pH neutral shampoo: what it is and why it is better for your hair
pH neutral shampoo has a pH value between 4.5 and 6.5, which matches the natural acid mantle of the scalp. That makes a noticeable difference for the health of your hair and scalp.
- The skin has a natural pH of 4.5 to 5.5. Shampoo with a higher pH disrupts that balance.
- Regular shampoo often has a pH between 6 and 9, which opens the hair cuticles and can dry out or irritate the scalp.
- pH neutral shampoo bars close hair cuticles, reduce breakage and are gentler on the scalp.
- Nature Bar shampoo bars are pH neutral, free from sulphates and parabens, and handmade in Amsterdam from botanical ingredients.
What is pH neutral shampoo?
The pH scale runs from 0 to 14. Everything below 7 is acidic, everything above 7 is alkaline, and 7 is neutral. Your skin has a pH of approximately 4.5 to 5.5, slightly acidic. That is not a coincidence: that acidity protects your skin and hair from bacteria and moisture loss. We call this the acid mantle.
A shampoo with too high a pH, so alkaline, disrupts that acid mantle. Your scalp becomes unbalanced, hair cuticles open up and hair becomes dry, brittle or frizzy. pH neutral shampoo matches the natural pH of your skin and leaves the acid mantle intact.
In the context of hair care, pH neutral does not mean exactly 7, but a pH close to that of your skin: between 4.5 and 6.5.
Is a shampoo bar pH neutral?
Not automatically, and this is an important distinction. Many people think a shampoo bar is the same as a soap bar. It is not.
Cold process soap bars such as body soap have a pH of 9 to 10. That is fine for skin, but too alkaline for hair. Using a soap bar as shampoo opens hair cuticles and damages the hair.
Real shampoo bars are formulated differently, with gentle surfactants and a pH specifically calibrated for hair and scalp. Nature Bar shampoo bars are pH neutral, free from sulphates and parabens, and handmade in Amsterdam from botanical ingredients. They cleanse effectively without disrupting the acid mantle.
Discover the full Nature Bar shampoo bar range for all hair types.
Which pH neutral shampoo bar suits your hair?
- Normal to oily hair: Shampoo Bar Balance & Deep Cleanse with basil, lemon and rosemary.
- Normal to fine hair: Shampoo Bar Strength & Volume with mandarin, ylang ylang and ginger.
- Normal to dry hair: Shampoo Bar Nourish & Repair with lavender, eucalyptus and rosemary.
Combine with the Avocado Conditioner Bar for extra care and shine, especially for dry or damaged hair.

