Embracing a more natural and sustainable approach to hair care is easier than ever with the magic of DIY shampoo bars! These solid wonders offer a fantastic way to reduce plastic waste, travel light, and get a truly customized cleanse.
Get ready to discover how simple it is to create your own bars, packed with nourishing ingredients that leave your hair feeling incredibly clean, soft, and healthy..
Table of Contents
1. Gentle & Sudsy Syndet Shampoo Bar
This shampoo bar is a dream for anyone looking for a gentle yet effective cleanse without the harsh chemicals.
It’s formulated with mild surfactants derived from coconut and palm oils, creating a rich, creamy lather that washes away dirt and oil without stripping your hair.
You’ll love how it leaves your hair feeling soft, smooth, and wonderfully clean..
Key Ingredients:
- Sodium Coco Sulfate (SCS)
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB)
- Coco Glucoside
- BTMS 50
- Vegetable Glycerin
- Citric Acid solution
Benefits:
- Zero Waste
- Environmentally Friendly
- Better for Your Hair
- Travel Friendly
- Gentle Cleansing
Pro Tip: Adjust the fragrance or essential oils to create a scent that’s uniquely yours, or leave it unscented for ultimate simplicity.
Get the Recipe: Gentle & Sudsy Syndet Shampoo Bar
2. Customizable Syndet Shampoo Bar for All Hair Types
Take control of your hair care with this customizable syndet shampoo bar recipe.
It’s designed to give you a powerful cleanse while respecting your hair’s natural balance, thanks to its low, hair-friendly pH.
You can tailor it with specific ingredients to suit your hair's unique needs, whether you're aiming for extra moisture, shine, or strength..
Key Ingredients:
- Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI)
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSa)
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine
- Sodium Lactate
- Cocoa Butter
- Cetyl Alcohol
- Fragrance Oil
- VegeKeratin
- Citric Acid
Benefits:
- Eco-Friendly
- Travel Convenience
- Gentle on Hair
- Customizable
- Cost-Effective
Pro Tip: Adjust the pH using citric acid to ensure it's perfectly balanced for your hair, aiming for the 4-5.5 range for optimal health.
Get the Recipe: Customizable Syndet Shampoo Bar for All Hair Types
3. Easy SCI Shampoo Bar with Chocolate Orange Scent
Looking for a simple yet luxurious DIY shampoo bar? This recipe is a fantastic starting point, using mild surfactants like SCI, SLSA, and cocamidopropyl betaine.
It creates a wonderfully foamy bar that’s easy to wash out and leaves hair feeling conditioned and soft.
Plus, the optional cocoa butter adds a subtle chocolate scent and helps harden the bar for longer use..
Key Ingredients:
- Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI)
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSA)
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine
- Cocoa Butter
- BTMS 25
- Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Benefits:
- Easy to Make
- Great Foaming
- Conditions Hair
- Longer Lasting Bar
- Environmentally Friendly
Pro Tip: This bar is gentle enough to be used on your body as well as your hair!
Get the Recipe: Easy SCI Shampoo Bar with Chocolate Orange Scent
4. Gentle Syndet Shampoo Bar with SCI and Coconut Oil
This DIY syndet shampoo bar is a fantastic choice for a gentle yet effective hair cleanse.
It features Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI), a mild surfactant known for its cleansing properties without stripping moisture, and coconut oil, which adds stiffness and deeply nourishes your hair, combating split ends and frizz.
The blend aims for a lovely, creamy lather that leaves your hair feeling soft and looking shiny..
Key Ingredients:
- Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI)
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine
- Coconut Oil
- Arrowroot Powder
- Coconut Milk Powder
- Essential Oil
Benefits:
- Mild cleansing
- Nourishing for hair
- Rich lather
- Reduces frizz
Pro Tip: When working with powdered surfactants like SCI, wearing a mask is recommended to avoid inhaling the fine particles.
Get the Recipe: Gentle Syndet Shampoo Bar with SCI and Coconut Oil
5. pH-Balanced Shampoo Bar with SCI, SLSA, and Broccoli Seed Oil
Crafting a shampoo bar that's kind to your hair and scalp is made easy with this recipe.
