12 Best Shampoo Bars for Every Hair Type, Tested and Reviewed for 2024
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Years of testing shampoos has taught me two things: 1) No matter your hair condition, there's a shampoo category to help (see: dandruff shampoos, mild shampoos, shampoos for dry hair, etc); and 2) Shampoo bottles create a lot of waste. Like, a lot. Of course, that’s no reason to abandon shampoo completely. But it is a pretty good reason to start using shampoo bars—aka soap bars for your hair—instead.
The best shampoo bars aren’t just more environmentally friendly than liquid shampoo, they’re also more concentrated than bottled formulas, which are diluted with water, so you can get way more bang for your buck (depending on your hair type, length, and how much lather you prefer). Some bars can last up to 80 washes, which equates to three-ish bottles of shampoo! Not convinced yet? Well, after testing the best shampoo bars out on myself, I can confirm that they're also super travel-friendly (no accidental spills!), easy to use, and totally beloved by reviewers who can't stop raving about them.
Our top picks for the best shampoo bars of 2024:
Best Shampoo and Conditioner Bar Set for All Hair Types
Viori Hair Shampoo & Conditioner Bar with Bamboo Holder Set
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Keep scrolling to learn about the best shampoo bars for your hair type. Fresh, clean hair that reduces your carbon footprint awaits!
Pros
- Lathers just as well as a liquid shampoo
Cons
- Some reviewers note it didn't last as long as they had hoped
Not only is this bar 100 percent soap-free—which makes it the go-to shampoo for color-treated hair—but it's vegan, eco-friendly, and safe for all skin and most hair types. It's formulated with creamed coconut, cocoa butter, pink grapefruit, and vanilla oil—so not only does it smell yummy, but it'll nourish your hair, too.
- Key ingredients: Coconut oil, sodium cocoyl isethionate, lactic acid
- Washes: Up to 80
- Sulfate-free? No
Glowing Customer Review: "This shampoo is the best I've used EVER. Including all the bottled shampoos I have used throughout my life. My hair has never been softer."
Viori Hair Shampoo & Conditioner Bar with Bamboo Holder Set
Pros
- Bamboo soap holders give the bars place to dry between washes
Cons
- Some found the scent too overwhelming
Cosmopolitan Beauty Editor Beth Gillette was surprised by how well this Viori shampoo bar tackled her oily hair. "I often have to wash twice if my hair is super greasy, but the Viori bar cleansed my scalp," she says, adding that it "lathers shockingly well."
Inspired by the women of the Red Yao tribe known for their long hair, Viori shampoo bars come in four different types—this one is suitable for all hair types and smells like vanilla. Each shampoo bar is made with Longsheng rice water to nourish and repair your hair.
- Key ingredients: Longsheng rice water, cocoa butter, hydrolyzed rice protein, aloe vera
- Washes: 30-60
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "This is easily one of my favorite sustainable shampoo and conditioners on the market. The packaging is genius and works perfectly for the shower without getting the bars slimy and the product themselves lathers very well and does a great job cleaning and moisturizing my hair."
Pros
- Moisturizes without leaving any residue
Cons
- Some reviewers think the smell is too strong
Yes, shampoo bars are absolutely curly hair-friendly, and this one is specifically formulated to moisturize dry curly hair. The Good Juju shampoo bar is made with coconut and jojoba oil to nourish the hair and provide shine. Plus, it's safe to use on color-treated hair.
- Key ingredients: Cocoa seed butter, sativa bran oil, vitamin B5
- Washes: Up to 75
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "Great for curly hair—I used this in combination with the dry/curly hair conditioner bar, and they both kept my curls light, defined, and frizz-free."
Pros
- Dries quickly between uses
Cons
- Some reviewers had trouble getting a desired lather
This shampoo bar for thin hair is made with kiwi extract, argan oil, and broccoli seed oil to help moisturize and strengthen the hair without weighing it down. Plus, along with the eco-friendly nature of shampoo bars in general, Pacific Spirit also donates 1% of its sales to the Ocean Cleanup Foundation. It's a win-win!
- Key ingredients: Argan oil, panthenol
- Washes: Up to 90
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "This soap makes a wonderful lather and gives just enough moisture. It does not weigh the hair down and leaves it soft enough to comb through without conditioner. I especially like that the next day I don't have to wash because my hair isn't greasy."
Pros
- Lathers incredibly easily, per reviews
Cons
- Melts in hot temperatures
I normally love a scented shampoo, but when my dry scalp flairs up, I reach for this unscented shampoo bar. Suitable for all hair types, it contains cocoa seed butter, marshmallow root, and panthenol to condition and protect the hair, helping to keep it hydrated and smooth. The same formula comes in seven scents, including unscented, so it's great for those with sensitive skin.
