grüum Review - Is This Shampoo Bar Right For Your Hair?
In this review of grüum’s shampoo bars, I will break down the ingredients and see which hair types grüum bars will work well with.
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Shampoo bars, like grüum, seem to be everywhere now.
Which is great for those trying to live sustainably.
But how do you know which one is right for your hair type?
In this grüum shampoo bar review, I will share how sustainable grüum is, test their product out, and compare the ingredient lists in all their shampoo bars.
By the end of this post, you should have a better idea of whether grüum shampoo is right for your hair type.
COMING UP
Quick Summary
About grüum
Is grüum eco-friendly?
grüum’s shampoo bar ingredients explained
What is different about grüum’s “pro” range?
grüum nourishing shampoo bar review
Which hair type suits grüum products?
Conclusion: Pros and Cons of grüum’s shampoo bars
- sustainability
1. Quick review
I’ve written a longer grüum review later in this blog post, but here is a quick summary for those of you who are short of time.
To see my other shampoo bar reviews, check out the hair section of my website.
Compare prices for grüum:
grüum’s website (UK-based with international shipping)
Face The Future (UK-based with international shipping)
Look Fantastic (UK-based with International shipping)
Big Green Smile (EU-based, with UK/EU shipping)
Beauty Base (UK only)
2. Who is grüum
In 2016, four friends decided to give up their jobs and use their savings to create a sustainable personal care brand they called grüum (pronounced groom).
Grüum is a small company that sells personal care products for men and women. Alongside shampoo bars, they also sell conditioner bars, natural soaps, skincare, sunscreen, and shaving products.
For this review, I will focus on their line of shampoo bars and share my experience of the grüum Nourishing Bar.
Is grüum British?
Although the name sounds Scandinavian, you might be surprised to learn that Grüum is a British brand.
The name and packaging have a Scandi vibe because the founders were inspired by the simple yet “effortlessly beautiful” approach to life in that part of the world.
grüum is actually based in Manchester, UK.
3. Is grüum eco-friendly?
As I do in all my reviews, I have looked at grüum’s sustainability credentials to see if they are as eco-friendly as they claim.
While they aren’t the most sustainable personal care brand I’ve come across, considering they are a small business, I’d call grüum’s range of hair products eco-friendly.
Just to be clear, I am only referring to their solid bars. I do not consider many of grüum’s skincare and shaving products to be eco-friendly. I’ll elaborate this at the end of this blog post.
Some of their liquid products contain liquid polymers that are classed as microplastics by the Liquid Soup Foundation. They also appear to be packaged in virgin plastic bottles.
There are a few improvements I’d like to see grüum make, and I’ll go into more detail in the pros and cons section of my grüum review.
Here are some examples of positive actions grüum is taking to reduce its impact:
Local manufacture - grüum’s shampoo bars are made in the UK which reduces its carbon emissions
Eco-friendly packaging - grüum’s shampoo bars come in cardboard boxes that can be recycled or composted (please note that some of grüum’s other products do have plastic packaging). In general, they are using much less plastic than mainstream brands
Conscious ingredients - grüum’s shampoo bar ingredients are biodegradable and mostly plant-based (see ingredients section for more details).
Cruelty-free - although it doesn’t have any third-party certification, grüum has confirmed that it never tests any of its products or ingredients on animals.
Recyclable - grüum designed all its packaging to be recycled.
4. gruum’s ingredients explained
In this part of my grüum review, I’m going to explain what ingredients are in ALL of their shampoo bars and answer all your frequently asked questions.
I know that, like me, lots of you want to know what’s in your products, and that includes shampoo bars.
Learning to recognise ingredients is a lot of effort and too much mental energy for most people, so I’ve used a FAQ format for easy skimming!
After that, I will share what the ingredients are in all of grüum’s shampoo bars so you can see what bars suit you best.
A quick note on fragrance
Although fragrance is listed as “parfum” on an ingredients list, multiple ingredients are used to make the fragrance.
Brands do not have to tell consumers what ingredients they’ve used in the fragrance so there is no way of finding out what is inside.
There is an exception though. In the EU and UK, there are 24 ingredients that have to be declared because of the risk of allergy.