It uses a blend of mild surfactants like SCI and SLSA, alongside Cocamidopropyl Betaine, to ensure a gentle cleanse and rich lather.
Broccoli seed oil helps smooth the hair cuticle for added shine, while hydrolyzed wheat protein strengthens your strands.
This pH-balanced bar is especially beneficial for dry or damaged hair, leaving it feeling moisturized and looking healthy..
Key Ingredients:
- Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI)
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSA)
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine
- Broccoli Seed Oil
- Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
- BTMS-50
- Cetyl Alcohol
Benefits:
- pH balanced for hair
- Milder cleansing
- Moisturizing
- Strengthens hair
- Adds shine
Pro Tip: If using surfactants with a higher pH, consider adding a small amount of lactic acid or citric acid to balance the final product.
Get the Recipe: pH-Balanced Shampoo Bar with SCI, SLSA, and Broccoli Seed Oil
6. Rosemary Mint Nourishing Shampoo Bar (Hot & Cold Process)
This Rosemary Mint shampoo bar offers a wonderfully fragrant and nourishing hair cleanse, with options for both hot and cold process methods.
It’s rich in castor oil for a luxurious lather and infused with olive, coconut, and jojoba oils to keep your hair moisturized.
The essential oils of rosemary and peppermint add a refreshing scent while promoting a healthy scalp.
These bars are great for your hair and can even be used as an all-over body soap..
Key Ingredients:
- Olive Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Castor Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Jojoba Oil
- Lye
- Distilled Water
- Rosemary Essential Oil
- Peppermint Essential Oil
Benefits:
- Rich lather
- Moisturizing
- Promotes healthy scalp
- Refreshing scent
- Can be used on body
Pro Tip: For best results, follow your shampoo bar wash with an apple cider vinegar rinse.
Get the Recipe: Rosemary Mint Nourishing Shampoo Bar (Hot & Cold Process)
7. Melt and Pour Shampoo Bars with Goat's Milk and Mango Butter
Say goodbye to expensive store-bought shampoo bars! These DIY Melt and Pour Shampoo Bars are super simple to make and perfect for travel or camping.
Infused with nourishing goat's milk and mango butter, they gently cleanse your hair while keeping it soft and manageable.
A great, budget-friendly option!.
Key Ingredients:
- Organic Goat’s Milk Glycerin Melt & Pour Soap Base
- Mango Butter
- Castor Oil
- Lavender essential oil
Benefits:
- Gentle cleansing
- Moisturizing
- Travel-friendly
- Cost-effective
Pro Tip: Add a few drops of high-quality lavender essential oil for a soothing scent and added benefits.
Get the Recipe: Melt and Pour Shampoo Bars with Goat's Milk and Mango Butter
8. Coconut Shampoo Bars for Soft and Silky Hair
Achieve incredibly soft, silky, and healthy hair with these easy Coconut Shampoo Bars.
Made with simple ingredients, they're a fantastic zero-waste alternative that cleanses effectively without harsh chemicals.
Your hair will thank you for this nourishing, natural treatment..
Key Ingredients:
- Coconut oil
- Goat milk soap base
Benefits:
- Soft, silky hair
- Healthy hair
- Zero-waste
- Gentle cleansing
Pro Tip: Store your bars in a travel soap box after showering to keep them dry and prevent waste.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Shampoo Bars for Soft and Silky Hair
9. Therapeutic Shampoo Bars with SCI and Coconut Oil
This lye-free shampoo bar recipe is a natural game-changer for your hair! It uses mild surfactants like SCI and a blend of coconut oil and powders to create a rich, creamy lather.
Your hair will feel deeply nourished and wonderfully clean, with added shine and reduced frizz..
Key Ingredients:
- Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate Powder (SCI)
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine
- Coconut oil
- Arrowroot powder
- Coconut milk powder
- Lime essential oil
Benefits:
- Nourishing
- Adds shine
- Reduces frizz
- Gentle pH
Pro Tip: Use a beautiful mold for your bars to make them look sophisticated and luxurious.
