If you are trying to reduce the number of plastic bottles in your bathroom, it might be time to try a shampoo bar. Scrub a dub dub, here are 10 NATURAL CANADIAN SHAMPOO BARS THAT WORK (and how to use them)! Oh and don’t forget about vegan shampoo bars, they are becoming so popular and there are so many to choose from. YAY!
Gone are the days of hippie-dippy bars that don’t work and cause your hair to be limp and dry! This new breed of natural shampoo bars is packed with plants and botanicals that will leave your hair feeling hydrated, clean and nourished!
Like with all things here on The Eco Hub, I want to make it easy for you to choose ethical and sustainable products for your home and body, but before you can do this, you need to understand the nuances and meaning behind the terms sustainable and clean beauty.
When it comes to shampoo bars…. Let’s talk transition, there is one!
Your hair and you are not used to using a shampoo that does not lather like crazy when you add water. Your hair is also most likely used to Synthetic detergents and harsh chemicals (used to create lathering and foaming) and found in most conventional bottles of shampoo.
I’d say the number one issue that arises when starting to use a shampoo bar is the transition period.
Not everyone goes through it, but many people often do. Your hair is used to the chemicals you’ve been using from conventional shampoos which are intended to strip the natural oils from your hair.
Synthetic surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate are very common in liquid shampoos. SLS and other detergents strip the hair of its natural oil, which can cause several problems.
When you first make the switch to zero waste shampoo bars your hair might continue to produce those natural oils at the same rate as it was with your previous shampoo but now you aren’t stripping the oils from your hair, which can cause your hair to look greasy.
Your hair naturally produces oils and when you use bar soap because there are no chemicals stripping the oil from your hair, it can appear a bit greasy for the first two weeks.
Your hair should adjust. My advice: keep an open mind, have patience and try a few before you give up, with so many on the market you are bound to find one that works. I did. 🙂
Plastic-free shampoo bars also come with minimal packaging, helping to reduce the number of plastic bottles heading to landfills!
You will save money, research has shown that we tend to use more shampoo in a bottle than we need to.
They are amazing for travel!
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT NATURAL CANADIAN SHAMPOO BAR FOR YOU!
The best advice I can give here is to simply do your homework. Learn as much as you can about the ingredients and talk to the makers. It might take you a bit to find the one that works for you.
How I use Natural Shampoo Bars:
Step 1 – Wet your hair, the wetter the better
Step 2 – I add water to the bar in my hands, it will most likely not lather the way you think it will, then I scrub the bar into my roots first and work my way down to the ends
Step 3 – Rinse
You will find what works for you!
1) How to pick a zero waste shampoo bar?
Ingredients matter! Confirm that what’s in there is right for you and your hair type. While the basic need for a shampoo is to clean your hair, you may want your shampoo to protect, condition, and improve dryness. Try a few! Some will work for you better than others, just like any product.
2) Some misconceptions about shampoo bars are…
Shampoo bars can be made from either soap (saponified oils) or mild cleansing agents (detergents). Both clean your hair but there are some important differences. Soap-based shampoo bars generally have a higher pH which is great for adding volume to hair.
Handmade soap-based shampoo bars are ‘super-fatted’ which means not all the oil is turned to soap (some of the originals oils remain), which is ultra-hydrating. Some hair types may be sensitive to the higher pH level in a soap bar or, need more detangling in which case detergent-based shampoo bars can perform better. Check the ingredients to see which type is right for you.
Shampoo bars offer better value than liquid and have less packaging or no packaging.
The moist environment of the shower could deteriorate your shampoo bar when you’re not even using it, making those 20-50 washes far fewer, so store in a dry place!
Not all shampoo bars are natural. They can still be formulated with sulfates, parabens and phthalates. Again, check the ingredients to be sure.
Here are some great Natural Canadian shampoo bars to choose from:
Nature’s Aid
Nature’s Aid is a wonderful family-owned Canadian natural skincare company that’s all about transparency. The company was founded when the owner was looking for a special ointment to treat one of her horses, but could not find one that worked, so she developed one herself! The results were an amazing skin gel that’s good for horses and humans alike.
They now have a full range of products that include skincare, haircare, baby care, bath & shower, and of course, pets!
Their True Natural Solid Shampoo bars will feed your hair with the purest ingredients nature has to offer, including aloe vera, rosemary oil, and shea butter. They offer four hair-loving varieties: Fortifying Lavender and Rosemary, Volumizing Rose and Geranium, Energizing Lemongrass and Mint, and Moisturixiong Mango and Tangarine. Don’t you want to try them all?!
