Impact
Blog
Store Locator
Subscription
So you've decided to cut some plastic from your beauty routine. First of all: great call. Second of all: we know it can feel overwhelming. Between the jargon, the "zero waste" rabbit holes, and the fear of ending up with hair that feels like straw, it's easy to talk yourself out of it before you've even started.
Here's the thing: plastic-free beauty doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing overhaul. It can start with one product swap. Then another. Before you know it, you've cleared a shelf of bottles and haven't looked back.
We're Ethique, and we've been making plastic-free, concentrated solid beauty bars since 2012. We've helped over 25 million plastic bottles from ever being made. Here are the swaps we'd recommend starting with, and exactly which bars to reach for.
Swap 1: Ditch the shampoo bottle for a shampoo bar
This is the most impactful swap you can make, and it's easier than you think. A typical bottle of liquid shampoo is 70–80% water. You're essentially paying to ship water to your shower. A concentrated shampoo bar skips all of that. One Ethique shampoo bar equals three 350ml bottles of liquid shampoo and lasts over 80 washes.
All of our shampoo bars are sulfate-free, soap-free, and formulated for specific hair concerns. Here are our three bestsellers to help you find your fit:
Clarifying Shampoo Bar With Castor Oil and Ginseng
Best for: Oily hair, product buildup, or anyone who's been using dry shampoo a little too enthusiastically.
Powered by castor oil and ginseng, this bar cuts through excess oil and buildup without stripping your scalp's natural balance. Fresh citrus-lime scent. 92% of users agreed it helped remove excess oil or buildup.* Use 1–2 times a week alongside your regular shampoo bar, or on its own if oiliness is your main concern.
*Based on a survey of 322 Ethique consumers.
Pair it with our Clarifying Shampoo + Volumising Conditioner Duo for a complete routine.
Shampoo Bar For Curly Hair With Cocoa Butter
Best for: Curly, coily, or wavy hair that needs moisture and frizz control.
Infused with cocoa and shea butters, this sulfate-free bar cleanses while adding moisture, not stripping it. Clinically proven to increase shine by 70% for curly hair and 104% for coily hair after one use (when used with the Curl-Defining Conditioner). Tropical lemongrass and coconut scent.
Pair it with the Conditioner Bar For Curly Hair and your curls will be very, very happy.
Shampoo Bar For Itchy Scalp
Best for: Dry scalp, flakiness, or anyone dealing with irritation and itch.
A calming, balancing shampoo bar formulated specifically for scalp health. If you've been reaching for medicated shampoos in plastic bottles, this is the plastic-free alternative worth trying. Gentle enough for regular use.
Swap 2: Replace your conditioner bottle with a conditioner bar
Conditioner bars are, arguably, the unsung heroes of plastic-free beauty. One Ethique conditioner bar replaces up to five 350ml conditioner bottles. Let that sink in for a second: five bottles, zero plastic.
The trick is pairing the right conditioner bar with your shampoo bar. Here's the match-up for our three bestselling shampoo bars above:
- Clarifying Shampoo → Volumising Conditioner Bar: infused with caffeine and biotin to add body and bounce without weighing fine hair down.
- Curl-Defining Shampoo → Curl-Defining Conditioner Bar: shea butter and glycerine to nourish, define, and lock in moisture. Improves manageability after one use.
- Scalp Shampoo → Any of our hydrating conditioner bars. Pair with whatever addresses your ends' needs, since scalp bars focus on the roots.
Pro tip for beginners: Apply your conditioner bar by gliding it directly onto wet hair from mid-lengths to ends. Avoid the roots. Distribute evenly, leave for a minute, and rinse. No pump, no measuring, no waste.
Swap 3: Switch to a natural solid deodorant
Conventional deodorant and antiperspirant sticks come in plastic tubes that are almost universally non-recyclable. It's one of those swaps that sounds small but adds up fast. Most people go through 3–6 deodorant sticks a year.
