Shampoo bars are a revolutionary invention that we often overlook, however, they are one of the most effective hair care products that the beauty industry is going gaga over! They are often handmade, packed with essential oils, and natural ingredients to cleanse your hair without stripping off the natural oil. The best part is that they make a great travel companion for their handy and eco-friendly packaging. Now, to save you from the inconveniences of picking one from the market, we have carefully curated the list of the best shampoo bars that are packed with above-mentioned qualities.

"Shampoo bars are great for hair that needs an extra boost of moisture, or just great for overall soft and silky hair," says Erinn Courtney, a renowned hair stylist. She further stresses, "Keep an eye out for surfactants, which help to cleanse your hair of oil, dirt, and grime. Shampoo bars are made without the toxic chemicals that some liquid shampoos contain, which can cause harm to the environment and wildlife. They are also typically made with organic ingredients and don’t contain artificial fragrance or sulfates, which can cause dryness and breakage to your hair.” Now that you know about the effectiveness of the product, take a look at our top recommendations for the same - 

 

• 1
  Climate Pledge Friendly

  ethique VOLUMISING SOLID SHAMPOO BAR

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This Sweet and Spicy shampoo bar from Ethique will undoubtedly add an oomph to your fine hair without making an impact on the environment! With the great amalgamation of cinnamon, orange, ginger with cocoa butter, and Samoan coconut oil, the solid shampoo bar cleanses your hair without weighing it down! It also goes way too long than your average shampoo bottle. The best part? It doesn't hamper the pH of your scalp(1)! Sharing more about shampoos and their role in balancing the pH of the scalp, our contributor ​​Eliza Pineda, In-House hair expert at Mayraki Professional, states, “Regular shampoos and sulfates can cause an imbalance by drying out the scalp and causing irritation. The pH levels might be thrown off because of this. So, choosing a hair product without sulfates can prove to be beneficial for hair health.” Still confused? Well, don’t be. Unleash the way to lustrous mane by bringing home this product today.

 

2

Attractive Packaging

J·R·LIGGETT'S Old-Fashioned Shampoo Bar

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Packed with plant-based ingredients, the all-natural formula of this cruelty-free product has more to offer than you can imagine! It is enriched with antioxidants and vitamins to support healthy and strong hair strands by nourishing the follicles(2). Not to miss, the vintage and climate-friendly packaging will keep you hooked for a long time when you get hold of this product. Last but not the least, with potent components like saponified olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, the shampoo bar will mesmerize you with its heavenly smell.

 

3

Value-for-money Pack

BAMBO EARTH Shampoo Bar WITH CONDITIONING EFFECT- Pack of 4

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This natural shampoo bar pack comes with 4 different bars featuring variant formulations to allow you to customize your hair cleansing sessions according to your moods. With honey, chamomile, lavender, and seaweed, each piece targets different problems from managing dandruff to bestowing a smoother shaft. Furthermore, the climate-pledge friendly product allows you to say no to plastics with the paper packaging that has no harmful impact on our beautiful earth! Still confused? Don’t be! Grab this value-for-money product without a second thought!

4

Balances pH of the Scalp

kitsch STRENGTHENING solid Shampoo

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Formulated with rice water that is known to repair the damaged hair follicles and minimize split ends, the strengthening shampoo bar blesses your hair with a nourished scalp and healthier shaft. It is made from natural ingredients and packed in an environmentally-friendly packaging. Plus, rich in amino acids, the product adds bounce to your limp hair and makes your dull and damaged hair shine. Speaking more about amino acids, our contributor ​​Eliza Pineda, states, “Amino acids are a type of protein that can repair and strengthen hair. It can help smooth and patch up the cuticle as well as thicken the strand to make the hair healthier and shinier. Thus, it is an essential ingredient for healthy hair.”

So, why wait? Experience a lavish hair care treatment by creating foamy lather with this product that won't harm your mane.

 

5

Biodegradable Packaging

MIMOSU RICE WATER Shampoo Bar

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We know how rice water has received the crown for being one of the revolutionary ingredients for skincare and haircare! Loaded with the same along with olive oil, argan oil, apple cider vinegar, and coconut oil, this natural shampoo bar takes the upperhand in working as a shampoo and conditioner single handedly(3)! It is also enriched with vitamins, proteins, and amino-acids to provide you with lustrous hair that you have long been yearning for. Furthermore, the oval-shaped packaging needs special mention that makes your journey way smoother by providing you a firm grip.

6

Suits All Hair Types

the earthling co. Shampoo Bar

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With 4 variants to choose from, namely, Citrus Sun, Vanilla Coconut, Cool Breeze, and Simple Fresh, the thoughtfully made shampoo bar effectively cleanses your hair and each variant comes with different scents to soothe your senses. The vegan-friendly product that suits all hair types, is also silicone-free, paraben-free, and SLS-free to take care of the shafts mindfully. Addedly, natural ingredients like coconut oil, apricot seed oil, and vitamin B5 make the product even more worthy to be present in your stash(4)!

