Solid shampoo has become popular in recent months and it is an ecological alternative to the liquid shampoo that we have been using for decades. But not only is it a beneficial alternative for the environment, but it is also beneficial for our health and that of our scalp and hair. We are going to see the differences between both options and learn to choose the best one for us.
Today we will learn many things about shampoos, starting with seeing if sulfates, silicones and parabens are really as necessary as they seem. In addition, we will see if it is useful to buy a solid shampoo or it is better to continue buying bottles and bottles of liquid shampoos.
We will also see if any shampoo works for us or we need to know our hair type and scalp type. In the same way that we will know the differences between both options, as well as the advantages of the true protagonist of the last months, the solid shampoo.
Sulfates, parabens and silicones
These 3 ingredients have been present in a multitude of shampoos and conditioners for several years, although it is increasingly common to see more natural products with ingredients of plant origin and without parabens, sulfates or silicones.
Next, we are going to explain what each of these 3 ingredients is for and thus we will know if it is what we want for ourselves or not:
parabens
They are chemical agents that are added to beauty products to prevent them from having bacteria , fungi and other microorganisms. Therefore, it is important that this ingredient remains within the composition of our shampoo, whether solid or liquid, as well as in creams, gels, makeup, conditioners and other hair and body care and beauty products.
Of course, we must know that they are aggressive with very sensitive scalps and skin, which is why there are products that do not include it. Failing that, they use other types of preservatives to prevent the product from degenerating and bacteria from reproducing.
sulfates
It is a foaming agent, that is, it is what allows the shampoo to make a lot of foam when it comes into contact with water. Sulfates give us a false sensation of softness and it seems that our hair is smoother to the touch, but in reality, they produce dryness, dandruff, break the natural hydration chain of our scalp, we will have itching, allergies and we can develop seborrheic dermatitis.
The hair will become unmanageable, frizzy and may become greasy, as our body tries to compensate for the loss of its natural oils in our scalp.
This is why a sulfate-free shampoo will make our hair healthier and if we have suffered from allergies, irritations, eczema, flaking and such in the past, a sulfate-free shampoo is the best option.
silicones
For its part, the silicones that shampoos bring are another lie of the industry, since what they do is create a transparent film on our hair so that it appears brighter and healthier , but it is not real. This silicone is very negative, especially for those people who have very fine hair, since it creates an overload of the hair, leaving it straight.
Silicones act to counteract the aggressiveness of sulfates. In addition, silicones remain in the hair and it can take several weeks to remove all traces of them, once we start using shampoos without silicones or sulfates. Experts calculate an average of 15 washes to detoxify our hair, and that’s when we discover what our hair is really like.
Advantages solid shampoo
Among all the advantages, we are going to highlight those that we consider essential when evaluating the change between liquid shampoo and solid shampoo. The step is not easy, because as we have seen before, when we choose a shampoo without sulfates, silicones or parabens, our hair will not be in good condition, but will surely be a little rougher, frizzy and lacking. gently for several washes until it blooms again.
- 100 grams of solid shampoo lasts about 80 washes.
- They are usually free of parabens, sulfates and silicones.
- They are more ecological and responsible with the environment because they do not generate plastic waste.
- Solid shampoo is not a soap.
- We can take it on a trip without limiting the quantities as it happens like liquid shampoo that we cannot take more than 100 ml.
- They are very simple to apply, even for people with disabilities.
- It generates little foam, which is easier to clean the hair.
- It is more likely that with the solid we will use the right amount for our amount of hair.
- It is equal to or more effective than liquid shampoo.
- Because they are more natural, they tend to leave hair cleaner and without weighing it down.
- We save money and avoid pollution to the planet.
- Solid shampoo wrappers are usually biodegradable, as well as the pill itself and the foam.
- Water is saved in processing.
- They are very versatile and are often made with natural ingredients that we can use on our beards or body hair.
Differences with liquid shampoo
Being clear about what the liquid shampoos that we have been using for years are like and what the solid ones that have become fashionable are like, now we are going to discover some differences so that each and every one of us can create our opinion and decide which one we buy.
The first difference is in the quantity, the space it occupies and the savings. A 100-gram bar of solid shampoo (standard measure) is equivalent to 3 plastic bottles of liquid shampoo . This is because a lot of water is used in the preparation of liquids.
The downside is that the solid deteriorates easily in contact with water and falls. This is why we recommend using the tablet and leaving it in a cool, dry place with ventilation so that it does not melt or deteriorate in any way possible.
Another difference is with the pH, and that is that the solid has a higher pH than the liquid so that the tablet remains in one piece for as long as possible. This affects curly and frizz-prone hair a little.
The other difference is that liquid shampoos are full of chemicals, toxic ingredients that irritate us in the long run and cause dermatitis, allergies, skin scaling, itching, dandruff, etc. So natural shampoos tend to use naturally-derived surfactants.
We must be clear that solid shampoos clean in depth and with the absence of parabens, silicones and sulfates, the hair can be a bit frizzy the first washes and then it recovers all its natural beauty.
How to choose a good shampoo
Before choosing one type or another, we must know our type of hair and scalp , for this it is best to go to a dermatologist or a hairdresser. Once we have identified our type of hair and scalp, we will have to satisfy their needs, and based on them, choose the shampoo and conditioner. Remember that the conditioner or the mask are used from the middle to the ends, never at the root, since we can grease too much.
It is clear that we must stay away from chemicals, parabens, silicones and sulfates, and hold on tight to natural products with plant-based ingredients. You also have to avoid plastic in wrappers and packaging, and opt for options such as cardboard or aluminum.
Hitting the first one we buy is very complicated. Of course, if it works for us, it is better not to change. The same thing happens with liquid shampoos, how many times in our lives have we changed brands, and when we find one, we don’t lose it, well, anyway.
