How to Make a Massaging Shampoo Bar
If you’re trying to create a zero waste bathroom, one great way to do it is to make the switch from bottled shampoo to a shampoo bar. Fortunately, it’s very easy to make your own shampoo bars. Discover how to make a massaging shampoo bar that will get your hair clean and give your scalp a nice massage when you use it.
Not interested in DIY? Not a problem! You can also find a variety shampoo bars for every hair type. This guide of the best shampoo bars can help you decide which one will work best for you.
Plus, if you’re in a rush and simply need to revitalize your hair, you can check out this list of the best eco-friendly dry shampoo. You’ll find plenty of sustainable options that use natural ingredients to lift and refresh every type of hair.
The Benefits of Using a Shampoo Bar
When you make the switch to using a shampoo bar to wash your hair, you’ll enjoy a variety of benefits.
It’s estimated that around 552 million shampoo bottles end up in the landfill every year. When you switch to a shampoo bar, you’re helping to cut down on this pollution.
Shampoo bars are also ideal for zero waste travel. They’re easy to toss in your travel bag, you don’t have to worry about leaks, and they eliminate the need for those tiny (and incredibly wasteful) bottles of shampoo at hotels.
Plus, since shampoo bars are more concentrated than shampoo in a bottle, they last longer.
Making a Homemade Shampoo Bar
So now you know why you should make the switch from bottled shampoo to a shampoo bar.
If you’re feeling pressed for time and don’t want to DIY, I highly recommend purchasing these shampoo bars. They come from a store dedicated to plastic free and zero waste shipping, so you know you’re making an excellent sustainable choice.
However, if you want to make your own shampoo bars, this easy massaging shampoo bar is a perfect option.
Ingredients
- 15 ounces of shea butter soap base
- 1 tablespoon of argan oil
- 1 tablespoon of vitamin E oil
- 20 drops of rosemary essential oil
- 30 drops of rose essential oil
- 20 drops of lavender essential oil
- Silicone massage soap mold
Directions
- Melt 15 ounces of the shea butter soap base using either a double boiler pot or the microwave. If you’re using the microwave, heat the soap base in 30-second increments and stir after each one.
- Once the soap base has melted, add the argan oil, vitamin E oil, and the essential oils and stir until combined.
- If you’re not using the double boiler pot and your mixture begins to harden, stick it in the microwave for 30 seconds.
- Pour the mixture into the massage soap mold.
- Refrigerate overnight to allow the shampoo bars to set.
- Once the shampoo bars have set, gently peel them away from the silicone mold.
- These measurements will make 3 shampoo bars.
How to Use Your DIY Shampoo Bar
After your massaging shampoo bars have set, you can immediately begin using them in the shower. If you won’t be using your shampoo bars right away, wrap them in plastic wrap to prevent glycerin dew.
To use a shampoo bar, gently rub it directly onto your wet hair. Start at the scalp and work your way down to the tips.
Put your shampoo bar down and use your fingers to work the lather through your hair. Make sure you rinse EXTREMELY well so you don’t have patches of hair still coated with shampoo.
Apply a conditioner bar with the same technique you used to apply the shampoo. Let the conditioner sit on your hair for 1 or 2 minutes before rinsing off.
Related: The Best Conditioner Bars for Nourished Hair
Dry and style your hair like you normally do.
Using Essential Oils for Fragrance
I wanted my massaging shampoo bar to have a light, floral scent, which is why I chose lavender, rosemary, and rose essential oils. These oils also offer other benefits for improving hair health.
Rosemary essential oil is said to promote hair growth, prevent premature graying, and help with dandruff and a dry or itchy scalp.
Lavender essential oil has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that can improve scalp health. It can also speed up hair growth. If you love the scent of lavender, don’t forget to check out our post on how to make homemade lavender loofah soap.
If you want to experiment with different scents, consider some of these other great essential oils that can improve the health of your hair and scalp:
Peppermint Essential Oil– Can help maximize growth rate during the anagen (growing) phase. Plus, like this homemade coffee scrub that helps reduce cellulite, it offers a refreshing scent that can get you going in the morning since the smell of peppermint is a natural energy booster.
Lemongrass Essential Oil– An incredibly effective natural dandruff treatment.
Cedarwood Essential Oil– Has antibacterial and antifungal properties that may reduce dandruff or hair loss. Can also balance the oil-producing glands in the scalp to help promote hair growth.
Tea Tree Essential Oil– Has extremely powerful antimicrobial, antibacterial, and cleansing properties that can help unplug hair follicles and increase hair growth.
Clary Sage Essential Oil– Can increase hair growth and improve hair strength, which makes hair more difficult to break.
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil– Can stimulate sebum production, which is helpful for people with dry scalp. However, if you have oily hair, you’ll want to skip this one.
Thyme Essential Oil– Helps promote hair growth by preventing hair loss and stimulating the scalp.
Homemade Massaging Shampoo Bar
When you make this simple DIY massaging shampoo bar, you can enjoy a relaxing scalp massage in the shower and ditch that wasteful shampoo bottle for a more zero waste life.
More Eco-Friendly Living Tips
Now that you see how easy it is to make a homemade massaging shampoo bar, are you interested in other tips that can help you live a more eco-friendly life? Then be sure to check out some of our other popular posts:
- Which Bamboo Toothbrush Is Right for You?
- The Best Zero Waste Dental Floss
- How to Make Homemade Shaving Gel
- The Best Safety Razor for Beginners
- How to Naturally Ease Eczema
