Have you tried a shampoo or conditioner bar and decided it’s not for you?
Perhaps it’s left your hair feeling dry, straw like texture, which is hard to manage and just doesn’t sit right?
Or perhaps you’ve felt a waxy residue, which weighs your hair down.
Or you found the bars irritating on your scalp and skin, leaving it feeling uncomfortable, or worse, dry and sore.
There are some ingredients in commercially made (and we dare say ‘cheap’) shampoo bars and conditioners which may not be right for you. Made for mass production, the formulations of these products don’t necessarily support a sensitive scalp or curly or dry hair.
Today we look at a few of the ingredients which may be found in the mass-produced brands, which will effect your hair and scalp, for the worse.
It could be soap-based
Firstly, the problems you encountered could be because the bar you tried is soap based.
- Soap, is very alkaline, means that on the pH scale, it’s quite different from the pH level of our hair and skin.
- Washing your hair with a product that disrupts the pH balance of your hair and scalp can potentially leave your hair feeling irritated and dry.
- If you are prone to issues such dandruff or fungal infections, a soap-based shampoo can aggravate and worsen the symptoms, preventing healing.
- When washing your hair, the idea is to find a balance in pH level to support healthy hair and scalp.
- Choosing soap free, pH balanced brand such as NueBar may be a solution to going plastic free, whilst enjoying the benefits of a gentle cleanse for your hair.
Sensitivities to Fragrances
If you have particularly sensitive skin, shampoos and conditioners which contain a fragrance may also be the issue.
- Many hair care products use artificial fragrances or parfums to make them smell, well, 'delicious'.
- Made in a laboratory, these sneaky chemicals can wreak havoc with sensitive skin, promoting skin irritation, eczema, hives, psoriasis and even asthma and migraines.
- Natural botanical essential oils can also be a problem, even when used in very small quantities. This is why we created afragrance-free range especially for those with sensitive skin.
Surfactants for Machine Production
Surfactants are in all shampoo bars. They support the integrity (hardness) of the bar as well as the lathering ability and blending capability of the other ingredients. Much like the ingredients of a cake, they have their role to play in a shampoo or conditioner formula.
However too much of one type of surfactant may not be a good thing.
- Some surfactants, such as sulphate-based surfactants such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), can be very harsh strippingthe skin and hair of its natural oils, resulting in dry, irritated scalp and hair aggravating inflammatory skin reactions such as dandruff, eczema and dermatitis.
- Curly hair is naturally quite dry, which is why the curly girl method omits these surfactants from its product recommendations.
In following the Naturopath philosophy towards prevention, NueBar is formulated with a balance of naturally derived surfactants in minimal quantities. In fact, the quantities are so low that we choose to pour our bars by hand, rather than use the higher levels of surfactants required for machine production. Because, it is important to us that our bars remain as gentle as possible to benefit the health of your hair and skin as well as your holistic wellbeing.
So, if you are still hoping to pursue the plastic free movement with hair and face bars, all may not be lost. NueBar might just be the gentle and more balanced plastic free bar to support your sensitive skin and hair.
FAQs
If your shampoo bar isn't working, it's usually because you're using a bar of soap falsely marketed as shampoo. You will also encounter problems if you've got product build-up in your hair. Here's what you need to do next: Ensure your shampoo bar contains surfactants, not soap.
What are the disadvantages of shampoo bars? ›
Shampoo bar cons
- High concentration of cleanser can lead to occasional build up if not rinsed out properly.
- Those with long, porous, or curly hair may also experience tangles and frizz.
- Hard water can cause their performance to decline.
- Shorter expiration date.
- Bars can become mushy if not stored properly.
If you ever found that your shampoo doesn't do the trick anymore, there are a number of factors as to why this is happening — and it might have less to do with the actual shampoo and more about your body. "Our hair texture often changes the older we get due to hormones or diet," explains James.
How long does it take for shampoo bars to work? ›
Most people report that their hair takes anywhere from a couple weeks to about a month to adjust. Do shampoo bars work on all types of hair? Yes, in general a shampoo bar is suitable for all hair types.
