15 Natural Homemade DIY Herbal Shampoo Recipes

Learn how to make 15 different homemade shampoos. These homemade shampoos will leave your hair feeling soft, shiny, and fresh all day long.

By Katherine P. Haley
15 Natural Homemade DIY Herbal Shampoo Recipes

Why make homemade shampoo?

Making your own beauty products at home is fun and even healthy. I personally love making DIY beauty products like soap, lotion, bath bombs, and yes, shampoo! Homemade shampoo can be a lot healthier for your hair because it takes out all of the unnecessary ingredients and only puts in the natural ones. With these homemade shampoo recipes, you will know exactly what is going in your hair. It doesn't go far beyond baking soda, coconut oil, and water, which are three key ingredients that appear in a lot of homemade shampoos. The synthetic ingredients that exist in shampoo that you buy from the store can weigh down your hair and even make it more oily, which is never good. These 15 homemade DIY herbal shampoo recipes will put the life back into your hair. Trust me, after trying these, you and your hair will feel so much better. It'll be like you'll have a whole new head of hair.

Learn to make recipe 1: the simpleton

This first recipe is the most simple one that you will see in this article. There are only two ingredients: baking soda and water. What's easier than that? This shampoo, which is artfully known as a "no-poo" shampoo, will strip your hair of all the unwanted oils and residue that built up from using store-bought shampoos over the years. Get ready for healthier and cleaner hair. Recipe: - 1 tbsp baking soda - 1 cup of water Instructions to make: With a whisk, mix both ingredients in a mixing bowl until well mixed. Then, transfer shampoo into a shower-safe bottle or jar. Instructions to use: Shake bottle or jar well before using. Put a tablespoon sized dollop directly on your scalp and massage into your hair until your scalp is covered. Rinse until you are sure it is all out of your hair. NOTE: Do not use this shampoo every day as it can cause dry scalp and itching.

Learn to make recipe 2: soft and shiny

This next recipe is a bit more complicated as it consists of more than two magic ingredients. But, no worries, it is still very simple to make. This homemade shampoo will leave your hair feeling soft and looking shiny. Recipe: - 1/4 cup coconut milk - 1/4 cup liquid Castile soap - 20 drops of essential oil - *optional* 1/2 tsp olive or almond oil Instructions to make: Put all ingredients directly into a shower-safe bottle and, after putting the top back on, shake well to combine. If you have dry hair, feel free to add 1/2 a teaspoon of olive oil or almond oil, as both of these ingredients are good remedies for dry hair. Instructions to use: Shake well before using as coconut milk can separate if it sits too long. Scrub into scalp until all of the areas are covered and then rinse.

Learn to make recipe 3: shampoo sweet like honey

We're getting even more complicated by adding even more ingredients. No worries though, because even though there are more ingredients, this DIY shampoo is just as easy to make as the rest and just as good for your hair. Anyways, my personal belief is that the more complicated the recipe, the more fun, and the better the satisfaction of it being homemade. Recipe: - 1 can of full-fat coconut milk - 2 tbsp liquid raw honey - 1 tsp jojoba oil - 1 tsp castor oil - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar - 1 tsp essential oil of choice (lavender or lemon is always a refreshing choice) Instructions to make: Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Using a whisk, mix together until thoroughly blended. Transfer to a shower-safe bottle and shake. Instructions to use: Shake well before use. Squeeze directly onto scalp. Rub shampoo in until hair is completely covered. Rinse well.

Learn to make recipe 4: rye flour power

Alright, we're going back to the simple, two-ingredient recipes. However we are getting a bit odd. The main ingredient of this next shampoo may surprise you, but trust me, it works wonders for your hair. Try it once, and you'll already start to see and feel healthy improvements of this homemade shampoo. Recipe: - 3 tbsp of rye flour - 1 cup of water, added slowly Instructions to make: In a mixing bowl, slowly mix water into rye flour. You may not need all the water, or you may need more, but add and mix until the mixture resembles a paste and is no longer powdery. Instructions to use: Rub the homemade shampoo paste into your hair until it is covered. Rinse thoroughly, making sure any leftover residue is gone because it can and will result in a dry and itchy scalp. NOTE: Please do not use if you have celiac disease.

Learn to make recipe 5: homemade almonds of joy

Okay, we are moving away from the basics and getting back into the more traditional homemade shampoos with the next recipe. This recipe brings in a nice touch of sweet almond oil that makes it stand out. Get ready for some good smelling hair! Recipe: - 1/2 cup of liquid Castile soap - 1/3 cup coconut milk - 2 tsp sweet almond oil Instructions to make: Mix all ingredients in one bowl using a whisk and then transfer to a shower-safe bottle. Instructions to use: Shake well before using. Scrub into the scalp, let sit for 1 minute, and rinse.

