Buying Your First Shampoo Bar
While we all would love to lead a more sustainable lifestyle, we don’t realise that the switch is actually simpler than we think. It’s small steps that eventually add up, but also small steps that make it easier to lean towards the sustainable path in our everyday lives.
Making the switch from shampoo in liquid dispensers to shampoo bars may seem tiresome and quite a big change, but it is well worth it.
Given the load that the planet is facing today, it is of utmost urgency for us as a generation and also our future generations to look for plastic free or more sustainable alternatives. As reported recently, microplastic pollution has been found in human blood for the first time, as per the new research published in the journal environment international*
Switching to shampoo bars is a shift and it is important that we help you understand why the shift and also how to make this shift. In this blog article, we hope to tell you everything that you need to know about shampoo bars and how to identify the right shampoo bar for yourself
What are shampoo bars?
A Shampoo bar is a hair cleanser in a solid form. Shampoo bars have gentle cleansers instead and are jam-packed with ingredients like oils and butters, making the hair feel super soft and nourished.
Is a Shampoo Bar different from soap bars?
There is a major difference between the two and you should know the difference before purchasing a shampoo bar. A lot of soap based hair cleansers are being sold which are marketed as shampoo bars. This also leads to the perception that shampoo bars don’t work because when those soap bars fail then the consumer feels the switch was a waste! While soap bars are made from natural oils, they are highly alkaline and which is why they don’t produce the right results.
How do you tell the difference ? Answer is in pH levels
The answer is pH Level. Soap ph is between 9 to 10 and is highly alkaline. Our scalp and hair ph is between 4.5 to 5.5 and is more acidic. Your hair's natural pH is acidic, around 4.5 to 5.5 and Scalp ph is 5.5 . Most good shampoo bars will fall between 5.5 to 6.5 ph. Therefore when you are using a soap bar on your head it completely disrupts your scalp’s natural chemistry. You should check the pH of a soap bar and if you see very high pH chances are you bought a soap bar and not a shampoo bar.. Shampoo bars due to this also lather up without a problem, hard water or soft water, they will clean your hair properly.
Why should you buy your first Shampoo Bar?
Eliminate plastic: According to national geographic information, approximately nine million tons of plastic is disposed into the ocean every year. Recyclable paper and boxes are used to pack most of the shampoo bars. The bars eliminate the use of plastic by reducing the use of shampoo bottles. They also make travelling highly efficient as they are easy to carry and more handy. You don’t get into recycling, you are eliminating waste from the start.
Last longer and hassle free travel: Unlike bottled shampoos, bar shampoos are concentrated to last longer. The bottled shampoos are majorly water and thus the quantity that has to be used is never controlled. A shampoo bar is more concentrated than liquid shampoo and easily outlasts two-three shampoo bottles. Shampoo bars are also super convenient during travel. You do not have to worry about them spilling. They are compact and easier to carry as you can just pop the bar into a tin box and you are ready to go.
Lower carbon footprint: Bar shampoos have lower carbon footprint than liquid shampoos and thus reduce carbon emissions. The packaging is more sustainable and transportation of shampoo bars also leads to fewer carbon emissions. You will require lesser space in transporting the same number of shampoo bars versus shampoo bottles.
Super economical: Bar shampoos are highly economic. You purchase one and that lasts longer than two-three bottles of shampoo. Our Mango Butter Conditioner Bar can last easily upto 4-5 months for medium length hair.
Cruelty free and naturally made: Liquid shampoos are made up of chemicals, silicons and sulphates that ruin the natural health of our hair. These chemicals end up in our drains and water bodies and are dangerous. Most shampoo bars are naturally made and are cruelty free thus they make your hair healthier and also are not harmful to the environment and wildlife.
Packed with Ingredients, sulphate and paraben free
pH balanced shampoo bars like our Coconut Oil Shampoo Bar and Kokum Butter Shampoo bar use plant based surfactants which lather in hard water or soft water. They are packed with solid ingredients and are without sulphates, parabens, phthalates etc
Why Himalayan Origins Shampoo Bars?
Our shampoo bars are sulphate-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free and free of any petroleum-derived ingredients. It’s all plant based, and free from harmful chemicals
The added benefit of not having any detergents or harsh chemicals is that your hair doesn’t get stripped of its natural oils. Shampoo bars help restore your hair to its former glory by teaching it how to nourish itself! Your hair begins to remake its natural oils leaving it healthier from the inside.
So there you have it! A complete guide to how shampoo bars can help you and the environment at the same time. Help your hair and scalp reach ultimate health goals without trading in the planet’s health to do so.
Please refer to our earlier blog for this also and for more information.