Are shampoo bars worth it? It is definitely a big Yes. I can’t emphasize enough how switching to shampoo bars has changed my life so much for the better.
Today, I want to share my story with you and hope it will help shorten your journey in finding the best hair care product. Let’s dive into the next part to know more about shampoo bars.
What Are Shampoo Bars?
As their name suggests, this type of shampoo is available in the bar form like a bar of soap. This solid shampoo bar can do everything that a liquid shampoo does, if not better. Yet, it requires less complicated packaging, a huge perk if you are environmentally conscious.
Plus, they are regularly made of safe and natural essential oils and vegetable oils. Olive oil, coconut oil, and sustainable palm oil are several key ingredients you can expect in a shampoo bar.
Accordingly, you can avoid using harmful chemicals most liquid shampoos contain, such as parabens, sulfate, and more.
Why Did I Switch To Using A Shampoo Bar?
Two months ago, I decided to switch to a shampoo bar after my regular shampoo bottle was empty. At that time, I was not sure if I would like it or if it would be a worthy investment.
But I was fed up with conventional shampoos, which didn’t help much with my oily scalp. At that time, my scalp had suffered various issues like frizzy hair, itchy and flaking scalp.
I could not utilize liquid shampoo much, so I chose to use natural products like lemon or apple cider vinegar. That said, they cannot provide a clean, smooth, and shiny look like what liquid shampoos offer.
So I found another solution – shampoo bars. Honestly, I did not expect much at that time and was extremely confused about how to use it. The question “How do I use shampoo bar on my hair” repeatedly struck my mind.
I first chose the Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve Shampoo Bar in a local store to treat my oily hair, itchy and flaking scalp. One of its ingredients – Lavender – is scientifically proven to be great for that.
It can sort out the problems of oily hair by managing oil production and thoroughly cleaning grease. Like I said before, I was not sure whether it would work.
Frankly, it was slightly annoying at first as two weeks went by, and I still faced the itchy scalp problem. It is not a surprise as it comes with organic ingredients, but today, I have to admit that it is one of the best oily hair shampoo products I have ever used!
The shampoo bar left my hair totally clean and clear. It is something my previous product could not do, which was the initial change I could notice. Days after days, I increasingly noticed much more changes.
Of course, I still needed to wash the hair every following day, yet it simultaneously helped control my frizzy hair and scalp issues. I mean what I say; I shed just like a dog before using a shampoo bar.
My hair dropped everywhere, and any time I washed my hair, I ended up with a hairball. I was very conscious and obsessively researched baldness daily. But my hair was looking shiny and soft shortly after utilizing the Chagrin Valley shampoo bar.
But what I must admit is that my hair volume decreased, which was a small disappointment for me.
See also: Can Shampoo Bars Cause Hair Loss?
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Using Shampoo Bar
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Shampoo Bars
So are shampoo bars good for hair? Let’s look at the pros and cons of shampoo bars to find the answer.
Benefits Of Shampoo Bars
#1. Clean Hair Thoroughly
Before using the shampoo bar, I was annoyed after washing with my previous shampoo. My hair still felt like I did not wash it. But now I am over the moon with the fresh feeling in my hair 24/7.
Also, my shampoo bar helps clean dirt naturally, avoiding the number of chemicals that possibly accumulate on my hair like conventional shampoos.
#2. Longer-lasting
The fact remains that shampoo bars are more expensive than regular shampoos at first.
However, by comparison, an average 0.9 oz shampoo bar can actually last the equivalent of about three 250ml bottles of shampoo. Isn’t it amazing? This fact justifies the higher price, at least for me.
#3. Safe Ingredients
As you might know, shampoo bars come with natural ingredients. By using this type of shampoo, you can avoid using harsh chemicals on your hair.
With these organic ingredients, shampoo bars are totally friendly to the scalp without causing any irritation, especially sensitive scalp. After a while, you will notice the difference just like I did and feel how your hair gradually changes for the better.
Another perk is that I do not need to utilize much liquid conditioner like before. I even feel like it is not essential at all sometimes. It seems that the shampoo bar helps bring my hair to its original state – which is naturally smooth and healthy.
#4. Reduce The Frequency Of Hair Washing
If your hair is oily like mine, I know excessive oil production is a big problem, especially on hot summer days, requiring you to wash daily. But believe me, things will get better thanks to the shampoo bar.
I also tried to avoid touching my hair as much as possible as it could make it quickly greasy. It’s a useful tip if you face the same issue.
#5. Convenience
Another benefit of shampoo bars is that they are quite convenient. You will find them quite easy to carry as they are lightweight. Besides, thanks to a compact design, shampoo bars will not occupy much space in your bathroom and be easy to store.
You will not need to worry about spills as shampoo bars are available in a concentrated form.
#6. Environmentally Friendly
I particularly love shampoo bars for this reason. I mean, by using a shampoo bar, you can avoid purchasing three plastic bottles of shampoo. Same to conditioner bottles. It doesn’t sound much, yet every effort to support the environment counts.
Another notable benefit of shampoo bars is that it helps save water thanks to the non-water concentrated ingredients. This is good for both you and the environment
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Environmentally Friendly
Disadvantages Of Shampoo Bars
#1. Takes Longer Time To Have Effects
As I mentioned, shampoo bars will take longer to show visible results-for instance, my oil hair issue. I could only notice the big difference after six weeks from the first use.
Meanwhile, if you buy special shampoo for oily hair at a pharmacy, you can see the results after just a week. You will need much patience when using shampoo bars as your hair needs time to adapt to new shampoo.
In the beginning, your hair remains tangled, frizzy, and waxy. Sometimes it can even dry out and lose its volume. You can utilize apple cider vinegar to rinse for smoother hair. I had to use my shampoo bar six weeks before my obsessive itchy and flaking scalp was managed.
Read more to know Do Shampoo Bars Dry Out Hair or Make Hair Greasy?
#2. Sensitive To Hard Water
Shampoo bars seem to be sensitive to hard water. It is best to be cautious when choosing water to shampoo your hair. You might not know this, but hard water can affect the effectiveness of the shampoo bar on the hair.
See also: How to Use Shampoo Bars in Hard Water?
#3. Need More Maintenance
You may need to purchase a tool to store your shampoo bar.
Plus, storing shampoos when traveling for work or travel can also give you a headache because they also require containers. This preparation may cost you a little more at first. However, in the long run, it’s a worthy investment.
In addition, the shelf life of shampoo bars is also shorter than other regular shampoos and really depends on how you store them. In addition, it is quite annoying to dry the bar soap after every shower. And it can be a big burden when you’re in a hurry.
So, Are Shampoo Bars Worth A Try?
Six weeks went by when I started to notice my big issue – oily hair – almost disappeared.
However, unfortunately, no shampoo on Earth would be able to fix my problem of producing excessive oil on irritated scalps on stressful days. It wouldn’t be fair to give shampoo bars a minus point for this.
Now I am quite happy with my hair, although I am still waiting for further changes such as being able to wash my hair every other day but still feeling fresh and clean.
But with all the above benefits, I am confident that it is worth using the shampoo bar.
Suggestions
Here are some shampoo bars I have tried and keep coming back to. But first, I have to say not all of them are suitable for every hair type.
Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve Shampoo Bar
The powerful combination of Tea Tree Oil, Neem, and Lavender plus organic botanicals produce this moisturizing and invigorating hair shampoo.
You might not know this, but the healing properties of these three ingredients, famous for their anti-inflammatory and antibacterial features, tremendously help treat hair with dandruff, dermatitis, and psoriasis and are suitable for sensitive skin.
Ethique Shampoo Bar for Oily Hair
The Ethique shampoo bar contains Orange and Lime oils to balance oil production and clean your scalp. Its gentle formula can leave your oily scalp fresh and smooth without the need for a conditioner, thanks to its humectants that give the hair moisture naturally.
And as they are completely soap-free and pH balanced, this shampoo bar is perfect for colored hair.
Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Clay Shampoo Bar
It is an entirely new experience for your hair to be washed with this haircare product.
This shampoo bar can absorb excess oils and lift away hair impurities whilst offering a gentle, rich lather. Plus, its special curved edge gives easy direct application to your scalp.
Thanks to the blend of nourishing Hibiscus, Coconut, and Rhassoul clay, the shampoo bar can soothe your dry scalp and leave the dense and curly hair soft, healthy, and shiny.
See also: Are Shampoo Bars Good For Curly Hair?
Final Thoughts
So it is a Yes to the question, “Are shampoo bars worth it?”
Though shampoo bars still have some disadvantages, they undoubtedly help my hair deal with several problems like oily hair, itchy and flaking scalp safely, thanks to their organic ingredients.
Plus, they are friendly to our environment as they can help reduce plastic shampoo bottles used. Now I love my hair so much, and it does not have as much frizziness as before.
I feel really thankful for my shampoo bars, and I hope they will work for your hair too. Don’t forget to share your story with me in the comment section below.
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