No ’Poo is a hair care philosophy that involves avoiding conventional hair products and instead using natural methods to cleanse and care for the hair.
The name “No ’Poo” comes from the English expression “no shampoo” and simply means “no crap.”
Over time, No ’Poo has evolved from a hair care method to encompass a whole lifestyle, focusing on reducing exposure to synthetic chemicals that can negatively affect both health and the environment.
Solid soap is a popular choice within No ’Poo
No ’Poo is not just about replacing hair care products but also about reducing the number of hair washes to let the scalp restore its natural balance.
By avoiding harsh substances, the scalp gets time to regulate its oil production, which can take a few weeks.
During this transition period, hair may feel different, but many experience positive results immediately, with healthier and more vibrant hair.
Common ingredients in a No ’Poo routine include baking soda, eggs, and rice flour.
For those seeking a simpler method, solid handcrafted soap is an excellent option. It is both effective and easy to use, making it a popular choice within No ’Poo.
6 tips for No ’Poo from the expert
We have enlisted the help of Malin Lindmark, soap maker and founder of Malin i Ratan.
She is an expert in handcrafted soap and washing hair with solid soap.
1. Avoid oily hair during the transition period
Many traditional shampoos contain strongly drying ingredients that can disrupt the scalp’s natural balance.
When the scalp dries out, it reacts by producing more sebum (oil) to compensate, which can cause hair to feel oily quickly.
When switching from shampoos with strong surfactants to the No ’Poo method and hair soap, it can take time for the scalp to adjust and reduce excessive oil production.
During this transition period, which can last from a few weeks to a couple of months, hair may feel oilier faster than usual.
Be patient – it’s part of the process!
If you experience problems with oily hair during the transition period, try switching to another soap from the categories below. You can also try doing a rasul clay treatment now and then.
Also check out which is perfect for those new to No 'Poo.
2. Choose the right soap for your hair type
Start from your hair and scalp type when choosing soap. Sometimes you may need to experiment or alternate between a few soaps.
Soaps for oily hair or new to No ’Poo – Choose a more cleansing hair soap. Both of these contain deep-cleansing clay that works very well for oily hair.
- Nettle & Birch
- Mild scent of citrus and lavender in a harmonious combination with rasul and calendula
- Rasul & Calendula unscented
For normal scalp – Choose a moderately nourishing soap. These soaps contain a fine balance of selected oils and clays to work both cleansing and nourishing.
- Pine Forest
- Red Clay & Rose Oriental scent
- Mint & Eucalyptus
For dry hair and dry scalp – Choose one of our extra nourishing soaps, with shea butter or calendula oil. Choose the scent-free version of Shea & Avocado if you have a sensitive or itchy scalp.
- Shea & Avocado herbal scent
- Shea & Avocado without scent
- Lavender
- Calendula & Citrus
3. Work up a lather, massage, and rinse thoroughly
Wet the soap between your hands or directly on the hair and work up a lather. Massage thoroughly into the scalp to dissolve dirt and oil.
Since the solid eco soap doesn’t contain the strong surfactants found in conventional shampoo, mechanical massage is important to get it clean.
Feel free to wash your hair twice with the soap. Remember to rinse thoroughly to remove all soap; leftover soap in the hair can feel sticky.
Let the soap dry between uses – preferably on a well-ventilated loofah pad.
4. Use acid rinse or conditioner
An acid rinse gives the hair more shine by removing any soap residues.
The two most common types of acid rinses are cooled hibiscus leaf tea or diluted apple cider vinegar, but you can also use black tea or kombucha.
Whether you need acid rinsing depends on how hard the water is where you live and how damaged your hair is from sun and chemical treatments.
If the water is very hard, acid rinse is probably needed; if the water is soft and your hair is good quality, short, or untreated, you might not need it.
Experiment and find what works!
If you like the feel of conditioner and primarily want to focus on replacing your shampoo, make sure to choose a conditioner free from silicones.
5. Use nourishing oil on the ends
Apply a thin oil to damp hair ends; organic argan oil or organic teff seed oil works well in the hair.
6. Detox your hair as needed
To remove residues from conventional hair care products, it’s beneficial to do a detox with rhassoul clay, which has a deep cleansing effect.
You can first try washing directly with soap, but if after a couple of washes your hair feels stripped, try the rhassoul wash. It’s a great help during the transition period or if you experience greasy hair at certain times.
Mix clay powder with water and distribute evenly over hair and scalp, try to rub the clay thoroughly into the scalp. Then rinse thoroughly.
Feel how your hair feels after the rhassoul wash; you can either rinse with acid rinse, use your silicone-free conditioner, or wash your hair with eco soap.
Customize according to what suits your hair, scalp, and the feeling you want for your hair.
Good luck on your No ’Poo journey!
OTHER PRODUCT TIPS FOR NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL HAIR
Rhassoul Clay Wash
Acid Rinse
No 'Poo Starter Kit without Scent
No 'Poo Starter Kit with Scent
