Best Natural Homemade Shampoo Recipe

This post contains paid and/or affiliate links. Read full disclosure.
Jump to Directions

Are you tired of using commercial shampoos packed with harmful chemicals that strip your hair of its natural oils? Get ready to transform your hair care routine with a natural homemade shampoo recipe that leaves your locks looking luscious and feeling cleaner than ever.

Close up view of a 16-ounce bottle of homemade shampoo on a purple washcloth.

Making homemade shampoo allows you to take control of the ingredients that touch your hair and scalp, ensuring a healthier, eco-friendly and personalized hair care experience. This luxurious, all-natural shampoo is made with coconut milk, castile soap, sweet almond oil and a blend of nourishing essential oils.

Coconut milk, the star ingredient of this recipe, is rich in vitamins and minerals that strengthen and rejuvenate your hair, while castile soap gently cleanses without causing any damage. Sweet almond oil adds an extra layer of hydration, giving your hair a soft, silky finish. To enhance the shampoo’s benefits, I’ve also included a medley of lavender, rosemary and sage essential oils, which not only provide a calming aroma but also promote hair growth and scalp health.

As we delve into the step-by-step process of creating this simple homemade shampoo, prepare to revolutionize the way you care for your hair. Say goodbye to store-bought shampoos and hello to a natural, eco-friendly alternative that will leave your tresses feeling pampered and looking fabulous.

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup of coconut milk
  • ¾ cup of liquid castile soap
  • 2 teaspoons of sweet almond oil
  • 20 drops of lavender essential oil
  • 20 drops of rosemary essential oil
  • 10 drops of clary sage essential oil
  • ½ cup of water

Supplies

  • Glass measuring cup
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Can opener
  • Small whisk
  • Funnel
  • 16-ounce foaming soap dispenser

By the Numbers: How to Make Natural Shampoo

Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to learn how to make the best all-natural homemade shampoo recipe for clean, vibrant locks.

Step 1: Whisk Coconut Milk

Open the can of coconut milk with your can opener and whisk to combine the liquid and solid portions until it’s nice and smooth.

Coconut milk being whisked while still in the can.

Step 2: Add Coconut Milk to Measuring Cup

Pour ¾ cup of the coconut milk into your glass measuring cup and whisk it again to make sure it’s smooth and there are no lumps.

Coconut milk in a glass measuring cup with a small whisk.

Step 3: Add Castile Soap

Add ¾ cup of liquid castile soap to the measuring cup and whisk until it’s smooth and well combined with the coconut milk.

Coconut milk and castile soap being whisked together in a glass measuring cup.

Step 4: Add Oils

Next, add 2 teaspoons of sweet almond oil, 20 drops of lavender essential oil, 20 drops of rosemary essential oil and 10 drops of sage essential oil to the measuring cup and whisk until all of the ingredients are well combined.

Sweet almond oil and essential oils being whisked into the coconut milk and castile soap mixture.

Step 5: Transfer to Shampoo Bottle

Once it’s smooth and well combined, pour the shampoo mixture you just made through the funnel into your soap dispenser.

Homemade shampoo being poured from a measuring cup into a bottle through a funnel.

You’ll notice it doesn’t quite fill the entire jar or bottle.

Homemade shampoo in bottle that doesn't reach the top of the jar.

Step 6: Add Water

Top off the bottle with luke warm water (mine takes almost ½ cup of water), then whisk to combine.

Homemade shampoo in bottle topped off with water.

Step 7: Seal and Use Your Shampoo

Finally, it’s time to replace the lid on your new shampoo dispenser and it’s ready to use. See below for tips.

Bottle of homemade shampoo on a wood table with a purple washcloth and amethyst cluster.

Tips for Making Homemade Shampoo

Answers to all of your questions about making homemade shampoo, including tips, variations and substitution ideas.

