Best Shampoo Hair Soap (Top 5 Rated and Buying Guide)

Going on a trip and thinking a shampoo hair soap would be a good idea? We thought so too! Shampoo hair soaps are eco-friendly, practical, effective, and great for traveling companions. Bringing shampoo soap to your trip means no spills and can last twice or more than your regular shampoo bottle would.

Shampoo bars, solid shampoos, hair soap, whatever you want to call it, have been trending recently; at first, you may not feel all that comfortable using a shampoo hair soap, but like with anything new, practice makes perfect. And with this economy, they’re a great addition if you’re trying to cut down on waste.

Shampoo hair soaps are also a great alternative when you want to make the transition from conventional liquid shampoos to the eco-friendlier alternative. Shampoo hair soaps work surprisingly well and offer numerous benefits, it’s a win-win for both your hair and the environment.

If you are committed to eliminating plastic from your everyday life while also cleaning your hair, the best shampoo hair soap can help. Selecting your shampoo hair soap can be overwhelming with a wide range of solid shampoos in the market. We share some of our favorites to give you a hand in the right direction.

Best Shampoo Hair Soap Reviewed In This Article

Shampoo Hair Soap Types

Solid Shampoo

Solid shampoos are the eco-friendly version of conventional liquid shampoos. Their composition is similar to that of their liquid counterparts, with the distinct difference that the water component has been removed.

These shampoos consist of various surfactants, oils, perfumes, and colorants which work well to form a lather similar to that of liquid shampoos.

One bar of solid shampoo is the equivalent of two liquid shampoos. The pH value of solid shampoos is generally equal to that of the skin.

Hair Soap Bars

Hair soaps are what the name suggests: soaps that cleanse the hair. Saponifying oils and fats manufactured with lye.

These products have an alkaline pH value; therefore, it is advised to follow up with a so-called acid rinse after shampooing. An acidic rinse entails using a water-vinegar or water-lemon juice solution to rinse the hair.

The acidic rinse has several benefits: it seals the hair follicle, encourages shine, and prevents limescale buildup.

How To Choose The Perfect Shampoo Hair Soap For You

When choosing the perfect shampoo hair soap for you, there are important considerations to keep in min.
While hair soaps have more simple formulations, solid shampoos have the advantage of not requiring an acidic rinse after use. As a result, you need to consider your hair type.

  • Low porosity hair: It definitely benefits from washing with hair soap bars. This hair type has a very closed creatine cuticle. Therefore it is difficult for care products to penetrate the hair. Instead, they layer as a build-up on the hair and weigh it down.
  • Medium-porosity hair: It definitely benefits from hair soap bars with the right ingredients. Medium porosity hair has slightly opened creatine scales, leaving the hair not completely protected from moisture loss and external environmental influences.
  • Highly porous hair: Has wide-open creatine cuticles, absorbs water and care easily, but they can’t store it. It is, therefore, often rough, dry, and brittle.
  • Dyed hair: It is less damaging to the hair if the hair is permanently dyed darker than bleaching. Her dark color pigments are brought into the hair fibers. If you have colored, highly porous hair, your hair could benefit from hair soap bars containing creatine.
  • Bleached hair: Nowadays, hair is bleached with many trendy colors. This damages creatine fiber in the hair. The more shades of color the hair is lightened, the more it is damaged. In this case, you should wash your hair with shampoo bars to avoid yellowing and discoloration.

Best Shampoo Hair Soap Top Picks

Garnier Whole Blends Hydrating Shampoo Bar


What We Like

  • Normal Hair
  • Zero Plastic Packaging
  • Free of Preservatives, Sulfates, Silicones

What We Don’t Like

  • Not Very Foamy

Introducing a bar of care for your hair, free of plastic packaging. The nourishing formulas soften, protect, and revitalize hair, resulting in shiny and healthy-looking strands.

Formulated with 94% plant-based ingredients, the shampoo bars are blended without silicones, preservatives, Soap, or Dye.

The fast-rinsing formulas are 97% biodegradable and dermatologist-tested for safety. To use wet hair and solid shampoo to make foam, hold the bar and lather from roots to tips, massage scalp, and rinse.

