Stacks of shampoo bars on a wooden table

Which shampoo bar is best?

Which shampoo bar should I have?

The right shampoo bar for you will depend on your hair type, scalp condition, and personal preferences. In this blog, we will explore the different kinds of shampoo bars available and help you choose the best one for your hair. From dry hair and scalp to oily hair and scalp, we will cover all the bases to ensure you find your perfect shampoo bar. So, this blog is a must-read whether you're new to shampoo bars or simply looking to switch to a new one! 

We are usually asked which shampoo bars are best for a specific hair or scalp type. So let's explore this...

When we first created our shampoo bars, we wanted to ensure that we covered all types of hair and scalp so that our shampoo bars could help clean, moisturise, soothe, and maintain healthy hair. 

Our core ingredients in our shampoo and conditioner bars are selected to promote healthy hair and scalp. We aimed to develop a pH-balanced shampoo and conditioner bar to match the natural pH levels of our hair and scalp. Once we succeeded in doing this, we added natural ingredients to promote healthier hair for a wide range of common hair and scalp types.

Vitamin Pro B5, Almond oil, Wheat Protein, and Shea butter are some of the ingredients that you will find in our bars. When added to essential oil, we start targeting hair and scalp types.

Mixing shampoo bar ingredients in a glass bowl

Essential oil

Essential oils are a popular ingredient in hair care products, especially shampoos, due to their numerous benefits for the hair and scalp. These natural oils are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that nourish and protect the hair, promoting healthy growth and reducing breakage. Studies have shown that some essential oils can help control dandruff, soothe itching and irritation, and balance the scalp's natural oil production. 

Using essential oils in shampoos can also enhance the sensory experience, providing a pleasant scent and a refreshing sensation that can invigorate the scalp and promote overall hair health. With their multi-functional benefits, essential oils are a must-have ingredient in all our shampoo and conditioner bars. We also include them in our soaps.

To read more about the essential oils we use, follow this link.

Hair and Scalp type matters

When it comes to selecting a shampoo bar, it's essential to consider both your hair type and scalp type. Hair can be classified as dry, oily/greasy, or normal, while scalps can be dry, oily/greasy, or a combination of both. Understanding your hair and scalp type can help you find the right shampoo bar to keep your hair and scalp healthy, nourished, and balanced.

Dry Hair and Scalp

Dry hair and scalp lack moisture and can become brittle, frizzy, and prone to breakage. If you have a dry hair type, look for shampoos that are formulated to hydrate and nourish the hair. Ingredients like almond oil, coconut oil, and shea butter can help replenish the hair's natural oils. 

For further hydration to your hair and scalp, apply some conditioner after each shampoo wash. You will find our range of conditioner bars here.

Conditioner bar next to a spoonful of shea butter

Oily Hair and Scalp

Oily hair and scalp occur when the scalp produces too much sebum, leaving the hair greasy and weighed down. If you have an oily hair type, look for shampoos specifically designed to remove excess oil and control grease. Ingredients like tea tree oil, lemon, and peppermint can help balance the scalp's oil production. Avoid shampoos that are heavy on moisturising ingredients, as they can add to the problem.

Normal Hair and Scalp 

Normal hair and scalp have a balanced level of moisture and oil. If you have a normal hair type and scalp, you're in luck - almost any shampoo will work for you. However, it's still a good idea to choose a shampoo that's designed for your specific needs, such as nourishment or volumising (proteins).

We then need to understand the main scalp types, which are as follows:

  • Oily scalp
  • Dry scalp
  • Normal scalp
  • Itchy scalp
  • Sensitive scalp

The right shampoo can make all the difference in achieving your desired hair and look while keeping your hair and scalp healthy.

Just tell me which shampoo bar is for me!

Now that we have covered why some of us require different ingredients in our shampoo bars; let's have a very high-level look at our bars and find out which matches you.

A flow diagram of choosing which shampoo bar is best for you

 

The image above is not a map or a recreation of the Spaghetti Junction in Birmingham but a flow to the right shampoo bar for you. Don't worry; I have broken it down so that it is easier to follow...

We have 12 unique shampoo bars tailored for a specific hair and scalp type. These shampoo bars will contain a combination of Shea butter, proteins, vitamin pro B5, almond oil, and essential oil.

Best shampoo bar for Dry hair type

For dry hair, extra moisturising is required to replenish the hair from any loss of natural oils.

A flow diagram for best shampoo bars for dry hair

Dry hair and normal scalp

Any of our Hydrating shampoo bars will work for you. Our Hydrating shampoo bars have extra conditioning and added Shea butter. It is gentle on both the hair and scalp.

