How to Make Your Own Shampoo for Gorgeous Hair (5 Recipes)

Every day, we inevitably expose our hair to toxic chemicals, pollutants, and sun damage. Double the damage is done when we try to salvage our distressed tresses by using pricey products that are ironically loaded with even more chemicals.

The overload of substances can strip your hair of its natural oils and lead to product buildup in your hair and work into your scalp, which in turn gives rise to another set of scalp troubles.

If you ever thought of it this way, you might not know there is an answer. To break out of this vicious circle, you can try whipping up your shampoo.

Of course, there are countless all-natural products available in the market, but why burn a hole in your pocket for stuff that you can make on your own? In fact you can even make your own skin-safe sunscreen or after-sun spray easily at home.

We present five easy recipes for DIY shampoos to restore the luster of your locks. Unlike commercial shampoos, these are both cost-effective and super-friendly for your hair and scalp.

For those with extremely sensitive and delicate skin, you can also learn how to make your beauty products at home with natural ingredients.

Read on to learn more about how to make your shampoo for gorgeous hair using natural and common household ingredients.

Method 1: Coconut Milk Shampoo

Coconut milk serves as an excellent base to make your own shampoo for gorgeous hair. It acts as a natural cleanser and the fatty acids present in it nourish the hair as well as strengthens the roots. Coconut milk also balances the pH of your scalp, thus helping to keep dandruff at bay.

Adding honey to the coconut milk will increase its moisture-retaining power and keep your hair softer throughout the day.

The recipe also uses apple cider vinegar that helps remove dirt, grease and product buildup from your hair.

The castor oil, vitamin E oil, and rosemary oil provide extra nourishment and promote the growth of longer, stronger strands of hair.

Things you’ll need:

• Coconut milk (provides nourishment, removes dandruff) – 1½ cups
• Honey (acts as humectant) – 1 tablespoon
• Apple cider vinegar (cleanses and conditions) – 1 teaspoon
• Castor oil (provides nourishment, prevents scalp problems) – ½ teaspoon
• Vitamin E oil (provides deep nourishment) – ½ teaspoon
• Rosemary essential oil (promotes hair growth) – 5 or 6 drops

Step 1. Add honey, ACV, castor oil and vitamin E oil to the coconut milk

• Pour 1½ cups of coconut milk into a bottle. You can use prepackaged coconut milk or make your coconut milk at home.
• Add 1 tablespoon of honey to the coconut milk.
• Add 1 teaspoon of raw apple cider vinegar.
• Also, add ½ teaspoon each of castor oil and vitamin E oil.

Step 2. Add rosemary essential oil, mix well, and use twice a week

• Put 5 or 6 drops of rosemary essential oil into the mixture.
• Whisk all the ingredients thoroughly using a hand blender.
• Put the lid on the bottle tightly and store it in a cool and dry place.
• To use it simply work the DIY shampoo into your wet hair and rinse it out thoroughly with warm water.
• If you have an oily scalp, you can follow this up with an apple cider vinegar rinse made with ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar and ¼ cup of water.
• Use 2 times a week in place of your regular shampoo.

The coconut milk makes this shampoo perishable, but it will keep well for about 4 to 5 days when stored in a cool and dry place.

Method 2: Baking Soda Shampoo

Popular as a “no-poo” shampoo, baking soda acts as an excellent agent to cleanse the scalp. However, we have tweaked the recipe by adding Castile soap to make it a little sudsy and coconut oil to counteract dryness that could be caused by baking soda.

The shampoo also contains tea tree essential oil that boosts the antibacterial and antifungal properties of the mix and keeps many scalp problems at bay.

Like most personal care products, this shampoo can be a little harsh if used on a daily basis. So, use it only once or twice a week as a clarifying shampoo to help remove product buildup in your hair, and on your scalp.

Things you’ll need:

• Castile soap (adds soapy texture) – ⅓ cup
• Distilled water – ⅓ cup
• Baking soda (cleanser) – 2 teaspoons
• Coconut oil, melted (nourishes hair) – 1 teaspoon
• Tea tree essential oil (antibacterial) – 5 to 10 drops

Step 1. Mix Castile soap, baking soda, coconut oil and distilled water

• Pour ⅓ cup of Castile soap into a container.
• Add 2 teaspoons of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of melted coconut oil to it.
• Also, add ⅓ cup of distilled water. Distilled water is free of impurities and increases the shelf life of the shampoo.

Step 2. Add tea tree oil, whisk it well and use 1 or 2 times a week

• Add 5 to 10 drops of tea tree essential oil to the mix and whisk the ingredients using a hand blender.
• Transfer the homemade shampoo into a bottle and store it in a cool and dry place.
• Use it in place of your regular shampoo once or twice a week.

This homemade shampoo will stay good for up to 6 months when stored in a dry and cool place.

