Why Use A Natural Shampoo Bar?
When I began making shampoo bars 18 years ago I had two goals in mind. The first was to craft the best shampoo bars using only natural and organic ingredients for clean, healthy hair.
The second goal was environmental. I wanted a bar made with ingredients that would not add synthetic chemicals to our ecosystems and was minimally packaged with recycled and recyclable materials to help reduce single use plastic waste.
There are many reasons why everyone can benefit from switching to a solid shampoo bar. They are better for your hair, your wallet and our planet.
Not All Shampoo Bars Are Created Equal
Before we dive into the benefits of natural shampoo bars, it is essential to define what makes a shampoo bar truly natural? Understanding the fundamentals is key to making an informed decision for healthier hair and scalp.
Much of the popularity of shampoo bars today is due to our desire to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste.
If your goal is to decrease the number of plastic bottles thrown into our landfills, then purchasing any plastic-free shampoo bar brand will help accomplish this important environmental goal.
But if you are also looking for a natural alternative to bottled shampoo, please understand that not all shampoo bars are created equal.
What many people do not realize is that there are two distinct types of shampoo bars, soap-based and detergent-based.
If you read our blog “How Soap Works” you already know that some sort of surfactant (short for surface active agent) is required to wash away oily dirt and grime. Soap is a natural surfactant. If the cleansing product you are using on your hair claims to be "soap-free" then it is made with synthetic surfactants, basically detergents—that is a fact!
Detergent-based shampoo bars, called “syndet” (synthetic detergent) bars, are made with detergents and emulsifiers similar to those found in liquid shampoos. The ingredient list may include things like sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium coco sulfate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, cocamidopropyl betaine, behentrimonium methosulfate and the list goes on.
In essence, syndet bars are concentrated liquid shampoos without the water and plastic packaging. If your hair is accustomed to traditional bottled shampoos, you may find it easier to transition to a syndet shampoo bar. They contain similar detergent-based ingredients that provide a familiar squeaky clean feel and rinse more easily even in hard water.
Natural shampoo bars use traditional soap-making methods, blending natural plant oils and butters to cleanse and nourish your hair. Syndet bars, on the other hand, rely on synthetic detergents, similar to those found in commercial liquid shampoos.
My goal is to educate, not judge. While syndet bars may offer benefits like plastic-free packaging and convenience, they do not qualify as natural shampoos. Understanding the distinction enables you to make informed decisions about your hair care. Choose wisely, knowing the ingredients and benefits that truly matter to you.
Now that I have clarified what a "natural shampoo bar" is, the real question remains: Why do YOU want to switch from bottled shampoo to a shampoo bar? Is it to:
- Reduce plastic waste and live more sustainably?
- Improve your hair's health and vitality?
- Avoid synthetic ingredients?
- Simplify your hair care routine?
- Save money in the long run?
Understanding your motivations will help you navigate the transition and find the perfect shampoo bar for your needs.
Learn More Blog: If You Try A Shampoo Bar Once and It Does Not "Work" Is It a Sign That It Is Bad For You?
Now let's dive into the benefits of natural shampoo bars that have won over many fans.
Natural Shampoo Bars Are Environmentally Friendly
No Plastic
I have read estimates that over 550 million shampoo bottles are tossed in the trash every year in the United States alone.
That may seem like an outrageous number of bottles, but let's try some math.
Think about the average number of shampoo bottles your family uses each month and multiply that x 12 months. According to US Census Bureau data projections for 2024 there are about 130 million households in the US. Let's be conservative and say 12 bottles per year times 100 million households--that is a lot of plastic!
A report from Greenpeace, published in October 2022, shows that only about 5% of the plastic that well-intentioned people put into recycling bins is recycled. Most of the plastic is headed to landfills where it takes an average of 450 years to decompose.
Some single-use plastic also ends up in our oceans. Over time this plastic breaks down into microplastic pieces that never fully decompose and are present in water, soil, air, marine animals, land animals and even humans.
