<p>”There is less water in shampoo bars, therefore you get more or the concentrated ingredients than you would in a liquid shampoo,” says <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/theopettway/?hl=en” target=”_blank”>Theo Pettway</a>, Davines Regional Master Trainer and Hairstylist and Director of Education at <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/arcadiabham/?hl=en” target=”_blank”>Arcadia Salon</a>.</p><p>Like bar soap, shampoo bars are a more sustainable option for your shower. Unlike shampoo that comes in a plastic bottle that takes years to decompose (even if it’s recycled properly), shampoo bars typically come wrapped in paper, which is easy to recycle and can be repurposed to make something new. Not only do shampoo bars save on water and decrease the amount of plastic waste you make, but they’re also great for travel since they’re small and easy to pack and don’t contain any liquid. </p><p>Using a shampoo bar provides better potency of the product versus a regular shampoo. Essentially, using a bar you’re receiving three times the power and potency, versus receiving watered-down results from traditional shampoo.</p><p>If you’re already a bar soap guy, switching to a shampoo bar is an easy and eco-friendly change to make that will deeply nourish your hair without depleting our environmental resources. Curious about the best shampoo bar for your hair type? We tried and tested the very best shampoo bars on the market and compiled our favorites below. We rated our top picks based on ease of use, performance, comfort, and durability. Whether you’re a guy with thinning hair or you’re looking to add moisture to your curly hair, these are the best shampoo bars for every hair type and concern. </p>” />
Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?
Best Overall Shampoo Bar
Superzero Fine Hair Shampoo Bar for Volume & Shine
Best Overall Shampoo Bar
Superzero Fine Hair Shampoo Bar for Volume & Shine
Pros
- Enhances the scalp biome
- Bond builder reduces breakage
Cons
- Not moisturizing enough on its own
- Expensive
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5, Performance 4/5, Comfort 4/5, Durability 5/5
Guys with fine hair know the struggle of trying to add volume to limp locks all too well. Your hair might look good when you leave the house, but by midday it’s basically flat against your head. We found that this shampoo bar from superzero works wonders on thin hair by lifting skinny strands at the root, adding volume exactly where we need it. It lathers up well and has a soft and creamy texture due to the vegan keratin in the formula, which restores smoothness, boosts shine and tames frizz and flyaways without weighing the hair down. Thin hair is more prone to breakage, but we were happy to discover that this shampoo bar features bond-building ingredients, which makes your hair stronger with every wash.
While this bar is made from moisturizing ingredients, it’s not enough to deeply condition dry, thin hair. Don’t forget to finish with conditioner; otherwise, you might end up with hair that feels straw-like.
| Hair Type | Fine |
|---|---|
| Size | 2.35 oz |
| Sulfate-free | Yes |
Pros
- Addresses dry scalp and hair flaking
- Cleans hair without drying it out
Cons
- Moisturizing formula might weigh down thin or fine hair
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5, Performance 4/5, Comfort 5/5, Durability 5/5
The first thing we noticed about this shampoo bar is the unique size and shape. It doesn’t look like a regular bar of soap so you won’t accidentally get the two mixed up in the shower. The bar is designed to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand, which makes it really easy to use. While it may look small, this concentrated shampoo bar will actually las as long as two regular sized plastic shampoo bottles.
We found that this bar is best for thicker or dryer hair types that are lacking in moisture. The base of this shampoo bar is coconut oil, which might be too heavy for guys with fine hair. Rice protein and vitamin B5 give your hair an added boost of hydration for smooth, tangle-free hair. After using, store it upright in your shower away from direct water to help it shed any moisture as its drying.
| Hair Type | Oily, Dry, Normal, Thin |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.2 oz. |
| Sulfate-free | Yes |
Best Shampoo Bar for Long Hair
Davines Dede Shampoo Bar
Best Shampoo Bar for Long Hair
Davines Dede Shampoo Bar
Pros
- Leaves your hair feeling soft
- Lathers well
Cons
- Just as expensive as traditional shampoo
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5, Performance 5/5, Comfort 5/5, Durability 4/5
Long hair needs a lot of hydration, which this shampoo bar delivers. Not all shampoo bars are moisturizing enough for long locks, but this one is an exception. We could immediately tell that this bar would work wonders for medium to long hair. As soon as we started lathering the formula, the buttery texture almost felt like it was melting in our hands. The formula was exceptionally creamy while also throughly cleaning our hair and scalp. Once it was lathered on our hair, we couldn’t even tell it didn’t come from a bottle.
