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Homemade Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with Coconut Milk
February 3, 2022
No one wants to be embarrassed by those white flakes of dandruff that land on their beautiful black jacket, but it happens because it almost seems like an unsolvable mystery about how to get rid of dandruff. In large part, it’s because most of the so-called dandruff shampoos, while also full of chemicals and unhealthy ingredients, simply do not work very well. And if they do, it’s only in the short-term.
Fortunately, finding an anti-dandruff shampoo solution that works for you may not be as difficult as you think, if you’re willing to do it yourself! But first, let’s explore why shampoos may or may not work so that you can make smart choices.
What Is Dandruff?
Dandruff, medically known as pityriasis capitis or seborrheic dermatitis confined to the scalp, is a disease that has been around for centuries despite the numerous treatments available. New anti-dandruff products frequent the market, almost daily, perhaps due to the widespread increase in the incidence.
However, dermatologists have given little attention to this problem. Why is it so difficult to fight off this humiliating dandruff?
Unfortunately, this nagging scalp disorder is rather common. Several studies across the world have shown a prevalence of dandruff of up to 50 percent in the general population. You would think that with such a large number, solutions would be available. However, due to these chemicals that are found in most commercially bought shampoos, their effectiveness may be temporary.
The word itself has negative meaning having a combination of ‘tan’ meaning ‘tetter’ and ‘drof’ meaning ‘dirty.’ So, it makes sense that having the right shampoo should help. And while the real cause of dandruff is yet to be understood, there are some things you can do to ease the cringe-making effects they offer.
Getting the anti-dandruff shampoo right is key. We know that most body and hair products out there have tons of toxic chemicals, and these chemicals can be incredibly ineffective, too. It is confusing as to why these toxic chemicals in shampoos are even allowed to hit the shelves, knowing that they can negatively affect our hormones and potentially even cause sickness. It’s probably no surprise that cosmetics has grown into a $50 billion dollar industry.
How to Make A DIY Dandruff Shampoo
To avoid this seemingly uncontrollable situation, you can simply make your very own anti-dandruff shampoo right at home with just a few ingredients. Keep in mind that the dandruff comes from the scalp, not your hair. That means it is important to gently massage this DIY dandruff remedy into the scalp as well as thoroughly washing your hair.
Fortunately, this recipe not only includes several dandruff-fighting ingredients, it’s also gentle enough to use several times a week.
Let’s start with your mixing bowl and a whisk. Combine the coconut milk, coconut oil and castile soap to start. Nutrition-rich coconut milk and fractionated coconut oil will help provide much needed nutrition for your hair and scalp. This nutrition will help build up the immune defenses as well as moisturize the hair and scalp.
Castile soap is a gentle vegetable-based soap derived from olive oil, water and lye that is biodegradable and non-toxic. While castile soap is gentle, it can help cleanse the scalp of excess sebum and product build-up.
Once the coconut milk, coconut oil and castile soap is well blended, add the water, apple cider vinegar and baking soda. It is a good idea to use purified water, such as an authentic spring water, to help avoid chemicals. The apple cider vinegar is great for eliminating the fungus and bacteria because it contains powerful enzymes. The baking soda can help slough off the dead skin due to its abrasive texture by acting as a mild exfoliate and fungicide.
Now, add the rosemary and tea tree oil. The rosemary oil will provide a nice scent and much more. Because dandruff is caused by fungi, it’s important to choose ingredients that can inhibit this fungi. That is why I chose rosemary and tea tree oil. Rosemary and tea tree oil essential oils contain antifungal properties, and you may get the added benefit of hair thickening that these oils can provide!
And now for my favorite ingredient, fenugreek! Fenugreek is a plant most commonly used as a spice in Indian cuisine; however, fenugreek can do wonders for your hair and scalp. Fenugreek seeds have a composition that is rich in protein and amino acids. These nutrient-dense characteristics encouraging healthy hair, hair growth and can help ward off those disgusting flakes of dandruff.
In particular, fenugreek has a high concentration of lecithin, which is a natural emollient. This emollient can help make hair stronger overall and provides many users of fenugreek with silky and soft locks.
Make sure all ingredients are thoroughly blended. Pour the mixture into a BPA free shampoo-like container with a lid, or you may use a glass jar if you prefer.
How to Use
To use, simply wet the hair as you normally would for shampooing. Place a small amount in the palm of your hand and begin to blend it into the hair and massage the scalp thoroughly. Leave the anti-dandruff shampoo on your scalp for a few minutes to gain the benefits of this natural remedy.
Try using every other day for best results. Shake bottle before each use. If you experience any discomfort or allergic reaction, stop using immediately. Consider doing a test patch prior to a full wash.
Refrigerate the shampoo after each use, as the coconut milk may spoil. Ideally, use within four weeks, and by then hopefully your dandruff has cleared up.
Print
Homemade Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 20 uses 1x
Description
Ready in about 10 minutes, this DIY dandruff shampoo recipe not only includes several dandruff-fighting ingredients, it’s also gentle enough to use several times a week.
Ingredients
- 13 ounces (1 can) coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon fractionated coconut oil
- ½ cup liquid castile soap
- ½ cup purified water
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 20 drops rosemary essential oil
- 15 drops tea tree essential oil
- 1 tablespoon ground fenugreek seeds
- BPA-free plastic dispenser bottle
Instructions
- Get out a mixing bowl and a whisk. Combine the coconut milk, coconut oil and castile soap to start.
- Once the coconut milk, coconut oil and castile soap is well blended, add the water, apple cider vinegar and baking soda and mix.
- Add the rosemary and tea tree oil. Continue to whisk.
- Lastly, add the fenugreek and make sure all ingredients are thoroughly blended.
