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DIY Tea & Jasmine Solid Shampoo Bar
DIY HAIRCARE
Create your own luxurious, plastic-free shampoo! This easy melt-and-pour recipe combines the antioxidant power of matcha green tea with fragrant floral oils in a solid bar that gently cleanses, promotes a healthy scalp, and smells divine.
Serves
• Grams: 85 - 113 g • Ounces: 3 - 4 oz • People: 1 bar
Difficulty
Easy
Prep time
15 minutes
total time
2 hours 15 mins
IN THIS RECIPE
Recipe at a glance
Milk allergen present if using goat milk base. Perform a patch test. For external use only. This is not medical advice. Consult a dermatologist for any persistent scalp issues.
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diet & lifestyle
requirements
• Not applicable
Is this recipe for you?
This recipe is perfect for anyone wanting to switch to a plastic-free hair care routine. It's great for crafters and those who enjoy personalizing their products with custom scents.
Recipe is best for hair type
Best for normal to oily hair types (Type 1, 2). Melt-and-pour bases are generally much better than traditional soap for hair, but those with very dry, coarse, or coily hair (Type 3, 4) might still require a separate, rich conditioner afterwards.
Oily hair, Scalp buildup, Desire for a plastic-free option, Desire for natural ingredients.
INGREDIENTs highlight
This shampoo bar can help with dandruff.
How this recipe works
This shampoo bar works by using a pre-made, pH-balanced base (either soap or a synthetic detergent) as a gentle cleanser. Unlike traditional soap, a proper shampoo bar base won't leave a film on the hair. The added glycerin and oils replenish moisture, sea salt creates a harder, longer-lasting bar, and the active botanicals—matcha and essential oils—deliver antioxidants and antiseptic benefits directly to the scalp.
caution: before you begin
Be careful when handling the hot, melted soap base. Essential oils are potent; do not exceed the recommended amounts. Always do a patch test on your skin with a small amount of the cooled soap before using it on your hair.
CAUTION: Allergens
None of the 14 major food allergens are present, but essential oils can be potential skin sensitizers. Patch test recommended. Milk allergen is present if using goat milk soap base.
Tools & UTENSILS
what you will need
• Melt & Pour Soap Base: Provides the solid structure and the primary cleansing agents. Olive oil or goat milk bases are rich and conditioning. • Glycerin: A humacant that draws moisture to the hair, keeping it hydrated. • Jojoba/Olive/Sunflower Oil: Adds extra conditioning properties to ensure the bar isn't drying. • Matcha Green Tea Powder: Packed with antioxidants to support a healthy scalp. • Jasmine, Rose & Tea Tree Oils: Provide a beautiful scent and beneficial antiseptic properties for the scalp.
ingredients
• Melt & pour soap base • Glycerin • Olive/jojoba/sunflower oil • Fine sea salt • Matcha green tea powder • Jasmine essential oil • Rose absolute or macerated oil • Tea tree oil
• 85 g / 3 oz • 36 g / 1.3 oz • 14 g / 0.5 oz • 6 g / 0.2 oz • 2 g / 0.07 oz • 10 drops • 5 drops • 5 drops
how to make it
1. Melt Base: Carefully cut the soap base into small chunks and melt it according to the package instructions, either in a double boiler or in a microwave-safe bowl using short bursts of heat. Stir until smooth and free of lumps. 2. Add Conditioners: Stir in the glycerin, conditioning oil (olive, jojoba, or sunflower), and fine sea salt. Mix thoroughly. 3. Cool Slightly: Allow the mixture to cool to a lukewarm temperature. This is crucial to prevent the essential oils from evaporating. 4. Add Actives: Add the matcha green tea powder and the essential oils (jasmine, rose, tea tree). Stir gently but thoroughly until evenly distributed. 5. Set: Pour the mixture into your chosen mould. Let it cool and harden completely at room temperature for several hours. Once solid, remove from the mould.
Pro-tip
Customize Your Scent: Swap the jasmine and rose for other hair-loving essential oils like lavender, rosemary, or peppermint. Add Texture: Add 1 tsp of colloidal oatmeal along with the matcha for a soothing, gentle scalp scrub. Color: The matcha provides a natural green hue. For other colors, use skin-safe mica powders.
a quick note
How to store it
CRITICAL: To make your bar last, keep it dry between uses. Store it on a draining soap dish away from the spray of the shower. Do not let it sit in a puddle of water.
budget
This is a premier example of a sustainable beauty product. It completely eliminates the need for plastic shampoo bottles and is a very cost-effective alternative over time.
Frequently asked questions
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What is a "melt and pour" base?
It's a pre-made soap or syndet (synthetic detergent) base that you simply melt down, add your customizations to, and let harden. It's very beginner-friendly as it removes the need to handle lye. Look for a "shampoo bar base" specifically for the best results.
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Will this lather like liquid shampoo?
The lather will depend on the base you choose. It will create a creamy, cleansing lather, but it might be less bubbly than commercial liquid shampoos that contain sulfates. Rub the bar directly on your wet scalp to generate a good lather.
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My hair feels waxy or sticky after using shampoo bars. Why?
This is a common issue with traditional soap bars used on hair, especially in hard water. However, using a dedicated shampoo bar base (often a syndet base) should prevent this. If you still have issues, it may be due to product buildup, and an apple cider vinegar rinse after shampooing can help.
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How long will one bar last?
This depends on your hair length, thickness, and how often you wash it. When stored correctly (kept dry between uses), a 3 oz bar can last as long as 2-3 bottles of liquid shampoo.
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Meet our expert
Madeleine
Director
Madeleine is an expert hair stylist dedicated to the art and science of hair care. Her work empowers individuals to understand and embrace their hair's true potential, transforming routine care into a ritual of natural beauty.