Sunshine, ocean water and hotter temperatures are great for lifting your mood, but unfortunately they can be less than ideal for your locks. To help you achieve healthy, summer-ready hair, we’re rolling out a series of tutorials this week to rejuvenate and refresh your mane.
This Argan Oil shampoo is particularly loving to your hair and scalp. Argan Oil has long been used as an additive to hair products because of its high content of Vitamin E and essential fatty acids. The addition of Nettle and Carrot Extract provide some extra strand-nourishing power.
Check out the other tutorials in this series: Argan Oil Conditioner and Pink Sea Salt Beach Spray
What You’ll Need:
4.8 oz. distilled water
2.1 oz. Potassium Cocoate
.6 oz. Liquid Crothix
.2 oz. Coconut Lemongrass Fragrance Oil
.1 oz. (3 mL) Carrot Extract
.1 oz. (3 mL) Nettle Extract
.2 oz. (6 mL) Argan Oil
.1 oz. (3 mL) Optiphen ND
2 Brushed Aluminum Bottles with Pump Top
Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!
Note: The crothix pastilles originally used in this recipe were discontinued. Now the recipe calls for all liquid crothix.
EQUIPMENT PREP: Disinfect your utensils by dipping them in a 5% bleach water solution and allowing to dry. This includes mixing containers, your stick blender, and any spoons or spatulas that may come in contact with your lotion. Your products must be absolutely 100% free of germs, bacteria, microbes or anything so be safe and bleach water all your utensils.
ONE: Measure the distilled water into a disinfected heatsafe container. Heat the water in the microwave on 1 minute bursts until it reaches 150 degrees F.
TWO: In a second disinfected container, combine and heat the Potassium Cocoate, Argan Oil and Liquid Crothix. Heat until the mixture reaches 150 degrees F.
Note: This photo shows Crothix pastilles, which have been discontinued. The recipe has been reformulated to accommodate this change.
THREE: Add the water to the oils. Stir or stick blend for 15 – 20 seconds to combine.
FOUR: Once the temperature drops below 140 degrees F, add the Coconut Lemongrass Fragrance Oil, Optiphen ND and Carrot and Nettle Extracts. You can use a scale and measure in ounces, or use droppers to measure in milliliters (we found using droppers and measuring in milliliters was easier since the amounts are so small). Stir to combine.
FIVE: Pour into bottles and leave uncovered overnight.
Your shampoo is ready to use!
- 4.8 oz. distilled water
- 2.1 oz. Potassium Cocoate
- .6 oz. Liquid Crothix
- .2 oz. Coconut Lemongrass Fragrance Oil
- .1 oz. (3 mL) Carrot Extract
- .1 oz. (3 mL) Nettle Extract
- .2 oz. (6 mL) Argan Oil
- .1 oz. (3 mL) Optiphen ND
- 2 Brushed Aluminum Bottles with Pump Top
- EQUIPMENT PREP: Disinfect your utensils by dipping them in a 5% bleach water solution and allowing to dry. This includes mixing containers, your stick blender, and any spoons or spatulas that may come in contact with your lotion. Your products must be absolutely 100% free of germs, bacteria, microbes or anything so be safe and bleach water all your utensils.
- Measure the distilled water into a disinfected heatsafe container. Heat the water in the microwave on 1 minute bursts until it reaches 150 degrees F.
- In a second disinfected container, combine and heat the Potassium Cocoate, Argan Oil, and Liquid Crothix. Heat until the mixture reaches 150 degrees F.
- Add the water to the oils. Stir or stick blend for 15 – 20 seconds to combine.
- Once the temperature drops below 140 degrees F, add the Coconut Lemongrass Fragrance Oil, Optiphen ND and Carrot and Nettle Extracts. You can use a scale and measure in ounces, or use droppers to measure in milliliters (we found using droppers and measuring in milliliters was easier since the amounts are so small). Stir to combine.
- Pour into bottles and leave uncovered overnight. Your shampoo is ready to use!
Hi,
I just have one quick question.
Is liquid Crothix all natural? I decided not to add preserves like Optiphen ND and make the shampoo with just all natural. However, I couldn’t find if liquid Crothix is all natural from online.
Or even if it’s chemical, it doesn’t give any affect to the shampoo or skin?
Sorry. Also would it be ok to not use any preservatives if I use this within like 2 months?
Hi Angela!
Liquid crothix is synthetic. In this recipe, it helps emulsify and thicken the shampoo. Without it the oil and water will separate. Also, because it doesn’t have a preservative, it will have a shelf life of just a couple weeks, maybe longer in the fridge.
