Aritha (Reetha) Powder for Hair Cleansing

For hair and scalp

Helps lift excess oil and ordinary residue, leaving the roots lighter and fresher. Hair often feels airier once it is dry.

What to expect

A tan-brown wash that disperses rather than dissolving, so fine sediment is normal, and a light foam that changes with the mix, your water and how oily the hair is. Judge the wash by how the roots feel after rinsing.

How often

Up to twice a week. Oily, resilient hair is often happy at twice; dry or porous lengths usually prefer once, with more water and less powder.

Blends with

1 tablespoon each with Spierb Shikakai for a balanced botanical wash, or with Amla, Bhringraj, Brahmi or Aloe Vera Powder for the care side. Blends hydrate 10–15 minutes; the wash still comes off after 3–5 minutes.

Hair wash

1. Use about 10 g of Aritha Powder for short hair, up to about 40 g for long or thick hair.
2. Add comfortably warm water gradually and mix to a smooth, pourable, cream-like wash, thinner than a hair mask.
3. Leave to hydrate for 5–10 minutes, then stir again.
4. Wet the hair and scalp thoroughly.
5. Apply to the scalp and roots first, massaging gently with the fingertips. Smooth only a light amount through the lengths.
6. Leave on for 3–5 minutes.
7. Rinse very thoroughly until the hair no longer feels gritty.
8. Use conditioner on the lengths if needed.

Avoid the eyes. Reetha wash water can sting strongly. If it gets into the eyes, rinse promptly with plenty of clean water.

How often: up to twice a week.

Blends

1 tablespoon Aritha with 1 tablespoon Shikakai, Amla, Bhringraj, Brahmi or Aloe Vera Powder; warm water to a thin, pourable wash; hydrate 10–15 minutes; massage 60–90 seconds; leave 3–5 minutes; rinse very thoroughly.

Step-by-step help in how to wash your hair with aritha powder.

Ingredients: Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Powder (100%).

Before first use

Patch test 24–48 hours before first use, using the mixture you intend to wash with.

Keep it away from your eyes

Reetha wash water can sting strongly. Keep the mixture and the rinse water away from your eyes, and if any gets in, rinse promptly and thoroughly with plenty of clean water. Do not rub your eyes afterwards.

Using it safely

For external cosmetic use on hair and scalp only. Do not ingest. Do not use on a broken, grazed or significantly inflamed scalp. Stop use if there is burning, swelling, persistent itching, a rash or unusual discomfort. Pour and mix gently so you are not breathing in the dry powder.

Storage

Keep out of reach of children. Store sealed, cool and dry, away from moisture and steam, and use a dry spoon. Keeps for 2 years from the date of packaging. Mix only what you need: a water-based wash is not preserved, so make it fresh each time. Colour, aroma, texture and foam vary a little between batches.