 

7

Lightweight

NAPLES SOAP COMPANY HAIR BAR

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The very first thing that will keep you mesmerized is the intriguing citrusy scent of fresh grapefruit and orange when you use this product. Other than that, it is loaded with effective ingredients like cocoa butter, lemon, coconut oil, raspberry seed oil, and pro vitamin B complex to moisturize your hair shaft. Well, that’s not all! The brand boasts of naturally cleansing the hair without stripping off the natural oil. And, not to miss, it is available in 11 other variants that targets different hair problems.

 

8

BAMBOEARTH NATURAL GINGER Shampoo Bar

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The Natural Ginger Shampoo Bar from BamboEarth is effectively formulated to cater to all your dry hair cleansing needs. To be noted, it comes in 12 variants and each one consists of special oils like olive oil, coconut oil, argan, oil, and other ingredients like cocoa butter, shea butter, and glycerine that nourish your hair while helping you get rid of any build up at the same time. Furthermore, the cute solid pieces of bars boast off 100% waste-free and biodegradable packaging which is a blessing for our planet.

 

9

Allows 100 Washes

Pacific Spirit Shampoo Bar

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With 4 available variants, each shampoo bar by Pacific Spirit is loaded with organic ingredients to target different hair problems. The Pink Sand variant, for example, is packed with 3 active ingredients like raspberry extracts, coconut oil, and broccoli oil that benefit almost every type of hair. You can now bid adieu to plastic pollution by ditching regular bottled shampoos that feature harmful ingredients with this product in your stash. Furthermore, let us tell you that each bar of shampoo allows you to wash your hair more than 100 times. Do you still need more?

 

10

Handcrafted

aspen kay NATURALS Shampoo Bar

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Our findings show that the Lemongrass and Sweet Orange variant of this product is enriched with organic horsetail, turmeric root, chamomile, hibiscus, calendula, cocoa butter, and sea buckthorn oil to let you enjoy a good hair day. Made with a lot of care, the shampoo bar soap is also perfect to maintain your hair while hiking, camping, and traveling. Plus, it soothes the scalp and stimulates hair growth at the same time for an all-in-one root to tip care.

 

11

Zero Milling Technology

SAPHUS SHAMPOO and CONDITIONER BAR

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This eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner bar contains shea butter, argan oil, and citrus essential oil to get rid of all the greasiness while softening the shaft and strengthening the roots by maintaining the perfect amount of moisture. Crafted with triple milling technology, the brand also boasts of following nature's route to deliver you the beauty you desire. Well, there’s something more — the brand claims that the bars are equivalent to 3-5 shampoo bottles and promise to last up to 3 months depending on the frequency of use.

 

Now that you have seen our product recommendations for the best shampoo bars, glance through our buying guide to make an informed purchasing decision. 

 

Here are a few aspects to consider before vouching for the best shampoo bars - 

a) Type: There are two types of shampoo bars — soap-based, and detergent-based. The soap-based shampoo bars are derived from a mix of oils and sodium hydroxide while detergent-based ones are made from surfactants. To note, the former will leave you with an alkaline pH ranging from 8-10, whereas the latter will have a balanced pH ranging from 4.5-6.5. If you are concerned about the pH of the scalp, pick a bar that claims to balance the same.

b) Formula: Look for a well-balanced formula that is loaded with a blend of surfactants like anionic, amphoteric, non-ionic, and cationic to give you an effective result. Other than that, pick a formula that is free of sulfates, palm oil, synthetic fragrance, or colorants to make sure your hair doesn’t get damaged more.

c) Ingredients: If your shampoo bar has a good amount of moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, avocado oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, chamomile, aloe vera, vitamins, and minerals, pick it without a second thought! They will keep your hair nourished and frizz-free for a long time.

d) Packaging: Most of the shampoo bars are made and thoughtfully packed keeping the environmental aspect in mind. However, do your bit by picking one with a zero-waste packaging. A good amount of eco-friendly preservatives are also needed to keep your shampoo bar intact, including sorbic acid, benzoic acid, benzyl alcohol, etc.

e) Shape: The shape of the bar matters a lot. Make sure that it fits into your palm for smooth application.

Conclusion

Based on our expertise, it is safe to say that these best shampoo bars can be a savior for you on a busy day or if you plan for hiking or traveling when you have to pack light. You can quickly tuck them inside your bag as they take less space than the average shampoo bottles. Other than that, they are packed with nourishing ingredients to make your hair soft and manageable while restoring the shine and smoothness. C'mon grab them now! You know you need them!

Contributor: Eliza Pineda, In-House Hair Expert at Mayraki Professional