conditioners or leave in products. Of course, as we get older, things change especially our hair; but I think we just need to get back to the basics. Thank you for this info. Sincerely Pat

    Reply

  55. Alejandro says

    You are amazing. You made my day. This is easy, natural and environmently friendly.

    You made my day.

    Reply

  56. Sarah says

    Thanks so much for this recipe! I tried it, used it for the first time, and I really like the results! I am working toward making a lot more of my and my family’s cosmetic/toiletry products because we want to waste less plastic and avoid harmful chemicals on our skin, and I am so excited that I’ve found your blog!

    Reply

  57. Caroline says

    I’ve been looking for a DIY Natural product to try on my hair. I have fine hair that is oily the next day when I wake up. I wash my hair every day because I work out 5 times a week. I’m nervous to try this for fear of my hair looking greasy during the day at work.

    Any help for the transition process or advice since I work out and sweat a lot?

    Reply

  58. MR says

    I’ve been making the transition to natural shampoo. I’ve been using shampoo bars. It was going ok, but my hair still wasn’t as soft as I wanted. I tried this recipe and I finally have that silky feel back in my hair! I love it!!!! It is also very satisfying making your own hair products.

    Reply

  61. Michelle says

    it is not clear how to use the castile soap
    You show a bar of soap but describe a measurement.
    Do you cut the bar of soap up and put chunks of it in with the water to dissolve?
    Are you grating the soap with a cheese grater?
    Does it come in a powder form?

    Reply

  62. Tracy says

    After using more or less the same hair care products for years, I’ve recently started breaking out in a burning red rash from the hairspray I was using. That’s when I decided it was time to find natural organic options! I purchased a few organic hair products, but, I was not a fan of how they smelled… and they weren’t cheap.
    So I searched online and stumbled across your site!! I’m so glad I did! I made a batch of your shampoo and tried it this morning… omg… I love it! It lathers up so nicely, smells wonderful and you don’t need much.
    I was so pleased with it that I had to make a batch of your conditioner tonight – I can’t wait to try it. It smells DIVINE!!!!
    I’m now quite eager to try all of your natural recipes. Thank you for providing so many! Compared to store bought hair care products, your organic versions are very inexpensive to make and sooooo much better because there are no toxic chemicals!! Thank You!!

    Reply

  63. Aastha says

    Hi I make my own liquid Castile soap with olive oil. Do I use the same recipe as mentioned for homemade liquid Castile soap?

    Reply

  64. Desiree says

    Is this safe for color-treated hair? My question refers to the shampoo, the conditioner, and also the ACV rinse.
    Thank you!

    Reply

  65. Tammy says

    I have been using the homemade shampoo for months now. I love it and it’s less expensive than commercial shampoos! However I adjusted the recipe some, I use 1/2 cup coconut milk with 1/4 cup Castile soap. I have the essential oils on my to do list and will add them once purchased.

    Reply

  66. Hannah says

    Hi! Thank you for All of this! Can I put this in a regular comtainer or does it need to be put into a foaming soap dispenser?

    Reply

  67. Lys says

    Could you add rosemary water instead of oil? And if so, can you give suggestions on how to do that please? Thank you. I was thinking of boiling the rosemary with the water, letting it cool, than adding that as said the water

    Reply

  68. Joann says

    I tried making this shampoo with some cornstarch to thicken and it didn’t lather for me at all. Did I do something wrong?

    Reply

  69. Lisa says

    I just made and used this last night. It works wonderfully! I have also made the face wash, under eye serum, face serum, face toner, face cream and hand soap. I’ve been using these for a few months and I highly recommend them all! I just turned 59 and everyone is always telling me how good I look!
    I have also made the laundry soap and all purpose cleaner. Everything so far has been amazing. Thank you so much Laura for all of your recipes!

    Reply

  70. Maddie says

    If I use coconut milk rather than water does the shampoo need to be kept in the fridge? Also, do the essential oils need a carrier oil if you leave jojoba oil out of this? Any recommendations for using vanilla essential oils? 🙂 thanks!

    Reply

  71. Janice says

    Thank you so much for the shampoo recipe AND the vinegar rinse. I tried both this morning and am very happy w/ the results. My hair is clean, soft , and shiny! This is my new and only shampoo and rinse going forward.
    Again, thank you for all you do.

    Reply

  72. Jami w says

    I just whipped this up and I am so excited to try it! I opted for the coconut milk instead of water but now I’m concerned, is the shelf life shorter or still one month? Also, is this safe for kids? I did coconut milk, dr bronners, jojoba, lavender, rosemary, and tea tree! Thanks!

    Reply

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