FOR OILY, THICK STRAIGHT HAIR
NO MORE FLAT, OILY HAIR.
- Lifts excess oil and buildup a citrus-oil and rice-water lather cleanses oily roots so hair looks and feels fresh
- Fuller-looking roots clean roots dry lighter, so straight hair looks fuller instead of lying limp against your head
- Shiny, soft lengths hydrolyzed rice protein and rice bran oil leave thick strands softer and shinier, not stripped
- No silicone, no wax, no buildup rinses clean, even in soft water, leaving nothing behind to weigh your roots down
- One bar replaces 2–3 bottles of liquid shampoo sulfate-free, pH-balanced, vegan, plastic-free
Citrus Yao Volumizing Rice Water Shampoo Bar
- Free shipping over $40
- Free returns
- 30-day guarantee
Description
If your roots go greasy before the workday ends and your crown collapses flat by noon, Citrus Yao was built for exactly that — thick, straight hair in a hot, humid climate that needs a real clarifying wash every single day, not a gentle refresh. The bar's citrus-oil blend cuts through excess oil and product buildup so you get roots that feel lifted, not stripped, and clean that lasts through the humidity rather than fading by your first meeting. At its core is Longsheng rice water — fermented the way the Red Yao women of Guangxi province have used it for centuries — delivering amino acids and inositol that strengthen hair fibers while the sulfate-free lather removes buildup without leaving the tight, raw scalp feel that drugstore clarifying formulas are known for. Unlike soap-based bars that leave a waxy coating on dense, coarse strands, this formula rinses completely clean — a skin-compatible pH keeps the rinse smooth and comfortable — lather that smells like citrus grove, rinses like a reset, and replaces 2–3 plastic bottles in the process.
Ingredients
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Longsheng Rice Water, Cocoa Butter, Sodium Lactate, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Shea Butter, Fragrance*, Butylene Glycol (Plant-Based), Jojoba Oil, Stearic Acid, Vitamin B8, Vitamin B5, Rice Bran Oil, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Broccoli Seed Oil, Bamboo Extract, Bergamot Peel Oil, Orange Peel Oil, Lime Peel Oil, Lemon Peel Oil, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera
*Plant-based and naturally occurring, clean ingredients.
Ingredients Explanations
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate — derived from coconut fatty acids; a mild, sulfate-free surfactant that produces a creamy lather and cleanses without the harsh stripping associated with traditional sulfates. (EWG: 1)
Behentrimonium Methosulfate — plant-derived from rapeseed oil; acts as a gentle conditioning agent that helps detangle dense, coarse strands without silicone buildup. (EWG: 1)
Longsheng Rice Water — fermented rice water sourced from Longsheng, Guangxi province; rich in amino acids and inositol that help strengthen hair fibers and support shine on dark, straight hair.
Cocoa Butter — cold-pressed from cacao beans; provides emollient softness to lengths without the heavy coating of silicone-based conditioners. (EWG: 1)
Sodium Lactate — plant-derived salt of lactic acid; helps the bar maintain a skin-compatible pH and supports a smooth rinse. (EWG: 1)
Glycerin — typically plant-derived from vegetable oils; a humectant that draws moisture to the hair fiber so lengths stay comfortable while the scalp is clarified. (EWG: 1)
Cetyl Alcohol — derived from coconut or palm; a fatty alcohol that conditions and adds slip — not a drying alcohol. (EWG: 1)
Shea Butter — cold-pressed from the shea tree nut; nourishes mid-lengths and ends so daily clarifying washes don't leave them brittle. (EWG: 1)
Fragrance* — plant-based and naturally occurring; the citrus-bright scent profile (grapefruit, lime, bergamot) is derived from the peel oils listed in the formula rather than synthetic fragrance compounds.
Butylene Glycol (Plant-Based) — plant-derived humectant and solvent; helps keep the formula stable and supports an even distribution of conditioning ingredients. (EWG: 1)
Jojoba Oil — cold-pressed from jojoba seeds; a liquid wax ester that mimics the scalp's natural sebum structure, conditioning without adding greasiness. (EWG: 1)
Stearic Acid — plant-derived fatty acid from vegetable oils; gives the bar its firm, long-lasting structure and contributes to a smooth lather. (EWG: 1)
Vitamin B8 (Inositol) — naturally occurring in rice water; helps reinforce the hair fiber's surface for strands that feel stronger and look smoother after each wash.
Vitamin B5 (Panthenol) — plant-derived provitamin; coats the hair fiber to add flexibility and reduce the brittle feel that can follow daily clarifying washes. (EWG: 1)
Rice Bran Oil — cold-pressed from the outer layer of rice grains; lightweight and rich in antioxidants, it adds gloss to dark straight hair without heaviness. (EWG: 1)
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein — rice-derived protein broken into smaller molecules; coats and temporarily fills gaps in the hair fiber so strands feel thicker and less prone to breakage after brushing. (EWG: 1)
Broccoli Seed Oil — cold-pressed from broccoli seeds; a silicone-free alternative that imparts a natural slip and shine to coarse straight hair without buildup. (EWG: 1)
Bamboo Extract — derived from bamboo stem; a plant-based source of silica that adds body and supports the lifted, voluminous feel at the root.
