As someone with sensitive skin, I’ve found that pine tar shampoos and soaps work best for me in terms of reducing dryness and providing much-needed relief. Today, I want to share with you two of my favorite pine tar shampoo brands that have been my go-to choices for quite some time. These shampoos are great for everyday use, and I can honestly say that they’ve made a huge difference in the health of my scalp. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
1. The Grandpa’s Soap Co. Pine Tar Shampoo
One of my absolute favorite pine tar shampoos is by The Grandpa’s Soap Co. Their Pine Tar Shampoo is incredibly effective and claims to be 100% plant-based. It also contains tea tree oil, which is fantastic for improving dry and itchy scalp. This shampoo is safe for all hair types, even color-treated hair.
Positives
The product comes in a sleek white tube and is easy to use. The shampoo has a strong campfire smell, which I find quite pleasant. Many people have actually complimented me on the way my hair smells and feels after using this product. Both my husband and I are huge fans of their original pine tar bar soap, which lathers up quite well. However, this shampoo version doesn’t lather as much, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
The Grandpa’s Soap Co. Pine Tar Shampoo has helped clear up my itchy, flaky scalp since I started using it. It also provides a lot of healing benefits for my scalp. Priced at around $9.99 for 8 fluid oz, I do wish it was slightly cheaper, but considering the quality, it’s worth the investment. The shampoo is free from phthalates, sulfates, parabens, glutens, silicones, fragrances, and colorants. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free.
Negatives
One concern with this shampoo is that it can sometimes stiffen or dry out your hair. To remedy this, I recommend using it with a conditioner. In fact, they also offer a conditioner on their website, and you can buy them in bundles to save some money. Using this shampoo every other day has yielded the best results for me.
2. Packer’s Pine Natural Pine Tar Shampoo
Another pine tar shampoo I love and recommend is Packer’s Pine Natural Pine Tar Shampoo. It’s suitable for daily use and works well for all hair types. With a simple, non-toxic list of ingredients, this product provides a natural pine tree aroma, intertwined with a distinct hint of smoky campfire scent when used in the shower.
Positives
One of the things I appreciate about Packer’s Pine Tar Shampoo is the rich and stimulating scent it provides. It’s especially great for those who spend time in the outdoors, as the shampoo’s aroma blends harmoniously with the natural environment. An added bonus is that the mosquitoes in my area really dislike it, which is a definite advantage!
Their soap was a staple in my granddad’s grooming routine, and I continue to use it paired with their pine tar shampoo. A little goes a long way with this shampoo, so you don’t need much product to work up a lather. While it cleans your hair effectively, it may leave it a bit dry. The shampoo is a dark brown color and comes in a sealed container upon purchase.
Packer’s Pine Tar Shampoo has been a huge help in dealing with my husband’s scalp psoriasis. While it’s not a cure, it alleviates itching and soothes the scalp. I highly recommend pairing this shampoo with their conditioner, or else your hair might be a bit uncooperative when it comes to styling. This shampoo is also an excellent choice for those with itchy or flaky beards.
Before discovering Packer’s Pine Tar shampoo, I used T/Gel for years to manage my mild psoriasis, without realizing that there were superior alternatives available. Once I started using Packer’s shampoo, my scalp felt soothed, and experienced a pleasant, tingling sensation while washing my hair.
Negatives
My biggest concern with this shampoo is the bottle cap design. A flip-top cap would be much easier and more convenient to use than the screw-on cap that currently exists. Additionally, the shampoo is runnier than other shampoos I’ve used, meaning it can run out of the bottle too quickly if you’re not careful.
The 8 fluid oz bottle costs around $13, but is super concentrated – about twice as much as Grandpa’s version, so a little goes a long way. One bottle lasts me quite a few months, which helps justify the price.
The shampoo and conditioner bundle costs around $28 but you can save some money with their Subscribe & Save option. I do wish they would offer a larger bottle size with a pump for convenience.
3. Dr. Squatch Pine Tar Shampoo
My husband and I have long been admirers of the pine tar products from Dr. Squatch. Their shampoo is thoughtfully designed with a capped top, incorporating an easy-to-use pump. I love the convenience of the pump, and it makes using the product hassle-free. Interestingly, this shampoo was bundled with its matching conditioner, but they can also be purchased separately.
Positives
The Pine tar shampoo from Dr. Squatch has an amazing scent, but it doesn’t last once your hair is dry. Additionally, the shampoo is available in diverse scents, such as Cypress & Citrus, which I also enjoy. The instructions recommend using the conditioner daily and the shampoo every 2 or 3 days, which is perfect for minimizing product buildup and allowing the conditioner to work its magic.
The conditioner is a rinse-type and is designed to moisturize the scalp while providing nutrients to strengthen your hair. After just one wash, my dry scalp saw significant improvement, and the shampoo and conditioner combo left my hair soft, manageable, and frizz-free. This shampoo even helped my husband with his scalp psoriasis, providing relief from dryness, flaking, and itching.
Negatives
One downside is that the Dr. Squatch Pine Tar Shampoo bottle (8 fluid oz) was smaller than expected, especially compared to the larger-sized conditioner bottle (10.6 fluid oz). I found it strange to have more conditioner than shampoo and could foresee myself running out of shampoo first despite using more conditioner.
Another downside is that this shampoo has a black color, which tends to leave stains on shower walls, curtains, and floors. This can be a bit annoying, but it is not directly connected to the performance of the shampoo itself.
Lastly, the price for the shampoo is around $16 for 8 fluid oz, and when bundled with the conditioner, the cost is about $30. Although this is quite an investment, you can save some money with their Subscribe & Save option. Personally, I think the price is a bit high for the amount of shampoo, but the results make it worth it.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, these three pine tar shampoo brands have proven to be quite effective in enhancing my sensitive skin, dry scalp, and overall hair health. Although there are some disadvantages to each product, the benefits significantly outweigh the negatives. If you’re uncertain about which brand to sample first, it’s worth noting that each has its own unique attributes. Therefore, feel free to experiment and determine which option suits you best.
Ziryabs Body Brew Pine Tar Shampoo Bar has been a blessing for my dandruff issues! It’s a simple bar but it does the job it promises to do.
Neutrogena’s T/Gel with coal tar extract works really well on seborrheic dermatitis. It has been such a lifesaver for me!
I got the Grenade Soap Co. Patriot Pine Tar shampoo as a gift from a friend. The pine tar oil in it leaves my hair feeling fresh and easy to manage.
I’ve been a loyal user of The Grandpa Soap Company’s Pine Tar Shampoo for years. It has been an excellent solution for my dry scalp problems.
SLAB’s Pine Tar Shampoo soap is amazing! My hair feels clean and hydrated after use and I love the earthy smell.
What.The.Soap’s Pine Tar Shampoo is charmingly simple and wonderfully effective. It leaves my hair feeling clean but not stripped.
If you have dry hair, I’d suggest trying MoSoap’s Pine Tar Shampoo bar. After a few washes, it considerably improved the texture of my hair.
I switched to SallyeAnder Pine Tar & Nettle Shampoo a while back and never looked back. My hair feels so clean and revitalized after using it.
Grandpa’s Wonder Pine Tar Shampoo has been my go-to for years now. The classic formula keeps my scalp itch-free.