The best thing about this shampoo bar is that it makes air drying your hair a breeze. After following with conditioner, it left our hair feeling fresh and clean without applying any additional hair product. If you have doubts about if a shampoo bar will work for your longer locks, this is the one that will change your mind.
| Hair Type | Dry and dehydrated hair |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.53 oz. |
| Sulfate-free | Yes |
Best 3-in-1 Shampoo Bar
Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind 3-in-1 Cleansing Bar
Best 3-in-1 Shampoo Bar
Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind 3-in-1 Cleansing Bar
Pros
- Soothing ingredients
- Can use on your face, body, and hair
Cons
- Not very moisturizing
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5, Performance 3/5, Comfort 4/5, Durability 3/5
This is one of the very few 3-in-1 products we can whole-heartedly recommend. This solid cleanser feels very similar to a bar of soap you might use on your hands or on your body, which you can also do with this multifunctional cleansing bar. We love that this bar is made with 2% colloidal oatmeal and other nutrients that won’t irritate a sensitive scalp or skin. When testing this one on our own sensitive skin, we were pleased to find that it didn’t trigger any type of reaction and left our hair feeling gently but thoroughly cleansed. It’s not as moisturizing as other shampoo bars, but that’s why you should always follow with conditioner.
We really like that this is the only bar you need to take with you when you shower, which is great for people who like to pack light. While individual body washes, face washes, and shampoos may perform better, this shampoo bar can’t be beat in terms of functionality, especially if you’re taking it on-the-go.
| Hair Type | Normal hair |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.7 oz |
| Sulfate-free | Yes |
Best Shampoo Bar for Thinning Hair
Kitsch Rice Shampoo Bar
Best Shampoo Bar for Thinning Hair
Kitsch Rice Shampoo Bar
Pros
- Prevents split ends and encourages hair growth
- Detangles and conditions
Cons
- Not for use on the body
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5, Performance 4/5 , Comfort 4/5, Durability 4/5
For thinning hair, we love this shampoo bar from Kitsch because it encourages hair growth and nourishes your strands with every use. The star ingredient is rice water protein, which works similar to the kind of protein you take after a workout, except it strengthens your hair instead of your muscles. It’s also rich in amino acids that boosts the health of your hair at the roots while preventing hair loss. We suggest soaking your strands warm water first before rubbing the bar between your palms to create a rich rather. Then, “paint” the sudsy mixture onto your hair and gently scrub the scalp to boost blood flow to the area. As much as we love the hair-boosting benefits of this bar, we also appreciate the refreshing notes of white tea and mandarin that fill your shower with every use.
Read more: Best Hair Growth Shampoos
| Hair Type | Damaged hair |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.2 oz. |
| Sulfate-free | Yes |
Best Shampoo Bar for Dry Hair
Christophe Robin Hydrating Shampoo Bar
Best Shampoo Bar for Dry Hair
Christophe Robin Hydrating Shampoo Bar
Pros
- Can use on your hair and body
- Great for travel
Cons
- Must follow with conditioner
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5, Performance 3/5, Comfort 4/5, Durability 5/5
Formulated with 99.7% natural origin ingredients, this Christophe Robin bar uses aloe vera, olive oil, and coconut oil to hydrate parched strands. The perk of this natural formula is that you can also use this bar on your body. The earthy scent is deeply relaxing and the bar lasts a surprisingly long time in the shower. While we loved the creamy texture. it did take some time for our hair to adjust to this shampoo bar. It left a bit of residue on our hair after the first few uses, and we found it was necessary to follow it up with conditioner. While it’s not our top pick, we still think it’s worth picking up if you plan on traveling and want to pack light.
| Hair Type | Dry hair |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.38 oz. |
| Sulfate free | Yes |
Pros
- Smells great
- Don’t need to follow with conditioner
Cons
- Pricey
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5, Performance 5/5, Comfort 5/5, Durability 4/5
If you have a sensitive scalp that’s easily irritated, this shampoo bar gentle yet effective. It made our hair feel clean but not stripped, and we didn’t even need to use conditioner afterward, thanks to the nourishing blend of Argan and castor oil, and the light citrus-y scent is the perfect way to kickstart your day. We found that it gave our hair a decent amount of volume without leaving behind any residue. We loved the thick, rich lather, which felt luxurious while also effectively cleansing our scalp and hair of any dirt and grime. One major perk is that we found we could go longer in between washes when using this shampoo bar. This bar definitely had the richest lather, which gives it a luxury feel.