- Pour the mixture into a BPA-free shampoo-like container or a glass bottle with a lid.
- Use every other day. Store in the fridge after use. Use within 4 weeks.
- Prep Time: 10 min
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Using this now for
My son. The night before picture day. Was easy to make.
I used shampoo in place of Castile soap. Thanks for sharing!
This shampoo removed my dandruff and repaired my red, dry, itchy, badly damaged sensitive skin—100%
I tried many different name brand over the counter shampoos but NOTHING helped.
Here are some tips suggestions recommendations when you make the recipe:
• A handheld immersion blender mixes the ingredients really well! I used a Creole Seasoning container. The mixing container has high walls and medium width body
• Coconut cream or milk from Whole Foods Market (Brand: 365) appears to be interchangeable…I like the cream better, the canned coconut cream has water included.
• Have not tried ground fenugreek seeds but did use powder
• When hand whisking ingredients in coconut milk the result was lots of air bubbles & foam (did not like that)
• 1/2 cup of Castile soap was too abrasive for my ‘sensitive skin’ so I reduced it to 1/4 cup
Thank you Dr. Axe!!
I’ve read in many places that Castile soap shouldn’t be mixed with vinegar. What are your thoughts? Is there an alternative to the vinegar in this? I make a shampoo similar to this but it’s missing something for me. I’m wondering if there’s an ingredient with similar properties and benefits to the vinegar that might perfect it. :)
My husband is using this recipe. It helps his dandruff so much! But weird thing is that it is lightening his hair a tiny bit! Anyone else experiencing this?
Did anyone else experience their hair feeling more oily? Maybe I’m not washing it properly, but I find that the coconut oil is heavy on my hair. Wondering if anyone else experienced this.
It was not coconut oil. They recipe is with coconut milk.
I did too
Yes. I have.
I was looking for an alternative to commercial shampoos (full of chemicals which made my condition worse) that could be used to treat my seborrheic dermatitis. I just made this shampoo and it worked wonderfully on my 4C micro-locs. My scalp was clear, my hair was soft and smelled great! Thanks so much, Dr. Axe, for providing us with this recipe. I now feel empowered to treat my condition naturally without fear of damaging my hair and scalp!
I have just made a second batch of this shampoo for my sons. They both said it appears to be helping. I don’t have dandruff but I make a similar shampoo for myself. I don’t add the fenugreek and the tea tree. Instead I use cedarwood oil and rosemary. I also use argan oil or almond oil instead of coconut oil.
Thanks! Is this pH balanced? I’ve been interested in homemade recipes but read that the pH is important.
What about dry, itchy scalp without dandruff or flaking? I have had this condition for about 3 years. My hair was soft and curly, now it is dry, kinky, and is not growing. I have tried many types of shampoo and moisturizer products and homemade products with no relief. Any suggestions?
https://draxe.com/beauty/itchy-scalp/
I’m going to try this soon. My daughter has really bad dandruff at times
I just made this shampoo today and it goes on well, and lathers just enough to be easy to use. Best of all, my scalp feels better. I don’t know how it will work long term but I need an answer to seborrheic dermatitis and folliculitis. Absolutely nothing has worked in the past seven years that I have been living with this nightmare. Thanks, Dr. Axe, and I hope this is an answer to prayer!
How long will coconut milk last when not refrigerated in these shampoo recipes? Does it go sour or smell?
I would think the vinegar and tea tree oil would prevent spoilage because they’re anti- microbial.
It literally says refrigerate in the recipe
It spoils
You are only using this mixture. If you read the article, he explains that this is a replacement to chemical laden shampoos that are commercially available.
using a preservative goes agains’t the natural idea of the recipe, we are trying to use ingredients that do not have these unnatural stuff in them , you would be killing the whole idea,
thanks for sharing those informative article
I was thinking the same thing. Lemon oil is a cleanser. I’ve been adding lavender, peppermint tea tree and rosemary oils to my shampoo. Peppermint and lavender help relieve the itchiness while the rosemary is antimicrobial antifungal and encourages hair growth and tea tree is anti microbial. I only use a certain brand of oils due to purity.
Thank you for the great tips… i just have a question.. i bought tea tree essential oil and God it smells really strong and not a nice smell… is it only the one i bought or they all smell strong like that?
Thank you
Tea tree oil has a strong antiseptic like smell
Dear Dr. Axe, I want to thank you for your wonderful DIY Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. I made it for my son who suffered with dandruff for over two years and guess what… It worked! After about a week of using the shampoo daily he was dandruff free! Now he will not use any other shampoo. This was after trying all kinds of commercial shampoos and even other DIY recipes that I made for him and none worked. Thank you, Thank you!!!
I would massage your scalp with two drops of peppermint oil then use your own conditioner. Peppermint oil is very strong so try a test are first it wakens up the hair follicles and will help alleviate the oil that causes the greasy hair. If this does not work try tea tree oil and lemon grass oil on a 2:2 drops basis.
I’m curious for anyone who has tried this – do the ground fenugreek seeds feel scratchy, or leave a gritty residue on the scalp?
After the shampoo sits for a few days, the seeds weren’t scratchy at all. They were actually very soft.
It ground meaning like a powder
My best guess is fenugreek seeds ground in a mortal and pestle 😁
My dog’s skin is dry, even though we use coconut oil in her food. Can I use this shampoo on her?
It can be risky to use essential oils on animals. Ask your vet before you use on your pet. Or look at the ASPCA website for guidance if you are in the USA.
Do not use this on a dog. Tea tree oil is toxic and even used topically can cause paralysis. I don’t know about the other ingredients but suggest research thoroughly before using on animals.