FAQ – ideaPRO

Solid cleansing bars are an excellent foundation for a sustainable bathroom and the gateway to a zero-waste lifestyle. Solid cosmetics don’t require plastic packaging. Our production is aqua-free and that also allows us to say good-bye to preservatives. Solid cleansing bars yield plenty of use and our products are micro-plastic free. They work without any silicones and parabens and since they don’t utilize any animal-based ingredients are considered vegan. Their compact form drastically reduces packaging and transport volume and in doing so also substantially cuts down on emissions. Solid cleansing bars go easy on resources and are gentle to the environment. Beyond that, they’re also ideal travel companions since they are light and can’t leak.

The cleansing bars are made of so-called “syndets” (synthetic detergents). They look like soap, but they’re not! The difference: Soap is boiled from fats and soda or potash lye which give it an alkaline pH value. That neutralizes the natural protective acid mantle of our skin for a brief moment makes it easy for bacteria and fungus to spread. Healthy skin, however, can restore its old pH value after about an hour.

Conversely, syndets clean by using cleansing substances (surfactants) of non-animal origin. Their pH value is in the slightly acidic range – just like our skin. That’s preferable for people with sensitive skin. Pleasant side effect: in contrast to normal soap, syndets or “cleansing bars” don’t leave residue in your tub or wash basin.

Solid shampoo is pH neutral or slightly acidic, mixed from surfactants and other ingredients and then pressed into form. Shampoo soap, however, has an alkaline pH value and is made from boiled fats, oils and lye. Due to its pH value and its composition, shampoo soap always needs an acidic rinse – in particular in regions with hard water since otherwise so-called lime scum could form – this is hard to remove residue in your hair and shower. Anyone that wants to switch to solid hair care will find solid shampoos to be ideal since you can start right away. There are no disadvantages versus liquid shampoos – no need to experiment first or change your routine.

Our entire production is aqua-free. None of our products use water as an ingredient. That delivers several benefits. For one, it is an excellent start on transitioning to a “less waste” bathroom since there’s no need for plastic bottles. Another upside: where there’s no water, germs have no chance to thrive and so we don’t need emulsifiers and preservatives. And that means, the ingredients are undiluted. Sea salt, plant oils and herbal extracts have a preserving effect thanks to their texture and composition. Pleasant added bonus: aqua-free care products are better suited for people with sensitive skin since their skin often is irritated by emulsifiers or preservatives.

The undiluted quality and the use of highly concentrated ingredients make solid shampoos and cleansing bars more economical than their liquid counterparts. To ensure that the products last long, it is important that solid cleansing bars are stored properly so they can dry well.

Best way to store solid cleansing bars is to hang them in a small woven cotton pouch with a drawstring that allows them to dry well. As an alternative you can also store them in a soap dish that allows water to drain off. It is important that the cleansing bar/solid shampoo bar can dry well.

The law requires that cosmetics that expire before 30 months must have an expiration date on the packaging. Since our products can easily exceed this timeframe, i.e., are still good after more than 30 months, we do not need to give an expiration date.

A tip: For you to enjoy our products even longer, store them in a dry and dark place.

Yes, absolutely! The care ingredients in the shampoos are undiluted so there is no need for additional preservatives.

No, that is not true. Acidic rinsing is only recommended when washing your hair with shampoo soap to prevent lime soap residue that could damage your hair. Since solid shampoos don’t form lime residue, an acidic rinse is not necessary.

Yes. But you should definitely use a solid shampoo for sensitive hair. The low pH value of the product shields the hair and thus prevents the loss of pigments through an open hair texture.

A transition period is not really needed. Your hair will get used to solid shampoo care immediately. There is a suitable solid shampoo for every hair type – give them a try.

Solid shampoos foam reliably no matter what degree of water hardness.

Yes, you can apply solid shampoos just as easily to your hair as liquid shampoos. There are two types of application: the “lather up on your head” or “lather up in your hand” and then apply it to your head? What’s your preference?

It’s in no way less hygienic than a soap dispenser. A solid cleansing bar has the excellent property of preserving itself through drying and thus offers no growth medium for bacteria or viruses.

No, the cleansing effect is well-adjusted, so there won’t be any changes to your hair structure.

You’ll have to try it out. We recommend you start with a cleansing bar that is intended for sensitive skin.

As you like it. It depends on your personal preference, not the product.

Yes, they’re good because they only contain what is necessary to clean and care, no emulsifiers or preservatives are needed. And that also makes them good for sensitive skin.

Surfactants are necessary to achieve the desired cleaning effect. But you can do without fragrances.

No, quite the opposite. Solid shampoos have large proportions of caring and moisturizing components. In the production of solid shampoos, the care ingredients are better processed than in liquid shampoos.