7 Homemade Shampoo Bar Recipes – A How To - Simple Life Mom (2024)

7 Homemade Shampoo Bar Recipes – A How To - Simple Life Mom (1)

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I’ve put together 7 homemade shampoo bar recipes together for you to choose from. Some are vegan, some have tallow. All are wonderful for the hair and formulated with pure ingredients specifically put together for hair and the scalp. Though, feel free to use these on the entire body as a luxurious body and face bar as well.

All of these recipes are made with the cold process soap making method. If you are new to soap making and need more specific instructions, go here: Soap Making for Beginners. You can also purchase my book, The Natural Soap Making Book for Beginners.

I know that some companies harvest Palm oil responsibly, while others do not. There are some very good companies that are providing jobs to communities, planting trees, and harvesting responsibly for the people to have a local commodity. Make sure to use palm from these companies.

If you are vegan, choose the vegan bars. If you like tallow or lard bars, then definitely choose one of the recipes below with those ingredients. You cannot simply interchange ingredients easily. But you can take a vegan recipe if that’s what you prefer, and use different essential oils, or even add honey or replace some of the water with milk.

7 Shampoo Bar Recipes

They are:

  1. Palm Shampoo Bar (Vegan, No Coconut)
  2. Avocado Shampoo Bar (Vegan)
  3. Tallow and Honey Shampoo Bar
  4. Cocoa Shampoo Bar (Vegan, No Tree Nut, No Coconut)
  5. Coconut Milk Shampoo Bar
  6. Clay Shampoo Bar
  7. Goat Milk Shampoo Bar

As usual, be very careful with lye, and some essential oils can burn as well.Research what you are doing and what you are using. See my essential oils safety page and for more in-depth soap making instructions you can get my book or my soap making instructions page: 7 Steps to Homemade Soap for Beginners.

If you are just transitioning off of shampoo, realize that your hair follicles struggle to over produceoils after each stripping of store-boughtshampoo. Your scalp will need to“re-learn” how much oil to make, so you will go through a greasy period of 1-3 weeks. After your scalp adjusts, these soaps work great.

I follow up with a spray solution of half water, half apple cider vinegar as a conditioner.

Find Shampoo Bars in My Shop

7 Homemade Shampoo Bar Recipes – A How To - Simple Life Mom (2)

7 Homemade Shampoo Bar Recipes

1) Shampoo Bar with Palm

3 lbs, or twelve 4 ounce bars – 10% superfat content

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Combine olive oil, palm flakes, sweet almond oil, and castor oil in a stainless steel pot and melt over medium/low heat. Remove from heat and allow to cool to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Outside, wearing proper safety gear including gloves and a mask, pour lye crystals into water and stir until dissolved. Allow to cool to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If oils or lye water are not cooling at the same rate, use a cold water bath in the sink.
  3. When both lye water and oils are at the correct temperature, pour lye water into oils and mix with a hand or stick mixer until medium trace.
  4. Add essential oil and blend well.
  5. Pour into mold and insulate for 24 hours.
  6. Remove from mold and cut.
  7. Allow to cure for 4-6 weeks in a cool, non-humid location.

2) Avocado Shampoo Bar

3 lbs, or twelve 4 ounce bars – 10% superfat content

Instructions:

Directions:

  1. Combine olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, shea butter, and avocado oil in a stainless steel pot and melt over medium/low heat. Remove from heat and allow to cool to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Outside, wearing proper safety gear including gloves and a mask, pour lye crystals into water and stir until dissolved. Allow to cool to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If oils or lye water are not cooling at the same rate, use a cold water bath in the sink.
  3. When both lye water and oils are at the correct temperature, pour lye water into oils and mix with a hand or stick mixer until medium trace.
  4. Add essential oil and blend well.
  5. Pour into mold and insulate for 24 hours.
  6. Remove from mold and cut.
  7. Allow to cure for 4-6 weeks in a cool, non-humid location.

3) Tallow and Honey Shampoo Bar

3 lbs, or twelve 4 ounce bars – 10% superfat content

Instructions:

Directions:

  1. Combine tallow, coconut oil, olive oil, castor oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil in a stainless steel pot and melt over medium/low heat. Remove from heat and allow to cool to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Outside, wearing proper safety gear including gloves and a mask, pour lye crystals into water and stir until dissolved. Allow to cool to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If oils or lye water are not cooling at the same rate, use a cold water bath in the sink.
  3. When both lye water and oils are at the correct temperature, pour lye water into oils and mix with a hand or stick mixer until medium trace.
  4. Add essential oil and honey and blend well.
  5. Pour into mold and insulate for 24 hours.
  6. Remove from mold and cut.
  7. Allow to cure for 4-6 weeks in a cool, non-humid location.

