Shampoo bar recipe lovers are going to be obsessed with this DIY beauty recipe!
I’s a total game-changer for your hair care routine!
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by plastic bottles, mystery ingredients, or just want a more natural way to wash your hair, creating your own solid hair cleanser is seriously the move.
Not only are they eco-friendly and travel-friendly (no spills, yay!), but they’re also customizable to suit your hair type.
Whether your hair is dry, oily, curly, or color-treated, you can tweak this recipe to give your locks exactly what they need.
Plus, they make adorable DIY gifts!
What are the best ingredients for a shampoo bar?
This really depends on your hair type, but here are some top picks:
- Coconut oil for moisture and lather
- Castor oil to promote hair growth
- Shea butter to soften and hydrate
- Essential oils like rosemary (stimulates the scalp), tea tree (great for dandruff), and lavender (soothing and fragrant)
- Herbs like nettle or chamomile for added nourishment
How to make a homemade shampoo bar?
Making a shampoo bar at home is easier than you think!
Always wear safety gear when working with lye, including during the cleanup. Gloves, goggles, and long sleeves are a must. Work in a well-ventilated area!
Measure everything precisely. Use a digital scale — not cups or spoons — for accuracy in soap making.
Making homemade shampoo bars takes about 35 minutes of prep and 30 days to cure, yielding 12 bars.
Start by melting a gentle soap base (like glycerin or goat’s milk), then mix in nourishing oils like coconut, castor, or argan oil.
Add essential oils for scent and hair benefits — think lavender, rosemary, or tea tree.
Pour into molds, cover, and let sit 24 hours. Let them sit and cure for 4–6 weeks in a cool, dry area. This hardens the bars and ensures they’re gentle on hair.
Wash all of your supplies in hot soapy water with vinegar.
Absolutely! Homemade versions are free from harsh chemicals, sulfates, and preservatives, making them gentler on your scalp and hair. Plus, you control the ingredients—so it’s easy to tailor them to your specific needs, whether that’s hydration, scalp care, or volume. Just remember to follow up with a vinegar rinse if you have hard water, as natural bars can leave a bit of residue.
For the gentlest cleanse, go with glycerin, goat’s milk, or coconut milk bases. These are moisturizing and less likely to strip natural oils. Avoid bases with high pH or harsh detergents, as they can dry out your hair. If you’re aiming for a truly nourishing bar, a melt-and-pour base specifically labeled for hair or natural soap-making is ideal.
Yes, especially if you include coconut or castor oil, which helps boost bubbly lather.
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If you’re loving this DIY, you’ll want to check out these great ideas too—they’re perfect for anyone craving a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle!
- Zero Waste Living doesn’t have to be overwhelming—start small and see how simple swaps can make a big impact on the planet (and your wallet!).
- Looking for easy ways to live more sustainably? From reusable swaps to low-waste beauty, these everyday tips make eco-living totally doable.
- This DIY dry shampoo is a total lifesaver on busy days—natural, effective, and no aerosol cans in sight!
Shampoo Bar Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz distilled water
- 5 oz lye
- 10 oz coconut oil
- 10 oz olive oil
- 10 oz tallow
- 6 oz castor oil
- 1.5 oz essential oils
Instructions
- In a glass jar add the distilled water
- Carefully add the lye solution to the water and stir.
- NOTE: NEVER add water to the lye, this will cause a bad reaction
- Let the mixture sit, giving it time for the chemical process to take place and cool.
- Combine the coconut, tallow, olive and castor oil in a non-reactive pot. Warm on low to between 100 and 120 degrees.
- Slowly add the lye water to the melted oils.
- Using a stick blender, mix the mixture until it becomes trace. This means your mixture is still a fluid, but a drop of the mixture will stay right on the surface before it falls back into the liquid.
- Add a few drops of essential oils.
- Pour the mixture into the soap molds.
- Cover the tops of the mold with a piece of cardboard, followed by a dish towel to keep the shampoo bar warm for 24 hours.
can I use Shea butter instead of tallow?
I am sure you can, but I don’t know the ratios to confidently say for sure.