Learn to make recipe 6: the smell of homemade heaven

This next recipe smells fantastic and even works really well as baby shampoo. It has more natural ingredients than Johnson's Baby Soap and makes your babies head smell like heaven on scalp. This shampoo isn't only for babies though! Adults can use it too, and I recommend that you do! You'll get hair that is soft as a baby's, but thick and luxurious at the same time. Who doesn't want that? Recipe: - 8 drops lemon essential oil - 10 drops melaleuca essential oil - 1/4 cup castile soap - 1/2 cup filtered water Instructions to make: Combine all ingredients in a liquid measuring cup (a bowl works fine as well, this just makes pouring easier). Pour it into a shower-safe squeeze bottle. Instructions for use: Shake before use. Rub gently into the scalp of your baby or yourself and rinse thoroughly.

Learn to make recipe 7: good old vitamin e

This next recipe may seem long and a bit more complicated, but it has vitamin E in it, which I love. Vitamin E is good for adding much-needed moisture to dry scalps and can even thicken your hair at the same time. This recipe also smells amazing, because you can choose the essential oil you want to add! Lavender is always a safe bet, but really, any scent you like will do. I like cucumber, melon, almond, and coconut the best. Recipe: - 1/2 cup liquid castile soap - 1/4 cup canned coconut milk - 1/4 cup honey - 2 tbsp fractionate coconut oil - 1 tbsp vitamin e oil - 40-50 drops of essential oil Instruction to make: Combine all ingredients in one mixing bowl. Mix well with a whisk, then transfer to a shower-safe bottle. Instructions to use: Squeeze directly onto scalp and rub in gently. Let sit for 2 minutes and then rinse out thoroughly, making sure no residue is left over.

Learn to make recipe 8: welcome to the tropics

If you like coconut, this next recipe is for you! It will leave you smelling tropical and feeling fresh for the rest of your day. Imagine one of those shampoo commercials that takes you to a tropical paradise where you shower in a waterfall, and you have this shampoo. Get ready for your next vacation because this homemade masterpiece is taking you there. Recipe: - 1 cup coconut milk - 20 drops coconut essential oil - 1/2 cup warm water - 1/2 cup liquid castille soap Instructions to make: Mix all ingredients together in a stainless steel bowl. Let sit for five minutes, then pour into a shower-safe bottle and shake. Instructions for use: Shake before each use. Scrub into hair and then rinse.

Learn to make recipe 9: homemade dry shampoo

This next recipe is a bit different because it is not a shampoo that you will use in the shower. It's a simple, powdery dry shampoo that you can apply directly to your roots to keep your hair looking fresh after a day or two with no wash. Dry shampoo can be a lifesaver and this recipe really fits the bill. It's safe to use and a lot more natural than anything you'll pick up at the store. Recipe: - 1/4 cup of arrowroot powder - 5 drops of essential oil Instructions to make: In a mixing bowl, combine the arrowroot powder and the essential oil. Mix with a whisk then transfer into a small mason jar. Instructions to use: Dip into the powder with an old makeup brush (or a new one if you want to buy it) and then brush into your hair right by the roots. Rub in until no powdery residue is visible and brush out with your fingers or a comb. Shake your hair and get ready for your day!

Learn to make recipe 10: back with the baking soda

In this recipe, we are bringing back the magical baking soda from the "no-poo" shampoo at the very top and adding in some exciting new elements to make the shampoo smell good and add much-needed luster and shine to your hair. This recipe calls for 20-40 drops of the essential oil scent of your choice. I recommend lavender, coconut, cucumber, melon, almond, or something citrusy for a refreshing smell that you will never get tired of. Recipe: - 1 tbsp of baking soda - 1/2 cup coconut oil - 1/2 cup water - 20-40 drops of essential oil of your choice Instructions to make: Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix using a whisk. Pour into a shower-safe shampoo bottle. Instructions to use: Shake well before using. Apply directly to scalp and then rinse thoroughly. NOTE: Do not use multiple days in a row as it can cause dry scalp or hair.

Learn to make recipe 11: homemade coconut joy

This next recipe for homemade shampoo uses coconut oil as its main base, like many others. This is such a lovely element as it adds shine and a healthy look to your hair without making it look too oily. Oily hair has always been a problem for me, so I always try to use shampoos that counteract that problem without making my hair dry in return. Recipe: - 1/4 cup coconut milk - 1/3 cup of unscented castile soap - 1 tsp vitamin e - 10 drops essential oil of your choice Instructions to make: Combine all ingredients, mixing well until ingredients resemble a shampoo-like consistency. Pour into a shower-safe bottle and store at room temperature. Instructions to use: Shake well before use. Rub into hair and let sit for 2 minutes. Rinse well, making sure all shampoo residue has been rinsed from your hair.

