Table of Contents
- Difference Between Hair Soap Bars And Shampoo Bars?
- What Is A Shampoo Bar?
- Why Choose A Shampoo Bar?
- Step-by-Step Guide: Washing Your Hair With A Shampoo Bar
- How To Use A Conditional Bar For Hair
- How To choose the best shampoo bar for your hair?
- What Are The Best Shampoo Bars
- What Should You Avoid In A Shampoo Bar?
- How Often Should You Wash Your Hair With A Shampoo Bar?
- Conclusion
Is it possible to wash hair with a shampoo bar? Yes! That is what I will show you in this article.
Shampoo bars are solid bars of shampoo that you can use to wash your hair without harsh chemicals.
They save plastics and chemicals from polluting and are convenient, economical, and gentle on your hair and scalp.
I will give you the lowdown on choosing and using shampoo bars. How often should you wash your hair?
Just like liquid shampoo, there is no single shampoo bar that works for everyone.
Finding the right one for you will be a process of trial and error.
Armed with the information I will share, you will come out of the equation with more trial and less error.
Let’s Start!
Difference Between Hair Soap Bars And Shampoo Bars?
Are shampoo bars just soap? In my experience, shampoo bars fall into two categories.
The first is hair soap, and the second is solid shampoo. So what’s the difference? Well, it’s in the ingredients.
Hair soap is effectively cold-pressed soap that you can wash your hair with.
Hair soap bars are made from natural fats, oils, and lye.
Hair soaps are made by saponification, a process in which lye breaks down fats and oils into glycerin and alkali salts of fatty acids.
These alkali salts of fatty acids are the active washing substances in hair soap bars, and they remove dirt and grease from your hair.
Hair soap bars have a pH level of 8 to 10, which is alkaline and can cause the cuticle of your hair to open briefly, making your hair feel rough after washing.
You can use a conditioner after washing your hair with soap bars to avoid this.
Conditioners help close your hair’s cuticle, making it feel softer and smoother.
Some hair soap bars come with a lot of disclaimers about adjustment periods.
The advice you’ll hear about this adjustment is that you’ll probably need to wash less often.
Use vinegar rinses to condition your hair. You’ll also be advised to rinse very well.
The reason given for this adjustment is usually the claim that regular shampoos leave a lot of buildup in your hair that takes time to remove.
To be frank, that could be stressful. Ultimately, hair soaps either work for your hair or they don’t.
Hair soaps cost a lot less than solid shampoo bars. They also tend to be larger bars.
And because they’re cold-pressed soaps, it takes a while to use them up.
And you’ll find out very quickly which category you fall into.
Albeit, some people love their hair soap bars, so don’t write them off just because of my bad experience.
What Is A Shampoo Bar?
Solid shampoo: contains surfactant, which helps bind oils and dirt and wash them out of your hair. It’s also what creates lather.
They contain sodium cocoyl isethionate and Cocamidopropyl betaine.
They also contain hydrolyzed quinoa protein, which helps with softness and color retention, moisturizing oils, Vitamin B5, and eco-friendly preservatives.
The formulations of the two types of bars are very different, and the experience of using them is also different.
Shampoo bars have a pH value between 5 and 7, which means they are slightly acidic, which matches the natural pH value of your hair and scalp.
So you don’t need to use an acidic rinse after washing; they’re also gentler on colored hair.
There is a big difference between the two in this regard.
Shampoo bars often contain other ingredients, such as fragrances, colors, preservatives, and conditioning agents.
Solid shampoo bars, by comparison, are effortless to use, and there’s no transition period.
There are some other trade-offs you want to factor into your decision on which bars to try, and the primary one is price.
Solid shampoos are more expensive, have smaller bars, and will run out more quickly.
Using a shampoo bar is pretty simple. You wet your hair and stroke the bar directly on it in a few places.
You then lather up. You could also lather up in your hands and rub the suds on your hair, but you might use the bar up faster this way.
Why Choose A Shampoo Bar?
Using a shampoo bar has been around for a long time.
People have used soap bars to clean their hair and bodies for a very long time, probably since 2800 BC, when soap was determined to have been made by the Babylonians.
Environmental Benefits
Shampoo bars are an environmentally conscious choice.
Unlike traditional shampoo bottles that contribute to plastic waste, shampoo bars come with minimal or no packaging.
This means less plastic pollution and a smaller carbon footprint.
Natural Ingredients
Many shampoo bars are formulated with natural ingredients that are gentle on your hair and scalp and vegan-friendly.
They can contain conditioning agents that moisturize and nourish your hair.
These ingredients can include nourishing oils like coconut oil, shea butter, and essential oils that promote hair health.
Travel-Friendly
If you’re a frequent traveler, you’ll appreciate the convenience of shampoo bars.