In July 2023, this was increased to 80 ingredients in the EU.
Both naturally-derived fragrances from essential oils and artificial fragrances can contain allergens.
You will usually find these at the end of the list, and I’ve highlighted them in the section of this review that explains what is in each shampoo bar.
Does grüum contain synthetic fragrances?
Yes, all grüum shampoo bars, except for the fragrance-free bar, contain synthetic fragrance.
I contacted grüum and they confirmed they use “a mixture of natural and safe synthetic scents.”
A quick internet search of the ingredients they legally have to disclose for allergy reasons also confirms they are synthetic.
The fragrance-free bar is identical to the nourishing bar (that I’m reviewing today) except that it is unscented.
So if you’d prefer to avoid fragrances then opt for the fragrance-free shampoo bar.
What surfactants are in grüum shampoo bars?
All grüum shampoo bars contain sodium coco sulfate, which is what removes any dirt and grease from your hair.
Sodium coco sulfate (SCS), which is derived from coconut oil, is milder than sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). It cleans your hair but doesn’t cause irritation.
To see if SCS is good for your individual hair type, check out the section of this post titled “What type of hair is grüum suitable for?”
Is grüum vegan?
No. While the majority of grüum’s products are vegan, a few contain animal derivatives. The Hair Revitalising Shampoo Bar contains lanolin and the Tor Beard Wax contains beeswax.
Is grüum cruelty-free?
grüum is not certified by any third-party cruelty-free organisations (like leaping bunny or PETA) however it has confirmed that it never tests on animals and does not sell in country’s that require animal testing by law.
Are grüum shampoo bars free from nut oils?
No, the “Brightening” grüum shampoo bar (in the white and yellow box) and the Pro “Mega Moisture” in the blue box contain sweet almond oil.
The rest of the bars are free from nut oils, but as all bars are produced and stored in the same location, there is a slight risk of cross-contamination.
It is up to the individual to determine what is safe for you.
Do grüum shampoo bars contain soap?
Most of grüum’s shampoo bars are proper shampoo bars without any soap. The exception is their 3 in 1 travel bar which has been made from saponified oils.
I would strongly avoid buying this bar to wash your hair with.
The first shampoo bar I ever bought was to take travelling with me. It was a 4 in 1 bar from Lush and it was absolutely terrible.
I had no idea how to read an ingredients list back then so I ended up in Africa with disgusting hair. Luckily I managed to find a shop selling liquid shampoo, but it was such a shame as there was no rubbish collection where I was going.
This is why I try to help people understand what they buy. I want everybody to be able to reduce their waste without encountering the problems I did.
Do grüum’s shampoo bars contain palm oil?
I contacted grüum in June 2023 to ask them about their palm oil sourcing and they told me there are no palm oil derivatives in their shampoo bars. This made sense at the time as their products have minimal ingredients and their surfactant (cleansing agent) is sodium coco sulfate which can be derived from coconut.
Since then, grüum has launched a line of professional shampoo bars.
In the ingredients list for Pro Shampoo Bar Scalp Repair, there is an ingredient called:
Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide
Notice the word contains ‘'palm’ in it. This tells us that this ingredient could be a palm derivative.
The Pro range of shampoo bars also contains Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride and glycerine which can also derived from palm oil (although it can also be made without).
I have emailed grüum to confirm whether this range of bars is palm oil-free or not and will update here as soon as I have more information.
It might also be worth knowing that grüum is not a palm oil-free brand. It uses palm oil derivatives in some of its products but it’s not transparent about which.
5. What ingredients are in grüum shampoo bars?
In this section of my grüum shampoo bar review, I’ve broken down the ingredients in all of their shampoo bars.
