Shampoo Bar Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Shampoo Bar Market is projected to expand from USD 14.88 Billion in 2025 to USD 22.43 Billion by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 7.08%. These solid, anhydrous cleansing products are formulated to eliminate plastic packaging and decrease the water usage associated with production and shipping. The market is chiefly propelled by the intensifying global demand for sustainable consumption, as regulatory frameworks and consumer preferences increasingly lean toward zero-waste solutions. Additionally, 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 when compared to traditional liquid counterparts.

This category's expansion is bolstered by the enduring economic strength of the personal care industry, which creates 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, demonstrating 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.

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, which forces retailers to allocate more shelf space to solid bars.

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, evidenced by the British Beauty Council's 'Value of Beauty Report' from August 2025, which noted that the UK beauty and personal care sector contributed £30.4 billion to the GDP in 2024.

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.

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.

Key Players Profiled in the Shampoo Bar Market

• 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

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Shampoo Bar Market has been segmented into the following categories:

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
• Others (Direct Sales)

Shampoo Bar Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Shampoo Bar Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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