I am definitely no beauty blogger, I dislike wearing make-up, partly as I feel like I’m hiding behind a mask (most likely a clown mask if I ever attempted applying it myself!) and I have very sensitive skin, so I dislike putting anything on my skin. I’ll just end up as a blotchy red mess!
The thing is I’ve had eczema all my life, even as a baby and it gets better and worse, but after having kids it’s become awful. Probably due to all that extra hand washing with changing nappies all day long! So I like to keep new or unknown chemicals to a minimum.
A few years ago now I convinced my doctor to let me have a patch test. This took a lot of persuasion and they eventually consented to refer me for a patch test, to find out what was affecting my skin. This seemed like a good idea to me, rather than just trying to fob me off with higher strength steroid creams over and over again!
It turns out that my skin is sensitive a variety of different substances, including Parabens. So I began using paraben free soap’s and shampoo’s in the hope that it would help, but it never really made much difference and they were very expensive to buy. Then I came across the ‘no-poo’ method and thought I would give it a go.
No-poo is simply not using conventional shampoos and conditioners, instead washing your hair with plain water or alternatives such as egg, apple cider vinegar or even flour. Yes it sounds crazy, but it does work!
The problem with shampoo is that it strips your hair of it’s natural oils and then your hair is greasy a day or two later, as it’s trying to replace the natural oils. So of course you wash your hair and start the whole process again! Of course when you first start the ‘no-poo’ method you will find that your hair is really greasy for a few days to a few weeks, but just wash it with whichever method you choose, wear hats, hair up and grin and bear it. After a couple of weeks you’ll wake up and your hair will look amazing! Then you’ll only need to wash it 1-2 times a week, it will look great, you won’t need to spend tons of money on shampoo and conditioner and if you have sensitive skin like me you’ll probably find that your skin feels so much better (shampoo not only touches your scalp, but also your hands, neck, torso etc. as it drips down in the shower).
The transition period between using shampoo and having nice hair again is tough, but it’s definitely worth it. The photo of me wearing sunglasses was taken earlier this year and as you can see my hair is definitely not greasy and disgusting, it looks great!
I chose initially to wash my hair with a Bicarbonate of Soda and water mix, but I didn’t get on well with that. I then tried just using water, but my hair still didn’t seem to be as nice. Then I tried washing my hair with a whisked egg (not in hot water, otherwise you’ll have scrambled egg on your head!), washed it out and used an apple cider vinegar, lemon and water mix for conditioning. And guess what, it worked, my hair was lovely and soft and clean looking. I’ve used this method of washing my hair once or twice a week or so for almost a year now and I’m not definitely not going back to shampoo again.
You can Google ‘no-poo’ and get tons of hits of different methods and recipes, if you want to have a go then try out different recipes until you find the one that’s right for your hair. However, I did find this download quite useful.
Would you go no-poo?
J x
Let kids be kids says
This sounds great, but I’m not sure I have the confidence to try it. My hair gets greasy by the end of the day, let alone by the time I’ve woken up the next morning. Maybe I should look into it more x
Anne says
When I was younger my hair was really greasy but now it’s quite dry and brittle. I’ve read a lot about going without shampoo but I’m still not sure I’m brave enough to try it, I’m sure it would be better for me though. I’ve had some allergic reactions to some shampoos.
