Shampoo Bar: Soapnuts Shampoo
Shampoo Bar: Soapnuts Shampoo

Shampoo Bar: Soapnuts Shampoo

Nourish, cleanse, soothe and add body and bounce to dry, lifeless, hair with an organic shampoo bar enriched with nourishing babassu oil and cocoa butter and infused with soapnuts, used in Ayurvedic medicine to gently clarify and ease dandruff and hair loss.

Price:
$10.95
oeffa
vegan
cruelty-free
non-gmo
made-in-the-usa
Product Overview

Good For: All Hair Types, Dandruff, Body & Bounce, Thinning Hair/Hair Loss

Increase bounce, body and shine with this organic shampoo bar made with Soapnuts called "aritha" in Ayurvedic medicine. Soapnuts, an excellent hair tonic, has long been known for its benefits for healthy hair and scalp. They add body, bounce, and shine to dull hair, help treat scalp infections and dandruff, and have been used in Ayurvedic medicine to prevent hair loss. The natural saponins not only cleanse hair without over-drying, but also add luster, increase body and volume, and make hair feel thick, silky, smooth, and more manageable. Natural antifungal and antibacterial properties in soapnuts may help with dandruff.

Cocoa butter infuses hair strands with essential moisture to help improve texture, prevent breakage, and promote increased volume and hair strength. It is a natural remedy for hair frizz and people with curly hair often swear by cocoa butter for its ability to tame and detangle coarse porous hair. It also helps prevent hair loss due to breakage for those with fine or damaged hair. Cocoa butter may help replenish lost oils due to chemical processing, such as coloring and perms.

Organic babassu oilmoisturizes and restores hair strength and elasticity, for shiny, healthy-looking hair and Kaolin clay helps clean the scalp without drying, improves circulation, and removes dirt and impurities from the hair follicles.

 

🍃NATURAL, VEGAN & ECO-FRIENDLY: We are committed to healthy skin, healthy people, and a healthy planet. Packaged in recyclable boxes, there is Zero Waste & No Plastic. No synthetic ingredients. No fragrance oils, dyes, sulfates, silicones, or preservatives. Made with ingredients that are biodegradable, Certified Organic, non-GMO, cruelty-free, sustainably produced, and ethically traded.


🍃OUR BARS ARE BIG & TRAVEL FRIENDLY: Our natural shampoo bars are 5.6 oz (159 g) & a perfect choice for TSA-friendly travel. They can do extra duty as a body soap or for a foamy lather wet shave. Great for camping or the gym.

A sulfate-free, silicone-free, paraben-free natural shampoo


Looking for a different shampoo bar?

How To Use

Why Is A Shampooing Technique Important?

Our natural shampoo bars are a lot more concentrated than liquid shampoos. They contain extra oils and butters to nourish your hair. 

If you do not build a nice lather and rinse really well you will have areas that remain coated with the soap oils, which can make it look or feel “gummy.”

Notice that we do NOT recommend lathering up the length of your hair with the shampoo bar.

As you use your fingers to rinse the lather through the strands, there is enough shampoo to clean the length. This technique helps prevent coating your hair strands with shampoo residue. 

If you are new to shampoo bars please our blog, "How to Use a Natural Shampoo Bar" for more detailed information. 

 

Our Favorite Technique

This technique helps prevent pockets of shampoo residue in the length of your hair especially if you have long or thick hair. 


Wet Hair: One of the most important steps is to begin with thoroughly wet hair--I mean a lot of water. Be sure that the water saturates your hair all the way down to the roots.


Create the Lather: There are two possible ways both of which help prevent pockets of shampoo residue left in your hair that can make hair feel tacky.

  • Create a nice foamy lather by rubbing the wet bar between your hands, a soap pouch, or a natural sponge, and use only the lather to wash your scalp.
  • Create a nice foamy lather by rubbing the shampoo bar on the TOP of your head only. Rub in only one direction to prevent tangling.

 

How To Lather Using a Natural Shampoo BarMassage the Lather into your Scalp only at the roots of the hair until you work up a really good lather

  • It is very important to work the shampoo into your scalp with water and really build up a good lather so there are no patches of shampoo left on your hair.
  • Lathering up also allows the dirt and extra oils to be washed away.
  • If the lather is not foamy enough, add more water.

Using your Fingers like a Comb: smooth the lather down the length of your hair as you rinse with water. To prevent tangles, be sure to always work from the top down, use your fingers like a comb, not a mixer, and don't pile your hair on your head,


Rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse and rinse again. I cannot stress how important this step is to shampoo bar success. In order to remove the excess shampoo, which can leave a filmy feeling and weigh hair down, do NOT rush this step! The rinsing should take longer than washing and lathering time.