Nature’s Aid natural shampoo bars are biodegradable, vegan, and cruelty-free. They are all safe for colour-treated hair, rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and contain zero nasties like parabens, SLS, palm oil, artificial colours, silicones, or fragrances.
You can read about their impressive ingredients on their website too, which I love.
These natural shampoo bars are not soap bars—they are specially formulated for your hair, so you are getting salon-quality products. I’ve been using the Energizing bar because I LOVE Lemongrass. It lathers up beautifully and does not leave any residue. I paired it with the geranium conditioner bar which left my hair feeling full and manageable!
All of their ingredients are sourced ethically and responsibly, and a lot of them are organic too. They focus on using reclaimed and salvaged wood along with steel and repurposed waste streams and found objects.
With these bars, you can skip the plastic packaging and support a company that is shaking up the sustainable beauty game!
Barefoot Daughter
Barefoot Daughter makes natural shampoo bars that are scented and coloured with only organic herbs and essential oils. There are no preservatives or chemical colourants and the products are never tested on animals. These multi-purpose hair and body bars make great suds and will leave your skin and hair feeling silky smooth and hydrated. All bars are sulfate and palm-free.
Herbalist, author, and founder Aly Coy first began making her own natural creations in the Netherlands while on a small farm community on the outskirts of a small village. After taking a class with an herbalist and learning about the medicinal benefits of oils, herbs, and beeswax, Aly wanted to know more about it.
From the Netherlands, she moved to an off-the-grid community in the Spanish Pyrenees where she used her knowledge in herbal medicine to help people in the community. They grew their own food, cooked on a wood stove, and used a grey water system for their shower. This was the first time she truly thought about the ingredients in most soaps and the potential impact they might have on human and planetary health.
Aly now calls Salt Spring Island, BC home. That’s where she began making her own gorgeous creations for Barefoot Daughter. She uses ingredients like bergamot oil (which can help to revive hair bulbs and aid in hair growth by helping blood flow to the scalp) and french clay (which is known for its ability to eliminate dead cells and gently remove excess oil from the scalp without stripping it).
I’m totally in love with her heart-shaped soaps too!
KINSFOLK SHOP
Not only does this small, amazing, local business carry natural Canadian shampoo bars, they also offer a wide range of amazing zero-waste products. This small, local business is owned by a lovely woman named Tiu, who after realizing the detrimental effects of our “throw-away” society decided to “introduce fellow Canadians to a more simple and intentional approach to living everyday life. I aim to help you find useful, practical pieces for your home.” It’s one of the reasons I love this company so much.
Their products include Canadian-made goods, as well as Fair Trade and carefully selected makers and manufacturers from various regions around the world.
Find an amazing selection of natural shampoo and conditioner bars.
Pictured first below is the No Tox Life natural Shampoo bar made with Seaweed extract which imparts proteins and minerals to the hair shaft to help with damage.
PLUS, Cocoa butter is a healthy and softening hair conditioning ingredient (from the cocoa plant) for shiny locks.
The solid shampoo lightly washes your hair but it doesn’t strip your natural oils. I can feel the moisture lock in when I rinse. It has helped me detangle my long hair in the shower. This product has replaced my detangler spray bottle and my leave-in conditioner. 🙂 The smell is a light eucalyptus which I find simply divine first thing in the morning.
Rocky Mountain Soap Company
Their Natural Canadian Shampoo bar with Rosemary doubles as a body soap and is SLS-free!
It’s made with rosemary leaf oil to stimulate the scalp, and castor oil to leave your hair feeling soft. Rosemary oil increases circulation to the scalp, while castor oil leaves your hair feeling smooth and soft. This shampoo/soap bar is perfect for taking on vacation, as it can be used as both shampoo and body soap.
Buck Naked Soap Company
The Rhassoul Clay Shampoo Bar adds volume and shine while cleansing your hair and scalp. This incredible ingredient has been a trusted secret for over 1,400 years. With continued use, our conditioning and mineral-rich zero waste shampoo bar may help reduce dandruff and also doubles as body and hand soap.
These bars do contain sodium hydroxide which has a higher PH than your hair. Just a heads up on that!
Upfront Cosmetics
The Refreshing Shampoo Bar is infused with uplifting, fresh, herbal, floral tones come from lemon, rosemary, and lavender notes. This sulphate-free shampoo bar creates an abundant lather that is pH-balanced to be gentle, non-irritating and safe for colour-treated hair. Provitamin B5 helps retain moisture and protect your hair from the elements. Hydrolyzed oat protein adds softness, aiding in manageability.
