Is finding natural hair care products that work a challenge? Learn how to make DIY natural shampoo bars for healthy hair, and you’ll be hooked on homemade.
Finding a natural shampoo that works can be a challenge. I have tried so many natural shampoos and I’ve even tried the no poo trend.
I was introduced to shampoo bars a while back and really liked the idea. If you haven’t tried them before, you can buy shampoo bars on Amazon.
Since they’re solid, they have a longer shelf life than liquid shampoos. They’re easy to make and they’re easy to bring along on vacation too. Plus shampoo bars work great!
I’ve had several people ask if you need to include the cetyl alcohol. I understand it’s not a common DIY beauty ingredient, so you may not have it on hand. It is absolutely necessary to use it. It’s what binds everything together and makes it work. So don’t omit it!
I have chosen to use a few essential oils that have great benefits for hair and most people have on hand. If you want to switch it up, you can check out the post I wrote on essential oils for hair for some more ideas.

How to Make Shampoo Bars for Healthy Hair
Supplies
- 3 teaspoons cocoa butter
- 2 teaspoons cetyl alcohol
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- ½ pound goats milk melt and pour soap base cut into cubes
- 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
- 1 teaspoon argan oil
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 10 drops tea tree essential oil
- 10 drops rosemary essential oil
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
- ¼ cup dried lavender crushed: you can use an spice grinder, coffee grinder or mortar and pestle (optional)
- Soap colorant optional
Instructions
- Add the cetyl alcohol, coconut oil and cocoa butter to a double boiler over medium heat, stirring frequently until all ingredients are completely melted. Once melted, add the melt and pour soap cubes and continue stirring frequently until the mixture is melted and smooth. (If you don't have a double boiler, you can fit a glass bowl into a pan of water.)
- Stir the apple cider vinegar, sea salt, baking soda, Vitamin E and Argan oil into the mixture in the double boiler.
- Add the essential oils and soap colorant and stir to until well combined.
- Stir in the crushed lavender, reserving about 2 tablespoons (optional).
- Sprinkle a bit of crushed lavender into each cavity of the soap mold (optional).
- Gently pour the shampoo bars mixture into your silicone mold.
- Spray the top of the mold with a spritz of rubbing alcohol to dissipate any bubbles.
- Allow your homemade shampoo bars to harden at room temperature or in the refrigerator for at least two hours until completely cool. Store the shampoo bars in an airtight glass container until you're ready to use them.
Notes
How To Use Shampoo Bars
- Lather up the lotion bar in your hands, then wash your hair as usual.
- Follow up with an all natural hair rinse.
- If you need extra conditioning, give our DIY Hair Detangler Spray a try.