Going all natural and being healthy is fashionable nowadays. This tendency touches upon different beauty spheres and hair care is not an exception. Today people try to find safe variants to commercial products.
Almost all store bought shampoos contain sodium Laureth sulfate. This inexpensive and effective foaming agent has perfect cleaning and emulsifying properties. But it is not so safe for hair if applied too often. It may lead to scalp irritation and excessive hair loss. Usually, it is easy to get confused facing such problems. In most cases we blame hard water or bad environment condition. But everything becomes clear once you read the label of your conventional shampoo which you might use regularly.
Nowadays most people choose natural ways for hair care. The simplest treatment is using organic ingredients to wash hair.
I guess many girls tried to go no-poo even once in their life. Some of them liked that method, others decided to go back to soaps. If you search on the internet you can find different ways to wash hair avoiding conventional shampoo. It can be clay, eggs, seaweed or even rye bread. You think it is nonsense? Then I’d rather recommend you to read this article and get to know one more beauty discovery to try out!
Ingredients for Natural Shampoo
Since you decided to create natural cleanser it is better to learn advantages of organic components for hair. Depending on which ingredients you use to make homemade shampoo, you can get certain benefits for hair.
For shampoo base you can use:
Egg yolk is perfect hair cleanser. It contains lecithin, which is an emulsifier. Egg yolk removes grease and dirt and will make your hair clean. Also, it is high in protein and suitable for fine, thin, or oily hair. The protein strengthens the hair follicles and adds texture to the hair.
Flour (rice or rye). It is easy and messy-free is that it’s low in gluten. Do not use other flours, especially those rich in gluten, It creates sticky clumps in hair so they are hard to remove. For better results always use rye or rice flour (or even combination of two). Rye flour has pH 5.0 which is just the same as the pH of hair. So, it won’t damage your hair.
Clay can solve various problems associated with scalp. It perfectly nourishes the hair, adds volume and sheen, regulates sebum production, improves hair elasticity and promotes hair growth. Different types of clay are used depending upon a certain purpose:
- Green clay – the most effective one in hair care. It is a good solution for oily hair type prone to dandruff. It cleanses the scalp out of grease and dirt and reduce oil production. Green clay includes all necessary elements such as magnesium, silver, zinc and calcium. Also, it normalizes cell metabolism and strengthens hair follicles.
- Blue clay – the most popular variant in skin and hair care. It is suitable for those who wish to grow healthy and longer hair. Also, it prevents hair loss and eliminates breakage. Blue clay contains iron, magnesium, calcium and silicon – important elements for healthy hair growth.
- Gray clay – natural remedy for dry and brittle hair. It revives hair, nourishes them and restore pH balance on the scalp. Also, regular usage of gray clay promotes faster hair growth and reduces split ends.
- Pink clay – natural treatment for thin and dull hair. It is able to make hair thicker and stronger.
- Red clay – suitable for sensitive scalp and oily hair. It soothes the scalp, reduces possible allergies after hair dye procedure. Also, red clay improves blood circulation in deeper layers of the scalp and restores pH balance.
- White clay – adds more volume to weak and thinning hair. Also, it restores damaged hair structure, moisturizes and nourishes hair and eliminates hair loss.
- Yellow clay possesses antiseptic properties. It cleanses the scalp and reduces dandruff appearance.
For additional components you may use:
- Herbal infusion. Herbs have different benefits for hair. Depending on your needs you can choose herbs which can solve a particular hair problem.
- For blonde hair: chamomile and calendula. These herbs have a mild lightening effect.
- Dark hair: nettle and rosemary. Also, they stimulate hair follicles and reduce hair loss if applied regularly.
- Oak bark infusion cures dandruff and promotes healthy hair growth.
- Base oil
- For dry hair:
- grapeseed oil
- nettle oil
- avocado oil
- cocoa butter
- For oily hair:
- hazelnut oil
- macadamia oil
- argan oil
- For normal hair:
- olive oil
- almond oil
- jojoba oil.
- For dry hair:
- Essential oils
- For dry hair:
- Jasmine
- Orange
- Ylang-ylang
- Neroli
- Lavender
- Rose
- Geranium
- Rosemary.
- For oily hair
- Basil
- Bergamot
- tea tree
- Grapefruit
- Lemon
- Cypress
- Pine
- For normal hair
- Lavender
- Rose
- vanilla.
- For dry hair:
- Raw honey is natural antibacterial and antifungal agent. It can help treat a bacterial/fungal problems on the scalp. Moreover, honey gives softness and smoothness to hair without weighing it down.
