Welcome to a refreshing perspective on hair care! In our quest for clean and healthy hair using homemade shampoos, we often overlook the impact of frequent washing.
While it’s essential to keep our hair clean, over-washing can lead to a host of problems, from stripping away natural oils to causing scalp irritation. This is where choosing the best natural shampoo recipe comes into play, especially for those who prefer or need to wash their hair often.
Introduction
Enter the world of frequent use natural shampoos – specifically formulated to provide gentle cleansing without the harsh effects. Our Lavender and Mint Dream Shampoo is a testament to this philosophy.
Crafted with natural ingredients and a careful balance of nourishing agents, it’s designed to cleanse effectively while preserving the natural harmony of your hair and scalp.
In this post, we’ll delve into why washing your hair too often can be a concern and how our specially formulated natural shampoo recipe addresses these issues. So, let’s get started!
Hair Health And Frequence Of Washes
Sometimes it’s difficult to know when to wash your hair. While it’s obvious when it’s dirty, what’s the optimal time to wait between washes?
This will depend entirely upon what kind of hair you have. However, experts suggest that the majority of people will need to wash their hair every 3 days (give or take a day).
Nevertheless, there are a number of reasons why you might want to wait longer or shorter between washes. So let’s take a look in more depth.
Why Might You Want To Wash Your Hair Less Often?
Many people might want to wait longer than 3 days before needing to wash their hair. People with very dry or coarse hair may benefit from washing their hair only once a week. This is because washing the hair too frequently can strip this hair type of its natural oils, worsening the problem.
People with tight curls or hair that is textured will also want to wash their hair less often. This is because these hair types also tend to be quite dry and coarse. With curly hair it’s especially important not to disrupt the balance of natural oil in the hair, as it’s vital to help reduce frizz. People with this hair type could wait for as long as 1-2 weeks between washes.
Furthermore, hair that is thick will likely need less washing, unless it’s also prone to oiliness. Thicker hair requires more time for a buildup of grease and dead skin cells to become a problem. They can also hold styles longer, requiring less styling product across multiple days.
What Is A Frequent Use Shampoo?
Those with oily hair types or sweaty scalps might want to wash their hair more regularly than every 3 days. It’s common, in fact, for many men to wash their hair daily. However, even for this hair type, daily washing can take its toll on the follicles.
Therefore, using a shampoo that is designed specifically for frequent use is one way to help keep hair clean and healthy. You want to formulate with kinder, more gentle surfactants in lower concentrations. This, coupled with proper pH modifying, will provide a shampoo that will cleanse without destabilizing or stripping hair.
Can I Use This If I Have Dry, Curly, Or Coarse Hair?
There are times when you want to wash your hair more often, regardless of your hair type. So a natural frequent use shampoo can be beneficial to just about anyone. When we say ‘frequent use’, this is a relative term that refers to how often you wash your own hair.
We’ll use an example. Let’s say you have curly or dry hair, and only wash your hair once a week. But you workout a lot, and by the end of the week your hair isn’t smelling or looking so fresh. In this case, a frequent use shampoo would allow you to add an additional wash in the week when you feel you need it.
While your frequent use shampoo can replace whatever you’re using, it doesn’t have to. You can use a frequent use shampoo in combination with your regular shampoo. This combines the deep cleanse of your normal treatment with a supplementary, lighter wash to keep you fresher for longer!
My Best Natural Shampoo Recipe For Frequent Use
Lucky for you, I’ve already formulated a natural frequent use shampoo that’s tried and tested! My Lavender & Mint Dream Shampoo smells divine and is packed with hair-loving ingredients.
Let’s take a look at what I’ve put in this bad boy.
Surfactants: The Foundation of Gentle Cleansing
In our Lavender and Mint Dream natural shampoo, we’ve chosen a trio of natural surfactants to ensure a gentle yet effective cleanse.
- Decyl Glucoside: A star in our formulation, Decyl Glucoside is a mild and natural surfactant, perfect for sensitive or irritated skin. Its ability to remove impurities without causing dryness or irritation makes it a top choice for our daily-use shampoo.
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine: Derived from coconut oil, this gentle surfactant complements others in the mix. It boosts foaming performance while reducing potential skin sensitivity, creating a balanced and effective cleansing experience.
- Lamesoft PO65 Surfactant: To counteract the drying effect of daily shampooing, Lamesoft PO65 is included for its fat-restoring properties. It adds a softening and conditioning touch, eliminating any feeling of tightness or itchiness post-wash. Its mildness makes it suitable even for sensitive skin types.
