We here at Passion Flower Beauty have been busy as bees this summer season, concocting and testing some originally created recipes for our plastic-free packaging shampoo and conditioner bars.
Some of you may know that this month is “Plastic-free July”. For those unfamiliar, Plastic-Free July is a key initiative of the not-for-profit Plastic Free Foundation. Started by a small team in Western Australia in 2011, Plastic-Free July has grown into a global movement that is helping to spread the word on the serious impacts of plastics in the environment and inspiring all humans to join the cause and reduce their plastic use.
Passion Flower Beauty is happy to join this important cause by eliminating as much plastic packaging as possible in all of our handmade products. Our shampoo and conditioner bars are just one of the products we are proud to offer our customers with zero plastic packaging.
But there are many other things to love about our shampoo and conditioner bars.
Here are some great reasons to make the switch from liquid, store-bought shampoos and conditioners to bars:
-Shampoo and conditioner bars are all-natural:
There are LOTS of different chemicals found in traditional liquid shampoos, most of which are not great for the health of you or your hair. Here’s a few chemicals you will NOT find in Passion Flower Beauty’s all-natural shampoo and conditioner bars:
Let’s start with the detergent-based sulfates. Sulfates are added to most shampoos on the market, and is what makes your shampoo lather up when you wash your hair. Unfortunately, sulfates can strip your hair of its moisture and natural oils in the long run, leaving it ultimately dry and brittle.
Parabens are another group of common chemical additives that are used as an artificial preservative to give shampoos and conditioners a longer shelf-life. But it could come at a cost. Some research has suggested that parabens may disrupt hormonal activities in the body and potentially impact fertility and reproduction in women.
Dimethicone is a silicone-based hair product in traditional liquid conditioners that touts a list of initial benefits for your hair and is what makes your hair feel silky soft after conditioning. In actuality, dimethicone can cause buildup at the roots, blocking moisture and irritating the scalp.
-They are good for your hair:
Passion Flower Beauty’s handmade shampoo and conditioner bars use only natural ingredients that return vitality and moisture to your hair without the detergent-based chemicals and synthetic fragrances. All of our bars are hand crafted with organic essential oils to leave your hair clean and refreshed with wonderful scents, such as invigorating peppermint, tropical mango-pineapple, and coconut-lime.
All of our bars are handcrafted with organic oils, such as coconut and argan oil which helps lock in moisture, strengthen hair follicles, minimize breakage and reduce split ends, all while promoting thicker, shinier hair.
As you begin cleaning your hair with bars, it's good to realize that there is an adjustment phase as your scalp and follicles acclimate to a chemical-free alternative. Hard water and soap may initially result in some waxy buildup in the hair. As your hair adjusts after a few washes, natural oils from the scalp and hair will stabilize, leaving you with healthier, stronger hair.
-They are travel friendly and economical:
(Yes, I’m sneaking in two reasons together here).
Shampoo and conditioner bars are super easy to take along with you when you travel. They fit nice and snug in a toiletry bag for flights or a backpack side pocket when camping; no need to worry about leakage with bars and they’re TSA-approved.
Additionally, shampoo and conditioner bars can save you money in the long run. One Passion Flower Beauty bar lasts approximately 30-40 washes. Because shampoo and conditioner bars are more concentrated than the liquid ones, you can use less per application- just add your own water in the shower or bath. Regular use of bars can definitely save you money!
-They are better for the environment:
Perhaps the thing we love most about our shampoo and conditioner bars is that they do not come to you in any plastic packaging unlike their liquid counterparts.
Conservative estimates put the number of plastic shampoo bottles (not including conditioner bottles) thrown away at around 550 million annually. Most of these do not get recycled unless they are thoroughly washed out without any residual residue remaining in the bottle. Most end up in the landfill where it takes hundreds of years to decompose or in the incinerator.
Clearly, we must stop using so much plastic! Shampoo and conditioner bars are an easy way to minimize your carbon footprint while also helping in the battle against more unnecessary petroleum-based plastic production.
As we continue to celebrate plastic-free July, there is no better time than now to make that change and build a new plastic-free habit today.
Passion Flower Beauty can help you on your sustainability journey with our all-natural alternatives to bottled shampoos and conditioners on the market today.
