Nowadays, there are numerous care products for shiny hair available on the market. The focus is often on hair washes - as products from the chemical industry, some shampoos contain active ingredients that can potentially trigger allergies in people with sensitive skin. And even if most people actually tolerate hair cosmetics quite well, they find it difficult to find the right one for their own hair type.
DieNatural cosmetics offer an alternative– now everyone can find an individual solution and make their own shampoo. The task is pretty easy, as far as you can imagine. A few basic rules will help you make a gentle hair wash yourself. We offer you recipes for different hair types.
Make your own shampoo – What do conventional hair washes contain?
Originally, hair was washed with soap and water, but from the 19th century onwards, English hairdressers produced the first hair washes with herbs and essential oils. At that time they were sold as powder. In 1927, Hans Schwarzkopf developed the first liquid shampoo. In the middle of the 20th century, the era of mass production of shampoos began with the development of the first plastic bottles. Nowadays they are one of the most important hair care products. And while high-quality products protect and gently care for the hair, you can often find products on the market that contain allergenic substances. A shampoo is made up of several components; it can also contain the following active ingredients, among others:
Sodium lauryl sulfate (abbreviation SLS): the surfactant used to fulfill an important function - namely, it made it possible to clean hair. Nowadays, its use in cosmetics is rather limited - it is considered an allergy-causing and skin-irritating substance.
Propylene Glycol (PG): is obtained through the hydrolysis of propylene oxide and is used, among other things, as an ingredient in hydraulic fluid and in numerous antifreezes. Since the product can attract and bind water from the environment (i.e. is hygroscopic), it can dry human skin in high concentrations and therefore cause irritation.
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is used as an active ingredient carrier in pharmaceuticals and as a film former in the cosmetics industry. Whether it can actually cause contact dermatitis, as claimed, has not been clearly proven and remains controversial.
Perfume oils: If essential oils, for example, are used as perfume, they are considered to be harmless to health. If they are based on phthalates, they can be absorbed through the scalp and harm your health.
Shampoos also contain many ingredients that are harmless to health - sulfosuccinic acid esters are considered gentle on the skin and mild and have a good foaming effect. Although various silicone-based film formers are not harmful, some can leave stains on clothing that are difficult to remove. The topic for or against preservatives is very controversial. On the one hand, due to the high water content in the end product, there is a risk that shampoos without antimicrobial preservatives will not be able to meet the minimum shelf life. On the other hand, consumers are discouraged from purchasing products containing preservatives.
Ultimately, it depends on the product and its composition whether and to what extent it is suitable for the specific person. That's why it's not always easy for most buyers to find the right one. As a comparison, below we offer a list of the different substances that come into consideration when making homemade shampoos.
Active ingredients in natural cosmetics and basic recipe
If you want to make your own shampoo, you need 6 important substances: olive oil soap, water, vegetable oils, xanthan gum, essential oils and herbs. The ingredients are mixed in an uncomplicated way.
Instructions for the basic recipe: first mix 1/2 cup liquid olive oil soap, 1/2 cup water, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, then add 1/2 xanthan gum powder and stir. At the end add a few drops of essential oils and stir well again. Shake the bottle before each use. Since such a hair wash has an alkaline pH value and can therefore form lime soap with the water, rinsing with apple cider vinegar is recommended. Mix apple cider vinegar and water 1:1 in a spray bottle. First wash your hair with hair shampoo, then rinse well and dry with a towel. Spray the hair with the vinegar-water substance and then dry it straight away. The slight vinegar smell disappears as soon as the hair is dry.
The materials at a glance: Olive oil soap cleanses gently
Olive oil soap comes from the central Spanish region of Castile and, as the name itself suggests, is made from olive oil. Some manufacturers also enrich the natural product with coconut oil, jojoba oil and hemp seed oil. It contains no chemicals and therefore forms the perfect base for a skin- and hair-friendly shampoo. The soap is mixed with water - if the tap water is hard, you can buy distilled water instead.
Vegetable oils for daily hair care
Rich plant oils such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, walnut oil and grape seed oil make the hair shiny again and protect it from external influences - from cold in winter and from heat in summer. This way you can avoid brittle hair in summer. At the same time, they allow moisture to penetrate so that they look healthy and well-groomed. In contrast, care products with silicone form a protective film around the hair so that it cannot absorb nutrients. The result – the originally supple mane slowly dries out.
What exactly is xanthan gum?
Xanthan gum is a natural product that is obtained from sugary substances using bacteria. In natural cosmetics it is used as a connecting and thickening agent. A shampoo without xanthan gum is unusually liquid, but with xanthan gum the end result is more similar to conventional shampoos.
Essential oils
Essential oils nourish the hair and diffuse pleasant scents throughout the day. They should be mixed carefully - because a shampoo definitely needs a vegetable oil as the base, only then can an essential oil be added. The recipes below offer various possible combinations.
Herbs
Herbs can help combat skin problems - they primarily have antibacterial effects. Which herbs come into question depends closely on the skin and hair type.