grüum “nourishing” shampoo bar ingredients:
Sodium Coco Sulphate - a non-irritating sulfate cleanser that removes dirt and oil from your hair
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil,
Aqua (water)
Parfum - no details of the synthetic fragrance are provided
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone. - this is a synthetic fragrance allergen that smells like violets
grüum “fragrance free” shampoo bar ingredients:
Sodium Coco Sulphate - a non-irritating sulfate cleanser that removes dirt and oil from your hair
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil
Aqua (water)
grüum “brightening” shampoo bar ingredients:
Sodium Coco-Sulfate - non-irritating sulfate cleanser that removes dirt and oil from your hair
Lemon juice - brightens blonde hair/pH balance
Water
Parfum - no details of the synthetic fragrance are provided
Sweet Almond Oil - hydrating
Calendula (Marigold) - soothes dry skin and dandruff
Myrtrimonium Bromide - preservative
Potential fragrance allergens: Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol and Linalool
grüum “revitalising” shampoo bar ingredients:
Sodium Coco Sulphate - non-irritating sulfate cleanser that removes dirt and oil from your hair
Coconut oil - moisturises hair
Cocoa butter - soothing/contains nutrients
Lanolin - soothes dry skin and hair
Parfum - no details of the synthetic fragrance are provided
Water
Cocoa Powder - contains amino acids which may reduce hair loss
grüum “shine boost” shampoo bar ingredients:
Sodium Coco Sulphate - a non-irritating sulfate cleanser that removes dirt and oil from your hair
Henna - enhances colour, balances oil
Parfum - no details of the synthetic fragrance are provided
Water
Coconut Oil,
Potential fragrance allergens: Limonene, Eugenol, Isoeugenol, Coumarin, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Geranio
grüum “anti-dandruff” shampoo bar ingredients:
Sodium Coco Sulphate - a non-irritating sulfate cleanser that removes dirt and oil from your hair
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride - made from coconut oil and glycerine - prevents moisture loss
Water
Parfum - no details of the synthetic fragrance are provided
Propanediol Caprylate - naturally derived anti-dandruff ingredient
Potential fragrance allergens: Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol.
grüum “volumising” shampoo bar ingredients:
Sodium Coco Sulphate - a non-irritating sulfate cleanser that removes dirt and oil from your hair
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride - made from coconut oil and glycerine - prevents moisture loss
Propylene Glycol - a petroleum derivative used to reduce moisture loss
Water
Parfum - no details of the synthetic fragrance are provided
Maris Sal (dead sea salt) - soothes the scalp and revitalises
Potential fragrance allergens: Limonene.
grüum “3 in 1 travel bar” ingredients:
Sodium Cocoate = soap
Sodium Olivate = soap
Water
Sodium Castorate = soap
Lavender Oil
Tea Tree Leaf Oil
Peppermint Oil
Aloe Vera Leaf Juice Powder
Potential allergens (from essential oils): Linalool, Citral, Geraniol, Limonene
6. What is the different about grüum’s new Pro range?
grüum’s new professional range has added “clinically-proven” ingredients to address specific problems and give better results that their other shampoo bars.
They have more nutrients that benefit hair, like omega fatty acids or vitamins, and some ingredients may help reduce hair loss, or repair the skin barrier.
The box also says “trichologist formulation.” A trichologist is a specialist in scalp and hair health.
You can learn more about grüums’s Pro range on their website, or keep reading as I’ve broken down the ingredients for each shampoo bar.
Ingredients breakdown in grüum’s pro range
grüum Pro “oil control” shampoo bar ingredients:
Sodium Coco Sulphate - a non-irritating sulfate cleanser that removes dirt and oil from your hair
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride - made from coconut oil and glycerine - prevents moisture loss
Parfum - no details of the synthetic fragrance are provided
Pumpkin Seed Oil - a source of vitamin E
Water
Glycerin - no information about sourcing or if this contains palm oil
Mannitol - a sugar alcohol that may reduce hair loss
Tetraselmis Suecica Extract - a micro-algae rich in beneficial nutrients
Sodium Benzoate - a preservative
Lactic Acid - exfoliates scalp and removes product build up
Potassium sorbate - preservative
Potential fragrance allergens: Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene.
