Shampoo Invention History
Table of Contents

Most shampoo users have no specific idea about Shampoo History. There are lots of people who really ask questions about shampoo invention, who invented shampoo, and when was shampoo invented. Since the ingredients of shampoo have already been protected in general terms, let’s discuss the development of the shampoo’s formulation.
Shampoo Invention History

Most shampoo users have no specific idea about Shampoo History. There are lots of people who really ask questions about shampoo invention, who invented shampoo, and when was shampoo invented. Since the ingredients of shampoo have already been protected in general terms, let’s discuss the development of the shampoo’s formulation.
Shampoo Then (More than 100 Years Ago):
Only about 100 years have passed since shampoo as we know it today. Prior to 1903, processes for washing hair included boiling pieces of “shaved soap” bars in water or massaging the head with scented oils. Various early methodologies have been developed, but let’s start focusing on the last one hundred years or so.
The Journey from Then to Now (~Past 100 Years)
Before Hans Schwarzkopf created a soap with lavender powder in 1903, people washed their hair with soap bars. Yes, shampoo was once available in bar and powder form. Having said that, they are very different from the bars and, more recently, powder (thanks to Susteau), that we use to wash our hair today. Soap and shampoo are not the same. Consider this: Would you wash your hair with liquid hand soap? Widely believed not.

Shampoo Then (More than 100 Years Ago):
Only about 100 years have passed since shampoo as we know it today. Prior to 1903, processes for washing hair included boiling pieces of “shaved soap” bars in water or massaging the head with scented oils. Various early methodologies have been developed, but let’s start focusing on the last one hundred years or so.
The Journey from Then to Now (~Past 100 Years)
Before Hans Schwarzkopf created a soap with lavender powder in 1903, people washed their hair with soap bars. Yes, shampoo was once available in bar and powder form. Having said that, they are very different from the bars and, more recently, powder (thanks to Susteau), that we use to wash our hair today. Soap and shampoo are not the same. Consider this: Would you wash your hair with liquid hand soap? Widely believed not.

Who invented shampoo?
The first version of liquid shampoo (still “soap”) was invented in 1927 by Hans Schwarzkopf.

Shampoo Now:
Major industry players have innovated in the area of haircare that is feature-driven today. Products are now available that have been optimized to moisturize, hydrate, and add volume. For thick, fine, curly, damaged, and colored hair, there are specific shampoo formulations. We have only recently witnessed innovation in haircare come from young, beauty-tech companies that use hair practice tests to personalize each customer’s product.
The Future of Hair Washing:
What methods will shampoo and hair care, in general, take next? Information sharing and actual ecological responsibility, in our opinion at Susteau, will be important. Although some companies have already commercialized biodegradable shampoos and improved packaging, these efforts only cover a portion of the life cycle of a product.
There is tremendous space for creativity because these formulas don’t take the impact from beginning to end. We predict that lightweight, cutting-edge, concentrated formulas that lessen a product’s impact throughout the supply chain will be used to deliver haircare in the future.
On this front, there is still a lot of exciting progress to be made, so we’ll make sure to keep you all informed.
Who invented shampoo?
The first version of liquid shampoo (still “soap”) was invented in 1927 by Hans Schwarzkopf.

Shampoo Now:
Major industry players have innovated in the area of haircare that is feature-driven today. Products are now available that have been optimized to moisturize, hydrate, and add volume. For thick, fine, curly, damaged, and colored hair, there are specific shampoo formulations. We have only recently witnessed innovation in haircare come from young, beauty-tech companies that use hair practice tests to personalize each customer’s product.
The Future of Hair Washing:
What methods will shampoo and hair care, in general, take next? Information sharing and actual ecological responsibility, in our opinion at Susteau, will be important. Although some companies have already commercialized biodegradable shampoos and improved packaging, these efforts only cover a portion of the life cycle of a product.
There is tremendous space for creativity because these formulas don’t take the impact from beginning to end. We predict that lightweight, cutting-edge, concentrated formulas that lessen a product’s impact throughout the supply chain will be used to deliver haircare in the future.
On this front, there is still a lot of exciting progress to be made, so we’ll make sure to keep you all informed.