These compact bars are not only easy to pack, but they also eliminate the need to adhere to liquid restrictions at airports.
Step-by-Step Guide: Washing Your Hair With A Shampoo Bar
Now that you understand the benefits let’s dive into the step-by-step process of using a shampoo bar effectively:
Step 1:
Wet your hair thoroughly in the shower or sink. Wet the shampoo bar and rub it between your hands to create foam.
Alternatively, you can rub the bar directly on your wet hair.
Step 2: Rub the Shampoo Bar
Then gently Rub the bar on your hair in a small circular motion.
Also, the quantity of lather varies depending on whether the water supply is hard or soft.
However, some shampoo bars lather well regardless of the water.
Step 3: Massage Your Scalp
Put your bar down and massage the shampoo into your scalp until a gentle lather forms.
The shampoo will become foamy but might not froth as much as a liquid shampoo or bar containing sulfates.
Concentrate on working the lather into the roots of your hair
Add more water if you need more lather – the shampoo bar is water-activated.
You can Start at the back, near the nape of your neck.
I say this because, naturally, you’ll always wash the front and top of your head, and often, the back of your hair stays unclean.
Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly
Rinse thoroughly. Now, with liquid shampoo, you have to rinse, but with a shampoo bar, rinsing is essential.
Why is my hair greasy after using a shampoo bar?
If you have any residue of shampoo left in your hair when you add the conditioner, you’ll end up in a greasy mess.
I recommend combing your hair with a wide-tooth comb while it is lathered and soapy and continuing to comb while rinsing thoroughly with plenty of water.
Your hair will be tangle-free! You can do a quick cold-water rinse to close the hair shaft and add shine!
How To Use A Conditional Bar For Hair
Conditioner bars contain natural ingredients like rapeseed oil, coconut oil, olive oil, hemp seed oil, Moroccan argan oil, golden jojoba oil, castor oil, and essential oils.
Wet your conditioner bar and rub it between your palms for a while; it doesn’t lather like the traditional conditioner.
So you want to create a creamy paste on your palms and run it through your hair using just your fingers.
Alternatively, you can apply your conditioner bar directly to your hair. Wet your bar and drag it from the root or scalp to the ends or tips.
If you have thick and long hair, you can section your hair and then rub in your conditioner bar.
Concentrate on the root, hold your hair in your palm, and brush it over with your conditioner bar.
It can also be used as a leave-in-conditioner.
Many people have found that if you wet it slightly and rub it between your hands, you can use it as a leave-in-conditioner and just leave it in for 1-2 minutes.
This is extremely helpful for people with really curly hair.
Regarding how much to use your conditioner bar, start with a small amount and run it through your hair. You can always add more.
While shampoo bars are formulated to be nourishing, a conditioner bar can provide extra hydration and manageability to your hair.
Conditioner bars can last 3-6 months, depending on the thickness and length of your hair, how often you use it, and how much you use it.
Washing once a week is great.
Step 6: Dry and Style
Once you’ve rinsed the shampoo and conditioner, gently squeeze out excess water from your hair.
Allow your hair to air dry, or use a blow dryer in a low heat setting. Style your hair as desired.
How To choose the best shampoo bar for your hair?
With so many available options, how do you choose the best shampoo bar for your hair?
Your hair type and condition. Different hair types and states require different kinds of care and ingredients.
If you have oily hair, choose a shampoo bar that contains clay or charcoal that can absorb excess oil and cleanse your scalp.
For dry or damaged hair, choose a shampoo bar that contains moisturizing oils or butter that can hydrate and repair your hair.
While sulfates are not entirely bad, they can be the culprit of stripping the hair and scalp of necessary oils and moisture.
Most options are sulfate-free here—but keep in mind that even if sulfates are listed, not all sulfates are created equal.
A lot of shampoo bars use plant-based sulfates, which are less harsh and drying. If you see sulfates listed on the label, it is worth doing some research.
Some people have sensitive scalps that can get irritated or inflamed by certain ingredients or scents.
For sensitive scalp, choose a shampoo bar that is gentle, unscented, or contains soothing ingredients like oatmeal, aloe vera, or chamomile.
The shampoo bar that is best for you is the one that you like and enjoy using. You may prefer a particular scent, color, shape, or texture.
What Are The Best Shampoo Bars
Here are some of the best shampoo bars:
Ethique Pinkalicious Solid Shampoo Bar for Balanced Hair: This shampoo bar is made with natural ingredients like coconut oil, cocoa butter, and pink grapefruit essential oil.
It is vegan, cruelty-free, palm oil-free, and plastic-free. It cleanses and nourishes your hair, leaving it soft, shiny, and balanced. It is suitable for normal to dry hair types.
Obia Naturals Coconut Shea Shampoo Bar: This shampoo bar is enriched with coconut oil, shea butter, and olive oil.
