Though in the past, people used regular soap to wash their hair, over the years, shampoo has become the popular choice for many people. When it comes to washing our hair, there is nothing more convenient than using shampoo. It comes in various fragrances and is told to have various benefits for your hair. Some make your hair bouncy, while others work to nourish the hair from the root, at least that is how they are advertised. However, there are many reasons shampoo doesn’t work for everyone which is why you are probably on the hunt for alternatives to shampoo.
There are many disadvantages of shampoo which always have us either switching brands or trying something new. Though this may sound petite, changing shampoos can have various effects on the health of your hair. Some people even lose hair because of the shampoo they are using. Some experience extreme dryness. For these reasons and others, you may be on the search for a reliable alternative to shampoo that can work to both clean your hair and nourish it.
Here is our list of 15 alternatives to shampoo that is sure to help you nourish your hair and give it a natural shine. Keep reading this word to word.
1. Fenugreek Seeds
These seeds are an excellent source of nutrients and contain a good amount of vitamins, proteins and acids which are all essential parts of maintaining healthy hair. It promotes the growth of hair and fights bacteria and fungi. Further to this, fenugreek seeds even help reduce hair loss.
They can be a reliable treatment for conditions that lead to dry and irritated skin such as dandruff.
In order to prepare the fenugreek seeds, soak the seeds overnight and grind about 1 to 2 tablespoons of seeds and add 2 cups of hot water into the powder. This will make a slimy substance that works great as an alternative to shampoo. You want to massage the slime into your hair and allow it to rest and get absorbed by the scalp and hair for about 20 minutes. After this, you can simply rinse it off with water and you are done.
For those facing hair loss, using fenugreek seeds can be an effective way to prevent hair loss and even promote the growth of hair.
2. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is known for its ability to fight bacteria and heal inflammation. It has been used for centuries in the cure for skin conditions, including dandruff. Hence, tea tree oil makes a great alternative to shampoo if you are suffering from dandruff.
Tea tree oil works to gently remove dead cells and the extra oil on the skin. It also works to exfoliate your scalp and hair for leftovers from other products that you may have used. It works to clean the pores and allows your skin to breathe.
When using tea tree oil, you want to dilute it with other oils such as coconut oil or almond oil to a ratio of 1:10. You can use 4 to 5 drops of the combined oil for every ounce of water that you use to rinse your hair. It works best as a rinse.
3. Olive Oil
Olive oil is rich in nutrients and provides your hair with a soft quality. It works amazingly well as a natural moisturiser which makes the hair soft, resilient and healthy.
Olive oil works to soothe the outer layer of hair, giving it a beautiful shine. If you have processed hair, olive oil works really well to nourish it. It also works really well on thick and dry hair and can be an effective alternative to shampoo to combat split ends.
In order to use olive oil, determine the amount of oil that you would need based on the length of your hair. If you have short hair, you won’t need more than a tablespoon of warm olive oil. On the other hand, if you have longer hair, you may want to use about 1/4 cup of olive oil.
Simply rub the oil into your scalp and hair and leave it on for 15 minutes to work its magic. Then simply rinse it off with water. That simple.
4. Tea
Though this may sound absurd, tea is a great alternative to shampoo to clean your hair and scalp. Hence, when you are boiling water to make some tea for yourself, make sure to make some tea for your hair too.
The caffeine in tea helps promote blood flow which enables the hydration of the skin and the better delivery of oxygen to these parts of the body. This helps prevent hair loss and directly promotes hair growth.
For those battling with hair loss, caffeine as found in tea can be a great solution to the problem. Simply brew a pot of tea, allow the tea to cool and pour the tea on your head. It works well as a rinse, however, if you prefer, you can rinse it water after about 15 minutes.
5. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has so many attributes that make it one of the most beneficial ingredients in beauty. You can use it to remove makeup and can even work as sun protection.
Coconut oil is loaded with vitamins that help stimulate hair growth. It protects the hair from dryness and other negative influences of the environment. It prevents hair loss and is a great solution for when you are trying to treat dandruff.
