Non-Toxic Shampoo and Conditioner: Day 18

Today was a banner day in the Non Toxic Hair Care Program saga. While yesterday found me with hair that looked like it had been brushed out after prom, today I’m finally left with hair that I can actually wear down and that doesn’t look like it has a week of product buildup in it. My hair feels clean, not oily, and thicker than when I was using commercial product. It feels like the temptation to go back to my pretty bottle of shampoo and conditioner might actually pass me by this week, which is a welcome relief to the daily temptation of squeaky-clean hair that’s just a two-inch shift of my hand away (There still lurks commercial shampoo in my shower.)

In other news that I haven’t been telling you about, I’ve been cutting my hair in an effort to get out the aforementioned (way back in a previous Hair Care saga installation) green color left over from last year’s henna dye. That process hasn’t gone quite as well as the 18-day hair care program, but I’ve cut it enough that I can live with it until I can get Ashley up in The City to take care of it for me. And then, I’ll truly have the hair I’ve always wanted.

- Jocelyn Broyles

Non-Toxic Shampoo and Conditioner: Day One
Non-Toxic Shampoo and Conditioner: Day Two
Non-Toxic Shampoo and Conditioner: Day Four
Non-Toxic Shampoo and Conditioner: Day 16
Eco Friendly Shampoo and Conditioner Recipe

Headline image © Clean Wal-Mart

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Faith B.

10:49AM PDT on Mar 18, 2012

Great article, thanks for sharing :)

send a green star

Jerry t.

12:44PM PST on Jan 16, 2012

I have male pattern baldness. So I apply a little tea leaf oil a minute or two after applying conditioner. My hair is returning. I have often thought the bottled conditioner I use was creating a problem with dryness. I will try this b. soda and vinegar recipe.
I would also like to thank Bhargavi for her contribution in the comments.

Charlene S.

9:53AM PST on Dec 24, 2011

I've been using the baking soda and apple cider vinegar for nearly a month now and my hair and scalp have never felt cleaner or healthier. It had become extremely dry lately and completely unmanageable. I'd given up and resorted to just putting it up in a bun. I was very skeptical when I started this program, especially since I'd become reliant on using gobs and gobs of conditioner and I really doubted that apple cider vinegar was going to do the trick, but I had nothing to lose. I'm so happy with the results! My hair feels like it's been restored to it's former glory! I can hardly believe it. Baking soda and apple cider vinegar cost a lot less than shampoo/conditioner too so that's an added benefit.

Emily S.

9:09AM PDT on Jul 18, 2011

Inspiring!

Akin A.

3:08AM PDT on Jul 10, 2011

thanks for the great article

Helle H.

2:15PM PDT on Jun 30, 2011

I might try this, and hope I'll be able to combe my long hair without any conditioner.

Wendy S.

10:43AM PDT on Jun 30, 2011

Tried this for the first time today. My hair isn't even dry yet and I have to say I am surprised! My hair feels really clean and soft. Can't wait to see how it looks after it dries completely! I have very fine, thin hair that tends to be frizzy if I don't use a little gel or hairspray. But lately I've noticed that my scalp has been itching like crazy and flaking way more than it used to. So I'm trying this and eliminating any other product to see if I can "fix" my problem.

Annemarie W.

10:33AM PDT on Jun 30, 2011

Thanks for the info!

Sue H.

7:21AM PDT on Jun 30, 2011

thanks for the update

bellabecka C.

6:38AM PDT on Jun 30, 2011

The ingredients in the soap I get from "Dress Green" on Etsy.com contain only these ingredients and nothing more: distilled water, coconut oil, castor oil, olive oil, palm oil (organic and subtantially harvested), sodium hydroxide, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, shea butter, meadowfoam oil, avocado oil, rice bran, rosemeary essential oil, peppermint oil and Vitamin E. Dress Green also makes a couple of other shampoo bars with I believe vitamins A, C, D, and E in them. If you look at our ancestors, they didn't use the harsh chemicals on their hair and didn't have problems with it like we do today. I wash my hair once a week and it is fine even during the hot humid summers we have here in the midwest. The same is true with your face. Why use soaps with chemicals that are toxin to you? The same with shampoos on the market shelves and in salons. For me, I woiuld rather use something that is "healthy" for my hair and scalp than to be caught up in the marketing craze of manufacturers who try to get you to buy their product knowing full well, it isn't good for you but that they can sell a lot and make money and lure you in to buy it.