Meet Myrtle — The South African Brand Rethinking How We Wash Our Hair

Here is something most shampoo brands do not advertise: a significant portion of what is in your bottle is water, thickeners, and synthetic fragrance. The active cleansing and nourishing ingredients — the part that actually does anything — make up a fraction of the formula. You are paying for a lot of packaging, a lot of preservatives, and the cost of convincing you that more lather means more clean.

Myrtle Products does things differently. Their shampoo and conditioner bars strip away the water and the filler, and give you a concentrated format packed with botanical ingredients — each one chosen for a specific purpose. One bar can last 40 to 60 washes. No plastic bottle. No sulphates. No synthetic fragrances. Just real hair care that works.

Myrtle Products is a South African brand, and they sell directly to the public. You can also find their full range on Toeka, alongside other natural products we have curated with the same values in mind.

Who Is Myrtle?

Myrtle Products is a proudly South African maker of solid hair care bars. The name itself is meaningful — the myrtle plant is an ancient symbol of peace, beauty, and healing, referenced across many traditions. It is also one of the hero essential oils in Myrtle’s formulations, giving the brand both its identity and one of its most active ingredients.

Every product in the Myrtle range is vegan, sulphate-free, paraben-free, silicone-free, and free from synthetic fragrance and colourants. They are packaged in biodegradable materials. For someone who is trying to simplify their hair care routine without compromising on results, Myrtle is a genuinely good option.

The Shampoo Bars — A Bar for Every Head

Myrtle’s shampoo bars are not one-size-fits-all. They have developed a distinct formulation for each hair type and concern, each with its own name and hero ingredients.

For Women:

Olive (Growth) — For women wanting to support hair growth and scalp health. Key ingredients include Green Kaolin Clay, which detoxifies the scalp; Yucca Extract, which strengthens hair follicles; Pomegranate Seed Oil for scalp rejuvenation; and a blend of Peppermint, Rosemary, Lavender, Frankincense, and Myrtle essential oils to stimulate circulation and create a healthy environment for growth. A customer review describes her hair feeling “alive” after switching to this bar.

Clay (Normal to Dry Hair) — A gentle, hydrating bar for hair that lacks moisture or tends to feel dry and brittle. Clay-based cleansers work by drawing out impurities without stripping the natural oils your scalp produces — important for hair that already runs dry.

Charcoal (Oily Hair) — Activated charcoal is excellent at drawing out excess sebum and product build-up without over-drying. This bar is designed for scalps that tend to get oily quickly, leaving hair looking flat or greasy within a day or two of washing.

Daffodil (Curly Hair) — Curly and coily hair has specific needs: it tends to be drier, more prone to frizz, and requires ingredients that cleanse without disrupting the curl pattern. The Daffodil bar is formulated to nourish while cleansing, maintaining curl definition and reducing frizz. It holds a perfect 5-star rating.

Baby’s Breath (Sensitive Skin) — For those with reactive scalps, sensitive skin, or anyone who has had reactions to conventional shampoos. Free from the most common irritants, this bar is gentle enough for daily use while still providing effective cleansing. Also rated 5 stars by verified buyers.

For Men:

Myrtle has not overlooked men’s hair care. Their men’s range uses heritage-inspired names and formulations matched to hair type:

Priest (Normal to Dry Hair) — A balanced, moisturising bar for everyday use on normal to dry hair. Clean, no-fuss, effective.

Prophet (Oily Hair) — For men whose scalps tend to produce excess oil. Deep-cleansing without stripping.

King (Growth) — For men wanting to support scalp health and encourage stronger, healthier growth. Rated 4.5 stars by verified buyers.

The Conditioner Range — Because Washing Is Only Half the Story

A good conditioner does not just make hair feel soft in the shower. It repairs the cuticle layer, adds moisture back after cleansing, and protects hair from breakage and environmental damage. Myrtle’s conditioner formats go beyond a basic rinse-out — they are nutrient-dense bars and balms that genuinely treat the hair.

Conditioner Bars — For Women and Men:

Myrtle offers conditioner bars to match the shampoo range. The women’s bar, called Condition Your Crown, is a 5-star-rated moisturising conditioner bar designed to be used alongside the Myrtle shampoo bars. It is recommended directly on the shampoo product pages as the ideal companion.

The men’s conditioner bars come in three variants matching the King (Growth), Priest (Normal to Dry), and Prophet (Oily) shampoo bars — so your conditioning step is as targeted as your cleansing step.

Conditioning Balms — Deep Treatment at Home:

For those who want a deeper conditioning treatment, Myrtle also offers leave-in or rinse-out conditioning balms. Two are currently available at Toeka:

Treat Your Crown — A rich conditioning balm for women, ideal for weekly or twice-weekly deep conditioning. Rated 5 stars.

The Fig — Silver — A conditioning balm specifically developed for women with grey, silver, or naturally lightening hair. Fig is associated with deep hydration and nourishment, and this formulation supports the unique needs of hair that has transitioned away from pigmented colour. Also rated 5 stars.

Why Solid Bars? The Honest Answer

Shampoo bars get a bit of a bad reputation from people who tried a badly made one years ago and ended up with waxy, heavy hair. That was a real problem with early formulations. Myrtle’s bars are a different thing entirely.

The formulations use proper conditioning emulsifiers, surfactants derived from natural sources (like coconut oil), and botanical proteins that help the bar rinse clean without residue. There is a transition period of one to two weeks as your scalp adjusts from sulphate-heavy washing to a gentler approach — this is normal and temporary. After that, most people find their hair is healthier, less dry, and needs washing less frequently.

From a practical standpoint: one 75g bar gives you 40 to 60 washes. Compared to a 250ml bottle of liquid shampoo, the bar is more economical, travels easily, and produces no plastic waste.

Hero Ingredients Worth Knowing About

Across the Myrtle shampoo and conditioner range, several ingredients appear consistently. These are not filler ingredients — each one is there for a reason:

  • Myrtle Essential Oil: The brand’s namesake ingredient. Known for balancing oil production on the scalp, supporting hair growth, and contributing an uplifting, slightly herbal scent.
  • Rosemary Essential Oil: One of the most researched botanical ingredients for hair growth. Stimulates circulation at the scalp, which supports follicle activity.
  • Lavender Essential Oil: Calming, antibacterial, and effective at reducing scalp irritation and dandruff. Ideal for sensitive or reactive scalps.
  • Green Kaolin Clay: A gentle detoxifier that removes product build-up and excess sebum without over-stripping.
  • Pomegranate Seed Oil: Rich in punicic acid, which supports scalp regeneration and adds nourishment to the hair shaft.
  • Hydrolysed Jojoba Protein: A lightweight protein that mimics the scalp’s natural oils, improving hair strength and manageability without heaviness.
  • Cocoa Butter: Deeply moisturising and adds elasticity and shine to the hair without weighing it down.

Finding Your Match — A Quick Guide

If you are not sure where to start, here is a straightforward guide:

Dry, fine, or slow-growing hair: Olive (Women) or King (Men) shampoo bar + matching conditioner bar.

Oily scalp, limp hair: Charcoal (Women) or Prophet (Men) shampoo bar.

Curly or coily hair: Daffodil (Women) shampoo bar + Treat Your Crown conditioning balm.

Sensitive scalp or skin reactions: Baby’s Breath (Women) shampoo bar.

Grey or silver hair: The Fig conditioning balm as a weekly treatment.

Normal hair, everyday routine: Clay (Women) or Priest (Men) shampoo bar + conditioner bar.

Shop the Myrtle Range at Toeka

The full Myrtle shampoo and conditioner range is available now at Toeka.