We’re often asked whether we would make a liquid shampoo, as most people are used to using these (on themselves and their pets). However, there are several reasons why we create our shampoo in bar format.
Firstly, liquid shampoos are quite complex to make – most shampoo brands buy in a base that has been mass-produced, so it can be difficult to know what’s in the finished product. Under the UK regulations for the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Chemicals, manufacturers don’t have to list any ingredients on the label unless they are toxic. That’s not in line with our ethos: we work very hard to ensure all our ingredients come from sustainable sources and we want you to know exactly what’s in our products. If you or your pet have allergies, you have a right to know what’s going on your skin.
are liquid shampoos bad for the environment?
Due to the larger number of ingredients in liquid shampoos, they naturally come with a larger carbon footprint. We use the absolute minimum of ingredients, either grown here at Berries & Leaves HQ or sourced in the UK, to keep our carbon footprint as low as possible.
Liquid shampoos are typically packaged in a plastic bottle so they can be squeezed out. This goes against our zero-plastic policy. All our packaging is either made from recycled materials or is fully recyclable.
Liquid shampoos need many ingredients to stabilize the composition. We believe in using only what is necessary for gentle grooming, and don’t add any ingredients we don’t have to.
Due to the substantial water content in liquid shampoos, a stronger preservative is necessary to ensure shelf life. These chemicals are washed down the drain and can harm our environment, particularly aquatic life. We only use natural preservatives, which means our shelf life isn’t as long as liquid shampoos (15 months) but we feel this is a small compromise.
Liquid shampoo typically contains a number of surfactants to help it spread easily, sadly this also means that once washed down the drain it doesn't stop cleaning. whereas we are proud to use only a single mild, natural surfactant. Simply stroke the hair with the shampoo bar – it works just as well.
And last but not least, liquid shampoos can easily get into your pet’s eyes; shampoo bars are easier to use on your pet’s face and won’t run into their eyes, ears or mouth – making bath time easier for everyone!
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