Watch this 5-minute video demonstrating the behind-the-scenes views to creating shampoo bars. This formulation adds a new twist to my standard shampoo formulation.
Of all the bars of soap I have created, the favorite on my hair has to be the Tarragon & Lime Shampoo bars. It’s a firm bar of soap and it lasts a long time in the shower. On the performance end, the bar generates tremendous lather, which I love. It cleans my hair well and it’s gentle on my scalp. In fact, I find myself able to wait several days between shampoos, especially if I use a vinegar rinse in between.
Since I am nearing the end of my supply, I decided it was time to make more shampoo bars. Naturally, I start with tarragon and lime. In addition, I will be experimenting with leaves harvested from the bay laurel shrubs planted in my garden. These leaves wonderfully supplement all culinary projects, especially stews, roasts, and chili. Fresh, natural leaves totally surpass dried leaves to bestow a greater impact on the flavoring. As for physical benefits, I have read that bay leaf is soothing for your skin (here’s one) from multiple research sources. I have been wanting to experiment with this herb. Its mild scent and potential skin benefits. All of these factors point toward creating the perfect shampoo bars.
Perfect Shampoo Bars
I focus on making soaps with healthy natural ingredients but without overpowering scents. This formulation creates a bar that is very subtly scented. All of the ingredients in this recipe are mild, nourishing, and beneficial to your hair and scalp while carrying little, if any, smell.
In addition to a lightly scented bar, my other goal here is to make it comfortable to use. I want a shampoo bar that is hard and long-lasting and lathers well in the shower. For these attributes, choose hard oils over softer liquid oils, for an approximate 60/40 ratio. The higher amount of harder oils provides the hand-feel and durability you want in a good shampoo bar.
The coconut oil, lard, and jojoba create the foundation for a hard bar. Jojoba,
Once you have the ratios, determine how much soap you would like to make. In this recipe, I am keeping the amount equal to one mold, which yields 15, 3-ounce bars of soap. Once you know the ratios you want in the formulation and the total amount of product you desire, work backward to obtain your ingredient amounts. For the shampoo bars in this video, I concocted the following recipe:
- 14 oz. solid Coconut Oil
- 5 oz. Lard
- 6 oz. Olive oil
- 6 oz. Almond oil
- 2 oz. Castor oil
- 1 oz. Jojoba
- 8 oz. Distilled Water + 4 oz. Fresh-squeezed Lime Juice
- 4.86 oz. Lye (sodium hydroxide)
- 1.7 oz. Essential oil (tarragon, bay leaf, and lime rind)
Instructions
Gather the ingredients plus a crockpot, safety equipment, a stick blender, a scraper, and a
Now, you are ready to fire up the video!
Lather Up!
Once the soap has cooked fully and been added to the mold, set it aside to cool. Leave it in the mold to harden for 24 hours. Do not leave it molded for longer than that,
Slice the loaf into bars of your desired size. Once cut, t
Shampoo bars are convenient and easy to use. The bars do not require plastic bottles or any packaging, for that matter. They are made of fresh, natural ingredients and totally free of chemicals. I urge you to try a shampoo bar today. Your hair will thank you and the planet will appreciate you not consuming more plastic. A true win-win!