How to Make Shampoo Soap at Home with Essential Oils: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating your own essential oil shampoo soap at home is not only a fun and creative process but also a way to ensure you're using natural, nourishing ingredients for your hair. This guide will walk you through the process of making a high-quality shampoo soap using essential oils, various oils, and some simple tools.

Tools Needed:

• Digital scale

• Stirring stick or whisk

• Soap mold

• 304 stainless steel bowl

• Camellia oil (for its moisturizing properties)

• Coconut oil (for its cleansing effect)

• Palm oil (for its lathering ability)

• Jojoba oil (to help with hair nourishment)

• Castor oil (for a thicker, more foamy lather)

• Essential oils (your choice, but lavender or tea tree are ideal for hair care)

• Frozen ginger juice (for added hair health benefits)

• Polygonum multiflorum powder (He Shou Wu) (known for promoting hair growth)

• Sodium hydroxide (lye)

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Prepare the Ginger Juice:

• First, juice some fresh ginger, then freeze it in small portions. The frozen ginger juice will help add a natural boost to the health of your scalp and hair.

2. Dissolve Sodium Hydroxide (Lye):

• Weigh 0.5g of sodium hydroxide (lye) on the digital scale.

• Add it slowly to your camellia oil (10g at a time). Stir continuously until the lye is fully dissolved and there are no granules remaining. This ensures the lye and oil are well combined for the soap-making process.

3. Weigh the Oils:

• Using the digital scale, weigh out the following oils:

• Camellia oil: 40g

• Coconut oil: 100g

• Jojoba oil: 50g

• Palm oil: 70g

4. Heat the Oils:

• Heat the oils gently over a water bath, bringing them to a temperature of around 35°C (95°F).

5. Check the Temperatures:

• The oil mixture should be at 35°C (95°F), and the lye mixture should be at approximately 30°C (86°F).

6. Combine the Lye and Oils:

• Slowly add the lye mixture to the oils, stirring gently. Observe the saponification process, which is the chemical reaction between the oils and lye that turns them into soap.

7. Filter the Mixture:

• Use a fine strainer to filter the mixture, removing any impurities or solids.

8. Stir the Soap:

• Use a whisk or hand mixer to stir the soap mixture. This step requires patience: keep stirring for 1-2 hours or until the soap turns from a pale yellow to a golden amber color. The mixture should become thick and develop trace lines that remain visible on the surface when you stir.

9. Add Polygonum Multiflorum (He Shou Wu) Powder:

• Once the soap mixture has thickened, add the Polygonum multiflorum powder (He Shou Wu), which is known for its hair growth benefits. Stir thoroughly until the powder is fully incorporated.

10. Add Essential Oils:

• Add your chosen essential oils, such as lavender or tea tree, for a refreshing fragrance and added hair care benefits. Stir well to evenly distribute the oils.

11. Remove Air Bubbles:

• Once the mixture is thoroughly combined, tap the mold gently to release any trapped air.

12. Insulate the Soap:

• Place the soap mold into an insulated box or cover it to retain heat. Leave it to set for 48 hours.

13. Cut the Soap:

• After 48 hours, carefully remove the soap from the mold. Use a sharp knife to cut it into bars, and allow it to cure for a few weeks for the best results.

  

Tips for Success:

• Patience is key: Soap-making takes time, so don't rush the process, especially when mixing and stirring.

• Customization: You can add other essential oils like rosemary, peppermint, or eucalyptus depending on your hair needs.

• Curing: After cutting the soap, allow it to cure for 3-4 weeks to ensure it hardens properly.

By following these steps, you’ll create a nourishing, essential oil shampoo soap that will leave your hair feeling soft, healthy, and fragrant. Happy soap-making!