How to make your own Shampoo

Bottles with homemade shampoo — Photo: Depositphotos

Have you made the resolution to go greener in your household and are you ready to take another step and also include your personal care? Or have you been trying products over and over and not found a good way to get your hair as shiny and healthy as you hoped it would be?

Many people criticize commercial shampoos and conditioners for having too many chemicals on their ingredient lists. If you go by "if you cannot pronounce it, don't use it," then you are a good candidate for natural shampoos that do not contain detergents and surfactants, and who knows what else. Health food stores or the "green" section of your drugstore are places where you can find them, but also check your local farmer's market for some naturally made soaps. There you may find a great solid shampoo bar made of natural oils.

Be careful though, the word "natural" next to the name of the product alone does not mean it is free of all the chemicals that you don't want to come into contact with. Always read your labels.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a very common ingredient that is in almost every bottle from shampoo to shower gel and bath bubbles, and even toothpaste. It is the substance that creates foam and bubbles. It is also cheap to produce, which is another reason why it has become so widespread and popular. It is a detergent, which means it is soluble in water and acts as a cleansing agent by letting oils mix with water.

One side effect is the bubbles that we all love, but there are others that are not as enjoyable. Sodium Laureth Sulfates can irritate your eyes and skin, depending on sensitivity and the amount of exposure. At the same time, they have a drying effect on your skin and hair due to their oil-dissolving abilities. When you add perfumes, preservatives, and coloring agents to the mix, it starts to resemble more and more like a chemical cocktail.

One way, of course, to make sure that you know exactly what cleans your hair, is to make your own shampoo. It is fun to do, you get to play creatively and make something that couldn't be more customized for your needs and wishes.

Shampoo ingredients — Photo: Monstera/Pexels

Not only will you do something good for the environment, but you can have a fun afternoon with some friends, playing alchemist and following up with a pampering session. Don't forget a cup of herbal tea, champagne, or a slice of dark chocolate. The goal is to simplify your life and be good to yourself as well as the planet. Just think of all the plastic bottles that can be saved this way!

How to make your own Shampoo

Find a simple soap made out of plant oils, like a castile soap. Use about 4 ounces of the soap. Shred it into small shavings using a cheese grater. Then mix it with 4 cups (about one quart or one liter) of boiling water. Shake it up, but not too much... basically, just let it dissolve.

Once it has cooled off, it is ready to go. However, you can make it even better and more suited to your personal needs and tastes by adding some essential oils to it. Choose your favorite scent or go for a specific effect. If you want an invigorating shampoo that leaves you feeling fresh and tingly in the morning, add a few drops of peppermint or lemon oil to the soap mix.

For a soothing, calming effect, use lavender. Tea tree oil is well-known for its antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects, making it a great treatment for a distressed scalp, dandruff, and even head lice. Rosemary oil is said to boost the strenght and growth of the hair by stimulating the scalp. These are just a few examples. Simply add about 5 or 6 drops of the essential oil of your choice, dissolved in a teaspoon of alcohol, to your shampoo mixture and enjoy the effects.

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