Bergamot Peel Oil — cold-pressed from bergamot citrus peel; contributes the bright, slightly floral top note of the bar's citrus-grove scent. (EWG: 2)
Orange Peel Oil — cold-pressed from orange peel; adds a warm, sweet citrus layer to the fragrance profile. (EWG: 1)
Lime Peel Oil — cold-pressed from lime peel; delivers the sharp, clean citrus note at the heart of the bar's clarifying scent experience. (EWG: 2)
Lemon Peel Oil — cold-pressed from lemon peel; brightens the overall scent and reinforces the clean, clarifying sensory experience. (EWG: 2)
Grapefruit Peel Oil — cold-pressed from grapefruit peel; the dominant citrus note — fresh, slightly bitter, unmistakably clean. (EWG: 2)
Vitamin E (Tocopherol) — plant-derived antioxidant from vegetable oils; protects the formula's oils from oxidation and helps strands feel conditioned and less prone to dullness. (EWG: 1)
Aloe Vera — derived from the aloe leaf; soothes the scalp after a thorough cleanse and helps the rinse feel cool and comfortable rather than tight. (EWG: 1)
How To Use
1. Wet your hair thoroughly with warm water — fully saturating thick, dense strands ensures the bar lathers evenly from root to tip.
2. Rub the bar directly between your palms or along your scalp in short strokes to build a light, foamy lather; focus on the roots and oily zones first.
3. Work the lather through your scalp with your fingertips using small circular motions — this lifts oil and buildup from the root without over-scrubbing the lengths.
4. Let the lather travel down the lengths as you rinse; no need to pile hair on top of your head, which can cause tangles in coarse straight hair.
5. Rinse thoroughly with cool water until the hair feels completely clear — the cool rinse helps close the cuticle and adds to the lifted, bouncy feel at the root.
6. If switching from a silicone-heavy liquid shampoo, allow 2–3 washes for your hair to fully adjust before evaluating results — the weight of buildup from previous products clears gradually.
REAL RESULTS, REAL CUSTOMERS
Before and after — oily roots, thick straight hair
Straight-haired customers who fought flat, greasy roots and coarse ends.
"My roots were greasy again by noon no matter what I used. I see such a big difference first time using the bar shampoo & conditioner. It's give my hair more voume as well."
"For the longest time, I thought my hair was just too oily and that nothing could fix it. Then I tried this bar. My roots feel so much cleaner, the oiliness is gone, and for the first time, my hair doesn't look flat after blow-drying."
"I was so skeptical of shampoo bars after using one that left a waxy feeling on my hair. This one lathers like a real shampoo and is so easy to use! It left my roots feeling completely clean with no residue. My hair doesn't feel dry at all. I'm so surprised!"
VERIFIED REVIEWS FROM WOMEN WITH OILY, THICK STRAIGHT HAIR
CLEAN THAT LASTS ALL DAY.
Verified reviews from women with oily, buildup-prone straight hair.
THE PROBLEM
Oily roots and flat, heavy hair — the usual fixes make one worse
Straight hair shows oil fast and falls flat. Most products silently add more build-up.
BUILDUP BEFORE NOON.
Silicone-heavy liquid shampoos coat dense strands instead of cleansing them — so roots feel greasy again within hours, and hair hangs flat at the crown long before the day is over.
STRIPPED SCALP, OILY ROOTS.
Drugstore clarifying formulas hit hard and leave your scalp feeling raw and tight — then rebound oiliness kicks in faster than before, making the whole cycle worse with every wash.
Heavy conditioners on straight hair
Rich butters and oils smooth the ends but slide to the roots, flattening straight hair and undoing the clean feeling within a day.
THE ANSWER
Clean roots, soft lengths, lasting lift — from one bar
Citrus Yao is a sulfate-free shampoo bar built for thick, straight hair that goes oily fast — formulated with fermented Longsheng rice water to clarify the scalp without punishing the lengths.
Where silicone-heavy liquid shampoos coat your dense strands and drugstore clarifying formulas strip you raw, Citrus Yao finds the line between the two: a light, foamy lather spiked with bergamot, lime, and grapefruit peel oils that works through oil and product buildup. Fermented in Longsheng, rinsed in your shower, the rice water delivers amino acids and inositol that leave strands feeling stronger, while hydrolyzed rice protein and bamboo extract help lengths feel more resilient and less prone to snap after brushing. The result is roots that feel lifted, not stripped — volume that holds all day even when the humidity doesn't cooperate. Each bar is formulated to a low-residue pH, so there's no waxy buildup, no rebound grease, no tight scalp sting after you towel off.
See the full systemWhy Viori
How it's different from your current curl shampoo
| Citrus Yao Volumizing bar | Volumizing liquid shampoo | Other clarifying bars | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicones/polymers | None | Common (build up) | Sometimes |
| Oil control | Helps balance excess oil without over-drying | Often stripping | Often stripping |
| Conditions lengths | Rice protein + rice bran oil | Separate product | Often none / waxy |
| Lather | Rich | Rich | Often poor |
| Cost per wash | ~3 bottles in one | Monthly refill | Comparable |
Premium rice-water curl shampoos sell for $25-28 a bottle. This is a plastic-free bar at $13.99.
