The 2 Best Shampoo Bars for Curly Hair in 2023

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Finding shampoo that works well for curly hair can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. And if you’re narrowing your search to shampoo bars for curly hair - it only gets harder.

The good thing is, you’ve made it here! I’m B.O.B, and my natural shampoo bars contain nourishing ingredients proven to give curls their best life. 

Now you might be a skeptic about shampoo for curly hair in general. But no poo shampoo and low poo shampoo can be incredibly beneficial for curls, so don’t discount shampoo products all together!

If you’re wondering, “Do shampoo bars work for curly hair?”, then I’m here to set the record straight. Let’s discuss why shampoo bars for curly hair may or may not work, before introducing the two very best shampoo bars for curly hair. 

Do shampoo bars actually work for curly hair?

Bars Over Bottles shampoo bars for curly hair stacked on two zigzag bar holders

Yes! In fact, there are specially formulated shampoo bars for curly hair. So, if you’ve tried a shampoo bar in the past that didn’t work for you, it probably wasn’t curly-girl approved! 

Newsflash: You can paste the ingredient list of new products into websites like Curlsbot or Curlscan and instantly find out if they are made for your hair. 

Some ingredients you should definitely avoid include:

  • Sulfates - these are too drying for curly hair

  • Parabens - these can damage your curls

  • Silicones - these will weigh down your curls

  • Drying alcohols - like benzyl alcohol, propanol, isopropyl alcohol (also called IPA), denatured alcohol, ethanol, isopropanol, and propyl alcohol

I make a point to never use these ingredients in my natural shampoo bars. They are paraben-free, sulfate-free, silicone-free, and full of fatty alcohols that nourish your strands instead of drying them out. 

Instead of sulfates, I use Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate to create a beautiful lather. This ingredient is derived from coconut oil, and is completely safe for curls. It gently removes impurities without stripping your hair of its natural oils.

But Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate isn’t the only great ingredient in my shampoo bars for curly hair. Let me introduce you to my two favorite shampoo bars for curly hair, and why they work so well. 

The 2 top shampoo bars for curly hair

Here are my two top shampoo bars for curly hair - that are cruelty-free, plastic-free, vegan, natural, and nourishing. 

1. The Moisturizing Shampoo Bar

Bars Over Bottles Moisturizing Shampoo Bar with box on a white background

One thing all curls need more of is moisture, and you never want a shampoo that dries out your strands. That’s why I recommend my Moisturizing Shampoo Bar for curly hair. This moisturizing shampoo is packed with ingredients to make your curls strong, soft, and supple. 

Here are just a few of them:

Phyto keratin

You’ve probably heard of the benefits of keratin for hair, but do you know about phyto keratin? Phyto keratin has the same cellular components and benefits of regular keratin, except it is made from plants instead of animal products!

Regular keratin is derived from the feathers, hooves, horns, and hair of animals, so phyto keratin is a great option for anyone looking for a vegan or cruelty-free alternative. 

Phyto keratin is just as great for your hair, too. It can repair both internal strand structure and external damage - turning back the clock on chemical and color treatments to leave your curls stronger than ever. 

Buriti oil

Buriti oil has powerful benefits for your curls. It contains a large quantity of antioxidants to fight premature aging of your strands, which is why buriti oil is popular in sun creams and anti-aging creams as well. 

Buriti coil is also full of oleic fatty acids that provide necessary nutrients to your hair and keep it soft, shiny, and frizz-free. 

Shikakai

There are so many benefits of shikakai for hair, it’s been nicknamed the “hair fruit!” Shikakai can strengthen your strands, lock in moisture, protect against dandruff, prevent hair loss, and even provide a natural “curl memorizer” effect for keeping your curls defined. 

In short - it’s the perfect product for curls!

But my Moisturizing Shampoo Bar isn’t the only shampoo bar for curly hair that I recommend. Sometimes you need a deeper clean to remove pollution and product build-up from your scalp and strands. On those days, I recommend my Detox Shampoo Bar.

2. The Detox Shampoo Bar

Bars Over Bottles Detox Shampoo Bar  for curly hair on a white background

Have you ever heard of hair detox shampoo? If you haven’t, you’re missing out! A good detox shampoo can protect your hair and scalp from oils, pollution, and product residue that build up over time. It can wash away all those impurities - without stripping your hair of its natural oils. 

That’s why my Detox Shampoo Bar has made the list of the best shampoo bars for curly hair. 

Now, I don’t recommend using a detox shampoo as your regular shampoo bar for curly hair - this is a once in a while product that you can use every 3 to 4 weeks as needed to give your scalp and curls a total reset. 

You’ll know it’s time for a detox when your curls start to fill limp and drab.

If you’re feeling nervous about using a more powerful shampoo on your hair, don’t worry! My Detox Shampoo Bar is much more gentle than a clarifying shampoo, but provides the same deep-cleansing benefits with these natural ingredients:

Activated charcoal

Activated charcoal has been used in the medical community for years because of its ability to adsorb and remove toxins. Just as activated charcoal can be life-saving if you’ve ingested a poison, it can also save your strands from harmful toxins. 

The activated charcoal in this shampoo bar for curly hair will remove impurities and pollution to deeply clean your hair while leaving your natural oils to provide a beautiful shine. 

Black clay

A detox shampoo is just as much for your scalp as it is for your hair. 

Black clay has been shown to control bacteria, moderate scalp oils, and improve blood circulation. All these things can greatly benefit your scalp and your hair follicles. 

What does this mean for your hair? Well, healthy follicles mean stronger hair strands and better hair growth! 

Eucalyptus oil 

Eucalyptus oil is naturally antiseptic. This means it can keep your hair and scalp clean and healthy, and protect against dandruff and excessive scalp flaking. It’s also extremely refreshing! So you will truly feel clean and renewed after your detox. 

Now that you understand why these shampoo bars for curly hair are so fabulous, perhaps you’d like to complete your hair routine with a conditioner bar for curls!

Combine the best shampoo and conditioner bars for curly hair

My collection of clean beauty bars doesn’t stop at just shampoo bars for curly hair. I have curly hair conditioner bars, hair mask bars, and even facial cleansing bars!

So if you’re looking for both shampoo and conditioner bars for curly hair, I’ve got you covered. 

The Curl Definer & Leave-In Conditioner Bar

Bars Over Bottles Curl Definer & Leave-In Conditioner Bar on a white background

First and foremost, I recommend my leave-in conditioner for curly hair. You can use this versatile little bar as a pre-shampoo, leave-in conditioner, or regular conditioner. 

My Curl Definer & Leave-In Conditioner Bar uses mango butter, phyto keratin, and pracaxi oil to give your curls the protection and moisture they crave. 

The Curl Defining Hair Mask Bar

Bars Over Bottles Curl Defining Hair  Mask Bar on a white background

If you’re looking for a deeply hydrating product to give your curls extra life on their dull days, then my hair mask for curly hair is precisely what you need. 

The shea butter in my Curl Defining Hair Mask bar promises extra moisture, while the beet root amino acid helps to lock that moisture in. And, not to be forgotten, shikakai extract works as a natural curl memorizer to leave your curls bouncy, defined, and frizz-free. 

So there you have it: the best shampoo and conditioner bars for curly hair. And you can even buy them all together in discounted bundles on my site! So pop on over and shop the best shampoo and conditioner for curly hair. You might even find some skincare products you love while you’re at it!

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