One of many largest hair tendencies of 2023 isn’t a celebrity-inspired lower or TikTok-famous color – magnificence buffs desperate to make extra sustainable selections are lathering up with strong shampoo bars as a substitute.
Beginning out as a distinct segment product for eco lovers, shampoo bars have gone properly and really mainstream lately, with magnificence behemoths like Aussie and Garnier, in addition to salon manufacturers similar to Percy & Reed, launching their very own.
Cosmetics firm Lush studies prospects have purchased 76% extra shampoo bars than bottles of liquid shampoo up to now this 12 months.
In response to Lush, shampoo bars had been invented in 1987 by the model’s co-founder Mo Constantine and beauty chemist Stan Krysztal for Cosmetics to Go (the previous mail order firm owned by the founders of Lush).
They’ve come a great distance since then, which explains why even skeptics at the moment are being transformed to plastic-free haircare.
Listed here are six causes it’s best to take into consideration making an attempt a strong shampoo…
1. Much less plastic packaging
New analysis printed in journal Plos One reveals the staggering degree of plastic air pollution, with 170 trillion particles floating on this planet’s oceans.
“The worldwide plastic waste subject is clear,” says Rebecca Mapes, CEO of Winden, a hair equipment model that not too long ago branched out with the launch of its Signature Stable Shampoo.
“What’s actually alarming to me is the cosmetics trade contributes so closely to that waste, and solely 9% of all plastic is recycled.”
Recognising the local weather disaster may be paralysing for customers, she says: “Stable shampoo is a technique we as customers can simply change our habits, with out sacrificing the standard of our haircare merchandise.”
Megan Curtin, senior supervisor of training at hair model Briogeo, agrees: “Many shampoo bars present the equal variety of hair washes as two shampoo bottles, which is a significant discount in plastic waste.”
2. Reduces water use and carbon emissions
“Good strong shampoo is just liquid shampoo with out the water,” Mapes explains.
“Most customers have already got entry to water of their houses, and delivery water across the globe simply isn’t mandatory anymore.”
Plus, the heavier the merchandise, the extra carbon emissions end result from transporting them.
3. Stable shampoo is simply nearly as good as liquid
Whereas they might seem like a bar of cleaning soap, strong shampoos have extra in widespread with their liquid counterparts.
“The standard is usually the identical as conventional shampoos, that means they received’t strip your hair,” Curtin says.
“Most shampoo bars are formulated with out harsh surfactants and [are] infused with hydrating substances to supply the sort of slip we’re used to with liquid shampoos.”
With an enormous vary available in shops and on-line, there’s a strong shampoo no matter your hair sort or concern.
4. Reduce down on litter
“There was a time when selecting sustainable choices meant you would need to sacrifice aesthetics, fortunately that simply isn’t true anymore,” says Mapes.
Shampoo bars – and their aesthetically pleasing instances – take up much less area and imply you don’t find yourself with a graveyard of almost-empty bottles clogging up your lavatory.
Investing in a case in your shampoo bar will assist forestall it from melting away in your bathe.
5. Handy for journey
“Shampoo bars are the final word on-the-go product, particularly with the suitable journey case,” says Curtin.
“They’re compact and match simply into the smallest toiletry luggage – most are sized to suit properly within the palm of your hand.”
Some manufacturers even make smaller variations particularly for packing in your baggage or cabin bag.
“One of the best half?” Curtin provides, “Since they’re strong bars, they’re all the time airport-friendly – no fear about liquids right here!”
6. Lengthy-lasting and reasonably priced
What number of instances have you ever by accident squeezed method an excessive amount of shampoo into your palm, solely to observe it drip to the bathe ground and run down the plughole?
There’s no such downside with shampoo bars that may be lathered immediately onto moist hair, plus you received’t want to make use of as a lot product every time – and most are priced below £10.
“Our strong shampoo bars are rather more concentrated than liquid shampoo, that means they’ll last as long as 80 washes,” says Rae Stanton-Smithson, Earthcare communications lead at Lush.
“Not solely does this eradicate plastic bottle waste, however doubtlessly saves our prospects having to buy as much as three 200ml liquid bottles of shampoo.”
Elevate the bar: Plastic-free shampoos for each hair sort
Aussie Koality Moisture Vegan Stable Shampoo Bar, £6.66 (was £9.99), Boots
Winden Petite Signature Stable Shampoo, £6.50
Lush Seanik Shampoo Bar, £9
Wild Coconut & Vanilla Shampoo, £8.50
Garnier Final Blends Honey Treasures Strengthening Shampoo Bar for Broken Hair, £7.99, Boots
Grüum Hår Zero Plastic Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Bar, £8, LookFantastic
Percy and Reed All Lathered Up Shampoo Bar, £12
Eco Warrior Delicate Scalp Shampoo Bar, £5.50, Sainsbury’s
Brigeo Be Mild, Be Variety 3-in-1 Cleaning Bar for Hair, Face + Physique, £25.99
WeDo/ Skilled Shampoo Bar and Holder Bundle, £24.90, LookFantastic
