Opting for a homemade shampoo: an economical, eco-friendly, sustainable, and enjoyable alternative. At Zèta, we know how important it is to care for your hair AND the planet. That is why we are sharing our best tips for making a homemade shampoo that is natural, effective, and suited to your hair.
Contents
I. Why make your own shampoo at home?
1. The drawbacks of conventional shampoos
The shampoos we traditionally use are laden with harsh sulphates, such as SLS, and controversial preservatives such as parabens. These substances can have harmful effects on your hair. Today, we will introduce you to natural alternatives you can make at home. Homemade shampoo recipes allow you to choose gentle ingredients that are beneficial to your scalp's health and tailored to your needs and preferences.
One of the main reasons to switch to a homemade shampoo lies in preserving the natural balance of your hair. The silicones found in many commercial products can weigh hair down and lead to harmful build-up. By making your own shampoo at home, you can avoid these additives. In addition to promoting softness and shine, a homemade shampoo allows you to steer clear of artificial colourants and fragrances that can damage the scalp.
Furthermore, conventional shampoos most often contain ingredients whose production has a harmful impact on the environment. Most shampoos are composed largely of water (a rather common ingredient in our part of the world), and the whole thing is packaged in single-use plastic. By using natural ingredients and avoiding excessive plastic packaging, you will contribute to the preservation of our precious planet.
2. The benefits of homemade shampoos
Homemade shampoos can offer several benefits, although their effectiveness may vary depending on the ingredients used and each person's hair type. Discover below a list of benefits provided by homemade shampoos:
🌳 Using natural ingredients: Homemade shampoos often use natural ingredients such as essential oils, herbs, fruits, honey, etc. These ingredients provide beneficial nutrients to the hair. Above all, they avoid the use of harmful ingredients, as mentioned previously.
🧪 Eliminating harsh chemicals: By avoiding the harsh chemicals found in many shampoos, you reduce the risk of scalp irritation and allergic reactions (and the planet will thank you for it).
🛠 Personalisation: You have the ability to personalise your shampoo according to your specific needs — whether for hydration, shine, volume, or to address specific issues such as dandruff. Making your own shampoo at home allows you to create YOUR personalised formula.
🌿 Reducing environmental impact: By making your own shampoo, you can reduce your plastic consumption by using reusable containers. This contributes to a more eco-friendly approach.
💸 Cost: In many cases, making your own shampoo can be more economical than purchasing a shampoo of equivalent quality on the market. Moreover, choosing your own materials allows you to tailor your shampoo to your budget.
II. How to make your own shampoo at home?
There are many ways to make your own shampoo. To make things easier for you, we have selected three simple and effective recipes, each suited to a particular hair type: oily, dry, or normal.
Homemade shampoo for oily hair
Ingredients:
2 tbsp rhassoul (or green clay)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp aloe vera
4 drops of tea tree essential oil
Method:
Mix the rhassoul with a little warm water until you obtain a smooth paste.
Add the apple cider vinegar and aloe vera, then mix again.
Add the tea tree essential oil.
Apply directly to wet hair, gently massaging the scalp.
Leave on for 2 to 3 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
Homemade shampoo for dry hair
Ingredients:
30 g grated Castile (or Marseille) soap
200 ml hot water
1 tbsp coconut or jojoba oil
4 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil
Method:
Heat the water in a small saucepan.
Add the grated soap and allow it to melt gently, stirring continuously.
Remove from the heat, add the vegetable oil, and mix well.
Add the ylang-ylang essential oil.
Leave to cool, then pour into a reusable bottle.
Use as a regular shampoo and rinse thoroughly.
Homemade shampoo for dry hair
Ingredients:
200 ml warm water
2 tbsp shikakai powder
1 tbsp liquid honey
3 drops of lavender essential oil
Method:
Mix the shikakai powder with warm water to obtain a fluid texture.
Add the liquid honey and blend well.
Add the lavender essential oil.
Apply to wet hair, massaging the scalp and lengths.
Leave on for 2 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
A universal recipe for the whole family
For those who prefer a more versatile option, here is a simple recipe suitable for all hair types.
Ingredients (for approximately 1 litre):
600 ml tap water
30 g Marseille soap
3 tbsp green clay
1 tbsp bicarbonate of soda
2 tbsp jojoba oil
13 drops of tea tree essential oil
Method:
Blend the Marseille soap into a powder: this will be the base of your shampoo.
Heat the water over a low heat and add the powdered soap. Stir until you obtain a smooth, even texture, then leave to cool.
Add the green clay, bicarbonate of soda, and tea tree essential oil. Mix well.
Add the jojoba oil gradually until you achieve the desired consistency.
You now have an effective shampoo to cleanse all hair types. We have presented a simplified recipe here. Below you will find other ingredients that will allow you to adapt your shampoo to your specific needs:
Castile soap
✅ Gentle, moisturising, biodegradable, and versatile (olive, coconut, jojoba).
❌ Sometimes too rich; texture may need adjusting.
Black soap
✅ Cleansing, gentle, multi-purpose (olive or linseed, body and hair).
❌ Strong odour, requires thorough rinsing.
Rhassoul (Moroccan clay)
✅ Purifies, removes excess sebum, and adds shine.
❌ Does not lather; texture needs improvement.
Plant-based cleansers (soapwort, soap nuts, hibiscus)
✅ Natural and eco-friendly alternatives.
❌ Variable availability; consistency may need adjusting.
At Zèta, we create eco-responsible trainers, crafted from recovered materials and recycled fibres such as grape, maize, and coffee grounds. Our mission: to prove that fashion, sustainability, and respect for the environment can go hand in hand.
By sharing our DIY tips and natural advice, we aim to go beyond the trainer and guide everyone towards more mindful and responsible consumption.
1 comment
Merci pour la recette.
Et la découverte de votre site grace à Gaetan Gabriel . Je m interroge sur la durée de vie moyenne de vos baskets ?