Shampoo and conditioner is an everyday issue, and if you are building a fully sustainable life, you will have to consider using it in bars. Here you will find some of the best shampoo and conditioner bars alternatives to choose the perfect for you to go greener.
First you will find a short review of our selected products and then you can read more about each one, including our likes and dislikes.
Your shower products could be just the start of a fully sustainable home. You can read more in How to Design a Sustainable Home? 50 Easy Sustainable Home Tips!.
Our Top Pick Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
Most nutritive - Garnier Whole Blends Honey Treasures Restoring Shampoo Bar
Garnier Whole Blends Honey Treasures is a restoring shampoo bar ideal for dry and damaged hair, the best for after summer effects. It has a zero plastic packaging, is free of preservatives, silicones, soap, and dyes. Formulated with a sustainably sourced honey and beeswax. Buy on Amazon
Most beautiful shape - VIORI Shampoo Bars, Hidden Waterfall
VIORI Hidden Waterfall Shampoo Bar is handcrafted with longsheng rice water and natural ingredients. It is sulfate-free, paraben-free and cruelty-free. PH balanced 100%. It is a vegan and zero-waste alternative and also beautiful. Buy on Amazon
Most Natural - J·R·LIGGETT'S All-Natural Shampoo Bars
J·R·LIGGETT'S offers the All-Natural Shampoo Bars in three different variations you can buy together or separately. Tea Tree & Hemp Oil, Jojoba & Peppermint and Coconut & Argan Oil let you choose the perfect for you. It can nourish the follicles with antioxidants and vitamins. Sulfate-Free.
Best performance - Acure Coconut & Argan Shampoo Bar
Acure Coconut & Argan Shampoo Bar is 100% Vegan and certified cruelty-free. Also paraben free, sulfate free, mineral oil free and suitable for your body and hair all-in-one. Buy on Amazon
Best ingredients combo - The Right to Shower Joy Shampoo Bar
The Right to Shower Joy Bar Soap is crafted sulfate free, paraben free, alcohol free and skin nourishing formula. It nourishes the skin, uplifting your body and mind with the scent of Tangerine and Honeysuckle. Leaves your skin feeling renewed and refreshed, while you help bring mobile showers and hope to people living on the streets. Buy on Amazon
Best coconut fragrance - 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Clay Shampoo Bar
The Oil Clay Shampoo Bar absorbs the excess oils and lifts away impurities while providing a gentle cleansing, rich lather. It also re-hydrates and enhances natural shine and softness of the hair. Made of Coconut Oil, Coconut Milk and Acacia Senegal. Buy on Amazon
Best display - Ethique Hair Sampler, Shampoo & Conditioner Bar Variety Pack
If you want to dip your toe in and try out Ethique's range of hair products, the Hair Sampler is for you. It contains five samples of Frizz Wrangler, Heali Kiwi, Saint Clements, The Guardian and Wonderbar alternatives. Means a great way to discover your favorites and find your perfect bar! Also a fantastic gift idea, packaged in a delightful 5 pack box. Buy on Amazon
Most ethical - Ethique Shampoo and Conditioner Set for Normal to Oily Hair
Ethique Shampoo and Conditioner set is formulated for normal to oily hair. You can find it in Wonderlicious, Pinkalicious and Wonderbar variations. Sustainable, natural, soap free, vegan, plant based. Eco-friendly compostable and zero waste. Buy on Amazon
Best packaging - HiBAR shampoo bar and conditioner bar
HiBAR shampoo bar and conditioner bar is a zero waste packaging and shipping. VOLUMIZE it is great for fine or thin hair. Eco-friendly, all natural, and plastic free. One bar lasts at least as long as a 16oz bottle. Buy on Amazon
Most Fresh - Sweet & Sassy Shampoo+Conditioner Bars
Sweet & Sassy Shampoo and Conditioner Bars include two travel cases. Made in the USA, it is natural, organic, safe for color treated hair. Coconut lime fragrance. Its tartly sweet aroma creates an invirgorating aromatherapy experience. Buy on Amazon
Now you can read more about each cruelty free deodorant, including our likes and dislikes.
Most nutritive - Garnier Whole Blends Honey Treasures Restoring Shampoo Bar
Sustainable Warriors Score
What I Like
- Product approved by Cruelty Free International under the Leaping Bunny Program
- For dry and damaged Hair
- 94% planted base
What I Don't Like
- Not vegan
- Could be difficult to use until you figured it out
- Could not be ideally nutritive for some kind of hair
This Garnier bar of care for your hair is a great alternative to be free of plastic packaging in your shower products. It is made with nourishing formulas that soften, protect, and revitalize hair, making it shiny and healthy-looking. Although it is formulated with 94% plant-based ingredients, the shampoo bars are blended without silicones, preservatives, soap and dye, and it is not a vegan option.
