Making shampoo and conditioner at home.

Get Ready to Master DIY Hair Care

In this post, you’ll learn how to begin your journey into natural hair care at home. You’ll be guided step-by-step through the process of creating your own shampoo and conditioner, and you’ll pick up helpful tips that can be used to enhance your other homemade beauty products too—like hair masks, soaps, lotions, and more.

If you’re concerned about the time commitment, don’t worry: making these products is simple and budget-friendly. Treating your hair kindly doesn’t have to disrupt your routine or strain your finances.

Simple Yet Creative

Making your own shampoo or conditioner is not significantly harder than mixing together a homemade hair or face mask. Many of us have already tried DIY beauty using ingredients in the kitchen—so see what you've got in your cupboard. You might have useful ingredients like coconut milk, avocado, sage, or olive oil.

The only things you may need to buy are some essential oils that your hair will need. By starting out with ingredients that you know and understand, you'll feel safer and more connected to what you're putting on your hair.

Homemade Hair Products Are Quick and Customizable

If you've created your own cosmetics previously—like scrubs, lip balms, lotions, or perfumes—you'll find that shampoo is the simplest to create. You only need to know how to combine the proper ingredients and some knowledge of their individual benefits. With that, you're ready—and even enjoy yourself.

What You Will Need: Cleansing Base and Storage

First, gather your ingredients and a suitable container. You can reuse a clean, empty shampoo bottle or buy a squeezable plastic bottle from a local store. A glass jar is also okay, but a squeezable bottle is easier to manage in the shower.

Here is what you'll need for your shampoo recipe:

• A cleansing agent (select from the following)

• Nourishing ingredients (essential oils, herbal infusions, fruit extracts, etc.)

• Organic flour (optional—for oily hair types, corn, rice, or arrowroot flour are best)

• Carrier oil of your choice (add more or less based on moisture needs)

Choosing a Cleansing Agent

You have a number of options for your shampoo's cleansing base:

• Potassium Hydroxide (or caustic potash): This is a strong, water-soluble ingredient that is used to create soap. It's blended with oils like coconut oil and boiled into a thick paste to form your shampoo base. It must be handled with care, however—gloves and protective clothing are a must—as it will aggravate skin in its pure form. This is a slightly more involved process, but some individuals enjoy the process and the final product.

• Baking Soda: Far gentler and more readily available. A mild alkaline, baking soda removes buildup, restores shine and body. You probably already have this in your kitchen.

• Apple Cider Vinegar: A natural acid that adjusts your hair's pH and leaves it shiny. Especially nice on oily or tangly hair. For both baking soda and vinegar, the ratio is generally one tablespoon to one cup water.

•  Liquid Castile Soap: This soap, made from plant oils, is ideal if you are looking for a gentle shampoo with a moderate foam. It's particularly soothing for dry or sensitive scalps.

Adding Nutrients with Herbs and Plants

Although essential oils are strong, you can supplement your recipe with herbs and fresh plants. Infuse them in hot water as tea and mix the infused water into your recipe. Your chosen cleansing base will clean your hair, essential oils and carrier oils will nourish it deeply, and herbs or fruit extracts will provide extra nutrients—complete enriching hair care that you will love.

What About Conditioner?

Conditioner is just as easy to make. Use the same ingredients that feed, with the addition of a mild toner like lemon juice or vinegar. Adjust the amount of oils according to your hair type—more if dry, less if oily.

Now that you know how easy and satisfying it is to create your own natural hair care products, let's examine individual ingredients and proportions for specific hair types.