It is vegan, cruelty-free, and free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and mineral oil. It gently cleanses and moisturizes your hair without stripping it of its natural oils.
It is ideal for curly, kinky, and coily hair types.
Anita Grant Babassu Peppermint Shampoo Bar: This shampoo bar is infused with babassu oil, peppermint oil, and rosemary oil.
It is vegan, cruelty-free, and free of sulfates, silicones, and synthetic fragrances.
It stimulates and invigorates your scalp while cleansing and conditioning your hair. It is perfect for dry, itchy, and flaky scalp conditions.
HiBar Volumize Shampoo Bar: This shampoo bar is formulated with rice protein, hydrolyzed soy protein, and coconut oil.
It is vegan, cruelty-free, and free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and silicones.
It adds volume and body to your hair, without weighing it down. It is best for fine, thin, or limp hair types.
J. R. Liggett’s Tea Tree and Hemp Bar Shampoo: This shampoo has been made using a blend of tea tree oil, hemp oil, and almond oil.
It is entirely vegan, cruelty-free, and contains no sulfates, detergents, or synthetic preservatives.
When used, it cleanses and calms the scalp while also providing hydration and strength to the hair.
It can be used on all hair types but is particularly beneficial for those with oily or dandruff-prone hair.
Lush Soak and Float Shampoo Bar: This shampoo bar is loaded with cade oil, lavender oil, and rose oil, and it’s vegan-free.
It calms and heals your scalp while softening and smoothing your hair. It is designed for sensitive, irritated, and inflamed scalp conditions.
Christophe Robin Hydrating Shampoo Bar with Aloe Vera: This shampoo bar is blended with aloe vera, castor oil, and glycerin.
It is vegan, cruelty-free, and free of sulfates, silicones, and artificial colors.
It hydrates and cleanses your hair without drying it out. It is ideal for normal to dry hair types.
SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Clay Shampoo Bar: This is packed with manuka honey, mafura oil, and kaolin clay. It is cruelty-free and free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, and petrolatum.
It detoxifies and purifies your scalp while moisturizing and repairing your hair. It is great for dry, damaged, and brittle hair types.
Garnier Whole Blends Oat Delicacy Softening Shampoo Bar for Fine Hair: This shampoo bar is enriched with oat milk, rice cream, and coconut oil.
It is vegan, cruelty-free, and free of sulfates, silicones, and dyes.
It gently cleanses and softens your hair without weighing it down. It is ideal for fine, delicate, and fragile hair types.
HiBAR Volumize Bar Shampoo and Conditioner (2-Pack): This shampoo and conditioner duo is made with rice protein, hydrolyzed soy protein, and coconut oil.
It is vegan, cruelty-free, and free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and silicon
What Should You Avoid In A Shampoo Bar?
When using a shampoo bar, there are several things you should avoid to ensure that your hair and scalp remain healthy and free from potential issues.
Sulfates: Look for sulfate-free shampoo bars. Sulfates are harsh detergents that can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and prone to damage.
Parabens: Parabens are preservatives that can be harmful when absorbed through the skin.
Choose paraben-free shampoo bars to minimize potential health risks.
Harsh Chemicals: Be cautious of shampoo bars that contain harsh chemicals like formaldehyde, silicones, phthalates, and artificial colorants.
These can have adverse effects on your hair and scalp, leading to dullness and decreased effectiveness of the shampoo.
While shampoo bars are typically milder than some liquid shampoos, avoid overusing them. Too much cause product buildup.
Use lukewarm water for washing and rinsing instead.
Avoid scrubbing your scalp too vigorously, as this can lead to irritation and hair damage.
How Often Should You Wash Your Hair With A Shampoo Bar?
How often you wash your hair with a shampoo bar depends on several factors, including your hair type, lifestyle, and personal preferences.
Don’t wash your hair more than 3 or 4 times a week.
Oily Hair: If you have naturally oily hair, you may need to use a shampoo bar more frequently, perhaps every 1-2 days or as needed to control excess oil.
Normal Hair: For those with normal hair, washing every 2-3 days to once a week is typically sufficient.
Dry Hair: If your hair is dry, you can extend the time between washes to once a week or even every 10-14 days to avoid over-stripping natural oils.
Conclusion
If you want your bar to last as long as possible, you need to keep it as dry as possible.
If it sits in water, it will dissolve, so make sure you have a place to store it where it won’t stay wet.
To sum up, When choosing your shampoo bar.
Remember to read the ingredients to determine whether it’s hair soap or a solid shampoo bar.
Expect to pay less for hair soap bars and for the bars to last longer.
But also beware; you may have to change your routines to make it work for you.
Solid shampoos will cost more, but they’re easier to use immediately.
