Shampoo bars aren’t all that different from soap bars. In fact, the base formulae on both these types of cleansers are quite similar. Where the two differ, however, is in terms of ingredients above and beyond their respective core formulae.
Shampoo bars, for example, tend to incorporate additional ingredients aimed specifically towards hair care. Further, shampoo bars are expected to produce more lather which is why they contain additional foaming agents as well. Effectively, while their base formula is similar, shampoo bars foam more and are designed to be gentler on hair than soap bars.
Shampoo bars have, in recent years, become more popular and mainstream as more people are choosing to switch from liquid shampoos to shampoo bars. There are many reasons why this has happened and this is one of the things we’ll cover in this comprehensive guide on the fundamentals of shampoo bars.
| Budget |
|---|
 |
| Addicted to Soap Aloe Vera Shampoo Bar |
| 4.25/5.0 |
| Product Type: Shampoo Bar |
| Volume: 5 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $1.40 |
| A handcrafted clarifying shampoo bar built specifically for oily hair available at an amazing price and with a satisfaction guarantee to boot, incredibly pocket-friendly. |
| Check Amazon |
| Best Value |
|---|
 |
| Beauty and the Bees Real Beer Shampoo Bar |
| 4.5/5.0 |
| Product Type: Shampoo Bar |
| Volume: 4 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $3.49 |
| A fairly affordable shampoo bar all the way from Tasmania, Australia, notable especially because it doesn’t leave the hair dry and instead adds awesome moisture to it. |
| Check Amazon |
| Top Pick |
|---|
 |
| Ethique Eco-Friendly Frizz Wrangler Solid Shampoo Bar |
| 4.75/5.0 |
| Product Type: Shampoo Bar |
| Volume: 3.88 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $4.12 |
| The best shampoo bars available in the market regardless of which variant you go for as each one delivers on its promises without any side effects or inherent flaws. |
| Check Amazon |
Apart from the basics of choosing and using shampoo bars, we will also be reviewing the best shampoo bars available in the market to make it easier for you to find the right one for your hair type and preferences. Everything we’ve covered on this page is listed neatly in the following navigation panel. Feel free to jump around the page using this panel.
- Why Should You Switch to Shampoo Bars?
- How to Use Shampoo Bars?
- How Should You Choose Shampoo Bars?
- Top 9 Shampoo Bars Comparison Table
- Top 3 Budget Best Shampoo Bars: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Value Best Shampoo Bars: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Premium Best Shampoo Bars: Detailed Reviews
Why Should You Switch to Shampoo Bars?
For the longest time, shampoo bars were niche products. This meant two things. The first was that very few people wanted to use them and that they weren’t easily available. All this changed when the environment became a major point of discussion, socially, economically, and politically.
The increased focus on climate control has resulted in more people choosing to use shampoo bars over liquid shampoos because they are incredibly friendly to the environment. In fact, they’re environment-friendly in more ways than just one.
Even so, the main reason why they’re environment-friendly is that they don’t come in plastic bottles like liquid shampoos. Plastic in landfills and microplastics in nature is a major concern these days. Therefore, by not consuming the plastic bottle or other types of packaging materials that most liquid shampoos come in, you’ll be helping the environment.
Another reason why shampoo bars are environment-friendly is that they’re manufactured with very little use of water, resulting in minimal water pollution and water wastage. In fact, the solid bar itself doesn’t contain much water and its runoff in natural waterbodies is biodegradable.
Apart from being incredibly environment-friendly, shampoo bars are also lauded the world over for being amazingly travel-friendly. They’re not only lighter and more compact than liquid shampoos but also more suited to travel because they don’t pose the risk of spillage. This is why people who travel a lot often choose to carry and use shampoo bars while on the road instead of liquid shampoos.
Further, most shampoo bars are made without soap, detergents, and sulfates. This makes them gentler on the hair in many ways. It is also worth pointing out that every shampoo bar can be equated to two to three shampoo bottles. This means that they’re more affordable in the long run.
How to Use Shampoo Bars?
