In recent years, the popularity of solid shampoo and conditioner bars has surged, with many eco-conscious consumers choosing them as a more sustainable alternative to liquid hair care products.
But are they truly better for your hair and do they live up to the environmental benefits they promise? In this blog, we’ll dive into what shampoo and conditioner bars are, discuss their pros and cons, and compare them to their liquid counterparts.
What Are Shampoo and Conditioner Bars?
Shampoo bars are a concentrated form of shampoo in a solid bar. They function in the same way as liquid shampoo, lathering when combined with water and applied to the scalp and hair. Conditioner bars are also a solid form of their liquid equivalent, designed to moisturise, detangle and soften hair after cleansing.
Benefits of Switching to Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
- Eco-Friendly
Bars are an eco-friendly choice for many reasons. Unlike liquid shampoos and conditioners, which usually come in plastic bottles, bars are often packaged in recyclable or compostable materials, reducing plastic waste.
Additionally, the main component of both liquid shampoo and conditioner is water. These liquids (or emulsions) are made by combining a water and oil phase, using an emulsifier that makes it possible for these two phases to mix and combine, resulting in the end product. Water alone carries a huge environmental footprint and that doesn’t even factor in the water needed to grow the base ingredients or the that involved in the processing, manufacture and transport of those ingredients. While solid products tend to be water free (or a very minimal amount is added which then evaporates), they still have a water footprint. However, it’s considerably smaller than liquids equivalents.
As bars don’t contain water, they are lighter, which can reduce CO2 emissions generated through their transportation. Many solid products are also far more concentrated than their liquid counterparts, which makes them more economical to use and longer lasting. They also tend to be multi-functional and can just as easily be used to wash your body as well as your hair.
- Travel-Friendly
Shampoo and conditioner bars are compact and being solid, they are an excellent choice for travellers…no more worrying about liquid restrictions at airports or potential leaks in your luggage! There is also less waste with solid bars – you can use every little scrap of a shampoo or conditioner bar up. Soap savers come in handy when you’re reaching the end of your shampoo bar and it starts to break into unmanageable pieces. Chuck them in a soap saver sock and you get the full benefit on your body too. Conditioner bars can be used instead of shaving gel or cream due their base components that give them “slip” on the hair which is also handy when shaving. So, as mentioned above, they can be used to wash your body too, saving you the added hassle of carrying lots of different products.
- Long-Lasting
On average, one shampoo bar can last as long as two to three bottles of liquid shampoo, depending on your usage. Since they are more concentrated, you need less product per wash, making them more economical in the long run. It is a lot easier to use too much liquid shampoo or conditioner than it is to overuse a solid equivalent.
In terms of the number of washes, as a rough guide, a 100g bar will give you approximately 80 washes. Conditioner bars typically last even longer because even less of the product is needed to achieve a good result – we recommend only applying the bar to the tips of the hair. It’s important to note that how long a bar will last will depend on how many people in your household use a single bar, how many times a week you (and others) wash their hair, length and thickness of hair and storage between washes. Its really important to allow your bars to dry out between uses so we recommend storing them on a soap dish that allows the water to drain away completely. When travelling, leave them to dry out of travel containers and only put them away when dry.
- Natural Ingredients
Many shampoo and conditioner bars are made with natural, plant-based ingredients, which can be gentler on your hair and scalp. They often exclude harsh chemicals like sulphates, silicones and parabens, making them a good choice for those with sensitive skin or a preference for clean beauty products.
Cons of Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
- Adjustment Period
Switching to some shampoo and conditioner bars can come with a bit of an adjustment period. This will depend on what products you were using before. If your liquid products contained silicone’s and other smoothing agents, your hair may feel different initially (from experience, your hair might feel waxy). It can take a few weeks for your hair to adapt and for the natural oils to balance out. Three weeks is the average period of adjustment.
You can use a bicarbonate of soda rinse (bicarbonate mixed with water) before shampooing to help strip product build up from your hair to help expedite this process. It can also help to follow up with an apple cider vinegar rinse. Don’t worry, you won’t smell like a pickle afterwards! Some people don’t have any issues at all so it’s not a foregone conclusion that you will experience the adjustment phase. The key is to stick with it for three weeks as a minimum before you call it quits.
- Hard Water Issues
In areas with hard water, some shampoo bars may not lather as well or could leave a residue on the hair, making it feel heavy or greasy. This is because hard water prevents the soap from rinsing out cleanly. However, the surfactants used in the bars are also important here as surfactants perform differently in different water conditions. Using an apple cider vinegar rinse or a water softener can help mitigate this issue. Like the adjustment period, it may not even be a problem so stick with it for three weeks before you decide to throw in the towel.
- Storage Considerations
Shampoo and conditioner bars need to be stored properly to ensure they last. If left in a puddle of water, they will become mushy and dissolve prematurely. Investing in a soap dish with drainage or a bar holder is essential to keep them dry between uses. We don’t remove ours from the shower and find the drainage is enough. If you have a larger bar, you can cut the bar in half and only use half at a time. This will increase durability even more.
- Not always a perfect match for all hair types
While some shampoo and conditioner bars work well for most people, they may not be as effective for those with specific hair needs (such as very curly, textured or colour-treated hair). It can take some trial and error to find a bar that suits your hair type. Curly girls, for example, are advised to steer clear of certain ingredients and having knowledge on these ingredients can save you time and money. Using the COSMILE website is a great first step in educating yourself (https://cosmileeurope.eu/).
Comparing Shampoo and Conditioner Bars to Their Liquid Counterparts
- Ingredients
Shampoo and conditioner bars often have fewer synthetic ingredients than their liquid equivalents. Bars typically feature plant oils, butters and essential oils for cleansing and moisturising, whereas liquid versions may contain a variety of synthetic additives, such as preservatives, stabilisers and foaming agents. Most bars use surfactants (such as Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate) to help create a lather, but these are often milder than those found in liquid shampoos and generally naturally derived rather than synthetic.
- Performance
Liquid shampoos and conditioners generally offer a more luxurious lather and immediate results in terms of smoothness and manageability, thanks to the silicones and conditioning agents they contain. Bars, on the other hand, provide a more stripped-back experience, but they often result in healthier, more balanced hair in the long term due to the lack of heavy ingredients that can build up over time.
- Cost
While shampoo and conditioner bars may seem more expensive upfront, their concentrated formulas make them last much longer than liquid products. You also need a lot less product using a solid bar than the liquid alternative. This often makes them more cost-effective in the long run, particularly for households aiming to reduce waste.
- Convenience
For daily use at home, liquid shampoos and conditioners are familiar and easy to use. Shampoo and conditioner bars require a little more work to create a lather or spread evenly through the hair. Some people may find bars harder to work with, especially if they have longer or thicker hair although none of our customers have reported any issues with ease of use and find their smaller size makes for a less cluttered bathroom!
So, what about Sugarbush bars?
Sugarbush shampoo bars are a minimum of 80g in weight. A single shampoo bar should give you approximately 60 washes, working out at about 18p per wash. The conditioner bars weigh a minimum of 65g but despite their lower weight, they will last even longer than the shampoo bars. You shouldn’t need to replace those as often, giving you more washes per bar and saving you money in the long run.
Both our shampoo and conditioner bars are vegan friendly. They contain hair loving ingredients like Argan Oil, Phytokeratin and Panthenol. Our shampoo bars contain both clays and essential oils which have benefits for hair. We include a short description on our website for each variant to help you choose the one best for you. Several of our customers have coloured hair and have reported no impact to their hair colour performance. However, we would advise customers with colour treated hair to use a small amount as a tester to assess this for themselves. We also have a few curly girls who have found the bars work well with their curls because they don’t contain ingredients that impact the frizz found in other shampoos and conditioners.
Our conditioner bars are all identical in chemical composition apart from the essential oil used to make the different variants e.g. rosemary, lemon or lavender essential oil. Rosemary, for example, is used historically to promote hair growth while lavender is a great balancing oil. As the conditioner bars are packed full of moisturising ingredients such as Jojoba, Argan and Avocado Oil, we recommend only applying to the tips of the hair. Applying all over the head may result in oily hair as your scalp naturally produces its own oils.
A full list of ingredients is can be found with each variant on the website so that you can do your own research. If you have any questions, you can contact us at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to run through our ingredients.
Conclusion
Switching to shampoo and conditioner bars offers a range of benefits, from reducing plastic waste to using more natural ingredients. However, the transition may require some patience as you get used to the different feel and performance compared to liquid products. For those seeking an eco-friendlier hair care routine, bars can be a game-changer, but it’s important to find the right type for your hair and ensure proper storage to maximise their longevity. Ultimately, the choice comes down to personal preference, hair type and how committed you are to reducing your environmental footprint.