Get the Recipe: Therapeutic Shampoo Bars with SCI and Coconut Oil
10. Rosemary & Mint Tallow Shampoo Bars
These DIY shampoo bars are a fantastic way to care for your hair naturally.
Infused with rosemary and mint, they offer a refreshing and herbaceous scent.
Made with nourishing tallow and other beneficial oils, these bars cleanse effectively while being gentle on your scalp.
They're a great choice for those looking for a solid, eco-friendly hair care solution..
Key Ingredients:
- Tallow
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Castor Oil
- Rosemary
- Lavender Buds
- Essential Oils
Benefits:
- Natural cleansing
- Refreshing scent
- Gentle on scalp
- Reduces plastic waste
Pro Tip: Consider infusing your tallow with dried herbs like rosemary for a couple of days before making the bars to enhance the herbal notes.
Get the Recipe: Rosemary & Mint Tallow Shampoo Bars
11. Goat Milk & Cocoa Butter Shampoo Bars
Discover the luxurious feel of a goat milk shampoo bar! This recipe combines the gentle, moisturizing properties of goat milk with the deep conditioning of cocoa butter.
It’s designed to leave your hair feeling soft, smooth, and nourished without stripping natural oils.
Perfect for a healthy scalp and manageable hair..
Key Ingredients:
- Goat Milk Melt and Pour Soap Base
- Cocoa Butter
- Calendula Infused Oil
- Tea Tree Essential Oil
Benefits:
- Moisturizing
- Soft and smooth hair
- Gentle cleansing
- Scalp soothing
Pro Tip: Calendula infused oil is a great addition for its soothing properties, making it ideal for sensitive scalps.
Get the Recipe: Goat Milk & Cocoa Butter Shampoo Bars
12. Rice Starch & Goat Milk Shampoo Bar
This easy-to-make DIY shampoo bar features rice starch and a goat milk soap base, offering a natural way to achieve healthy hair.
Rice starch helps improve hair growth and adds shine, while goat milk provides gentle conditioning.
It’s a must-try for anyone seeking natural hair care that’s both effective and beneficial..
Key Ingredients:
- Goat Milk Soap Base
- Cocoa Butter
- Rice Starch Powder
- Olive Oil
- Vitamin E Oil
- Rosemary Essential Oil
- Lavender Essential Oil
Benefits:
- Improves hair growth
- Adds shine and volume
- Nourishes scalp
- Reduces plastic use
Pro Tip: You can use any high-quality organic soap base like glycerin or coconut milk soap if goat milk isn't readily available.
Get the Recipe: Rice Starch & Goat Milk Shampoo Bar
13. Shea Butter & Tallow Shampoo Bars
Create your own deeply conditioning shampoo bars with this simple recipe featuring shea butter and tallow.
These bars are designed to be cleansing yet highly moisturizing, leaving your hair feeling soft and manageable.
It’s a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to liquid shampoos..
Key Ingredients:
- Shea Butter
- Tallow
- Castor Oil
- Coconut Oil
Benefits:
- Deeply moisturizing
- Gentle cleansing
- Cost-effective
- Plastic-free
Pro Tip: An acidic rinse, like diluted apple cider vinegar or citric acid, can help rinse out any soap scum and balance your hair's pH after washing.
Get the Recipe: Shea Butter & Tallow Shampoo Bars
14. Beginner-Friendly Syndet Shampoo Bar
This solid shampoo bar recipe is perfect for beginners, using gentle cleansing agents like Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI) and Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB).
It’s formulated to be suitable for most hair types, offering a good balance of cleaning, detoxifying, and moisturizing properties.
A wonderful step towards a plastic-free shower routine..
Key Ingredients:
- Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI)
- Cocamidropopyl Betaine (CAPB)
- Cocoa Butter
- Jojoba Oil
- Soap Nut Powder
- Bentonite Clay
- Essential Oils
- Eco Preservative
Benefits:
- Gentle cleansing
- Moisturizing
- Purifying
- Suitable for most hair types
Pro Tip: When handling SCI powder, it's best to wear a mask or hold your breath as it's very fine and can be irritating if inhaled.
Get the Recipe: Beginner-Friendly Syndet Shampoo Bar