There’s no sorcery involved in making our natural shampoo bars, just naturally nourishing ingredients and a little beauty science.
In this post we explain how shampoo bars work and share how our cosmetic scientists created natural shampoo bars that can be enjoyed by all skin types and all hair types.
How do shampoo bars work?
Wondering how our shampoo bars foam? The science involved in getting our shampoo bars to lather effectively involves a group of ingredients know as surfactants.
Foaming actives, surfactants are great for using in cleansing products such as shampoo bars because when they encounter water, they produce a lather of tight-knit bubbles that provide a washing action and lightly lift away dirt.
The surfactants that Green People uses to help its solid shampoo to gently foam include Sodium Coco-Sulfate and Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate. We do not use the ingredient SLS in any of our shampoo bars or other products, as this can cause irritation in some people. Read more about our SLS-free shampoo bars.
Derived from coconut, our mild foaming agents have a large molecular mass which cannot penetrate the skin so are gentler on the scalp than SLS.
This helps to make our shampoo bars suitable for all skin types, including those prone to sensitive skin and an itchy scalp.
Do shampoo bars work like soap?
Green People’s solid shampoos might look a little like a soap bar, but that’s where their similarities end. All of our shampoo bars are soap-free.
We choose not to use soap in our organic shampoo bars because soap has a high, alkaline pH which is not compatible with the slightly acidic pH of human skin and may cause irritation.
Soap can also be problematic for those that live in a hard water area. This is because hard water can contain a high concentration of minerals ions which may react with soap and produce a residue that is hard to wash out. Read more about soap-free products.
The benefits of waterless shampoo
Unlike liquid shampoos, shampoo bars are typically waterless, and this has benefits for you and for the planet.
Solid shampoos cannot leak in the same way as liquid shampoo and take up little space so are great for travelling. They can be packaged without plastic and also use less CO2 during their manufacturing process.
Each one of our shampoo bars really goes the distance too. Each bar contains the equivalent of a 250ml liquid shampoo which, on average, should last for up to 60 washes. Read more about shampoo bars vs liquid shampoos.
“Shampoo bars are a great way to embrace low-waste, plastic-free beauty products. Green People’s shampoo bars are the dry, concentrated version of our liquid shampoos. They contain all the key actives to wash and nourish your hair and scalp, but without the water.
They are rich in nourishing plant oils, so you can skip the conditioner. Shampoo bars are great for all members of the family – use at home, when travelling or going to the gym.” Charlotte Vøhtz, Green People Founder.
Do you have to use a conditioner after a shampoo bar?
No, you do not need to use a conditioner after washing your hair with a Green People shampoo bar.
This is because our shampoo bars use a conditioning wax which detangles and softens the hair.
For added conditioning action we enrich our natural and organic shampoo bars with Vitamin E and plant oils known for their nourishing, moisturising properties, such as, Macadamia Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil and Argan Oil.
To help prevent frizz, we add a blend of Babassu Seed Oil, Pracaxi Seed Oil and Bisabolol to our Scent Free Shampoo Bar and Citrus and Ginger Shampoo Bar which are a great choice for frizz-prone hair.
This bespoke blend hydrates the hair to calm frizz whilst also working in synergy to smooth and strengthen cuticle scales so that hair is protected against damage and can better radiate a healthy shine.
Shop natural shampoo bars
Packed with natural goodness from plant extracts and oils, our natural shampoo bars are perfect for keeping your hair fresh and clean every day. Discover our range below.
We hope that this article has helped you to understand how our natural shampoo bars work.
To find the perfect shampoo bar for your hair, take our shampoo bar quiz or contact our UK customer care team on 01403 740350 for friendly advice that’s tailored to your needs.
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