TL;DR
If you’re ready to make the switch to bar shampoo, we recommend J.R. Liggett’s Old Fashioned Shampoo Bar. It’s formulated with a blend of nourishing oils and vitamins and allowed us to go longer without washing our hair. For a deep clean, Odacité Shampoo Bar removes buildup while being safe for color-treated hair.
With personal hygiene, there are bar soap people and body wash people. But even if you’re usually a liquid soap or shampoo person, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised by the performance and convenience of a shampoo bar. “Shampoo bars are a solid form of shampoo usually made from a blend of raw or plant-based ingredients like oils,” explains hairstylist April Kayganich. Typically made without sulfates and other harsh detergents common in liquid formulas, shampoo bars are gentler on your hair—and many are hydrating, too.
Plus, shampoo bars are great for traveling because they’re compact, leak-proof, and fantastic for people who want to adopt a more sustainable beauty routine. To find the best shampoo bars available, we tested them in place of our go-to shampoo over two weeks, evaluating their ease of use, comfort, performance, and durability. After consulting with experts and researching online reviews, here are the very best on the market.
Best Overall
J.R. Liggett's All-Natural Shampoo Bar
Lathers nicely
Moisturizing formula
Bar is very durable
Thick, rectangular shape could be challenging for some to hold and maneuver across the scalp
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 3.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
A great option for people with varying hair and skin types, this moisturizing shampoo bar is formulated with a blend of coconut oil, aloe vera, almond oil, mango butter, and vitamins A, B, and E to nourish the scalp as it cleanses. Just one bar is equal to 24 ounces of liquid shampoo, making it an excellent value and a compact product to keep in your shower.
We loved how easily it lathered when we massaged it across our head and that it didn’t leave us with a greasy look or feel. Our second-day hair looked just as good as the first day, so we were able to extend the time between washes. It's also worth noting that after two weeks of consistent use, the J.R. Liggett shampoo bar remained in pretty perfect shape. While we found the bar easy to hold, we do wish the shape was more curved to help people with limited mobility achieve a more comfortable grip.
Best Hydrating
Kitsch Castor Oil Nourishing Shampoo Bar
Does an excellent job at hydrating the hair and scalp
Great for an everyday cleanse
Has a neutral, pleasant scent
Can be difficult to work into thick hair
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 3.2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
It’s no surprise we really enjoyed this highly rated shampoo bar. The formula features nourishing castor oil and is free from harsh surfactants that can dry out the hair. While we had a bit of trouble getting to the roots of thicker hair with the bar during testing, we loved that a few swipes across the hair or rubbing it in our palms created a really effective lather that ultimately got the job done. The non-stripping formula is great for an everyday cleanse, but if we needed a deeper clean on sweaty gym days, we could rinse and repeat effectively. Unlike other similar products we've used in the past, we loved that you could truly feel how conditioning this formula was—it left our strands and scalp feeling moisturized.
Best Gentle
Christophe Robin Hydrating Shampoo Bar
Effectively cleanses scalp and hair leaving them feeling balanced
Bar is extremely durable
100% vegan formula
Takes a bit of effort to lather
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 3.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
We recommend this gentle shampoo bar that will leave your hair feeling clean and not stripped. The formula contains aloe vera, coconut oil, and olive oil, making it a nourishing option for those with dry hair. Getting the product to lather did take a bit of effort (we found rubbing it straight on the hair worked best), but once we got used to it, it lathered nicely and effectively cleansed our hair and scalp. The bar itself was easy to grip while washing, and it left our hair feeling similar to how our go-to liquid shampoo would. While it didn’t provide an incredibly deep cleanse that left our scalp free from excess oil for an extended period of time, it worked beautifully as a day-to-day type of shampoo.
Best for a Deep Clean
ODACITÉ 552M Soap Free Shampoo Bar
Creates squeaky clean result
Easy to lather
Bar is quite durable
Suitable for color-treated hair
Can be a bit stripping
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 1.25 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you deal with greasy roots and product buildup, we recommend getting your hands on this shampoo bar. It works to rid your hair and scalp of excess oil and buildup, and the soap-free formula is safe for color-treated hair, too. It lathered nicely—just like a traditional bar soap would—and we really liked that it provided a squeaky-clean result. Just be aware that we did find it to be so effective at cleaning that it could be a little bit stripping on the scalp and slightly drying on the ends. We’d recommend it to people with balanced or oily hair because you likely won't feel stripped, especially considering that the formula contains hydrating argan and castor oils. After cleansing with this shampoo and using a deep conditioner, we were truly impressed with the results. If you’re looking for a shampoo bar that will provide a deep clean, this is the one for you.
Best for Curly Hair
Ethique Curl-Defining Solid Shampoo Bar
Leaves curls looking healthy and bouncy
Effectively cleanses excess oil
Quickly creates a rich lather
Could be better at removing product buildup
Hair Type: Curly | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 3.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
People with curly hair know that it can be tricky to find shampoos that strike the right balance between effective cleansing and moisturizing, and this shampoo bar does that. In addition to lathering really well, we were super impressed with how effectively it removed a hair oil that we had applied prior to shampooing. It worked to give our scalp and strands a nice, thorough cleanse without compromising on moisture. We were even able to go a day or two longer without washing our hair than normal. After using the bar consistently for two weeks, it remained in pristine condition—no crumbling in sight.
While we were really pleased with the results we achieved with this shampoo bar, we would have loved for it to have some more clarifying benefits that could help rid curly hair of product buildup. If you’re struggling with buildup, we recommend using a clarifying shampoo after every couple of washes with this bar.
Best Scented
Davines LOVE Shampoo Bar
Has an invigorating, floral scent
Lathers well
Bar is durable
Provides gentle and effective cleanse
Bar prone to breaking
Hair Type: Coarse, Static | Sulfate-Free: No | Size: 3.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
For some people, the way their shampoo smells is equally as important as how well it cleanses their hair—it’s simply part of the experience. If this sounds like you, we recommend checking out this shampoo bar that features an invigorating, floral fragrance that’s bold but not overpowering. In addition to the fragrance, we loved that the formula worked to provide a nice cleanse while remaining gentle on the scalp. This shampoo bar was formulated with coarse and static hair types in mind, so it's a great choice if you want hydrated, smooth hair. We also appreciated how well it lathered in our hands, making it effortless to distribute across the scalp and through the lengths of our hair.
What to Look for in a Shampoo Bar
- Sulfate-free formula: While sulfates are not entirely bad, they can be the culprit of stripping the hair and scalp of necessary oils and moisture. Most options are sulfate-free here—but keep in mind that even if sulfates are listed, not all sulfates are created equal. Many shampoo bars rely on plant-derived sulfates, which aren’t as harsh or drying, says Kayganich, who adds that it’s worth doing a little investigating if you do see sulfates listed on the label.
- Bar shape: There are many benefits of using a shampoo bar, but it’s true that some of them can be tricky to hold and maneuver due to their shape or texture, which can lead to them slipping around. If you have limited hand mobility, you’ll want to consider the size, shape, and texture of the bar you purchase.
Why Trust Byrdie
Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She’s a daily shampooer, and after writing this article realized how beneficial shampoo bars can be.
They interviewed two experts for this article to learn more and give better recommendations. Those experts include:
- April Kayganich, a licensed cosmetologist, stylist, and owner of The Curl Whisperer Salon in Austin, Texas.
- Nunzio Saviano, a stylist and the owner of Nunzio Saviano Salon in New York City, New York, with 20+ years of experience.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any shampoo bars from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.