Also don't forget the millions of new plastic bottles produced each year. Plastic production alone causes damage to people, wildlife, marine life, and the environment.
Our shampoo bars are packaged in recyclable cardboard which means no plastic bottles to pollute our environment.
Learn More Blog: The Truth About Plastic Recycling
Eco-Friendly Ingredients
If you are washing your hair with sulfates, parabens, synthetic detergents, synthetic fragrances, synthetic colors, preservatives, and other synthetic ingredients, many of these chemicals do not naturally break down.
Instead, they wash down our drains and accumulate in our ecosystems. These chemicals infiltrate our lakes and streams and will end up in a variety of environments, including our groundwater and drinking water.
It is quite ironic that a product we use to keep our hair clean is doing quite the opposite for our environment.
Our goal is to defend the delicate balance of our oceans, wildlife, and ecosystems threatened by shampoos and personal care products filled with synthetic chemicals. Our biodegradable shampoo bars offer a cleaner, greener alternative for a healthier planet.
Our natural shampoo bars are also made with ORGANIC ingredients. Organic ingredients mean organic farming and organic farming is better for the environment. It improves the quality of our environment by protecting our land and groundwater from contamination and by promoting the use of sustainable resources and the conservation of soil and water.
Learn More: Are Chagrin Valley Natural Soaps and Shampoo Bars Biodegradable?
Natural Shampoo Bars Are Multipurpose and Travel-Friendly
Shampoo bars are incredibly versatile, convenient, and easy to take everywhere.
Our fluffy lathering shampoo bars can double as body soap and shaving soap, which makes them great for camping, traveling, business trips, and the gym. When traveling I always pack light. These versatile bars can also be used for washing clothing items such as socks, underwear, or anything that you can hand wash.
They are ideal for packing in carry-on luggage so, say goodbye to traveling with extra clutter, leaky plastic bottles, or searching to find containers of less than 3 ounces to take the plane. Just toss a lightweight, compact shampoo bar in your bag and you are ready to go.
Our non-liquid solid shampoo bars are a mess-free, TSA-friendly option for travel.
Learn More: "Insider Tips: Places We Take Our Natural Soap"
Natural Shampoo Bars Are Economical
Some consumers are put off by the cost of a handcrafted bar of shampoo. Why spend over $10 on a bar of shampoo when you can get a big bottle for $5? I get it!
But, take a peek at the list of ingredients on your favorite bottle of shampoo. The first ingredient is probably water, often up to 90% water. Shampoo is used in the shower, where gallons of water pour onto your head so why pay for water when you can add it in yourself?
A properly cured shampoo bar has very little water remaining, meaning you are getting exactly what you pay for. A single concentrated shampoo bar can often outlast multiple bottles of liquid shampoo, providing better value for money in the long run.
Just be sure use a soap dish that allows the bar to drain and dry between each use in order to prolong the life of your shampoo bar.
There is also an environmental component. Our waterless, light weight, compact shampoo bars help reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation.
Natural Shampoo Bars Are . . . Natural
Liquid shampoos contain preservatives.
At Chagrin Valley we harness the power and simplicity of natural, quality ingredients.
Liquid shampoos are mostly water, making them breeding grounds for bacteria.
To combat this, commercial brands load their products with synthetic preservatives, extending shelf life but at what cost.
That is why we make solid shampoo bars, no need for synthetic preservatives like parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben), formaldehyde, phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, methylisothiazolinone, etc.
Parabens are not only harmful to for humans, they also pollute our planet. Government agencies periodically review and ban preservatives deemed unsafe. For example, the EU has prohibited formaldehyde, certain parabens, and other preservatives. However, history shows that new preservatives emerge, only to be later discovered as harmful since bans often come after decades of exposure, leaving consumers vulnerable.
We can only act on what we know today. But will tomorrow's research reveal today's "safe" preservatives as harmful? Are we playing a game of chemical whack-a-mole, banning one harmful substance only to replace it with another?