Learn to make recipe 12: the homemade shampoo bar

This recipe for homemade shampoo is very different than the others on this list as it takes a different form and is a bit more complicated to make. The shampoo bar is very useful as it can last a lot longer than other homemade shampoos and is easier to store. Plus, you can make a lot more at a single time. However, the recipe does take some time for the shampoo bar to come out in the best possible quality. This recipe is also a good one for those with oily hair as it can keep hair looking fresh and clean. Recipe: - 1 pound of Castile bar soap, shredded - 1/2 cup and 2 tablespoons pale ale - 2 tbsp rhassoul or kaolin clay - 1 tbsp jojoba oil - 1 tbsp avocado oil - 2 tsp of essential oil of your choice Instructions to make: Grate soap into a mixing bowl. Combine the grated soap with 1/2 cup of ale in a double boiler on low to medium heat. Stir often, until the soap is completely melted. Combine the rest of ale in a separate bowl with your clay of choice. Then add the jojoba oil, avocado oil, and essential oil to the bowl and mix well. To the melted mixture, add the mixed clay, jojoba oil, avocado oil, ale and essential oil combination and mix well. Pour into a wooden mold lined with parchment paper (or into a silicone mold, depending on your preference; both work fine) and let the homemade mixture sit for three days. After three days, remove the hardened shampoo from the mold and cut into bars sized to your preference. Instructions to use: In the shower, rub the shampoo bar in your hands until you feel the shampoo being released. Using the shampoo on your hands, rub into hair and then rinse clean. Store shampoo bar in the shower when in use and in parchment paper before use.

Learn to make recipe 13: herbal and fantastic

Now we're going back to the basics. This next homemade recipe is more traditional in terms of DIY herbal shampoos. It combines some great ingredients to make a fantastic shampoo that will leave your hair happy and healthy. This shampoo is good for all types of hair. Recipe: - 8 oz of water - 3 oz unscented castile soap - 1/4 teaspoon of jojoba or olive oil - 20-50 drops essential oil Instructions to make: Combine all ingredients into one bowl and mix well using a whisk. Transfer to a shower-safe bottle. Instructions to use: Shake well before using. Squeeze directly onto scalp and scrub until hair is covered all over. Let sit for 1 minute, then rinse.

Learn to make recipe 14: castile castle

This next homemade recipe has more of my favorite ingredient: vitamin E. It is so great for dry scalp and for strengthening hair. It even helps moisturize while not making hair appear too oily. What more could you ask for in a homemade shampoo? Well, this homemade shampoo even helps to remove residue that has been built up from the use of store-bought shampoos. It really is a great DIY project. Recipe: - 1/2 tsp olive oil - 1/3 cup Castile soap - 1 tsp vitamine e Instructions to make: Combine all ingredients in one bowl and mix well. For particularly dry hair, add one whole teaspoon of-of olive oil as opposed to 1/2 to add more moisture. Pour into a shower-safe shampoo bottle. Instructions to use: Shake well before use as the olive oil can separate after sitting. Rub into hair and then rinse thoroughly.

Learn to make recipe 15: more dry shampoo!

Before we go, here is one more homemade dry shampoo recipe that will more closely resemble in look the dry shampoos that you will find in the store. Dry shampoo is a great way to make unwashed hair look less oily. It's also great on mornings where you just don't have the time or the motivation to wash it. Recipe: - 1 cup warm water - 1/4 cup arrowroot or cornstarch - 1/4 cup of vodka - Essential oil (as much as you deem necessary) Instructions to make: Mix all the ingredients in a mixing bowl or liquid measuring cup. Then, transfer into a spray bottle. Instructions to use: Spray onto oily roots and rub in thoroughly. Brush through hair with comb or fingers. Style and be ready for your day!

Benefits of homemade DIY shampoo

Every recipe of homemade DIY shampoo above will make your hair look and feel so much healthier, which is something we all need in our lives. These homemade shampoos recipes will remove any leftover toxins and any other gross things hanging around in your hair. These homemade shampoos can be safer to use on yourself than store-bought shampoos, and some recipes can even be safer to use on your kids than the store bought shampoos that are specifically made for them. The benefits of these homemade shampoos go on and on, but you won't really know the true benefits and outcomes until you try them out. So, go ahead and let these shampoos work some hair magic. Good luck and have fun showing your beautiful hair to the world!

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