Method 3: Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo

Apple cider vinegar is quite popularly used as a hair rinse. Its acidic nature cuts through the chemical buildup in hair and on the scalp.

It also helps in restoring a normal pH balance to the scalp to keep it and your hair healthier.

Adding vitamin E oil deeply nourishes your hair, and the peppermint oil works as both an anti-inflammatory and relaxing agent.

Things you’ll need:

• Apple cider vinegar (restores the scalp’s pH balance) – 2 teaspoons
• Castile soap (adds soapy texture) – 1 tablespoon
• Vitamin E oil (deep nourishment) – 2 capsules
• Distilled water – ⅓ cup
• Peppermint essential oil (anti-inflammatory) – 5 or 6 drops

Step 1. Add apple cider vinegar and Castile soap to distilled water

• Add 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to ⅓ cup of distilled water.
• Also, add 1 tablespoon of Castile soap.

Step 2. Mix in the oils, transfer it to a bottle and use 2 or 3 times a week

• Pierce and squeeze out vitamin E oil from 2 capsules.
• Add 5 or 6 drops of peppermint essential oil.
• Blend all the ingredients with a spoon
• Transfer the mixture to a dispenser bottle for ease of use.
• Massage the shampoo onto your scalp. Rinse it off with water.
• Use it 2 or 3 times a week to maintain a clean scalp and get soft and shiny hair.

The shelf life of this shampoo is 6 months.

Method 4: Aloe Vera Shampoo

Aloe vera can be used for a number of beauty and health remedies. It can soothe burns, lighten scars as well as leave your skin soft and glowing.

It also works well when used as a conditioner. So why not use it to make your own shampoo for gorgeous hair?

When used as a shampoo, aloe vera can penetrate deep into the scalp to cleanse it. Since its chemical structure is similar to your hair, aloe vera helps repair the weaker strands and can further strengthen the healthy ones.

You can add vitamin E oil to promote hair growth and lavender oil to add antibacterial properties.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera juice (cleanses the scalp and moisturizes hair) – ¼ cup
• Castile soap (adds soapy texture) – ¼ cup
• Vitamin E oil (promotes hair growth) – 2 capsules
• Lavender essential oil, optional (antibacterial) – 4 or 5 drops

Step 1. Mix aloe vera gel and Castile soap

• Mix ¼ cup each of aloe vera gel and Castile soap.

Step 2. Add the oils, mix it well and store it in the fridge

• Puncture 2 vitamin E capsules and add the contents to the mix.
• Optionally, you can also add 4 or 5 drops of lavender oil.
• Mix all the ingredients well using a hand blender.
• Transfer the shampoo to a bottle and store it in the refrigerator.
• Use it 2 times a week to keep your hair long and strong.

The shampoo will stay good for 2 to 3 weeks when kept refrigerated at all times.

Method 5: Green Tea Shampoo

You have probably heard that green tea aids in weight loss. Did you know that it can work wonders for your hair and skin, too?

Green tea is rich in antioxidants that can help repair cells and also stimulate hair growth. This shampoo recipe is especially good for people with dry and frizzy hair because it also uses honey that draws in moisture and keeps your mane smooth and soft.

Things you’ll need:

• Freshly brewed green tea (rich in antioxidants)– 2 tablespoons
• Raw honey (acts as humectant) – 1 tablespoon
• Castile soap (adds soapy texture) – 2 tablespoons
• Distilled water – ½ cup
• Tee tree essential oil, optional (antibacterial) – 4 or 5 drops

Step 1. Mix all the ingredients in a container

• Brew a cup of green tea. Pour 2 tablespoons of the tea into a container.
• Add 1 tablespoon of raw honey to the tea.
• Add 2 tablespoons of Castile soap and ½ cup of distilled water.

Step 2. Add the essential oil, mix well

• Add 4 or 5 drops of tea tree essential oil to the solution.
• Give it a final mix and transfer it to a dispenser bottle.
• Use it 2 to 3 times a week as your regular shampoo to maintain a healthy scalp.

The shampoo will stay good for 3 weeks when kept refrigerated.

Tips You Should Keep in Mind

• For solutions that are perishable, it would not be unreasonable to store them in the refrigerator, to prevent spoilage. Just be certain to label it clearly, especially if you live with other people, so it is not consumed accidentally.
• If you have long hair, apply a conditioner first and then wash your hair to keep it soft and shiny.
• Lather only your scalp and not the ends. The hair close to the scalp is the youngest and holds the most oil.
• Do not rub your hair too harshly while washing. Massage your scalp gently to avoid breakage.
• Avoid reapplying shampoo after one wash as it can leave your hair very dry.
• Always finish off with a cold water rinse to seal the hair cuticles. It will also make your hair shinier.

Summary of How to Make Your Own Shampoo

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