What is all the noise about shampoo bars?
You must have heard the recent hype about shampoo bars. But what is it really and why are people talking about it? Remember those cute little bars in beautiful (and environmentally friendly), inviting packages in the store. You sure noticed them and probably grabbed one or two for inspection before putting them down, thinking they may not be your type.
Shampoo bars are solid shampoos, and they serve the same purpose as liquid shampoos. Except they come loaded with essential oils, significantly cut back on chemicals and their no plastic packaging means they are environment friendly as well.
Why should you use one?
If you do frequent travelling, you will love these simply because they are so easy to pack. But there is more to them. They are free of detergents, which means your hair will not lose more than it is supposed to after a wash.
They are concentrated compared to liquid shampoo, therefore, get used less and last longer. After using it for some time, you lose the chemical build up from the commercial shampoos. And you are left with a clean scalp and healthier, more beautiful, and soft hair with their natural moisture restored (oils, they got oils, bro, they work).
What should you consider before using one?
They are handy, have minimal chemicals, great for hair and are suitable for the environment as well. So far, so good, right or is it? Like everything else, you need to find out which shampoo bars work for you. The three broad categories of shampoo bars include the cold-processed shampoo bars, glycerin-based shampoo bars and solid surfactant shampoo bars.
Cold-processed shampoo bars are loaded with essential oils, act as great conditioners for your hair and are usually free of sulfates. But they might build up on your scalp. The glycerin-based bars are gentler and have a more balanced pH.
They do not lather much and may not be as cleaning comparatively. The solid surfactant bars have better pH, give the best lather, and may clear more than some might like.
With a little bit of trial and error, you can easily find the one that suits your hair best.
- Avoid the ones containing sulfates (for your hair’s sake, please do).
- Use precaution for Sodium Hydroxide (a chemical used in soap making) since it may change the natural pH of your scalp.
- Use a leave-in apple cedar vinegar or lemon conditioner to counter buildup.
Home-made shampoo bars
Why miss out on reaping the benefits of this goody (and being responsible citizens of the planet eh)? More so when you can do it without breaking your wallet. Here is an easy-peasy recipe for your DIY shampoo bar. The good part is it uses Melt & Pour soap base made from glycerin extracted from goat milk and organic coconut. So, you don’t have to wrangle with the comparatively difficult to handle lye.