At Chagrin Valley, we choose caution. We use only simple organic ingredients carefully selected for their benefits. We believe in the power of nature, not chemical cocktails. We avoid preservatives, opt for plant-based natural ingredients, and prioritize simplicity by using fewer, higher quality ingredients.
Our natural shampoo bars contain no animal fats, no synthetic oils, no artificial fragrances, no detergents, and no chemical preservatives
Natural Shampoo Bars Contain No Detergents
Natural shampoo bars provide rich lather without synthetic detergents or foam boosters.
Liquid shampoos and many syndet shampoo bars are made from various synthetic detergents and foam boosters, some of which may irritate your hair and scalp.
Using a detergent-based shampoo often requires a commercial conditioner to restore moisture and manageability. These conditioners weigh hair down with heavy coatings and also contribute to plastic waste, adding more bottles to landfills.
When it comes to shampoo, many of us judge its effectiveness by its lather. So, commercial shampoos use many types of surfactants, like Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), to create lots of foamy lather. SLS, commonly found in garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers, and car wash soaps, can can be irritating to the skin and scalp.
But, do not be fooled by companies that claim "no SLS" on their labels. They have usually simply substituted one of its close relatives.
Some companies claiming to be 'natural' or 'organic' have found a loophole by replacing Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) with Sodium Coco Sulfate (SCS). They argue that since SCS is derived from coconut oil, is natural. But don't let words deceive you. While potentially less irritating than SLS, SCS is still a synthetic detergent, identical in function to SLS. The phrase “derived from” does not equal “natural”, it is a clever marketing spin. In reality, "plant-derived" ingredients may undergo such a significant transformation, that they are quite far removed from their natural state.
But, if we don't use synthetic surfactants, do our shampoo bars lather? Absolutely!
Although foam is not necessary for cleaning, our solid shampoo bars deliver a rich, fluffy lather, effective cleansing, and gentle, nourishing hair care. Thanks to lathering oils like coconut, babassu, and castor bean, our bars provide a luxurious experience without sacrificing performance.
Our organic shampoo bars contain only natural ingredients that clean and nourish the hair and scalp.
Learn more blog: How Do Natural Soap and Shampoo Bars Create Lather?
Natural Shampoo Bars Contain NO Synthetic Fragrances or Colors
Do you see the words Fragrance or Parfum in the ingredient list?
In some cases, fragrance or parfum can refer to a mixture of hundreds of different chemicals.
A common solvent and stabilizer often added to fragrance oils is DEP (Di Ethyl Phthalate). Phthalates, used to make scents last longer and extend their shelf life, are known to cause birth defects in animals. They are used in the production of plastics to increase their durability and flexibility.
Some companies reduce the strength of their fragrance oils by cutting them with chemicals like (Di Propylene Glycol). The sad fact -- since "fragrance" blends are usually proprietary, the consumer never sees the list of chemicals used to create them.
I was once told by another soap maker that our soaps and shampoos would never sell well because they were not made with fun fruity scents or pretty colors. Oh well!
From the very start I chose to use natural soap making colorants as opposed to synthetic ones. There are many natural ways to color handmade cold-process shampoo bars using the brilliant hues from roots, leaves, flowers, seeds, and clays. The shades may not be a vibrant, but they are real.
Our natural shampoo bars are scented with organic botanical essential oils and colored with organic botanicals and natural clays.
Our Natural Shampoo Bars Are Made With Social Consciousness
Environmental stewardship is not a buzzword for us. It is not a talking point, not a political stance nor is it about optics!
At Chagrin Valley it is our practice to use raw materials that are sourced in an environmentally and ethically responsible manner.
