If you’re wondering if the Soapbox Shampoo is good to spend your money for, this review is for you. I – a stay at home mom of three – dealing with postpartum shedding decided to give this hair product a try.
For $19 on Amazon.com, I grabbed two full sets; The Soapbox Biotin & Superfruit and the Soapbox Argan Shampoo. You see, these two were the most talked about on a mom’s forum I belong in.
After using both sets for a while and testing them on my poor husband’s sensitive scalp, I have a lot to say. So here is my full, honest review as a mom who lives on dry shampoo, coffee, and night showers.
About Soapbox Shampoo And Conditioner
Soapbox is a US based hair and body care brand that focuses on clean beauty. Their products are vegan, cruelty free, and made without sulfates, parabens, or silicones. The bottles are said to be made with recycled plastics, and every purchase supports a global hygiene mission.
I picked the Biotin set because anything with biotin gives me hope during my postpartum hair struggles. I grabbed the Argan set because my hair can soak up moisture like a sponge and still beg for more. Both arrived together in the same Amazon package.
My experience using Soapbox hair products
When the Amazon box arrived, the excitement lasted about three seconds before I noticed the mess. The caps on these bottles need serious upgrading because both sets leaked slightly during shipping. Nothing dramatic but enough to make me wipe everything down before taking them into the bathroom.
Once I started using the shampoos, things improved. The texture surprised me. They are quite watery, which usually means you need more product. Except with Soapbox, even a tiny amount turns into an explosion of suds. I am talking rich, foamy lather that felt like it came straight out of a salon bottle. I used too much the first day because I didn’t expect it to lather so easily.
The conditioners feel different from most thick, buttery formulas I usually buy. They are lighter, and when I rinsed them out, my hair felt slightly dry and almost brittle. I thought I would hate the result. But weirdly, once my hair dried, it actually felt soft, clean, and fluffy. Not weighed down. Not greasy. Just fresh.
I still follow up with heavy moisturizers and oils because that is simply my hair’s personality. But the final look was nice. My scalp also felt clean without being irritated. As a postpartum mom dealing with hormonal ups and downs, this alone kept me using it.
However, my husband’s experience is quite different. Out of curiosity he decided to try the shampoo as I’ve been raving about it. By the end of the day he said his head felt itchy. By day three, dandruff. He has not had dandruff in a long time, so this was a big red flag. I later checked Amazon reviews and saw plenty of people mentioning the same thing. Some say the alcohol content can be drying and irritating, especially for sensitive scalps.
So in our home, the score is one happy mom and one very unhappy husband.
Soapbox Biotin Versus Soapbox Argan: Which is best?
There has been argument on which works better. From my experience, the Soapbox Biotin is more cleansing and gives more lift and volume. My hair feels lighter and fresher with it.
The Argan line feels a bit more moisturizing, even though the conditioner is not thick. My hair feels softer when I use this one, especially after adding my usual oils.
Pros
• Very affordable for a vegan and cruelty free brand
• Excellent lather even with a small amount
• Hair feels light, fluffy, and clean
• Bottles are eco friendly and recyclable
Cons
• Bottles leak easily during shipping
• Watery shampoo formula
• Can cause dandruff or itching for sensitive scalps
Alternatives
Here are some great alternatives on Amazon.com if Soapbox does not work for your scalp or your partner’s sensitive skin.
Hask Argan Oil Shampoo And Conditioner
Very moisturizing, affordable, and gentle. Great for dry hair that needs slip and softness.
Maui Moisture Shea Butter Shampoo And Conditioner
Great for curly, dry, or thick hair. Very moisturizing and made with clean ingredients.
Final Thoughts
Soapbox surprised me in a good way. Aside from the leaking bottles and the lightweight conditioner, I actually enjoyed how fresh and clean it made my hair feel. My scalp didn’t react, my hair dried beautifully, and it fit perfectly into my busy mom routine.
But it is not a one size fits all product. My husband’s scalp hated it. His flakes arrived like an unwanted houseguest. So while the formula works for me, I would not recommend it for anyone with dandruff, dryness, or a sensitive scalp.
For the price, the clean ingredients, and the eco friendly mission, it is absolutely worth trying. Just make sure you have a backup conditioner if your hair drinks moisture the way mine does.
while you’re here, read my review of this shampoo we tried months ago.