You can use shampoo bars in two ways. The first is to rub them in your hands, create a lather, and then apply it to your hair. The second is to swipe the shampoo bar in your hair a few times before massaging the hair and scalp to produce lather.
Neither method is better or worse. Which one you use will mainly depend on your preferences and maybe a little on the nature of the shampoo bar you’re using i.e. how easily it produces lather.
Regardless of which method you use, you have to make sure that you prepare your hair before actually washing it. Prepping your hair will primarily involve getting rid of knots and tangles. Some people choose to do this before using a shampoo bar by applying oil to their hair. This not only makes the detangling process easier but also nullifies the hair drying tendency of most shampoo bars.
After your hair has been detangled and before you start using the shampoo bar, you have to ensure that your hair is dripping wet. You also have to ensure that you don’t use too much of the shampoo bars because even the best of them can be very drying on the hair.
For the same reason, you have to always use a conditioner after using a shampoo bar. While you can always use a traditional conditioner after the shampoo bar, there are also conditioner bars available in the market for this purpose. In fact, many companies offer shampoo and conditioner bars in a single set for convenience.
Once you’re done using the shampoo bar, you have to make sure that it is kept in a dry place or dries quickly. Shampoo bars are very prone to melting into mush when exposed to too much water. To keep them functional for a long time, we suggest getting specialized containers for the purpose and quickly removing them from the source of water after you’re done washing your hair.
After you’re done washing your hair with a shampoo bar, you should do a quick apple cider vinegar rinse of your hair. We’ll explain why in the next section.
How Should You Choose Shampoo Bars?
The biggest problem you’ll face with shampoo bars is dry hair. The reason for this is that their manufacturing process almost always causes them to have a high pH value.
The human hair and skin have a pH value between 4.5 and 5.5, which is considered to be neutral. pH values below this range are acidic while above are alkaline. The majority of shampoo bars have a pH value of around 9, making them super alkaline.
When the hair is exposed to this level of alkalinity, its cuticle layer opens up. This causes the hair strands to lose a lot of moisture and become dry in the process. The best way of getting around this problem is to give your hair an acid rinse. Most people use apple cider vinegar for this purpose because of its inherent acidity. When the hair is exposed to the acidity of apple cider vinegar, the cuticle layer closes and seals the moisture in the hair.
Therefore, the biggest thing you need to consider when buying a shampoo bar is its pH value. Unfortunately, as we explained earlier, the majority of shampoo bars have high alkalinity. You also need to pay attention to your hair type before deciding on a shampoo bar since all hair types cannot handle the drying effect of shampoo bars.
If your hair is generally healthy, then you can use a shampoo bar safely with or without an apple cider vinegar rinse. In contrast, if your hair is heavily processed, chemically treated, or colored then it would be best for you to avoid most shampoo bars and focus instead on certain specialized ones. When shampoo bars are used on processed hair, the opening of the cuticle layer literally results in the added protein, chemical, or dye to fall out of the hair.
Even though most shampoo bars are very drying, some manufacturers offer shampoo bars exclusively designed for super-dry, damaged, and processed hair. These types of products are considerably less drying than their counterparts.
Top 9 Shampoo Bars Comparison Table
Top 3 Budget Best Shampoo Bars: Detailed Reviews
1. Love Beauty and Planet Volume and Bounty 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner Bar
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
The majority of manufacturers offer shampoo bars and conditioner bars separately. Even if they combine them in a single set, the actual bars are still separate. Love Beauty and Planet, on the other hand, offers a bar that is both, shampoo and conditioner in one.
This makes a difference because it has the potential to minimize effort on your part. The only problem is that the concept doesn’t work well for people with extremely dry hair. When used on extremely dry hair, the conditioner aspect of the bar fails to materialize. In fact, the majority of you will have to use a conditioner separately to counter the dryness that this product will create in your hair.
You see, like most shampoo bars, this one is so drying because it is also very alkaline. However, if you pre-prep your hair or use a good conditioner after using this bar, you’ll not face this problem. You can also choose to give your hair an apple cider vinegar rinse to counter the dryness.
