10 Best Shampoo Bars For Every Hair Type, According To A Hairstylist – 2024
For the luscious hair of your dreams try out the right hair care formulations.
Jill Turnbull is an internationally acclaimed freelance hairstylist, colorist, and makeup artist with over 47 years of experience. She founded her own beauty brand and her work has been featured in editorial magazines worldwide.Jill is also a highly sought-after educator, renowned for her direct, meticulous, and modern approach to hair, makeup, and styling for fashion shoots and advertising campaigns.
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Experience: 2 yearsPooja is a Mass Communications and Psychology graduate from St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, and has two years of experience as a content writer. Her education has helped her develop the perfect balance between what the reader wants to know and what the reader has to know.
Read full bio of Pooja Karkala
Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Experience: 4 yearsMonomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.
Read full bio of Monomita Chakraborty
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If you are looking for a solution that will fix the shampoo spillage in your travel bag once and for all when you are out and about, look no further! Shampoo bars are not just organic or pocket-friendly, but these cute bars also last up to 80 washes, giving their liquid counterparts a run for their money. In this article, take a look at a list of the best shampoo bars we have compiled for you to pick from, and get ready to flaunt your beautiful locks!
In This Article
What Are Shampoo Bars?
The name itself is quite self-explanatory. Shampoo bars are shampoo in a solid form. They are not really a new thing. Years ago, they were commonly used in place of liquid shampoo. A good shampoo bar can be equivalent to 1-2 bottles of liquid shampoo. The ingredients used in shampoo bars are the same as those in liquid shampoo. Want to know how they differ from soaps? Keep reading.
How Are Shampoo Bars Different From Soaps?
Though the process of making a shampoo bar and soap is similar, they use different ingredients and formulas. In most cases, shampoo bars are made with natural and organic ingredients and almost no chemicals.
In regular soaps, the proportion of base oils, super fats, sodium salts, fragrance extracts, and essential oils is relatively high compared to shampoo bars. In shampoo bars, fatty acids are replaced with infused oils like castor oil, olive oil, and coconut oil. These oils generate great lather and moisturize your hair deeply.
Also, note that soap bars cannot be used on your hair as they strip your hair of its natural oils. On the other hand, shampoos bars are great for using on your body as they contain natural moisturizing ingredients.
Convinced that you should ditch your regular shampoo and get your hands on a shampoo bar? Check out the 10 best shampoos available in the market right now!
Top 10 Shampoo Bars For Healthy And Silky Hair
1. Best Ph Balanced:Ethique St Clements Solid Shampoo Bar
St Clements Shampoo Bar is a blessing in disguise for people with oily hair. This natural cleanser contains lime and orange extracts that control the oil production on your scalp. It gently cleanses your scalp without stripping off its natural oils. This shampoo bar has humectant properties that impart moisture to your hair without weighing it down. It claims to leave your hair looking soft and silky without using a conditioner. The quantity of this shampoo bar is equivalent to three bottles of liquid shampoo. Ethically conscious consumers also prefer this shampoo bar as it is not tested on animals.
- Lathers well
- pH balanced
- Mild fragrance
- Free of harsh chemicals
None
"This shampoo bar is easy to use, lathers just right, and leaves my hair soft and clean. It is travel-friendly and safe for color-treated hair. It also gifted my hair with noticeable volume, shine, and healthiness."
Trivia
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 13,823 customers have given the product positive reviews on Amazon.
2.Best Mild Fragrance: J.R. Liggett’s Old-Fashioned Bar Shampoo
This unique formula was discovered in an old New England cookbook by J.R.Liggett. It contains vegetable oil that lathers clean, and rinses out quickly, leaving you with healthy, soft, and silky hair. This gentle cleanser contains a blend of nourishing ingredients like olive, castor, sunflower, coconut, and palm kernel oils that prevent hair fall, improve scalp health, stimulate blood circulation, and moisturize and volumize your hair.
