Are Shampoo Bars Worth It?

By now, you’ve no doubt heard about shampoo bars. These palm-sized, nutrient-dense bars have been earning lots of buzz lately for their ability to nourish and revitalize hair without stripping away natural oils. The high concentration of ingredients in a shampoo bar makes them incredibly effective at taming frizz and restoring the appearance of dry, damaged hair. Their solid form means you can bring them on a plane with zero risk of spillage or violating TSA liquid rules. Best of all, they’re entirely plastic-free and don’t take up space in the shower — or landfills, for that matter.

Still, not everyone is ready to hop aboard the shampoo bar trend. Some people balk at the price of shampoo bars and argue that drugstore shampoos are cheaper and just as effective. Others hesitate because they believe that shampoo bars won’t be nearly as effective as their liquid shampoo.

While these concerns are understandable, they’re not necessarily rooted in truth. That’s why we want to use today’s blog post to separate shampoo bar fact from fiction. Read on as we lay out the reasons why we believe they’re the best choice for your hair, your wallet and the planet!

They’re More Affordable Than You Might Think

Yes, shampoo bars tend to come with a higher price tag compared to the bottled shampoo you’d buy at the drugstore, but that doesn’t mean you’re not getting your money’s worth! Liquid shampoo contains 80 percent water and is typically loaded with harmful chemicals. In contrast, shampoo bars are highly concentrated with nourishing ingredients and last a lot longer (our bars last up to 75 washes).

Keep in mind that there are also ways to save money on shampoo bars to make them better fit into your budget. For instance, at The Earthling Co., you can sign up to receive exclusive discounts and save 15 percent with Subscribe and Save!

They Give You Silky-Smooth Tresses Naturally 

Most liquid shampoos contain silicones, a group of synthetic chemicals that give hair a false sense of shine and smoothness. While silicones aren’t dangerous to your health, they can build up in the hair over time and make hair look dull, dry or limp.

Shampoo bars are one of the few hair care products that claim to give you soft, silky tresses and actually deliver results over the short- and long-term. That’s because they often contain high concentrations of natural ingredients such as coconut oil, cocoa butter and apricot seed oil that nourish hair and tame frizz. 

They’re a More Sustainable Way to Wash Your Hair

If you’re looking for an easy way to make your hair care routine more sustainable, look no further than our plastic-free shampoo bars. We package our shampoo and conditioner bars in home compostable cardboard packaging and seal it with an environmentally conscious, biodegradable label made from sugar cane. 

Compare this to liquid shampoo, which comes in a thick plastic bottle that is notoriously difficult to recycle. Unlike cardboard, plastic takes a long time to decompose in a landfill — like hundreds of years long.

They Make Great Travel Companions

If you’re a frequent globetrotter or love a spontaneous road trip, shampoo bars are a no-brainer.  The truth is that all those mini bottles of shampoo are not doing our planet any favors. In fact, several states are implementing bans on the use of mini hotel toiletries like shampoo, conditioner and lotion. Shampoo bars are lightweight, compact and get you past TSA without a hiccup.

Are There Any Disadvantages to Shampoo Bars?

Frankly, the disadvantages of shampoo bars are few and far between. The biggest thing to watch out for is a mushy bar, which can happen if you don’t let it dry out in-between washes. (We recommend storing outside of the shower on a wooden soap dish with good drainage.) 

On a related note, you’ll want to avoid packing a wet bar in your travel bag. If you’re going to wash your hair right before you leave for a trip, make sure you pat the bar dry with a towel or give it enough time to dry before you toss it in your bag!

So, Are Shampoo Bars Worth It?

That’s up to you to decide. But in our humble opinion, the answer is definitely yes. Shampoo bars are travel-friendly, lather extremely well and are chock-full of nutrients and vitamins that promote a healthy scalp and long, luscious hair. And the cherry on top is that they can save two to three plastic bottles from a landfill. The bottom line is that they’re a must-have addition to any plastic-free hair care routine!