The fast-rinsing formulas are 97% biodegradable and dermatologist-tested for safety. It could be a bit hard to get to know how to use it. If you ask me, I would say you have to try it for more than two weeks and check how it works in your skin and hair. Fortunately, each easy-to-use bar provides up to 2 months of usage, after that your head skin might already be detox.
Most beautiful shape - VIORI Shampoo Bars, Hidden Waterfall
What I Like
- Best for any curly, wavy, gray, straight and colored hair
- Musky, sweet, vanilla-scented
- Fancy shape and texture
What I Don't Like
- Small
- Not unscented option
- High intense fragrance
The VIORI Hidden Waterfall Shampoo Bar makes me consider not using it: not because of its effects on my hair, but because it is beautifully shaped. I would offer it to my family or friends at shower time when staying home. It has a musky, sweet, vanilla scent and is made with rice water that is reminiscent of the amber aroma found along the forested paths to hidden Longsheng waterfalls. All Viori shampoo bars contain the same, ritually-prepared Longsheng rice water used by the Red Yao for centuries, so it is not just a shampoo bar, it is a real ritual for your hair.
Great for normal hair to oily hair and works well for curly, wavy and straight hair. But, you have to know it is just a small bar, meaning that it may not be so long-lasting. Also, if you are not keen on strong fragrances, it may make you feel overwhelmed. Anyway it is a natural, 100% vegan, plastic-free, zero waste, sulfate-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, pH balanced, sustainable, cruelty-free, and ethically sourced opcion. I think that is my option.
Most Natural - J·R·LIGGETT'S All-Natural Shampoo Bars
What I Like
- Long-lasting protection
- Perfect for permed, colored and naturally curly hair.
- Hand-cut and made using a centuries-old recipe
What I Don't Like
- Not suitable for all kinds of hair.
- You will have to dry it properly after using it to avoid melting quickly.
- Big and hard to handle.
J.R.LIGGETT’S is a vegan shampoo bar that removes the built-up sebum that can clog and damage hair follicles. It is offered as an option for all-in-one hair protection, avoiding the use of conditioner. Although used regularly is expected to promote a radiant, healthy shine that’s never greasy, it is not suitable for all kinds of hair. You may check it doesn't make your hair dryer.
It is ideal for those with allergies or sensitivities. You will have to allow the bar to air-dry after using it, if not, it will probably last not that long. Each bar is approximately equal to 24ozs of liquid shampoo. Made without synthetic oils, detergents or chemicals and it's a very mild sulfate-free shampoo. What's great is that it is handmade in Cornish, NH: hand-cut and made using a centuries-old recipe making each shampoo bar unique.
Best performance - Acure Coconut & Argan Shampoo Bar
What I Like
- All-in-one shower solution for hair and body
- Vegan and certified cruelty-free.
- Creamy texture
What I Don't Like
- Not suitable for dry hair
- Can cause allergies in some sensitive skins
If you are looking for a head to toe shower solution, this is what you were looking for! It is an all-in-one shower solution for hair and body (and hairy bodies)? This little gem takes care of everything! The coconut oil soap base is palm oil free and gentle on your hair. Also is a great moisturizing body bar. Or even a hand soap. Also perfect as well to wash your dog. Even, I don't know, use it to make your home smell like coconut, in the end, it is your bar, do whatever. Vegan and certified cruelty-free, also Paraben free, Sulfate free, Mineral oil free, Petrolatum free and Formaldehyde free.
Of course, check if it is suitable for your kind of hair. If you have dry natural hair maybe you would need another kind of shampoo bar. Also, you will need to try it first to avoid suffering from allergies caused by fragrances or particular ingredients. Each skin is a world!
Best ingredients combo - The Right to Shower Joy Shampoo Bar
Sustainable Warriors Score
Buy on Amazon
What I Like
- Social and environmental impact
- 100-percent vegan and not tested on animals
- Made with Rainforest Alliance Certified Organic palm oil
What I Don't Like
- Ideally not for long hair
- Shape hard to handle
Tangerine and honeysuckle may sound strange together, but The Right to Shower Joy Bar Soap makes it possible. It is crafted to be fair, wholesome and good for all with a sulfate free, paraben free, alcohol free and skin nourishing formula. The citric and fresh scent combination leaves your skin feeling renewed and refreshed, while, by buying this soap, you help bring mobile showers and hope to people living on the streets.
A 100% vegan soap that is NOT tested on animals, and packaged in 100% recycled carton paper and it is handmade in small batches in the USA with US & imported ingredients such as sustainably sourced Rainforest Alliance Certified Palm Oil. It is not recommended for long hair, unless you also use a conditioner. And, you might probably need to get accustomed to handling it because it is a big and long-lasting bar.