The company says that this product is meant for people with thinning hair but we think that should be qualified by saying that people with thinning hair whose existing hair is healthy.If you have inherently oily hair or if you prepare your hair properly for the wash, this product can deliver very good results. It has a fairly lightweight formula and cleanses the scalp and hair well, resulting in volume and body.
The formula of this product features coconut water and mimosa flower. The mimosa flower is particularly noteworthy because it is sourced directly from Khemisset in Morocco. The scent of this product comes from this flower and is well-liked by most people. At the same time, the floral scent is very strong. Therefore, if you don’t like floral smells or have a problem with very strong scents, this might not be the product for you.
Like most of its competitors, this product is also free from harsh ingredients such as sulfates, silicones, and parabens. It still produces considerable lather, provided you use it like it is supposed to be used. If you use too much of it in a single wash, you can expect some residue in your hair. This is also a vegan and cruelty-free product.
One of the most important aspects of this product is that it has another variant. The other variant is specifically designed for people with colored hair and is called the Blooming Colour Shampoo Bar. It is the only shampoo bar dedicated to people with colored hair currently available in the market.
Both the variants are environment-friendly and come in packaging made entirely from recycled material. Further, the packaging can be recycled even further. Both variants are very competitively priced and are downright cheap.
Who’s it for: If your hair is thinning but what hair you have is fairly healthy, then you should go for this shampoo bar from Love Beauty and Planet.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo bar |
| Product volume: 4 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Black wattle flower extract, coconut liquid endosperm, and coconut oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Designed for thinning hair |
| Two in one shampoo and conditioner |
| Has a unique mimosa flower scent |
| Contains organic coconut oil |
| Produces good lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain silicones |
| It’s a cruelty-free and vegan product |
| Available in two variants |
| Incredibly pocket-friendly |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Super alkaline shampoo bar |
| Doesn’t condition hair well |
| Its smell is a bit too strong |
| It leaves behind a residue in the hair |
2. Addicted to Soap Aloe Vera Shampoo Bar (Best Budget)
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
The primary ingredient in this shampoo bar is aloe vera. Aloe vera has very strong antimicrobial properties that can be very beneficial against problems like dandruff because most dandruff problems are caused by microbial growth in the scalp.This growth is usually caused by buildup in the scalp, which is why this shampoo bar is so great.
Not only will this shampoo bar deal directly with the microbial growth in your scalp but it will also help indirectly by removing buildup from the scalp. The result will be a clean scalp with no dandruff or flakes. Incidentally, the cleansing this shampoo bar will provide will also leave your hair very shiny.
Apart from aloe vera, this shampoo bar also features organic coconut oil which reduces the drying impact of the product. However, the effects of the coconut oil are limited because the high alkalinity of this shampoo bar still leaves the hair very dry.
This is despite the fact that this shampoo bar doesn’t produce a lot of lather. Absence of lather is something of a rarity in shampoo bars since most of them bubble-up fairly easily. Despite not producing a lot of lather, this shampoo bar does leave behind some residue in the hair. This particularly happens if you use too much of this shampoo bar in an effort to get more lather.
The formula of this shampoo bar doesn’t contain any harsh substances such as parabens, silicones, and sulfates.Further, the packaging of this shampoo bar comes in is fully recyclable or compostable.
This shampoo bar has a very neutral but fresh and clean scent. This scent should appeal to most people including those who are very sensitive to scents. The shampoo bar is available in four other variants and they have different scents. The one we’re reviewing here is Aloe Vera, while the others are Argan Oil, Rosemary, Shea Butter, and Nettle & Eucalyptus.
The shampoo bar, according to Addicted to Soap, has been manufactured by hand in Texas, USA since 2005. The company also offers protection to its consumers in the form of a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. The promise here is that they will return your money if you’re not happy with their shampoo bar. This offer is impressive because the shampoo bar is very cheaply priced, to begin with.