Make your own shampoo – recipe with aloe vera for dry hair
If you want to make a nourishing shampoo yourself for your dry hair, then you should choose the recipe with aloe vera. Here the water from the basic recipe (see above) is replaced with aloe vera gel. The almond oil incorporated into the hair wash intensively nourishes the hair and provides moisture. The essential oils clary sage oil and lemon balm relax the senses.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup liquid olive oil soap, 1/2 cup aloe vera gel, 2 teaspoons almond oil, 6 drops clary sage oil, 6 drops lemon balm balm, 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum powder. Preparation: see basic recipe above.
Rosemary oil nourishes fine hair
Rosemary oil has long been known as a care product for fine hair. It stimulates blood circulation and contributes to healthy hair follicles. It can also darken gray hair and make brown tones more intense.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup olive oil soap, 1/2 cup rosemary infusion, 1 teaspoon jojoba oil, 10 drops rosemary oil, 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum powder. Preparation: This is how anyone can prepare the rosemary infusion at home - bring 1/2 cup of water to the boil, then pour over 1/2 cup of finely chopped rosemary leaves, leave the leaves in the water for 15 minutes and then remove. Then follow the basic recipe above.
With beer for more volume
Hard to believe, but true – beer gives your hair volume. First just leave a glass of beer in the fridge for 12 hours, and then add 1/2 cup of olive oil soap, 1/2 cup of beer, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, 10 drops of hop oil, 1/4 xanthan gum powder. Mix the ingredients according to the basic recipe. Prepare a maximum of two cans of shampoo at once - these do not last long and have to be used within a week.
Peppermint stimulates hair growth
Peppermint has an extremely positive effect on the human body - the medicinal herb refreshes the skin and stimulates hair growth. For optimal effect, you should let the shampoo work for 5 minutes and then rinse it off. In the basic recipe, 1/2 cup of olive oil soap is mixed with 1/2 cup of water, but you can replace the water with cold peppermint tea. Then add 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil and 10 drops of peppermint oil, stir for a minute and at the end add xanthan gum powder, stir again.
Make your own shampoo – recipe with oranges for oily hair
Oranges contain the natural substance limonene, which is used in the cosmetics industry as a fragrance and as a diluent for fatty substances. Argan oil moisturizes dry skin and has anti-inflammatory effects. Petitgrain is obtained from orange leaves and is particularly popular for its refreshing aroma. Ingredients: 1/2 cup olive oil soap, 1/2 cup water, 1 teaspoon argan oil, 6 drops petitgrain oil, 6 drops orange oil, 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum powder. Mix the ingredients well. Shake the shampoo bottle before each use.
Tea tree oil helps against dandruff
The Aborigines in Australia still knew the healing properties of the tea tree - back then the leaves were used as a wound dressing. Today it is still known for its antibacterial properties.Also the dandruff, which are caused by fungi from the Pityrosporum ovale family, can be combated with this. Ingredients: 1/2 cup olive oil soap, 1/2 cup water, 1 teaspoon argan oil, 12 drops tea tree oil, 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum powder.
After you make the shampoo yourself, apply it to your head and let it work for 5-10 minutes. Then rinse carefully. Apply the hair shampoo at least once a week, but you will only notice the effect after three to four weeks.
With chamomile for blonde hair
Chamomile tea is a natural way to lighten your hair - for best results, you can first rinse your hair thoroughly with it, then sit on the sunny terrace or balcony and wait for the warm rays of the sun to dry your hair. Only then wash with the shampoo. Then repeat the next day - chamomile tea doesn't lighten all at once, but gradually.
The shampoo recipe also contains cold-pressed grape seed oil - it stimulates hair growth. Bergamot is used as a raw material for many perfumes, and lime oil can also lighten hair. Ingredients: 1/2 cup olive oil soap, 1/2 cup chamomile infusion, 1 teaspoon grape seed oil, 5 drops bergamot oil, 5 drops lime oil, 1/4 teaspoon xantan powder. Mix the ingredients well.
Shampoo with coconut water
Coconut water is rich in vitamin D, nourishes the skin and hair and provides the hair roots with moisture and nutrients. That's why it's used in the next recipe - practically as a replacement for themHair care products, which combine shampoo and conditioner in one. After application, leave it to work for 5-10 minutes and only then rinse thoroughly. The recipe is very simple - 1/2 cup olive oil soap, 1/2 cup coconut water, 1 teaspoon almond oil, 10 drops orange oil, 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum powder. Mix the ingredients well and shake the bottle before each use.
More hair care tips
No matter whether you have oily, dry, blonde or dark hair - the first time you make a shampoo yourself and then try it out, you probably won't be happy with the result. The hair will feel dry and not supple. This is completely normal because up until this point they were always surrounded by silicone substances. You also cannot expect a miracle cure after the first use. In fact, the hair will gradually feel softer and look shinier. This initial adjustment phase usually ends after a month.
Storage also plays a crucial role - the shampoo you make yourself is guaranteed to last no longer than 2 weeks. If you make smaller quantities - for example - three cans for the coming week - then you will always have fresh shampoo. It is also important to keep the shampoo cool. Ideally not in the bathroom, but in the kitchen, for example. Check before each use and, if necessary, shake the bottle gently.
Even if you are very happy with the new shampoo, you should definitely not use itHair care with masksforget - now the hair needs nutrients, so you should care for it every week at the beginning, and then every two weeks with a hair mask.