- Mild fragrance
- Removes dirt and impurities
- Conditions your hair
- Long-lasting results
- Leaves your hair feeling greasy
"This tiny yet effective shampoo bar works wonderfully on my long hair, leaving it clean and free of any waxy residue. I also paired it up with a natural conditioner to solve the minor tangling issue post-shampoo. This sustainable, chemical-free product has genuinely been a great addition to my hair care routine."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has received 7,555 reviews from customers on Amazon, indicating its popularity and reliability.
3. Best For Fighting Dandruff:The Yellow Bird Peppermint Shampoo Bar
This natural shampoo bar is excellent for the sensitive scalp as it does not contain any harsh chemicals. It contains kaolin clay and sea salt that remove product build-up and other residues. It also contains vitamin-rich ingredients like argan, sunflower, coconut, peppermint, olive, jojoba, and organic palm oils. These ingredients hydrate, protect, and nourish your hair, leaving you with healthy, silky, and soft hair. It comes in a recyclable box that is convenient to store. This video, detailing a reviewer’s experience, will give you more insights into the product.
- Treats psoriasis
- Fights dandruff
- Suitable for dry, oily, and limp hair
- Improves hair growth
- Can be used as a body soap
- Leaves hair feeling sticky.
Ethique St Clements Solid Shampoo Bar Best Ph Balanced | J.R. Liggett’s Old-Fashioned Bar Shampoo Best Mild Fragrance | The Yellow Bird Peppermint Shampoo Bar Best For Fighting Dandruff | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Type | All, Oily | All, Curly | Oily, Dry, Curly, Normal, Textured |
| Dimensions | 5.5 x 3 x 1.5 inches | 2.5 x 1.25 x 2 inches | - |
| Weight | 3.88 Ounces | 3.2 Ounces | 3.2 Ounces |
| Package Dimensions | - | - | 4.29 x 3.27 x 1.38 inches |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 13,823 | 7,555 | 1,686 |
| Price | $14.76 | $11.99 | $10.0 |
4. Best Non-GMO:Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve Neem & Tea Tree Soap & Shampoo
Soothe your irritated skin and scalp with this pack of 2 bars from Chagrin Valley. These bars can be used both as a shampoo and a body soap. It is packed with powerful nourishing ingredients – organic neem oil, Jojoba oil, tea tree, and botanicals such as calendula and other herbs. This bar maintains your overall scalp and hair as it treats dandruff, dermatitis, and psoriasis. In addition, it can also heal infections, minimize skin disorders, and balances scalp oil production. To make an informed decision before buying, you can check out this video that details a tester’s experience with the product.
- OEFFA certified organic
- Non-GMO
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Can be used as body soap
- Might leave residue
"It lathers abundantly, has a pleasing neutral scent, and treats my hair gently. It improved my scalp's health over time, leaving my hair softer."
5.Best Long-lasting Results: Tasmanian Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Tonic Shampoo Bar
Tasmania’s Natural Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo Bar stimulates hair growth and improves blood circulation to the hair follicles. It strengthens your roots and promotes healthy hair growth. The apple cider vinegar in this shampoo bar balances the pH of your hair and scalp. It also helps retain moisture and prevent split ends. It contains antibacterial and antifungal properties that prevent dry and itchy scalp. Reviews on online forums rave about the shampoo bar’s gentle cleansing that gets rid of all impurities. It helps you get healthy, thick, and silky hair instantly.
- Fights dandruff and eczema
- Strengthens hair
- Ideal for dry and damaged hair
- Pleasant fragrance
- Long-lasting results
- Leaves hair feeling sticky
6. Best For Improving Hair Texture:Maple Hill Naturals Vanilla Honey And Brown Sugar Shampoo Bar
This shampoo and conditioning bar is a blend of fresh vanilla beans, honey, and brown sugar. It cleanses your hair gently without stripping the natural oils from your scalp. The essential organic ingredients in this shampoo bar deeply nourish and condition your hair. It contains nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, avocado oil, palm oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, hemp seed butter, shea butter, and marula oil. These botanical ingredients repair damaged hair follicles and restore healthy shine.
