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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
Bar soaps recently had a major moment, reemerging on the beauty scene with more options available than ever before. But while they were stealing the spotlight, there was an unsung hero quietly waiting in the wings—shampoo bars. As is the case with soap, these solid sudsers are poised to give their liquid counterparts a run for their money.
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Our best overall pick is J.R. Liggett's Virgin Coconut & Argan Oil Shampoo Bar, which is made with good-for-hair oils plus vitamin E. Our tester even noticed that it soothed her dandruff symptoms, too. As an alternative, Garnier's Whole Blends Hydrating Shampoo Bar is our favorite drugstore choice—it's sulfate-free (meaning it's safe for color-treated strands) and aloe vera conditions without weighing your hair down.
“Shampoo bars are a solid form of shampoo usually made from a blend of raw or plant-based ingredients like oils," says stylist April Kayganich, owner of The Curl Whisperer Salon in Austin, Texas and hair care expert for Puracy. Typically made without sulfates and other harsh detergents that are common in liquid formulas, shampoo bars are also lauded for being gentler on the hair and many are very hydrating, too. “They’re also great for travel since the waterless formula makes them very convenient to pack,” adds stylist Nunzio Saviano, owner of the eponymous salon in New York City. “Shampoo bars also save water and don’t require excess plastic packaging, making them a good option for those who want to make their beauty routine more eco-conscious,” he points out.
Yes, rubbing a bar on your head can take some getting used to, but if you're down to make the switch from liquid to solid, shampoo bars are where it's at. To find the very best in bottle-less shampooing, we tried out a few of the top contenders on the market. Our testers used them for multiple washes, rating their texture and feel, ingredient list, and overall performance. Our team then combined these results along with our own research and expert recommendations to compile this list.
Keep scrolling for our picks of the best shampoo bars.
Best Overall: J.R. Liggett's Virgin Coconut & Argan Oil Shampoo Bar
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Softens and smoothes hair
Has UV protection
Nourishing
Requires dry storage
Not only does this contain moisturizing coconut and olive oils, but it also contains strengthening argan oil meant to help keep your hair long and strong. Made with vitamin E and sunflower oil, this shampoo bar protects against pollution and UV damage, according to the brand. And how cute is the vintage packaging?
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Clean | Size: 3.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
What Our Testers Say
"My dandruff issue subsided almost completely—much quicker and more effectively than dandruff shampoo—and the patches of red, flaky skin I was noticing along my hairline and sideburns vanished completely. My black turtlenecks and I are forever grateful to J.R. Liggett." — Jenna Igneri, Product Tester
Best Drugstore: Garnier Whole Blends Hydrating Shampoo Bar
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Amazon
Affordable
94% plant-based
Easy-to-hold shape
Contains fragrance
This staple drugstore haircare brand recently launched several shampoo bar variants, though this option is Saviano’s fave. “I like that it’s sulfate-free so it can be used even on color-treated hair. Aloe vera in the formula conditions the hair without weighing it down,” he says. That being said, there are also restoring, strengthening, and softening formulas available—and at this price, you can easily afford to try them all out to find your fave. Plus, they all come in a unique shape that’s much easier to hold than the traditional squares.
Hair Type: Balanced | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Clean | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Colored Hair: Love Beauty And Planet Shampoo Bar
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Courtesy of Love Beauty and Planet
100% recyclable packaging
Lovely scent
Doesn't lather well
Sulfate-free and ultra-gentle, this newbie is specially made to keep your hue shiny and vibrant and won’t strip color. Using ethically- and naturally-sourced ingredients, it’s also housed in a carton made from 100% recyclable materials. But we’d be remiss to not mention the scent, one of our favorites of all time—it’s the best balance of floral and sweet and will have everyone asking what perfume you’re wearing.
Hair Type: Color-treated | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Floral | Size: 4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Curly Hair: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Clay Shampoo Bar
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Courtesy of Shea Moisture
Easy to work into scalp
Moisturizing
Can leave a greasy residue
Some shampoo bars tend to leave hair tangled, particularly thick and curly hair. Not the case with this one, specially made to leave your curls soft and full of body and bounce. The mineral-rich bar also has a unique curved edge that makes it super easy to work into your scalp.