Lavami Everyday Shampoo Bar
This shampoo bar will cleanse your hair and leave it soft and manageable.
Jojoba oil in liquid wax and the chemical composition resembles the natural sebum produced by the scalp. It’s a lubricant and emollient and may help repair damaged shafts and protect from environmental damage.
Boral Folk Apothocary
The Juniper + Birch Soap/Shampoo bar is all about cleansing and moisturizing for both skin & hair, it creates a thick frothy lather. It is lightly scented with notes of geranium, juniper berries, and creamy wintergreen. Juniper: Contains anti-inflammatory virtues and is rich in antioxidants. Strengthens and conditions hair. These soaps also contain sodium hydroxide, FYI.
Wild Jasmine Natural Apothecary
The Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar is great for normal hair, it’s a natural conditioning low waste shampoo in a bar form, formulated with natural plant oils, butter’s, botanicals and pure essentials oils that nourish your hair and scalp. The combination of peppermint and rosemary is said to stimulate the growth of hair follicles and leave your hair clean and shiny and your scalp with a cool refreshing tingle.
Saltspring Soap Works
These little powerhouses pack a lot of cleaning power—in an awfully convenient form. They last longer than liquid shampoos, and they’re chock full of essential oils, natural ingredients, and fresh scents. The Calendula Chamomile Shampoo Bar is specially formulated for those with fine, light hair. Want extra-thick lather? Well… you’ll find it in this one. Castor oil, chamomile, and calendula all work together to give you soft, silky hair. Sensitive scalp? This is your shampoo bar.
Love Fresh
I have been in love with this brand forever! Their body butters are to die for and now they have a line of the most delicious smelling shampoo bars. They come in three scents, citrus, lavender- tea tree and rosemary- mint, my bathroom smells like a spa. The bar lather well, my hair feels clean and bouncy and no weird residue is left. Plus it smells amazing.
Art Soap Life
This soft bar is unscented and great for sensitive or dry skin, as a shampoo bar and facial soap. Saponified organic olive oil, organic coconut oil, chamomile & calendula infused organic sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, cocoa butter, castor oil, Manitoba beeswax, and vitamin E, gently cleanse and moisturize and soothe dryness, promoting healthy, refreshed, glowing skin and hair.
Cold process is used for all soaps so can they create bases of pure oils. They source local botanicals and Manitoba beeswax. No chemical preservatives or artificial fragrances are used in the soaps and all aromas derive from therapeutic quality essential oils, ground botanicals, spices, butters, oxides, micas and clays.
I love the Chamomile and Calendula Soap and Shampoo Bar, great for my sensitive skin
NATURAL SHAMPOO + CONDITIONER REFILLABLE OPTIONS
Eco+Amour offers this service in Toronto.
Bring clean, dry containers of your choosing, or shop our selection of refillable containers. Fill your containers with our amazing natural products and pay by weight. Enjoy the great vibes you get from making a more sustainable purchasing decision.
Looking for other zero waste shops, I’ve got your covered:
Zero Waste Shopping Guide: Saskatchewan
Zero Waste Shopping Guide: Manitoba
Zero Waste Shopping Guide: Quebec
Zero Waste Shopping Guide British Columbia
Zero Waste Shopping Guide: Nova Scotia
Zero Waste Shopping Guide: Ontario
Zero Waste Shopping Guide: Alberta
Zero Waste Shopping Guide: Toronto
Common questions we get when it comes to natural shampoo bars:
What is a shampoo bar?
A shampoo bar is shampoo in solid bar form.
How to pick a zero waste shampoo bar?
Shampoo bars can be made from either soap (saponified oils) or mild cleansing agents (detergents). Both clean your hair but there are some important differences. Soap-based shampoo bars generally have a higher pH which is great for adding volume to hair.
Handmade soap-based shampoo bars are ‘super-fatted which means not all the oil is turned to soap (some of the originals oils remain), which is ultra-hydrating. Some hair types may be sensitive to the higher pH level in a soap bar or, need more detangling in which case detergent-based shampoo bars can perform better. Check the ingredients to see which type is right for you.
How long does a natural shampoo bar last?
It depends on the brand and how often you wash your hair, but generally, a small bar will last 50-70 washes.
How do you use a shampoo bar?