Dry hair and dry scalp

The Hydrating Blooming Lavender shampoo bar with extra conditioning to rehydrate dry or curly hair, with added Shea butter to ensure your hair retains moisture and provides smoother, softer hair. This shampoo bar is enough to use alone without a conditioner.

Dry hair and sensitive scalp

2 great bars you can try to both moisturise your hair and soothe a sensitive scalp. Our Hydrating Sweet Orange shampoo bar and our Hydrating Lemon Fresh shampoo bar will moisturise your hair and help soothe damaged or sensitive skin. Lemon and Sweet orange have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties and are rich in Vitamin C.

Dry hair and itchy scalp

Eucalyptus and Tea tree are packed with nourishing properties, great for relieving itchy scalp, improving skin health, and reducing acne. It is definitely two of our favourites. Eucalyptus has a pleasant distinctive aroma, and insects, particularly mosquitoes, are repelled. Tea Tree has a pleasant earthy warm aroma.

The Hydrating Natural Eucalyptus shampoo bar or our Hydrating Rebalance Tea Tree shampoo bar are a must-have for dry and itchy scalp.

Dry hair and oily scalp

Tea Tree is such a great oil that it has many uses and is now commonly found in health products. Tea Tree essential oil stabilises the scalp's pH level and prevents excess oil production. All our Hydrating shampoo bars are packed with essential hair conditioning to replenish moisture to your hair. Find our Hydrating Rebalance Tea Tree shampoo bar here.

Best shampoo bar for Normal hair type

For those with "Normal" hair (not greasy or oily and also not dry and brittle), let's find your perfect shampoo bar for your scalp type.

The below image will identify which shampoo bar is best for Normal hair.

A flow diagram for the best shampoo bars for normal hair

Normal hair and normal scalp

Any of our shampoo bars will work wonders for you. You will find all our shampoo bars collection here. 

Normal hair and oily scalp

Our Rebalance Tea Tree shampoo bar will be best for oily scalp. Tea tree is beneficial for people with oily scalps as it helps regulate sebum production.

Normal hair and itchy scalp

Try our Natural Eucalyptus shampoo bar to soothe the itching away.

Normal hair and dry scalp

Blooming Lavender shampoo bar has a calming flora aroma. Lavender is known to have excellent moisturising properties for your skin and encourages hair growth.

Normal hair and sensitive scalp

Our Hydrating Lemon Fresh shampoo bar has a light zesty lemon aroma and is excellent for a sensitive scalp. Lemon essential oil has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties and is rich in Vitamin C.

Best shampoo bar for oily /greasy hair

A flow diagram for best shampoo bars for oily or greasy hair

Oily/Greasy hair and normal scalp

Our Lemon Fresh, Sweet Orange and Cool Peppermint will help reduce the buildup of oil and grease in your hair. These shampoo bars will provide a gentle clean while stabilising your sebum production.

Lemon Fresh shampoo bar 

Sweet Orange shampoo bar

Cool Peppermint shampoo bar

Oily/Greasy hair and dry scalp

Our Sweet Orange shampoo bar is our best-seller as it provides a sweet, zesty aroma while being rich in Vitamin C. It removes excess oil from your hair and helps moisturise your hair follicles and scalp.

Oily/Greasy hair and itchy scalp

Eucalyptus and Tea tree are packed with nourishing properties, great for relieving itchy scalp, improving skin health, and reducing acne. As to the above Hydrating shampoo bars, we have a less conditioning shampoo bar that removes the excess oils and grease from your hair while soothing your scalp. Try our Natural Eucalyptus shampoo bar or our Rebalance Tea Tree shampoo bar.

Oily/Greasy hair and oily scalp

Our Rebalance Tea Tree shampoo bar will be your perfect match for oily hair and scalp. We have naturally coloured this shampoo bar with activated charcoal, which removes any impurities from the hair and scalp.

Oily/Greasy hair and sensitive scalp

With sensitive scalp, we tend to recommend using our Hydrating shampoo bars, as dryness is the main reason for sensitive scalp. All our shampoo bars will provide a great wash to remove any excess oils and impurities and ensure your hair is still conditioned and soft. We recommend trying the following bars to rebalance the sebum production and soothe the skin. 

Hydrating Sweet Orange shampoo bar.

Hydrating Lemon Fresh shampoo bar.

Hydrating Blooming Lavender shampoo bar.

A lemon and orange shampoo bar next to a spoonful of shea butter

Final thoughts

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions on this topic. If you continue to have issues with your hair or scalp, get advice from a qualified dermatologist or doctor. 

Choosing the right shampoo bar for your hair and scalp type is essential for maintaining a healthy scalp and achieving desired hair results. With the growing popularity of natural and sustainable products, shampoo bars are a great alternative to traditional liquid shampoos. However, it's important to consider your hair and scalp type to find the best shampoo bar for you. 

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