What Our Testers Say

I am looking to reduce my plastic use, and this shampoo bar helps. My hair feels great, better than the pricy shampoos I’ve used for years.


Soapbox Argan Oil Shampoo Bar


What We Like

  • Vegan
  • Eco-Friendly Bar Shampoo
  • Color Safe
  • Sulfate Free
  • Paraben Free
  • Silicone Free
  • Cruelty-Free

What We Don’t Like

  • Very Small Bar

Control and soften your hair with our argan oil shampoo bar. Argan oil, highly acclaimed for taming frizz and promoting soft-to-the-touch hair, will help you maintain your tresses for a sleek, soft look.

Packed with vitamin E, this oil helps seal in shine and create a lush look with each wash.

Lather this bar either between your hands or directly on to hair in the shower/bath and apply to your hair from root to tip. Rinse completely and then apply Soapbox conditioner for best results. Avoid contact with eyes.

What Our Testers Say

This shampoo bar is great. It leaves my hair soft, and there’s no yucky film left on it like some other bars I have tried. Trying to buy environmentally friendly products, and this bar fits the bill.


Acure Coconut & Argan Shampoo Bar


What We Like

  • 100% Vegan
  • All-In-One
  • Palm Oil Free

What We Don’t Like

  • Might Leave Residue

Looking for an all-in-one shower solution for hair and body (and hairy bodies)? This little gem takes care of everything! This coconut oil soap base is palm oil free and gentle on your hair.

Also a great moisturizing body bar. It is vegan and certified cruelty-free. Also, Paraben free, Sulfate free, Mineral oil-free, Petrolatum free, and Formaldehyde free.

Lather up with water and apply to hair working through the ends. It also works great on the body.

What Our Testers Say

We have used shampoo bars for the last 20 years. I took a chance on this, and we are all sold. Great lather.


Davines VOLU Shampoo Bar


What We Like

  • Silicone-Free
  • Sulfate-Free
  • Paraben-Free

What We Don’t Like

  • Pricey

Volume-enhancing solid shampoo for fine or limp hair.

Natural ingredients and low pH. Conditioning agents ensure softness. Free from silicones, sulfates, and parabens.

Wet the bar and work it In your hands to create a foam; apply on wet hair, massage, and rinse.

What Our Testers Say

I bought this to take on a European trip so I wouldn’t have even more liquid things to carry around. Very happy with it; in fact, I think it adds more thickness than any other shampoo I’ve tried


Vegan Charcoal Shampoo Bar


What We Like

  • Normal Hair Type
  • Vegan

What We Don’t Like

  • Goes Out Fast

This formula is vegan and infused with organic Coconut Oil and Shea Butter to condition while cleansing for soft, silky hair.

The Charcoal Shampoo exfoliates & cleanses for a refreshed scalp. To use, wet the bar and rub between hands to create a lather or directly onto wet hair in the shower.

What Our Testers Say

I’ve been using this bar almost daily for months, and it lasts beautifully. Storing it on a soap holder that stays mostly dry and has good airflow above and below. Hair is shiny! I don’t need to use conditioner unless I’m is doing it to build color.


How To Use A Shampoo Hair Soap Steps

Step 1: Soak your hair

Hop in the shower and fully soak your hair with warm water.

Shampoo Hair Soap: Woman getting her hair wet before using a shampoo hair soap

Step 2: Apply your shampoo hair soap

Take the bar and rub it between your wet hands to create a lather or directly onto your hair. Two to three strokes across wet hair will get a rich foam going.

Shampoo Hair Soap: Woman in the shower washing her hair with shampoo hair soaps

Step 3: Massage hair

Put the bar aside and take a moment to massage your scalp using your fingers

Shampoo Hair Soap: Woman in the shower massaging her scalp after applying shampoo bar

step 4: Rinse off

When you’re happily clean, rinse off with warm water. Make sure there’s no product left on the scalp or hair.

Shampoo Hair Soap: Woman in the shower rinsing her hair after shampoo bar

Step 5: Condition (Optional)

Once rinsed, apply your favorite conditioner or let dry and style.