Step 1 – Wet your hair, the wetter the better
Step 2 – I add water to the bar in my hands, it will most likely not lather the way you think it will, then I scrub the bar into my roots first and work my way down to the ends
Step 3 – Rinse
What are some of the benefits of natural shampoo bars?
They are affordable (because they last so long) and great to travel with and very convenient to use?
Is a zero waste shampoo bar better for the environment?
With the plastic crisis, many people are looking for ways to cut back on the amount of plastic they bring into their homes. Opting for a shampoo bar is a great way to reduce plastic bottles that shampoo typically comes in. A shampoo bar has a lower carbon footprint as no plastic is manufactured to keep it in.
How long does it take for hair to adjust to a shampoo bar?
It depends on your hair and the bar you are using. A good rule of thumb is to try it for at least 2 weeks to give your hair some time to adjust and fully remove build-up from commercial shampoos.
Can you use shampoo bars on Coloured hair?
Yes, you can.
How Should I store my shampoo bars?
Never leave your bar in standing water. Use a soap dish and make sure it gets lots of air. Try to keep them away from direct sunlight to avoid melting.
Final thoughts on natural shampoo bars
You need to give your tresses some time to adjust to the bar, for some it happens pretty fast, others not so much. Stick with it. You will find one that works for you and don’t be afraid to reach out to the brand directly to answer your questions and the reviews are also a really great place to learn more about a particular bar. My favourite zero waste online stores carry a wide range of Natural Canadian Shampoo Bars.
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Is there 10 or just 8? I would add Unwrapped Life, they make amazing shampoo bars!
There are 10 listed, we did not include Unwrapped Life because their bars contain silicone’s: dimethicone & copolyol cyclomethicone.
Thank you,
The Eco Hub Team
Interesting, thank you for this!
Thank you for compiling this list! I’m excited to give some of these a try.
I’ve been using Unwrapped Life bars for a long time now. I love them and wasn’t aware of any unsavory ingredients. Looking at the ingredient list I don’t see any silicones listed though…
“Shampoo bar: sodium coco sulfate, coconut oil, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, calendula, shea oil, hemp seed oil, apricot seed oil, (essential oils of: neroli and sweet orange), d-panthenol, turmeric, and hydrolyzed quinoa protein”.
I tried to research which ingredients might be silicones but I couldn’t find any that were. Are you able to shed any further light on that?
Hi Felicia,
thank you for your message. You need to take a look at the ingredients for the bars you are interested in.
There are synthetic detergents (Syndets) and natural detergents. Syndets – Sodium Lauryl Sulfate seems to be the most common, but sulfates in general.
Natural Detergent – Coco-glucoside is how it appears on the label.
You can also email the brand directly if the ingredients aren’t on the label.
Does this help?
Please let me know,
all my best,
Candice
Thank you for your reply Candice.
That does help. It gets so confusing when you’re trying to make a better choice, but find it’s still not perfect! There’s just so much information to wade through.
Cheers,
Felicia
I also just purchased unwrapped life. Are there any others to recommend ?
Hi Sarah,
by others do you mean from Unwaprped life or other bars in general?
thank you
Candice
Hi! I checked lists of good and bad ingredients and am confused with your terms. I found “good” silicons, as in water soluble, listed as dimethicone copolyol AND cyclomethicone. You listed them as something AND copolyol cyclomethicone. Could you please clarify. Especially since the designation ad “good” hinges on being water soluble. Thank you.
Terri
Hi Terri,
I am not sure I understand your question, feel free to email me at info@theecohub.ca
best,
Candice
I use a shampoo bar and I like the results I get from it. The only ingredient I’m questioning is it contains (sodium hydroxide). The rest of the ingredients are ok. So should I be worried about this one ingredient?
I use Earth to Body, they do have Palm oil in their product but it is listed on their website, but have tried almost all their products. But I am trying also some of the products you are recommending here as well.
Hi Lisa,
thanks so much for this. I am glad you are giving some of these a go. Let me know what you think about them,
all my best,
Candice
I make and sell soap for a living. If it says “saponified oils of”, or “sodium” and then olivate or cocoate or something similar it has sodium hydroxide in it and a pH of 8.5 or higher. The labelling can name the oil and then sodium hydroxide or the above methods. It still works great for a lot of people, but beware if your hair hates soap high pH soap, these are still soap.
Thanks for the tip,
best,
Candice
Life UNpacked has not been noted. I have had great benefits from their shampoo!
Thanks for the shout out!