Hair Type: Curly | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Coconut | Size: 4.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Dandruff: Ethique Heali Kiwi Shampoo for Dandruff or Scalp Problems
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Amazon
Reduces itchiness
Fights flakes
Doesn't lather well
This brand offers some of the top-rated shampoo bars, including this one. Formulated with neem and Karanja oils, it’s 100% soap-free and promises to help with scalp issues; users repeatedly comment on how well it works to fight flakes. Soothing oats combat itchiness, too, and the zero-waste brand places a special emphasis on minimizing their environmental impact, always a good thing.
Hair Type: Dry | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Kiwi | Size: 3.9 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Fine Hair: Lush Seanik Shampoo Bar
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Courtesy of Lush
Adds volume
Softens and smoothes hair
Can be drying
Lush offers an impressive array of 11 different shampoo bars, but if extra volume is your goal, make this your go-to. Using a host of sea-based ingredients, sea salt promises to add body and boost limp hair, while two different types of seaweed are meant to keep your hair soft.
Hair Type: Fine, thin | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Citrus | Size: 1.9 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Key Features
"I was a firm disbeliever in shampoo bars until I tried this product. Not only does it smell amazing, but it actually works. My hair gets quite oily, and this formula cuts right through the grime without making my scalp feel stripped or starved for moisture. That, and my hair is always at its bounciest and most voluminous after washing with Seanik." — Holly Rhue, Editor
Best for Oily Scalps: Basin Charcoal Shampoo Bar
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Courtesy of Basin
Removes oil and product build-up
Moisturizing
Has fragrance
Charcoal is a commonly used skin care ingredient, thanks to its potential ability to remove excess oil. Breaking news: It might do the same for your scalp and hair. This bar, which lasts 50 to 75 washes, uses bamboo charcoal meant to eliminate oil and excess product residue, leaving your scalp and hair feeling cleaner than ever.
Hair Type: Oily | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Musk | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Multi-Tasker: Meow Meow Tweet Rosemary Avocado Shampoo Bar
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Petit Voir
Works on hair and body
Safe for kids and pets
Can leave a greasy residue
Looking to streamline your shower situation? This solid sudser does it all, working to effectively cleanse both your hair and body with certified organic and fair-trade plant-based ingredients. Not to mention that it’s safe to use for kids and even pets, too.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Herbal | Size: 4.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Dry Hair: Strands of Faith Non-Stripping Shampoo Bar
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Courtesy of Blk + Grn
Gentle, non-stripping formula
Clean, natural ingredients
Rich in nourishing vitamins and antioxidants
Somewhat pricey
Like bar soap, shampoo bars have a reputation for being somewhat stripping to the hair, which is why we love this bar from Strands of Faith that’s specifically formulated to be hydrating and non-stripping. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, each bar is infused with natural ingredients like baobab, castor, and amla oils plus kaolin clay to gently cleanse as its hydrates, fortifies, and strengthens your strands. Plus, each bar can last up to 60 washes, meaning it’ll last you for quite some time.
Hair Type: Dry | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Fresh | Size: 4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Sensitive Scalps: Christophe Robin Hydrating Shampoo Bar with Aloe Vera
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Skinstore
Gently cleanses
Fragrance-free
Pricier than other options
Have fine, straight hair? Thick, curly hair? This bar works for every hair type and texture, using 100% plant-based ingredients such as aloe vera, castor oil, and coconut oil meant to gently cleanse hair. It’s also fragrance-free, ideal if you have a sensitive or easily irritated scalp. Saviano is a fan, adding that he especially likes it for those with fine hair because there’s beer in the mix that helps volumize.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Clean | Size: 3.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Damaged Hair: Aari & Co. Loretta Herbal Shampoo Bar
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Courtesy of Aari & Co.
Clean, natural ingredients
Nourishing and restorative formula
Somewhat pricey
If you have damaged hair, we understand that a shampoo bar probably isn't the first thing you'd reached for, but this supremely nourishing formula works just as hard as its anti-damage bottled counterparts. Formulated with a blend of organic plantains and honey, this natural bar helps repair and restore tired, damaged strands. The result? A healthy, glorious mane.
Hair Type: Damaged, dry | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Sweet, citrus | Size: 4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Frizzy Hair: Davines MOMO Shampoo Bar
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Davines
Moisturizing
Lathers well
Pricey
Broadly speaking, shampoo bars may not always be the best option for those with thick, coarse, or frizzy hair; their generally less hydrating formulas can lead to tangles and snarls. Enter this option, which is specially made to combat all of those issues. It’s super moisturizing—so much so that it transforms into more of a foamy texture as it suds up. Also nice: Even the paper wrapper it comes in is 100% recyclable.
Hair Type: Thick, dry | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Clean | Size: 3.53 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Long-Lasting: Klorane Nourishing Shampoo Bar
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Amazon
Can be used by the entire family
Moisturizing
Pricey
This option—which also happens to be entirely soap-free, making it an especially good choice for dry hair—lasts for a whopping 80 washes. Mango butter imparts plenty of moisture, though it really is a good pick for all hair types and can even be used on kids three years and up, a nice option for the entire fam. It saves up to 34% more water during the manufacturing process.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Fruity | Size: 2.8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Build-Up: Peet Bros. Coconut Shampoo Bar Peppermint
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Instacart
Affordable
Moisturizing
Includes an aluminum case
Strong scent
“The peppermint oil, menthol, and lactic acid in this shampoo bar make it a good option both for those who have a dry or itchy scalp, as well as those who have build-up or residue from styling products,” says Nunzio of another one of his picks. That being said, because it’s made from 50 percent coconut oil, it’s a top choice if you need more moisture in your hair, too. We also like how affordable (and large) the bar is, not to mention the fact that it comes in a convenient aluminum case that’s great for travel.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Minty | Size: 5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Final Verdict
Shampoo bars are a travel-friendly, eco-conscious substitute for your traditional bottle of liquid shampoo—and there are plenty of options to choose from. The J.R. Liggett’s Virgin Coconut & Argan Oil Shampoo Bar is our top choice. It's super hydrating and also packed with antioxidants that can help safeguard your hair from sun and pollution. The Love Beauty And Planet Murumuru Butter and Rose Shampoo Bar is a very gentle option, particularly for those with colored hair, while the Lush Seanik Shampoo Bar earns our vote for those with fine hair. And if you want one bar that can do it all, pick up the multi-tasking Meow Meow Tweet Rosemary Avocado Shampoo Bar, which can be used all over your body, too.
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Meet the Expert
- April Kayganich is a licensed cosmetologist, stylist, and owner of The Curl Whisperer Salon in Austin, Texas. She’s also a hair care expert for Puracy.
- Nunzio Saviano is a stylist and the owner of Nunzio Saviano Salon in New York City with over 20+ years of experience. He is passionate about creating personalized styles that look incredible both in the salon and at home.
- Sofie Pok is a Los Angeles-based barber and the co-creator of STMNT Grooming Goods.
What to Look For in a Shampoo Bar
Sulfate-Free
Most options are sulfate-free, here—but still, 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.
Fragrance-Free
Kayganich suggests avoiding formulas that contain added synthetic fragrance since that’s just a blanket term that can mask a whole litany of ingredients. Essentially, if you see that term on the list, it's much harder to know what you’re getting.
Activated Charcoal
According to Sofie Pok, barber and co-creator of STMNT Grooming Goods, the popular skincare ingredient is great for hair, too, and especially good to seek out in a shampoo bar. It can help remove impurities while also increasing volume, she claims.
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Byrdie / Jenna Igneri
Why Trust Byrdie
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. (But underscores the fact that it’s important to use lots of conditioner after.)
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