How do you make shampoo bars work? ›
Shampoo bars are concentrated soap bars. You activate them by adding water. You then create lather by rubbing them on your hair. They don't lather as much as liquid shampoos, but the lather they do produce is nice and thick.
Do shampoo bars actually work? ›
Because shampoo bars don't include any of the harsh chemicals found in traditional liquid shampoos, you're likely to notice a difference in how your hair feels after the first few washes. Suitable for all hair types with a choice of fragrance.
Are shampoo bars good for thin hair? ›
Lightweight and nourishing shampoo bars: Fine hair can benefit from gentle, lightweight formulations that won't weigh it down. Look for shampoo bars that are specifically formulated for fine hair or mention lightweight or volumizing properties.
Is it good to wash your hair with only water? ›
Which Hair Types Benefit From Washing With Just Water? Water-only washing works best with curly, coily, thick, and coarse textures that are prone to dryness. Chambers-Harris recommends following up with a deep conditioning mask or conditioner to seal in moisture after washing the hair with water.
What happens when you leave shampoo in your hair overnight? ›
What happens if you leave shampoo in your hair for too long? It could end up irritating your scalp. Most shampoos aren't meant to be left in your hair. They should be rinsed out right after you're done lathering in the shower.
How can I make my shampoo work better? ›
• Wet your hair before shampooing
Working on a dry palette will make it tougher to rinse the shampoo completely off your hair. Warm water, on the other hand, loosens excess oil and helps open your pores, allowing the product to work better.
As you transition to a natural shampoo bar, your scalp needs time to rebalance scalp oil production. During this transition period, hair may feel and look extra greasy or heavy.
Do you need conditioner after shampoo bar? ›
You will probably find that after using a shampoo bar and rinse that you no longer need to use conditioner.
Why do shampoo bars make my hair dry? ›
It could be soap-based
Soap, is very alkaline, means that on the pH scale, it's quite different from the pH level of our hair and skin. Washing your hair with a product that disrupts the pH balance of your hair and scalp can potentially leave your hair feeling irritated and dry.
What is the best way to use a shampoo bar? ›
Either rub the shampoo bar directly onto your scalp (as you would use a soap on your skin) or rub it between your palms to create a lather. Concentrate on distributing the lather all over your scalp. Use your fingertips to massage and guide the foam from your hairline to your crown and down to your neckline.
Why is my hair sticky after using a shampoo bar? ›
When first using a shampoo bar, you may experience a "waxy" feel to the hair after washing. This is often referred to as "the purge" or "the waxies" in the shampoo bar community - and could be the result of one of two things: a bad reaction with hard water, OR an adjustment to balancing out your scalp's oil production.
What oils are best for shampoo bars? ›
Natural Shampoo bar should be made with olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, shea butter, etc. Because shampoo bars are made using vegetable lipids (oils and butters), the bars can go rancid over time. It is best to plan to use the soaps that you purchase within six months.
Why should you not wash your hair with bar soap? ›
Most bar soaps are alkaline and can disrupt the pH of your hair and scalp, causing fizziness. When the pH of your hair is disrupted, it can cause your hair to become more susceptible to damage and breakage. This limits your hair's ability to fight off bacteria and can lead to scalp problems.
What happens when you switch to shampoo bars? ›
When first using a shampoo bar, you may experience a "waxy" feel to the hair after washing. This is often referred to as "the purge" or "the waxies" in the shampoo bar community - and could be the result of one of two things: a bad reaction with hard water, OR an adjustment to balancing out your scalp's oil production.
Are shampoo bars better than liquid? ›
In conclusion, shampoo bars offer several tangible benefits over traditional liquid shampoos. They are more environmentally friendly, cost-effective, gentle on hair, convenient for travel, and can promote healthy hair. If you haven't tried using a shampoo bar yet, now is the time to give it a try!
Why are shampoo bars drying? ›
It could be soap-based
Soap, is very alkaline, means that on the pH scale, it's quite different from the pH level of our hair and skin. Washing your hair with a product that disrupts the pH balance of your hair and scalp can potentially leave your hair feeling irritated and dry.
