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Syndet vs Soap-Based Shampoo Bars

I get a lot of questions around shampoo bars and some people are hesitant to use them as they may have had bad experience with them or heard from someone else where they did not work. I want to give you some information about the two different types of shampoo bars around and how both of them work.

Soap-based shampoo bars

Soap-based shampoo bars have been around for a long time. These are made in the same way as any other bar soaps. The main difference is that the soap makers usually add some specific ingredients to make your hair feel good. 

Soap bars are made from oils mixed with lye to get the final product. For a good bar there will be some oils left that nourish the hair. 

The problem with soap is that it is alkaline and the hair itself is slightly acidic. So, you usually have to treat your hair with something acidic like apple cider vinegar to get it back to ph of 4.5 to 5.5.

As the hair needs to get used to the new type of treatment there may be an adjustment period and your hair may look and feel gross. This may last from a few washes to several months and many people give up in the process and switch back to normal shampoo.

Syndet shampoo bars

That’s where the syndet bars have a clear advantage. These bars are literally like a bottled shampoo without the water. 

There are a few things to look for when you shop around for those bars and it is worth to check your ingredients.

The main ingredients to avoid are sulphates in particular SLS (Sodium lauryl sulphate) as these are said to irritate your scalp. The other side effect sulphates may be that they strip the colour from coloured hair. 

The other ingredients you want to avoid are silicones. Silicones coat your hair and mainstream advertising says this is a good thing. Unfortunately, they do not tell you that it protects your hair so much that it cannot receive any nutrients from your shampoo. So, your hair feels more tired with every wash and the customer feels that more product is required to get the same clean hair result. 

KallaBeautyNZ uses mild surfactants that are sulphate free. They are so mild that they can also be used for children. My kids love the shampoos and I always had to buy baby shampoo for them before as everything else would sting in their eyes.

We use conditioning agents that have a similar effect to silicones but allow the hair still to get all the nutrients it needs from the shampoo.

Syndet bars do not have an adjustment period as the bar leaves the hair with a ph between 4.5 and 5.5. So, no additional treatment is required. 

The great thing about all of this is that they are plastic free and last a long time compared to bottled shampoos. They are also easy on your wallet as you only pay for the pure ingredients without the water. 

So why not give them a go and see for yourself what the fuss is all about shampoo bars.  

 

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