washing without plastic

Shampoo bars have a lot going for them — so let’s embrace zero-waste haircare

This week, we highlight three of the most planet-friendly, value-for-money natural shampoos — in solid form.

When it comes to getting your hands on natural, eco-friendly shampoos and conditioners, you’ll be forgiven for bypassing your high street supermarkets and mainstream pharmacies. Ethical, vegan and 100% natural options in the UK’s main retailers are annoyingly limited (but definitely improving).

Many new products popping up in these places seem to be soaked in greenwash, so it’s worth paying attention to the FACTS on the labels — such as the actual percentage of natural ingredients (92% natural; what’s in the other 8%!?) — and overlooking their pictures of nice green leaves and the planet, nature-inspired branding or uncertified words like ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ (see more on that here).

Of course it’s great to support the high street, but you’ll find more choice in small, boutique local sellers or clean beauty sites like Naturisimo.com and Bowercollective.com or Mypure.co.uk where ethical is the name of the game.

Remember, the vast majority of mainstream haircare harbour unknown chemicals under the legal loophole ingredient ‘parfum’ (of which beauty brands don’t have to disclose specifics, due to proprietary fragrance confidentiality). Bottom line, you don’t 100% know what’s in it.

These three however are all 100% natural, cruelty-free, vegan and plastic-free. They have excellent eco credentials and walk the walk when it comes to sustainability efforts.

Furthermore, they’ve been tried and tested and we can vouch they make your hair feel pretty epically great.

LAVERA Basis Sensitive Moisture & Care Shampoo Bar 50g — £8.95

This solid shampoo from German brand Lavera is made up of wholly natural ingredients, including organic bamboo and organic quinoa that aid and assist weakened hair. It cleanses the hair using mild surfactants, boosts volume but doesn’t leave any of that heaviness.

Lavera’s shampoo bar is climate neutral

This everyday shampoo bar is perfect for sensitive scalps and skin types. Despite being super gentle, it still works hard to care and moisturise your hair with its organic aloe vera and quinoa.

Be sure to also check out Lavera’s deodorants, toothpastes and all-natural make up too (their Eyebrow Styling Gel is a fave.)

2. Faith in Nature Lavender & Geranium Shampoo Bar, 85g — £5.79

There’s a lot to love about Faith in Nature’s paraben and SLS free shampoo bar. For one, it’s completely natural (100% natural fragrance), and it’s Vegan Society Approved and cruelty-free. You can also buy their liquid shampoo in bulk size, 2.5L containers.

Faith in Nature: accessibility at its core

One thing to love about Faith in Nature is its core ethos and mission — to make their products affordable and accessible to all.

3. Friendly Soap Lemongrass, Lavender, Tea Tree & Peppermint TRAVEL (All in One)

This is one of those satisfyingly versatile products everyone needs; a bit like Weleda or P’URE Papaya’s Skin Food, or those multi-purpose blush creams you can use anywhere on your face. This soap will wash you, your hair, any little people, and even your clothes.

Fully bio-degradable, each soap is handmade with Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, Olive Oil, Lavender, Lemongrass, Peppermint and Tea Tree essential oil blend.