Traveling can be a wonderful experience, but it often means packing light and finding ways to simplify your beauty routine. If you’re looking for a convenient and eco-friendly way to wash your hair while on the go, a shampoo bar might just be the perfect solution. Shampoo bars are compact, lightweight, and easy to use, making them an excellent option for travel. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best shampoo bars for travel, so you can keep your hair clean and healthy no matter where your adventures take you.
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Clean Hair on the Go: Our Top Picks for the Best Shampoo Bars for Travel for 2023!
There are a lot of shampoo bars for travel on the market these days because not only are they great for travel, but a natural shampoo bar can be a great way to reduce plastic bottles, many are made of plant-based ingredients and biodegradable formula, provide a great lather, and great to keep a natural environment and protect our marine life.
Shampoo Bars for Travel Comparison Chart
What is a Shampoo Bar?
A shampoo bar is a solid bar of soap-like material that is used to wash hair instead of liquid shampoo. It’s a compact and convenient alternative to traditional liquid shampoo that is gaining popularity for its eco-friendliness and convenience.
Shampoo bars for travel are usually made with natural ingredients such as vegetable oils, essential oils, and herbs, and do not contain synthetic chemicals or preservatives that are commonly found in liquid shampoos. They are also often packaged in recyclable or biodegradable materials, which makes them more environmentally friendly than traditional shampoos.
Why are shampoo bars great for travel?
Shampoo bars are great for travel for several reasons. Firstly, they are the perfect size – lightweight and compact, taking up less space in your luggage than traditional liquid shampoos. This makes them an ideal option for travelers who want to pack light and avoid bulky items.
Secondly, shampoo bars are long-lasting and can be used for multiple washes, making them a more cost-effective choice than traditional shampoos. These are especially great for longer travels whether you plan on backpacking the world for months at a time or traveling for 2 weeks. These are a great alternative to single-use plastic 3 oz bottles and travel-size shampoo containers.
Thirdly, many shampoo bars are made with natural ingredients and are free from harsh chemicals, making them gentle on both your hair and the environment. However, they should only be used for external use.
Finally, shampoo bars don’t require plastic packaging, reducing waste and making them a more eco-friendly choice for travelers who want to reduce their carbon footprint. All of these factors make shampoo bars an excellent choice for travelers who want a convenient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly way to keep their hair clean and healthy on the go.
How to use Shampoo Bars for travel
To use a shampoo bar, you simply wet your hair and the bar, lather a little bit of the bar in your hands, and then apply the foamy lather to your hair. Shampoo bars can last longer than traditional liquid shampoos, and they are also an excellent option for traveling, as they take up less space and do not need to be stored in a separate container.
Using shampoo bars for travel is quite simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide on the best way to use it:
- Wet your hair thoroughly: Before applying the shampoo bar, make sure your hair is wet from roots to ends. This will help create a lather and distribute the product evenly.
- Rub the shampoo bar between your hands or directly on your hair: Take the shampoo bar and either rub it between your wet hands to lather bar or rub it directly onto your wet hair. Some people prefer to lather the shampoo bar in their hands first, while others prefer to apply it directly to their hair.
- Massage the lather into your scalp and hair: Once you have the lather, gently massage it into your scalp and work it through your hair. Focus on the roots and areas where oil and dirt tend to accumulate. Ensure that the lather reaches all parts of your scalp and hair.
- Rinse thoroughly: After massaging the lather, rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water. Make sure to rinse out all the shampoo from your hair, ensuring no residue remains.
- Condition (if desired): Depending on your hair type and preference, you may choose to follow up with a conditioner. While shampoo bars can provide some conditioning properties, additional moisture may be needed for certain hair types. Apply the conditioner as you normally would, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends of your hair. Rinse it out after a couple of minutes.
- Allow the shampoo bar to dry: After use, it’s important to let the shampoo bar dry properly. You can place it on a soap dish with good drainage or store it in a container that allows for air circulation. This helps extend the lifespan of the bar and prevents it from becoming mushy.
Remember, it may take a little time for your hair to adjust to using a shampoo bar, especially if you’re transitioning from traditional liquid shampoos. Give your hair some time to adapt, and you’ll likely see the benefits of using a shampoo bar, such as improved hair health and reduced environmental impact.
Best Shampoo Bars for Travel
There are a lot of solid shampoo bars on the market which can make it quite difficult to figure out which ones are a good option. You’ll want to make sure yours is filled with all the best ingredients.
Lush Solid Shampoo Bar
Lush is a popular brand that offers a range of eco-friendly and ethically-made beauty products, including shampoo bars. Lush shampoo bars are made with natural ingredients such as essential oils, herbs, and fruits, and they are free from harsh chemicals and preservatives. They come in a variety of scents and formulas to suit different hair types and needs.
One of the unique features of Lush shampoo bars is that they are designed to be multipurpose. In addition to washing your hair, many of their shampoo bars can also be used as a body soap or shaving cream. This makes them an excellent choice for travelers who want to pack light and save space in their luggage.
Lush shampoo bars are also known for their long-lasting formula. According to the company, one shampoo bar can last up to 80 washes, making them a more cost-effective choice than traditional liquid shampoos. If you happen to have curly hair, I suggest you grab yourself the Coconut Rice Cake to help nourish those curls and hair follicles. If you have oily hair then the Montalbano, that has a sweet orange scent, is your best bet. I have oily hair and this product really helps cleanse it.
Overall, Lush shampoo bars are a great option for travelers who want a high-quality, eco-friendly, and cost-effective way to keep their hair clean and healthy on the go. They also sell conditioner bars that are a great alternative to hair conditioners.
J.R. Liggett’s All-Natural Shampoo Bar
J.R. Liggett’s All-Natural Shampoo Bar is a popular brand of shampoo bar that is known for its simple and natural ingredients. The company was founded in the 1970s and has been producing its shampoo bars ever since.
J.R. Liggett’s All-Natural Shampoo Bar is made with a unique blend of vegetable oils, including olive, coconut, castor, and sunflower oils, along with natural essential oils. The bars are formulated to be gentle on hair and scalp, while still providing a deep and effective clean. They say their bars can last up to 80 washes and can be used as body soap as well making it have a dual purpose.
Ethique Solid Shampoo Bars – Best Shampoo Bar for Colored Hair
Ethique provides an array of products for all different hair types from colour-treated hair to fine care, it’s a great product. Ethique’s goal is to reduce plastic waste and water which can easily be used in their bathroom essentials. Ethique’s products are sold and shipped plastic free from New Zealand, but can easily be found all over the world in many stores, including Amazon.
Ethique has an array of great products and not only sells shampoo bars, but conditioner bars, body care items, lip balms, scrubs, and more. What I love about this product is they also sell mini options which are perfect for travel if you are not looking to take a larger shampoo bar with you on your travel.
The Earthling Co. Shampoo Bar
Earthling Co. is an American company and American-made product that has done its best to make plant-based items that are Paraben, Silicone, and Sulfate Free. Some of their bars include products like coconut oil to boost moisture, apricot seed oil to nourish and softens, panthenol (Vitamin B5) to restore strength and shine, and glycerin to keep hair hydrated and healthy.
They say their bars should last 50-75 washes and replaces 2-3 bottles of shampoo.
Kitsch Nourishing Shampoo Bar – Best Hydrating Shampoo Bar
This is a shampoo bar brand that is somewhat new on the market or at least shows up in our feeds more often. It’s a great shampoo bar that will help keep your hair hydrated while on the go. They have a variety of different products including conditioner bars and soap bars for your body. What makes this brand quite unique is they also sell a shampoo caddy for your shower which many brands have yet to create or have.
If you have dry hair, this is the shampoo bar for you. This bar lathers up pretty easily and is great for an everyday cleanse but be sure to check out their other bars for clarifying or deep hair cleanse as well.
Viori Shampoo Bar – Best Shampoo Bar for Fine Hair
Viori is a company that work with the Red Yao tribe to help provide economic prosperity, ecological harmony, cultural preservation, and community well-being for their tribe. It’s a great collaborative project between the two by helping preserve the culture and providing them with income to support their community. If you are looking to help preserve a long time community, this is the perfect company for you to support.
Their shampoo bars are beautifully designed, making them great gifts to family members, friends, and fellow travelers. As travelers, I feel we are socially responsible for helping out communities that bring awareness and history into our lives. Their shampoo bars come in interesting scents, and gentle features help soften your hair and are great shampoo bars for travel and for fine hair.
Naples Soap Company Solid Shampoo Bar – Best Shampoo Bar for Sensitive Skin
This shampoo bar reminds me a bit of Lush, they have a variety of different scents, and similar sizes, shape, and build. The best part? The owner of this company wanted a product that helped relieve her symptoms of eczema and psoriasis. It was important for her to create a natural bar that provided a better solution and reduce the use of harsh chemicals found in typical liquid shampoo brands.
This is a great plastic-free shampoo bar that will make a great addition to your travel experience as it doesn’t take much to get a super lather, has a nice and lasting fragrance but isn’t overpowering. It’s also great for sensitive skin, due to the owner’s own struggles with sensitive skin.
Zero Waste MVMT Shampoo Bar – Best Anti-Dandruff Shampoo bars for travel
Zero Waste MVMT is a brand that is on a mission to create a waste-free future with the use of their products that are plastic free, natural, and earth friendly. They have a peppermint and eucalyptus shampoo bar which is great at beating dandruff, itchy scalp, or a flaky scalp in a concentrated form with a rich lather that is also moisturizing. There shampoo bars for travel are free from SLS, parabens, phthalates, and many other chemicals. One bar can provide 50-75+ washes which are about the same as 3 full-size shampoo bottles.
Shampoo Bars for Travel FAQs
How do you carry a shampoo bar while traveling?
There are a lot of containers that you can use, some are plastic and some are aluminum travel tin. It really depends on what you would like to have. When you store your shampoo bar in your reusable tin, make sure that it is dry and that there is no water that can disintegrate your shampoo bar.
Can you travel with shampoo bars?
Of course! Shampoo bars for travel are always a great choice. You can reduce your carbon footprint, while also not worrying about your liquid being less than 100ml or 3 oz while traveling. These can be brought onto your carry-on and you won’t have to worry about them exploding in your suitcase.
Do shampoo bars actually work?
Of course! These things are absolutely amazing. Just make sure to keep your shampoo dry and away from water when not in use so that it does not dissolve. You’ll want to keep it lasting as long as possible.
What are the disadvantages of shampoo bars?
The disadvantage of shampoo bars for travel is trying to keep them dry when not in use. I suggest you put it up somewhere high so that it doesn’t get the shower water running on it consistently. Another disadvantage is the learning curve and how to use them in your everyday routine. It’s a tad different than using a liquid shampoo so you’ll need to keep that in mind. In addition, they can be a little bit more expensive than traditional shampoo but that is mainly because they have longer use.
Why is bar shampoo so expensive?
Because shampoo bars for travel last a long time. They are meant to last longer than your normal shampoo and they are made with more organic materials which can be more expensive than traditional shampoo.
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