I started making homemade conditioner bars not so long ago. I wanted to replace my store-bought products with more natural, sustainable, eco-friendly ones packed with nourishing ingredients. And homemade conditioner bars are one of the few things I wanted to try making.
I'd say that I wasn't disappointed with this recipe! It makes your hair look and feel healthy, it’s perfect for travel, it smells so good, and it’s easy to make—even for beginners. And don’t you agree it looks so cute to give as gifts?
Honestly, once you try this, you might never go back to those plastic bottles again.
Why I Switched to Conditioner Bars
Okay, let’s get real for a second. Bottled hair conditioners are expensive. A bottle usually costs me $8 at least, and honestly, it never really does that much to my hair (it’s just meh at best). My frugal momma heart feels bottled conditioners aren't worth it at all or are just scams.
Also, I am just tired reading labels with a mile-long list of ingredients I couldn't even pronounce. Silicones, synthetic fragrances, parabens… no thanks. I just really wanted something clean, gentle, and effective—especially after learning that our scalp absorbs what we put on it.
Sooooooo, making my own conditioner bar felt like the right step.
What You'll Love About This Conditioner Bar
Let me hype this up a little (because it deserves it!):
- Silky Smooth Hair – It detangles like a dream and leaves your hair soft, shiny, and bouncy.
- Travel-Friendly – Say goodbye to leaks in your suitcase. This little bar travels light.
- No Plastic – Save money and reduce waste while keeping your bathroom aesthetic clean and minimal.
- Customizable Scent – You get to choose your favorite essential oils. Mine? I’m all about lavender lately. Heaven!
- Less Waste- No more pumping out a handful of product only to rinse most of it down the drain. With this homemade conditioner bar, a little goes a long way—so you use just what you need, without the waste.
What You Might Not Like About This Hair Conditioner Bar
Okay, another honesty moment—while this bar does a great job conditioning your hair, it’s easy to go overboard. Since it’s packed with rich, natural oils, using too much can leave your hair feeling a bit heavy or greasy.
The trick? Less is more.
After shampooing, just glide the bar gently over your wet hair—especially the ends. You don’t need a lot! If you accidentally apply too much, no stress. Just rinse well or do a quick second shampoo to wash out the excess.
Tip: Start with just a few swipes of the conditioner bar—especially if you're new to solid conditioners. Focus on the ends, not the roots. You can always add more if needed, but it’s harder to take it back once your hair gets oily!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s the lineup. Nothing complicated, just hair-loving goodness:
- Emulsifier – This is the key conditioning emulsifier. It makes your hair feel like silk.
- Cocoa Butter – Deeply moisturizing and helps nourish dry ends.
- Argan Oil or Jojoba Oil – Lightweight oils that bring shine without weighing down your hair.
- Essential Oils (optional) – For scent and extra benefits.
- Vitamin E (optional) – A lovely antioxidant to keep your bar fresh longer.
How to Make It
Let’s get into the fun part!
- Melt your ingredients
In a double boiler, combine the emulsifier, and your chosen butter. For this recipe I used cocoa butter and jojoba oil. Stir until fully melted. - Add oils
Remove from heat and stir in your carrier oil, essential oils, and vitamin E (if using). Mix gently but thoroughly. - Pour and cool
Pour the mixture into silicone molds. Let it set at room temp for a few hours or pop it in the fridge to speed things up. - Cure & store
Once solid, pop them out of the molds. Let them cure for 24 hours before first use. Store in a dry container.
How to Use It
Super simple—after shampooing, glide the conditioner bar over wet hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. Massage it in, wait a minute or two, then rinse. That’s it! Your hair will feel buttery soft and smell amazing.
Final Thoughts
I never imagined I’d become the kind of person who makes her own conditioner bars, but here we are—and I’m loving it! It’s satisfying, practical, and just feels right. If you’re looking to reduce your plastic use or just want to know what’s in your hair care products, give this recipe a try.
Your hair—and the planet—will thank you.
