Do Shampoo Bars Work for Curly Hair?

If you take your curls seriously, you’re probably well-versed on how to care for your naturally-textured mane. You skip wash days, dry your hair with a microfiber hair towel (never cotton) and detangle stubborn knots with a wide-tooth bamboo comb. You may have even tried the Curly Girl Method. 

Curly hair can be notoriously tricky to manage, so it makes sense to stick to hair care products and methods that you already know and love. But maybe you’ve been hearing the buzz about shampoo bars and want to know what all the hype is about. Do shampoo bars work for curly hair? Or should you skip them altogether if you have curly, dry hair?

Our eco-friendly shampoo bars absolutely work for curly hair! Keep in mind, however, that shampoo bar formulas vary from brand to brand, and no two curls are exactly the same. With that said, here’s why we believe our solid shampoo bars are a great addition to any curly hair care routine.

1. Shampoo Bars Are Jam-Packed with Nourishing and Hydrating Oils

It’s no secret that curly hair types often struggle to keep their strands soft and moisturized. Curly and wavy locks tend to be on the drier side and often become frizzy because the hair’s natural oils have a harder time traveling from root to tip. Luckily, our shampoo bars are loaded with nourishing, plant-based oils and butters — coconut oil, apricot seed oil and cocoa butter — that add moisture to your hair without weighing it down.

2. They’re Sulfate-Free and Suitable for Every Hair Type

Sulfates strike fear in the hearts of curly-haired people everywhere. Why? Because synthetic-based sulfates such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are notorious for making curly hair dry and frizzy. They can also fade your color faster and make your hair more prone to damage. In contrast, our sulfate-free shampoo bars are formulated to gently cleanse your hair without stripping the natural moisture from your scalp. Instead of causing frizz, they fight it! While sulfate-free products don’t have as much lather as those containing SLS and/or SLES, they are just as effective at cleaning hair. 

3. No Silicones!

Our shampoo bars are rich in moisturizing ingredients, such as glycerin and coconut oil, which draw in moisture to make hair feel naturally soft. They don’t contain silicones that can weigh hair down.

Silicones are another group of ingredients on the curly hair no-fly list. These synthetic chemicals provide hair with a waterproof coating, making hair smooth, silky and easy to detangle. This sometimes works well for folks with fine hair, but it certainly is not ideal for curly or frizzy hair. 

Unfortunately, thicker silicones like dimethicones can build up along the hair cuticle over time, which can weigh down curls and block vital nutrients from penetrating your hair. This prevents curls from being bouncy and lightweight. Many silicones are also suspected of being environmental toxins.

4. They’re pH-Balanced 

Without delving too deep into the science, the pH value of your scalp is vital for maintaining beautiful, healthy tresses. Briefly think back to that day in high school chemistry class when you learned all about the pH scale. The pH scale runs from 1-14  — the lower numbers are acidic, seven is neutral and the higher numbers are alkaline. When you apply shampoo that is too alkaline or acidic, it can throw off your scalp’s natural pH, leading to issues such as breakage and frizz.

The pH of your skin (which naturally includes your scalp) is somewhere between 4.7 and 5.5, so ideally, you want to look for a shampoo bar with a similar pH range. Our shampoo bars have a pH of 4 to 5.5, while our moisturizing conditioner bars have a pH of 5 to 5.5 — the ideal range for a healthy scalp and hair! Our products are made to work with your body’s natural chemistry, not against it!

5. They’re Eco-Friendly and Non-Toxic 

Finding hair care products that work for curly hair can be challenging enough without also trying to be eco-friendly. But there’s good news: you don’t need to sacrifice good hair to be sustainable! One bar of our plastic-free shampoo replaces 2-3 plastic shampoo bottles, meaning you can divert those two to three standard plastic bottles from a landfill by using our shampoo bars. Our sustainably-sourced shampoo bars also contain organic ingredients to define your curls, add shine and moisture and make your hair feel silky-smooth. Nourishing your curly hair without damaging the environment is easy when you choose our products. And when you make the switch to shampoo and conditioner bars, you can keep up to 15 plastic bottles out of landfills every single year. It may not seem like much, but it’s a huge difference and will help you work toward your goal of becoming a zero-waste household. 

6. Our Solid Hair Shampoo Is Cruelty-Free

Finding hair care products that are cruelty-free is trickier than it should be. If you are passionate about choosing products that don’t rely on animal testing, you’ll be glad to know that our solid shampoo is completely cruelty-free. We do not practice animal testing, so you don’t need to worry about contributing to a brand that contributes to this cruel practice when you make the switch to our shampoo bars. 

Helping You Take Care of Your Curly Hair Sustainably

So, do shampoo bars work for curly hair? The answer is yes, but only if you find the right  shampoo bar for your tresses. You want a solid bar with a high concentration of natural ingredients to help nourish your hair without weighing it down.

Ingredients to Look for in Shampoo and Conditioner Bars

When you are in the market for natural, cruelty-free hair care products for curly or damaged hair, there are a few things to look for. You already know that you should avoid detergents, parabens, silicones and sulfates, but what ingredients should a high-quality hair care product contain?

When reviewing an ingredients list, look for things like shea butter, castor oil, argan oil, essential oils and glycerin. These ingredients cleanse your hair without stripping away important oils. They also won’t make curly hair dry or frizzy. They’re even safe to use on color-treated hair.

Conclusion

Whether you have tight coils, soft waves or something in between, our solid shampoo bars are the perfect addition to your sustainable hair care routine. They’re a game-changer for your curls and a must-have for anyone who wants to rock their natural hair. From bouncy wavy hair to oily hair, our shampoo bars are perfect for all hair types. We’re proud to offer some of the best shampoo bars on the market and we can’t wait for you to try them for yourself! Shop today to discover just how amazing these products are for your tresses.