If you prefer a more natural option, you may like shampoo bars! They are made with hair-loving oils like coconut and sweet almond oil. I’ll include a few recipes below. 🙂
Sudsy Shampoo Bars: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/sudsy-shampoo-bars/
Invigorating Shampoo Bars: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/invigorating-shampoo-bars/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Could I add honey to this recipe? Thank you.
Also, could I add honey to your kissably soft lotion recipe?
Hi Lindsey!
We haven’t tried adding honey in those recipes but I believe that would be OK! Because honey is water soluble, you’ll want to mix it in with your water. I would recommend starting out with about 1 teaspoon per pound of lotion. A small test batch would be helpful as well! That way you can see how the lotion feels with honey added. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Great! Thank you so much!
You’re welcome! 🙂
I have tried this recipe 3 times and each time the consistency is like water and it separates after about 4 hours. Any idea what I am doing wrong? I have followed the recipe exactly (well, except for replacing the .2 oz. Crothix Pastilles with an additional .2 oz. of liquid Crothix as per the suggestion)
Hi Erin!
I am sorry about that! How long are you stick blending the recipe? Let me know and I’ll help you troubleshoot. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
about 20-30 seconds the first and second time, about a minute or so the last time.
Thanks so much Erin! I think a bit more stick blending should thicken the shampoo and help it stay emulsified. I would recommend gently heating the mixture (no hotter than 130F or the preservative can degrade), then stick blending for another 2-3 minutes. Then, let the mixture sit in the container for 5 minutes and check on it again. If you notice any separation, you can stick blend another 30 seconds to 1 minute. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I will try that. Thank you.
You’re welcome! Let me know how it goes. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
So I tried again, and and decreased the amount of water by .5 ounces. It is still the consistency of water. I stick blended for almost 5 minutes, and there is no longer any separation but it is still incredibly thin. Can I add some salt water solution like I would with regular liquid soap that was too thinly diluted?
Hi Erin!
I had our testers try this shampoo out again and we realized our recipe was incorrect. When we replaced the crothix pastilles with liquid crothix, we forgot to take into account the extra water in the liquid crothix. That’s why the recipe was so watery. It’s also the reason the recipe wasn’t emulsifying, as liquid crothix aren’t as concentrated.
After our tests, we found out that adding .6 ounces of liquid crothix and 4.8 ounces of water creates a really nice texture.
I am so sorry about that Erin. Thank you for bringing this to our attention so we can get it fixed.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I am glad I seen this! I been trying to find away to make own shampoo! I can I use shea butter oil?
Glad you like the recipe Jeaneane! We didn’t try shea oil in this recipe, but I believe that would work just fine. I would recommend using it for part or all of the argan oil (.1-.2 ounces). A small test batch would be really helpful too, that way you can see how it feels on your hair. 🙂
Shea oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Shea-Oil-Liquid-P4892.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Does Bramble Berry potassium cocoate come pre-diluted or is that the reason for the water amount in this recipe? If it is diluted, what ratio is it? I’m not entirely sure I actually want to thicken the shampoo, yet.
Hi Jaleesa!
The potassium cocoate we have needs to be diluted. In this recipe, it is diluted by the other ingredients, like water, crothix and the extracts. The water in this recipe is also used to make the texture a bit more thin and easy to work into the hair.
Potassium cocoate: https://www.brambleberry.com/Potassium-Cocoate-P5902.aspx
You can dilute the potassium cocoate with distilled water, or with fragrance, oils or extracts (like this recipe). 🙂
Hope that helps!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I see that you don’t offer Crothix pastilles any more, can I still make the shampoo without them or will it be to thin? Is there a substitute that is better?
Thanks Kathleen
Hi Kathleen!
In place of the pastilles, you can increase the liquid crothix by .2 ounces. That will help thicken the lotion up. 🙂
Liquid crothix: https://www.brambleberry.com/Liquid-Crothix-P5675.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can I thicken this with salt water the same way I do regular liquid soap instead of any of the Crothix?
Hi Markie!
We didn’t test this recipe with salt water, so I’m not entirely sure! I would recommend testing a small amount of the shampoo with the salt water solution to see how it does.
You can also decrease the amount of water in the recipe to help thicken it! I would recommend starting with 4 or 4.5 ounces of distilled water. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’ve tried this formulation four times, and each time it left my hair extremely dry and brittle. Any ideas?
Hi Becky!
Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that! Everybody’s hair is a little bit different, and what works for one person may not for another.
You may try increasing the amount of argan oil and potassium cocoate in the recipe. That will help make it a bit more moisturizing. 🙂
You may also like our shampoo base. It has lots of conditioning ingredients: https://www.brambleberry.com/Liquid-Shampoo-Base-P4204.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
potassium cocoate is extremely drying…id use less and add some kind of stearic acid maybe soyawax..
Hi Vanessa!