4) Cocoa Shampoo Bar

3 lbs, or twelve 4 ounce bars – 10% superfat content

Instructions:

Directions:

  1. Combine babassu oil, apricot kernel oil, cocoa butter, castor oil, and grapeseed oil in a stainless steel pot and melt over medium/low heat. Remove from heat and allow to cool to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Outside, wearing proper safety gear including gloves and a mask, pour lye crystals into water and stir until dissolved. Allow to cool to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If oils or lye water are not cooling at the same rate, use a cold water bath in the sink.
  3. When both lye water and oils are at the correct temperature, pour lye water into oils and mix with a hand or stick mixer until medium trace.
  4. Add essential oils and blend well.
  5. Pour into mold and insulate for 24 hours.
  6. Remove from mold and cut.
  7. Allow to cure for 4-6 weeks in a cool, non-humid location.
7 Homemade Shampoo Bar Recipes – A How To - Simple Life Mom (3)

5) Coconut Milk Shampoo Bar

3 lbs, or twelve 4 ounce bars – 5% superfat content

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Combine olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, shea butter, and beeswax in a stainless steel pot and melt over medium/low heat. Remove from heat and allow to cool to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Combine milk and water and refrigerate until very cold.
  3. Outside, wearing proper safety gear including gloves and a mask, pour lye crystals into milk/water and stir until dissolved. Allow to cool to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If oils or lye milk/water are not cooling at the same rate, use a cold water bath in the sink.
  4. When both lye milk/water and oils are at the correct temperature, pour lye water into oils and mix with a hand or stick mixer until medium trace.
  5. Add essential oils and blend well.
  6. Pour into mold and insulate for 24 hours.
  7. Remove from mold and cut.
  8. Allow to cure for 4-6 weeks in a cool, non-humid location.

6) Clay Shampoo Bar

3 lbs, or twelve 4 ounce bars – 10% superfat content

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Combine lard, coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter, castor oil, and beeswax in a stainless steel pot and melt over medium/low heat. Remove from heat and allow to cool to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Outside, wearing proper safety gear including gloves and a mask, pour lye crystals into water and stir until dissolved. Allow to cool to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If oils or lye water are not cooling at the same rate, use a cold water bath in the sink.
  3. When both lye water and oils are at the correct temperature, pour lye water into oils and mix with a hand or stick mixer until medium trace.
  4. Add essential oils and clay and blend well.
  5. Pour into mold and insulate for 24 hours.
  6. Remove from mold and cut.
  7. Allow to cure for 4-6 weeks in a cool, non-humid location.

7) Goat Milk Shampoo Bar

3 lbs, or twelve 4 ounce bars – 5% superfat content

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Combine coconut oil, olive oil, walnut oil, cocoa butter, castor oil, and sweet almond oil in a stainless steel pot and melt over medium/low heat. Remove from heat and allow to cool to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Combine milk and water and freeze until slushy.
  3. Outside, wearing proper safety gear including gloves and a mask, pour lye crystals into milk/water and stir until dissolved. Allow to cool to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If oils or lye milk/water are not cooling at the same rate, use a cold water bath in the sink.
  4. When both lye milk/water and oils are at the correct temperature, pour lye water into oils and mix with a hand or stick mixer until medium trace.
  5. Add essential oils and blend well.
  6. Pour into mold and insulate for 24 hours.
  7. Remove from mold and cut.
  8. Allow to cure for 4-6 weeks in a cool, non-humid location.

BONUS RECIPE

Soft Herbal Shampoo Bar

3 lbs, or twelve 4 ounce bars – 5% superfat content

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Combine beeswax, coconut oil, olive oil, and sweet almond oil in a stainless steel pot and melt over medium/low heat. Remove from heat and allow to cool to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Steep chamomile tea in water. Chill the tea water in the refrigerator.
  3. Outside, wearing proper safety gear including gloves and a mask, pour lye crystals into water and stir until dissolved. Allow to cool to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If oils or lye water are not cooling at the same rate, use a cold water bath in the sink.
  4. When both lye water and oils are at the correct temperature, pour lye water into oils and mix with a hand or stick mixer until trace. This may be harder to see trace. Just make sure the water and oil is fully emulsified and very light trace is reached.
  5. Add essential oils and used chamomile tea leaves (optional) and blend well.
  6. Pour into mold and insulate. After 24 hours, if it is still too soft to remove from the mold, wait another day or two.
  7. Remove from mold and cut.
  8. Allow to cure for 4-6 weeks in a cool, non-humid location.

Thanks for stopping by!

Make sure you check out my Soap Making and Bath and Body books HERE.


