Collection: Hair Cleanser

Two plant shampoo powders you mix with warm water into a thin, pourable wash: Reetha (Aritha), the dried soapnut fruit, and Shikakai, the dried fruit pod of Acacia concinna. Both clean with the natural saponins in the fruit, and neither foams like a bottled shampoo. Reetha is the stronger cleanser, for oily roots or styling product; Shikakai is the gentler one, for regular washing and dry or curly hair. Many people mix 1 tablespoon of each. Reetha vs Shikakai compares them, and the four-powder hair wash adds Amla. Both sting the eyes, so keep the wash out of them, and patch test 24–48 hours before first use.