Who’s it for: If you have an itchy scalp under relatively oily hair and need to get rid of buildup, get this shampoo bar from Addicted to Soap.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo bar |
| Product volume: 5 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Saponified palm oil, olive oil, virgin coconut oil, castor oil, sweet almond oil, vitamin E, aloe vera gel, and aloe vera juice |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Designed for oily hair and itchy scalps with a buildup |
| Has a clean, fresh, and neutral scent |
| Contains organic coconut oil and aloe vera |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain silicones |
| It’s a cruelty-free and vegan product |
| Available in five variants |
| Incredibly pocket-friendly |
| Backed by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Super alkaline shampoo bar |
| Doesn’t produce a lot of lather |
| It leaves behind a residue in the hair |
3. ACURE Coconut & Argan Shampoo Bar
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
Acure is a brand that is known for its liquid shampoos more. In fact, they offer 13 shampoo products, of which only one is a shampoo bar. The company, however, doesn’t market this product as only a shampoo bar.Instead, they offer it as an all-in-one shower solution which means that they present it as a body soap bar and a shampoo bar.
This is important because it explains why this product is so drying. Soap bars, in general, have high alkalinity which is the main reason why they end up drying hair. Another problem with this shampoo bar is that it leaves a residue in the hair.
However, both these problems only occur if you use too much of this shampoo bar. Used sparingly, this shampoo bar will neither make your hair too dry nor leave behind a residue.
In fact, if you use it in the right quantities, you’ll still get the benefits of its coconut oil base. Unlike many shampoo bars in the market, this one doesn’t rely on palm oil. It doesn’t even contain any synthetic ingredients such as silicones, parabens, or sulfates. It still manages to produce a good amount of lather, though. Incidentally, like all Acure products, this one is also vegan and cruelty-free rated.
One area where this shampoo bar truly excels is its scent, especially when it comes to people who are very sensitive to strong smells. This shampoo bar’s scent is so negligible that many people can’t even smell it and think it is unscented. Those that can smell it think it is very neutral. Like always, there’s a minority of people who don’t like the scent.
This shampoo bar is competitively priced and should be within the reach of most people.
Who’s it for: If you’re very sensitive to smell and are looking for a palm oil-free shampoo bar, get this one from Acure.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo bar |
| Product volume: 5 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Coconut oil, coconut acid, argan kernel oil, cupuacu seed butter, sunflower seed oil, acai fruit extract, and goji fruit extract |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Has a very negligible scent |
| Produces good lather |
| Doesn’t contain palm oil |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain silicones |
| It’s a cruelty-free and vegan product |
| Incredibly pocket-friendly |
| Backed by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Super alkaline shampoo bar |
| It leaves behind a lot of residue in the hair |
| Everybody doesn’t like its smell |
Top 3 Value Best Shampoo Bars: Detailed Reviews
4. J R LIGGETT’S Coconut & Argan Oil All-Natural Shampoo Bar
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
J R Liggett’s has been one of the leaders of the shampoo bar industry for a very long time. Their shampoo bars, in fact, are some of the most famous in the world. The company even claims to use a hundred years old recipe to make their shampoo bars. They also clearly state that their shampoo bars are “hand-cut”.
Designed to be clarifying, these shampoo bars are extremely effective at what they do if used on the right hair type. These shampoo bars can be used on normal to oily hair which means that they’re great for people with very curly hair.
However, because they’re clarifying shampoo bars, they cannot be used on fine or dry hair without being supplemented with conditioners or apple cider vinegar. To be clarifying, these shampoo bars have a high pH value which pushes them towards high alkalinity. As a result, this product is very stripping.
Even so, there are other variants of this same shampoo bar that are more suitable for other hair types. These include Herbal, Jojoba and Peppermint, Moisturizing, Original, and Tea Tree and Hemp Oil.
The one we’re reviewing is Coconut and Argan Oil. The presence of coconut oil and argan oil in this shampoo bar’s formula means that it is very nourishing. It contains multiple vitamins and antioxidants that can strengthen the hair strands from the inside.