| Hair Type | Thin, straight, curly, frizzy, or thick hair |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.7 oz. |
| Sulfate-free | Yes |
Best Affordable Shampoo Bar
J. R. Liggett’s All-Natural Shampoo Bar
Best Affordable Shampoo Bar
J. R. Liggett’s All-Natural Shampoo Bar
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Promotes healthy hair and reduces breakage
Cons
- Not ideal for thick, curly hair
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5, Performance 3/5, Comfort 3/5, Durability 4/5
If you’re used to using liquid shampoo and you don’t want to spend a lot of money for something you’re not sure if you’ll like, this bar from J. R. Liggett is a fantastic entry point into the sustainable world of shampoo bars. It’s features a blend of nourishing natural ingredients like coconut and Argan oil to cleanse and moisturize your strands. We found that this bar actually lathers up lather if you apply it directly on the scalp instead of rubbing it between your palms. While we still needed to follow it up with conditioner, we loved how soft and silky it made our hair feel once it dried. Compared to some of the pricier picks we tried, this shampoo bar was surprisingly sudsy and gave our hair a thorough clean that rivaled more expensive options.
| Hair Type | Curly hair |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.5 oz. |
| Sulfate-free | Yes |
Are Shampoo Bars Better for Hair?
Shampoo bars are more sustainable than liquid shampoo, which often comes packaged in plastic that’s difficult to recycle. When it comes to formulation and effectiveness, shampoo bars also reign supreme. “Shampoo bars last longer,” says Pettway. “Because the ingredients are more concentrated, there’s no need to use as much.”
How to Use a Shampoo Bar
Make sure your hair is completely soaked before picking up your shampoo bar. “Wet the bar under the water for a few seconds and activate the bar by rubbing it between your hands,” says celebrity hairstylist Jenny Cho. “I like to use the corners of the bar and rub it in a stroke motion with gentle pressure against my scalp.”
Massage the bar throughout your hair in a circular motion to create a nice, sudsy lather. Use your fingertips to stimulate the scalp and coat your hair from root to ends. If you have extra dirty hair, repeat this process, rinse well, and always finish with conditioner.
How Long do Shampoo Bars Last?
“This depends on the individual, their hair regimen, and the amount of hair they have,” says Pettway. “If you shampoo every day, then the bar should last up to four months.” To help your shampoo bar last, store it in a soap dish that allows it to dry completely in between uses.
What to Look for When Shopping for a Shampoo Bar
Look for bars that have natural ingredients, especially moisturizing butters and oils. Avoid shampoo bars that contain parabens and sulfates, which can dry out your hair and even cause hair loss. Before you commit to a shampoo bar, make sure it works with your hair type. If you have thin hair, look for a volumizing shampoo bar with lightweight natural ingredients that won’t weigh your hair down. If you have thick, curly hair, you’ll want to find a shampoo bar that’s loaded with moisturizing ingredients, like shea butter and plant-based oils.
How We Selected
For the past two years, we consulted with Men’s Health‘s Grooming editors and writers on the top shampoo bars for men. Experts including our Grooming Editor Garrett Munce and Senior Commerce Editor Christian Gollayan put a myriad of shampoo bars to the test and evaluated their effectiveness and scent. We also considered top-reviewed shampoo bars that had at least 100 five-star customer ratings on e-commerce websites that we trust.
Meet the Experts
Read More About the Best Haircare Products for Men
Cristina Montemayor is a freelance writer and journalist living in Austin, Texas, covering beauty, grooming, style, and culture. Her work has appeared in Very Good Light, BRIDES, Elite Daily, among others.
Deputy Editor, Commerce
As Men’s Health’s Deputy Editor, Commerce, Christian Gollayan oversees all shopping content on menshealth.com. He relocated back to New York by way of Portland, where he was the Associate Managing Editor at TheManual.com. Christian’s work has also been featured in InStyle, Food & Wine, the New York Post, and Tatler Asia.
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