- Aloe vera juice is plant full of natural vitamins and enzymes that can directly promote healthy hair. It helps keep pH balance of the scalp in the correct range to boost growth and helps to retain moisture.
Tips to Go No Poo
- First, you should determine your hair type. According to it choose a certain organic product which will be suitable for you. If you have oily hair type – prefer homemade shampoo recipes which include lemon juice or clay powder. For dry or damaged hair rye flour shampoo variant is the best solution.
- You don’t have to star no-poo method with throwing away all commercial shampoos. You may experiment with different recipes until you find the one which suits best of all.
- Going no-poo remember that natural shampoos don’t foam. They are not as thick as commercial variants, but clean all the same.
- Prepare organic shampoo in small amounts. For 1-2 applications will be enough. Keep in mind that homemade cleanser doesn’t contain preservatives. It cannot be stored for a quite long time.
- You can start applying homemade shampoo on hair once a week. If you feel satisfied with the results it is possible to wash hair twice a week as well. At this stage, it is better to avoid using store-bought shampoo because you need to give your hair time to get used to natural methods.
- Be ready for so called “transition period”. I guess, you already know it from other people’s comments saying that hair feels greasy and dirty during the first time of washing it with natural shampoos. Yes, it is really so. Basically, when you switch from ordinary shampoo to natural washing, you will notice your hair becomes dull and greasy. It happens because the detergents in conventional shampoo strip the scalp of its oils, which in turn encourages it to produce even more oil to over compensate. But when you switch to the homemade shampoo your hair continues producing more oil and it needs time to normalize its production. It may take few weeks or a month to get balanced.
How to Apply Homemade Shampoo?
- First, rinse your hair with plain water. Pat with a towel.
- Apply the resulting solution on the scalp while hair is wet a little.
- Combine shampoo application with massage. Use fingertips to spread the mixture on the scalp in the same way as if you wash them with shampoo.
- You can leave the shampoo on for 5-10 minutes. You don’t have to wash it off immediately. Natural compounds will nourish the scalp and absorb excessive grease.
- Wash off the natural shampoo under a shower. Make sure you remove all residue out of hair (especially if you used flour in recipe).
- Use herbal infusion to rinse hair. Or you may apply apple cider vinegar solution (1 tablespoon in 2 liters of clean water).
Homemade Shampoo: Recipes & Benefits
The greatest benefit of any homemade shampoo is that it will gently infuse your hair follicles and scalp cells with natural minerals, herbal extracts and oils. You can try any of listed recipes below depending on your taste.
Mustard Hair Wash
What You Need:
- mustard powder – 2 tablespoons
- liter of warm water
How to Use:
- Take fresh mustard powder and dissolve it in a liter of warm water.
- Apply on scalp and hair with massaging movements. If you feel a burning sensation, do not rush immediately to wash off the mixture with water. This effect causes the blood flow to the scalp and stimulates hair growth.
- Rinse your hair with plenty of water. Avoid using any soap or shampoo. Mustard powder has wonderful cleansing properties.
Mustard powder is one of the oldest remedies for stronger and thicker hair. Most women use mustard in masks for natural hair regrowth. But few of them know this great ingredient perfectly washes hair, making it clean and grow faster. Nice substitution of commercial shampoo, isn’t it?
Remember that the recipe is suitable for oily hair. But don’t wash hair with mustard too often. It may give undesirable results relating to scalp itching and extreme hair dryness.
Mustard & Castor Oil Shampoo for Dry Hair
What You Need:
- clay – 1 tablespoon
- castor oil – 1 teaspoon
- olive oil – 1 teaspoon
- ylang-ylang essential oil – 3-4 drops
How to Use:
- Dilute mustard powder with clean water to get a thick paste.
- Add other ingredients and stir thoroughly.
- Apply homemade shampoo on hair roots. Try not to rub, just spread the blend on the scalp. Massage the scalp gently as if you apply the shampoo.
- Rinse well with warm water.
Castor and olive oils work wonderful for baldness. They have moisturizing and stimulating properties which help hydrate the scalp and provide the hair follicles with necessary nutrients.
Mustard & Black Tea Shampoo for Oily Scalp
What You Need:
- clay powder – 2 tablespoons
- olive oil – 1 tablespoon
- 1 egg yolk
- brewed black tea – 2 tablespoons
How to Use:
- Dilute the mustard powder with warm clean water until you get the creamy consistency. Mix it with other ingredients.
- Apply directly on scalp avoiding hair length. Rub gently into the roots and leave for 5 minutes. Don’t try to prolong that period. It is primarily a shampoo, not a hair mask.
