What is a Shampoo Bar?
Take all the ingredients that cleanse and benefit your hair from your regular organic shampoo, remove the water, and you obtain a shampoo bar. Because they don’t contain any water, shampoo bars do not require a plastic container, making them more sustainable. Attention point: shampoo bars are not soaps, which are known to be harsh on hairs due to their basic pH (above 7).
Welcome to this hair care revolution !
Can you use shampoo bar as body soap?
Yes, shampoo bars have low pH, usually close to neutral, which makes them very gentle for your hair. Also, they have excellent washing properties and a pleasant scent.
Are shampoo bars good for hair?
A shampoo bar will be good for your hair if:
- it is made of gentle, naturally-derived foaming agents
- it is adapted to your type of hair
- it contains beneficial active principles
- it does not contain harsh chemicals
- it does not contain SLS
- it produces a good lather
- its fragrance is pleasant
What is the difference between a liquid shampoo and a shampoo bar?
They are almost the same besides that a shampoo bar needs water to produce the foam. A shampoo bar usually has a sustainable(paper) packaging and because it is much lighter, its CO2 impact is much lower due to much less transportation energy needed.
Is a bar shampoo organic?
Yes and no. It all depends on the “organic” definition.
Organic soaps for hairs are made from lye (a chemical product) that disappears by binding to natural oils. Because of this complex process, several organic certification bodies allowed soap made from non-organic lye to be called “organic”. On the other hand, shampoo bars that are not soap-based (which are much gentler for hair), contain washing agents derived from natural ingredients like Sodium Cocoyl Istionathe (derived from coconut) but do not benefit from the same regulatory exception as soaps. The basis of a natural shampoo bar is not entirely organic as defined by “found in nature in a natural form” as no natural product for the moment can wash hairs as well as naturally derived foaming agents.
Organic soaps for hairs are made from lye (a chemical product) that disappears by binding to natural oils. Because of this complex process, several organic certification bodies allowed soap made from non-organic lye to be called “organic”. On the other hand, shampoo bars that are not soap-based (which are much gentler for hair), contain washing agents derived from natural ingredients like Sodium Cocoyl Istionathe (derived from coconut) but do not benefit from the same regulatory exception as soaps. The basis of a natural shampoo bar is not entirely organic as defined by “found in nature in a natural form” as no natural product for the moment can wash hairs as well as naturally derived foaming agents.
What are the best shampoo bars?
A piece of good advice would be to avoid shampoo bars made from palm oil, sulfate, or glycerides. Sulfates (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate ) contain many harmful chemicals, especially in the form of polysaccharides, glycolic acid, and polyethylene glycosides. Because most soap-based shampoo bars have a very high pH, they tend to live hair “lifeless”, thin and dull, so we recommend avoiding them.
What is the difference between a soap and a shampoo bar?
Soaps are made of natural oils blended with lye (a harmful chemical product) which makes their pH extremely high (9 to 11), and bad for hairs.
Classic soaps tend to make hair ”lifeless”, thin and dull, so we recommend avoiding them as a shampoo. On the contrary, non-soap shampoo bars are a recent breakthrough technology. They are made of the same ingredients liquid shampoos are less the water. They are made of washing agents specifically designed for hair with a pH close to neutral (6 to 7), creating a perfect final after wash result. Bars fans beware ! Some traditional soap companies have tried to surf on the trend and offer soaps disguised as shampoo bars, you can recognize these reading the ingredients: if they contain a molecule called Sodium XXXvate (Sodium Olivate for example), they are just regular soaps.
Classic soaps tend to make hair ”lifeless”, thin and dull, so we recommend avoiding them as a shampoo. On the contrary, non-soap shampoo bars are a recent breakthrough technology. They are made of the same ingredients liquid shampoos are less the water. They are made of washing agents specifically designed for hair with a pH close to neutral (6 to 7), creating a perfect final after wash result. Bars fans beware ! Some traditional soap companies have tried to surf on the trend and offer soaps disguised as shampoo bars, you can recognize these reading the ingredients: if they contain a molecule called Sodium XXXvate (Sodium Olivate for example), they are just regular soaps.
What is the best pH for a shampoo?
