How To Use a Shampoo Bar: A Complete Guide

Shampoo bars are everywhere these days, but how do you actually use them? In this blog, we’ll break down everything from lathering tips to how often to wash, so you can get the best results from your shampoo bar.

How to Use a Shampoo Bar Correctly

If you’ve never used a shampoo bar before, it can feel a little unfamiliar, but the technique is simple:

Wet Your Hair Completely – Shampoo bars work best on soaking-wet hair.
Lather in Your Hands First – Rub the bar between your palms to create a foamy lather.
Apply to Your Scalp – Massage directly into your scalp using your fingertips.
Work Through Hair – Use the suds to gently cleanse from roots to tips.
Rinse Thoroughly – This ensures no residue is left behind - and repeat. The first wash clears build-up, the second lets your shampoo truly nourish, balance, and deliver botanical benefits - especially with our natural organic shampoo bar. Read more about double shampooing here.

Tip: Some people prefer to rub the bar directly on their scalp in gentle strokes, then lather - either method works.

How Often Should You Use a Shampoo Bar?

You can use a shampoo bar as often as you would use a liquid shampoo - for most that’s 2–3 times per week. If your scalp produces more oil, you might wash more often, and if your hair is dry or curly, you might wash less frequently.

How to Choose a Shampoo Bar for Your Hair Type

All our shampoo bars leave your hair feeling soft, shiny, and naturally healthy. When choosing a bar, you can focus on the aroma you love or select one specifically formulated to support your hair and scalp needs:

At New Dawn Organic Skin and Hair Care, we offer a wide range of shampoo bars to suit every hair type and scalp concern, so you can find the perfect match for your hair’s unique needs.

Patchouli – Earthy and grounding with deep, musky tones. Relieves itchy, irritated scalp and psoriasis.
Rose Geranium – Floral with a hint of citrus; uplifting and balancing. Perfect for coloured hair, dry scalp, and scalp eczema.
Aloe Vera Unscented – Clean, fresh, and subtly sweet. Suitable for all hair types, especially those prone to allergies or sensitivities.
Lavender – Soft, floral, yet fresh; promotes relaxation. Supports dry or damaged hair, fine hair, grey hair, flaky scalp, and Seborrheic Dermatitis.
Tea Tree – Fresh and invigorating. Great for dandruff, scalp irritation, and scalp acne.
Ylang Ylang – Sweet, exotic, and floral; deeply relaxing. Helps add volume, balance oil production, and strengthen hair.
Lemongrass – Bright, citrusy, and energizing. Ideal for greasy hair.
Peppermint – Cool, minty, and refreshing. Supports hair growth and reduces hair loss.
Benchmark Thyme – Herbaceous and clean; subtly medicinal. Relieves Folliculitis, Dermatitis, Scalp Infections, and Sore or Tender Scalp. Helps thin hair.

Find your Shampoo Bar >

Do You Need to Use Conditioner with a Shampoo Bar?

If you like to use a conditioner now, then conditioner is still beneficial. While a good shampoo bar will cleanse without stripping, it doesn’t usually replace the detangling and cuticle-smoothing benefits of conditioner. A lightweight conditioner works beautifully after a shampoo bar to leave hair soft, manageable, and frizz-free.

We suggest using an Organic Conditioner from the matching range of your shampoo bar eg. Patchouli Hair Conditioner to go with your Patchouli Shampoo bar, ensuring your hair receives gentle, plant-based nourishment without harsh chemicals to complete your eco-friendly hair care routine.

What Happens When You Switch to a Shampoo Bar?

When you first make the switch, you might notice your hair feels a little different. That’s often because your scalp and strands are adjusting to the absence of synthetic ingredients and silicones that coat the hair.

Some people experience a short “transition period” where hair might feel heavier or slightly waxy. This is temporary - once the build-up is gone and your scalp rebalances, your hair will usually feel lighter, softer, and healthier.

Are Shampoo Bars Better for Your Hair Than Regular Shampoo?

There are many benefits to using our shampoo bars, like having no harsh detergents, more nourishing oils, and no plastic packaging - making them better for both your hair and the planet. They’re also highly concentrated, so they last much longer than a bottle of shampoo.

That said, the “better” option depends on your individual needs. A high-quality organic liquid shampoo can be excellent, too - but if you’re looking for a more sustainable, travel-friendly choice, a shampoo bar is hard to beat. NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde even suggests using a soap style bar makes hair washing easier and more manageable in daily routines. This simple format not only reduces plastic waste but also offers a practical, fuss-free way to cleanse your hair. [1]