Rice Shampoo Bar Recipe for Healthy, Shiny Hair

Updated On: October 15, 2025

Are you tired of conventional liquid shampoos packed with chemicals that can strip your hair of its natural oils? If so, it’s time to embrace an eco-friendly, gentle alternative: the rice shampoo bar.

This innovative shampoo bar harnesses the nourishing power of rice and other natural ingredients to cleanse your hair effectively while promoting softness and shine. Not only is it convenient for travel and storage, but it also reduces plastic waste, making it a sustainable choice for your beauty routine.

Today, I’m excited to share a detailed recipe for creating your own rice shampoo bar at home. This recipe is perfect for all hair types and will leave your hair feeling refreshed, healthy, and beautifully manageable.

Let’s dive into the world of natural hair care and discover why this rice shampoo bar is a must-have!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This rice shampoo bar recipe offers a range of benefits that make it stand out from typical store-bought shampoos. First, it’s packed with natural ingredients like rice powder, which helps to gently exfoliate the scalp and absorb excess oils without drying out your hair.

Secondly, the bar format means no more messy bottles or spills, making it ideal for travel, gym bags, or even gifting. Plus, it’s incredibly eco-friendly since it eliminates the need for plastic packaging.

Lastly, this recipe is customizable! You can add your favorite essential oils or herbs to suit your hair’s unique needs, whether you want to boost volume, reduce dandruff, or soothe sensitive scalps.

It’s a win-win for your hair and the planet.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup rice powder (finely ground white rice)
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil (for moisturizing and lather)
  • 1/4 cup castile soap (liquid, gentle cleansing base)
  • 2 tbsp shea butter (nourishing and softening)
  • 1 tbsp arrowroot powder (absorbs excess oils)
  • 1 tbsp vegetable glycerin (adds moisture)
  • 15-20 drops essential oils (optional, such as lavender, rosemary, or tea tree for fragrance and benefits)
  • 1 tsp vitamin E oil (natural preservative and scalp health)

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls (preferably glass or stainless steel)
  • Spoon or spatula for mixing
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Silicone molds or soap molds for shaping bars
  • Microwave or double boiler for melting oils and butters
  • Grater (optional, for shea butter if solid)
  • Plastic wrap or parchment paper to cover while setting
  • Small spray bottle with water (optional, for adjusting consistency)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the rice powder: If you don’t have rice powder, simply grind uncooked white rice in a blender or food processor until you get a fine powder. Set aside.
  2. Melt the oils and butters: In a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler, melt the coconut oil and shea butter until fully liquid. Stir well to combine.
  3. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the rice powder and arrowroot powder. These powders will help absorb oil and gently cleanse your scalp.
  4. Combine wet ingredients: Add the castile soap, vegetable glycerin, and vitamin E oil to the melted oil mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly to blend.
  5. Blend wet and dry: Slowly add the dry powder mixture into the wet mixture while stirring. The consistency should be thick but moldable. If it’s too dry, spray a little water to loosen it slightly.
  6. Add essential oils: Drop in your chosen essential oils, stirring them evenly throughout the mixture. These oils will add fragrance and hair benefits like dandruff control or scalp soothing.
  7. Shape your bars: Spoon the mixture into silicone molds, pressing down to ensure there are no air bubbles. Smooth the tops with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
  8. Let set: Cover the molds with plastic wrap and let the bars harden at room temperature for 24-48 hours. For faster setting, you can refrigerate them but avoid freezing.
  9. Unmold and cure: Carefully pop the shampoo bars out of the molds. Let them air dry for another 24 hours to firm up if needed.
  10. Store properly: Keep your rice shampoo bars in a dry, ventilated container or soap dish to prolong their lifespan and prevent them from becoming mushy.

Tips & Variations

“For an extra boost of shine and scalp detox, try adding 1 tablespoon of green tea powder or neem powder to your shampoo bar mixture.”

