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8 plastic-free shampoo bars we actually rate
Good for the planet, your wallet, and your hair
Shampoo bars seem to be that one beauty product that come with a bit of uncertainty. Of course, we're all here for going plastic-free (which makes a great 2023 resolution, just saying) but giving up the creamy, rich lather of a trusted liquid shampoo seems a bit unnerving.
Yep, we have a pretty serious plastic issue going on (research has revealed that 80 billion shampoo bottles are chucked out on a yearly basis) and of course every little helps when it comes to keeping the oceans clean. However, going plastic-free isn’t exactly easy.
So many eco-beauty products mean well, but fail to hit the mark when it comes to performance – and this is especially true when it comes to solid shampoo bars. We wish we could love them all, but the cold hard truth is that many of them fail to deliver a really good, proper wash, which is kind of crucial. Lots of solid bars either leave behind a sticky, claggy residue in your roots, or are so packed full of sulphates that your scalp may never forgive you.
However, not all formulas spell trouble for your hair. The top performers are thorough enough to give your hair a deep cleaning, but still leave a shiny, glossy finish to your lengths once dried. Also, the best ones have the same reparative benefits that come with your favourite liquid formula, which is ideal if you have damaged or colour-treated hair.
Luckily for you, we thoroughly tested allll the plastic packaging-free shampoo bars we could get our hands on, to bring you the very best. The following winners are not just “great, for an eco brand”, but great all round. Seriously, make the switch: these beauties have earned it.
The best plastic-free shampoo bars to try now...
Ethique Frizz Wrangler Solid Shampoo
It takes a lot to get us really, properly excited about a shampoo, but this one nailed it. It smells just like a coconut, because that’s what it’s made from. Seriously, the 100% natural fragrance comes solely from the coconut-based surfactants and conditioning fruit extracts.
Designed to tame damaged hair, it has a rich and buttery kind of consistency, but lathers up sufficiently when swiped through wet roots. Hair feels insanely nourished, but properly clean too.
Splash out on the matching body bar too, so you can really smell like a Bounty (and support a brand that's really getting it right).
weDo/ Professional No Plastic Shampoo Bar
If you've spent some serious pennies trying to achieve your colour, you'll need to invest in a colour-friendly shampoo to keep it looking its best. Both affordable and better for the planet, this bar from weDo/ helps to boost your colour vibrancy and gives a welcome hydration hit to your strands too. But it doesn't end there: it's also a wonder for sweeping away dirt and grease which will promote stronger hair growth in the long run
Davines surly knows how to work its way around a volumising shampoo, and same goes for this solid bar. The creamy foam lathers between your hands and once massaged into your scalp, it cleanses and lifts your roots for some serious zhuzh-ing. Once you whack out the dryer and smooth down those flyaways, the glossy shine it leaves is envious too.
Formulated with aloe vera and organic flower waters, this clever bar soothes and calms sensitive, itchy scalps. Plus, upcycled apricot kernel oil helps to strengthen the hair follicles. Tick, tick, tick.
Foamie Hibiscus Shampoo Bar for Damaged Hair
Petite and easy to pack, shampoo bars have the obvious advantage of being more portable for travel. However, this one from Foamie takes it to the next level thanks to the water-tight case you can buy on the side.
Ideal for hair that has been coloured or bleached, the foamy lather helps to fortify brittle strands as well as offering a delicate aroma of hibiscus. With a hydration hit like no other, it leaves your hair feeling silky-smooth too.
Garnier Ultimate Blends Honey Treasures Strengthening Shampoo Bar
Proving that making a sustainable switch doesn’t have to cost more, this bargain bar comes in at under a tenner. It's packed with sustainably sourced honey which helps to protect your brittle ends from snapping while jojoba ensures your hair is moisturised and nourished. The softest swoosh of your life is just around the corner.
Aussie Nourishing Hug Vegan Solid Shampoo Bar
If you're making the sustainable switch to cut back on costs, this new bar delivers the same amount of product as two bottles of shampoo, so you're really getting the most out of your hard earned cash. Its hero ingredient is macadamia nut oil which helps to nourish brittle strands back from the brink, or if you're after a root boost, try the volumising version. Let's also just appreciate how cute this little guy will look in your shower cubby.
Despite being sulfate-free, this shampoo bar lathers up to let you really work it into the scalp. It cleanses your curls and helps to form definition, without stripping their natural oils. Also, it does a pretty good job at keeping the frizz to a minimum, which is impressive for any shampoo – not just the bar kind.
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, creating matter-of-fact reviews and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need – whether that’s a glow-giving foundation, a high-tech LED face mask or the perfect wear-with-everything blazer.
Alongside writing, Clare loves to be in front of the camera creating shopping content, putting viral products to the test to see which ones are truly worth the hype. Through her work, she has interviewed leading dermatologists, makeup artists and industry experts to bring readers trusted advice and product recommendations.
Clare has contributed to titles across the Hearst UK portfolio, including Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima. Prior to joining Hearst, she earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on magazines and editorial. She later worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events including Fashion Week and interviewing notable brand founders.
Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling through London’s Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
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