Our Eucalyptus & Cedarwood Natural Deodorant is aluminum-free, plastic-free, and actually works. It's formulated with baking soda and arrowroot to absorb moisture and neutralise odour naturally, with a clean eucalyptus and cedarwood scent that's not trying too hard.
A heads up for beginners: if you're switching from an antiperspirant, your body may go through a short adjustment period of 1–2 weeks as it recalibrates. This is completely normal. Stick with it (pun intended). Most people find they sweat less and smell better once the transition is done.
How to use: Swipe 2–3 times directly onto clean, dry underarms. That's it.
Swap 4: Trade your face wash for a solid face cleanser bar
Face wash is one of the more overlooked sources of bathroom plastic. It's the pump bottle that empties in a few weeks and goes straight to landfill. A solid face cleanser bar lasts far longer, takes up almost no space, and works just as well (often better) than its bottled equivalent.
Our Hydrating Solid Face Cleanser is a great entry point for beginners. It's gentle, soap-free, and suitable for most skin types, including sensitive skin. It removes makeup, cleanses without stripping, and leaves skin feeling soft and balanced. No tightness, no residue. Vegan, cruelty-free, and packaged in home-compostable cardboard.
How to use: Wet your face and the bar, then lather between your hands and apply to your face in gentle circular motions. Rinse thoroughly. If you prefer, you can swipe directly onto wet skin. Whatever feels most comfortable.
Not sure where to start? Try before you commit.
If you're new to solid bars and not ready to go all-in on full-size products, our Sample Bundle is exactly what it sounds like: a curated set of mini bars across different categories so you can find your match before committing to a full size. It's the easiest way to start your plastic-free journey.
Already know what you need but want to mix and match across hair types or routines? Our Bundle Builder lets you pick your own combination of full-size bars and save up to 20%. Perfect if you've got different hair types in your household, or if you just want a shampoo bar, conditioner bar, deodorant, and face cleanser in one go.
Frequently asked questions
What are the easiest plastic-free beauty swaps to make?
The four easiest swaps are: shampoo bars (replacing plastic shampoo bottles), conditioner bars (replacing conditioner bottles), solid deodorant (replacing plastic deodorant sticks), and solid face cleanser bars (replacing pump-bottle face washes). Each swap individually removes multiple plastic items from your routine per year.
Do plastic-free shampoo bars actually work as well as liquid shampoo?
Yes, and when they're formulated correctly, Ethique shampoo bars are surfactant-based (not soap), which means they lather, cleanse, and perform the same as a premium liquid shampoo. They're also more concentrated, so one bar lasts longer than three bottles of liquid shampoo.
Are plastic-free beauty products more expensive?
The upfront cost of a solid bar can feel higher than a single bottle of liquid shampoo, but the cost per wash is typically lower. One Ethique shampoo bar lasts over 80 washes and equals three 350ml liquid shampoo bottles. When you factor in longevity, solid bars are usually the more economical choice.
What is a zero waste skincare swap?
A zero waste skincare swap means replacing a conventional beauty product that comes in plastic packaging with one that doesn't. Typically it's a solid bar packaged in cardboard, paper, or no packaging at all. Common swaps include shampoo bars, conditioner bars, solid face cleansers, solid body wash, and solid deodorant.
Are natural deodorants as effective as regular deodorants?
Natural deodorants work differently to antiperspirants: they neutralise odour rather than blocking sweat. Most people find them effective, though there can be a 1–2 week adjustment period when switching from antiperspirant. Ethique's natural deodorant uses baking soda and arrowroot to absorb moisture and control odour without aluminium.
Can I use a solid face cleanser bar if I have sensitive skin?
Yes. Ethique's Hydrating Solid Face Cleanser is soap-free and formulated for most skin types, including sensitive skin. It removes makeup and cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Where can I find plastic-free skincare products?
Ethique's full range of plastic-free solid beauty bars, including shampoo bars, conditioner bars, face cleansers, and deodorants, is available at ethique.com, as well as at Ulta Beauty. All products are packaged in home-compostable, plastic-free cardboard.