In fact, the entire formula is natural and free of artificial or harsh ingredients. These include sulfates, parabens, and silicones. It is still important to use this shampoo bar in the right quantity. If you use too much, you’ll end up with considerable residue in your hair. You shouldn’t feel the need to rub it in too much, though, since it lathers fairly well. Further, this shampoo bar is cruelty-free rated and completely vegan.
This shampoo bar also excels when it comes to its scent. It has a very neutral and subtle smell that is derived from essential oils instead of artificial fragrance or parfum. Most people tend to like its scent.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a clarifying shampoo bar for your curly hair without a very strong scent, get this one from J R Liggett’s.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo bar |
| Product volume: 3.5 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Saponified olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, virgin coconut oil, argan oil, and vitamin E |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Manufactured by a very old and highly-respected brand |
| Designed for curly hair |
| Based on coconut and argan oils |
| Has a very mild, subtle, and neutral scent |
| Produces good lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain silicones |
| It’s a cruelty-free and vegan product |
| Available in six variants |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Super alkaline shampoo bar |
| It leaves behind a residue in the hair |
5. Sweet & Sassy Sunkissed Shampoo & Condition Bars
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
The Sunkissed set from Sweet & Sassy is perfect for someone looking to make a lifestyle switch. If you’ve already tried the shampoo bar lifestyle and are now looking to switch to it wholesale, then this set will give you everything you need to do so.
Inside the Sunkissed set, you’ll find two shampoo bars, one conditioner bar, and two travel containers that you can also use in your bathroom. The travel containers can be particularly beneficial in prolonging the life of the bars, particularly if you make sure they’re dry before putting them away.
The shampoo bars finish quicker than the conditioner bar but they’re also more effective and useful. Most people think that the conditioner bar doesn’t help because it is so difficult to transfer it to the hair. The shampoo bar, on the other hand, produces a lot of lather and is very easy to use. It is even free from the usual suspects when it comes to sulfates.
However, it contains an alternate variety of sulfates in the form of sodium coco sulfate. This is a problem because studies have shown the sodium coco sulfate is as damaging as sodium laureth sulfate and other similar varieties of sulfates. Further, sodium coco sulfate is as stripping and unsuitable for colored or processed hair as other types of sulfates.
Apart from sodium coco sulfate, though, the formula of these shampoo bars is free of all other artificial substances including parabens and silicones. More importantly, these shampoo bars don’t contain gluten, making them suitable for people suffering from celiac disease.
Sweet & Sassy offers two variants of this set and both of them smell differently. The Sunkissed one we’re reviewing here draws its citrus scent from a mix of tangerine, orange, and vanilla essential oils while the other one, name Coconut Smiles, has a coconut scent.
Both scents are very strong and may not appeal to people who are sensitive to overwhelming smells.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for the complete solution from one product, get the Sunkissed set from Sweet & Sassy.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo & Conditioner Bar Set |
| Product volume: 9.59 ounces |
| Active ingredients (shampoo bar): Coconut oil, cocoa butter, provitamin B5, hemp seed oil, and orange and tangerine essential oil |
| Active ingredients (Conditioner bar): Cocoa butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, provitamin B5, hemp seed oil, extra virgin olive oil, vitamin E, and orange and tangerine essential oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| The set contains two shampoo bars and one conditioner bar |
| Has a subtle but sweet citrus scent |
| Produces good lather |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain silicones |
| Doesn’t contain gluten |
| Comes with two travel containers |
| Available in two variants |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Contains sodium coco sulfate |
| The conditioner bar isn’t very effective |
| Its smell is a bit too strong |
6. Beauty and the Bees Real Beer Shampoo Bar (Best Value)
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
The majority of shampoo bars are very alkaline and require the application of apple cider vinegar after every wash. Their alkalinity makes the cuticles open resulting in dryness while the apple cider vinegar’s acidity counters this problem.
However, the Beauty and the Bees Real Beer Shampoo Bar makes apple cider vinegar completely unnecessary because it isn’t very alkaline. Instead, its pH value has been balanced allowing it to cleanse the scalp and hydrate the hair at the same time.
