Shampoo Bars: What Are They. 13 Benefits of Solid Shampoo Bars!

• By: Beauty By the Batch, Hayley McKenzie

Most liquid shampoos on the market include an array of synthetic ingredients. Most liquid products contain synthetic lathering agents, including Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, commonly abbreviated as SLS. SLS draws moisture from the skin and can cause dryness and irritation. This is especially of concern to those with psoriasis, eczema, dry skin or scalp conditions.

A Shampoo Bar resembles a bar of vegetable based soap, but it is formulated especially for hair. One of the many advantages of Shampoo Bars is that they can be formulated using all-natural ingredients including vegetable oils, vegetable butters, essential oils and other nutritives especially beneficial to the hair and scalp. They also tend to lather well.

The Advantages of Shampoo Bars

1. Shampoo Bars frequently contain all-natural ingredients.
2. They tend to lather better than all-natural liquid shampoos.
3. Shampoo Bars are package free! This is by far the number one reason to make the switch to shampoo bars and conditioner bars. These little pucks don’t require packaging, so they are much better for the environment than their bottled counterparts.
4. Shampoo Bars are very concentrated! The bars are more concentrated than traditional shampoos and conditioners, so you can use less per application and they will last longer.
5. They don’t require preservatives. Having said that, they can go rancid over time. It is recommended that you use your Shampoo Bars within six months of purchasing.
6. They are convenient for use while traveling, camping or for keeping in your locker at the gym.
7. Shampoo Bars are easy to pack.
8. They are a space savers. Shampoo bars and conditioner bars are great for saving space. Being much smaller and more lightweight than their bottled counterparts relative to the number of washings you can get from the same amount of product, shampoo bars and conditioner bars help you save space. This comes in handy in a variety of situations, from keeping your bathroom cabinets decluttered, to packing for an upcoming camping trip!
9. They won’t leak like liquid shampoos can and can be included within carry-on luggage without breaking any current TSA regulations for carry-on items.
10. Shampoo Bars last a long time. In comparison, they are less expensive to use than liquid shampoos.
11. They are multi-purpose. Shampoo bars can also be used for other purposes like washing your body, your pets in a pinch or your clothes while or camping or travelling!
12. They offer a low carbon footprint. The overall carbon footprint is less with shampoo bars and conditioner bars. As mentioned, these solid bars are more lightweight and compact than their bottled counterparts, so they require less space during transport relative to the same amount of washes with liquid shampoo. Roughly ten to fifteen transport trucks of liquid shampoo would be needed for one transport truck of solid shampoo bars to get the same number of washes!
13. And finally! They leave hair feeling clean!

The Disadvantages of Shampoo Bars

1. It takes a little longer in the shower to cleanse the hair using a shampoo bar.
2. The lather of some shampoo bars is a bit trickier to fully rinse out of the hair.
3. If you often have overnight guests that do not bring their own personal selection of shampoo, they may feel awkward about using a Shampoo Bar on their hair.

How to Cleanse Your Hair Using a Shampoo Bar

Over time, you will most likely develop your own hair cleansing style that best suits your hair type and length of your hair. Start, however, by following these guidelines:

1. After you enter the shower, rinse your hair well.
2. Rub the shampoo bar directly onto your hair, working your way from your scalp down to the ends. Repeat until you have fully covered each section of your hair.
3. Massage your scalp and hair until a good lather forms.
4. Rinse the shampoo out of your hair.
5. Repeat.