The Best Shampoo Bar

Buying Guide

Shampoo and conditioner can be tough on the environment, with plenty of natural resources involved in manufacturing both the packaging and product inside. But a new alternative, bar shampoo and conditioner, provides an eco-friendly alternative to traditional hair care products.

There are other benefits to bar products, though. Many are formulated to meet the needs of more sensitive scalps, so you’ll likely have an easier time tracking down allergen-friendly bar shampoo products than you find in the liquid soap aisles. Ingredients like parabens and sulfates, commonly found in shampoos, are often left out of bar shampoo since many consumers of those products pay close attention to what’s inside.

Another benefit of bar shampoo is that it comes in a smaller format. You can slide it into a travel container for travel and not even worry about going through airport security with it. Pop it into the soap dish in your shower or next to your bathtub and always have it handy. You might have to clean the residue from your soap dish occasionally, but otherwise, it will be a low-profile addition to your bathing spaces.

In addition to shampoo bars, you can also find conditioner bars, as well as shampoo bars that build in oils to help condition the hair while it cleans. As with liquid products, often you’ll be better off keeping your shampoo bar separate from your conditioning products simply to ensure you’re getting the cleaning power you needed.

Still, just because you’re going with a shampoo bar doesn’t mean you shouldn’t hold the product to the same standard as you would liquid products. Yes, shampoo bar manufacturers tend to keep in mind that the market for their products wants safe, eco-conscious products, but that doesn’t guarantee every bar will check all those boxes. Scrutinize ingredient lists and make sure the packaging is minimal for best results.

• You can find shampoo bars in varying sizes. Most will look similar to a bar of soap, but you can find some that are round in shape or smaller. You’ll still need to consider where your shampoo bar will fit in your shower or bathtub. If you don’t have an area for soap, you might need to purchase a soap dish to hold it.
• If you suffer from a dry, itchy scalp, you can find shampoo bars that help with that issue. Those with dandruff often find that shampooing more often can help.
• One great thing about shampoo bars is that you can find vegan-friendly options when you might not see them in liquid products.
• It can be tough to narrow down the type of shampoo bar you need. If you’re unsure, you can find sampler packs that let you try out various types. Some will work better for dry hair, while others are best for oily or normal hair textures.
• If you have color-treated hair, look for shampoo bars without sulfates and parabens, as they can strip color from the hair. This is a good practice whether you’re using bar or liquid shampoo.
• Many shampoo bars build in natural ingredients. These can include tea tree oils, peppermint oil and coconut oil. You can do some research into the best oils for your hair type, as well as the ingredients that will give you the results you need.
• Scents can be overwhelming in beauty products. Many shampoo bars are formulated using essential oils to provide a natural, lighter scent that won’t overpower your preferred scent, assuming you wear a cologne, perfume or after-shower spray.
• Traditionally, shampoos use detergents for cleansing. Shampoo bars eliminate all detergents, so you’ll want to make sure the bar you choose will be powerful enough to clean your hair type. You might not realize this until you’ve used it a few times.