January 02, 2022
Why Shampoo Bars Are Better For Your Hair And The Planet
Have you ever thought about using shampoo bars but don't know much about them?
Justine Le Guil, Cosmetic Maker and Formulator, outlines how beneficial it is for both your hair and the planet, when you use shampoo bars. Have a read below to see why...
Saving the planet one shampoo bottle at a time
Some cosmetics can be harmful to the environment because of plastic packaging or questionable ingredients. Hair shampoo bottles are usually made of rigid plastic and, in theory, can be recycled if discarded empty, dry, and clean. Some of them are recycled, but the rest is incinerated or disposed of in landfills and will need 400 years to decompose. We are all trying to reduce the amount of plastic that we use in our bathrooms but it takes time. Thankfully, shampoo bars are now widely available in Ireland.
Using shampoo bars
As well as being convenient and easy to use, solid shampoos are also a quick and easy switch. Using shampoo bars for the first time can be nerve-racking to some customers, but they're pleasantly surprised by how well they foam and lather. It is quite easy to use shampoo bars even for long hair. All you need to do is rub the bar between your hands like you would with a bar of soap. Alternatively, you can rub the shampoo directly on wet hair to get more foam. Massage your scalp (especially the roots) and rinse well. Follow up with your usual conditioner.
It's helpful to know that one of the ingredients used in the shampoo bars, a gentle surfactant, might lead to you needing less conditioner than usual. Even with long hair, I don't use conditioner and I do not have trouble detangling. Occasionally, I rinse my hair with a mix of apple cider vinegar and water, that's all!
How long does a shampoo bar last?
Shampoo bars typically last for weeks and are therefore economical. In the same way as soap bars, you only use what you need and there is no risk of wasting the product under the shower. It is possible to wash your hair 35-40 times with a shampoo bar (55g). To keep your shampoo longer, store the bar on a soap dish and keep it away from water.
Convenient travel shampoo
As soon as you travel with solid cosmetics, you realise they are convenient and hassle-free: you don’t have to put the solid shampoo in the liquid bag, check if the volume is less than 100ml, or take it out of your bag at security. Moreover, spills and leaky bottles are no longer a concern! Liquid shampoos and body washes can cause nasty surprises. Also, shampoo bars are smaller than liquid ones, so they take up less space in your luggage.
Eco-friendly in every way
Say goodbye to plastic, our packaging is 100% recyclable. The shampoos are wrapped by hand with FSC & chlorine-free paper and then put in a small cardboard box. We use cardboard boxes made in Britain with materials sourced from the UK and EU. The boxes can be recycled with at least 95% recycled paper. We use recycled, 100% post-consumer waste and FSC paper to print labels. These labels are also hand-cut and glued without any solvents. The small box can also be reused to store tiny items, like jewellery, or to wrap a small gift.
All of our shampoos are vegan and cruelty-free, and are made with organic and/or natural ingredients. The shampoo bars are handmade in small batches in Ireland, using a gentle surfactant, organic apple cider vinegar, mineral or plant-based powders, organic carrier oils and essential oils*. Our shampoos are free from sulphates, SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) and SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate). Aside from buying an eco-friendly hair product, you also support a small local business.
Please Note: *These products are not specifically intended for children under 3 years of age. If you are breastfeeding, pregnant, taking any medications or under medical supervision, please contact your doctor before use.
Written by Justine Le Guil
Let us know in the comments below if you have any questions on shampoo bars :)
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