Substitutes: For Decyl Glucoside, try Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside or Coco Glucoside. Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a keeper for its mildness. If substituting Lamesoft PO65, consider Olivem 300 or increase Cocamidopropyl Betaine.
Lavender And Mint Dream Shampoo
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Ingredients
Phase A
- 20 g Decyl Glucoside
- 16 g Cocamidopropyl Betaine
- 10 g Lamesoft PO65 Surfactant (Glyceryl Oleate, Coco-Glucoside)
Phase B
- 12.6 g Glycerine
- 2.4 g Xanthan Gum
- 20 g Lavender Hydrosol
- 106 g Distilled Water
- 4 g Liquid D-Panthenol
Cool-down Phase
- 6 g Polyquat 7
- 0.5 g Lavender Essential Oil
- 0.5 g Peppermint Essential Oil
- 2 g Geogard ECT (Preservative Eco)
Video
Instructions
- In the beaker, weigh out then gently stir the surfactants together, trying to avoid making any bubbles.20 g Decyl Glucoside, 16 g Cocamidopropyl Betaine, 10 g Lamesoft PO65 Surfactant
- In the small container mix the glycerin and the xanthan gum until you have a smooth paste and the gum has fully dissolved. If you have a mini milk whisk, this is perfect for this job. Otherwise, stir well with a silicone spatula.12.6 g Glycerine, 2.4 g Xanthan Gum
- In a separate container add the water and hydrosol, followed by the panthenol. Stir until well combined.20 g Lavender Hydrosol, 106 g Distilled Water, 4 g Liquid D-Panthenol
- Pour the gum slurry into the water, and carefully stir. You will notice the water is becoming quite thick as the gum dissolves
- Now it's time to add the slurry water to our surfactant. Do this slowly and stir carefully to keep the bubbles at a minimum.
- Once combined, add the polyquat 7 to the mix, once again stirring.6 g Polyquat 7
- Finally, stir in the Lavender and mint Essential Oil followed by the preservative. You will notice the shampoo becoming thinner as you add these. This should become more stable once we have corrected the pH and allowed the gum in the shampoo to settle overnight.0.5 g Lavender Essential Oil, 0.5 g Peppermint Essential Oil, 2 g Geogard ECT
- As an optional step, you can add a little food coloring or liquid soap dye.
- Using a pH strip test the pH of the finished shampoo. We are looking for a pH of around 4 to 5. If it isn't and it most likely will not be you will need to adjust it. See instructions on how to adjust the PH.
- Transfer the shampoo to a suitable container and allow the shampoo to sit for 24 hours before using.
Notes
How To Use Your Natural Shampoo
Using your homemade Lavender and Mint Dream Shampoo is a delightful experience that combines effective cleansing with the therapeutic benefits of its natural ingredients. Here’s how to get the most out of your shampoo:
- Wet Your Hair Thoroughly: Start by thoroughly wetting your hair with warm water. Warm water helps to open the hair cuticles, allowing the shampoo to cleanse more effectively.
- Apply the Shampoo: Dispense a small amount of the shampoo into your palms. The amount may vary depending on the length and thickness of your hair. For most hair types, a quarter-sized amount is sufficient.
- Massage Gently: Apply the shampoo to your scalp and hair. Use your fingertips to gently massage the shampoo into your scalp in circular motions. This helps to lift dirt and oils, stimulates blood flow to the scalp, and enhances hair growth.
- Spread Evenly: Work the shampoo through the length of your hair. The natural surfactants will gently cleanse without stripping your hair of its natural oils.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water. Ensure all shampoo is washed out to prevent any residue, which can make hair look dull.
- Follow with Conditioner (Optional): If you use a conditioner, apply it primarily to the ends of your hair where tangles and dryness are more common. Rinse well.
- Cold Water Rinse (Optional): Finish with a quick, cool water rinse to close the hair cuticles and lock in moisture, leaving your hair smooth and shiny.
- Dry Gently: Pat your hair gently with a towel to remove excess water. Avoid rubbing your hair, as this can cause frizz and damage.
As previously discussed, the frequency of use will depend on your hair type. If you have oily or normal hair type, you can safely use this natural shampoo recipe every day.
For other hair types, refer back to the ‘Can I Use This If I Have Dry, Curly Or Coarse Hair?’ section of this post for more information.
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