- Lathers well
- Prevents itchy scalp
- Adds shine to your locks
- Improves hair texture
- Pleasant fragrance
- Weighs your hair down
7. Best For Color-Treated Hair:Skinny & Co. Rosemary Shampoo Bar
This super hydrating shampoo bar is made entirely from saponified 100% raw coconut oil. It claims to deliver intense hydration without weighing your hair down. This rich, creamy shampoo bar can restore radiance and shine to lackluster hair. It also conditions dry and damaged locks. Its exotic blend of coconut oil and rosemary oil leaves your hair feeling soft and silky. It promises to transform the driest and dullest of hair into smooth and healthy hair.
- Hydrates the scalp
- Free of harsh chemicals
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Adds volume to your hair
- Pleasant fragrance
None
"I initially bought this shampoo bar aiming to reduce my plastic usage. Took me a while to get used to the rosemary scent, but it has grown on me. The formula has increased the volume and strength of my hair, turning me into a loyal user."
8. Best For Naturally Curly Hair:Christophe Robin Hydrating Shampoo Bar With Aloe Vera
This natural shampoo bar made of aloe vera, castor oil, and natural glycerin cleanses your hair gently while hydrating and nourishing it. It soothes dry and damaged hair by imparting moisturizing proteins to hair cuticles. It provides vitality to the hair fiber and improves blood circulation in your scalp. This shampoo bar promotes hair growth and strengthens your hair follicles from within.
- Improves hair texture
- Suitable for naturally curly hair
- Paraben- and silicone-free
- Soothes dry ends
- Tames unruly hair
- Expensive
"This shampoo bar treated my dry hair. My hair is soft and more manageable now."
9. Best For Thin Hair:Dr. Harris & Co. Arlington Shampoo Bar
This volumizing shampoo is formulated to leave every strand looking gorgeously silky, soft, and healthy. It clears all the impure residues off your scalp and strengthens your hair from within. It treats dry and damaged hair. This cleanser improves the texture of your hair within a few uses. Besides volumizing, this shampoo hydrates and repairs hair follicles to add shine to lackluster hair. Its travel-friendly aluminum tin packaging has garnered praise from reviewers.
- Lathers well
- Ideal for thin hair
- Cleanses scalp well
- Mild fragrance
- Does not weigh down your hair
- Availability issues
"The scent is delightful and it does a tremendous job cleaning my hair without causing dryness. Admittedly, my hair does feel slightly greasy by day two. Overall, it is a worthy investment for occasional use or travel."
Trivia10. Best Ergonomic Design:HiBAR Solid Shampoo Bar
HiBAR Solid Shampoo Bar is formulated for daily use to moisturize dry hair. It is fragrance-free. It adds volume to thin, lifeless hair and soothes itchy and flaky scalp. This shampoo is free from harmful chemicals, curl-g-friendly, and safe for colored hair. The ergonomic design of the shampoo allows it to hold the shampoo bar easily while in the shower. Ethically-conscious reviewers recommend this shampoo bar as it is not tested on animals. Click here to check out this YouTuber’s unbiased review.
- Long-lasting
- Easy-to-use
- Travel-friendly
- Ergonomic design
- Sulfate-free
- Less lather
"This shampoo bar is easy to use, eco-friendly, and smells divine! It left my locks soft and sleek. It is fantastic for travel too, due to its handy size."
Shampoo bars are a great alternative if you want to cut down on the usage of single-use plastic bottles. Be rest-assured that the formulas are no different than regular shampoos. These surely are a game changer as they come in a variety of formulas that cater to different hair concerns and needs. Here are a few factors to consider while picking the right kind of shampoo bars for your hair.
Things To Remember While Picking The Right Shampoo Bars For Every Hair Type
Hair Type And Ingredients
One of the basic factors to consider is your hair type. Shampoo bars are just like liquid shampoos. They are formulated with cleansing surfactants that wash away dirt, along with conditioning ingredients that leave your hair manageable and soft.
Shampoo bars that are specifically formulated for thick or curly hair have more conditioning ingredients, such as avocado oil, argan oil, or olive oil, as these work wonders when it comes to moisturizing. Similarly, those with dry and damaged hair must pick bars that have coconut oil, oatmeal, calendula, or manuka honey as they soothe dry scalp and help treat dandruff.