  • If your hair is long or thick, lift up sections of your hair to ensure that all of the shampoo is rinsed clean.
  • Don’t neglect parts of your head that are more difficult to reach, such as the nape of your neck or the back of your head.
  • Repeat if desired.

If your hair has a residue before or after shampooing, use an Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse or a baking soda clarifying rinse

Effective, Feel Good Ingredients

The goal is simple: to Harness the Power & Simplicity of Nature® to cleanse, soothe, heal, and protect your skin and hair!

Our unique formulas rely on moisturizing oils and butters, healing botanicals, and pure essential oils. We choose every ingredient with one end-result in mind….the BEST possible natural skin care for YOU!

Featured Ingredients

Organic Aritha (Soapnuts)
Organic Soapnuts
Organic Cocoa Butter
Organic Cocoa Butter*
Kaolin Clay
Kaolin Clay
All Ingredients:
Organic Coconut Oil*
,
Organic Canola Oil
,
Organic Sunflower Oil
,
Distilled Water
,
Sodium Hydroxide^
,
Organic Castor Bean Oil
,
Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
,
Organic Babassu Oil
,
Organic Cocoa Butter*
,
Organic Soapnuts
,
Kaolin Clay
,
Organic Rosemary Oil Extract (ROE)

*Ingredient is Fair Trade Certified

^Used in the saponification process to turn oil into soap and glycerin. None remains in the finished product. 

Made with certified organic Sunflower Oil, Cocoa Butter & Soapnuts
Certified Organic By OEFFA  
A USDA Accredited Organic Certifying Agent

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Your Hair Type?

 What Is Your Hair Type?

In my youth I had pin-straight hair and was envious of friends with wavy and curly hair. But those friends were jealous of my straight hair! Whether your hair type is straight, wavy, curly, coily, or somewhere in between, your locks are beautiful. 

In the same way that understanding your skin type is important for creating an effective skincare routine, determining your hair type can play a huge role in helping you to reach your hair goals.

Hair type has 4 major categories: straight hair (type 1), wavy hair (type 2), curly hair (type 3), and coily hair (type 4). These 4 types of hair are further categorized into A, B, and C subtypes creating 12 total categories.

Natural Organic Hair Care Hair Types

 

The best way to determine your hair type is to see your hair in its natural state. By simply looking at your hair you can recognize some obvious characteristics. The next time you wash your hair, allow it to air-dry without any styling or hair products. This will help you to define the natural shape or pattern (texture) of your hair. For example:

Natural Hair Care What Is Your Hair Type

  • If your hair dries straight without a bend or curl, then you have straight hair (type 1).
  • If your hair dries with a slight curve or “S” shape, then you have wavy hair (type 2).
  • If your hair dries with a defined curl, then you have curly hair (type 3). This type of curly hair has springy ringlets or corkscrew curl patterns but is not as dense as coily hair.
  • If as your hair dries it shrinks to form tight curls or dense spirals, then you have coily hair (type 4) which is often called a "natural" hair type. This hair type is more fragile and prone to breakage than others, requiring a more specialized hair care routine.

It is important to remember that most people do not have just one type of hair. They often have two different hair textures on various parts of their head.

Each of these hair textures will need special care and attention to enhance its natural best characteristics. Also, even though two people share the same natural wave, it does not mean they possess the same exact hair type. You are unique!

 

What Is the Density and Thickness of Your Hair?

The words "thick" and "thin" can be confusing since you can have a lot of very thin hair and vice versa.

The density is the thickness or diameter of an individual hair strand. To determine your hair density use a single strand hair and compare it to the size of a piece of typical sewing thread. Fine hair is thinner than the thread, medium hair is similar in width, and coarse hair is wider. Hair density can affect how it will react to certain products and how well it will hold different hairstyles. There are 3 basic categories:

  • Thin or fine
  • Medium
  • Thick or coarse

Thin hair does not style very easily. Medium hair is relatively easy to style and can hold curls for a longer time period. Thicker strands are very easy to curl, but because they are less pliable, they can be difficult to style or hold their shape.

Overall thickness refers to the total amount of hair on your scalp, which can range from thin to thick. When you gather your hair into a ponytail how much hair can you collect?

 

What Is Hair Porosity?

Natural Hair Care Hair Porosity TestPorosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb moisture as well as hair products. You can easily determine the porosity of your hair with a simple experiment.

  • Place a single strand of hair into a bowl of water.
  • Does the strand sink to the bottom? If yes, it has high porosity, which means it is soaking up a lot of moisture due to gaps or tears around the cuticle. 
  • Does the strand sink, but only a bit? If yes, your hair is absorbing just enough moisture to keep it healthy and well-balanced.
  • Does the strand float above the surface of the water? If yes, your hair has low porosity, which means it does not absorb moisture easily.

It seems like hair with high porosity would be well hydrated all the time since it can easily absorb moisture easily. However, due to the gap areas around the cuticle, the hair also loses moisture very easily, which can result in hair that is dry, brittle, frizzy, and prone to breakage.