- Key ingredients: Cocoa seed butter, panthenol, apricot kernel oil
- Washes: 50-75
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "Highly recommend. My hair feels amazing and you could see the difference in my hair right after the first wash."
Pros
- Lathers well with very little product
Cons
- Some reviewers find the formula leaves their hair dry
Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, and for those of us who struggle with dandruff, that can be a tough thing to achieve. This HiBar Soothe shampoo bar helps combat flaky scalps with salicylic acid to exfoliate and Kukui nut oil to soothe the skin. What I love most about it is the shape of the bar, which fits perfectly in the palm of your hand, making it easy to glide across wet hair without dropping it.
- Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, shea butter, panthenol
- Washes: Not specified
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "I have psoriasis and very sensitive skin. Soothe actually has greatly improved the condition of my scalp, and it rinses out so much better than bottled shampoo and lasts longer. I already have my replacement bar in my cabinet."
Pros
- Lathers well, so you only need to use a small amount for each wash
Cons
- Many reviewers note there's a long learning curve
This fragrance-free shampoo bar is equivalent to a 24-oz. bottle of shampoo—which, IMO, is really freaking cool. And thanks to the tea tree oil in the formula, it's a great shampoo for oily, greasy hair. FYI, it's also super gentle.
- Key ingredients: Olive oil, castor oil, tea tree oil, hemp oil
- Washes: 1 bar = 24 oz. liquid shampoo
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "I have fine/curly hair with oily roots and dry ends, and this shampoo is magic. After the first use, my hair became softer, voluminous, and my curls more defined. I used to wash my hair every other day, but with this shampoo I love my hair even on the third day after wash."
Pros
- Triangle shape fits in the palm of your hand for easy use
Cons
- Some found it difficult to build up a satisfying lather
Keep your hair smooth and nurtured with the Peach Moisturizing Shampoo Bar. Made with coconut oil, shea butter, and babassu seed oil, this bar is meant to smooth dry and dull hair. I also love the triangle shape, which fits comfortably in the palm of my hand.
- Key ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter
- Washes: 1 bar = up to two 8.5 oz bottles of liquid shampoo
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "This made my hair softer than any brand of shampoo and conditioner combined. I am switching to these shampoo bars for good."
Pros
- Multi-use soap can be used on household surfaces, the body, and the face
Cons
- Some reviewers noted that it can get drying after repeated use
There’s a reason Dr. Bronner’s castile bar soaps have a cult-like following—you can use them on your hair, your body, and even your dishes (yup, really). This lavender-scented option is a personal favorite. Pro tip: I love using this to clean my makeup brushes because it doesn't leave a residue. 10/10 multi-use product.
- Key ingredients: Organic olive oil, coconut oil, vitamin E
- Washes: Not specified
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review:"I finally found a shampoo that is good for me and doesn't have a high salon cost. It does not irritate my scalp!" writes one tester. "Plus the bar is so much better for washing locs than the liquid because I can easily control where I want to put it without wasting product."
Pros
- Comes with a bag specifically made to keep the bar dry between washes and to hold any pieces that may break off
Cons
- Some reviewers didn't notice any toning effect
If you want to keep your blonde, light, or white hair looking clear and brass-free while consuming less plastic, try this purple shampoo bar from superzero. It's made with vegan keratin to strengthen hair and purple pigments to neutralize yellow tones. Plus, its unique triangle shape makes it easy to grip and focus the product on specific areas.
- Key ingredients: Ultraviolet pigments, vegan keratin, chamomile flower oil
- Washes: 1 bar = two 8.4 oz. bottles of liquid shampoo
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "I have bleached white/silver Asian hair, so it's pretty fragile. The bar itself lathers better and applies more evenly than any other purple shampoo I've used. The tint is perfect, and my hair is feeling healthier and stronger."
Pros
- Doesn't leave behind any soapy residue
Cons
- Some recent reviewers note that the bar comes wrapped in plastic
Ready to wash your hair after using dry shampoo all week? Need a good moisturizing shampoo for your dry, damaged hair and want to exfoliate it simultaneously? Reach for this detoxifying shampoo bar, which lifts away product buildup and oil thanks to the charcoal yet is still hydrating thanks to the shea butter.
- Key ingredients: Coconut oil, charcoal powder, shea butter
- Washes: Not specified
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "This actually tames frizz, adds incredible volume, and gives me an extra day (or two!) between washes. I didn't think that was possible."