As for oily hair, natural ingredients like apple cider vinegar, baking soda, orange, lemon, and aloe vera are the best. For those with color treated hair require extra care. Pick hydrating ingredients like coconut oil or argan oil to ensure your dyed hair remains nourished.
Ingredients To Avoid
Shampoo bars look like bars of soap but are not formulated the same way. Avoid soap-based shampoo bars as they contain ingredients such sodium cocoate, sodium palmitate, as saponified vegetable oils, or sodium hydroxide. While these may not be extremely harmful, they do cause hair breakage, leave residue, and can cause dryness and dull strands.
Longevity
Make sure to pick a shampoo bar that lasts long. You do not want to invest in a tiny bar that hardly lasts for a couple of weeks. Depending on your needs, consider the factors of how long your hair is and how big the shampoo bar is. Ideally, a shampoo bar that is 100g must last for up to 50-80 washes on average for medium hair length. So, look for a shampoo bar that has a good lather, however, also consider how long it can last.
The way you use a shampoo bar is (obviously) different from how you use a liquid shampoo. Scroll down to the next section to find out how to use it correctly.
How To Use A Shampoo Bar
- Wet your hair thoroughly.
- Lather up your hand with the shampoo bar.
- Gently rub the shampoo lather onto your hair from roots to the ends.
- Massage your scalp to stimulate blood circulation.
- Add water to create more lather.
- Cover all the sections of your hair with the aromatic lather.
- Let your locks hang loose (don’t pile it on top of your head) and rub the shampoo lather in a combing motion from top to bottom, throughout the length of your hair.
- This will prevent tangles.
- Rinse off the shampoo with lukewarm water.
Infographic: Advantages Of Shampoo Bars
If you are a frequent flyer, love traveling around, or like to make environmentally-conscious decisions, it is time to switch over to hassle-free shampoo bars that can outlast multiple liquid shampoo bottles. Check out the infographic below to learn how these innovative shampoo bars can ensure a positive impact on both your hair and the planet.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Shampoo bars are organic and travel-friendly. They last long and are therefore highly economical. Most products mentioned above have mild and pleasant fragrances and can be used as body soaps as well. They lather well and add volume to your hair. However, you must avoid products that may leave residue, making your hair sticky or greasy. Consider buying a shampoo bar that contains only natural ingredients and is chemical-free. Use the Ethique St Clements Solid Shampoo Bar to cleanse your hair without stripping natural oils, or try the J.R. Liggett’s Old-Fashioned Bar Shampoo to get voluminous hair. You can also use The Yellow Bird Peppermint Shampoo Bar to fight dandruff and improve scalp health. Moreover, it would help if you learn more about the ingredients in each, as you will be able to select an appropriate product for your hair type. The best shampoo bars offer restorative care and have made it easier to possess gorgeous and robust locks. However, remember to conduct a patch test before using these shampoo bars to check for skin sensitivity.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Pooja Karkala, is an avid hair care enthusiast who knows her way around the world of hair care products. According to her, shampoo bars are setting new standards in travel-friendly toiletries. She compiled a comprehensive and detailed list of all the top products after studying their reviews and user feedback. Shampoo bars are eco-friendly, pocket-friendly, and last up to almost 80 washes, which makes them a better alternative than liquids.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you wash your hair with a shampoo bar?
You should wash your hair 3-4 times weekly with a shampoo bar.
How long does it take for hair to adjust to a shampoo bar?
It can take up to 2-3 weeks or more for hair to adjust to a shampoo bar.
Do you need to condition even after using a shampoo bar?
No, conditioner is not necessary after using a shampoo bar because shampoo bars include oil that works similarly to conditioners.
What makes a shampoo bar better than liquid shampoo?
Shampoo bars, unlike their liquid versions, do not include water; therefore, the other substances in the bar are not diluted. Shampoo bars have more nutrients to nourish and clean your hair. They are also free of sulfates and preservatives, which contribute to dryness.
Are shampoo bars all-natural?
Yes, most shampoo bars are manufactured using natural and organic materials and are environment-friendly.
Do shampoo bars work in hard water?
Yes, but because of the combination of chemicals and pH levels, only some shampoo bars perform well in hard water.
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