- Then rinse hair thoroughly.
- At your option, it is possible to apply herbal infusion for hair (nettle and oak bark infusion).
This wash variant has more advantages for hair. Use mustard powder both as oily hair shampoo and a growth mask at the same time. But it is not suitable for regular usage as it may dry out hair.
DIY Mustard & Coffee Shampoo for Shiny Hair
What You Need:
- mustard powder – 1 teaspoon
- natural coffee – 1 teaspoon
- cinnamon essential oil – 3-4 drops
How to Use:
- Combine coffee with mustard powder. Don’t use instant coffee in packages, only natural one.
- Dissolve the blend with clean water to get a thick paste.
- Add essential oil and mix well.
- Apply the blend on hair roots only. Massage well.
- Wash off homemade shampoo with warm water.
- Let your hair dry naturally.
This natural mustard shampoo is suitable for dark hair. Girls with blonde hair better avoid using coffee because it can add yellowish tint to hair.
Mustard & Gelatin Shampoo for Thicker Hair
What You Need:
- mustard powder – 1 teaspoon
- gelatin – 1 teaspoon
- 1 egg yolk
- warm water – 50 ml
How to Use:
- Dissolve gelatin powder with warm water. Let the mixture sit for a while to create a gel.
- Add mustard powder into gelatin.
- Stir other ingredients until you get a smooth paste.
- Use this homemade mask on hair roots. You can leave it on hair for 30 minutes.
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat the procedure twice a week.
The shampoo recipe with gelatin is natural remedy for thin and damaged hair. It can add more volume to brittle hair creating a tiny film on hair surface and protecting from aggressive outer factors.
Clay & Rye Flour Shampoo Recipe
What You Need:
- clay – 1 tablespoon
- rye flour – 1 tablespoon
- lemon essential oil – 2-3 drops
How to Use:
- Combine mustard powder, rye flour and clay together.
- Dilute the blend with warm water to get a smooth paste.
- Add few drops of essential oil for citrus scent in hair.
- Apply the mixture to hair roots with massaging movements. Don’t rub it into scalp.
- You can leave it on scalp for 10 minutes or wash off immediately.
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
This shampoo variant is universal and will be suitable for all hair types. Clay will remove all dirt and impurities from the scalp and hair whereas rye flour will nourish and moisturize it.
Rye & Rice Flour Shampoo for Normal Hair
What You Need:
- 1 egg yolk
- rye flour – 1 teaspoon
- rice flour – 1 teaspoon
How to Use:
- Mix the ingredients and dissolve them in warm water.
- Make sure the resulting blend isn’t too runny.
- Apply homemade shampoo on hair roots. Do the procedure with massaging movements.
- Leave it on for 5-10 minutes.
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
- Rinse hair with herbal infusion.
Rice flour makes hair shiny and smooth whereas rye flour nourishes the scalp and removes grease out of strands.
If you don’t have rice flour, then use fermented rice water instead. It is also used as a base for natural hair cleanser. Get to know the recipe in special post: Fermented Rice Water Shampoo for Great Hair
Clay & Pea Flour Shampoo for Dry Hair
What You Need:
- clay powder – 1 tablespoon
- pea flour – 1 teaspoon
- patchouli essential oil – 3-4 drops
How to Use:
- Combine ingredients together and dissolve it in warm water.
- Add enough water to get a thick paste.
- Apply the mixture on hair roots.
- Leave the homemade shampoo on for 10 minutes.
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
- Rinse hair with herbal infusion if necessary.
Pea flour is effective treatment for hair loss and stimulates faster hair growth. It makes hair more manageable and protects from outer aggressive factors.
Clay & Nettle Homemade Shampoo
What You Need:
- clay powder – 1 tablespoon
- olive oil – 1 tablespoon
- nettle infusion – 3 tablespoons
How to Use:
- Dilute mustard powder with herbal infusion.
- Add olive oil and mix well.
- Apply the blend on hair roots without rubbing in.
- Leave the hair solution on for 10 minutes.
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
This shampoo recipe treats hair loss. Nettle possesses stimulating properties and helps restore hair after excessive baldness.
Aloe Vera & Honey Hair Cleanser
What You Need:
- Yogurt – 1 tablespoon
- Aloe vera juice – 1 teaspoon
- Raw honey – 1 teaspoon
- Fresh lemon juice – 1 teaspoon
How to Use:
- Mix all ingredients.
- Apply the blend on hair roots. Avoid the hair length.
