What is a Shampoo Bar and Why Should You Consider Switching to One?

With environmental awareness on the rise and reducing plastic waste at the forefront of many people’s minds, shampoo bars have become increasingly popular in recent years. In fact, I made the switch to this eco-friendly alternative myself about five years ago. Back then I relied heavily on information from others’ social media posts to work out which bars to try, how to use one and what to do if a bar didn’t suit my hair and, after spending quite a while trying to find the right one, I thought I would take all my knowledge and experience to explain what they are and why should you consider swapping your bottled shampoo for a shampoo bar.

What Exactly is a Shampoo Bar?

A shampoo bar is essentially just like your regular liquid shampoo except it’s in a solid form and therefore comes without the wasteful plastic bottle. Shampoo bars are compact and highly concentrated meaning you get a powerful cleaning product that will last a long time whilst saving you money in the long run. You will usually find these bars come wrapped in recyclable/compostable paper or with no packaging at all, making them an ideal choice if you’re actively trying to reduce your bathroom waste.

Why Make the Switch?

1. Cut Down on Plastic Waste

One of the main reasons people switch to shampoo bars is to reduce their plastic waste. Did you know that it is estimated that 520 million shampoo bottles are discarded every single year in the UK and 552 million in the US?!! Those figures are mad! Many of these aren’t even being recycled but instead ending up in landfills/incinerators or as we all sadly know, floating around in our oceans. By switching to a solid shampoo bar, you’ll be helping to eliminate a bottle (or a few!) from that cycle. Even a small switch like this can make a big difference over time.

2. They Last So Much Longer!

Another great perk of shampoo bars is how long they last. Due to being concentrated, a single bar can last up to three times longer than a standard bottle of shampoo. That’s anywhere from 60 to 80 washes, depending on your hair type and how you store it. This means fewer trips to the shop, less packaging waste and a little more money in your pocket each month.

3. Better Ingredients for Healthier Hair and Skin

If you shop for sustainably/ethically made shampoo bars you will find that these will be made with more natural, gentle ingredients. Many brands focus on using essential oils, botanicals and plant-based cleansers instead of the harsher chemicals found in many liquid shampoos. On top of this, they are also often vegan and cruelty-free. Natural ingredients are kinder to both your scalp and the environment.

How to Choose the Right Shampoo Bar

With so many shampoo bars available, finding the right one for your hair type and needs can feel a bit overwhelming (believe me I’ve been there). Here are some tips that will hopefully help you choose a shampoo bar that will leave your hair looking and feeling its best.

1. Know Your Hair Type

Just like with liquid shampoos, different shampoo bars are formulated for different hair types. Here’s what to look for:

• Dry or Curly Hair: Look for bars with nourishing oils like argan, coconut or olive oil. These ingredients can help hydrate your hair and reduce frizz.
• Oily or Fine Hair: If your hair tends to get greasy quickly, go for a bar with gentle cleansers (often plant-based) and ingredients like tea tree oil, peppermint, sea salt or lemon. These can help balance scalp oils without stripping your hair.
• Colour-Treated Hair: Choose bars that are sulfate-free and loaded with hydrating ingredients like aloe vera, jojoba oil or shea butter to help maintain colour and prevent dryness.
• Sensitive Scalp: Look for shampoo bars with gentle, soothing ingredients like chamomile, oat or aloe to avoid irritation.

2. Look at the Ingredients List

As mentioned above, one of the benefits of shampoo bars is that they’re often made with more natural, eco-friendly ingredients. However, not all bars are created equal so it’s important to check the ingredient lists and look for things such as:

• Essential Oils: Great for adding fragrance naturally, with added benefits depending on the oil.
• Botanical Extracts: Like rosemary or nettle, which can improve scalp health.
• Moisturisers: Such as shea butter or cocoa butter, which are ideal for dry or damaged hair.

Ideally, you will want to go for bars that are free from sulfates, parabens and silicones. Sulfates (SLS) can be tricky to avoid as this is what creates the lather but always read the information on the brand’s website as many of these are now being made using alternatives to palm oil such as coconut oil. (This is quite a big topic which you may want to do further research into).

3. Scents

If you’re sensitive to scents or just have a personal preference, the fragrance is definitely something to consider. Many shampoo bars are fragranced naturally with essential oils, which can provide a refreshing and subtle aroma. If you prefer unscented products, be sure to check for options that are fragrance-free or very lightly scented.

4. Sustainability of the Brand

When choosing a shampoo bar, take a look at the brand’s overall commitment to sustainability. Many eco-friendly brands go beyond plastic-free packaging and use sustainably sourced ingredients, cruelty-free practices and also support environmental initiatives. Checking out a brand’s values can help you make a more informed, responsible choice. Some that come highly rated include Ethique, Eco Warrior, Eco Living, Ben and Anna and Green People.

5. Trial and Error

Finding the right shampoo bar can take some experimentation, as everyone’s hair responds differently. I tried several recommended brands, but because I have fine hair with greasy roots and dry ends, I struggled to get the right feel and look. I made sure to give each bar a fair trial period, as there’s often a bit of a transition phase where things need to settle down but, honestly, when you know it’s not right for you, you know. I did read up that you could use apple cider vinegar to wash through my hair afterwards as this can strip the build-up and get your hair back to its best but did I wanna do that?… Nope! Firstly, who wants to add a vinegar to their hair and secondly, who wants extra steps? Being more sustainable shouldn’t ever have a bigger impact on your daily life. So, I persevered to find a bar that worked for me. I know this is where a lot of people do give up but I would argue that even a good liquid shampoo can take a while to find so if you do struggle at first, try to stick with it. Anyway, my answer came from Lush. Not only do they have very helpful and informative staff who can direct you to your best option but they also have a bring it back policy. This meant I could try out their recommendation and if it didn’t work (the first didn’t) I could swap it. I did just that and I am now many years into using one of their shampoo bars (Seanik) with zero issues. I have even converted the rest of the family over too (Seanik, Honey I washed my Hair and Jumping Juniper in case anyone was wondering).

How to Use a Shampoo Bar

Using a shampoo bar is actually really easy. Here’s a quick guide:

1. Wet Your Hair and the Bar: Start by thoroughly wetting your hair, as you would for a liquid shampoo. Rub the shampoo bar in your hands or directly onto your scalp to create a nice lather.
2. Massage into Scalp: Once you’ve got a good lather, massage it into your scalp with your fingers, just like you would with regular shampoo.
3. Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse it all out, making sure there’s no residue left.
4. Store Properly: Keep your shampoo bar dry between uses. A soap dish with drainage or a mesh bag can help it dry out properly, which will make it last even longer.

Don’t Forget About Conditioner Bars!

If you’re considering switching your shampoo to a solid form, you might also want to do the same for your conditioner. Conditioner bars work just like shampoo bars and are an excellent alternative to the plastic-bottled kind. They are still packed full of hydrating oils and nourishing ingredients that you need to help leave your hair silky and soft just without the added waste. Simply rub the bar between your hands to release the conditioner and apply it to your hair, work it in as you would usually do and then rinse.

Switching to a shampoo bar is one of those simple changes that can help to make a big environmental difference over time. It may take a little trial and error to find the right brand for you but once you do hopefully you won’t ever want to go back to your shampoo in a plastic bottle shampoo again.

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