You may have figured out by now that sodium lauryl sulfate -based soaps and body washes are causing your skin problems, but have you considered that beneath your hair, there's more skin you possibly haven't thought about?
That itchy scalp of yours is speaking to you. It may be trying to tell you that it's time for your detergent-based shampoo to go. Fortunately, hair and scalp hygiene are still possible without it. Give my shampoo bars a try. They cleanse naturally and gently, and are sulfate free - without harsh detergents.
That itchy scalp of yours is speaking to you. It may be trying to tell you that it's time for your detergent-based shampoo to go. Fortunately, hair and scalp hygiene are still possible without it. Give my shampoo bars a try. They cleanse naturally and gently, and are sulfate free - without harsh detergents.
Small Sulfate Free Shampoo Bars
Rosemary Mint
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No harsh detergents, plus rosemary and peppermint to invigorate the scalp and senses
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4 oz bar: $5.50 in stock. |
What's in it: Saponified oils of coconut, palm, castor, avocado, jojoba, cocoa butter, shea butter; peppermint and rosemary and lavender essential oils
Citrus Blast
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No harsh detergents, with our unique citrus blend of orange, grapefruit, and bergamot essential oils.
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4 oz bar: $5.50 out of stock |
_What's in it: Saponified oils of coconut, palm, castor, avocado, jojoba, cocoa butter, shea butter; orange, grapefruit, bergamot essential oils
Using a Shampoo Bar
Shampoo bars are used a bit differently than their sulfate-infused liquid counterparts. Once you get the hang of it, it's really no big deal. In fact, my husband's hair care regimine has become simpler since he switched. It may take a bit of experimentation to dial in a routine that fits your hair, but it will be well worth it in the end. Make sure to allow for some time for your hair to adjust to the shampoo bar - a week or so should do it. Treating with the vinegar rinse described in the "Build Up" section below can speed the process along.
Application
Wet the bar and rub it in your hands until you have generated a sufficient amount of lather. Apply the lather to your hair, working it in to your hair and scalp. Rinse afterward. You will find that your hair feels a bit different after rinsing than it would after rinsing out a detergent-based shampoo. This is due to the gentler cleaning action of the shampoo bar's natural cleansers. They do not strip your hair of all its natural oils. This can actually make conditioners unnecessary, as described below.
Conditioner?
You may find that you no longer need a conditioner. Since natural shampoo bars are less aggressive than detergent-based versions, they do not strip your hair of all its natural oils - so there may not be a need to replace them with a conditioner. Everyone's hair is different, so experiment and see what works best for you. My husband now finds conditioner unnecessary. A quick washing and occassional baking soda rinse are all he needs.
Build Up?
Your hair and skin characteristics, as well as the hardness of your water will determine if you need to do some additional treatment, in addition to your normal shampooing. Fortunately, the additional treatment is fairly simple. My husband will occassionally sprinkle a bit of baking soda on top of the shampoo bar lather, working it in with the lather and rinsing as normal. A vinegar rinse will also work well. Combine a tablespoon or so of white or cider vinegar in a couple cups of water. Apply after rinsing the shampoo bar lather out of your hair. Some like to rinse the vinegar out of their hair, while others don't. Either way, the vinegar smell will disappear as your hair dries.
Application
Wet the bar and rub it in your hands until you have generated a sufficient amount of lather. Apply the lather to your hair, working it in to your hair and scalp. Rinse afterward. You will find that your hair feels a bit different after rinsing than it would after rinsing out a detergent-based shampoo. This is due to the gentler cleaning action of the shampoo bar's natural cleansers. They do not strip your hair of all its natural oils. This can actually make conditioners unnecessary, as described below.
Conditioner?
You may find that you no longer need a conditioner. Since natural shampoo bars are less aggressive than detergent-based versions, they do not strip your hair of all its natural oils - so there may not be a need to replace them with a conditioner. Everyone's hair is different, so experiment and see what works best for you. My husband now finds conditioner unnecessary. A quick washing and occassional baking soda rinse are all he needs.
Build Up?
Your hair and skin characteristics, as well as the hardness of your water will determine if you need to do some additional treatment, in addition to your normal shampooing. Fortunately, the additional treatment is fairly simple. My husband will occassionally sprinkle a bit of baking soda on top of the shampoo bar lather, working it in with the lather and rinsing as normal. A vinegar rinse will also work well. Combine a tablespoon or so of white or cider vinegar in a couple cups of water. Apply after rinsing the shampoo bar lather out of your hair. Some like to rinse the vinegar out of their hair, while others don't. Either way, the vinegar smell will disappear as your hair dries.