- You can leave the blend on hair for 20 minutes.
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
This shampoo recipe is good for dry and damaged hair. Aloe vera in combination with yogurt and honey helps keep the scalp hydrated and traps moisture in hair. Thus, it makes them lustrous and soft.
Rye Flour & Kefir Shampoo Recipe
What You Need:
- Rye flour – 1 tablespoon
- Raw honey – 1 teaspoon
- a cup of kefir
How to Use:
- Take fresh kefir and dilute mustard powder in it. Don’t make the mixture too runny.
- Add honey and stir thoroughly.
- Apply the mixture on the scalp with massaging movements.
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
- Use herbal infusion for a final hair rinse.
This homemade recipe is suitable for blonde hair. Mix of kefir and honey has a mild lightening effect. Also, it will make hair soft and shiny.
Homemade Honey Shampoo
What You Need:
- Dried chamomile – 4 tablespoons
- Honey – 1 teaspoon
- A cup of hot water
How to Use:
- Pour dried flowers with a cup of boiling water. Infuse for 30 minutes.
- Strain the liquid and mix it with honey.
- Apply the mixture on hair with massaging movements.
- Rinse with clean water.
- Repeat the procedure twice a week.
Egg & Castor Oil Shampoo for Dry Hair
What You Need:
- 2 egg yolks
- Castor oil – 2 teaspoons
How to Use:
- Stir the ingredients thoroughly.
- Apply the blend on hair with massaging movements.
- Rinse hair with lukewarm water.
- Let your hair dry naturally.
Herbal Shampoo Recipe
What You Need:
- Rye flour – 3-4 tablespoons
- 1 egg yolk
- Calendula infusion – 1 tablespoon
- Chamomile Infusion – 1 tablespoon
How to Use:
- Prepare herbal infusion.
- You can combine dried chamomile and calendula in a bowl (1 tablespoon of each one).
- Pour with boiling water.
- Infuse for 30 minutes. Let it cool down and strain the liquid.
- Mix it with other ingredients.
- Apply the blend on hair with massaging movements.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
Gelatin & Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo for Oily Hair
What You Need:
- Gelatin powder – 1 tablespoon
- Apple cider vinegar – 1 teaspoon
- Rosemary essential oil – 3-4 drops
- Sage essential oil – 2 drops
How to Use:
- Dissolve gelatin powder in warm water. Make sure the liquid doesn’t have clumps.
- Add other ingredients and mix well.
- Apply the resulting blend on hair with massaging movements.
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
Egg & Brandy Shampoo
What You Need:
- Brandy – 50 g
- 1 egg yolk
How to Use:
- Mix all ingredients well.
- Apply the blend on hair with massaging movements.
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
- Don’t use hot water on hair.
Eggs include a lot of protein which make them suitable for any hair type. But if used too often protein can build up on the hair strands and make it drier. So better apply this shampoo once a week to avoid the effect of dry hair.
Oat & Corn Starch Shampoo for Sensitive Scalp
What You Need:
- Oat – 2 tablespoons
- Corn starch – 1 tablespoon
- Baking soda – ? teaspoon
- Chamomile infusion – 3 tablespoons
How to Use:
- Grate whole oats in a blender or use oat flour instead.
- Mix all ingredients until you get a smooth paste.
- Apply the blend on damp hair with massaging movements.
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
- Rinse hair with herbal infusion.
In this recipe we use baking soda in very small amounts. Some people practice applying baking soda on hair as main ingredients. Don’t do that! It is not recommended to use baking soda as natural shampoo. The reason is that natural product has pH of 9.5 and it is extremely alkali for hair. You need to use pH balanced ingredients to prepare homemade shampoo (pH of 4.5 to 5.0). The natural acidity condition of the hair and scalp keeps away fungi and bacteria, and make hair shiny and smooth. But if you apply alkali products in hair care, then they will make hair dry and brittle because high pH will open hair cuticles. Also, disrupting the natural pH level on scalp will make hair prone to breakage and tangling.
pH is judged on a scale between 0 and 14. Anything with a pH less than 7 is acidic, 7 is neutral, and anything with a pH greater than 7 is considered to be alkaline.
Lemon & Cucumber Hair Shampoo
What You Need:
- 1 cucumber
- 1 lemon
How to Use:
- Remove the peel of lemon and cucumber. Put them in blender and mix well until you get a smooth paste.
- Apply the resulting blend on damp hair concentrating more on the scalp.
- Spread the remaining liquid over the hair length.
- Massage well and wash off with lukewarm water.
