DIY Organic Shampoo Recipe for Lustrous Hair

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Each of us spends countless time and money on fancy shampoos and conditioners. Our hair is our glory and we want to keep it lustrous and healthy!

Nowadays it is not problem at all to find expensive shampoo or conditioner that can “promise” us heavy and shiny hair. But have you ever looked at additives in your favorite shampoos? I guess, not so many girls care much about it, but that list really can shock.

Here are some very common additives in your expensive, fancy “shampoos and conditioners:” (for the green at heart, try not to faint).

Is Your Shampoo Safe?

Let’s discuss the main ingredients that proved to be dangerous and can be harmful to your health.

  • Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. According to the 1988 American College of Toxicology report, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)can irritate the skin in concentrations of as little as 0.5%. SLES and SLS are added to soaps, shampoos, detergents and even toothpaste because they are a known surfactant, or foaming agent. In clinical studies SLES and SLS are linked to direct damage to the hair follicle, skin damage, permanent eye damage in children, and liver toxicity. It means that such shampoos with SLES and SLS can cause eye irritation, scalp irritation, swelling of the hands, face, and armpit, tangled and fuzzy hair.
  • Sodium Chloride. It means table salt. It is used as a thickening agent in shampoos if the main ingredients in shampoo are are SLES and SLS. Salt used in shampoos is very harsh on the skin and can sting the eyes.
  • Methylchloroisothiazolinone. It is used to protect against bacteria, fungi, and yeasts. Not only is it used in shampoos and detergents, but also used in paints and fuels. Research has not found any carcinogens in it. However, it is proved to be an allergen.
  • Methylisothiazolinone. It has been found to affect the nervous system by restricting growth of axon and dendrites in immature nervous cells in rat brains. Also, long term exposure to this chemical showed in studies that it affected the way neurons communicate with each other. It is used in shampoos to prevent bacterial growth, but has been found to be a skin irritant.
  • Propylene Glycol & Ethylene Glycol. Although exposure to high levels of Propylene Glycol is known to cause serious and potentially irreversible health conditions, the chemical industry tell us that low level exposure of Propylene Glycol is “safe” to use on the skin. According to some research chemicals such as Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol can cause serious health problems such as liver and heart damage and damage to the central nervous system if sufficient is absorbed by the body.

Still wanna buy your favorite shampoo at the supermarket? Well, the best choice to keep us looking and feeling young is to return to natural products that have all organic ingredients. By other words, better make your own organic hair shampoo. Moreover, shampoo natural ingredients are easy to find.

Organic Coconut Shampoo

For the base, you will need: ¼ cup natural coconut milk (avoid the kind in the can, try extra virgin if you can) 1/3 cup, clear, natural liquid soap (try a health store).

If you cannot find natural soap, you can try a baby variant. It contains less harmful ingredients in comparison with ordinary one. Trichologists and hairdressers share the concerns that using ordinary soap for hair is not the best idea. First of all, soap has quite strong alkaline composition and aggressively cleanses the hair and scalp. It washes away the protective hydro-lipid film, whose mission – to protect the hair and skin from the negative influence from the outside, enveloping the hair from root to tip. If this film is washed away, hair condition will be worse. As a result, hair cuticle are damaged and hair loses shine, elasticity, become dull, brittle and lifeless. It should be noted that soap is especially dangerous for normal or dry hair. Using soap for hair can cause scalp irritation and itching. In some cases, dandruff may appear.

Depending on how dry or damaged your hair is, feel free to add: 1/3 teaspoon of almond or olive oil, 4 muddled vitamin-E capsules (get rid of the glycerine capsule part) or you can purchase straight-up, vitamin-e oil without the gel capsules. Use about ¼ teaspoon.

All you need is to simply chop soap on a grater and dissolve it in a liter of warm water, and then add your favorite essential oil. Mix well. Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle; you may need a funnel. Shake well. You can also opt to reuse an old shampoo bottle or a mason jar. If you decide to use a “foam” dispenser, add one cup of distilled water.

Baking Soda & Hair Care

Using natural shampoo with baking soda regularly you will get shiny and thick hair. Natural shampoo recipe is simple enough. You will need regular baking soda and water. Also this shampoo recipe will cure your hair, and additional bonus is that such homemade shampoo is not expensive. Another advantage is that it can be diluted in a bottle in advance and left in the bathroom so you don’t need to make organic shampoo each time you plan to wash your hair.

Before trying baking soda as a main component for your own shampoo remember that it still has some contraindications. As baking soda is an alkaline substance it shouldn’t be applied in the following cases:

  • If you are hypersensitive
  • Open wounds and scratches on the scalp
  • Severely damaged hair: split ends, over-dried and brittle
  • Skin diseases
  • Problems with blood circulation
  • Very dry hair

How to Make Organic Shampoo with Baking Soda?

Dilute 1 teaspoon of baking sod in 1 cup water a and shampoo is ready! You can dilute a few glasses, keeping concentration and put the bottle with a natural shampoo in the bathroom. Remember to shake well before each use. Then apply the mixture on wet hair and massage into your scalp for 3-5 minutes. Wash off with warm water.

Natural Shampoo Recipe with Nettle

Add one liter of water to 100g fresh or dried nettle leaves, then add 0.5 liters of apple cider vinegar, put on fire, let the mixture boil for a few minutes and then turn off. Let the infusion brew for 30 minutes. Then strain the liquid. Pour 2-3 cups of the resulting liquid into a bowl, add water and wash your hair with this herbal infusion. The hair will be shiny and silky after this homemade natural shampoo.

Homemade Mustard & Gelatin Shampoo for Hair Growth

This organic shampoo recipe is very suitable for normal or oily hair.

In quarter cup of warm boiled water dissolve 1 teaspoon of gelatin and allow it to swell for half an hour, then filter and stir until completely get rid of gelatin lumps. To the resulting mass add 1 teaspoon of mustard and 1 egg yolk and then mix thoroughly again until you get a smooth paste. Apply this natural shampoo on your hair, hold for 20-30 minutes and rinse with warm water.

Pros: mustard stimulates hair growth, nourishes the scalp (due to the large number of essential oils in the composition of mustard).
Cons: dries out hair. And if you overdo with mustard applications, then all you can get a skin irritation.

Tips to Use Natural Shampoo

  • Your hair will adapt to the new homemade shampoo without chemicals in a few weeks. The hair will seem more greasy. That’s okay, because our body is used to generate a large amount of sebum to protect the hair because commercial shampoo washed it out completely. The body has to get used to a normal level of sebum.
  • If you feel that your natural shampoo dries out your hair, than add 1 tablespoon of organic honey.
  • Avoid the use of foams and mousses styling. Hold on just one month, and then you are simply not needed.
  • Avoid drying your hair with a hair dryer.

Discussion2 Comments

  1. Thank you for posting this both helpful and scientifically accurate article. The natural approach has helped many with hair loss issues who used natural products in the form of therapy like the Gerson program.

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