Duping Lush’s Fairly Traded Honey Shampoo: A Journey Through Ingredients
If you’re a fan of Lush’s Fairly Traded Honey Shampoo, you already know how luxurious and nourishing it feels. The rich lather, the sweet honey scent, and the gentle cleansing make it a standout product. But have you ever wondered what goes into making such a shampoo? I recently embarked on a journey to create a homemade version of this beloved product, call it a dupe if you will. While I won’t be sharing the exact formulation here (you can purchase the formulation below), I’d love to take you through the key ingredients and why they’re so special. If you’re interested in making this yourself, I’ve put together a detailed guide, including step-by-step instructions for creating the Lush Fairly Traded Honey Copy Cat Recipe, available for purchase as a PDF. You can find the link at the end of this post!
The Star Ingredient: Fairly Traded Honey
At the heart of this shampoo is Fairly Traded Honey, and in my version, I used Zambian honey sourced from ethical beekeepers. Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it draws moisture into the hair, leaving it soft and hydrated. It’s also packed with antioxidants and has mild antibacterial properties, making it great for the scalp. Lush’s commitment to fair trade ensures that the honey is sourced responsibly, and I wanted to honour that by using a similar high-quality, ethically sourced honey in my formulation. In fact, my version contains well over 50% honey, just like Lush’s original product.
The Cleansing Base: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
This is a stock image but it is pretty close to the appearance of the Self Preserving Honey Shampoo.
Lush’s original formula uses Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), a gentle surfactant that creates a rich lather. In my version, I substituted it with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), which is more readily available from resellers in the UK. While SLS has a reputation for being harsher than SLES, when used in the right concentration and balanced with other soothing ingredients, it can still provide a luxurious cleanse without stripping the hair of its natural oils.
The Nourishing Agents: Linseed Mucilage and Sunflower Lecithin
Linseed mucilage, derived from flaxseeds, is a natural thickening agent that also adds a silky, conditioning feel to the shampoo. It helps to detangle hair and improve manageability. In my detailed formulation guide, I include step-by-step instructions on how to make linseed mucilage from scratch—it’s easier than you might think! Sunflower lecithin, on the other hand, is an emulsifier that helps blend the ingredients together while adding a dose of fatty acids to nourish and strengthen the hair.
The Gentle Touch: Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Lush’s original formula uses Lauryl Betaine, a mild surfactant that helps create a creamy lather and reduces potential irritation from harsher cleansing agents. However, since Lauryl Betaine can be difficult to source, I substituted it with cocamidopropyl betaine, a similar ingredient derived from coconut oil. It’s just as gentle and effective, making it a great alternative for those with sensitive scalps or anyone looking for a milder cleansing experience.
The Fragrance: Geranium and Orange
Lush’s original formula includes a blend of geranium oil, neroli oil, rose absolute, beeswax absolute, and bergamot oil for its signature scent. To simplify my version, I opted for a combination of geranium oil and orange oil. Geranium oil adds a floral, slightly rosy aroma, while orange oil brings a bright, citrusy note.
Why I Love This Formula
Creating this shampoo was a labour of love, and I’m thrilled with how it turned out. By using over 50% fairly traded honey, I was able to replicate the rich, hydrating feel of Lush’s original product. The combination of linseed mucilage and sunflower lecithin and cocamidopropyl betaine ensures that the shampoo is both cleansing and conditioning, while the geranium and orange essential oils provide a delightful sensory experience.
Ready to Make Your Own?
If you’re inspired to try making this shampoo yourself, I’ve put together a detailed guide that includes the full formulation, step-by-step instructions for creating linseed mucilage, and tips for perfecting your batch. You can purchase the PDF guide here. It’s perfect for DIY enthusiasts or anyone who wants to take control of their hair care routine. The PDF will allow you to make your Fairly Traded Honey Dupe using locally sourced honey at an affordable price! THIS IS NOT A NATURAL PRODUCT, if you are looking for a wholly natural and organic alternative to this product, you can purchase the Natural Honey Body Wash HERE.
What’s Included?
Like all my PDF formulations, the Self Preserving Honey Shampoo is written for home crafters and professional formulators alike. As such it gives instructions in percentages and grams, with full method of manufacture. I also add detailed explanation of each ingredient, with helpful hints and tips to ensure your Fairly Traded Honey Dupe comes out perfect every time. I also give advice on the best way to include a preservative if you wish to use one! As a bonus I have also added a minimalist formulation for making the shampoo using SLES but with no linseed mucilage. Instead of using cocamidopropyl betaine, I have used decyl glucoside.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the ingredients in your favourite products can be incredibly empowering. Whether you’re a DIY beginner or a seasoned crafter, making your own shampoo allows you to customize it to your needs while knowing exactly what’s going into it. Have you ever tried making your own hair care products? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear about your experiences!
