Are you thinking of ditching store-bought shampoo? I understand.
The long list of hard-to-pronounce ingredients and the way some shampoos dry out your scalp can be annoying.
I started making my own shampoo one winter out of frustration when my hair became a tangled mess. Spoiler alert: it worked better than I thought.
Now, I feel like a kitchen chemist with shinier hair.
Let’s dive into homemade shampoo recipes—they’re simple, effective, and a bit fun. 👩🔬✨
Why Go Homemade in the First Place?
Ever flipped over a shampoo bottle and thought, “What even is methylisothiazolinone?”
Yeah, me too. That’s reason #1 to go DIY.
Here’s what you gain:
- Fewer chemicals = less scalp irritation
- Customizable recipes for your hair type
- Eco-friendly and zero-waste options
- Way cheaper in the long run
I’m not saying drugstore shampoo is evil—but let’s just say your hair might throw a party when you quit it.
Basic Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s set up your DIY shampoo pantry. No, you don’t need a lab. Just a few solid ingredients.
Common MVPs:
- Liquid Castile soap – a natural soap base (Dr. Bronner’s is 🔥)
- Aloe vera gel – for moisture and a soothing scalp
- Essential oils – tea tree, lavender, peppermint, etc.
- Carrier oils – think coconut, jojoba, or argan
- Apple cider vinegar – great for balancing pH
- Baking soda – more on this later (controversial, I know!)
Don’t worry if you’re not stocked with everything—I’ll show you how to mix and match based on what you’ve got.
For Normal Hair: Castile Soap + Aloe Vera Cleanser
This recipe is your go-to if your hair isn’t acting up too much. Basically, it’s the chill friend of homemade shampoos.
What You’ll Need:
- 1/4 cup liquid Castile soap
- 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
- 1 tsp jojoba oil
- 5–10 drops lavender essential oil
Why It Works:
- Castile soap gently cleanses without stripping
- Aloe vera adds hydration
- Lavender oil keeps your scalp calm and flake-free
Just mix it all up in a bottle and shake before each use. Simple and super soothing.
Pro tip: Store in the fridge if you use fresh aloe to keep it fresh longer.
For Oily Hair: Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
Oily scalp got you washing every 12 hours? Been there. This combo helps balance oil production without turning your scalp into a desert.
What You’ll Need:
- 1/4 cup Castile soap
- 1/4 cup filtered water
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 5 drops tea tree oil
- 5 drops peppermint oil
Why It Rocks:
- ACV restores your scalp’s natural pH
- Tea tree and peppermint oils fight buildup and leave that tingly clean feeling
Don’t worry about the vinegar smell—it disappears once your hair dries (I promise!). Unless you overdo it, then… good luck 😅
For Dry or Damaged Hair: Coconut Milk Nourishing Shampoo
You know that moment when your hair crunches instead of bounces? Yeah, this recipe’s your savior.
What You’ll Need:
- 1/4 cup coconut milk
- 1/4 cup Castile soap
- 1 tsp coconut oil or argan oil
- 5 drops rosemary essential oil
Why It Slaps:
- Coconut milk is basically hair conditioner in disguise
- Coconut/argan oil hydrates deeply
- Rosemary oil helps with hair growth and circulation
Heads up: This one can feel a little too rich if you have fine hair. Use it once or twice a week, not daily.
For Curly Hair: Honey + Aloe Curl Shampoo
Curly hair is a whole lifestyle, and it needs gentle love. This one helps define curls without weighing them down.
What You’ll Need:
- 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
- 2 tbsp raw honey
- 2 tbsp Castile soap
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 5 drops geranium or ylang-ylang oil
Why It Works Wonders:
- Honey locks in moisture (and yes, it rinses out—relax 😄)
- Aloe + olive oil = curl-friendly hydration
- Geranium oil boosts shine and smells amazing
Massage it gently—don’t scrub like you’re sanding a floor. Curls like kindness, not chaos.
For Fine Hair: Baking Soda Boost (Use with Caution)
Okay, so baking soda is controversial. Some swear by it, others blame it for ruining their hair. Use it occasionally and dilute it well.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- 1 cup warm water
- Optional: 2 drops lavender or lemon oil
Why It Can Help:
- Removes serious buildup
- Leaves hair super light and fluffy (when used right)
Use this no more than once a week. And definitely follow up with a diluted apple cider vinegar rinse (1 tbsp ACV + 1 cup water) to rebalance pH.
I only use this when my scalp feels extra gunky—like post-camping or after using dry shampoo five days in a row. Don’t judge 😬
Homemade Dry Shampoo: For When You Can’t Even
No time to wash your hair? DIY dry shampoo to the rescue.
What You’ll Need:
- 2 tbsp arrowroot powder or cornstarch
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder (for dark hair)
- A few drops essential oil (lavender or rose = yes please)
Apply with a makeup brush to your roots, wait a few minutes, and brush it out. Boom. Instant refresh.
FYI: Don’t use too much unless you want to cosplay as a powdered doughnut.
Tips to Get the Most Out of DIY Shampoos
Before you start chucking bottles in the trash, keep these in mind:
- Always shake before use – ingredients can separate
- Patch test essential oils if you’re new to them
- Store in glass or BPA-free plastic containers
- Refrigerate recipes with fresh ingredients (like aloe or milk)
- Give it time – your scalp might need a week or two to adjust
Your hair might go through a “what is happening?!” phase—this is normal. It’s detoxing from all the silicones and sulfates it’s used to.
A Few Final Thoughts
Look, I’m not here to tell you shampoo is the enemy. But if you’ve been feeling like your hair’s stuck in a cycle of dry, oily, flaky weirdness, homemade shampoo recipes might just be your hair’s new BFF.
You don’t need to be a DIY goddess or own a cauldron. Most of these recipes take five minutes, max. And honestly? It feels kinda cool mixing your own shampoo and knowing exactly what’s in it.
So go ahead—try a recipe, sniff some essential oils, and pretend you’re in a haircare commercial. Your scalp will thank you later. 💁♀️
TL;DR Recap:
- Normal hair? Go for aloe + Castile.
- Oily hair? Apple cider vinegar’s your bestie.
- Dry hair? Coconut milk is a miracle.
- Curly hair? Say hello to honey + aloe.
- Need quick fix? Dry shampoo hack = lifesaver.
One week from now, you might just be the friend everyone’s asking: “What shampoo do you use?” And you’ll get to say, “Oh, I make my own.” Like a total boss 😎