While might sound too good to be true, DIY shampoo bars allow you the freedom to target the same hair concerns that a traditional shampoo might—all while reducing plastic waste. The concentrated nature of a shampoo bar means one bar can last for months at a time.
Are Shampoo Bars Safe For Hair?
Friese believes DIY shampoo bars can be a good alternative to liquid shampoos when made with beneficial ingredients. She notes that DIY shampoo bars can be suitable for those with allergies or those concerned with the ingredients in their shampoos, as the creator has complete control over what goes into the recipe. She adds that bars are best suited for people with short hair, as “it can be hard to really cleanse the scalp with a bar if there is a lot of hair to penetrate.” It is important to find a recipe that is suited to your particular hair type to avoid ingredients that can cause build-up or frizz.
How to Use DIY Shampoo Bars
There is a certain art to using a shampoo bar versus a traditional liquid shampoo, which Friese detailed: “Wet your hair making sure to get it really wet or it may be difficult to get a good lather. Next, wet the shampoo bar with a little water and rub it in your hands to start creating some suds. Apply the shampoo bar directly onto your hair and massage gently across all parts of your scalp. Lastly, scrub your scalp with the pads of your fingers making sure to get the whole head and hairline.” This careful application process ensures that the cleanser reaches your scalp and is spread evenly throughout your hair.
For Dry Hair: Tallow Shampoo Bar Recipe
Melissa Tolsma of Bumblebee Apothecary developed this DIY shampoo bar recipe to cleanse without harshly stripping the hair. She finds that the moisturizing ingredients included, such as grass-fed tallow and coconut oil, “leaves hair soft, completely clean, but not stripped of moisture.” Friese concurred that the tallow “replenishes the building blocks of our skin that decrease with age, which may assist in keeping the hair follicles healthy.” Also worth noting are the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of both coconut oil and castor oil, promoting scalp health while providing moisture to the hair. Friese did note that people with very sensitive, dry, or dandruff-prone scalps should replace the olive oil, as it may contribute to damage to the skin barrier. This recipe would work for those with coarse, dry, or curly hair, as Friese shares they can benefit from a bar containing more oils.
Ingredients:
- 10 oz. grass-fed tallow
- 10 oz. refined coconut oil
- 10 oz. olive oil
- 6 oz. castor oil
- 13.68 oz. water
- 5.11 oz. lye
- 2 tbsp essential oil
Instructions:
- Weigh tallow, coconut oil, olive oil, and castor oil, and put into a crockpot on high, or a pot on the stove on low heat.
- Weigh the water in a heat-safe container or sturdy plastic bucket, and weigh lye separately.
- Once oils are melted, check the temperature. You want the oils to be 100 degrees F. Let oils cool if necessary.
- Once oils are at 100 degrees F, take the lye and water outdoors. Wearing gloves and safety goggles, carefully and slowly pour the lye into the water. Stir gently.
- Once the lye water has turned from cloudy to clear, leave it to cool for 10 minutes.
- Carefully pour the lye water into the oil mixture.
- Use an immersion blender to mix the shampoo bar mixture. After a few minutes, it will grow creamy, and start to thicken. Mix until it has reached “trace,” the light pudding consistency.
- Add the essential oils and blend again to incorporate.
- Pour shampoo bar mixture into molds, top with wax paper, and wrap molds in towels.
- After 24 hours, remove soap from mold and slice into bars. Let cure in an area with good airflow for 4-6 weeks.
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