Mummy Fever says
Really interesting but I am not sure it’s for me – I have very long, thick hair that needs a lot of attention #PoCoLo
Helen Porter says
I love the idea of this I think I might try it It is very weird but i will try anything once especially if it means my hair is soft and looks shiny better than putting all the shampoo rubbish in it I loved this post I like learning new things about hair and skin and bits great post #picknmixfriday
Bobbyanne says
I would never completely commit to the no poo but I can go for a week as long as I have plenty of dry shampoo! Dry shampoo is a godsend if you’re trying the no poo method. I have read that to get rid of build up a final rinse with some alka seltzer does a good job, not tried it but it was from an interview with a las vegas stripper so what other recommendation do you need? 🙂
Bobbyanne
Promisingbeauty.blogspot
Jenny Eaves says
Ha ha! Great recommendation! It’s hard to take the leap to begin with, it took me years before I tried, but I’m so glad I did, plus I’m stubborn so that makes it easier not to give up after the horrible transition part. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
If you try it, don’t panic with the transition stage, it’s hard to keep going with your hair getting greasy, but it will look great once you get past that stage! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
My hair is thick, but not long, I’m sure you can find something that would work for you, but you need to want to do it or it’s hard to get through the transition stage, before your hair is happy with no ‘poo. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
You should try if you find yourself allergic to some shampoo’s, what’s the worst that could happen? Try it for a couple of months and if it doesn’t work go back to shampoo again? 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
That’s the perfect reason to try! Your hair will be getting greasy quickly because it’s simply trying to replenish the natural oils that have been stripped by the shampoo. Once it’s used to the no-poo method then it won’t need to continuously replenish the natural oils and hopefully won’t get greasy very quickly. I used to wash my hair every 2nd day and now it’s once a week! 🙂 x
Morna piper says
I’ve thought about it a few times as I have very greasy hair but I can’t face the translation period. I do now make my own soap and I made a shampoo bar which my husband and mother in law love- I’m too scared to make the transition to that too but maybe I’ll try no poo during our 2 week summer holiday- I wonder how sea water would affect it.
Emma's Mamma says
What a great idea! I have a sensitive scalp so I only wash my hair twice a week. The transition from everyday to twice a week was tough but so worth it. I’ll have to keep this in mind if it ever gets worse 🙂 #bigfatlinky
Sophie @ Mum, M & More says
This sounds like a great idea for people with sensitive skin. I am quite lucky that I have never had sensitive skin or any problems. At the moment M hasn’t had any problems either (touch wood).
I am so gad your method is working for you! #bigfatlinky
Verily Victoria Vocalises says
I just couldn’t for some reason! Good for you for doing it though. I have just started buying organic however so I am hoping that is the happy medium! Thank you for linking to #PoCoLo x
Adrian says
Hah ha – I thought this was a potty training technique!
I also have suffered eczema all my life so this is really interesting. I can already see our baby has the genes poor lad and we already use no PB shampoo etc but going cold turkey on it sounds tough. I dont want to smell bad at work!
Ting at My Travel Monkey says
I haven’t ever gone ‘no-poo’ but I definitely have started washing my hair less. I used to wash it everyday and now I only do it every three days… and find it so much better! It used to get so greasy otherwise. I’ve never thought about giving it up, but it would definitely save me some money! #PoCoLo
Jenny Eaves says
What do you make your own soap out of? That sounds like a good idea too, you know exactly what you put into it. Sea water isn’t great, but you can use different things to wash it, I just stick with my egg wash, works well for me. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
That’s great that you only need to wash twice a week, it’s a tough transition, but definitely worth it! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Thank you, hope you don’t need to worry about skin sensitivities! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Organic is definitely a good thing too, hope that works out well for you. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Haha! You won’t smell as you still wash your hair, just with natural things instead. If you want to smell extra nice just add in a drop of essential oil to a apple cider vinegar, lemon and water mix to soften your hair and make it smell nice (I promise you won’t smell of vinegar!). 🙂
Jenny Eaves says
That’s great that you’ve reduced it so much. It’s tough to begin with, but worth considering if you are that way inclined, it really is ok to wash with methods other than commercial shampoo. And it will definitely save you money! 🙂 x
Laura's Lovely Blog says
I’m not sure I could do it. Although I wonder what difference it would make to my hair as it really does get quite greasy. I bet it’s a lot cheaper too. I do like to wear make up everyday though, I am different to you, not plastered on, a natural look but I suffered from bad acne in my teens and just hate my skin without make up. My daughter suffers from quite bad excema though and I have to buy really quite shampoo for her, so maybe I should look into it 🙂
Random Musings says
I love this idea, but I couldn’t bear to wait the few weeks for it to start self cleaning! #bigfatlinky
Debbie
http://www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com
Jenny Eaves says
It is tough, but well worth it! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
It’s really just going back to natural ingredients and making your own shampoo I guess, not going completely without. I don’t tend to use anything on the boys hair, but it’s much easier to go no-poo with kids hair as their hair is in so much better condition than adults! You should try it with your daughter, the transition period may not even happen or just last a couple of days. 🙂 x
Mummyandmonkeys says
I’m not sure I could do it. My hair is falling out and dry at the moment after having a baby. I don’t have to wash it every day so I’m quite lucky. Thanks for linking up to #PickNMix @ http://www.mummyandmonkeys.com
Jenny Eaves says
It’s hard in the beginning, but it gets better and easier! 🙂 x
Caroline says
I went no-poo about a year ago and I love it! I have very dry curly hair so I definitely don’t need to use a harsh shampoo. I’ve been using a light conditioner in place of shampoo, but I should try the egg and the apple cider vinegar mixture!