On the other hand, that flattened cuticles of hair with a low porosity actually blocks moisture from being absorbed into the strands. Since hair care products are not readily absorbed, product buildup on hair strands is often a problem. Hair care products should be applied sparingly while hair is still damp so product is more easily absorbed and distributed.

To keep your hair healthy and nourished, it is important to develop a haircare routine that includes proper hydration. Knowing your hair type is crucial, as it helps you choose the right products for straight, wavy, curly, or coily/kinky hair.


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Can I Use A Natural Shampoo Bar With Color Treated Hair?

Most people find that shampoo bars are easier on color-treated hair than commercial shampoos.

We have many customers who color their hair and use our gentle shampoo bars. One customer who "darkens" her hair wrote to tell us that she is now able to go one month longer before recoloring her hair.

Another customer who "lightens" her hair, wrote that the color stays "nicer" longer and she does not get that "brassy" blonde color anymore.

All of our shampoo bars are mild enough for color-treated hair, but since everyone's hair and coloring products are different, please do a strand test to judge for yourself.

To do a strand test, shampoo a strand of hair in a non-conspicuous area and rinse. Notice if there are any changes.

For color-treated hair, we recommend creating a lather in your hands rather than rubbing the bar directly on your head. Then using your fingers massage the lather into your scalp at the roots of the hair until you work up a really good lather.

It is also best to rinse color-treated hair with cool or lukewarm, not hot, water.

Choose your shampoo bar based on your hair type, knowing that coloring hair may change its texture.

Permanent hair color does not simply stain your hair but penetrates the shaft to alter the natural hair pigment. Since the outer cuticle of the hair has been penetrated by the hair dye, your natural hair oil may have trouble penetrating the hair shaft. As a result, your hair may become more dry or brittle.

Since it takes time for the hair cuticles to fully close and trap in the color, be sure to follow the directions from your salon or the product package as to how soon you should shampoo after coloring hair.

Also, note that chlorinated water can change the hue of your color-treated hair.

The good thing about the shampoo bars is that they actually prolong color - before I started using them, I'd have to dye my hair every 3 weeks, now it's every 5-6 weeks. Venessa, Indiana

For more information read our blog, "Everything You Want To Know About Natural Shampoo Bars!"


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Does Everyone Need To Use A Vinegar Hair Rinse?

Do I Need A Vinegar Rinse When Using a Natural Shampoo Bar?

 

Whether or not you need to use an apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse depends on a number of factors.
  • Your water: If your hair does not seem to be adjusting to the shampoo bars, it may be due to your water. Hard water makes it more difficult to rinse natural shampoo from your hair.
  • Hair length: Many of our male customers and women with short hair have found that they do not need to rinse with vinegar, simply because their hair is short.
  • Tangles: ACV rinses often help with tangles.
  • Residue: If your hair has residue from previous products or you regularly use conditioners, styling gels etc., our shampoo bars are mild and may not remove residue from your hair like detergent shampoos. ACV rinses help remove build-up and product residue.
  • Hair type: Everyone's hair is unique.

Check out our selection of ACV Rinses

I wish I could use an apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse very day. Besides creating tangle-free locks, I also love the way it makes my hair look and feel. As I have gotten older my hair has become drier and I can only use an ACV rinse 2 or 3 times week.

 

View related natural skin care blogs

Blog: Make Your Own Natural Vinegar Hair Rinse

 


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What Is A Natural Shampoo Bar?

Shampoo Bars Are One Of Our Favorite Discoveries!

The wholesome goodness of our handcrafted soap is available for your hair.

Shampoo bars are an all natural conditioning shampoo in a solid bar form. Yes, this is real shampoo in a solid bar. Shampoo bars are not a new idea.

They were commonly used before liquid detergent shampoos and conditions were invented in the 1940s.

Although the process for making a shampoo bar is the same as making soap, our shampoo bar "recipes" are specially formulated with natural plant oils, butters, botanicals and essential oils that nourish your hair and scalp.

Our shampoo bars contain no artificial fragrance, color, preservatives, detergents, alcohol, urea, formaldehyde, sodium lauryl sulfate, DEA, propylene glycol - or any of the other synthetic hair care additives.

Each of our shampoo bar selections contains a different blend of natural plant oils, essential oils, and herb infused oils. No two recipes are the same.

Which Shampoo Bar Is Best For My Hair?

Click here for help choosing an all natural shampoo bar!

Everything You Want To Know About Shampoo Bars!

Please read "Everything About Shampoo Bars!"


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Will My Hair Need To Adjust To A Natural Shampoo Bar? If so, any tips?

