The Good Stuff: What Makes Our Shampoo Bars Work (And Why You'll Love Them!)
Share
We believe you should know (and feel good about!) what you’re putting on your hair. Our shampoo bars are full of ingredients chosen with care — each one plays a role in keeping your hair clean, healthy, and happy.
Not all shampoo bars are created equal — and ours are definitely not just bars of soap for your hair. Some shampoo bars out there are made the same way as regular soap, using oils and lye. While those might clean your hair, they can also leave it feeling dry, waxy, or coated over time. Our bars are different: they're made with gentle, pH-balanced ingredients that are designed specifically for hair. That means they cleanse effectively without stripping away your natural oils, and leave your hair feeling soft, smooth, and truly clean — no adjustment period or vinegar rinses required.
Here’s What’s Inside and What Makes It Work
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate & Cocamidopropyl Betaine
These gentle cleansers are made from coconut oil, and they’re what give your shampoo bar its soft, fluffy lather. Sodium cocoyl isethionate is sometimes called “baby foam” because it's so mild — perfect for even sensitive scalps. Cocamidopropyl betaine helps boost the bubbles and leaves hair feeling clean, not squeaky or dry.
Shea Butter
Harvested from the nuts of the shea tree in Africa, this rich butter is packed with vitamins A, E, and F, plus essential fatty acids. It deeply moisturizes dry hair and scalps, soothes irritation, and helps soften coarse or frizzy strands without weighing them down.
Sodium Lactate
This is a natural humectant — that means it draws moisture into your hair and helps it stay there. It’s made from the fermentation of sugar or starch, and it helps improve the bar’s glide across your hair while keeping both the bar and your locks from drying out.
BTMS-25
BTMS-25 is a plant-derived conditioning emulsifier, mostly sourced from rapeseed oil. It works wonders on tangles, helps smooth the cuticle, and gives that soft, manageable feeling. It’s one of the reasons your hair feels so nice after using our bar — no conditioner needed!
Fragrance (not in Basic)
Our scents are made with phthalate-free, skin-safe fragrance oils. They’re non-toxic and designed to give your bar a lovely, subtle scent without being overpowering. And if fragrance isn’t your thing, no worries — our Basic bar comes unscented for sensitive skin or scent-free preferences.
Kaolin Clay
A gentle, naturally white clay that’s full of silica — a mineral that helps strengthen hair and improve its elasticity. It also works like a magnet for oil and impurities, giving your scalp a clean, fresh feeling without any harsh scrubbing.
Guar Gum
Made from guar beans, this natural thickener helps bind ingredients together and gives the bar a smooth texture. It also forms a lightweight film on your hair that helps lock in moisture and tame frizz — especially handy in humid weather.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
A powerful antioxidant that helps fight free radicals (the things that can damage hair over time). Vitamin C also supports collagen production, which plays a role in strong, resilient hair and a healthy scalp.
Panthenol (Vitamin B5)
Panthenol is a form of vitamin B5 that acts like a moisture magnet. It penetrates the hair shaft to hydrate from within, helps reduce split ends, and leaves your hair looking shiny and feeling silky. It’s also calming for itchy or irritated scalps.
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Keratin is the protein that makes up the structure of your hair, and this hydrolyzed version is broken down small enough to actually bond with your strands. It helps repair damage, reduce breakage, and smooth rough or frizzy texture for a sleeker look.
Argan Oil
Pressed from the nuts of the Moroccan argan tree, this golden oil is loaded with vitamin E, antioxidants, and fatty acids. It helps moisturize and protect your hair, restore shine, and smooth flyaways — especially great for dry or color-treated hair.
Castor Oil
Rich in ricinoleic acid, castor oil is a go-to for scalp care. It helps lock in moisture, supports healthy hair growth, and can even add a bit of thickness and strength to finer strands. Bonus: it gives the bar a nice creamy texture, too.
Vitamin E
A nourishing antioxidant that protects your scalp and strands from environmental stress (like sun and pollution). It also helps support overall hair health by reducing damage and promoting softness and shine.
Gegard ECT (and formerly Optiphen Plus)
To keep your bar fresh and safe from bacteria or mold, we use a gentle, broad-spectrum preservative. We're in the process of transitioning from Optiphen Plus to Geogard ECT, which offers even more effective protection while staying paraben-free, formaldehyde-free, and eco-friendly.
Some of our packaging may still list Optiphen Plus while we make the switch — but both options are clean, reliable, and safe for you and your hair. As always, we’re committed to using ingredients that are both effective and kind to people and the planet.
How to Use
Using our shampoo bar is super simple:
1. Wet your hair and the bar.
2. Rub the bar directly on your scalp or between your hands to create a lather.
3. Massage into your scalp and work through your hair just like you would with liquid shampoo.
4. Rinse thoroughly and enjoy that clean, soft, happy hair feeling.
Pro tip: A little goes a long way — no need to overdo it!
Storage Tips
To make your bar last as long as possible:
~ Let it dry between uses — a well-draining soap dish or rack works wonders.
~ Keep it away from standing water or direct shower spray.
~ If you're traveling, store it in a breathable travel tin or wrap it in a dry cloth until it can air out again.
Your bar will thank you — and last a lot longer, too!
Thanks for Being Here
We’re so glad you’re part of our Coyote Country family! Our shampoo bars are handmade with love, using high-quality, thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Whether you’re switching to bars for sustainability, ingredients you can trust, or just a simpler haircare routine, we’re here for it (and for you).
Have questions or want to share your experience? We’d love to hear from you anytime!