During the past few years I have been having a “hair crisis” of sorts. My hair is getting thinner with age, so to compensate I’ve started using more and more hairspray to try and get some of my hair’s old volume back. Not only was I using more hairspray than ever, but I had even starting buying the “industrial strength” maximum hold kind!
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Related: 5 Simple Ways To Fight Thinning Hair
But shortly after I started using more products and sprays, my hair started looking a bit tired and weighed down. My regular shampoo wasn’t making much of a difference, so I started searching for a solution that would detoxify and revive my sad, wilted hair but wouldn’t cost a small fortune. (Some of the top name brand clarifying shampoos can cost up to $58 a bottle!) Little did I know how simple the solution would turn out to be! :-)
After doing some digging online, I discovered that the main ingredient in most detoxifying/clarifying shampoos is actually just sea salt! The sea salt works to dissolve dirt and product buildup, which can restore volume and vitality to your hair. And using coarse sea salt in particular will also help scrub away dead skin cells for a healthier scalp.
Using that helpful information, I wrote up this “recipe” for the world’s easiest clarifying shampoo that costs pennies to make. :-)
DIY Hair Detox
Ingredients:
- 3 parts coarse sea salt
- 2 parts mild shampoo (you can use whatever you already have on hand)
Optional Additions:
Add in one or more of the following ingredients for added hair benefits:
- 1-2 Tbsp coconut oil (for added softness and conditioning)
- 2 drops Tea Tree essential oil (to combat dryness and flaking)
- 2 drops rosemary essential oil (to promote faster hair growth)
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Directions:
Stir ingredients together, apply to hair, and wash. Use once or twice a month, as needed, to thoroughly clean your hair and scalp.
My daughter Britta gamely agreed to be our before-and-after model so we could show you how this detox shampoo works! Here’s what she had to say about it…
I think these photos speak volumes about the benefits of using this easy detox shampoo. Britta’s hair is so shiny and radiant in the “after” side of the photos that it looks visibly lighter in color. All that for the price of a container of sea salt! :-)
So whether you’re battling product buildup, an oily scalp, or just want shinier, healthier hair, I definitely recommend giving this DIY option a try. And I’d love to hear how it goes! :-)
Great article! Sorry I’m a bit late to the party. Does this keep well? I’d like to make it in “bulk,” but don’t want to risk the sea salt from dissolving.
Thanks!!
This remedy is not really one that I would make in bulk – I just make as much as I need per wash! The salt will definitely dissolve eventually.
From the pictures it looks like it not only helped get off the oil and build up, but the diy hair detox really seems to have made her hair softer and healthier! I never thought of trying salt. Great idea! Probably why my hair always looks so pretty after a trip to the beach.
I also have a problem with my scalp getting oil, and I’m glad to have stumbled upon this diy recipe for scalp detox. Definitely heading in for a try. Thanks, Jillee!
Verrry interesting! First, I threw this together using table salt, thinking I’d remembered the “recipe.” I did add some Himalayan pink salt when I caught my mistake, and then proceeded. Wasn’t sure if I should use conditioner afterwards, but my hair felt SO “clarified,” I did, and was surprised at how great my conditioner felt going on, as well as how nice my hair felt after. Next day, my hair feels wonderfully soft. Little observations: this is basically a salt scrub for hair (and I did use what was leftover on my arms and feet–nice!). Also left my hands feeling… Read more »
Hello, I love your emails and suggestions and advices. I have tried some of your recommendations. However, I am wondering if the drain pipes will clog because of the grease in the coconut oil. Thank you very much!
Since you’ve been in the shower for a while before rinsing the coconut oil out, the drains will be hot and the oil will wash right down! But you wouldn’t want to put the oil into a cold drain.
I used fractionated cc oil. Is that easier on the pipes and still good? My hair sure liked it.
Absolutely!
Well, I tried this today. I didn’t really expect to see or feel any difference, but boy, was I surprised, and pleased. My hair looks better and behaves. I didn’t think it could be so easy. I will do this from now on. Love the results.
At 64 I was having similar issues with my hair. I searched quite some time for a reasonably priced natural shampoo and conditioner to deal with dull droopy hair. I love the brand I discovered: Acure. You can find it at their website: https://www.acureorganics.com/clarifying-shampoo.html. It’s about $10 for 8 fl oz on their website or even cheaper on Amazon. I use their conditioner with coconut oil. These products have been a life saver for my hair and I’m so pleased with the natural ingredients.
I use borax water (20 Mule Team) in water to wash my hair – 1 T. borax in 2 cups of water. I have short hair so it lasts for several washings. I don’t use shampoo anymore because of the sulphates, etc., and the ones without sulphates are very expensive. I then rinse with water mixed with vinegar. My 69 year old hair is soft and shiny and clean.
One time I dyed my hair and it came out WAY too dark. My hairdresser suggested washing a few times with Dawn and I got it to the right shade in a day! Now that my hair is gray and thinning, I think I will try to baking soda or sea salt trick. I swear some days my hair looks like Donald Trump and other days like Bernie Sanders. Lol
When I was in high school, my Mom worked at an upscale hair salon. This is where she learned about using Dawn (the plain blue kind) to deep clean and strip hair of product buildup. I have used it ever since. I don’t do it often, but whenever my hair feels dull I do a wash of this in the shower. Works wonders and is cheap, always something I have on hand anyways.
I’ve already gained a new appreciation for the old ‘Dawn’ product in cleaning supplies, but now I can add another idea