Recipe for DIY Solid Shampoo
Solid shampoos are gaining more and more fans, and many stores carry them. But if you’re looking for a more eco-friendly option that’s gentler on your skin, maybe you’d like to try making your own solid shampoo?
Si c’est le cas, cet article est pour vous.
Why use a solid shampoo?
The primary purpose of shampoo is to clean the hair and scalp, but it’s clear that most “conventional” shampoos contain many allergens and irritants, and natural shampoos, while healthier, are nonetheless harmful to the environment due to their packaging.
Solid shampoos offer many benefits. First of all, they’re made with natural ingredients and are free of sulfates, parabens, and silicones, which makes them healthier. In addition, they don’t require the use of conditioner. They’re also more effective than commercial shampoos containing silicone, as they actually nourish the hair rather than just coating it.
Just like liquid shampoos, solid shampoos can be tailored to your hair type. They’re also inexpensive and last longer than other shampoos. And finally—and this is what we’re focusing on here—you can make them yourself, quickly and easily.
Solid Shampoo: A Closer Look at Natural Ingredients!
If you want to make your own solid shampoo, it couldn’t be easier—just find the ingredients that suit your hair type. Although some of them must be ordered online, most can be found quite easily in organic stores. Try to choose ingredients that are organic, biodegradable, eco-friendly, and natural.
Surfactant
The first ingredient you'll need is a surfactant, which helps solidify the shampoo. It's also what cleanses and creates lather. It's the only chemical ingredient in the recipe, and although it's often criticized, it's essential.
However, make sure that this amount does not exceed 60% of the total cost.
However, to avoid sulfates, it is recommended to choose the mildest surfactants, such as Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI), which is a derivative of coconut oil.
This product comes in powder form, which does not irritate the scalp and is environmentally friendly. Avoid SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), which is irritating, or SLES (sodium laureth sulfate), which is not only irritating but also potentially carcinogenic.
Mineral or plant-based powder
Le deuxième ingrédient dont vous aurez besoin est une poudre minérale ou végétale. Vous pouvez la choisir selon votre type de cheveux. Pour les cheveux gras, optez pour de la poudre d’argile, de bardane ou du rhassoul.
Pour les cheveux abimés ou les pellicules, vous pouvez utiliser de la poudre d’ortie.
Shikakai, an Ayurvedic powder, is useful for promoting hair growth and for brown hair. If your hair is hard to detangle, you can use marshmallow powder.
To keep your hair soft and supple, use orange powder. Sidr powder is very effective for blond hair, itchy scalp, or dandruff.
Always make sure that plant-based powders make up 10% of your product.
Vegetable oil or butter
Les huiles ou beurres végétaux représenteront quant à eux 20 à 25% de votre recette. Cela permet de protéger et réparer vos cheveux ainsi que votre cuir chevelu et apporte de la brillance.
Comme pour les poudres minérales ou végétales, les huiles et beurres peuvent être adaptés à chaque besoin spécifique. Pour les cheveux secs, optez pour de l’huile de coco, très nourrissante ou de l’huile d’amande douce, du shea butter or argan oil.
If your hair tends to get oily quickly, opt for jojoba oil; if it’s damaged, use borage or castor oil to maximize repair.
Broccoli oil, on the other hand, is beneficial for curly hair, while avocado and castor oils help combat hair loss. Chaulmoogra oil is used to eliminate dandruff.
Optional essential oil or hydrosol
Essential oils are used for their beneficial properties, but keep in mind that they aren't essential to the recipe. If you'd like, add 20 drops to your shampoo. Here are a few examples:
- Dull, brittle hair: rosewood, lemon, geranium, or noble laurel.
- Dry hair:ylang-ylang or sweet orange.
- Cheveux gras : tea-tree, géranium, lavande ou palmarossa.
Faites cependant attention, les huiles essentielles étant très concentrées, il est important de les manipuler avec précaution et leur utilisation est à éviter chez les femmes enceintes, allaitantes ou les enfants de moins de 6 ans.
Water or floral water (hydrosol) helps dissolve the surfactant, which is insoluble in oil. If you’d like to add beneficial properties to your shampoo, use floral water to make up 15% of the mixture.
Three DIY Solid Shampoo Recipes
Switching to homemade solid shampoo is much more than just a zero-waste trend. It’s also a simple way to take control of the ingredients in your hair care products and tailor your formula to your hair’s actual needs.
Whether you have dry hair in need of nourishment, fine hair lacking volume, or a sensitive scalp that needs soothing, each concern calls for targeted ingredients.
Here are three DIY solid shampoo recipes that are easy to make at home, so you can create a natural, effective, and personalized hair care product.
Solid Shampoo Recipe for Dry and Damaged Hair
Ingredients
- 60 g of SCI surfactant.
- 10 ml of water.
- 20 g of shea butter (or coconut oil).
- 10 g ofargile blanche.
- 20 drops of ylang-ylang or geranium essential oil.
Manufacturing Steps
- Melt the SCI surfactant with the water and vegetable oil in a double boiler, stirring regularly.
- Add the mineral or plant-based powder.
- Remove from heat and stir in the essential oils.
- Place the mixture in a silicone mold, pressing it down firmly.
- Let it harden for 24 hours at room temperature.
⚠️ The SCI surfactant is volatile: wear a mask and ventilate the room well during preparation.
Solid Shampoo Recipe for Fine, Flat Hair
Ingredients
- 60 g of SCI surfactant.
- 10 ml of water.
- 15 g d’huile de jojoba.
- 10 g ofgreen clay.
- 5 g of nettle powder.
- 20 drops of rosemary essential oil.
Manufacturing Steps
- Melt the SCI surfactant with the water and vegetable oil in a double boiler, stirring regularly.
- Add the mineral or plant-based powder.
- Remove from heat and stir in the essential oils.
- Place the mixture in a silicone mold, pressing it down firmly.
- Let it harden for 24 hours at room temperature.
⚠️ The SCI surfactant is volatile: wear a mask and ventilate the room well during preparation.
Solid Shampoo Recipe for Sensitive or Irritated Scalps
Ingredients
- 60 g of SCI surfactant.
- 10 ml of water.
- 20 g d’huile d’amande douce.
- 10 g ofargile rose.
- 20 drops of true lavender essential oil.
Manufacturing Steps
- Melt the SCI surfactant with the water and vegetable oil in a double boiler, stirring regularly.
- Add the mineral or plant-based powder.
- Remove from heat and stir in the essential oils.
- Place the mixture in a silicone mold, pressing it down firmly.
- Let it harden for 24 hours at room temperature.
⚠️ The SCI surfactant is volatile: wear a mask and ventilate the room well during preparation.
How do you use your solid shampoo?
Lather the solid shampoo in your hands and apply the lather to your wet hair. The most important thing is to work up a lather on your scalp. The ends will get the shampoo as you move your hands through your hair. If you prefer, you can rub the shampoo directly onto your hair. Rinse thoroughly.
Avoid washing your hair too often, or it will get greasy quickly.
To keep your shampoo in the best possible condition, be sure to let it dry thoroughly on a wooden soap dish or a dry washcloth.
Now it's your turn! With solid shampoos, you'll not only protect your skin from toxic chemicals but also help preserve the planet. So why wait?