In order to use coconut oil, simply apply the oil at night to the dry hair and make sure you cover all strands of hair with the oil. Then you want to wrap a towel around it and allow the oil to sit for about 20 to 30 minutes. You can rinse and wash your hair in the morning.
6. Lemon Juice
Lemon is one of the cheapest and most readily available alternatives to shampoo out there. It is loaded with essential nutrients that are great for your scalp and hair and is considered a nutritional powerhouse.
It is the citric acid in lemon juice that works well as an anti-microbial agent. The fact that it provides as a pH adjuster is why it works really well as a cleanser, especially if you suffer from dandruff. It also works really well as a natural lightener to your hair.
Simply squeeze 1 tablespoon of lemon juice into about 2 cups of water and shake and stir well. Then pour the lemon juice on your hair and massage your hair for about 2 to 3 minutes before washing it off. Lemon juice is simple and affordable and works as a great alternative to shampoo to keep your hair clean and well-nourished.
7. Aloe Vera
There is so much bacteria and fungi that live in your scalp. This is why regular cleaning is necessary to ensure that you rid your scalp of these bacteria and fungi.
Aloe vera is known for its antibacterial properties. It helps to break down dead cells in your scalp and has an anti-inflammatory effect. This is great when you are trying to treat dandruff. It also works well to remove excess oil in your hair and naturally hydrate your skin. Aloe vera strengthens your hair from root to rip and heals broken strands of hair. It also works to promote hair growth.
To use aloe vera, you can rely on a plain gel or source it naturally from a plant. It is best to source it naturally from a plant for it has all the natural goodness and is considered 100% aloe vera gel.
Simply massage the aloe vera gel on your hair from root to tip. Then brush your hair with a wide-toothed comb and leave the gel on your hair for about 30 minutes. Once the aloe vera has had some time to dry and get absorbed by your scalp and hair, you can rinse with water.
8. Egg Yolk
You would think this is insane considering the smell of eggs. You may be wondering, won’t egg yolks make my hair smell funny? Eggs are loaded with protein and vitamins that your hair totally needs.
Eggs act as a surfactant and work to remove dirt from your hair along the entire length of your hair. It works amazingly well as a conditioner to dry hair and leaves your hair with a soft and clean finish with a shiny look. Don’t worry about the smell, you will be washing off your hair with water.
Simply beat an egg in a bottle by shaking it. Once in the shower, simply pour the contents of the bottle on your wet hair and allow it to sit for 1 to 3 minutes. This gives it enough time for the eggs to extract dirt and nourish your scalp and hair. Then simply wash it off with cool water. Though it may be unorthodox, eggs can be a great alternative to shampoo and can work to really nourish your hair.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar
It is the acidity of apple cider vinegar that makes it amazing for your hair. It slows down the growth of yeast in your scalp that is responsible for hair loss. Further to this, it provides your hair with essential minerals and vitamins which support the health of your hair.
Using apple cider vinegar, your hair will be given added strength to prevent breakage. It works to promote the shine of your hair and gives it great overall smoothness. It helps maintain the colour of hair and adjusts the pH balance of your hair.
To use apple cider vinegar, simply mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water in a bottle and shake it well to mix. After you have washed your hair, simply pour the contents on your head, massage it a little and rinse it off thoroughly.
10. Baking Soda
You may be curious to understand how baking soda helps your hair. It is a natural exfoliant which means when it comes to dead cells and dirt, baking soda will work really well to exfoliate your hair and scalp.
It works to reduce the excess oil in your hair and helps rid your scalp of scaliness and itching. It works to gently detox your hair, leaving behind clean and nourishes hair and scalp.
To use baking soda, simply mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 cup of water. If you have thick hair, you may need more baking soda, while thin and dry hair would require less. Simply mix the contents in a bottle and shake well until the baking soda dissolves.
Simply squeeze the contents of the bottle onto your wet hair and rub it well from the root to the tip. Once you have properly covered your hair, massage your hair and scalp for a few minutes before rinsing it off.
