Since I went to Zero-Waste, I have experimented with so many organic and “all-natural” shampoo recipes. Sadly, all left me a little closer with greasy hair. But, no regrets. So, with all my experience, I have this perfect recipe to share with you guys, made through the fermentation method. This recipe is tried and tested and worked so well for me!

Because of my busy schedule, I wanted something completely Zero-Waste, natural, and convenient for me. A recipe that I can make once and store for a few months.

So, In my last attempts, I came up with this beautiful, handmade, DIY, all-natural shampoo of GLORY! (Yes, I love it that much!)

Why should you get rid of chemical shampoos in the market?

Harmful Ingredients

Have you ever read the ingredient list on the back of the shampoos you use on your scalp? You will find a list of chemicals that get absorbed by the scalp and are harmful. For starters, many shampoos have lots of questionable ingredients (like carcinogens in baby shampoo), etc.

Strip off your natural oils

Most shampoos that are available in the market strip off the scalp of their natural oils. The body tries to balance itself back by producing more oil. This, of course, results in hair that gets greasy too fast – that’s why most people feel like they need to wash their hair every day or two only because our shampoos are destroying the natural oil balance of our scalp! As simple as that.

The products we use to make us less greasy are making us, well, more greasy. It seems unbelievable, but it is why people are cutting back on shampoo.

You can essentially “train” your body to not produce oils at such a fast rate by using natural shampoos that don’t snatch away your natural scalp oil, making you more comfortable with the way your hair looks.

Is there an alternative to regular shampoos?

This natural shampoo recipe below is a fantastic alternative. It’s easy, smells herbal, is entirely natural, and will also help grow your hair thicker, and longer and repair damaged hair with time.

Having this super oily scalp, I only need to wash about thrice a week now compared to washing my hair every day before. My hair doesn’t get nearly as oily as it used to be.

Of course, everyone’s hair and scalp are different, which makes a difference in its usage and adjustments of the ingredients according to you.

Make sure that you give your scalp at least four to five weeks to adjust before giving up. You’ll probably feel a little greasy for the first couple of days while your body’s natural oil production transitions back to normal. Takes a different time for everyone. Be patient, people!

Note

It is essential to be patient when shifting your hair care routine from chemical products to natural ones. It’s normal for some time when your hair may feel stiff, sticky, oily, heavy, or dry, especially when a “detox” period is going on for a few weeks.

Here’s the recipe-

FAQ’S

Can we make it without Bio-enzymes?

No. Bio-enzyme is the critical ingredient for its preservation to last for 2-3 months. If you don’t have it, you can try other methods to make this shampoo, which will only last for a week even if kept in a fridge.

Should we refrigerate this shampoo?

Since we added Bio-Enzyme for its preservation, we don’t need to refrigerate it. It will work at room temperature.

Does it make foam like other shampoos on the market?

No. It doesn’t. The chemical shampoo companies conditioned our brains to think that more foam means more cleaning, which is invalid. Instead, these chemical shampoos block our pores, strip off our natural oils and result in product buildup on the skin.

The cleaning properties in soap nuts and other ingredients in this recipe slowly remove the product buildup and clean the scalp thoroughly without disrupting the natural skin oil.

What is bio-enzyme?

Bio-enzymes are great for your hair and skin as they are natural stimulants and get rid of dirt, oil, and pollution.

They are multi-purpose cleaners you can make at home and used to clean floors, skincare, or preservatives in natural products.

What is the shelf life of this natural shampoo recipe?

It can last up to 3-4 months at room temperature.

How much quantity do we need per wash?

You probably need around half a small bowl to apply it all over your scalp.

How do we use it?

You don’t need to apply shampoo to your hair ends. Take some quantity on your fingertips, part your hair and apply on just your scalp. Massage it in. You can keep this for 5-10 minutes as a pack or wash it right away.

What does it smell like?

As far as I have experienced, it has a strong herbal smell to it. It may feel weird at first because you are used to strong fragrances added to market shampoo. But, it will take some getting used to it.

Will my hair smell bad after using it?

No. not at all. You will only have its smell while you’re using it and when your hair is wet. But, when your hair gets dry, there is no smell at all. Just like we can smell the pile of wet clothes and when they are cleaned and dried, it’s gone.

How long will it take for my scalp to adjust to it?

Give your scalp at least four to five weeks to adjust before giving up. You’ll probably feel a little greasy for the first couple of days while your body’s natural oil production transitions back to normal. But don’t lose hope and be patient!

I hope you will love the recipe. Try it out, and let me know how it worked for you in the comments below!

Recipe inspiration- Shailender_sga

Sign up for more recipes, tips, and sources for a Zero-Waste lifestyle!