- We use organic ingredients which supports organic farming
- We are Leaping Bunny Certified--Cruelty-Free
- Our palm oil and other ingredients are certified sustainable
- We buy Fair Trade ingredients whenever possible
- Our shampoo bars are biodegradable, minimally packaged with recycled and recyclable materials, and no plastic
- Our natural ingredients will not add synthetic chemicals to our ecosystems
Dedication to a kinder and gentler way of living is a big part of why we do what we do.
Natural Shampoo Bars Are Formulated with Special Recipes
Our natural shampoo bars are made in small batches by people who have a passion for making natural products.
Commercial shampoo are typically mass-produced by companies that focus on maximizing profits at the expense of individual hair care needs. There is nothing unique about them.
At Chagrin Valley, the formulas we create for each type of bar are unique. Our recipes are designed in-house using ingredients from nature and a lot of research.
We begin each of our shampoo bar recipes with a special blend of hair and scalp nourishing oils combined to create an exceptional all-natural hair care product.
We make each shampoo bar unique by using certified organic ingredients--herbs and flowers, sustainable oils and butters, clays, and pure essential oils to create wholesome shampoo bars that promote a naturally clean scalp to ensure the proper environment for healthy hair to grow. These awesome shampoos will nourish your hair and scalp and be kind to our planet.
The Truth About Shampoo Ingredients
Billions of dollars are spent on hair care products every year, with a vast array of shampoo options available. Advertising promises stronger, fuller, thicker, shinier, healthier, and pH-balanced hair due to special additives.
All shampoos need a cleansing agent, either a natural or synthetic surfactant, that binds with oily impurities from the scalp and hair to be washed away. Remember those "sulfate-free" claims seen on shampoo? Sulfate is a very common type of surfactant. In commercial shampoo, the primary surfactant is often chosen based on cost.
Other common ingredients in detergent based shampoos include:
- Foaming agents
- Preservatives
- Thickeners
- Artificial fragrances and colors
Be cautious of "natural" and "organic" shampoos that list only "key ingredients, fail to provide a full ingredient list, and make exaggerated claims
Take Control of Your Hair Care. The ingredients are typically lengthy lists of hard-to-pronounce chemicals making it difficult to know what you are slathering onto your hair.
It is essential to research and understand the ingredients in your shampoo, especially if you experience irritation. Do not rely solely on marketing claims – read the ingredient list and make informed choices for your hair.
Below is a list of ingredients from our Carrot Milk & Honey Shampoo Bar. Grab your nearest bottle of shampoo and compare the ingredients.
- organic coconut oil
- organic carrot infused sunflower oil
- organic castor bean oil
- organic jojoba oil
- organic sustainable palm oil
- sodium hydroxide*
- organic virgin shea butter
- free range goat milk
- organic carrot juice
- organic sustainable virgin palm oil
- organic carrots
- organic honey
- organic lemon essential oil
- distilled water
- organic rosemary essential oil
- organic lavender essential oil
- organic carrot seed essential oil
- rosemary oil extract
After comparing ingredients ask yourself . . .
What ingredients do you want to put on your scalp, and hair? What ingredients do you want going down your drain and into the environment?
Conclusion
So, Why Use Our Natural Shampoo Bars?
- Made in small batches with simple high-quality natural and organic ingredients
- No synthetic detergents
- No synthetic fragrances or colors
- Rich lather without synthetic detergents and foam boosters
- Environmentally friendly
- No plastic
- Travel-friendly
- Unique recipes
And last, but not least . . . When you purchase our handmade natural shampoo bars, you are supporting a small family business with a social and environmental conscience that truly believes in the products they make.
When we say NATURAL we mean NATURAL! That is our promise to you!
How To Use A Natural Shampoo Bar
Tips When Changing To A Natural Shampoo Bar
Hair and Scalp Build-Up? What Can Help?
How Does Your Water Affect Your Hair?
What Is The Difference Between Soap Bars and Shampoo Bars?
If You Try A Shampoo Bar Once And It Does Not "Work" Is It a Sign That It Is Bad For You?
This blog, originally published in 2016, has been updated with new content.