11. Soapwort
Soapwort is a woody flowering shrub that contains saponins. These saponins work to gently clean your scalp and hair and works as an effective cleanser.
Soapwort works to clean your scalp and hair and nourish it. It contains nutrients in the root of the plant and the leaves and stems, all that work to nourish your hair with essential nutrients.
To prepare soapwort, simply mix two tablespoons of soapwort root or leaves or steams with a cup of warm water. This will make a nice lather. You want to strain the mixture and use it to massage your scalp and hair. You don’t have to rinse it, but if you prefer, after properly massaging your hair and scalp, you can rinse it down with water.
The mix of soapwort and water can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.
12. Calendula
Calendula has various anti-inflammatory properties which are perfect for sensitive skin. It works to nourish your scalp and provides essential nutrients to the root of your hair.
To prepare calendula, simply fill a jar with dried calendula flowers and cover the jar with unrefined oil such as avocado oil. Close the jar and store it away from sunlight for about two weeks. You want to shake the contents every day for seven days. Once ready, you can strain the oil and use the oil as you would use shampoo.
The calendula oil can be stored for a duration of time. It takes a few weeks to prepare, hence be sure that you have a stock of it if you are relying on this alternative to shampoo.
13. Amla Powder
Amla is an excellent ingredient to use on your hair. It has a wholesome amount of vitamins which are essential for the healthy growth of hair and the proper maintenance. The powder is actually dried gooseberry.
You have to prepare it the night before. Simply mix the powder with a little water until you have a paste. Store the paste and use it the next morning in the shower.
Once your hair is wet, simply apply the paste and leave the paste on your head for about 30 minutes before rinsing. You can determine how much alma powder you need based on the length of your hair. Use about two tablespoons of amla powder for long hair.
14. Oat Milk
Oat milk works really well for irritated scalps. The benefits of oat milk on your skin have been proven the same as that when oat milk is used on hair.
Oat milk works amazing well to nourish your scalp and is an effective alternative to shampoo. Its powerful anti-inflammatory properties make it great for issues like dandruff. Oat milk is rich in proteins and fats which strengthens your strands and gives your hair a nice silky shine.
In order to use oat milk, simply cover the roots in oat milk and massage the milk into your roots and hair for about 2 minutes. Apply the oat milk to cover all strands of hair and leave the oat milk on your hair and scalp for about 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing.
Oat milk has amazing nourishing properties, which not only helps resolve issues of irritated scalps but treats the hair to provide a natural and beautiful shine.
15. Rye Flour
Rye flour is soon becoming one of the most popular shampoo alternatives. It has a great combination of saponins and exfoliating properties which makes it amazing for cleaning your hair.
Light rye flour works on almost every hair type and can be great if you are suffering from dry and itchy scalp or even dandruff. It works well on greasy hair and works to gently clean and nourish your hair from root to tip.
In order to use rye flour, simply mix rye flour with water. Wet your hair and apply the paste all over your hair and scalp. Allow the mixture to sit on your hair and scalp for a few moments, about 5 to 10 minutes. Then wash the rye flour thoroughly out of your hair. Make sure to wash all of it off, for leftovers can cause the scalp to become itchy.
Alternatives for Shampoo
The ‘no-poo’ movement is gaining traction and more and more people are opting to use alternatives to shampoo to reap various benefits to your hair.
Using an alternative could help you tackle the problem at the root, quite literally. If you are having issues with dry hair, dandruff or an itchy scalp, these alternatives would provide you with an effective remedy to treat your scalp and hair and bring about a healthy shine.
These natural alternatives are a great way to clean your hair and not have to rely on shampoo. You may be shying away from shampoo for one reason or the other. After all, they contain petrochemicals, synthetic preservatives and colours or fragrances that don’t work for you.
We hope these alternatives provide you with the nourished hair that you deserve. Remember, you don’t need shampoo to clean your hair, all you need is a reliable cleanser that does that job for you.
Happy Cleansing!
