I wanted to prepare a cleanser for my hair instead of shampoo and have been trying out a few recipes.
Unlike shampoos that foam, cleansers have little to no foam but get the cleansing job done really well. I have always wanted to try out cleansers without clay, as I find it a daunting task to cleanse clay at times. It takes a lot of rinses and when am already tired and strapped for time, it gets tricky.
Clay particles are fine and tend to settle down on the scalp if not given a thorough rinse. That’s how I started checking for other options and came across ingredients that slightly foam or not but work wonders for hair and scalp, besides cleansing. Here’s one such ingredient I loved and how I used it for cleansing – Hibiscus.
Ingredients
Soapwort Root– ¼ Cup
Dried Hibiscus Flowers – 2 handfuls
Dried Sage Leaves – 1 Tsp.
Glycerin – 1 Tbsp.
Xanthum Gum Powder – ¼ Tsp.
Rose Essential Oil – 7 Drops
Distilled Water – 500 Ml
Argan Oil – 1 Tsp.
Rosemary Essential Oil – 7 Drops
Myrrh Essential Oil – 7 Drops
Instructions
Boil Soapwort Root, Hibiscus Petals and Sage Herb together and let it seep in simmer for about 25 minutes.
Let it cool down.
Add the Glycerin and Argan Oil to the mixture.
Now, add the ingredients to your blending jar or use your hand blender to blen the ingredients to get a paste.
Before you start blending, add the Xanthum Gum to it.
After blending for a few minutes the mixture should thicken to shampoo consistency. If it doesn’t you can add more Xanthum Gum. I love using Gelatin for this recipe, but due to the odor I prefer to use Xanthum Gum or Agar Agar Powder. However, Gelatin is ideal if you’re having hair-thinning problem. You can add more essential oils to counter the odor in that case.
Now, add in the essential oils you’ve chosen too and whisk once to combine the ingredients.
Transfer to a sterilized jar.
Done!
Shelf Life
This lasts for 10 days to two weeks under refrigeration. So prepare your quantity accordingly.
Tips to Tweak the Recipe
You can use any flowers or herbs of your choice. I also add a dash of Fenugreek for conditioning and some foam.
Choice of Herbs and Flowers
Hibiscus / Henna – Red Hair / Dark Hair
Sage / Henna – Dark Hair
Chamomile – Blonde or Light Hair
Tea / Coffee – Dark Hair
Rhubarb Root – Blonde / Golden Hair
Rosemary – For Improving Hair Growth
Lavender – All hair Types & Soothing
Rose Petals – For Shiny and Soft Hair
False Daisy, Indian Gooseberry, etc. – For Hair Growth
Neem – To counter Dandruff / scalp problems
You can use Rose Water or Honey instead of Glycerin. Honey lightens hair so I prefer Glycerin.
Choose the Essential Oils according to your preference and requirement:
Tea Tree Oil – For countering Dandruff / Oily Scalp
Peppermint / Eucalyptus – For stimulating Scalp Circulation
Always do a patch test before you apply on your hair / skin to check for allergies. If you’re allergic to corn don’t use Xanthum Gum and go with Agar Agar Powder or other thickeners.
You can use Soapnut instead of Soapwort Root in this recipe. You can probably boil and use the water in this case, though you might be able to blend it too. Depends on your preference.
Don’t have time for DIY Recipes? Try Vitamins Hair & Scalp Products from their Argan Oil for Hair and Keratin for Hair Ranges.