Conventional shampoos and conditioners, even some that claim to be natural, contain waxes, silicones, or other additives that coat your hair to make it feel smooth. They also contain synthetic detergents which rinse out more easily than a soap-based shampoo bar.

Since our natural sulfate-free shampoo bars do not strip hair like detergent-based shampoos, you may notice your hair feels different immediately after washing because your hair is accustomed to the squeaky clean feel of a detergent-based shampoo.

Switching from conventional shampoo to a natural shampoo bar may mean a transition or adjustment period. While many folks have little problem with their hair adjusting to a new routine, some do.

Since everyone's hair is unique it is difficult to tell you exactly what your transition, if any, will look and feel like. Your hair may feel greasier than normal or it may even feel drier than normal. It may feel waxy, coated, or just weird as your scalp works to re-balance its oil production.

The transition period can range from a few days to a few weeks. It really depends on how damaged your hair is, how much residue and build-up is present, your genetics, your water, and even the technique that you use to shampoo your hair.

Transition is literally a time for your hair, which has been addicted to chemical-laden shampoos, to go through withdrawal, and learn to live a chemical-free life.

We have been making and using natural shampoo bars for over 14 years and have received so many questions.

It may take some patience, but if you can persevere, your reward will be healthy, soft, and silky hair.

For more detailed information and great transition tips please read our blog "Tips Adjusting To Shampoo Bars."


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Ida's Shampooing Technique for Long Hair

Ida's Shampooing Technique for Long Hair

Men and women with short hair seldom have hair adjustment problems to natural shampoo bars. However, folks with long hair may have to change their shampoo technique when switching from commercial liquid shampoo or synthetic detergent shampoo bars to natural bars.

We have discovered that people with long hair often feel the need to use too much shampoo. Also, it is more difficult to rinse shampoo out of all the little nooks and crannies in long hair. As a result, there are pockets of soap residue left in the hair that make hair feel tacky.

I have found that many times the proper technique makes all the difference.

Natural Shampoo Bar Technique for Long HairI have long, fine hair. Below is my technique for using a shampoo bar.

  • thoroughly wet my hair
  • tie my long hair into a loose ponytail
  • wet the natural shampoo bar and rub the bar across only the top of my head in strokes from front to back until I have covered the entire scalp area (Rubbing any shampoo vigorously in all directions causes lots of tangles!)
  • massage my entire scalp (only the scalp) in a combing motion to work the lather through my hair
  • I do not rub the bar or work the lather on the length of my hair
  • take out my ponytail and rinse allowing the shampoo to drip down the length of my hair (I have found that this rinsing is enough to clean the length of my hair)
  • rinse, rinse, rinse for at LEAST one minute as I rub my fingers through my hair to be sure that all of the shampoo is rinsed away
  • squeeze gently on the length to remove excess water and cover with a towel while I dry off
  • I do not rub the towel over my wet hair because it causes nasty tangles
  • use a wide toothed comb and gently comb from the bottom up

Dry and style your hair as usual!


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Do I Still Need To Use Conditioner With A Natural Shampoo Bar?

Some folks do, and some don't!

For Body & Luster

If you are using a conditioner because your hair is dull, lacks luster, and is dry--you may not need a conditioner--that's another plastic bottle saved! Since commercial shampoos contain petroleum products that are actually drying to your hair and scalp, conditioners are usually needed.

Our natural shampoo bars will not strip the natural oils from your hair, so you will not need the typical moisturizing conditioners that people use to replace the natural oils stripped by detergent shampoos.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) rinses are an excellent addition to any natural hair care routine and can help bring back body and shine to dull, lackluster hair.

For Tangly Hair

Natural Organic Hair Care

Hair tangles result when individual hairs go in different directions and intertwine.

The outer layer of the hair, the cuticle, is made of overlapping layers of long scales that lie along the surface of the hair like shingles on a roof.

The condition of the cuticle scales in part determines whether you are going to have tangly hair. When you shampoo or even wet your hair, the cuticle opens making it prone to tangling.

The way you shampoo and your hair type can affect hair tangles. I have long, fine, thin hair that is very prone to tangling. Just imagine all of those little strands of hair as very thin strings—now put little burrs on the strings (the open cuticle) and you can see my problem.

When I used a commercial shampoo I would go through a 16-ounce bottle of conditioner every week—just to get a comb through my hair. Using my shampoo bars has made a big difference.

I wish I could use an apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse every day. Besides creating tangle-free locks, I also love the way it makes my hair look and feel. As I have gotten older, my hair has become dryer and I can only use a traditional ACV rinse 2 or 3 times per week. But I keep a spray bottle of very dilute ACV rinse that I use more often.

Helpful hint: If I comb through my hair length while it is still lathered and continue to comb as I rinse, the tangles comb out more easily.

Some customers have reported that they needed to continue using their traditional conditioner for a while and then were able to slowly wean off of it. I say, whatever works for you!


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