This makes it suitable for all types of hair except for those that are extremely oily and greasy. This also means that this is one of few shampoo bars that people with dry or very fine hair can use without worrying about excessive dryness and breakage.
However, if you use this shampoo bar on already oily hair, you can expect there to be greasy or waxy residue in the hair. The residue this shampoo bar leaves on oily hair is a result of the fact that this shampoo bar also contains 100 percent natural leatherwood honey. As the name suggests, it also contains beer too which is how it adds volume and shine to the hair.
Apart from these two ingredients, other ingredients this product incorporates into its formula are organic olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, and several different Tasmanian herbs. Further, the formula is completely free of harsh or harmful substances such as sulfates, parabens, and silicones. Despite the absence of sulfates, this shampoo bar lathers up nicely.
It is also cruelty-free, although it doesn’t qualify as vegan because of the presence of beeswax. All the ingredients in this shampoo bar are sourced locally by the Australian company with the manufacturing process also taking place in Tasmania.
Because this shampoo bar is based on Tasmanian beer, it has a light and warm scent of ginger and cinnamon. Many consumers even compare this scent to the smell of a cinnamon-infused apple cider.
The company offers other variants of this shampoo bar as well. These include the Eggcelent Egg and Lemon, the Hemp, the Lemon Chamomile, and the Voodoo Charcoal Shampoo.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a shampoo bar that works against dandruff without drying the hair excessively, get this one from Beauty and the Bees.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo bar |
| Product volume: 4 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Tasmanian hops beer, Mount Wellington spring water, coconut oil, olive oil, castor oil, Tasmanian hops, leatherwood beeswax, honey, and essential oils |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Manufactured and shipped from Tasmania, Australia |
| Moisturizes hair well |
| Uses organic ingredients |
| Has a light ginger cinnamon scent |
| Boasts of a neutral pH value |
| Produces good lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain silicones |
| It’s a cruelty-free product |
| Available in five variants |
| The Cons |
|---|
| It leaves behind a greasy, waxy residue in the hair |
Top 3 Premium Best Shampoo Bars: Detailed Reviews
7. Ethique Eco-Friendly Frizz Wrangler Solid Shampoo Bar (Top Pick)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
Ethique is the market leader when it comes to shampoo bars. Their products set the benchmark against which all other similar products are measured. Available in no fewer than seven different variants, Ethique shampoo bars can cater to a wide variety of requirements and hair types.
The options available are the Damage Control, the Kiwi, the Pinkalicious, the St Clements, the Sweet & Spicy, and the Tip to Toe. We’re reviewing the seventh option here, which is called the Frizz Wrangler.
The Frizz Wrangler variant is designed for people battling with frizzy and flyaway hair. It is ideal for damaged, extra dry, or heavily processed hair. It is so suitable for this hair type because it cleanses the scalp while softening and nourishing the damaged hair simultaneously. In fact, it doesn’t even leave behind any residue, which is quite rare in shampoo bars.
However, the best part of this and other Ethique shampoo bars is that they don’t leave the hair dry. They have a balanced pH which means that they’re not very alkaline. As a result, they don’t force open the cuticle layer of the hair and cause loss of moisture and protein. This also means that these shampoo bars are completely safe for use on colored or chemically treated hair.
The Frizz Wrangler relies heavily on Samoan coconut oil and cocoa butter to moisturize and nourish the hair. As a result, it smells distinctly of coconut. However, the smell is fairly light and mild.
This shampoo bar is also free of harsh or harmful ingredients such as detergents, soaps, sulfates, silicones, and parabens. It still manages to produce considerable lather without requiring too much effort. Further, it is vegan, cruelty-free, and 100 percent compostable.
The company even claims to be the “world’s first zero waste” brand. Based in New Zealand, they’re not only carbon fiber neutral but also commit 20 percent of their profit to other environment-friendly charities. This is why this company is such a big hit amongst environmentally conscious consumers. In fact, this shampoo bar and its manufacturer are almost perfect.
