Clay shampoo bars are packed with cleansing clay that helps in the removal of dirt and buildup promoting a healthy scalp. Clay shampoo bars are gentle and sulfate-free and can be easily customised to a certain hair type. They also help in the reduction of frizz and boost hair shine.
Not only that they are good for the planet as they do not require plastic bottles to be stored in, leading to reduced carbon footprint.
Benefits of Clay in Hair Care
Clay shampoo bars have many benefits even beyond hair care. Such as they are compact which makes them travel-friendly, they also avoid the risk of spills along with a reduction in plastic waste.
1. Detoxification
Clay shampoo gently cleanses hair and scalp. It helps in removing oil, sweat, and dirt. It helps with deep cleaning and removal of any leftover residual from hair spray, gel, or any other kind of hair care product.
2. Removes Dandruff
As clay shampoo bars contain essential oils such as lavender or other types which have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Those properties help with the removal of dandruff by reducing inflammation in the scalp.
3. Oil Control
Some clays are drying agents and easily absorb excess oil from the hair. They also reduce the oil production. They also help in cleansing the scalp without drying the hair. It is essential to pick out the right kind of clay shampoo bar according to your hair type.
4. Controls Fizz
There are many reasons that lead to frizzy hair. It could be due to humidity, product buildup on the scalp and hair, or scalp health. Clay shampoo bar removes dirt and product buildup from the hair which allows the hair to lie flat reducing the appearance of frizz.
How to Make a Clay Shampoo Bar at Home?
The below recipes are suitable for hair types, although we have also focused on providing you with specific recipes for curly hair and silky hair.
1. French Green Clay Shampoo Bar Recipe for Curly Hair
This shampoo bar recipe does not require heat and can be formulated within a few minutes. However, the resting time is a bit long. It forms quite a lot of lather and gently cleans the hair without any harsh and harmful chemicals leaving hair feeling smooth and silky.
Ingredients:
- Sodium cocoyl isethionate (SCI) - 32 grams
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSa) - 17 grams
- Iota carrageenan - 3 grams
- French green clay - 4 grams
- Distilled water - 4 grams
- Caprylyl/ capryl glucoside - 8 grams
- Abyssinian oil - 4 grams
- Lavender essential oil - 4 drops
- Rosemary essential oil - 4 drops
- Liquid germall plus - 1 gram
Supplies:
- Measuring scale and cups
- Parchment paper
- Bowls
- Spoon
- Cube molds
- Gloves
Directions:
1. Protect your hands by wearing gloves.
2. In a bowl add 32 grams of sodium cocoyl isethionate, 17 grams of sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, 3 grams of Iota carrageenan, and 4 grams of fresh clay. Mix until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. In another bowl mix the wet ingredients such as 4 grams of distilled water, 8 grams of caprylyl/ capryl glucoside, 4 grams of Abyssinian oil, 1 gram of liquid germall plus, and 4 drops of each lavender essential oil, and rosemary essential oil.
4. Once the wet ingredients are ready, pour the mix slowly into the dry bowl while stirring to avoid the formation of lumps.
5. Use your hand to kneed the dough. If you feel the dough is too sticky, you can add some clay. Add more water if the dough is dry.
6. Now add the French green clay mix to the cube molds to form the bars. Once you remove the bar from the mold let it sit on parchment paper for 7 to 10 days to harden the bar properly.
2. Pink Clay Shampoo Bar Recipe Silky Hair
Pink clay shampoo bar helps detoxify the hair, improving the shine along with promoting healthy hair growth. It also helps in reducing frizz to a significant level and more manageable hair.
Ingredients:
- Kokum butter - 10 grams
- Stearic acid - 5 grams
- Australian pink clay - 19 grams
- Roughly powdered sodium cocoyl isethionate (SCI) - 60 grams
- Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (SLSa) - 45 grams
- Cocamidopropyl betaine - 9 grams
- Essential oil (optional)- 1.5 grams
- Liquid germall plus - 1 gram
Supplies:
- Measuring scale
- Measuring cup
- Parchment paper
- Bowl
- Spoon
- Saucepan
- Cube molds
Directions:
1. In a saucepan boil some water and place a bowl to melt kokum butter, stearic acid, and Australian pink clay.
2. In another bowl start combining roughly powdered sodium cocoyl isethionate and sodium lauryl sulfoacetate. Mix.
3. Once the butter melts in the saucepan, remove it from the heat and pour it into the dry ingredients bowl. Keep mixing to avoid the formation of lumps.
