Shikakai Powder for Natural Hair Wash | 100g

Shikakai means "fruit for the hair", which is as direct as product naming gets. Indian households washed hair with it for centuries before shampoo arrived, and it is still the gentlest wash you can give a scalp.

What It Does

Shikakai contains natural saponins — it lathers a little, loosens oil and dirt, and leaves the scalp's own balance alone. It cleans less aggressively than shampoo. That is the point, and it is also what people find strange for the first fortnight.

• Cleans without stripping.
• Leaves hair soft and manageable, so conditioner is often unnecessary.
• Naturally slightly acidic, which suits the scalp.
• Will not strip henna or natural colour.

How to Use It

1. Two to three tablespoons in a bowl, depending on hair length.
2. Add warm water slowly to a thin, pourable paste. Let it sit twenty minutes.
3. Wet the hair, then work the paste into the scalp with your fingertips.
4. Massage two or three minutes. It will not lather like shampoo — this is normal.
5. Rinse very thoroughly. Grit left behind is the commonest complaint and it is always under-rinsing.

With reetha

The classical pairing is two parts shikakai to one part reetha. Reetha brings the cleansing power, shikakai brings the softness. Add a spoon of amla for shine.

The First Three Weeks

If you are coming off sulphate shampoo, expect hair to feel heavier at first while the scalp adjusts to not being stripped. Most people find it settles somewhere around week three. Keep it away from the eyes — shikakai stings.

Product Information

Net weight: 100g · Pure shikakai, no fillers
For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. Patch test before first use.
Storage: Airtight and dry.