Only shampoos with medium pH (5 to 7) are great for hair as their use leaves cuticles closed, resulting in beautiful and full hairs.
A high pH (above 7) opens the cuticles, which are scale-shaped proteins that make the outer part of the hair. When cuticles are opened, it makes hair exceedingly challenging to comb and detangle. Besides, hair with open cuticle have a dull look.
A high pH (above 7) opens the cuticles, which are scale-shaped proteins that make the outer part of the hair. When cuticles are opened, it makes hair exceedingly challenging to comb and detangle. Besides, hair with open cuticle have a dull look.
How can I check that my shampoo bar is without lye?
You need to check if the shampoo bar is not a soap “disguised “as a shampoo as all soaps are made from lye. This ingredient translates into Sodium XXXvate, as Sodium Olivate or Sodium Palmitate, for example.
What is the difference between a shampoo bar and a liquid shampoo?
A detergent in solid form does everything liquid shampoos can do: clean, protect, moisturize and add volume and shine. However, they use less water and have eco-friendly packaging, so they do not damage the environment as a liquid shampoo.
Are shampoo bars better than liquid shampoo?
Environmentally wise, yes. They spare water, plastic, and C02 from transportation (as they are lighter).
Additionally, they usually do not contain harsh chemicals. Finally, shampoo bars can provide a much better cleaning experience than traditional liquid shampoos. This is because their active ingredients are not diluted in water, and you can make them foam precisely the amount you need.
Additionally, they usually do not contain harsh chemicals. Finally, shampoo bars can provide a much better cleaning experience than traditional liquid shampoos. This is because their active ingredients are not diluted in water, and you can make them foam precisely the amount you need.
You can find 14 benefits of bar shampoos here
How does a shampoo bar work?
A shampoo bar is like a classic organic shampoo except that all the water is removed. It is a bit like a concentrated shampoo.
Because it contains no water, it needs to be lathered in hands with water under the shower precisely like a soap.
Because it contains no water, it needs to be lathered in hands with water under the shower precisely like a soap.
How much lasts a shampoo bar?
This question isn’t easy to answer because it depends on how long and thick your hair are, how often you wash and condition them, how you store your bar, and how many people use it.
A conservative estimate is that a shampoo bar lasts from 2 to 3 months of daily use, some conditioners bars can last a bit longer.
A conservative estimate is that a shampoo bar lasts from 2 to 3 months of daily use, some conditioners bars can last a bit longer.
How to store a solid shampoo bar ?
I the shower, shampoo bars are better stored on a soap dish that allows for water to drain, so it does not stay wet all day long.
When traveling shampoo bar can be directly put in your cosmetics bag after having been dried.
When traveling shampoo bar can be directly put in your cosmetics bag after having been dried.
What is the difference between a shampoo bar and vinegar rinse?
A vinegar rinse is an exceptionally light type of wash. Some shampoo bars are also very gentle.
Do I need a conditioner after washing my hair with a shampoo bar?
Sometimes but not always. Most of the shampoo bars contain organic oils that induce an easy detangling.
Can I take a shampoo bar on a plane?
Yes, you can; that is one of the significant advantages of a shampoo bar.
Can I use a shampoo bar without water?
Unfortunately, not. A shampoo bar needs water to lather. To wash hair without water you can use a dry shampoo made of cleaning powder.
Can I use a solid bar on color treated hair?
Absolutely! Shampoo Bars tend to have a very acidic pH which is ideal for colored hair, beware they are not your regular soap though (which make color pigments disappear).
Can you use shampoo bar in hard water?
Yes, if you wet the shampoo bar, rub it directly onto your scalp and rinse your hair thoroughly afterwards. Consider using an apple cider vinegar rinse after shampooing to help remove mineral buildup.
What is the best solid shampoo bar for my hair?
No shampoo bar works for all hair types, so choosing the right shampoo bar will be trial and error. You should also pay close attention to the list of ingredients and particularly avoid sodium, hydroxide, and sulfates, which are harsh on hairs, scalp, and hair bulbs. A shampoo bar made with naturally derived surfactants does not contain bad chemicals. In case of doubts, you can check ingredients here https://www.skincarisma.com/ingredient-analyzer
