Are shampoo bars actually hygienic?
For some, the idea of sharing soap bars can be quite daunting. There is a wide misconception that shampoo bars don't seem as hygienic compared to liquid shampoos. Because it is shared and often left exposed, it must be teeming with bacteria....right? But how true is this?
To answer this question, we have to understand the science behind how soaps work.
Yes, there are probably germs on your shampoo bar.
Truth is, there are germs all over your shampoo bar. But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Germs are everywhere, even on your skin. Your skin is home to millions of microbes at any point in time.
However, most of these germs and bacteria are not harmful, and typically, only people with a compromised immune system need to be cautious. Otherwise, these germs are not likely to pose any risk to the average healthy person. While these pathogens are not destroyed immediately, they do not survive for prolonged periods of time.
(Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/health/soap-coronavirus-handwashing-germs.html)
Shampoos work because they attract germs, grime, and dirt.
Even though germs can live off the surface of bar soaps and shampoos, the bacteria is quickly washed away by water when lathered. The surfactant molecules in the bar physically remove the germs and bacteria off your skin once you add water. These then get washed away.
(Source: https://www.self.com/story/bar-soap-sanitary-or-germy)
Can soap bars transfer germs and dirt?
Bars are very unlikely to transfer bacteria and pose very low health risk, especially if you lather up. The only exception is if you have open wounds.
Studies have shown that even when bar soaps are intentionally contaminated with diseases and bacteria, there were no signs of transfer between people who shared the same soap bar.
If you live with family members and have to share your shower essentials, sharing a bar does not pose any new risks since it is highly likely that you are already sharing germs and microorganisms in other ways, from sharing drying towels, cups and more.
In households, liquid soaps haven’t actually been proven to be more hygienic than bar soaps. Liquid soaps aren’t entirely germ-free either. Bacteria can accumulate along the bottle pump mechanisms rather than on the liquid itself.
That said, sharing soap bars with strangers, say in a public bathroom, although uncommon, it is still safe. Simply rinse the bar and lather for at least 20 seconds should be sufficient to rid the bar of any bacteria and prevent transfer.
Source: https://www.vice.com/en/article/yw4bvb/is-there-any-reason-to-use-liquid-soap-instead-of-bar-soap
How do I keep my shampoo bar clean?
While shampoo bars are generally self-cleansing and don’t really pose any health risk, it's how you store your bars that actually matter.
In general, germs thrive in moist environments. When a shampoo bar isn’t stored properly and is constantly wet, the “sludge” that forms around the soap dish can potentially become a breeding ground for microbial growth and can be transmitted to your bar. However, rinsing your bar should be enough to get rid of the bacteria lying around.
That said, the most important thing you can do to minimize bacteria growth from sludge forming around the bar is to make sure that your shampoo bar is allowed to dry in between uses. Keeping these dry in the shower area is almost impossible when you’re living in a country as humid as Singapore. So store them out of the shower area if needed, especially if you are a fan of taking hot showers.
Here are some other tips you can follow to keep your shampoo bar clean:
Conclusion
While you can’t eliminate germs off shampoo bars entirely, Shampoo bars are hygienic to use and you can share the bar with your family members. Sufficient research has been done to show that they are completely safe to use as long as they are used and stored well.
]]>Not all shampoo bars are made equal
Maybe you’ve decided to ditch the bottle and are on your transition to a #noplastic life. You might have already noticed that there are a lot of shampoo bars out in the market right now. However, not all are great for your hair. If you are familiar with having your hair feel sticky or fizzy after using a shampoo bar, chances are, you’ve come across a shampoo bar that’s actually made of sodium hydroxide. And, if you remember anything from your chemistry class, that’s soap.
Why should I care about the pH levels of my shampoo?
Yes you read that right–soap. Soap-based shampoo bars are typically made with oils and sodium hydroxide because these are cheaper to make. But the problem with soaps is that they don’t make great shampoos. Soap, being alkaline, disrupts your hair’s pH levels.Your scalp is naturally slightly acidic, with its pH level sitting somewhere between 4.5-5. Soap, on the other hand, has a pH level of 9 or 10.
Source:https://salonworthyhair.com/ph-balance/low-ph/best-shampoos-tested/
Why are soap-based shampoos bad for my hair?
Soap-based shampoos are often too harsh for your hair, stripping away the natural oils that leave your hair feeling dull and rough. For those with coloured or bleached hair, alkaline shampoos can also cause decolouration.
When the hair shaft comes into contact with something too alkaline, the hair cuticle sticks up, causing it to lose moisture much more quickly than if it were lying flat on the scalp. As a result, the hair becomes dry and coarse. When the oils, water, and soap are mixed together, the reaction creates a waxy residue as a by-product.
This is why some shampoo bar brands recommend regularly washing with apple cider vinegar to get rid of the “soapy” residue and rebalance your hair’s pH levels. However, while the rinse can help bring back smoothness and shine, it cannot reverse the damage or dryness that had already occured.
All round, not great for your hair.
A better way to shampoo - pH balanced bars for a better mane and a better world
The honest truth is that not all bars are made equal. There are shampoo bars that are both better for the environment and for your hair, but you need to make sure that your shampoo isn’t really soap.
That’s why true shampoo bars like Beth are soap-free. They are made of ingredients like gentle surfactants that are pH balanced, don’t leave unwanted residue where there shouldn’t be, and actually keep your hair clean, healthy and hydrated. This means no damage, no Apple Cider vinegar washes, and no transition periods.
That’s both win-win for your environment and your mane.
How do I make sure my shampoo bar actually isn’t actually soap?
Look for a shampoo that’s pH balanced. The next time you pick up a shampoo bar, make sure to read the ingredients list on the back. The ingredients are typically listed in order of composition. You can tell whether or not a bar is actually soap if ingredients such as sodium hydroxide are listed as one of the first few. Other common main ingredients in a soap-based shampoo bar are:
(Source:https://www.sustainablylazy.com/blog/shampoo-bar-transition-hard-water-uk)
Conclusion
Finding the perfect shampoo bar for your hair can be hard to navigate when there are so many choices. But doing so doesn’t have to be a compromise, and making a few informed decisions can help make sure that you are making the best decision for both you and the earth.
Learn how Beth does both at : https://beginwithbeth.com/pages/shop
Source:https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-a-person-washing-her-hair-8466376/
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