Switching to shampoo bars instead of using shampoo in a bottle is one of the first sustainable swaps I've made in my own life. I personally use Ethique, but there are lots of other brands out there. While each brand is different, there are a few things across the board that are pretty common.
1. They're Plastic Free
The biggest reason most people switch to shampoo bars is because they're plastic free. By using a bar, you're ditching the single use container that normally is used for shampoo.
Ethique's shampoo bars are 100% plastic free - including their packaging. Ethique isn't the only brand that is plastic free and aiming for zero waste. Meow Meow Tweet and by Humankind are two other brands with low-waste initiatives. Meow Meow Tweet has packaging that breaks down and when you buy it in bulk, it is 100% zero-waste. by Humankind has subscriptions and offsets the amount of plastic that you would be consuming otherwise.
2. Great for Traveling
Another benefit of shampoo bars is that they're great for traveling. Only 100ml of shampoo is allowed on planes and sometimes that just isn't enough. By having a solid bar instead of liquid shampoo, you can bring a lot more with you. It also is more convenient as it doesn't take up quite as much space.
3. Vegan & Made from Natural Ingredients
A lot of shampoo bars are vegan and many are made from natural ingredients. I'm not vegan (though 6% of the US population is - 6 times the amount since 2014) but it is nice knowing the products I'm using are made from natural ingredients. A lot of beauty & cleaning products are filled with chemicals, which is bad for the environment and our bodies.
Ethique and Meow Meow Tweet have pages on their sites where they talk about how they don't test on animals and are completely vegan - give more details about what that looks like and means for their businesses. by Humankind has a glossary of all the ingredients in their products (with pictures!). They also list what harmful chemicals you will never find.
4. Long Lasting
When I first starting using shampoo bars, I was nervous that it would run out quickly. I bought my first shampoo bar the beginning of September 2021 and it lasted me until January 2022 (5 months!).Most stores recommend getting a reusable metal container for your bar so you don't lose as much shampoo. However, I just kept mine on my shower caddy and my shampoo still lasted a while.
Shampoo isn't the only product where you can find plastic-free and healthier alternatives, but it is a great place to start! I have loved using my shampoo bar and it does a better job cleaning my hair then the previous products I've used. There's options for so many hair types and preferences so I think that everyone can find an alternative that they love.
This article was originally published on 2/23/2022.
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