Jenny Eaves says
Well done! Did you find it hard to begin with? I find that conditioning with the apple cider vinegar really helps, it’s so soft and healthy now. 🙂 x
A Cornish Mum says
Ha you had me laughing so much at the scrambled egg comment…I can just picture it! Amazing though. Fin has had eczema since he was a baby, it used to be really awful, but thankfully it’s got better as he’s gotten older, but I know just how painful and frustrating it can be, so I’m glad you’ve found something that helps a bit!
Thanks for linking up to #PicknMix (sorry I somehow missed your link til now!!)
Stevie xx
Jenny Eaves says
Thanks Stevie! Glad it’s gotten better for him, it is awful. Mine has only gotten worse after having kids as you have to wash your hand A LOT more than normal and so my hands can get pretty bad! 🙂 x
martyn says
Fantastic post. There are many cosmetics that I don’t use for a variety of reasons. And am always trying to adjust my life accordingly. I’ve considered not using ‘poo’ and have looked into it. It’s one of those things though taht make me hesitant. But that doesn’t mean that I won’t consider it.
Ruth (geekmummy) says
I’ve been ‘poo free for almost 14 years now! Although I did it for different reasons to you – I have curly hair, and shampoos strip curly hair and make it dank and lifeless. I wash my hair with conditioner (specially selected so that it doesn’t have additives that disagree with curly hair). Has it helped your eczema going poo free?
Jenny Eaves says
Well done for going ‘poo free! I bet your hair looks fab! Definitely helps with my eczema, the only bit of my body that now has bad eczema is my hands and that’s from the handwashing after nappy changes and cleaning small children, but not properly drying my hands afterward. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Thank you! it might actually be easier with shorter hair, you could always try it and if your not happy go back to using shampoo again. My husband is ‘poo-free too, but not by design, he just doesn’t often have shampoo in the shower and washes with water instead, looks great! 🙂
Kayleigh Conway says
I’ve been no ‘poo since March and I love it! In the last year or so I’d noticed I was getting rough skin behind my ears but since I dropped the shampoo and conditioner my skin has cleared up, and I don’t need to use my straighteners anymore as my ends aren’t a fluffy mess! Love love love
Jenny Eaves says
That’s great to hear! I love no-poo, definitely a good thing! 🙂 x
Happy Mummy says
Ohh you know what that makes sense! I have awful greasy hair that HAS to be washed daily; I want to try this I am just not sure I’m brave enough to! Funny when you think about it I am happy to pile on a ton of things I’ve never heard of gay are probably bad and scared of eggs – I can just imagine a sticky consistency stick to my hair – how does it feel? x
Jenny Eaves says
It just feels wet, but if you do use it, only put it on COLD hair and wash out with COLD water, otherwise you will have scrambled egg in your hair! I actually prefer to use rye flour now, will write an update to this soon. Mix the rye flour with a little water and you get a clay type consistency, which is really nice for cleaning hair with. 🙂 x