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7 Homemade Shampoo Bar Recipes – A How To - Simple Life Mom (2024)

FAQs

How to create your own shampoo? ›

Natural shampoo
  1. ½ cup water.
  2. ½ cup castile soap.
  3. ½ tsp. light vegetable or canola oil (can omit if you have oily hair)
Jun 25, 2021

How do you make liquid shampoo with bar shampoo? ›

  1. Grate or shave the bar of soap into small pieces. ...
  2. In a medium-sized pot, heat the water on the stove until it's just about to boil.
  3. Add the grated soap to the hot water and stir continuously until the soap completely dissolves. ...
  4. Once the soap has dissolved completely, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool down.
Jul 31, 2023

What makes a great shampoo bar? ›

Make sure your shampoo bar has got plenty of good oils, butters, botanical and hair loving ingredients! Make sure your shampoo bar contains lots of hair loving ingredients, or else it will just be a brick of surfactants. Look, for example, for coconut oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, argan oil, avocado oil, and jojoba.

How do you make shampoo bars without lye? ›

Shampoo Bar Recipe without Lye*
  1. 1 lb. castile soap melt and pour base.
  2. 2 tsp. Castor oil or jojoba oil.
  3. 1 tsp. Shea butter or cocoa butter.
  4. 25 drops of essential oils (see below for tips on which essential oils to use)
May 27, 2022

What is 3 ingredient homemade shampoo? ›

1/4 cup Castile soap (we used Dr. Bronner's Peppermint) 1/4 cup coconut milk, (from a carton) 1/2 tsp jojoba oil (can use olive oil if you don't have on hand, but may create a more oily feel)

What is the healthiest shampoo? ›

  • Ursa Major. Best For | A shampoo for the whole family. ...
  • Ceremonia. 1% for the planet. ...
  • 100% PURE. Budget friendly. ...
  • True Botanicals. Best For | Scent. ...
  • Ethique. Best For | Shampoo bar, minimal packaging. ...
  • Vegamour. Best For | Removing buildup. ...
  • Innersense. 1% for the planet. ...
  • Attitude. Best For | Cheapest cost.
Apr 2, 2024

What is the main ingredient to make shampoo? ›

Typical Shampoo Composition
Shampoo IngredientVariations in Shampoo Label
WaterAqua, Deionized Water
SurfactantSodium/Ammonium Lauryl sulfates
Foaming AgentsCocamide or Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl/Coco Hydroxypropyl Sultaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamide MEA, and Decyl Glucoside
7 more rows

How do you make honey shampoo? ›

One recipe for homemade shampoo that works well on thick, wavy, dry hair is a coconut milk and honey shampoo. To make this, you will need 1 cup of coconut milk, 1/4 cup of raw honey, and 1/4 cup of liquid castile soap. Simply mix all the ingredients together and store in a bottle.

Which is better shampoo bar or liquid? ›

One of the biggest differences is shampoo bars often don't contain the same chemicals as liquid shampoo, like sulphates and detergents. These ingredients can strip the hair's natural oils and leave your locks feeling dull. Shampoo bars are also kinder to the environment.

Is shampoo bar better than liquid? ›

In conclusion, shampoo bars offer several tangible benefits over traditional liquid shampoos. They are more environmentally friendly, cost-effective, gentle on hair, convenient for travel, and can promote healthy hair. If you haven't tried using a shampoo bar yet, now is the time to give it a try!

Do shampoo bars work as well as liquid shampoo? ›

Shampoo bars work just as well as liquid shampoos, provided you find the right bar for your specific hair type and concerns. They are especially beneficial for those seeking eco-friendly, travel-friendly, and natural hair care options.

How long does it take to get used to shampoo bars? ›

Some people don't experience a transition period at all but it can last between 2-3 weeks or even longer for some.

What happens when you switch to shampoo bars? ›

If you're switching to a shampoo bar — or any sulfate free, “clean” formula — you may find that there's a bit of an adjustment period. During this time many people report a range of experiences from their hair feeling more oily / greasy, waxy, frizzy, and / or dry. And some people report no adjustment at all.

Do you need to use conditioner with a shampoo bar? ›

Shampoo bars are convenient. They're easy to apply: just rub on wet hair and they'll create a nice, natural lather. For many, they're multi-purpose, meaning you can skip using conditioner. Some people use them as an all-over body wash, or even as a shave soap.

What makes a shampoo bar solid? ›

Put simply, an Ethique shampoo bar is a highly concentrated solid version of your favourite liquid shampoo product. A shampoo bar contains little to no water meaning you're left with only the active ingredients. Contrast this with a liquid shampoo, which is typically 70-80% water.

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