4. Into the mix, add Cocamidopropyl betaine, essential oil of your preference, and liquid germall plus. Mix the mixture again.
5. Once the mixture is ready place it into the cube molds and set them on the parchment paper. This way, the shampoo bar won’t stick to the table and will harden easily.
6. It usually takes 7 to 10 days to completely dry the shampoo soap.
7. Once they dry, your pink clay shampoo bars are ready to make your hair silky.
3. Kaolin Clay Shampoo Bar Recipe
Kaolin clay shampoo bar is best suitable for oily scalp as it helps in the removal and absorption of excess oil from the hair.
Ingredients:
- Roughly powdered sodium cocoyl isethionate (SCI) - 55 grams
- Oat flour - 8 grams
- Kaolin clay - 8 grams
- Ground lavender flowers - 7 grams
- Coconut oil - 10 grams
- Water - 10 grams
- Lavender essential oil - 2 grams
Supplies:
- Measuring scale
- Bowls
- Saucepan/ microwave
- Spoon
- Molds
- Parchment paper
- Gloves
Directions:
1. Wear gloves to protect your hands.
2. Take a bowl and add dry ingredients such as 55 grams of roughly powdered sodium cocoyl isethionate, 8 grams of oat flour, 8 grams of kaolin clay, and 7 grams of ground lavender flowers. Mix.
3. In another bowl heat 10 grams of coconut oil either in a microwave or saucepan for a minute. When the coconut oil melts you can add 10 grams of water and 2 grams of lavender essential oil.
4. Slowly add the wet contents of the bowl into the dry bowl while stirring to avoid lumps.
5. Once the mixture is ready place it into the cube molds and set them on the parchment paper. This way, the shampoo bar won’t stick to the table and will harden easily.
6. It usually takes 7 to 10 days to completely dry the shampoo soap.
4. Rhassoul Red Clay Shampoo Bar Recipe
Rhassoul red clay is rich in minerals which help with dandruff and keep the scalp healthy. However, this soap bar is suitable for oily hair as it can cause dryness.
Ingredients:
- Distilled water - 10 grams
- Coconut oil - 10 grams
- Roughly powdered sodium cocoyl isethionate (SCI) - 55 grams
- Rhassoul red clay - 8 grams
Supplies:
- Measuring scale
- Bowls
- Saucepan/ microwave
- Spoon
- Molds
- Parchment paper
- Gloves
Directions:
1. Wear gloves to protect your hands.
2. Take a bowl and add dry ingredients such as 55 grams of roughly powdered sodium cocoyl isethionate, and 8 grams of rhassoul red clay. Mix.
3. In another bowl heat 10 grams of coconut oil either in a microwave or saucepan for a minute. When the coconut oil melts you can add 10 grams of water.
4. Slowly add the wet contents of the bowl into the dry bowl while stirring to avoid lumps.
5. Once the mixture is ready place it into the cube molds and set them on the parchment paper. This way, the shampoo bar won’t stick to the table and will harden easily.
6. It usually takes 7 to 10 days to completely dry the shampoo soap.
How to Use Homemade Clay Shampoo Bar?
All you have to do is wet your hair and directly use the clay shampoo bar into your hair or you can also use it on loofah or on your hands to create a lather. Massage your scalp gently. Use water to rinse off the clay shampoo followed by conditioner. Use it just like a normal shampoo at least twice a week to achieve desired results.
Conclusion
Crafting your own shampoo bar is a fun and rewarding experience for hair. It lets you choose a recipe that specifically targets your hair type and hair concerns. These recipes are sulfate-free and does not contain any harmful chemicals. These shampoo bars are great for travel and eliminate the risk of spills.