Best essential oil blends for hair

These are my choices for the best essential oil blends for gorgeous hair. Use equal parts of each oil or play around with combinations of about 50 drops total of your favorite essential oils to find what works best for you:

  • Everyday use: lavender, rosemary and chamomile oils (optional: add carrot seed oil to moisturize)
  • Aromatic blend: lavender and orange essential oils smell delish together
  • Clarifier: lavender, rosemary and peppermint oil
  • Dry hair and/or dry scalp: rose, sandalwood, ylang ylang and lavender oils; add 1 teaspoon jojoba oil. It’s best to use a hot oil treatment first, which will allow the hair to fully absorb the oils.
  • Oily hair and/or oily scalp: rosemary, eucalyptus, chamomile, cedarwood and lemon essential oils (this blend leaves behind clean, shiny hair with a fantastic fresh scent)
  • Dandruff-prone hair: use any of the blends above but add tea tree oil.
  • Shine booster: chamomile, lavender, lemon, tea tree and bergamot essential oils.

No matter your hair type, you can benefit from quality essential oils. Remember, a little bit goes a long way. And if you’re on the hunt for the best brand of essential oils, be sure to read why I use Rocky Mountain Essential Oils!

Alternative to sweet almond oil

I know not everyone can use sweet almond oil and that okay! While I like it for my hair, sometimes I also use other carrier oils like jojoba oil and olive oil.

When you’re diluting essential oils to use in hair products, two of the best alternative carrier oils to use are rosehip oil or argan oil (read more about the best carrier oils for essential oils). You can also use castor oil, liquid coconut oil, avocado oil or any other oil you know your hair likes.

Why add water

The main reason we add water in this recipe is to thin it a bit to work with foaming soap dispensers. If you’re not using a foaming dispenser, you can omit the water. You can also replace it with aloe vera juice for extra nourishment for your hair if you’re using a foaming dispenser or aloe vera gel with a regular dispenser.

How to use homemade shampoo

It’s important to shake this shampoo well before each use to make sure the ingredients are mixed. It’s also important to patch test the first time you use it, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Finally, it’s not recommended to use most essential oils on children under the age of five unless you’re using a known kid-safe essential oil. If you omit the essential oils, this will be really similar to a baby shampoo which is safe to use with most kids.

Now you’re ready to use the shampoo just like your regular shampoo. Massage it into wet hair, then rinse with hot water. Follow with conditioner or a hair rinse and style as usual.

Shelf life

In ideal conditions, this shampoo will keep for approximately one month. If you won’t use 16 ounces of natural shampoo in 30 days, you can make smaller batches for best results.

More DIY natural hair care products

If you liked this recipe, try these other DIY tutorials for hair:

Jar of homemade coconut milk shampoo on a table with an amethyst cluster and purple wash cloth.

Homemade Shampoo Recipe

This simple beauty recipe will teach you how to make your own homemade shampoo with natural ingredients.
5 from 3 votes
Print (no photos)
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Active Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Makes: 16 ounces

Supplies

  • ¾ cup coconut milk
  • ¾ cup liquid castile soap
  • 2 teaspoons sweet almond oil
  • 20 drops lavender essential oil
  • 20 drops rosemary essential oil
  • 10 drops clary sage essential oil
  • ½ cup water

Tools

  • Glass measuring cup
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Can opener
  • Small whisk
  • Funnel
  • 16-ounce foaming soap dispenser

Instructions

  • Open the can of coconut milk and whisk until smooth.
    Coconut milk being whisked while still in the can.
  • Pour coconut milk into your glass measuring cup and whisk again to make sure it’s smooth.
    Coconut milk in a glass measuring cup with a small whisk.
  • Whisk in the castile soap until smooth.
    Coconut milk and castile soap being whisked together in a glass measuring cup.
  • Whisk in the sweet almond oil and essential oils until well combined.
    Sweet almond oil and essential oils being whisked into the coconut milk and castile soap mixture.
  • Pour the shampoo mixture through the funnel into your soap dispenser.
    Homemade shampoo being poured from a measuring cup into a bottle through a funnel.
  • Top off the bottle with water, then whisk to combine.
    Homemade shampoo in bottle topped off with water.
  • Replace the lid on your dispenser and now you have your own shampoo, ready to use.
    Bottle of homemade shampoo on a wood table with a purple washcloth and amethyst cluster.

More Homemade Beauty Products

Free DIY Beauty Products Guide

How to choose the right essential oils for your homemade beauty products.

Open mason jar of pink peppermint body butter on pink and white background.

2 thoughts on “Best Natural Homemade Shampoo Recipe”

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating