The Joy of Natural Shampoo Bars: Why Make the Switch?

Have you tried our natural shampoo bars? If you're interested in avoiding the harsh synthetic chemicals in most commercial shampoos, you really ought to give us a try.

Benefits of Using a Natural Shampoo Bar

Healthier Choice for Hair and Scalp

Our Shampoo Bars are healthier for your hair and scalp. Healthier, too, for your total well-being and for our precious environment. Natural Shampoo Bars lather readily and clean gently without stripping natural oils. They leave hair strong, shiny, and moisturized. They're kind to your scalp. Customers tell us their dandruff went away after using our bar shampoo.

All Natural Ingredients

We use plant-based oils for the basic formula to cleanse and moisturize. The scents are plant-based as well—we use only essential oils for their wonderful aromas in all Herbaria products.

pH-Balanced for Healthy Hair and Scalp

Shampoo Bars are pH-balanced to maintain your hair's natural acidity. They seal the hair cuticle to lock in moisture, reduce frizz, and prevent breakage. The pH balance protects the thin, slightly acidic film that coats the scalp. The pH-balance also prevents color fading. It keeps hair shiny and smooth.

Avoid the “Bad Guys” and the Harsh Chemicals in Commercial Shampoos

Commercial shampoos contain harsh synthetic chemicals such as sodium laurel sulfate, parabens, silicones, and artificial fragrance. Those chemicals can upset the natural balance of your body’s microbiomes. A healthy human hosts 100 trillion microbial cells—bacteria, viruses, and fungi—that should remain in balance. Your hair and scalp each have their own microbiome.

The Problem with Synthetic Fragrance

Dermatologists frequently point to synthetic fragrance as a leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis and a primary cause of cosmetic-related skin reactions. Almost all commercial shampoos are loaded with fragrance.

An Eco-Friendly, Plastic-Free Hair Care Routine

Reduce Plastic with No Plastic Bottles

Are you eco-conscious? Only about 5% of plastic gets recycled. Use a bar shampoo to avoid plastic bottles, pumps, and their caps. Each Shampoo Bar is its own dispenser. The minimal half-sheet paper wrapper is easily recyclable. 

Biodegradable Formula

Herbaria Shampoo Bars are biodegradable and help to reduce water pollution. Commercial shampoos, with their sulfates and preservatives, often bypass water treatment systems to contaminate our rivers and other bodies of water. Aquatic life suffers from altered hormones and the destruction of their ecosystems.

Unneeded Water

A typical bottle of shampoo contains 80% water. One thing that means is you can take our Shampoo Bars when you travel, even pack it in your carry-on luggage. You won't have to lug extra liquid around with you. Speaking of travel, we also recommend steering clear of those tiny hotel shampoo bottles. They often contain harsher ingredients and contribute to unnecessary plastic waste—exactly the kind of stuff we’re trying to avoid.

How Long Does a Shampoo Bar Last?

You'll get many washes out of a single bar. To make it last, a bar needs to dry out between uses. At home, find a way so that air circulates around the bar after use. Can't sit in a puddle. When travelling, the bar fits perfectly in one of our Stow-n Go Soap Dishes, designed to let a bar dry out between uses.

Choosing the Right Shampoo Bar: Finer vs. Thicker Hair

We offer two formulas, one for finer hair and another for thicker hair. They contain different emollients that make the hair more or less full. 

Not Sure Which Formula to Choose?

Try Shampoo Cuties, our small, test-size bars. We also offer Shampoo Cutie Bundles, which contain the four scents offered in either Finer or Thicker. Please be aware that it can take some time to get used to a shampoo bar. All we are saying is give it a chance.  

Is a Shampoo Bar Safe for Color-Treated Hair?

Not a problem. Shampoos recommended for colored hair are sulfate-free, and all our shampoo bars are sulfate-free. 

How to Use a Shampoo Bar: Step-by-Step Guide

• Wet the hair thoroughly.
• Rub the bar over your hair in a combing motion. Alternatively, lather up the bar in your hands and work the lather with your fingers through your hair like a comb.
• Massage lather into hair and scalp. Keep working up a lather. Add more water if necessary.
• Rinse well.
• Repeat if desired.

Lather, Rinse, and Repeat

Most shampoos recommend “lather, rinse, and repeat.” The first wash breaks down dirt, oils, and buildup, while the second wash thoroughly cleanses the scalp and hair, producing a richer lather. 

Don’t forget the Conditioner Bar

While many users of our Shampoo Bars say they don't need it, we offer Conditioner Bars to add softness and reduce tangles. Its main ingredient is cocoa butter, rich with antioxidants and phytonutrients. Castor oil and jojoba oil also nourish hair. They penetrate the hair shafts to moisturize and protect. Vitamin E supports a healthy scalp and encourages hair growth.

Directions for Herbaria Conditioner Bars

• Rub the bar liberally into soaking wet hair. Focus on ends and dry, damaged hair.
• Massage and comb through with a big-tooth comb or your fingers to detangle. No lather will result, but a slick texture will be apparent. 
• Leave in hair for 3-5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
• Store in a cool, dry place between uses. 

Four Essential Oil Scents

Herbaria Shampoo Bars are available in thicker and finer hair formulas. Each comes in four natural scents. 

• Citrus—bright, fresh, and clean
• Lavender—classic floral, herbal scent
• Rosemary Mint—refreshing and verdant 
• Tea Tree—strong, fresh, slightly medicinal and camphoraceous

Can a Natural Shampoo Bar Help with Dandruff?

Dandruff is a common, non-contagious scalp condition exhibited by itchy, white, or yellowish flakes of dead skin, often caused by an overgrowth of the yeast Malassezia breaking down scalp oils. 

We think it's best to be able to wash hair frequently to lessen the amount of sebum build up on the scalp. Our gentle shampoo bars allow you to do this, not bombarding your scalp with harsh chemicals. 

Ready to Give it a Try?

Join with many of our customers now enjoying our shampoos and conditioner bars. At least give it a go. We think you'll be glad you did!