Shampoo Bar Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Hair Type (Normal, Dry, Oily, Others), By Type (Glycerin-Based, Cold-Processed, Solid-Surfactant) By Distribution Channel (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Pharmacy & Drug Stores, Departmental Stores, Online, and Others (Direct Sales)), By Region, By Company 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 14.88 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.08%
Fastest Growing Segment	Solid-Surfactant
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 22.43 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Shampoo Bar Market will grow from USD 14.88 Billion in 2025 to USD 22.43 Billion by 2031 at a 7.08% CAGR. Shampoo bars are solid, anhydrous hair cleansing products formulated to eliminate plastic packaging and reduce the water footprint associated with manufacturing and logistics. The market is primarily driven by the intensifying global demand for sustainable consumption, as regulatory frameworks and consumer preferences increasingly favor zero-waste solutions. Furthermore, the functional efficiency of the compact, spill-proof format acts as a critical driver, offering distinct advantages for retail supply chains and the travel sector compared to traditional liquid counterparts.

The expansion of this category is supported by the enduring economic strength of the personal care industry, which fosters an environment conducive to eco-centric innovation. According to Cosmetics Europe, in 2024, the European cosmetics and personal care market achieved a retail sales value of €104 billion, evidencing a robust platform for the growth of niche sustainable segments. However, a significant challenge impeding broader market expansion is the consumer perception of product efficacy. The sensory adjustments required during the transition from liquid to solid formulas often deter potential users, creating a barrier to mass-market adoption.

Key Market Drivers

The rising consumer preference for zero-waste and plastic-free packaging is fundamentally reshaping the Global Shampoo Bar Market, compelling manufacturers to abandon traditional bottling in favor of biodegradable or naked formats. This driver is accelerated by the escalating environmental crisis of single-use plastics, which has pushed eco-conscious consumers toward solid formulations that eliminate packaging waste entirely. The shift is not merely niche; it has permeated mass-scale manufacturing strategies, with brands increasingly highlighting their circular economy credentials to secure market share. For instance, according to Lush, April 2025, in the 'Fresh Handmade Cosmetics Financial Report FY24', the company recorded sales of nearly 18 million 'naked' items globally, underscoring the commercial viability of packaging-free personal care products. This consumer demand forces retailers to allocate more shelf space to solid bars, effectively challenging the dominance of liquid shampoos in the retail landscape.

Concurrently, the growing adoption of organic, vegan, and clean label ingredients is driving significant product innovation, as users increasingly scrutinize ingredient lists for synthetic irritants like sulfates and parabens. This trend has moved beyond specialty stores, prompting major multinational corporations to reformulate their portfolios to meet 'clean beauty' standards without compromising performance. A prime example of this industry-wide pivot is evident in recent transparency initiatives; according to Garnier, in the '2024 Progress Report' released in early 2025, 99% of the brand's ingredients were classified as vegan, reflecting a massive strategic alignment with plant-based consumer values. This commitment to ingredient integrity is supported by the overall financial health of the sector, which continues to thrive despite economic headwinds. According to the British Beauty Council, August 2025, in the 'Value of Beauty Report', the UK beauty and personal care sector contributed £30.4 billion to the GDP in 2024, evidencing the robust economic environment that enables continued investment in high-quality, sustainable solid haircare solutions.

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Key Market Challenges

The challenging factor impeding the Global Shampoo Bar Market is the consumer perception of product efficacy and the sensory adjustments required during the transition from liquid to solid formulas. While the environmental benefits of anhydrous products appeal to eco-conscious buyers, the broader consumer base often views solid shampoos as functionally inferior to traditional liquids. This skepticism focuses on critical performance metrics such as lather quality, rinsing ease, and post-wash hair texture. Because consumers are habituated to the immediate sensory feedback of liquid shampoos, the unfamiliar experience of using a bar often leads to discontinuation or avoidance, reinforcing the belief that sustainable formats require a compromise on hair health and cleanliness.

This hesitation directly hampers market growth because performance remains the primary driver of purchasing decisions in the personal care sector. When efficacy is in doubt, sustainability claims alone are often insufficient to compel a permanent switch. According to NATRUE, in 2024, 85% of consumers indicated a willingness to pay more for beauty products that demonstrate proven efficacy. This statistic underscores that the market prioritizes results above all else. Consequently, as long as shampoo bars are perceived as less effective than their liquid counterparts, this credibility gap will effectively block mass-market adoption and confine the category to a niche status.

Key Market Trends

Brands are moving beyond generic "all-hair-types" products to launch specialized bars tailored for specific needs, including scalp conditions like dandruff and psoriasis. This pivot allows manufacturers to capture high-value segments by leveraging clinical efficacy claims previously reserved for liquid pharmacy brands, effectively blurring the lines between cosmetic and therapeutic hair care. The commercial success of this dermatological focus is evident in the broader market; according to L'Oreal, February 2024, in the '2023 Annual Report', the company's Dermatological Beauty division achieved a sales growth of 28.4%, validating the intensifying consumer appetite for formulations that address specific therapeutic hair and skin concerns.

