Why solid shampoo and conditioner bars are better for the hair and for the environment?
Updated: Sep 17, 2020
Mass-market shampoos and conditioners contain harsh chemicals and are packaged in plastic bottles that could take up to 400 years to break down, unless recycled. But not everybody is willing to go the extra mile to rinse empty shampoo bottles before putting them in the recycling bin. 91% of all plastic waste ever produced isn’t recycled. Therefore, we can only guess how many will get recycled from 610 million plastic shampoo bottles produced annually.
The solution to the global plastic waste problem is to use less plastic packaging altogether. In the case of haircare, solid formulation is the best alternative. Solid shampoo and conditioner bars are usually packaged in biodegradable paper boxes instead of plastic bottles. And they significantly reduce carbon footprint in comparison to liquid shampoos that contain 80% of water. Moreover, a single bar could last up to 100 washes, outlasting 2-3 bottles of traditional shampoo.
What are solid shampoo and conditioner bars?
Solid shampoos and conditioners are super concentrated bars of natural ingredients that become activated when mixed with water. They nourish and moisturize the hair and the scalp and are able to get the hair back to its original, shiny, voluminous state by clearing away residue left from the chemicals found in traditional hair cleansers. Most formulas are plant based and don’t contain harsh ingredients such as parabens, SLS, preservatives, silicones, phthalates, GMO, synthetics, fragrances, or artificial dyes.
Benefits of solid shampoo and conditioner bars:
- Made from organic or natural ingredients
- Don’t contain harsh chemicals
- Low carbon footprint due to compact size and light weight
- No plastic waste – usually packaged in biodegradable paper
- Each bar could last 70-100 washes, which is equivalent to 2-3 liquid shampoo bottles
- Cost effective in the long run
- Many solid shampoos are pH balanced and work also as conditioners
- Travel-friendly (small, lightweight, and leak-proof)
Switching to solid shampoos and conditioners:
There might be a short transition period when switching to solid haircare products. Chemical shampoos make the hair feel great by coating them in silicone and stripping off all the natural oils, so when starting to use natural solid shampoos it might feel strange at first.
To help you choose the best solid shampoo, I put together a list of haircare brands that specialize in solid formulations. These brands were exclusively chosen because they use only natural ingredients, sustainable production, and no plastic in any of their products.
USA
Hi BAR
Established: 2017 Minnesota, USA
Brand Range: solid shampoos, solid conditioners
Shampoo/Conditioner 3 Types: Maintain, Moisturize, Volumize
Price: US$ 13.95 (CA$17, €13, £11) Weight: 82 g
Shipping: local US$ 3, international US$13
Claims: Cruelty Free. NO sulfates, parabens, silicone, phthalates
Packaging: recycled and compostable paper box, plant-based inks
Giving back: donates to local charities
Meow Meow Tweet
Established: 2009, USA
Brand Range: skincare, bodycare, haircare,
Shampoo 2 Types: Rosemary Avocado, Lavender Coconut Milk
Price: US$ 12 (CA$16, €11, £9)
Weight: 113g
Conditioner 1 Type: Lavender Hemp
Price: US$ 16 (CA$21, €15, £12)
Weight: 70g
Shipping: USA and Canada only. USA Free shipping over $45. Canada flat $25 or less.
Claims: Vegan, Cruelty-free. NO: sulfates, phthalates, formaldehyde, SLS, palm oil
Packaging: biodegratable paper box
Giving Back: supports 20+ organizations including EarthJustice, The Ocean Cleanup, etc.
by Humankind
Established: 2019, USA
Brand Range: deodorant, body wash, hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash
Shampoo 4 Types: Peppermint, Lemongrass, Citrus-Lavender, Unscented
Conditioner 2 Types: Grapefruit, Unscented
Price: $15 (CA$ 20, €13.80, £11.50)
Weight Shampoo: 113g
Weight Conditioner: 51g
Shipping: only USA - free shipping
Claims: Vegan, Cruelty-free. NO: Parabens, SLS, SLES, preservatives, silicones, phthalates, GMO, synthetics, artificial fragrances or dyes, water. Contains RSPO certified palm oil.
Packaging: soap tray, recycled biodegradable paper box
Giving Back: $1 of every first purchase goes towards cleaning our oceans.
Donates to The Ocean Cleanup.
Fat and The Moon
Established: 2013 California, USA
Brand Range: cosmetics, skincare, bodycare, haircare (30+ products)
Shampoo/Conditioner 1 Type: Buoyantly Bathe
Price: US$ 24 (CA$32, €22, £18.50)
Weight: 60g
Shipping: local $2.75, free on orders above $75. International $14
Claims: Vegan, Cruelty-free. NO: aluminum, synthetics, GMO, toxic chemicals, parabens
Packaging: metal tin, paper box
Giving Back: supports variety of causes, including donating a percentage of sales to Amazon Front Lines
Daughter Of The Land
Established: 2016 Seattle, USA Brand Range: face and body oils, bath soaks, balms, shampoos, CBD range Shampoo 2 Types: Morning Glory, Moon Flower Price: US$ 19 (CA$25, €17.50, £14.50) Weight: 90g Shipping: only local US$ 3
Claims: Vegan, Cruelty Free, Certified Organic. NO: Parabens, SLS, palm oil, sulfate, fragrance, GMO.
Packaging: biodegradable paper box
CANADA
Nana + Livy
Established: 2017 - Vancouver, CANADA
Brand Range: face oils, bath salts, bath tea, body soaps, shampoos, wash block
Shampoo 2 Scents: Rosemary, Charcoal
Price: CA$ 12 (US$9, €8, £7)
Weight: 100g
Shipping: only USA and Canada $15 - free on orders above $50
Claims: Vegan, Cruelty Free. NO: palm oil, preservatives, parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, chemicals, synthetic fragrance
Packaging: recyclable and biodegradable paper box
Giving Back: donates soap bars to local charities
Unwrapped Life
Established: 2016, CANADA
Brand Range: shampoos, conditioners, baby+kids shampoos + conditioners, vegan soap, reusable facial rounds, stainless steel straws, accessories
Shampoo/Conditioner Types: Four Collections "Wildcrafted", "Wanderlust", "Womb", "Wildling", offering over 12 varieties for all hair types, from baby, tots, teens to adults.
Price Shampoo: CA$ 15.50 - $25.00 (US$12+, €11+, £9+)
Price Conditioner: CA$ 15.50 - $19.50 (US$12+, €11+, £9+)
Weight: approximately 50-75 washes
Shipping: local CA$ 14.50 - free on orders above $75. International CA$10.50-13.80
Claims: Vegan, Cruelty-free. NO: palm oil, preservatives, parabens, SLS
Packaging: recycled and compostable paper box, metal tin
Bottle None
Established: 2019 BC, CANADA
Brand Range: solid shampoos, solid conditioners
Shampoo/Conditioner 7 Types: be Bright, be Clear, be Gentle, be Strong, be Tame, be Wild, be You.
Price: CA$ 18 (US$13.50, €12.50, £10.50)
Weight: Shampoo 50g, Conditioner 65g
Shipping: local CA$ 7.90, international CA$ 20. Free worldwide ship. on orders above $40
Claims: Vegan, Cruelty Free, pH Balanced. NO: Parabens, SLS, SCS, preservatives, silicones, phthalates, gluten, palm oil, GMO, synthetics, artificial fragrances or dyes, water.
Packaging: recyclable and biodegradable paper box. Soap trays are 3D printed from Canadian recycled plastic and single-use containers in which ingredients are supplied.
Giving Back: donated free bars to Mamas for Mamas for Karma Market
Working with a group in Johannesburg Africa, to establish a recycling program - make filament for 3D printer by recycling plastic waste.
UNITED KINGDOM
Beauty Kubes
Established: 2018, UK
Brand Range: face & body creams, solid shampoo, solid conditioner
Shampoo 2 Types: Normal-dry hair, Oily hair
Price Shampoo: £ 9.50 (US$12.50, CA$16, €11)
Conditioner 1 Type: Conditioning Hair Mask
Price Conditioner: £ 12 (US$15.50, CA$20.50, €14)
Weight: 116g (27 cubes)
Shipping: local £3.50 - free on orders above £25, International £12
Claims: Vegan, Cruelty Free, pH balanced. NO: parabens, silicones, dyes, sulphates, palm oil.
Packaging: biodegradable paper box
Awards: "Highly Commended" award in the ‘Sustainable Innovator 2019’ category at the Beauty Awards in association with ASOS.
Gold award winner at the Free From Skincare awards 2018
Friendly Soap
Established: 2008, UK Brand Range: soap bars, facial bars, shaving bar, detox bar, travel bar, shampoo bars, conditioner bars, bar kits. Shampoo/Conditioner 2 Types: Lavender & Tea Tree, Lavender & Geranium Shampoo Price: £ 2.75 (US$3.50, CA$5, €3)
Conditioner Price: £4.95 (US$6.50, CA$8.50, €6) Weight: 95 g Shipping: local £3.50, International £9.95 Claims: Cruelty free, Vegan. NO: Parabens, SLS, preservatives, foaming agents, sulphates, triclosan, phthalates
Packaging: biodegradable paper box
Awards: The Green Parent Natural Beauty Award 2019
Bain and Savon
Established: 2018 Cumbria, UK Brand Range: face & body oils, soaps, scrubs, deodorants, balms, saving soaps, solid shampoos, solid conditioners Shampoo 11 Types: Orange, Coconut Milk, Nettle & Marshmallow, Nettle & Seaweed, Babassu & Lime, Chamomile, Rosemary, Baubles, Hair & Body Bar, Cornflowers, Calendula
Price Shampoo: £ 6 (US$8, CA$10, €7) Conditioner 4 Types: Dry hair, Normal hair, Brittle & Heat Damaged Hair, Oily hair, Price Conditioner: £ 9.50 (US$12, CA$16, €11) Weight: 130g Shipping: local £ 9.50 - free on orders above £50, international £10.50-13 Claims: Vegan, Cruelty Free. NO: parabens, silicones, dyes, sulphates Packaging: recycled biodegradable paper box
EUROPE
Inuit
Established: 2016, SPAIN
Brand Range: face & body soaps, solid shampoos
Shampoo 7 Types: Strengthening, Repair, Volume, Curly Hair, Oily Hair, Anti-Dandruff, Extra Soft
Price: € 9.95-12.95 (US$11-14, CA$14-18, £8-11)
Weight: 90g
Claims: Vegan, Cruelty Free.
NO: parabens, SLS, silicones, sulphates, preservatives, vegetable oils. 100% organic cultivation - first cold pressing