If your hair is on the drier side, potassium cocoate can dry it out. In that case, you can add more argan oil, or another moisturizing oil like avocado or green tea seed. I would recommend making a small test batch with any changes to see if it works for your hair. 🙂
Avocado oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Avocado-Oil-P3198.aspx
Green tea seed oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Green-Tea-Seed-Oil-P5927.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I just made this shampoo and it still seems very thin. Will it thicken as it cools?
Hi Tiffany!
This shampoo will continue to thicken as it cools. That typically takes several hours, or up to overnight. After that, the shampoo will be a nice thick consistency. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you! When I looked at it the next morning, it came out perfect. I really love this recipe. I used orange essential oil instead of the fragrance oil and it smells absolutely wonderful.
You’re welcome! So glad to hear that shampoo turned out perfectly. Enjoy your citrusy shampoo! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
can you substitute distilled water for liquid aloe vera in the argan oil shampoo.
Hi Scot!
We didn’t test this recipe with aloe vera liquid, but I believe it would work just fine! You can replace up to 100% of the distilled water. A small test batch would be helpful as well. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Aloe vera liquid: https://www.brambleberry.com/Aloe-Vera-Liquid-P3704.aspx
Would it be possible to use beer in this recipe in place of distilled water, or even a mixture of the two?
Hi Summer!
We haven’t tested this recipe with beer, so I’m not 100% sure! I would recommend making a small test batch to see how it goes. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I thought brushed aluminum bottles can only be used for product not containing water only oil. I read that on another site the water will ruin the bottle… Is this not true with these aluminum bottles? Thanks… Can they be used for lotion?
Hi Robin!
We use these with recipes that contain water all the time with no problems! Also, they can be used for lotion. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Brushed aluminum bottles: https://www.brambleberry.com/Search.aspx?k=brushed+aluminum+bottle
What amount of shampoo does this recipe make? Can it be doubled or tripled to make a large batch?
Hi Jaime!
This recipe makes two 4 oz. bottles. Also, you can definitely double or triple it to make a large batch. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I just made this recipe, and I am very happy with it!! However, how would one adapt this for those with oily or curly hair? I assume you would change the additional ingredients? Any advice?
Thank you so much in advance!!
Respectfully
Holly
Hi Holly!
We found that this formula works best for all hair types, but especially drier hair.
I’m not exactly sure how to tweak this for oily hair, but we will consider it for a future blog post. If you find anything that works, please let us know!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you Ms. Kelsey, I will see what I can come up with. I am thinking to switch from Carrot extract, perhaps and substitute more water/soap combo for that. I honestly have no idea!! 🙂
Holly
Hi Holly!
Let us know how it goes! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
If we leave the container uncovered for a few hours or even over night how can we ensure it still remains sanitary/disinfected? Sounds like a silly question, but I worry about these things. I live in an older house that seems to collect dust more easily, plus I also have pets (they aren’t allowed in my soaping room,but I still worry!)
Hi Tara!
This recipe has a preservative in it, so it will help prevent any mold or bacteria from forming!
If you’re worried about dust or pet hair (which somehow manages to get on everything!) you can put it in a cupboard. We just recommend leaving it uncovered so it will cool and not form condensation. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I just tried this recipe today and it turned out wonderful!!! Very Conditioning Shampoo!!! My adult sons also tested it and loved it!!!
Hi Teresa!
I’m so glad you like this recipe! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Is this safe on color treated hair?
Hi Olivia!
I have color treated hair, and it wad fine for me :). You may want to test a small portion of your hair before using if you want to be extra safe!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Epic fail. My hair feels as if I didn’t wash it. This would be great for someone with very dry hair.
Hi Glenda!
Thanks for the feedback regarding this shampoo. It certainly is a more moisturizing shampoo, and would work well for dry, or dry/normal hair.
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
This shampoo was fun to make, smells great but sadly doesn’t work in my hair, at all. I feel like I haven’t washed my hair for days. My hair is “normal” (neither dry nor oily) so I was surprised at the texture I ended up with. We have hard water so that may contribute to the lack of suds, too. I will try again with a vinegar rinse.
Hi Glenda!
I’m sorry this shampoo did not work well for your hair. My hair is on the dry to normal side, and I enjoyed the shampoo, but I do personally like a more gentle shampoo. If you try it with a vinegar rinse, I would love to know how that worked for you!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Hi Amanda:
I have been using the shampoo base from Brambleberry for a lot time and have been very successful, adding Rosemary and Mint, as the receipt of Anne Marie, but I would like to know if I add the EOs added in your formulation above (Argan, Carrot Seed and Nettle) to have the same results using the shampoo base.
Thank you!!!!!
Hi Angie!
