copyright 2011-2024 by Lisa Maliga

When using herbal additives, it’s better to use dried herbs than fresh—even in the rebatch type of base. This helps prolong the shelf life of the shampoo bar. Here 10 helpful natural additives to improve your shampoo bars.

* Aloe Vera Gel or Juice [Aloe Barbadensis] – Scalp soothing aloe vera gel makes a wonderful addition to shampoo bars due to its moisturizing and balancing properties. It is high in protein. Aloe vera gel is thicker and longer lasting. Fresh aloe vera can be used for rebatch/hand-milled shampoo bars, but the shelf life won’t be as long. Natural and/or organic aloe vera gel is always clear in color.

* Amla [Emblica Officinalis] – Amla is called Indian Gooseberry and is an Ayruvedic herb that conditions and helps with hair growth. In powdered form, it’s brownish in color. In liquid form it’s green and often mixed with coconut oil or sesame oil. You can buy it online and in Indian grocery stores. Amla is beneficial for all hair types.

* Avocado [Persea Gratissima] – This vitamin-filled fruit has lots of potassium, vitamin B and vitamin E, can be used mashed up into the rebatched soap or in a hair masque. The oil can be added to melt and pour soap base.

* Beer – American or imported, bottled or canned, light or dark, beer is good for your hair! It contains wheat protein and B vitamins. A healthy and economical addition to your shampoo bars, it can also be used as a hair rinse.

* Chamomile [Anthemis Nobilis] – Whether you choose German or Roman chamomile, you’ll be helping wash away any skin irritations/allergies. Used in a shampoo bar, blonde-haired people will continue to have more fun! You can use whole [dried] chamomile flowers, or those that have been cut or powdered. Naturally, you can enhance the calming chamomile experience with the essential oil.

* Clay – Many varieties of clays are available and range from bentonite, Pascalite, Rhassoul to Himalayan. Recently, clays from Australia include washed blue, olive green, and ivory are now available to us in the USA. Clays remove dirt and grime from the hair and scalp, yet don’t strip it of moisture. Colors range from white to pink to green to brown. Clays make great additions to both shaving soaps and shampoo bars.

* Coffee [Coffea Arabica] – Your morning coffee contains vitamins B3 and E and the aroma is quite perky. The benefits of caffeine include helping boost your hair’s volume and shine.

* Goat’s Milk – Contains a higher amount of protein than cow’s milk. Using goat’s milk in your shampoo bars won’t increase lather but the silky sensation during and after use is almost guaranteed to get you addicted to this additive!

* Honey – Raw/organic honey has gentle, moisturizing qualities that make it beneficial for any hair type. In its purest, unrefined form, it has all the vitamins, along with 16 minerals including calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and iron. This nourishing nectar also has proteins and amino acids, along with enzymes and co-enzymes.

* Rosemary [Rosmarinus Officinalis] – A gift for your hair and beneficial in essential oil or in the dried and cut or powdered rosemary leaves, which can be used directly in the shampoo bars. It is frequently found in liquid and solid shampoos and in hair growth blends as it may help increase hair growth since it stimulates the follicles.

Book link: How to Make Handmade Shampoo Bars

Visually-Enhanced Book Excerpt

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