Our homes are filled with natural products these days - natural household cleaners, organic produce, mineral makeup. But have you considered your shampoo? Many people are starting to realize the harsh effects of their traditional lather and are looking to try natural shampoo instead. Here's how to make your own.



Why Natural Shampoo?
If you've ever looked at the label of a regular shampoo, you'll see a long list of ingredients including sulfates, parabens and synthetic fragrances. Though common, these ingredients can cause oil production overdrive, hair loss, endocrine disruption and potentially even cancer. Yikes!

If that's not enough reason to ditch your traditional shampoo, consider the benefits of switching to a natural version:

• 1. Promotes hair growth: Healthy hair grows better, and your hair will be much healthier without all of those harsh chemicals.


• 2. Great for sensitive skin: Whatever you put on your skin gets absorbed, so applying gentler ingredients is always a good idea.


• 3. Environmentally friendly: Natural shampoos are typically made with bio-degradable materials.


• 4. Better hair days: Without harsh chemicals wreaking havoc, your hair will be able to find balance and be strong, shiny and gorgeous.

How to DIY Your Own
If you're ready to try a more natural route, it can be tough figuring out where to begin. While there are many wonderful natural shampoos available on the market, it's even more cost-effective and fun to make your own. Here's how to make your own shampoo.

This one is good for everyday use. Here's what you'll need:

• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 1/4 cup liquid castille soap
• 20 drops of essential oils
• 1/2 tsp. olive or almond oil (optional - good if you have dry hair)

This recipe is super easy. Simply pour all of the ingredients into your container of choice, shake it up and you're all set. This mixture will last about a month in the shower at the rate of 1 teaspoon per shampoo. Make sure to shake the bottle before you use it each time. If you want more shine and an even cleaner finish, try rinsing with a 50/50 solution of apple cider vinegar and water - it works wonders. And don't worry about the vinegar smell; it dissipates as your hair dries.



Clarifying Shampoo
If your hair needs a little extra cleansing, you can try this natural clarifying shampoo. Ready for the ingredient list?

• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp. baking soda

Yes, that's it. Simply mix the two together, squirt onto your hair, massage into your scalp and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Then rinse well. This works great for getting rid of buildup, but don't use it every day or your hair will dry out. Only use this if you feel you hair is getting too oily.