Backed by the science
WHY IT WORKS
Three ingredients, three mechanisms — each one targeting the specific physics of thick, oily straight hair in a humid climate.
-
Mild Surfactant, Real Lift
The bar's primary cleanser, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, is a coconut-derived syndet surfactant that cuts through excess oil and product buildup without the aggressive stripping that leaves your scalp tight and rebounding with more oil by afternoon. Unlike traditional soap bars — which run alkaline and leave a waxy film that sits heavily on coarse, dense strands — SCI is formulated at a neutral pH, so roots feel lifted, not stripped. The result is clean that lasts through the humidity, not just the morning commute.
CIR Expert Panel — Amended Safety Assessment of Isethionate Salts (2013) -
Fermented in Longsheng, Rinsed in Your Shower
Longsheng rice water — fermented, not just steeped — releases inositol, a compound that research suggests may remain associated with the hair structure after rinsing, helping support the feel of resilience against breakage over time. Hydrolyzed rice protein works alongside it: its low molecular weight allows it to interact with the hair shaft, helping replenish the amino acids that daily washing, heat, and humidity can gradually deplete from thick straight strands. The weight of buildup, gone — and each strand feeling quietly reinforced with every wash.
Viori Q&A — Scientific Evidence for Rice Water Protein Benefits (2026) -
Sulfate-free cleansing preserves moisture in porous hair
Bleached hair is highly porous — it absorbs and loses moisture faster than untreated hair. Sulfate-free cleansers remove buildup and oil without disrupting the lipid layer that keeps moisture locked inside the shaft.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology — sulfate-free formulations and hair moisture
Our Story
THE STORY BEHIND THE BAR
From the rice terraces of Longsheng to your shower — the most powerful, clean haircare you have ever used.
How To Use Videos
WHAT MAKES VIORI DIFFERENT
Everything you want to know — answered in 30 seconds or less.
Build Your Bundle
BAR, DUO, OR THE FULL SYSTEM.
Start with the clarifying bar, add a companion for the lengths, or go all-in on roots-to-ends oil control that holds through the humidity.
The Bar
The Citrus Yao clarifying bar — clean that lasts past noon.
- Fermented Longsheng rice water lifts roots without stripping lengths
- Citrus-oil blend cuts through buildup on dense, coarse strands
- Light foamy lather rinses clean — no waxy residue, no weigh-down
- Concentrated bar format means less plastic, more washes per gram than most liquid bottles
The Duo
Clarifying bar + matching conditioner — oil control at the roots, softness at the ends.
- Roots that feel lifted, not stripped — even in humid heat
- Conditioner targets lengths only, so roots stay light all day
- Hydrolyzed rice protein leaves strands feeling stronger wash after wash
- Clarifies the scalp without leaving lengths feeling punished
- Two bars, zero plastic bottles
The Full System
Shampoo bar, conditioner, and scalp serum — the weight of buildup, gone.
- Three-step ritual built for oily scalps in hot, humid climates
- Scalp serum helps that freshly-washed feeling linger a little longer
- Volume that starts at the root and holds past noon
- Lather that smells like citrus grove, rinses like a reset
- Fermented in Longsheng, rinsed in your shower — every single day
FAQ
GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY.
No. It cleanses the scalp with a gentle sulfate-free lather, then rice protein and rice bran oil condition the lengths — so roots read clean and ends stay smooth. Use the conditioner bar mid-length to ends for extra slip.
That's actually a very common hair type combination. Our Clarifying Shampoo Bar helps remove excess oil and buildup from the scalp while helping maintain moisture throughout the lengths. For best results, follow with a conditioner on your mid-lengths and ends. If you're looking for extra hydration, our Hidden Waterfall Conditioner Bar is a great option for helping dry ends feel softer, smoother, and more manageable.
Some reviewers with oily hair say they wash less often than they used to — individual results vary. Without a polymer film, there's less residue to weigh hair down.
Volume shampoos add lift with polymers that build up and flatten roots over time. This clarifies instead, so roots stay light on their own — no film to stack up.
No silicones or wax, so it rinses clean. Give hair 2–3 washes to adjust when switching from liquid shampoo.
The shampoo bar cleanses and tones. The conditioner bar seals in the moisture and amino acids from the rice water and protects the cuticle between washes. For bleached hair — which is porous and loses moisture quickly — using both gives you the full repair benefit. The shampoo bar alone is a meaningful upgrade over a sulfate purple shampoo, but the duo is where the real difference shows.
Yes — most people need 2–3 washes for their hair to adjust from liquid shampoo to a bar formula. During that time your hair may feel slightly different as it clears out residue from previous products. Bleached hair typically adjusts faster than untreated hair because the cuticle is already more open. Stick with it past the first wash.
Each bar lasts 60–80 washes, which is the equivalent of 2–3 bottles of liquid shampoo. The bar stays dry between uses when stored on a bamboo holder with airflow drainage, which extends its life significantly. If you are washing 2–3 times a week, one bar typically lasts 5–8 months.