If you have dry hair, consider increasing coconut oil or shea butter by a tablespoon to add more moisture. For oily hair, reduce oils slightly and add more arrowroot powder or rice powder to absorb excess sebum.

Experiment with essential oils like peppermint for a refreshing scalp tingle or chamomile for calming sensitive skin. You can also add a teaspoon of honey powder for gentle conditioning.

When starting out, make small batches to test what works best for your hair type. The versatility of this recipe allows you to customize it fully for your needs.

Nutrition Facts

While this shampoo bar isn’t edible, it’s made from nourishing, natural ingredients that benefit your hair and scalp health. Here’s a quick overview of the key components and their benefits:

Ingredient Benefit Effect on Hair
Rice Powder Rich in starch and antioxidants Gently exfoliates scalp, absorbs excess oils, adds smoothness
Coconut Oil High in fatty acids and vitamins Moisturizes, reduces protein loss, adds shine
Castile Soap Plant-based, gentle cleanser Removes dirt without stripping natural oils
Shea Butter Contains vitamins A and E Softens hair, protects against dryness
Arrowroot Powder Natural starch Absorbs oil, adds volume and body
Vitamin E Oil Antioxidant and scalp health Promotes hair growth, soothes irritation

Serving Suggestions

Use your rice shampoo bar just like a traditional shampoo. Wet your hair thoroughly, then rub the bar directly onto your scalp and hair to create a rich lather.

Massage gently with your fingertips to cleanse and stimulate scalp circulation.

After rinsing, follow with your favorite conditioner or a natural hair rinse like diluted apple cider vinegar for extra shine and pH balance. For more natural hair care ideas, you might enjoy our Active Vegetarian Recipes for Healthy and Energized Living, which includes nourishing meal ideas that promote healthy hair from the inside out.

Travelers and minimalists will love how compact and spill-free these shampoo bars are. They fit perfectly in your toiletry bag without the risk of leaks, making them ideal for weekend getaways or gym visits.

Conclusion

Making your own rice shampoo bar is a rewarding and eco-conscious way to care for your hair. This recipe combines the gentle exfoliating power of rice powder with moisturizing oils and butters to provide a balanced cleanse that leaves hair soft, shiny, and healthy.

Plus, the versatility of essential oils and natural additives allows you to tailor your shampoo bar to your unique hair needs.

By switching to shampoo bars, you’re also reducing plastic waste and embracing a minimalist lifestyle that benefits both your beauty routine and the environment. I encourage you to try this recipe and explore the wonderful world of natural hair care.

For more inspiration on natural living and wholesome recipes, check out our Afghan Vegetarian Pulao Recipe Easy and Delicious Guide and Baby Spinach Salad Recipe Vegan: Fresh & Easy Ideas.

Happy shampoo bar making, and here’s to your healthiest hair yet!

📖 Recipe Card: Rice Shampoo Bar Recipe

Description: A gentle and nourishing shampoo bar made with rice water and natural oils. Perfect for strengthening hair and promoting healthy scalp.

Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT30M
Total Time: PT45M

Servings: 1 shampoo bar

Ingredients

  • 100g rice flour
  • 50ml rice water
  • 30g coconut oil
  • 20g shea butter
  • 30g castor oil
  • 40g sodium cocoyl isethionate (SCI) powder
  • 10g vegetable glycerin
  • 10 drops lavender essential oil
  • 5 drops rosemary essential oil
  • 1 tsp vitamin E oil

Instructions

  1. Melt coconut oil and shea butter in a double boiler.
  2. Add castor oil and vitamin E oil to the melted mixture.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix rice flour, SCI powder, and vegetable glycerin.
  4. Slowly add rice water to the dry ingredients and stir to form a paste.
  5. Combine the oil mixture with the rice paste and mix well.
  6. Add essential oils and stir thoroughly.
  7. Press the mixture into a silicone mold.
  8. Let the bar set and harden for 24 hours before use.

Nutrition: Calories: 120 | Protein: 1g | Fat: 10g | Carbs: 5g

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Marta K

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