From hot-plate-free straightening tools to micellar water and masks with mico molecules, innovative approaches to hair care are having a moment. Among the innovative developments are shampoo and conditioner bars. With block versions of this grooming essential designed to replace liquid varieties.

We caught up with Vanessa Sharpe, GM of Product & Innovation at Ethique, who spilled (or should that be lathered?) about the benefits of using a bar to wash and condition your hair.

Ethical, environmental and easy to use

Shampoo bars continue to rise in popularity among consumers who want to incorporate sustainable products into their hair care routines. With the shift towards solid shampoo bars often inherently reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional liquid shampoos.

“At Ethique, sustainability and innovation drive our product development” explains Vanessa. “Our journey begins with meticulously sourcing cruelty-free, vegan and ethically produced ingredients. Each component is chosen for its sustainability, biodegradability, and safety profile.”

“Beyond this, by eliminating the need for plastic bottles, our shampoo bars prevent significant amounts of plastic from entering land fills and oceans,” Vanessa points out. “Each bar is equivalent to three bottles of liquid shampoo (or at least 80 washes), making a tangible impact on reducing waste.”

“Furthermore, our commitment extends beyond product formulation to packaging,” says Vanessa. “We use only home-compostable or recyclable materials, such as laminate-free cardboard and compostable cellulose tamper seals, to ensure our products are entirely plastic free.”

Good Hair Days

Further to its eco features. Ethique’s manufacturing process utilises the hot pour method. A technique that precisely blends ingredients to maximise potency.

“By carefully melting and combining ingredients into moulded forms, our bars contain 7.5 times more active ingredients than other hair care bars on the market. And, an impressive 10 times more actives than traditional liquid shampoos,” elaborates Vanessa.

As a result, tresses washed in a good quality shampoo bar can be as smooth as the kind you’d expect using a traditional liquid shampoo. Maybe even better

Advantages of shampoo bars over traditional hair care

Ethique’s shampoo bars offer compelling advantages when compared to conventional options. According to Vanessa, these include:

1. Exceptional Effectiveness: “Our bars boast 20-30% active ingredients, far surpassing the concentration found in typical liquid shampoos,” notes Vanessa. “This high potency ensures effective cleansing and without the need for excess water.”
2. Clean and Ethical Ingredients: “We also prioritise purity by excluding parabens, silicones, phthalates, SLS/SLES, artificial additives and soap from our formulas,” says Vanessa. “Instead, we opt for natural, fairly traded ingredients that uphold our commitment to ethical and environmental standards.”
3. Environmental Responsibility: “As a certified B Corp, Ethique is dedicated to minimising our environmental footprint,” Vanessa affirms. “Our products are plastic free, vegan, cruelty-free, and palm oil-free, ensuring every aspect of our production aligns with sustainable practices.”