Lemon works wonderfully on oily hair. It removes grease out of strands and make them shiny. Cucumber juice hydrates the scalp and leave the hair smooth and voluminous.
No Poo Method Reviews
Jasmina
I was always thinking about refusing commercial shampoos. So I started washing my hair with simple ingredients which can be found in each kitchen. I tried baking soda and apple cider vinegar and did it for about 2 months. But it always left my hair gummy and greasy and never felt clean. Then I read a lot about rye flour, I had to try it! At first time I was confused whether rye flour will really make my hair clean. But it did! I’ve been using this homemade shampoo method for about 2 weeks now, washing with it about 3 times a week, and it works! It leaves my hair soft, shiny and manageable!
OctShelby, 24
I’ve been doing the “no poo” method for the past 3 months. I washed my hair with it about every 3 days. I tried many recipes. The first experiment included baking soda. Then I read it can be damaging to hair, I switched to the clay method a few days ago. During the no poo period my hair was always as fluffy and clean as with regular shampoo. I didn’t expect it! But transition period really scared me! I thought that I will not bear my greasy hair, but anyway I had to wait till everything is fine. I guess, it lasted for 2 weeks and after all my hair felt clean and shiny! Now I use clay shampoo once a week and feel pleased with the results!
LiL
I had been switching from store bought shampoo to natural variations several times. First, I tried washing my hair with clay but I could bare this method for 2 weeks only. The reason – my hair was extremely dry after clay, sometimes I could hardly comb it. After a while, I started searching other ways to stop using commercial shampoos. This time, I tried a recipe of egg and castor oil. Much better than clay shampoo! So I made this and it’s worked great! If I feel like there is residue in hair. I just spray my hair with apple cider solution (or fresh lemon juice diluted with clean water) usually only on my scalp since my ends are usually dryer. My hair has been looking so much better, I only wash it every 4-5 days now!
Annemarie Photina, 32
I was excited to try my own homemade shampoo. I had been no-pooing for about 5 months with baking soda and ACV and decided to switch to another variation. Baking soda helped me a lot. But a month of washing my hair with it, I noticed it is less manageable and thin. I wanted a better option and started learning new recipes. I got to know that mustard is a good cleanser for oily hair. I had a try. My hair was extremely greasy and wet looking after using this. It improved slightly with a lemon juice rinse but not enough to wear my hair down. I tried it a few times before switching to rye flour shampoo. I love how rye makes my hair feel, but I have to wash it every 2/3 days and it’s still not great down.
Inga, 36
My hair is very thin and tends to look stringy and greasy very quickly. I thought a shampoo that would help my hair look thicker would be good. I used clay and rye flour in equal parts to prepare my shampoo. I added few drops of tea tree oil. I have used it every day for five days. My hair looks so greasy, it looks wet! I kept waiting that my body can adjust and stop making so much oil. In order to avoid the feeling of greasy hair I rinse my hair all over with the ACV conditioner and letting it sit 5 minutes and wash it again. Seems, this way is working for me!
Space
I like home remedies and prefer to use organic components in my homemade cosmetics. This time, I decided to prepare natural shampoo. I have oily hair type and split ends. So I needed something that could remove excess grease from strands and keep my scalp fresh. When I washed my hair with a blend of rice and rye flour. I wasn’t sure if it was the shampoo that made my hair greasy since I did use a couple other products. The second time I only used the shampoo (no conditioner either!) and it really looks and feels like I have not washed my hair in days.I don’t know how to deal with that! I followed the recipe exactly but I still wonder if I did the wrong way or natural way of washing hair isn’t suitable for me. Seems, I need to experiment more to find the right ratio of components for clean hair.
Bella19
So I tried this homemade shampoo and found my hair is so greasy. I put cocoa and corn starch into the rye flour mixture to combat excess oil. I look it’s actually embarrassing! I love the idea of being natural but I don’t want to look dirty. Maybe I’m doing something wrong no matter which recipe I try. Recently I tried the mustard shampoo and it finally made my hair clean. My hair is shiny and smooth after first application. Since then I will never be back to commercial shampoos!
Gray, 22
I’ve been using rye flour and mustard paste and massaging into the scalp every other day and rinsing well. My hair is long, fine and naturally curly. I have been using apple cider vinegar mixed with water as a conditioner and using almond oil for my dry ends. I have been rinsing well in cool water. I can say that my hair is healthier even after 3 days! But my big problem is that my boyfriend says my hair smells dirty. I think it smells plain, no fragrances like shampoo has. Seems, next time I will add few drops of my favorite essential oil to prevent that smell.