The only flaw is the cost. Ethique shampoo bars are very expensive not only in the short term but also long term. In the short term, they’re expensive because their list price is high. In the long term, they’re expensive because they don’t last very long.
People complain of the bars disintegrating into smaller pieces within a month and the entire bar getting finished within two months. In terms of comparisons to shampoo bottles, most users say that one Ethique shampoo bar is equivalent to two shampoo bottles instead of the company claimed three months.
One way to prolong the life of these shampoo bars is to store them properly. This means using the right container and putting it in the right environment. Fortunately, the company also offers environment-friendly in-shower containers made out of bamboo and cornstarch. However, these containers are not available as part of a set and have to be purchased separately.
Who’s it for: If you’re not financially restricted and want the best shampoo bar possible, get this one or any other variant from Ethique.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo bar |
| Product volume: 3.88 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Creamed coconut butter, cocoa butter, and citral |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Very well-regarded company in environment-conscious circles |
| Designed for dry and frizzy hair |
| Based on Samoan coconut oil and cocoa butter |
| pH-balanced formula |
| Has a light coconut scent |
| Doesn’t leave behind any residue |
| Produces good lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain silicones |
| It’s a vegan product |
| Available in seven variants |
| The Cons |
|---|
| A very expensive product |
| Doesn’t last very long |
8. HiBar Solid Shampoo Bar and Solid Conditioner Bar
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
HiBar is another company that offers shampoo bars for environment-friendly people looking to support the planet with their choices. HiBar’s bars are available individually and in sets, with different variants designed for different hair types. They offer a total of three different variants. These are called Maintain, Moisturize, and Volumize.
The Maintain variant is for people with normal or oily hair who want to maintain the status quo in their hair. Moisturize is for people with very dry hair, and volumize is for people who have thinning or very curly hair. In this guide, we’re reviewing the Moisturize set.
This set does a good job of moisturizing dry hair, provided it is used in the right way. Further, the shampoo bar needs to be used sparingly while the conditioner bar needs to be used a lot. If this isn’t done, this set can leave the hair incredibly dry because of its inherently high alkalinity levels.
This set of shampoo and conditioner bar uses coconut oil and rice protein to hydrate the hair but those are not the only ingredients in the formulae. Other ingredients used include provitamin B5 and cocoa seed butter.
They’ve also incorporated an essential oil blend into the mix for scent. This blend consists of lime peel oil, orange peel oil, lemon peel oil, grapefruit peel oil, and ginger root oil. The effect is a fresh and mild citrus scent.
The shampoo bar produces a considerable amount of lather despite not containing any artificial surfactants or detergents like sulfates. The two bars are also free of other synthetic and harmful ingredients such as parabens and silicones. They’re cruelty-free rated and come in plastic-free packaging.
HiBar’s shampoo and conditioner bars stand out from its competitors for one clear reason – their shape. They’re manufactured in a slanting cylindrical shape which the company says follows sound ergonomics and makes them easier to hold and use. While some people find the unique shape helpful, others are not comfortable with the unconventional shape.
Like most high-quality shampoo bars, the biggest problem with HiBar’s offering is its cost. The set is priced very expensively which makes it unattractive to most potential buyers. However, these bars do last as long as a 16-ounce shampoo bottle if not even more.
Who’s it for: If you struggle to use the normal shaped shampoo bars and want to try something different, go for HiBar.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo & Conditioner Bar Set |
| Product volume: 2 x 3.2 ounces |
| Active ingredients (shampoo bar): Coconut oil, provitamin B5, hydrolyzed rice protein, lime peel oil, orange peel oil, lemon peel oil, grapefruit peel oil, and ginger root oil |
| Active ingredients (Conditioner bar): Coconut oil, cocoa seed butter, provitamin B5, hydrolyzed rice protein, hydrogenated olive oil, lime peel oil, orange peel oil, lemon peel oil, grapefruit peel oil, and ginger root oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Designed for dry hair |
| The set contains one shampoo bar and one conditioner bar |
| Has a fresh and gentle citrus scent |
| Produces good lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain silicones |
| It’s a cruelty-free product |
| Has an ergonomic shape |
| Available in three variants |
| The Cons |
|---|
| A very expensive product |
| Super alkaline shampoo bar |
| The conditioner doesn’t work well |
| Bar shape doesn’t help grip |
9. Aspen Kay Naturals Lemongrass and Sweet Orange Solid Shampoo Bar
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
This product from Aspen Kay Naturals is the most expensive shampoo bar available in the market right now. Aspen Kay Naturals has a right to price this shampoo bar this high because it has made sure that the bar is only made with organic ingredients.
