Reddit mentions of Organic Soapnut Powder by Merlion Naturals | Reetha/Sapindus mukorossi (16 OZ (2 Pack of 8 OZ))

Oh I definitely know that pH struggle :/ I have damaged hair and while I am washing it may feel drying, but when my hair dries it's a complete 180. I believe the pH for Shikakai and Reetha are around 4-5, which is perfect for the hair cuticle. My bf suffers from acne flare ups on his scalp, and since I have started using this on his head, it has helped clear some of that up (along with a touch of castor oil!).

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Here is the Shikakai powder I use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0772XYVFS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

Here is the Reetha powder I use:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0773X1114/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

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It may be a bit expensive upfront, but I am currently experimenting on using just solely Shikakai and seeing where that goes :)

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My current routine is:

1. Scoop 2 spoons of Shikakai and 2 spoons of Reetha into a heat-safe cup. Pour warm or hot water into the cup so that it looks like a broth, not a paste consistency. There will be insoluble pieces of plant fiber -- this is from the Reetha.
   
2. Obtain a strainer and another larger heat-safe cup. Pour the mixture through the strainer into the new cup to catch the fibers. I then toss the fibers back into the original cup and fill with water to get any more suds/powder residue out. Then I strain into the new cup. I repeat these steps until the new cup is full.
   
3. Before I get into the shower, I lightly scritch my scalp and brush it to get the tangles out. I use a BBB to get out any lint and distribute any oils.
   
4. I throughly wet my hair with warm water to help soften the oils, then gently pour the mixture in different areas of my scalp and scrub. There will be small particles of the herbs that end up in your hair, and I think they make a great scalp exfoliant! :) Once I'm out of the mixture, I massage my scalp for about 1-2 minutes and leave it to sit in my hair while I do other things. This will burn your eyes if you're not careful. Like I said, since my hair is damaged, my hair feels dry under the water and with the mixture, but I'm not alarmed.
   
5. When I'm ready to rinse, I scrub as I run my head under the water. I try to rinse as throughly as I can, but if I don't rinse too thoroughly, it's not a big deal because it easily brushes out when my hair is dry. Finally, I air dry and then brush my hair and that's that! The mixture may smell like herbs, but once I rinse and dry my hair, I don't smell the herbs at all.
   
   I will note that this recipe makes for more than enough for me and my bf. since we shower together, I help rinse his hair and then do mine with plenty to spare. He has short hair and I have hair a little past my collar bone, so if you have shorter hair, you might be able to get away with much less powder than I use. And I think you will be able to make this and save it for later in the week, but I don't know what the self-life of this would be, so I usually make it the night or afternoon of.
   
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   I hope this works out, im sorry for the long post! I know how frustrating it can be when you're experimenting with natural hair care!