I find that this recipe is more gentle and moisturizing than the Shampoo Base. If you’d like to add essential oils to this recipe you certainly could, although it has a different feel than the shampoo base :). Another option would be to add the extracts into the shampoo base!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Thank you Amanda for the information!!!!!
Me, again–can I add SLSA to increase the lather without affecting the benefits of the shampoo? Also, in the description for Optiphen ND, it says to use in products whose ph is lower than 6. If this shampoo’s ph is lower than 6, will the oils separate? If not, why not? Sorry for all the questions! I appreciate your feedback on this.
Hi Christine!
We did not test adding SLSA to this recipe, but adding any surfactant may raise the pH level. This may interfere with the ability to use Optiphen ND. I hope this helps 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Thank you, Amanda!
Thank you, Amanda!
Love your tutorials and useful info. Could you tell me the ph for this shampoo? I’d like a recipe with a ph if @ 6.5. Thanks!
Hi Christine!
This shampoo has a pH level closer to 8, so it’s a little higher than what you are looking for. I found that this shampoo felt great, my hair loved it 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
This looks like a great recipe – Thank you!!
Questions:
1) can I sub the .2 oz. Liquid Crothix with more Crothix Pastilles?
2) Is there anything else the will work in place of the Potassium Cocoate?
I would like to try a test sample of this shampoo this weekend, but don’t have those 2 items.
Thanks for your help!!
Hi Sly!
We found that the mixture of both the pastilles and liquid gave the best texture, but you could certainly make a small test batch to see what you think! Regarding the Potassium Cocoate, you could try substituting it with the Liquid Castile Soap Base, or the Liquid Soap Concentrate Base. My concern would be that the Castile Liquid Soap may not lather very well in hair, while the Liquid Soap Concentrate may be a little harsh. Potassium Cocoate is a really nice in between 🙂
Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base:
https://www.brambleberry.com/Natural-Castile-Liquid-Soap-Base-P4609.aspx
Liquid Soap Concentrate Base:
https://www.brambleberry.com/Liquid-Soap-Concentrate-Base-P4278.aspx
Let me know if you have any more questions 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Amanda:
Thank you so much for the extra information!!! (Sometimes it’s hard to know what each ingredient does exactly!!)
I think I will wait till I can get all the ingredients in my next order.
I subbed the liquid crothix for more of the chrothix pastilles as I did not have the liquid, it made for a very thick shampoo, so would probably use more water to thin it out. The shampoo worked well though and made my hair very soft
Hi Nicole!
So glad you like the recipe! Also, thank you for sharing. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi,
I still can’t get to the list of things on sale either!! Please fix it fast, since the sale ends tomorrow! I’m holding off on ordering til I see the whole list!!
Hi Dawnia!
We looked into it, and the link should be working correctly now. Let me know if you are still having any problems 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Um – the web link is empty – there are no products listed on this page.
https://www.brambleberry.com/Sizzling-Summer-Hair-Series-C385.aspx
Hi Merryn!
Sorry about that little glitch! The link should be working just fine now 🙂 Let me know if you have any more problems with it.
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
This looks great. Thanks.
Hi Michelle!
You’re so welcome, I’m glad you enjoyed this post 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Oops! Forgot, the list of things on sale doesn’t come up.
Thanks Again!
Hello Dawnia!
Click on it, go back, and click again. Worked for me!
Thanks,
Brittany
Yay! I can’t wait to make this! I just need the liquid Crothix. I have the pastilles. Is there anyway to sub pastilles and FCO for the liquid Crothix, since that’s what the ingredients are? Also, could you use BTMS50 for the pastilles??
Sorry, I just had an idea, love to sub stuff!! Thanks!!
Hi Dawnia!
I wouldn’t recommend subbing out the crothix pastilles for BTMS-50, because the pastilles are meant to thicken the mixture, while BTMS-50 is an emulsifier, and will not thicken. If you wanted to add some BTMS-50 for a conditioning effect, you could 🙂 Using FCO will react differently, but you could make a small test batch and see what you think!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Silly question I know, what type of directions for use? Will this lather like a traditional shampoo or more like a shampoo bar or cleansing conditioner? Any feedback from testers? Can’t wait to try this thanks for sharing!
Hi Heather!
This shampoo does lather well! It does not lather quite as much as a store bought shampoo that contains SLS, but it does lather more than a shampoo bar. I found that it washed my hair well, but was more on the gentle side. I hope this helps 🙂 If you have any more questions, let me know!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Hi,
Just wondering, is this gentle enough for small children, babies??
Thanks!
Dawnia
Hi Dawnia!
Personally I found this shampoo to be very gentle, so while we did not test it on small children or babies, I imagine it would be fine :). Let us know if you give it a try!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry