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Homemade Honey Citrus Shampoo
April 10, 2025
In an age where many commercial shampoos are packed with synthetic ingredients, more people are turning to natural alternatives that are not only gentle on the hair and scalp, but also environmentally friendly. One such option is this homemade honey citrus shampoo, a simple yet effective recipe that combines the moisturizing power of honey with the refreshing and purifying properties of citrus essential oils.
This DIY blend is perfect for those seeking a clean, nourishing shampoo that’s free from harsh chemicals. Try it today!
Key ingredients
This homemade honey citrus shampoo recipe is great for your hair. It helps balance the hair’s natural pH, kills bacteria, restores moisture to hair, reduces dandruff and doesn’t strip the hair of its natural oils.
Note: Citrus essential oils are highly concentrated and full of healthy acidic properties. Because of this, it’s recommended you use glass containers when storing them so they do not eat away any of the plastic.
1. Water
Though it may seem like a basic ingredient, water plays a vital role in any homemade shampoo. It acts as the base that dilutes other components and makes the mixture easy to apply and rinse out.
Water also helps open up the hair cuticles slightly, allowing the other ingredients to penetrate more effectively. Using filtered or distilled water is ideal, as it avoids the minerals and impurities often found in tap water that can cause buildup or dryness over time.
2. Raw honey
Raw honey is a superstar when it comes to natural hair care. It’s a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture, crucial for keeping your hair soft and hydrated.
Honey is also rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that can help nourish the scalp, support healthy hair growth and even reduce breakage. Its gentle cleansing properties remove dirt and oil without stripping the scalp of its natural oils, making it especially great for dry or curly hair types.
3. Lemon essential oil
Lemon essential oil adds more than just a fresh, uplifting scent. It offers real benefits for the scalp and hair.
It has natural antiseptic and astringent properties that can help clarify the scalp, reduce excess oil and eliminate buildup from styling products. This oil is also known to invigorate the scalp, potentially stimulating circulation and supporting hair growth.
Plus, its bright citrus aroma gives the shampoo a refreshing, clean finish.
4. Melaleuca (tea tree) essential oil
Melaleuca, commonly known as tea tree oil, is a well-known powerhouse for scalp health. It has antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it particularly effective at soothing scalp irritation, reducing dandruff and combating conditions like seborrheic dermatitis.
A few drops in your shampoo can help maintain a clean, balanced scalp environment that promotes healthier hair over time.
How to make homemade honey citrus shampoo
This homemade shampoo could not be simpler to make. All you have to do is combine the water, honey and essential oils in a bowl, and mix them extremely well.
Then, transfer your honey citrus shampoo mixture into a glass bottle with a dispenser, and your homemade honey citrus shampoo is ready for use! Make sure to shake it well before each use.
With just these four ingredients, the homemade honey citrus shampoo offers a gentle, natural alternative to traditional shampoos. It’s an easy, affordable way to bring a little nature back into your hair care routine, without compromising on effectiveness.
Whether you’re aiming to hydrate dry strands, reduce scalp irritation or simply embrace a more holistic lifestyle, this DIY shampoo is a great place to start.
More DIY shampoo recipes
If you like this homemade honey citrus shampoo but want to switch up the scent and ingredients from time to time, here are some more homemade shampoo recipes to try:
- Homemade Rosemary Mint Shampoo
- Homemade Coconut Lavender Shampoo
- Homemade Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with Coconut Milk
- Homemade Baking Soda Shampoo
- DIY Dry Shampoo
- Tea Tree, Green Tea & Honey Shampoo for Oily Hair
Homemade Honey Citrus Shampoo
- Total Time: 2 min
- Yield: 30 uses 1x
Description
This homemade honey citrus shampoo recipe helps balance hair pH, restores moisture, reduces dandruff and doesn’t strip the hair of its natural oils!
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 5 tablespoons raw honey
- 5 drops lemon essential oil
- 5 drops melaleuca essential oil
- glass bottle with dispenser
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl, and mix well.
- Transfer to a glass container. Shake well before each use.
Comments
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48 Comments
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Do i have to save the shampoo on the fridge or could i leave it in the shower? i know there is no problem with honey but since i add lemon and other oils could these rotten or something? thanks for your help
I would keep it in the fridge to be safe
I just tried this today. I added Young Living’s Bath & Shower Gel Base, however to make it suds up a little bit, so I could tell it was working into my hair.
Where do I find the oils mentioned in the recipe?
Please email me at [email protected] for where to get the oils and the specific ones that I recommend using
I swim often and almost every day in the summer. I have not found a successful natural way to deal with the chlorine. I do have a mostly natural shampoo from the beauty supply store that is specifically designed to clean off the chlorine. I also wet my hair, put conditiooner on it and french braid it before swimming. I hate the caps. Any other helps for protecting and cleaning of the chlorine in a more natural way?
Approximately how much would you use of this concoction per use?
Depends on the length of your hair
Can I substitute Agave for honey, or will that be to sugary? I’m also going to add Rosemary EO to support healthy hair and scalp.
I don’t think agave will work like honey does. Rosemary is a great addition!
I know that you recommend that this be stored in a glass bottle, and I understand that the essential oils can break down plastics, but is there a certain plastic that could work? I’m a little worried about making this for my kiddos to use in glass bottles. Thanks!
You could make the recipe without the essential oils and store it in a plastic BPA free container and then add in the oils with each use
I oil my hairs before shampooing… Can this shampoo take off the stickiness caused by oil from my hairs?
Can’t wait to try this. I’ve been using baking soda for about a year now. I only started reading it could be bad. I only wash weekly so I may have been not noticed the damage because I seldom wash. Don’t judg. Anyways I feel like my hair was drier so I’m excited to use this method.
I color my hair. Can I still use this shampoo.
I haven’t had anyone have an issue with that
my mix seems very watery. Is this the correct consistency?
Yes but you can add a little more honey or even aloe vera gel to thicken it if desired
I made this shampoo about two weeks ago and really like how my hair is looking and feeling. I changes containers today and noticed that it had white chucks in it that don’t devolve when shaken. Is this the honey separating? Is there a best by time frame that I should be tracking?
Also I was wondering if I can add ylang ylang to this is it okay with the other oils?
You can absolutely add ylang ylang. The honey may separate if the mixture gets cold but it shouldn’t make the recipe go bad.
How much do you use to shampoo hair all?
Hi. This has nothing to do with this subject directly, but does to the eo’s.
I was wondering if you had a recommendation for oils for cellulitis. I have tried so many…currently using Rosehip in Sweet Almond. It does seem to be helping a very tiny bit, but could you tell me some others? I have used so many others plus coconut oil and nothing seems to help. I really need some relief from the itching. Still “oozes” when on my feet but nothing else seems to help. Have been trying to watch what I eat…could use some recommendations there too maybe. Don’t eat a lot of meat…very rarely red meat. Waiting on a recipe using Soy from a friend. But saw where you had replied here, and thought it couldn’t hurt to ask.
Blessings!
Can I add tea tree oil or would that not be a good idea? If so how much?
Yes you can. Try adding 1-2 drops per use.
Melaleuca is Tea Tree Oil :)
Would aloe Vera in place of the water add any additional benefit(s) to the shampoo?
Absolutely! That’d be a great addition
Would I have to refrigerate it if I decided to substitute aloe vera juice for water as well? Also, which would be better: aloe vera juice or aloe vera gel?
I have DRY, curly hair. Is this shampoo ok without a conditioner? I currently use Wen, but I’m looking for a less expensive, and natural, alternative.
I found a DIY hair gel, using gelatin, so I’ll be trying that as well, plus I’m going to try an ACV rinse.
Will it still clean ypur hair of styling products?
How often do u recommend an individual to wash their hair?
Every other day or once every 3 days depending on the person. You can rinse it will with water in between days.
I know nothing about essential oils. What are they and where do I get them?
Please email me at [email protected] and I will get you information
i stopped using commercial shampoo about a year ago. It took a couple weeks for my scalp to get used to it but my hair is healthier than ever. No itchy scalp, no dandruff, no dry ends.
I wanna try this recipe on my curly hair but I was wondering.. the honey wouldn’t make my hair kinda sticky due to the natural sugar in it ? And for how long can I keep this shampoo ? Should I leave it in the fridge ?
It shouldn’t need to be kept in the fridge. You can try adding a little of this to help fully cleanse your hair: http://amzn.to/1ybs4kH
What kind of honey would be best for this recipe? Raw?
Yes, raw is great!
I have not lemon and melaleuca essential oil what have instead any?
Lavender is a great oil to use.
Will this shampoo be safe for brunette color treated hair or will it strip/fade the color faster.
That makes so much sense!! I tried using a homemade shampoo from this website this week (rosemary mint) and I was so confused as to why my hair was so greasy afterwards. Glad I decided to commit to this natural recipe… hopefully my hair will soon see the benefits!
It is also rather weird that the shampoo doesn’t lather, but it is so helpful to know that that is simply from the harsh chemicals found in the shampoo… helps you wrap your mind around it and give it a chance!
Will this “shampoo” be ok for oily hair? It doesn´t have any soap in it so will it clean the hair properly without that oily feeling?
It will cleanse the hair but your hair may feel get oily quickly after. The reason for this is because conventional shampoo strips your hair of its natural oils so your scalp continues to produce oil in excess. It takes your body a bit before it adjusts and normalizes to the oil not being stripped from your hair.
Do we use it like normal shampoo? Will it become foamy?
It will not foam. The reason most shampoos foam are because they contain harsh chemicals that can strip your hair of its natural oils. It will still cleanse your hair.
Dr. Axe my husband is using this shampoo with some Castile soup to make it foamy. His grey hair seems to be disappearing. He is very happy about it :). Do you think this is happened because of the Castile soup?
Adriana, how much castile soap are you putting into the shampoo? I’d be interested because I’ve been looking for a GOOD alternative to Wen cleansing conditioner, since it’s so pricey! Thanks!