I can’t help but comment that some information in this article is factually inaccurate. I make and sell cold-process soap for a living, and it’s important to note that while soaps and shampoo bars are made using sodium hydroxide (lye), they no longer contain this ingredient in the finished bars. The mixing of sodium hydroxide with the oils creates a chemical process (saponification) where it changes the oils into glycerin, and sodium hydroxide burns itself off/gets used up during the process leaving only the saponified oils left and any other added ingredients. Some soapmakers leave sodium hydroxide off the labels and state ‘saponified oils of:’ but don’t be fooled, lye has been used to create the solid bar. Most of the shampoo bars named in the article (boreal folk, Rocky Mountain soap co, for example) are made using this method and made with sodium hydroxide.
Thanks for your comment. What exactly are you referring to being factually inaccurate?
Thank you,
Candice
Oh the part about finished shampoo bars containing sodium hydroxide. Lye is an ingredient used in the process of creating the soaps, however, lye (sodium hydroxide) does not exist as an ingredient in bar soap or shampoo once it has saponified. Suggesting that some bars are worse than others because they contain sodium hydroxide is inaccurate because all of the solid shampoo bars have been made using this ingredient, however, none of them actually contain it once the saponification process has happened (about 24 hours after combining oils and lye).
Hi, I am looking for a shampoo/conditioner for use in an outdoor shower (camping), so need to ensure its not harmful to wildlife, forest or lakes. What ingredients do I need to avoid ??
Hi Julie,
Thanks for your email. it’s not great to use any soap near waterways, here is a good article on the subject,
https://www.treehugger.com/clean-water/never-ever-use-soap-lake.html
let me know if this helps,
best
Candice
Hi, you can use ghassoul (rhassoul), As shampoo for the hair, body and face cleaner.
Hello Patricia,
I am not sure. I think it’s best to talk your hairstylist about that,
best,
Candice
Hi Candice
How abot shampoo soaps by CAT&Crew?
Hi Sepi,
I have not tried these.
I will take a look though.
best
Candice
Just wondering if you’ve tried MacDuff’s soap company, and their shampoo bar, if so why didn’t they make the list?
I have not, thanks for letting us know.
I have been experimenting with natural bar shampoo for a while. This breakdown of info for Canadian brands is great. I did find my hair heavy to begin with and countered that with an apple cider vinegar rinse but I now find that I no longer need this step. I have very thick, coarse, dry hair and it has never been softer. My scalp psoriasis has also improved drastically!
Thanks for sharing Kim. 🙂
Such a good list! Just want to note that I don’t believe badger balm is Canadian, their website states they’re based in New Hampshire. I’m sure still a great company, however I came to this list to support Canadian business. Just thought I’d mention 🙂
Thanks, Isabella. We do know that LOL!
Kim, I would like to know which bar shampoo works best for you.
Thank you
Good information about shampoo bars…the ones I’ve tried didn’t really have instructions! Thanks for sharing :))))
Thanks 🙂
In the intro, you talk about detergents vs soap-based, but in the descriptions of each I don’t see mention of which have detergents in them? I’m trying to avoid detergents because I have curly hair, but I am not sure what to look for to know if they have them or not.
Hi Lisa,
thanks for your message, you need to take a look at the ingredients for the bars you are interested in. There are synthetic detergents (Syndets) and natural detergents.
Syndets – Sodium Lauryl Sulfate seems to be the most common, but sulfates in general.
Natural Detergent – Coco-glucoside is how it appears on the label.
You can also email the brand directly if the ingredients aren’t on the label.
I hope this helps,
Best,
Candice
Thanks for including Kinsfolk Shop!! There’s a lot of great info here!
We love what you are doing Tiu,
xoxoxo
Candice
Hi
I was directed to kinsfolk shop via this blog and I couldn’t be more delighted with my purchase! Package shipped on time, arrived early even. My intention was to purchase the recommended no tox life, because eucalyptus in a morning shower sounds perfect, however it it was out of stock. The runner up was bottle nones be strong bars.
I couldn’t wait to wash my hair 😁 and I was very impressed. I highly recommend for fine/damaged hair.
I can’t recall when my hair felt so good.
Hi Dawn,
thank you so much for your message, I am so delighted to hear from you. I have also shared your note with Kinsfolk, who I also love!
best regards,
Candice
We’re also a Canadian owned and operated handmade soap brand. Our products are Eco-friendly and completely made from natural ingredients. You can review our products too. We ensure you that we don’t use harmful chemical or substance.
Thank you for sharing, we will take a look.
best,
Candice