Distribution is trending rapidly from exclusive e-commerce and niche eco-stores to mainstream physical retail, with major beauty retailers dedicating significant shelf space to solid haircare. This shift is crucial for overcoming consumer hesitation, as physical availability allows for sensory evaluation and legitimizes the format alongside premium liquid incumbents. This mainstream integration is quantified by the aggressive sustainability criteria being adopted by global retailers; according to Sephora, March 2024, in the '2024 Global Impact and Progress Report', the retailer successfully onboarded 40 brands under its new 'Planet Aware' seal, signalling a strategic commitment to scaling eco-centric and solid format portfolios across its global store network.

Segmental Insights

The Solid-Surfactant segment is the fastest-growing category in the Global Shampoo Bar Market, primarily driven by its formulation advantages over traditional soap-based alternatives. These bars are engineered to maintain a pH balance similar to the scalp, preventing the hair cuticle damage and residue buildup often associated with alkaline saponified products. Analysis suggests that the segment's rapid expansion is fueled by consumer preference for products that lather effectively in hard water and replicate the performance of liquid shampoos. This functional compatibility facilitates a seamless transition for users seeking sustainable personal care solutions without compromising on efficacy.

Regional Insights

North America dominates the Global Shampoo Bar Market, primarily driven by a surge in consumer demand for sustainable and plastic-free personal care products. This leadership is supported by a mature retail infrastructure where established beauty brands and indie manufacturers actively expand their zero-waste portfolios to meet environmental consciousness. Furthermore, the widespread availability of these products across both e-commerce platforms and physical retail outlets in the United States and Canada significantly enhances market penetration. Consequently, the region remains the central hub for innovation and revenue generation in the sector, fueled by a strong cultural shift toward eco-friendly consumption.

Recent Developments

• In January 2025, Ethique announced a major rebranding initiative and a significant retail expansion into Ulta Beauty stores across the United States. As part of this development, the company introduced new products, including a Hydrating Solid Shampoo Bar and a matching conditioner, to its existing lineup. This strategic move aimed to make sustainable, solid haircare more accessible to a broader audience while refreshing the brand's visual identity and product categorization to better serve diverse consumer hair needs.
• In June 2024, BRIXY expanded its sustainable personal care line by launching two new benefit-specific shampoo bars designed to address targeted hair concerns. The release included a Hydrating Shampoo Bar formulated with aloe and shea butter for dry or curly hair, and a Strengthening Shampoo Bar containing pumpkin seed oil and caffeine for thinning or damaged hair. These new products were developed to provide premium, effective solutions in a plastic-free format, further diversifying the company's offerings in the solid haircare sector.
• In March 2024, Lush Cosmetics collaborated with DreamWorks Animation to launch a limited-edition product collection inspired by the Shrek franchise. The "Lush x Shrek" range featured a variety of swamp-themed items, including a new "Shrek Swamp" bath bomb and a "Get Outta My Swamp" shower slime, designed to celebrate the film's "swamp aesthetic." This collaboration utilized unique fragrances such as chocolate and peppermint to evoke the movie's setting, expanding the company's creative portfolio in the solid personal care market.
• In March 2024, Kitsch was recognized for its innovation in the beauty industry, specifically for its impact on the plastic-free haircare market with its solid shampoo and conditioner bars. The company was named to a prominent list of innovative organizations, highlighting its success in reformulating and popularizing solid hair care products like its Bond Repair Shampoo Bar. This acknowledgement underscored the brand's role in shifting consumer behavior towards sustainable, bottle-free alternatives through effective formulations and strategic market positioning.

Key Market Players

• Lush Retail Ltd
• J.R.LIGGETT LTD.
• Oregon Soap Company
• Rocky Mountain Soap Company
• Ethique Limited
• Beauty And The Bees Pty Ltd.
• Apple Valley Natural Soap
• Friendly Soap Ltd
• The Solid Bar Company Ltd
• Daughter of the Land

By Hair Type	By Type	By Distribution Channel	By Region
Normal Dry Oily Others	Glycerin-Based Cold-Processed Solid-Surfactant	Supermarkets/Hypermarkets Pharmacy & Drug Stores Departmental Stores Online and Others (Direct Sales)	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Shampoo Bar Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Shampoo Bar Market, By Hair Type:

• Normal
• Dry
• Oily
• Others

• Shampoo Bar Market, By Type:

• Glycerin-Based
• Cold-Processed
• Solid-Surfactant

• Shampoo Bar Market, By Distribution Channel:

• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Pharmacy & Drug Stores
• Departmental Stores
• Online
• and Others (Direct Sales)

• Shampoo Bar Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE