After decades of my sensitive skin reacting badly to any soap products, and having dry hair requiring twice as much conditioner as shampoo, I was particularly nervous about finding a more ecological alternative. Especially as I feared that this would dry my hair further.
The Coconutty Soapnut Shampoo Bar from Living Naturally was the first Bar Shampoo that I have ever tried. This particular soap is advertised as being great for “Nourishing & Moisturising. Suitable for all hair/skin types, especially for dry or lack luster hair/skin or inflamed sore skin” with the added appeal of being:
- SLS Free
- Palm Oil Free
- Organic
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
I particularly liked that there was the option to choose what packaging you received for this products:
- Shampoo in a Cotton Bag
- Shampoo in a Paper Bag
- 5 Bars (Bulk) – No Packaging
With no price difference between the first two options, I chose the Cotton Bag as this was my first purchase. Also, there are so many uses for this later!
I would be lying if I said the switch was an easy one (hence the delay in this post being uploaded). For the first 1-2 weeks I was seriously unimpressed. However, I researched further and sought advice and further information. After a few weeks, my hair is thicker, easier to manage and not dry at all. In fact, I am only using bar-conditioner once a WEEK now. It is more like a ‘treatment’ than a necessity!
FAQS
An Adjustment Period is NORMAL
There is no doubt about it, but my hair felt WEIRD. For me, it felt slightly “waxy” for the first couple of weeks!
The period of adjustment can range from a few days/weeks to even a month for some people. It depends on how damaged your hair is, how much residue and build-up is present and this also, in part, is dependent on your genetics.
People can experience a dry or oily scalp (sometimes both in succession), notice an increase in tangles and/or frizzy hair or (like me) a weird, waxy feel to the hair.
These experiences are the result of the addiction our hair has developed to chemical-laden shampoo – it is going through a withdrawal period and learning to live a chemical-free life. Its not easy, and (in my case) it did NOT look great!
BUT it is worth it (I promise!). Just don’t commence transitioning to bar soap within a month of a special occasion!
Tips
- Rinse, rinse and rinse again – this ensures that the soap residue is removed thoroughly from your hair.
- Use less – it is tempting, at first, the rub the soap bar directly onto your hair. I recommend making a lather in your hands first and applying from there.
- Some people recommend using an apple cider vinegar or baking soda rinse – there are many recipes for these online (and as I received this tip after my adjustment period) I have not tried any I could recommend.
- Try another shampoo bar! Everyone of us has a different hair-type – and this may even change as we ween our hair off “conventional” shampoos. Many sellers offer sets of samples to start with!
Key Takeaways
- The Coconutty Soapnut Shampoo Bar from Living Naturally is organic, SLS-free, and palm oil-free, making it a great eco-friendly option.
- Transitioning to the bar caused an initial adjustment period, where the hair felt waxy and unmanageable before improving after a few weeks.
- Users may experience various issues like dry or oily scalp during the adjustment period, as their hair detoxes from chemical shampoos.
- Tips for using the bar include rinsing thoroughly, applying less soap, and trying different shampoo bars to find the best fit for your hair type.
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