Two shampoo boxes are displayed on a light blue background. In the bottom right corner, a person is shown washing their hair, with their hands massaging shampoo into a lather.

Go ahead, go bottle-less

How to make the switch to shampoo and conditioner bars.

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Hair care bars are having a moment, and it’s about time. From shampoo to conditioner, we love how bars are compact, low-waste, travel-friendly (just pop them in designated aluminum bar cases), and formulated with the same nourishing ingredients as the bottled stuff. We also know that transitioning from liquids to bars can take a little patience as your hair transitions from one format to another.

Here’s what to expect, why it happens, and how to fall in love with your new, super-sustainable routine. Plus, we’ll help you find the right bars for your unique hair type. Keep reading!

What to expect while your hair adjusts

When you switch from conventional shampoos and conditioners to sulfate-free, bar-based products, your hair and scalp typically go through a rebalancing process. Traditional shampoos often contain synthetic detergents (like sodium lauryl sulfate) that strip away natural oils and give you that squeaky-clean feeling. When you first stop using SLS-based products, your scalp often overcompensates by producing more oil. Not to fear! Your scalp just needs time to recalibrate. [1]

For the first 1–2 weeks of bar use, you might notice:

  • Hair that feels waxy, heavy, or coated
  • Less lather than you're used to
  • A difference in texture, especially near the roots

Our best advice: Stick with it. This is your scalp learning how to produce the correct amount of healthy oil. Soon, your hair will thrive thanks to nourishing, plant-based ingredients that don’t strip or stress your hair. [2]

Don’t forget to conditionChoose the right shampoo bar for your hair type

Just like liquid formulas, the right shampoo bar match can make your transition smoother and more customized to your hair’s needs. Our collection of shampoo bars includes options for all hair types, from coily and curly hair to fine hair and itchy scalps.

Many of the shampoo bars we carry feature nourishing ingredients like coconut, shea butter, and essential oils — and without synthetic fragrances or drying sulfates.

Get started by lathering your shampoo bar in your hands and massaging the suds into your scalp like you would a liquid shampoo. Work your way from root to tip, skipping the tips if you have particularly dry hair. Then, rinse thoroughly.

A hand holds three stacked solid shampoo and soap bars in different shapes and colors, with a wooden comb placed in the top left corner against a blue and beige background.

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Don’t forget to condition

When starting off on your shampoo bar journey, you might want to skip conditioner, assuming that a bar will weigh your hair down. But conditioner is crucial for healthier hair.

The latest conditioner bars are formulated to be lightweight, hydrating, and easy to use, plus they help detangle and smooth strands while your scalp gets back in balance.

To use, simply rub the bar between your hands or glide it directly over the ends of your hair, focusing on your mid-length to tips. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing (try conditioning before washing your body or shaving). When all is said and done, conditioner bars are truly the secret to loving your shampoo bar, too.

A yellow polka dot towel with a wooden hairbrush beside two tin containers with solid hair products and two cardboard hair product packets on a blue and cream background.

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The Bottom Line

Bars are just plain better

Once your hair adjusts to the new routine, you’ll find that shampoo and conditioner bars are better for your tresses, less clutter for your shower, and an awesome way to reduce everyday plastic use.

Sources

  1. The University of Virginia: Sulfates and other additives in hair care
  2. National Institutes of Health: Sebum production and scalp health