grüum Pro “mega moisture” shampoo bar ingredients:
Sodium Coco Sulphate - a non-irritating sulfate cleanser that removes dirt and oil from your hair
Soybean oil
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride - made from coconut oil and glycerine - prevents moisture loss
Parfum - no details of the synthetic fragrance are provided
Pomegranate Seed Oil
Water
Potential fragrance allergens: Hexyl Cinnamal
Cocao Butter
Sweet Almond Oil
Avocado Oil
Olive Fruit Oil
Mango Seed Butter
Cotton Seed Oil
Tocopherol - vitamin E
grüum Pro “scalp repair” shampoo bar ingredients:
Sodium Coco Sulphate - a non-irritating sulfate cleanser that removes dirt and oil from your hair
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride - made from coconut oil and glycerine - prevents moisture loss
Parfum - no details of the synthetic fragrance are provided
Hemp Seed Oil - soothes itching, dryness and dandruff
Water
Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide - repairs damaged skin
Potential fragrance allergens: Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol.
grüum Pro “frizz tamer” shampoo bar ingredients:
Sodium Coco Sulphate - a non-irritating sulfate cleanser that removes dirt and oil from your hair
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride - made from coconut oil and glycerine - prevents moisture loss
Parfum - no details of the synthetic fragrance are provided
Oat Kernal Oil - soothes sensitive skin
Water
Wheat Germ Oil - hydrates scalp and follicles
Cetearyl Nonanoate - emollient
Linoleic Acid - omega 6 fatty acid
Wheat Bran Extract - conditions hair
Wheat Germ Extract - conditions hair
Camellia Seed Oil - rich in fatty acids
Tocopheryl Acetate - a form of vitamin E (an antioxidant)
Tocopherol - vitamin E
Potential fragrance allergens: Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Geraniol.
7. My REVIEW of grüum’s Nourishing Shampoo Bar
I’m reviewing grüum’s nourishing shampoo bar on my hair which is a mixture of straight and loose wavy.
Effectiveness
grüum’s nourishing shampoo bars contain sodium coco sulfate which meant my hair felt squeaky clean after the first use. There was no transition phase at all. I actually had some product build up in my hair from testing another brand, and grüum’s nourishing bar removed this completely.
Cost
grüum shampoo bars cost £9 at full price, which is a reasonable price for bars that do not contain palm oil. In fact, it is one of the cheapest palm oil free bars on the market. One thing I did notice is that the bar is only 50g. This is quite small compared to other shampoo bars I like which are 85-110g. So while the upfront cost is less, larger sized bars actually work out cheaper in the long run.
Scent
The grüum nourishing bar has a very subtle coconut smell. I can hardly notice it when holding the bar close to my nose, although this doesn’t bother me personally. I only chose a bar with fragrance because it was on offer. I usually avoid synthetic fragrance, as I have sensitive skin and prefer low allergy products.
Unfortunately grüum has no public information about its ingredients or responsible sourcing on its website. It bothers me when brands keep their fragrance a secret as I’m concerned about phthalates and there is no way of knowing what’s in an undisclosed perfume. I believe consumers have a right to know what’s in their products so they can make informed decisions.
Sensitivity
I had no sensitivity issues with the grüum nourishing bar. I am naturally prone to dry, flaky, itchy skin and the bar did not improve this (I wasn’t expecting it to, though, as they have two other scalp repair bars) and it did not make it worse. Having used their whole shampoo bar, it did not cause me any itching or scalp issues.
As there are minimal ingredients in it, its a good choice for people with sensitivities. grüum take a few days, but have always replied to all my enquiries via their contact page.
Summary
To sum up this review, the grüum nourishing shampoo bar cleaned my hair really well and had no transition phase in my hard water area. I suspect it is high in sulphates seeing as it is only made from coconut oil, sodium coco sulfate and water.
This shampoo bar is a good choice if you have straight hair or wavy hair, especially if you use styling products that need removing.
While it does the job, it’s not my favourite shampoo bar. It is effective, but pretty basic in terms of ingredients and my hair needs a little more TLC.
I’ll probably choose it again if I ever need a clarifying wash as it did well at removing the residues from my hair.
I’d say the grüum Nourishing bar is ideal for minimalists, especially people who only really care about their hair being clean.
Fewer ingredients are also better for the environment.
If you’d prefer a more advanced ingredients list, it may be worth checking out grüum’s professional range instead.
8. What hair type is grüum good for?
I realise that writing a review of grüum based on my hair type isn't going to be helpful if your hair is different to mine.
Over the past few years, I've done lots of research (and spoken to lots of you) on what ingredients suit different hair (obviously, you know your hair best though).
