Why I switched to shampoo bars
My skin—especially my scalp—is very sensitive. It gets irritated so easily, turning red and itchy. When I was in college, pH-balanced liquid shampoos became extremely popular. I tried them with high expectations, but they didn’t work for me. I was disappointed.
In 2021, while running my own zero-waste shop, I learned about solid shampoo bars. Trying one felt risky at first. Every time I switch shampoos, my scalp usually reacts badly. But when I finally used my first shampoo bar, there was nothing to worry about. No irritation, no flare-ups. Since then, I’ve tried many different shampoo bars, and it’s been four years since I stopped using liquid shampoo altogether. I’ve never gone back—and I don’t plan to.
Shampoo Bar vs Liquid Shampoo
Liquid shampoos often contain more synthetic ingredients than solid shampoo bars. Over time, these ingredients don’t just affect the scalp—they can also impact the skin around the hairline and face.
After switching to shampoo bars, I was surprised by how well my scalp and skin responded. The flakes and rashes around my hairline gradually diminished, and my scalp felt noticeably calmer and clearer.
| Category | Shampoo Bar | Liquid Shampoo |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging | Plastic-free | Plastic bottle |
| Ingredients | Simpler formulas | Often diluted |
| Shelf life | Long | Shorter |
| Travel | TSA-friendly | Liquid restrictions |
| Environmental impact | Low | High |
There are many advantages to using shampoo bars, but one unexpected benefit was the cost. I used to buy a new bottle of liquid shampoo every two months. My regular shampoo, Dr. FORHAIR, costs around CAD 33, which added up to about CAD 198 per year.
Now, I use only about 1.5 to 2 shampoo bars a year, costing roughly CAD 78 in total. The difference is significant.
Even better, once a shampoo bar is finished, there’s no plastic waste left behind.
How to Choose a Good Shampoo Bar
Thankfully, as a zero-waste shop owner, I had many opportunities to try different shampoo bars. Over time, my go-to choice has become the Rosemary Scalp Scaling Shampoo Bar from Aromatica.
This brand is especially strict about its ingredients, and what I appreciate most is that they completely exclude artificial fragrances. That makes me feel much safer using their products, especially on my sensitive scalp.
When I look for new shampoo bars or soaps, I often notice that many products—even those marketed as “natural”—still contain artificial fragrances. Truly fragrance-free options are surprisingly hard to find.
There’s a well-known discussion about how synthetic fragrance compounds can be detected in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women, which highlights just how pervasive and potent these substances can be. This raises important questions about long-term exposure. Many studies suggest that artificial fragrances may contain undisclosed chemicals that can irritate the skin and lungs, affect the nervous system, and potentially disrupt hormones. For sensitive individuals, they may also worsen headaches, allergies, or asthma.
While most shampoo bars are generally a better option than conventional liquid shampoos, choosing fragrance-free or naturally scented products can make a meaningful difference—especially if you have sensitive skin or a reactive scalp.
If you’re completely new to shampoo bars and want to start gently, I recommend the Sensitive Beauty Bar from Dove. It’s affordable and has a simple, mild formula, making it easy to try without much pressure. Even if it doesn’t work for your hair, you can still use it as a hand soap—so there’s really no downside to giving it a go.