DIY: Growth-stimulating solid shampoo bar

Today I am sharing a new organic DIY recipe: the solid shampoo bar with shikakaî powder. Tried and approved by the whole family, this solid shampoo bar is enriched with castor and mustard vegetable oils — a true treat for your hair.
This shampoo encourages hair growth thanks to the properties of the two vegetable oils it contains, and it leaves hair soft and shiny thanks to the shikakaî powder.

This recipe is very simple to make, requires few ingredients, and even though there are a few steps involved, the results are truly worth it. This format of shampoo is really having its moment — and for good reason: using a solid shampoo bar is a genuine zero-waste approach. No more packaging to store the shampoo — it comes in the form of a little bar that you dampen when you wash your hair, then leave to dry afterwards. (Also discover our natural recipe against head lice!)

Here's how you can reduce your waste whilst taking care of yourself!

On to the recipe:

To make this shampoo bar you will need:

- 10 g of castor oil: The star of vegetable oils for promoting hair growth, it also helps repair brittle, split, or damaged hair
- 10 g of mustard vegetable oil: Recognised for stimulating hair growth and combating hair loss.
- 60 g SCI surfactant : A surfactant derived from coconut oil, it is the foaming agent in this shampoo, providing a rich and creamy lather.
- 10 g of shikakai powder: An Ayurvedic plant rich in vegetable saponin, this cleansing powder is celebrated in Indian tradition for leaving hair soft and silky, preventing dandruff, and promoting hair growth.
- 10 g of mineral water
- 15 to 20 drops of essential oil of your choice: In our recipe we use Ylang ylang, renowned for strengthening and beautifying hair.

Equipment needed to make the recipe:

- 90° alcohol to disinfect all equipment before starting
- A precision scale
- A silicone spatula
- Equipment for a bain-marie: a saucepan with water and a stainless-steel bowl.
- Moulds for setting and drying the soap. I recommend using silicone moulds (easier to demould).

Step-by-step recipe:

1) Place the SCI surfactant and water in a bain-marie

2) Mix together

3) Add the 2 vegetable oils

4) Mix until you obtain a smooth, uniform texture.

5) Add the shikakai powder

6) Mix until you obtain a smooth paste.

7) Remove from the bain-marie, add the essential oil of your choice and mix.

All that is left to do is fill the moulds with the paste and leave to set for 24 hours.

Then turn out and leave to dry for a further 48 hours.

Your solid shampoo bar is ready to use!

Do not hesitate to leave us your thoughts on using this shampoo in the comments below.