I’ve written before about how I use homemade shampoo, but I’ve found that many people don’t do well with this option. I recently discovered a way to use bentonite clay and some other ingredients to detox and deep clean the hair. As I explained in a previous post:
“Turns out, clay can be very beneficial for hair in the same way it can be beneficial in the rest of the body: it removes toxins to leave hair super-clean and with a lot of shiny volume.”
I was contacted by a company, Morrocco Method, that manufactures a completely natural shampoo alternative that detoxes hair and leaves it clean without buildup or tangles. I’m all for the DIY when possible, but I often get emails from readers asking where they can buy various products I post recipes for, so I decided to try their products and share my experience.
How to Shampoo With Mud
There is a little bit of a learning curve with mud-based shampoos. They don’t lather like detergent based shampoos, and some people experience a detox period while the scalp adjusts. It is also beneficial to shampoo twice with this method, as they explain:
At first glance, the recommendation by the shampoo industry that we shampoo our hair twice each session sounds like a gimmick to sell more shampoo. However, there is value in this recommendation. A perfect shampoo is achieved in two parts. The first shampooing cleanses hair and scalp of dirt, dead cells and dust, which would otherwise be massaged back into the hair, scalp and follicle openings if only shampooed once. This clogging debris could retard new hair growth and severely damage the oil glands, upsetting the natural fall-out and reproductive cycles of your hair.
The second shampooing and massage of your clean hair and scalp stimulates the flow of blood to the scalp and opens the hair follicles, allowing the blood vessels to feed each root, bulb and hair shaft, nourishing the entire follicle and activating the sebaceous (oil) glands. This ensures the proper lubrication and distribution of your own natural oils to the entire scalp and hair shafts. A natural coating of oil is vital to the maintenance of a healthy scalp and hair. It keeps the outer layer of hair lubricated and prevents drying, which is the excessive evaporation of moisture.
- Step One: Wet your hair, then apply a nickel-sized portion of shampoo to your scalp. Massage it lightly into your hair and scalp, and then rinse thoroughly, using warm water.
- Step Two: After rinsing, take a quarter-size portion of the same shampoo and massage it gently into your clean hair and scalp for a second cleansing, then rinse thoroughly, finishing with a cool rinse. Towel dry hair and scalp thoroughly.
The Verdict
Of all the store-bought “shampoos” I’ve tried, this method left my hair feeling the most clean. I didn’t experience a transition period, but I had already been using natural shampoos and even clays in my hair for a while before trying this method. I can see how a detox period could be normal, just as the skin can take a while to adjust to oil cleansing when first starting.
I liked my homemade version too, but the Morrocco Method formula smelled a lot better (especially since I’m not a fan of the smell of vinegar, as much as I love the benefits) and is definitely easier to use while traveling and to store for longer periods of time. As only a small amount is used each time, it also seems like a cost-effective option.
All of the ingredients are great for skin too, so excess can be used on face or body and since all ingredients are not soap-based, this could be a great option for kids as well.
Update from Katie: My quest for my favorite natural, non-toxic shampoo and conditioner has ended… meet Wellnesse, my very own personal care products line! Try my Cleansing Shampoo for all hair types or my Smoothing Shampoo for wavy or curly hair.
Have you ever used mud shampoo in your hair? How did it work for you? Share below!
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