As I’ve mentioned, grüum contains sodium coco sulfate which is a mild sulfate. It is not irritating like SLS, but is still effective at cleaning hair.
Is grüum good for curly or coily hair?
If you have curly or coily hair and need to avoid sulfates, then no, grüum isn't the bar for you.
I’d recommend checking out KIND2 (sensitive or hydrating) or Hairy Jayne instead, both are free from the ingredients curly-haired folk usually avoid and they work well in hard water.
You can use my code SOPHIE15 for 15% off at both brands.
Is grüum good for straight or fine hair?
Yes, grüum's shampoo bar should work clean your hair well if you have straight, oily, or fine hair. Sebum from your scalp can move down the hair shaft quicker than other hair types, meaning your hair may get greasy faster. Using a sulfate shampoo is the easiest way to remove oil and grease from straight hair.
Is grüum good for wavy hair?
Yes, grüum shampoo bar should work well for most people with wavy hair. With this hair type, oils are more likely to build up on your hair, especially if you use styling products, so sulfate-free bars may not be good enough at cleaning.
Equally, you might get on fine with sulfate-free bars and just need a clarifying wash every once in a while (if your hair gets residue or starts to look limp and dull). It’s a personal choice.
9. Gruum review: Conclusion
Pros
✅Cleans hair well
✅No transition phase
✅No sensitivity issues (unless you’re allergic to fragrance)
✅Unscented option available
✅No plastic in the packaging
✅Works in hard water
✅Free from palm oil derivatives
✅Conditioner bar also works okay
Cons
👎It’s small so doesn’t last as long as other shampoo bars
👎Undisclosed artificial fragrances and no phthalate policy
👎Cardboard packaging is not made from recycled materials
areas I think grüum could improve - sustainability
Even though I’m reviewing one type of product by grüum, I think its important to look at all aspects of the company because it is very easy for brands to greenwash.
While grüum have got a lot of good things going for them, I also think they have a lot to improve on as a business when it comes to sustainability.
They are classed as a small company and so have a smaller impact than mainstream corporations, but after 6 years in business, I’d like to see more from them.
Especially as they refer to themselves as a “planet-conscious business".
Here are some not-very-eco-friendly facts about grüum:
Producing plastic bottles - grüum have a lot of products that come in plastic bottles. Even if they are thoughtfully designed, they are still using fossil fuels and putting the responsibility to work out recycling on consumers. I would like to see them switch to 100% recycled plastic bottles or refills.
Petroleum derivatives + microplastics - many of grüum’s skincare products contain these controversial ingredients that are not “eco-friendly.” For example, Acrylate Copolymer which is considered a microplastic by Beat The Microbead Campaign.
Lack of transparency with ingredients sourcing - some products contain palm oil derivatives but grüum have no palm oil policy and are not members of the RSPO. They use many ingredients sourced from overseas, like coconut oil, that is not fair trade. A truly sustainable company ensures workers are safe throughout their supply chain.
Poor environmental reporting - grüum have no sustainability report, no public information about their carbon footprint, no policies or targets about how to reduce their impact.
Focusing on offsetting - grüum’s “commitment to the planet” page is mainly about offsetting. I’d prefer to see details of how much plastic they are producing and targets to reduce it instead of how much they are donating to clean-up and tree planting organisations.
Earlier I said that I consider grüum’s hair range to be eco-friendly, but there are many things about grüum that are not sustainable for the planet. And when you see it all listed together, and see how many products they sell, it is clear that they have improvements to make.
What I like about grüum
Overall, I’m glad that grüum’s shampoo bars are popular and effective because it means that more people are able to switch over to zero waste products.
It’s also great that they’ve got reusable razors and sustainable dental products too. It’s easier to keep eco-friendly habits up when you can get multiple items in the same place.
I look forward to seeing grüum grow as a business, and keep improving when it comes to sustainability.
Compare prices for grüum:
grüum’s website (UK-based with international shipping)
Face The Future (UK-based with international shipping)
Look Fantastic (UK-based with International shipping)
Big Green Smile (EU-based, with UK/EU shipping)
Beauty Base (UK only)
What do you think of grüum? Have you tried it yet?