Cold-process shampoo bars are easy to make at home and have great benefits for your hair. Made with moisturizing ingredients, these shampoo bars are the perfect for dry and dull winter hair.

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These days more and more people are taking their skincare and hair care into their own hands. Sustainable living and easy eco-friendly lifestyle changes are making their way into more homes each day. It is now easier than ever to create your very own homemade shampoo bars.

After using these shampoo bars, it may take a few washes for your hair to adjust to natural products over the first few weeks of use, but once it does, you will want not want to turn back! Making your own shampoo bars will help to reduce your waste, introduce a safer eco friendly shampoo alternative, and save you money in the long run.

These shampoo bars provide a gentle lather and help to cleanse and nourish dull and dry hair, especially helpful during the winter months!

lye safety tips

It is important to note some words of caution when first working with lye as it is very caustic to the skin.

Prior to mixing the lye into the water, ensure you have on your proper PPE (personal protective equipment) ie gloves, goggles and mask.

Make sure you are working in a well-ventilated area free from children or pets. During warmer months, it is encouraged to work outside if possible.

Lye is caustic to the skin, so it is integral to continue wearing your PPE until you have finished the mixing of your lye and water mixture with your oils. After the lye has mixed with the oils, it has started the saponification process. After your shampoo bars have finished curing, no lye will remain in the finished product.

If any lye does land on the skin while making your soap, it is recommended to immediately flush the skin with either normal saline or plain water.

benefits of making your own shampoo bars?

Homemade shampoo bars have a number of benefits. They cut down on plastic use, reduce water waste and help to nourish and moisture the hair with using natural ingredients.

Solid shampoo bars, and soap bars, are a great eco friendly option, easy to use, budget friendly and can be made by any beginner soap maker!

what are the oils and fats used?

The process of making soap includes mixing lye with a fat, this creates what we know as soap! You will find endless options for making homemade shampoo bars and each one is unique.

Some soap bars use beeswax, tallow or animal fats, included into their oils, however this recipe is vegan and contains no animal products.

olive oil

Contains vitamin E and antioxidants. Olive oil helps to soften and condition dry or dull hair.

coconut oil

Not only does coconut oil contain natural antimicrobial properties to help with scalp inflammation, it also does a wonderful job of moisturizing, nourishing and conditioning dry and damaged hair.

castor oil

Castor oil is rich in antibacterial and antifungal properties which can help to reduce dandruff from a dry and irritated scalp.

jojoba oil

A natural plant oil consisting of antioxidants and fatty acids that mimic the body’s natural sebum. This oil can help to moisture a dry scalp.

cocoa butter

Helps to repair dry and damaged hair by coating and strengthening the hair strands.

shea butter

Shea butter is full of vitamins and antioxidants. It is also an emollient meaning it helps to lock in moisture, helping to keep the hair hydrated.

what are the essential oils used?

It is not necessary to add in any essential oils to your shampoo bars, however I like to add them in for the added fragrance and benefits.

There are endless options for essential oils you can choose to add into this recipe, feel free to change out the lavender and peppermint for other essential oils like rosemary or tea tree oil.

lavender

Not only does lavender smell incredible, but it also has wonderful benefits such as improved circulation to the scalp which may help with hair growth.

peppermint

A cooling essential oil to the scalp, as well provides increased blood flow to the scalp! It also smells invigorating.

where to buy essential oils?

A good reminder is that all essential oils are not created equal and it’s important to do your research first before mixing and adding in oils when creating a recipe. There are certain safety precautions to keep in mind as some essential oils are stronger than others.

When shopping around for essential oils look for descriptions saying: “pure”, “organic”, or “undiluted”.

With that said, be sure to buy your essential oils from a reputable company! Buying pure or organic essential oils can be a a bit more pricey, however you just may not know what some of the cheaper oils are filled with (ie synthetics oils).

how to make cold process shampoo bars

I am using a nourishing mixture of olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, jojoba oil and castor oil for my shampoo bar. This blend is specifically formulated for dry, dull and damaged hair and is my go to especially during winter months.

If you decide you want to omit or change out anything in this recipe, you need to reformulate measurements using a soap calculator so that everything comes out balanced.

This post does contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

supplies needed

• Heat resistant glass measuring bowls or mixing bowls.
• Digital scale
• Large spoon
• Infrared thermometer
• 3-5 lb soap mold (I found mine on Etsy, they have some great wooden soap mold options!)
• Parchment paper
• Scissor
• Stick blender
• Rubber spatula
• Blanket

It’s important to keep your soap making supplies separate from your everyday cooking supplies. Any tools or items used for making soap or shampoo bars should not be used for future cooking or eating use.

ingredients needed

• Olive oil
• Coconut oil
• Castor oil
• Jojoba oil
• Cocoa butter
• Shea butter
• Lye
• Distilled water (tap water is fine too)
• Lavender essential oil
• Peppermint essential oil
• Dried lavender buds (optional)

step-by-step process

1. HEAT THE FATS/OILS: In a large glass bowl, combine the measured olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter and shea butter. Heat in a microwave until they are melted and incorporated. (2-4 minutes). Allow to cool until the temperature reaches 100-110F.
2. MIX THE LYE WATER: Put on your PPE first. In a well ventilated area, carefully add the lye crystals to your distilled water in a separate glass bowl and stir until fully dissolved. *NEVER add water to the lye, only lye to water.* Allow to cool until 100-110F.
3. PREPARE THE MOLD: While the lye and oils cool, using your scissor cut and line your mold with parchment paper. *If you are using a silicone liner skip this step.
4. COMBINE AND BRING TO TRACE: When both the melted oils and lye/water mixture have reached temperatures between 100-110F, slowly pour the lye water into your glass bowl of oils. Use your stick blender to mix for 1 minute and let it rest for 2 minutes. Repeat this process until light trace.
5. ADD IN ESSENTIAL OILS: After the soap has reached light trace, add in your lavender and peppermint essential oils. Mix in by hand with a spatula as the soap can accelerate fast if using the stick blender during this step.
6. POUR INTO MOLD: Pour your soap mixture into your lined soap mold and sprinkle on dried lavender buds. Cover the top of the mold with a piece of parchment paper careful not to touch the top of your mixture. Place a wooden lid (or piece of a cardboard box) on top of the parchment paper and insulate with a blanket for 24 hours.
7. CUT AND CURE: Now that your soap has been resting for 24 hours, remove from your soap mold and cut into 8-10 bars depending on the size you want. Allow the bars to cure upright for at least 4-6 weeks in a well-ventilated location.
8. USE AND CARE: Lather in hand or while using the shampoo bar on top of your head. Massage in and rinse as you normally would. *Optional step* Then apply a mixture of half apple cider vinegar and water to the hair using a spritz bottle, leave in to help condition and balance the pH level of your hair. Allow your shampoo bars to dry out in between uses to extend their life. It may also take several washes for your hair to adjust to the shampoo bars.

caring for your shampoo bars

Like any cold-process soap bars, your DIY shampoo bar will last for a very long time. Be sure to allow your bar to fully cure, 4-6 weeks, and it will keep up to 12 months!