Why shampoo bars are a lower-impact alternative

Could shampoo bars be the perfect low-impact swap? No plastic, less water, and no compromise on good hair days – because they work just as well as our liquid shampoos.

Water is precious!

Water sustains all life on earth, so it’s crucial. It’s also the main ingredient in our liquid-based products and plays a large part in the ‘use phase’ of our product lifecycles. This is when and how our customers use our products (usually hot showers!). We’re super keen to reduce our water impact – both in the products we make and at the ‘use stage’. That’s where lower impact, low-water-use shampoo bars come in…

What Is a Shampoo Bar?

A shampoo bar is a super-concentrated, solid alternative to traditional liquid shampoo. Think of it as shampoo, just without the added water or plastic bottle. Instead of coming in a bulky container, shampoo bars are compact, long-lasting, and easy to use. Simply lather the bar between your hands or directly onto wet hair.

They’re an ideal option for anyone looking to simplify their haircare routine while making a more sustainable switch.

The Key Terms to Know

Before we take a deep dive, we thought it’d be handy to know the definitions of some of the most commonly used phrases that’ll help us explain why solid shampoo bars are the less-impactful option when compared to virgin plastic shampoo bottles.

• Surfactants – cleansing agents that help water mix with oil and impurities (basically, they make your shampoo lather and foam up).
• Plastic-free packaging – compostable, recyclable or biodegradable alternatives to plastic bottles.
• Carbon footprint – total carbon emissions produced across our whole business, from the factory, to products, to transport. 
• Virgin plastic – plastic that is brand new and has never been used before. 

So, Are Shampoo Bars Better for the Environment?

Simply, yes. Shampoo bars reduce virgin plastic production and removes the need for added water. More info about our wider water impact can be found here. The good news with less water use is that the product weighs less. It means the transport costs and, crucially, carbon emissions, are a lot lower. 

Our shampoo bars contain 99.5% natural-origin ingredients and essential oils, have no parabens or harsh chemicals, silicones and are completely cruelty-free and vegan. 

Why We Say ‘Low-Impact’ And Not ‘Environmentally Friendly’ 

This is where things get a little bit technical. We don’t use the phrase ‘environmentally-friendly’ because that implies that the products we produce directly benefit the planet. And while our products are designed to have a lower impact on the natural world, they don’t have zero impact. So, although they’re still a better choice than regular, virgin plastic-bottled shampoos, they do, of course, still have some impact on the environment. We’re always working hard to offset the carbon we produce and make all of our products as low-impact as possible. Shampoo bars are a good example of a very low-impact product, thanks to their zero-waste, plastic-free formula and 100% recycled and recyclable cardboard packaging. 

We do still offer shampoo in plastic bottles, but our plastic is made differently. Our 400ml bottles have been recycled and recyclable since 1999, and our 100ml, 300ml, 400ml, 1L and 2.5L bottles are recyclable and made from 100% Post Consumer Recycled (PCR) waste plastic, a much better alternative to virgin plastic bottles. And of course, where possible, it’s always better to refill. You can find a full list of refill stations here. 

How Long Does a Shampoo Bar Last Compared to Liquid Shampoo?

Bar shampoos typically last two to three times longer than traditional bottles of liquid shampoo, making them a brilliant long-lasting option for your haircare routine. Because they’re made with a high concentration of nourishing ingredients and contain very little (or no) added water, you only need a small amount each time you wash your hair to get a great lather and a thorough clean (another great reason to love them!).

This means your bar goes much further than you might expect… No more over-pouring product or spending ages trying to squeeze the very last drops from a plastic bottle. As well as being convenient, their long-lasting Nature makes shampoo bars a cost-effective alternative, helping you save money over time while reducing the amount of virgin plastic packaging in your bathroom. And less plastic here means less plastic going to landfills!

Can Shampoo Bars Really Help Reduce Our Environmental Impact?

Like everything we consume, there is always an impact on the planet we love. The idea behind solid shampoo bars is that they create zero plastic waste, which means fewer bottles and plastic pollution ending up in landfills, or worse, in our rivers and oceans. But that’s not to say they don’t have any impact at all. What little impact they do have (including the water we use to shower with) is reduced massively when compared with using liquid shampoo. This is primarily because the formula is more concentrated, and therefore takes less lathering, and with no parabens or sulfates, you’re not having to rinse nasty chemicals from your strands. 

They’re also so much lighter than their liquid alternatives, so they produce a lot less emissions when they’re being transported from our local factory in Manchester to your home. These little things add up to a much bigger picture, and make shampoo bars the better choice for a low-impact haircare routine.

Why Switch to Shampoo & Conditioner Bars?

Switching to a solid shampoo and conditioner bar is a good thing for your haircare. It reduces the amount of virgin plastic waste from your bathroom, and they make perfect travel-friendly companions. Despite their eco brilliance, there are some things to remember about using shampoo bars… 

When you first make the switch to a solid shampoo bar, it can feel a little weird. Especially when you’re so used to a liquid blob in the palm of your hand. The trick with a shampoo bar is to wet your bar, wet your hair, then rub it into your scalp with gentle circular motions. Our shampoo bars don’t contain any synthetic fragrances or sulfates, just beautiful, natural aromas that’ll help soothe your senses and provide long-lasting hydration to your strands – ideal for most hair types. As with any change, using shampoo and conditioner bars for the first time can take some getting used to, but we’re sure you’ll love them as much as we do.

The Faith in Nature Difference

When it comes to cutting down on virgin plastic, it doesn’t always need a huge lifestyle overhaul — often, small everyday swaps can make the biggest difference. One of the easiest places to start is right in the bathroom.

Switching from common bottled shampoo to a shampoo bar is a simple change of habit, but it can help reduce the amount of single-use plastic packaging in your routine. With no bulky bottles and less unnecessary waste, shampoo bars are a great low-impact alternative for anyone looking to make more mindful choices.

We’ve formulated our vegan shampoo bars to deliver the same beautiful results as our liquid shampoos. They lather up brilliantly, cleanse effectively, and leave your hair feeling fresh, soft, and cared for, all while smelling just as amazing as our bottled favourites.

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