Viori vs Naples Soap: Shampoo Bars Compared

Viori and Naples Soap Company both sell solid shampoo bars and conditioner bars, but the bars are built differently. Viori's shampoo bars are syndet bars made with Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate and fermented rice water, while Naples Soap's shampoo bar ingredient lists start with Sodium Coco Sulfate. The bars also differ in size, packaging and range, and those differences are set out below using each brand's own published information.

Format and cleanser

Viori's shampoo bars are syndet bars, not soap. The cleanser is Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI), a mild cleanser derived from coconut. Every Viori shampoo and conditioner bar is made with fermented Longsheng rice water, which Viori prepares the Red Yao way over 7 to 10 days. Viori uses a lower concentration of rice water and a low concentration of rice protein, so the bars are suitable for daily use.

Naples Soap's shampoo bars list Sodium Coco Sulfate as the first ingredient, followed by cocoa butter, coconut oil and red raspberry seed oil. The Moroccan Oil bar adds argan oil. Naples Soap's site does not describe its shampoo bars as syndet bars or as soap, so the format is best read from the ingredient list itself.

Sulfates, silicones and other free-from claims

Viori describes its bars as sulfate-free, silicone-free, paraben-free and gluten-free, with no synthetic preservatives. The bars are self-preserving because they dry out between uses.

Naples Soap lists its shampoo and conditioner bars as paraben free and phthalate free under its "No Badditives" label, and its shampoo pages add alcohol free. Its shampoo ingredient lists include Sodium Coco Sulfate, and its site does not make a sulfate-free claim for these bars. A silicone-free claim is not stated on the Naples Soap product pages reviewed.

pH

Viori's bars are pH balanced and formulated to stay between 3.5 and 6.5 pH. Naples Soap describes its fragrance-free shampoo bar and its fragrance-free conditioner bar as pH balanced. A specific pH number is not stated on Naples Soap's site.

Conditioner bars

Both brands build their conditioner bars on behentrimonium methosulfate, often called BTMS. Viori's conditioner bars pair BTMS with cocoa butter, cetyl alcohol and fermented rice water. The lather is a paste rather than foam. Viori conditioner bars can also be used as a deep conditioner or a leave-in.

Naples Soap's fragrance-free conditioner bar lists BTMS, cetearyl alcohol, cocoa butter, cetyl alcohol, coconut oil, olive oil and glycerin among its ingredients, along with wheat germ oil. Naples Soap also says its conditioner bar can be used as a leave-in.

Color-treated hair

Viori calls its bars color-safe. For color-treated hair, Viori suggests working up a lather in your hands first rather than rubbing the bar directly on your hair. Naples Soap says its fragrance-free shampoo bar works with all hair types, including color-treated hair.

Vegan and cruelty-free

Viori bars are certified vegan by Vegan International and certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny. Viori also holds Fair Trade and CarbonNeutral® certifications and is a public benefit corporation. Viori bars are not free of palm; Viori uses RSPO-sourced palm derivatives.

Naples Soap describes its shampoo bars as vegan on their product pages. In company materials on its site, Naples Soap says its products are never tested on animals. A third-party certification logo for these claims is not named on the Naples Soap pages reviewed.

Packaging and where they are made

Viori's packaging is plastic-free. It uses recycled paper, and the bars ship in a bamboo steamer. Viori bars are manufactured, stored and shipped from Utah, USA.

Naples Soap says its bars come in recyclable sleeves to reduce plastic waste and ship in paper bags without printed labels. It sells an optional travel case separately. Naples Soap Company opened in Naples, Florida, in 2009. The same materials say its products are made in the USA.

Sizes and range

Viori shampoo bars weigh 90 g (3.5 oz) and conditioner bars weigh 72 g (2.8 oz). The range includes rice water shampoo and conditioner bars for different scalp types, a fragrance-free pair, body wash bars and a dry shampoo.

Naples Soap lists its shampoo bars at 1.75 oz and its fragrance-free conditioner bar at 1 oz. Its hair range includes scents such as Moroccan Oil, Coconut Water, Karma and Fragrance Free, a Luxe line, and shampoo and conditioner sets. Naples Soap also sells body soaps and body care.

Who each one suits

Viori suits people who want a sulfate-free syndet shampoo bar, a bar made with fermented rice water, third-party vegan and Leaping Bunny certifications, or bars sized for a long stretch between purchases. Viori's own guidance points dry to normal scalps to Terrace Garden or Native Essence , oily scalps to Citrus Yao , and most hair types to Hidden Waterfall .

Naples Soap suits people who want a smaller bar, a wide choice of scents, or a hair routine that matches the body soaps they already buy from the same company. Its fragrance-free shampoo and conditioner pair is the option it describes as pH balanced.

How to switch to any shampoo bar

Wet your hair well and work up a lather, either on your scalp or in your hands. Rinse thoroughly, then follow with a conditioner bar from roots to ends. Let the bar drain and dry between uses so it lasts. Viori suggests giving a new routine 2 to 3 months. For more background, see shampoo bars vs liquid shampoo .