Pros
- Can be used to clarify protective styles, like locs
Cons
- Can be drying for sensitive scalps
This shampoo bar is formulated with two types of clay—rhassoul and bentonite—to gently (but v effectively) clarify your scalp. It's a little bit too drying for everyday use, so lather up with this bb when your hair feels weighed down with oil, products, or grime.
- Key ingredients: Coconut oil, castor oil, bentonite clay
- Washes: Not specified
- Sulfate-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "When applying, it melted into my curls and I was able to finger detangle smoothly. This bar as super moisturizing and the clays didn't strip my hair at all, they made my curls POP!"
Are shampoo bars better than liquid shampoo?
Shampoo bars aren't necessarily better than liquid shampoo, it just all comes down to personal preference and hair needs. "Ingredients in shampoo bars are generally more concentrated than liquid shampoo because they contain less water," explains trichologist Tiffany Dixon.
So, while it's hard to say whether one is objectively better, know that shampoo bars are likely more concentrated than your average shampoo, so you'll want to check the ingredients. To that end, Dixon warns to avoid shampoo bars formulated with sodium hydrogen carbonate, aka baking soda, as "it could cause damage to the hair shaft and create scalp irritation."
What is the most effective way to use a shampoo bar?
There are two basic strategies for effectively using a shampoo bar:
1) Lather the shampoo bar in your hands and apply the lather to your scalp, or 2) Put the shampoo bar directly onto your hair and make circular motions to create a lather. Dixon suggests using the first method, as lathering the bar first in your hands "creates less friction and manipulation to your strands." In other words: it can lead to a lot of painful tangles and breaks.
Personally, I like to do a little combo, depending on my mood. If I've used a lot of hair product in the week, I'll apply the bar directly onto the top of my scalp, careful to keep my movements small so I don't end up with a bunch of extra knots, and then lather it in my hands to work through the rest of my hair.
How do I store a shampoo bar?
Make sure to store shampoo bars in a dry place between uses. When they remain damp, shampoo bars can disintegrate quicker and break apart more easily, so it's advised you store them somewhere they can dry—or, at the very least, drain—in between washes.
Depending on how often you shampoo, it might be worth investing in a separate soap dish or container to hold your bar. Some of the shampoo bars mentioned come with their own specialized containers, but any regular soap dish will do in a pinch. If your bathroom gets steamy on the regular, I would also suggest keeping your shampoo bar in a separate room in between washes to make sure it stays as dry as possible.
How to choose the best shampoo bar for your hair type
Determine your hair type
As with any shampoo or haircare purchase, first, you must determine what your hair actually needs. Is it dry and in need of moisture? Is it curly and in need of some definition? Do you need something to help eliminate product buildup? Once you determine your hair type and concerns, you can pick a bar formulated for those needs.
Consider your hair wash routine
How often you wash your hair will determine how long your shampoo bar lasts. Just remember, no two people will get the same number of washes out of the same shampoo bar, so you might want to determine the size of the bar to compare it to the liquid shampoo you're currently using.
Another thing to consider is your dexterity. Shampoo bars have a learning curve because you have to hold your hands differently as opposed to using liquid shampoo. Think about what shape bar you might feel most comfortable using.
Do you wear a protective hairstyle?
People with protective hairstyles might find it more difficult to use shampoo bars because it's harder to lather and thus harder to get to the scalp, notes Dixon. Liquid shampoo, on the other hand, "can be applied directly to the scalp from the bottle with little saturation of the strands."
Meet the expert:
- Tiffany Dixon is a certified trichologist and licensed cosmetologist who began her career as a natural hair stylist. She founded Embrace Your Natural Beauty (EYNB), through which she offers personalized consultations and hair and scalp analyses.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan with 10 years of experience writing about culture trends, with stories ranging from the best scalp massagers to the best magnetic lashes. No stranger to shampoo bars, she's a fan of anything that can limit plastic use in the beauty industry.
Siena Gagliano is an associate editor at Cosmopolitan and has three years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She’s an expert at researching and writing beauty and hair stories, like the best texture sprays and the greatest purple shampoos on the market.
Ruby Buddemeyer was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan for three years and has written hundreds of beauty stories about hair, skin, and makeup, including shampoos for thinning hair and protein treatments.
Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers beauty, entertainment, and lifestyle. She loves finding and testing the best skincare products to recommend, like the best tinted sunscreens, and is always researching the best cat accessories for her fur baby. She has over 10 years of experience as an entertainment and culture writer and editor, and her work has been featured in The Cut, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, Polygon, Bustle, and more.
Ruby was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covered beauty across print and digital. Her work has appeared on The Zoe Report, Fashionista, and StyleCaster. Follow her on Instagram.
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