Shampoo Hair Soap: Woman brushing her hair after using the best shampoo hair soap

Shampoo Hair Soap Buying Guide

What is Shampoo Hair Soap?

Hair soaps are what the name suggests: soaps that cleanse the hair. Saponifying oils and fats manufacture with lye.

These products have an alkaline pH value; therefore, following up with a so-called acid rinse after shampooing is advised.

How Does A Shampoo Hair Soap Work?

Natural hair soap bars contain glycerine. This binds water and brings moisture into the hair. Hair soap bars also contain unsaponified fatty acids. These fatty acids are absorbed into the hair and protect the hair by making it water-repellent.

Main Features to look for in a Shampoo Hair Soap

  • pH Balancing: Due to its alkaline pH value, hair soap bars open the creatine cuticles so moisture and nutrients can penetrate the hair.
  • Organic: Most shampoo hair soaps are blends of natural butter and oils infused with essential oils to benefit all hair types.
  • Plastic, sulfate-free: Your solid shampoo soap bar will efficiently clean and hydrate your locks without sulfates or plastic.

Common Questions About Shampoo Hair Soap

Is soap or shampoo best for hair?

Washing your hair with soap, the kind you use for your hands, once or twice will not affect your hair, but regular cleaning of your hair with a regular bar soap can create serious problems like roughness and severe tangles.

How is shampoo hair soap different from regular shampoo?

These mighty bars may be small but are fully packed with exquisite essential oils and fresh ingredients and have an impressive lathering ability that makes them incredibly long-lasting.

Each bar can last between 80 to 100 washes, equivalent to up to three regular-size bottles of liquid shampoo. Take good care of those lovely locks with nourishing ingredients and none of the wasteful plastic.

What are the benefits of shampoo hair soaps?

  • Solid shampoos are practical, lightweight, economic, and space-saving alternatives.
  • pH balancing shampoo
  • Nourish and strengthen formulas
  • Plastic-free and sulfate-free shampoo hair soaps
  • They are ideal for travel, slip them in your carry-on or suitcase, and you’re good to go.

Where should you store a shampoo hair soap?

It is essential to store solid shampoos and hair soaps on a soap dish to dry well. Do not leave them in puddles of water.

How To Use A Shampoo Hair Soap Video Tutorial

Not feeling confident about how to use your shampoo hair soap just yet? Know that these are not hard to use at all. All you do is rub the bar over your roots and hair, and gently massage and lather like any normal cleanser.

In this short video, you’ll get to know the exact process, steps, tools, tips, and tricks you must know to master the use of a shampoo hair soap. For a gentle clean, learn below how to use a shampoo bar the right way.

Products Mentioned In This Article

  1. Garnier Whole Blends Hydrating Shampoo Bar
  2. Soapbox Argan Oil Shampoo Bar
  3. Acure Coconut & Argan Shampoo Bar
  4. Davines VOLU Shampoo Bar
  5. Vegan Charcoal Shampoo Bar

Enjoy Your New Shampoo Hair Soap

When you want to eliminate plastic from your hair care routine, a shampoo hair soap can help. Now that you have learned about some of the best shampoo soap options feel free to review the products in this guide and pick the one that suits you best.

A quality shampoo hair soap straightener can wash your hair with a formula that doesn’t strip those protective oils while conditioning your hair in the process.

Make sure to get back to us with your questions or comments. We like hearing from you.

Author

Photo of author
Grace Williams is the driving force behind Shampoogarage.com. With a passion for hair care since a young age, Grace studied cosmetology and styling, achieving mastery in the field through her work with top models and celebrities in New York City. She is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and expertise with others, offering insider tips, tutorials, and up-to-date information on all aspects of hair care. Grace continues to work as a professional stylist in Los Angeles, committed to helping people achieve their perfect hair looks.
Photo of author
Grace Williams is the driving force behind Shampoogarage.com. With a passion for hair care since a young age, Grace studied cosmetology and styling, achieving mastery in the field through her work with top models and celebrities in New York City. She is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and expertise with others, offering insider tips, tutorials, and up-to-date information on all aspects of hair care. Grace continues to work as a professional stylist in Los Angeles, committed to helping people achieve their perfect hair looks.