Most of the organic ingredients it contains are very beneficial for hair too. Some of these are nettle, hibiscus, horsetail, chamomile, calendula, turmeric, and argan oil. These ingredients combine to give this shampoo bar the ability to repair damaged hair, encourage hair growth, nourish existing hair, and even combat hair loss.
These ingredients and their associated benefits also mean that this shampoo bar is suitable for virtually every hair type, including normal, oily, and thinning. The only hair type it may not suit well is dry or extremely damaged hair.
The reason for this is that this shampoo bar can be a bit drying even though it has a balanced pH and isn’t very alkaline. The pH of this shampoo bar, according to Aspen Kay Naturals, ranges between 4.5 and 5.5.
This shampoo bar’s formula is also completely natural which means that it doesn’t contain any artificial, synthetic, harsh, or harmful ingredients. This includes all the usual culprits found in hair care products such as parabens, silicones, and sulfates. The formula of this shampoo bar, in fact, is free of all surfactants, detergents, and soapy chemicals. However, it still produces considerable lather.
The shampoo bar is environment-friendly in every way possible too. Apart from only using organic ingredients, the company makes sure that the packaging of the product is eco-friendly. Further, the manufacturing process is also eco-friendly because it doesn’t involve many machines. Each shampoo bar is handcrafted and hand-packaged. Further, the shampoo bar is both, cruelty-free and vegan.
In terms of its scent, this shampoo bar has a lemongrass smell with hints of orange. The combination is fairly sweet but refreshing. The only problem is that it is very much on the stronger side, making it unsuitable for people with sensitive noses.
If the lemongrass and citrus scent doesn’t appeal to you, you can always go for the other variant of this shampoo bar. This is the Rosemary & Peppermint. As is natural, this variant has a minty scent with dashes of rosemary in it.
Both variants can be purchased individually or in double packs. If you decide to go with the Aspen Kay Naturals shampoo bar, we suggest choosing the double pack for two reasons.
The first is that these shampoo bars tend to finish very quickly. They first break down into smaller pieces before turning into mush. This happens especially quickly if you don’t keep them safe from moisture. Having a double pack will ensure that you have a backup shampoo bar available for when the first one liquifies in your bathroom.
The other reason why we’re recommending the double pack is that this would allow you to save a lot of money. This is the most expensive shampoo bar in the market but if you buy a double pack you can cut some of that expenditure down. For instance, one shampoo bar will cost you about $5 per ounce in a single pack but if you buy a double pack, you’ll only be paying about $4.33 for every ounce of the product.
Who’s it for: If you want an organic shampoo bar and are willing to pay for that purity, get this product from Aspen Kay Naturals.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo bar |
| Product volume: 3 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Organic cocoa butter, organic sunflower oil, organic horsetail extract, organic nettle extract, organic hibiscus extract, organic chamomile extract, organic calendula extract, organic turmeric extract, grapefruit seed extract, sweet orange essential oil, lemongrass essential oil, benzoin essential oil, sea buckthorn oil, organic argan oil, and organic turmeric powder |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Designed for dry, oily, and thin hair |
| Based on organic ingredients |
| pH-balanced formula |
| Has a citrus and lemongrass scent |
| Doesn’t leave behind any residue |
| Produces good lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain silicones |
| It’s a cruelty-free and vegan product |
| Available in two variants |
| Available in two sizes |
| The Cons |
|---|
| A very expensive product |
| Doesn’t last very long |
| Dries up hair |
| Its smell is a bit too strong |
