The 5 Best Shampoo Bars of 2024

Top 5 Shampoo Bars That Will Transform Your Hair Care Routine

In the quest for more sustainable and effective hair care solutions, the rise of the shampoo bar has been nothing short of a revolution. Offering a perfect blend of eco-friendliness and top-notch hair benefits, these compact wonders are transforming routines around the globe. From bars designed to breathe life into dry strands, to those formulated to tame the unruliest of curls, and even solutions for combatting oiliness, there's something for every hair type and concern. Join us as we explore the 5 best shampoo bars that stand out for their exceptional performance, environmental benefits, and rave reviews from users who've made the switch. Say goodbye to plastic bottles and hello to a cleaner, greener hair care routine that doesn't compromise on quality.

1. PUBLIC GOODS - Shampoo Bar - Lavender/Rosemary

Best shampoo bar for travel

Combining efficacy with environmental consciousness, the Lavender/Rosemary Shampoo Bar from PUBLIC GOODS is a hit among eco-friendly beauty enthusiasts. Reviewers like Mary Kantner appreciate its pleasant scent and the fact it's cruelty-free and devoid of harmful ingredients, though she had reservations about its overall performance. On the flip side, Kylie Webb praises the bar for how soft and radiant it leaves her hair, highlighting its suitability for travel and its contribution to reducing plastic waste. 

• Pleasant scent and eco-friendly ingredients
• Convenient for travel with no plastic waste
• Ideal for those prioritizing environmental impact and hair softness

2. Klorane - Shampoo Bar with Mango

Best shampoo bar for dry hair

The Shampoo Bar with Mango by Klorane offers a luxurious, nourishing experience for dry, dehydrated hair. Its formulation boasts cold-pressed Mango Butter rich in fatty acids, ensuring your hair remains intensely hydrated, soft, and shiny. The bar's sulfate-free agents gently cleanse and detangle, making it a 2-in-1 hair treatment. This vegan, biodegradable bar is not only good for all hair types but also eco-responsible, with packaging that's 100% recyclable. It's the perfect choice for those seeking deep nourishment without the environmental footprint.

• Deeply nourishes and hydrates dry hair
• Vegan, biodegradable, and eco-responsible packaging
• Ideal for color-treated hair and gentle on all types

3. Me Mother Earth - Shampoo & Conditioner Bar Bundle

Best shampoo bar for curly hair

Make the switch to a more sustainable hair care routine with Me Mother Earth's Shampoo & Conditioner Bar Bundle. Designed to leave no residue and eliminate the need for an apple cider vinegar rinse, these bars come in a variety of scents and promise to leave your hair soft, clean, and naturally shiny. Perfect for all hair types, they are long-lasting and packaged plastic-free, making them a favorite among travelers and eco-conscious consumers alike.

• No residue left behind and no need for vinegar rinses
• Long-lasting and comes in various pleasant scents
• Plastic-free packaging, ideal for eco-conscious consumers

4. BRIXY - Mint Eucalyptus Hair Care Duo

Best bar shampoo and conditioner for all hair types

The Mint Eucalyptus Hair Care Duo from BRIXY is the ultimate solution for those seeking a plastic-free alternative without compromising on luxury. The combination of super hydrators like coconut oil, argan oil, and cacao seed butter, along with gentle cleansers, ensures your hair remains soft, shiny, and smooth. The invigorating and refreshing scent of eucalyptus and mint enhances the washing experience, making you want to ditch your old plastic bottles for good.

• Rich blend of natural hydrators for soft, shiny hair
• Refreshing mint and eucalyptus scent
• Plastic-free, supporting a better planet

5. Lamazuna - Solid Shampoo for Oily Hair

Best shampoo bar for oily hair

Lamazuna's Solid Shampoo for Oily Hair is a game-changer for those struggling with excess oil. Its formula contains French green clay and spirulina, which work together to purify and strengthen hair. This vegan shampoo is free from sulphate surfactants, ensuring a gentle cleanse that leaves your hair feeling fresh and less oily over time. Handmade in France, it offers a sustainable and effective solution for oily hair management, wrapped in a delightful green scent.

• French green clay purifies hair
• Vegan and sulphate-free
• Handmade in France

FAQs on Shampoo Bars

What are the benefits of shampoo bars?

Shampoo bars offer several benefits, making them a popular choice for eco-conscious consumers and those looking to simplify their hair care routine. They are known for being environmentally friendly due to minimal packaging, highly concentrated for long-lasting use, and travel-friendly without the worry of liquid restrictions. Many are formulated with natural ingredients that provide nourishment to the hair and scalp, without the harsh chemicals found in some liquid shampoos.

What is the difference between soap and solid shampoo?

The main difference between soap bars and solid shampoo bars lies in their formulation and pH levels. Soap bars are typically made with saponified oils and have a higher pH, which can disrupt the natural pH balance of the scalp and hair, potentially leading to dryness and irritation. Solid shampoo bars are specifically formulated for hair, with a pH level that’s closer to that of the scalp and hair, ensuring they clean without stripping away natural oils or causing irritation.

Do shampoo bars dry out hair?

Not all shampoo bars will dry out hair. In fact, many are formulated with hydrating and nourishing ingredients designed to moisturize and condition the hair. However, as with any hair care product, individual results can vary based on your hair type, the specific ingredients in the shampoo bar, and how your hair reacts to those ingredients. It’s important to choose a shampoo bar that’s suited to your hair type and needs. Look for bars that contain hydrating ingredients like glycerin, oils (such as coconut, argan, or jojoba), and butters (like shea or cocoa) if dryness is a concern. Additionally, giving your hair a transition period to adjust to a new product can help mitigate initial dryness as your scalp’s natural oil production balances out.

Are shampoo bars good for color-treated hair?

Yes, many shampoo bars are suitable for color-treated hair, especially those that are sulfate-free and formulated with gentle, natural ingredients. These bars can help maintain the vibrancy of your color without the harsh stripping that can occur with some traditional shampoos. However, it’s important to look for shampoo bars specifically labeled as safe for color-treated hair to ensure they won’t affect your color. Ingredients like sunflower oil, and vitamins A, C, and E, can also help protect color-treated hair.

Should I use conditioner after a shampoo bar?

While some shampoo bars contain conditioning ingredients and may leave your hair feeling soft and manageable, many people find that using a separate conditioner after a shampoo bar enhances the overall health and appearance of their hair. Conditioners are specifically formulated to provide additional moisture, detangle, reduce frizz, and add a protective layer to the hair shaft. If you have dry, curly, or long hair, or if you simply notice your hair needs a bit more conditioning after using a shampoo bar, incorporating a conditioner into your routine can be beneficial. There are solid conditioner bars available that complement shampoo bars for a complete, eco-friendly hair care regimen. As with shampoo bars, look for a conditioner bar that suits your hair type and addresses your specific hair concerns for the best results.