Haircare is one of the worst categories of toxic body care products. This is ironic because these products are supposed to wash all the yuck out, not put more in! I love making my homemade shampoo and conditioner with essential oils because I control the ingredients. I know I’m doing everything I can to give my body what it deserves!
My cupboard has been taken over with DIY hair products, and my hair is loving it! These recipes are effortless and create a lot of product. They’ll make your hair soft, shiny, and strong.
Table of Contents
3 Toxins in Storebought Shampoo and Conditioner
Store-bought shampoos and conditioners are full of toxins that affect the entire body, not just your hair. Here are a few of the top offenders.
1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
This chemical is added to products to create suds. SLS is irritating to the eyes and, in some cases, can cause temporary blindness. (1) Most people have experienced the discomfort of getting shampoo in their eyes, so this is a genuine risk! In addition, this toxin can cause skin irritations and even hair loss. Many people notice a lot of hair going down the drain; their shampoo might be to blame!
2. Synthetic Fragrances
Synthetic fragrances are what make store-bought shampoo and conditioner smell appealing. The label “fragrance” can apply to an assortment of chemicals, and the FDA has created a legal loophole, so companies don’t have to disclose which toxins they used in their secret formulas. (2) Unfortunately, at least one synthetic fragrance component is bound to cause irritation that manifests in headaches, skin rashes, and cold-like symptoms.
3. Parabens
These toxins are added to shampoos and conditioners to help extend their shelf life. Unfortunately, what extends the product’s life can wreak havoc in a human’s life. Parabens are a known carcinogen, and they’ve been found in human breast cancer tumors. In addition, they tend to mimic estrogen, so they cause problems in the endocrine system.
Don’t Have Time to DIY?
Many people don’t have the time to DIY, and that is perfectly fine! I go through busy seasons myself, so I’ve created a backup plan to ensure I have toxin-free hair care products. I purchase unscented organic shampoo or unscented conditioner from Desert Essence and add my favorite essential oils. I recommend 8 drops of essential oil per ounce of product.
Try this unscented baby-mild pure castile soap from Dr. Bronner for babies and small children. You can use it plain or add a few drops of lavender or Roman chamomile essential oil. Both of these options may cost a little more than doing it yourself, but sometimes the time saved is worth the trade-off!
Non-Toxic Shampoo and Conditioner Ingredients
What exactly goes into a homemade shampoo and conditioner? To get comparable results to store-bought products, we chose unique ingredients that get the job done! Here’s what you need:
Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castile Soap: This is my top recommended brand for soapy DIYs. Dr. Bronner’s is vegetable oil-based, and they haven’t compromised on ingredients or quality for decades!
Coconut Milk: Coconut milk is high in lauric acid, which can help strengthen the hair follicles. (3) Stronger hair leads to less hair loss, which is always a plus! This ingredient adds a tropical smell to this shampoo, but if that’s not your thing, you can easily mask it with essential oils.
Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera is moisturizing, but it can also help clarify the hair. This is important because hair can hold a lot of unneeded oil and leftover product residue! Aloe is also rumored to help with hair growth. Be sure to get a kind that only contains aloe vera and no fillers.
Carrier Oil: Carrier oil will help disperse the essential oils evenly and add an extra dose of moisture. You have many options in this area, like fractioned coconut oil, jojoba, argan, and sweet almond oil.
Essential Oils: Everyone wants their hair to smell great, and essential oils help make that happen! Here are a few EOs that I love to add to my shampoo.
- For all hair types: rosemary, sage, or rose
- For oily hair: lemon, bergamot, or tea tree
- For dry hair or to treat dandruff: lavender, sandalwood, or geranium
- To stimulate growth: peppermint or rosemary
Carrot Seed Or Raspberry Seed Oil: Carrot seed or red raspberry seed oils are optional but great additions for color-treated hair. Both have natural SPF, which can help keep your hair color from getting faded by the sun.
Guar-Gum: My conditioner leaves out the soap and coconut milk, but it does add a thickener. Many people prefer leaving their conditioner on their hair for a few minutes, and guar gum makes it stay put! You’ll notice this conditioner uses many of the same ingredients as my shampoo. This creates consistency with the products, as you see with store-bought shampoo and conditioner pairings.
Supplies: The best thing about DIYs is you can usually make them without any special gadgets! For this recipe, you’ll need a blender, regular or immersion, a glass bowl or jar for mixing, and glass pump bottles for easy storage.
How to Make Homemade Shampoo with Essential Oils
Within minutes, you’ll have hair products that are non-toxic and curated by you for your specific needs. Here’s what you need to do.
- 1 cup Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castile Soap
- ½ cup full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
- 1 teaspoon carrier oil*
- 25 drops essential oils **
- 5 drops carrot seed oil
- 5 drops red raspberry seed oil (optional for color-treated hair)
- Supplies:
- Immersion or regular blender
- Glass bowl or jar for mixing
- Glass pump bottle for storage and dispensing
- Place all ingredients in a blender, glass bowl, or jar.
- Blend well using a regular blender, or immersion blender, or by vigorously shaking a glass jar.
- Pour the shampoo into a glass pump bottle for easy dispensing and storage.
- Use as you would any other shampoo.
**Lavender, Lemon, Tea Tree, and Rose are all great oils for hair care. Peppermint and rosemary are great for stimulating hair growth. Mix and match as desired!
Step One: Combine Ingredients
Place all ingredients in a blender, glass bowl, or jar. Blend well using a regular blender, or immersion blender, or by vigorously shaking a glass jar.
Step Two: Store the Shampoo
Pour the homemade shampoo with essential oils into a glass pump bottle for easy dispensing and storage. Use as you would any other shampoo. Enjoy your lovely hair!
Natural Hair Conditioner with Essential Oils
- 1 teaspoon carrier oil of your choice*
- 2 teaspoons guar gum **
- 25 drops essential oils***
- 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
- 5 drops carrot seed oil
- 5 drops red raspberry seed oil (optional for color-treated hair)
- 1 cup distilled water
- Supplies:
- Immersion or regular blender
- Glass pump bottle for storage
- Place all ingredients in a blender or glass bowl.
- Blend well using a regular blender, or an immersion blender.
- Pour the conditioner into a glass pump bottle for easy dispensing and storage.
- Use as you would any other conditioner.
** Guar gum is a natural thickener often used in baking and cosmetics, often available in the baking section of the grocery store- Bob’s Red Mill is a popular brand.
***Essential Oils for Your Hair-Type: Rosemary and sage essential oils are suitable for all hair types, so consider one of these as a base. Then add either: Lemon, bergamot, or tea tree essential oils for oily hair, OR Lavender, sandalwood, or geranium essential oils for dry hair or those who suffer from dandruff.
Step One: Blend Ingredients
Place all ingredients in a blender or glass bowl. Blend well using a regular blender or an immersion blender. I don’t recommend doing this by hand, as the conditioner doesn’t thicken properly.
Step Two: Store the Conditioner
Pour the conditioner into a glass pump bottle for easy dispensing and storage. Use as you would any other shampoo!
