Primetweets Beauty
Even if you’re not planning on going totally zero-waste any time soon, a few strategic swaps around the house can make a huge dent in the amount of trash you produce. After the kitchen, the bathroom is one of the easiest places to make a big impact — which is one reason shampoo bars are having a major moment.
They’re typically made with raw, plant-based ingredients and require zero plastic packaging, making them both better for your hair and the environment. Plus, one shampoo bar can last for months and months — something that can’t be said for traditional shampoo.
How To Make a Sea Salt Shampoo Bar
If you’re down for making a switch, this sea salt shampoo bar will give your liquid shampoo a run for its money. Yes, solid shampoo may take some getting used to. But thanks to sea salt, cocoa butter and essential oils, you’ll walk away with soft, hydrated hair and maybe even some beachy volume to boot.
The key to making shampoo bars that don’t wreck your hair? Surfactants.
A lot of commercial shampoo bars contain sodium laurel sulfate (SLS), a powdered surfactant that gives the bar its foaming properties. (Fun fact: soap also contains surfactants, which is what creates the suds. Some soap, like Castile soap, contains less surfactants, and therefore, makes fewer bubbles.) But it’s also been shown to irritate the skin, eyes and lungs, especially with long-term use. So, I avoid it whenever I can.
Instead, this sea salt shampoo bar uses sodium coco sulfate, a blend of fatty acids found in coconut oil, and sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (SLSA), a gentle surfactant often used in place of SLS that’s ideal for sensitive skin.
Shampoo Bar Ingredients
From there, I add hair boosting ingredients, like sea salt, cocoa butter and essential oils. Sea salt is known for its cleansing properties, which help break down sebum and give thin, limp locks some volume. Cocoa butter acts as a binder and provides a little extra hydration. And lemon and jasmine essential oils give this shampoo bar a clean, fresh scent.
If you want to get super crazy, you can also add a little Irish moss. Irish moss, otherwise known as seaweed gel, is rich in vitamin D, folic acid, magnesium, potassium and Omega 3 fatty acids, which nourish hair, help promote hair growth and prevent breakage. It can be pricey, though! So don’t feel like you need to splurge if you don’t want to. You can always leave it our or substitute with other ingredients, like aloe vera or raw honey, for more affordable nutrients.
For this recipe, you’ll need
—2 1/2 tablespoons cocoa butter, cut into chunks
—2 tablespoons SLSA
—3 tablespoons sodium coco sulfate
—1 tablespoon sea salt
—2 tablespoons cornstarch
—5 drops lemon essential oil
—3 drops jasmine essential oil
—Optional: 1 teaspoon Irish sea moss gel
—Small bowl
—Dust mask respirator
Step 1 | Melt cocoa butter
Place cocoa butter in a microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup. Using the microwave, melt cocoa butter in 15-second intervals, stirring often.
Step 2 | Combine dry ingredients
Put on a dust mask respirator, then spoon the remaining ingredients into a separate small bowl. (Trust me, you really don’t want to inhale surfactants while making your shampoo bars!). Stir well.
Step 3 | Mix together
Add the melted cocoa butter and mix everything together. It should be somewhat dry and easy to form into a ball, like wet sand. If needed, add more cocoa butter or cornstarch until you reach the desired consistency.
Step 4 | Press into molds
Press into molds and let cure in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours. Remove from mold and store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
How to Use Shampoo Bars
Hop in the shower and wet your hair thoroughly. Rub the shampoo bar between your hands to create a lather.
Massage into the hair and scalp, then rinse clean. Follow up with conditioner, like usual.
Between uses, always store your shampoo bar somewhere dry, otherwise it can disintegrate.