Best coconut fragrance - 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Clay Shampoo Bar
What I Like
- Certified Organic Ingredient.
- Fair Trade Ingredient
- It lasts a lot longer than shampoo bottles
What I Don't Like
- Not for some kind of hair
- Can cause drying effects
This mineral-rich shampoo bar absorbs excess oils and lifts away impurities while providing a gentle cleansing, rich lather. In terms of shape, it is near to a unique alternative: it has curved edges that make direct application to root and scalp easy. The nourishing Coconut Oil is blended with Rhassoul Clay and this rehydrates and enhances natural shine and softness. I love that the format is ideal for travel.
It is recommended to follow with DAILY HYDRATION CONDITIONER to avoid unpleasant drying effects. The story behind this shampoo bar has Sofi Tucker as the main character. She started selling Shea Nuts at the village market in Bonthe, Sierra Leone in 1912. By age 19, the widowed mother of four was selling Shea Butter, African Black Soap and her homemade hair and skin preparations all over the countryside. The company is now in the hands of their granddaughters. With the purchase of this product you help empower disadvantaged women to realize a brighter, healthier future. Ingredients used are ethically traded and sustainably produced. Never try on animals.
Best display - Ethique Hair Sampler, Shampoo & Conditioner Bar Variety Pack
Sustainable Warriors Score
Buy on Amazon
What I Like
- Wide variety
- Nice display
- Ideal for gift
What I Don't Like
- Small bars for each
- Can have a strange smell
- Easily melted
This Ethique Hair Sampler is much more than a common sampler. It is the equivalent to one plastic bottle meaning four liters of water saved. If you want to dip your toe in and try out Ethique's range of hair products, the Hair Sampler is the ideal product. It contains samples of the wide variety of products the brand offers. Personally I think that is a great alternative before fully committing with the brand and it is also a fantastic gift idea, packaged in a beautiful five pack box.
The only thing I can say about this sampler is that the bars are small and not that long-lasting. What's more, they melt easily, so you will have to properly air-dry them after use. Also, you will have to know that is not an option if you are not fond of strong scents.
Most ethical - Ethique Shampoo and Conditioner Set for Normal to Oily Hair
What I Like
- Palm Oil Free
- Plastic Free
- Cruelty Free
What I Don't Like
- Not for curly hair
- Doesn´t last a lot
- Easily melted
Pinkalicious bar was created by Ethique and infused with pink grapefruit and vanilla, it's the perfect addition to your beauty bar collection. It saves you from using 3 plastic bottles. It is Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Palm Oil Free and made by sustainable ingredients. It is ideal if you have long hair, it makes it healthy and shiny. The scent isn't strong but it leaves a clean hair scent.
It is not a long-lasting bar and is not the best option for curly hair. In case of dry and waved hair you may also use conditioner. Also, check it air-dry after using, to avoid easy melting.
Best packaging - HiBAR shampoo bar and conditioner bar
What I Like
- Long-lasting
- Ergonomic design easy to hold and use
- Compact design is excellent for travel.
What I Don't Like
- Lathers up A LOT
- The smell could be not appealing for everyone
- Can cause allergies in sensitive skins
I love the shape of this bar. The ergonomic design is easy to hold and use in the shower, and the compact design is more than perfect for travel. Also, one bar can last for over six months. It is suitable for thin, lifeless or curly hair. It is specially curly girl method-friendly.
One thing that could be a pro or a cons, depending on what you are looking for: it lathers up a lot. I like that, but you will have to check if that's ok for you too. It is not the best option for sensitive skin or those noses not accustomed to strong scents. Try it and tell me!
Most Fresh - Sweet & Sassy Shampoo+Conditioner Bars
What I Like
- Zero-waste policy company
- Locally made
- Travel containers included
What I Don't Like
- Sodium coco sulfate as ingredient
- Is packaged in hard plastic containers
If you are looking for freshness, this is your option. This scent derived from Coconut and Lime essential oils will leave your hair fresh and clean! Its tartly sweet aroma creates an invirgorating aromatherapy experience: much more than a common shower. It is also a great alternative for those who travel a lot. Not only will it not be subject to airport liquid rules, but it also comes with cases to hold your bars, so you can toss them into your purse, gym bag or carry-on when on the go.
You have to know it is not sulfate free and although the travel container is reusable, it is made out of plastic. I would prefer a more eco-friendly material, wouldn you?
I know, there are a lot of options. If I were you I would also like to try all of them and choose. That's something you will decide. What I won't let you do is still use bottled shampoos: bar ones are the new black.
For considering your sustainable beauty routine read Reusable Cotton Pads: The Six Best Picks For You and Where to Get Them and An Easy Guide to incorporate Zero Waste Beauty Routine.