We’re delighted to introduce Gently Does It, our newest shampoo bar — created for those who believe that caring for the scalp shouldn’t require harsh ingredients, synthetic fragrance or unnecessary complexity. Most of us think of shampoo as something designed purely to clean hair, but the truth is that your scalp is far more biologically interesting than that. It isn’t just skin hidden beneath strands: it’s a dynamic microbial ecosystem. Living on the scalp are communities of bacteria, yeasts and fungi that quietly maintain balance, regulate oil production and help protect the skin barrier. This is known as the scalp microbiome, and far from being an obscure scientific curiosity, it plays a critical role in comfort, resilience and healthy hair growth. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
As research continues to evolve, dermatologists and microbiologists have begun confirming what many people with sensitive skin or chronic irritation already suspected: when this microbial community is disrupted — through strong synthetic cleansers, frequent overwashing or harsh cosmetic chemicals — discomfort and inflammation often follow. Dryness, itching, flaking and changes in oil production can all be downstream effects of a disrupted microbiome. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
This growing understanding is part of the reason we created Gently Does It, a bar designed specifically to cleanse without disturbing this delicate biological balance. To achieve that, the formulation avoids sulphates, silicones, parabens, petrochemicals, endocrine disrupting compounds and, of course, plastic. Sulphate-based surfactants are well known for creating rich foam, but they’re also known to strip natural oils and disrupt the scalp barrier — a pattern associated with irritation and microbial imbalance. (umthi.co.uk)
Instead, Gently Does It uses gentle cleansing agents that clean effectively without stripping away the protective oils or disturbing the microbial ecosystem that keeps the scalp happy. To make it even kinder, the bar is fully unscented. Fragrance — whether synthetic or essential-oil based —can be an irritant to some scalps, so skipping scent makes the formula suitable for even very sensitive scalps.
One feature we’re particularly proud of is the use of fermented ingredients derived from the byproduct of corn oil milling. Fermentation is a growing field in green cosmetic science, and research increasingly shows that fermented ingredients can help support enhanced moisturising, nourishing and antioxidant benefits, and may support a healthy barrier function. (mdpi.com) Using a byproduct from corn oil milling also reduces waste — meaning the bar is gentle not only on the scalp, but on the planet.
If you’re wondering whether you fall into the group this product is made for, the answer may be broader than expected. Sensitive scalps, fragrance-free households, people transitioning from traditional bottled shampoo, those recovering from hormonal changes such as postpartum or the menopause and anyone trying to avoid unnecessary chemical exposure can all benefit from this gentle cleansing approach. And if you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “Why does my scalp feel irritated even though nothing has changed?” — well, sometimes it has changed: microbiome balance may have subtly shifted.
A number of recent papers studying the scalp microbiome have shown that healthy scalps tend to host a diverse balance of bacteria, such as Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, which appear to help regulate the environment and may inhibit problematic overgrowth of certain yeasts. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) When harsh cleansers disrupt the ecosystem, it can shift in favour of microbes associated with dandruff and irritation — a microbial version of a neighbourhood dispute. On the other hand, studies examining gentle cleansing systems have demonstrated that mild, non-antimicrobial cleansers do not trigger significant destabilisation of the microbiome and may even preserve overall microbial abundance. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
All of this matters because healthy hair begins with a healthy scalp — not a stripped or “squeaky clean” one, but one that feels calm, balanced and comfortable. Gently Does It was designed with that principle in mind: science-informed simplicity, eco-conscious formulation, and a quiet confidence.
If you’d like to learn more about the ingredients we chose, how to transition to solid haircare, or whether this bar is right for you, you’ll find those details on our website. And if your scalp has been quietly requesting something kinder — or loudly demanding it — this may be the gentle place to begin.