The Best Shampoos Without Harmful Ingredients for Healthier Hair
We’ve done the research and testing to put together this list of the best non toxic shampoo brands, including shampoos for every hair type, plus affordable drugstore shampoos, dry shampoo and shampoo bars – so you can find the clean shampoo that works best for YOU!
Wavy, straight, colored, curly, thick or fine – we all have our own unique hair. And because of that, we don’t all use the same shampoo.
So it can be hard to know which non toxic shampoo to buy for ourselves and our family. To help simplify the process, we’ve put our research hats on and put our hair to the test to round up the best-of-the-best in clean shampoo brands.
Whether you are looking for a liquid shampoo, a dry shampoo or a plastic-free shampoo bar, this list will help you find the clean shampoo products that will work best for the people in your household.
At Mindful Momma we only endorse products we’ve personally researched, tested, and honestly love. We may receive commissions from affiliate links in this article including Amazon Affiliates. Full Disclosure
Best Non Toxic Shampoo Brands
Whether your hair is curly or straight, thick or fine, colored or natural, there is a non-toxic shampoo for YOU! As you browse the recommendations below, take note of the various formulas of shampoo the company makes under each brand listing.
Rest assured, all the shampoos listed here are phthalate free, free of harmful fragrance ingredients, and made without the harmful chemicals found in most conventional shampoo brands. And if you are looking for shampoos without DMDM hydantoin or benzene, I’ve got you covered.
My goal is to help you find the best natural shampoo for your needs! (Be sure to check out the conditioners and other hair styling products from these brands too!)
EVOLVh
EVOLVh has been a pioneer in clean hair care, by creating science-based, high-performance products using natural and organic ingredients. If I had to pick one favorite shampoo brand, it would be this!
- Shampoo formulas: UltraShine, SmartCurl, SmartColor, InstaVolume
- Fav products: For people with curly hair, the SmartCurl Gentle Shampoo from EVOLVh is a great recommendation because it helps define curls without frizz. I also love the SmartColor Protecting Shampoo.
- Best for: they have something for all hair types
- Price: $26 for 8.5 oz
- EVOLVh has excellent styling products too
Take 15% off with code MINDFULMOMMA
RELATED: 4 Good Reasons to Buy Natural, Non-Toxic Products
ATTITUDE
ATTITUDE makes affordable natural shampoo, conditioner and other body care products. I especially love that the bottles are refillable with Eco-Refill boxes.
- Shampoo formulas: Nourishing & Strengthening, Volume & Shine, Moisture Rich, Color Protection, Clarifying, Curl Amplifying, Sensitive Care
- Favorite product: The Super Leaves Nourishing Shampoo is a wonderful all-purpose shampoo and my son swears by the Curl Amplifying Shampoo & Conditioner. Also I’ve heard the Clarifying Shampoo is great for people with oily hair.
- Best for: Refillable shampoo for all hair types
- Price: $12.95 for 16-oz, $19.95 for 32-oz and $33.95 for the 2L refill box (a great option for zero waste fans!)
- EWG-Verified
Get 15% off with code MINDFULMOMMA15 at checkout.
Rahua
Rahua uses natural ingredients from the rainforest to formulate highly effective and concentrated formulas for specific hair needs.
- Shampoo formulas: many types ranging from their Classic Shampoo to formulas for volume, hydration, colored hair and more
- Fav product: Hydration Shampoo because it’s super nourishing and smells amazing
- Price: $36 for 9.3 oz
Annmarie
Annmarie Skin Care is a pioneer of plant-based, herbal and organic skin care and hair care.
- Shampoo formulas: herb infused
- Fav product: Sweet Sunrise Shampoo – a basic herbal shampoo that works for all hair types
- Price: $40 for 8-oz
Wellnesse
Wellnesse was founded by Katie Wells of Wellness Mama after she perfected products that are human safe, planet safe and work better than conventional alternatives. Her shampoo blends moisturizing shea butter and coconut oil with aloe vera, quinoa and herbal extracts to nourish hair.
- Shampoo formulas: smoothing and cleansing
- Fav product: Restoring Shampoo – a simple formula that words for all hair types
- Price: $20 for 8-oz
- EWG-Verified
Save 20% when you buy a haircare bundle.
Derma E
Derma E began as a small health food store but grew into a leader in the clean beauty industry.
- Shampoo formulas: nourishing, thickening, restoring, scalp relief
- Fav product: Scalp Relief Shampoo formulated to soothe flaky and irritated scalp. This is a go-to for some members of my family. The Scalp Relief Treatment is great too.
- Price: $12.95 for 10-oz
Coconut Matter
Coconut Matter makes a unique powdered shampoo concentrate that is packaged in a travel-friendly aluminum bottle. Simply shake some powder into your hand, mix with water and apply to hair. It foams up very nicely and leaves my hair feeling fresh and clean!
- Shampoo formulas: Matcha Shake to strengthen hair and Goji Shake to revitalize colored or treated hair.
- Fav product: Both of these are very nice products and work well on my thick, wavy hair.
- Best for: Plastic-free fans
- Price: $25 for 2.12-oz
Use code MINDFUL10 for 10% off your first order.
Acure
Acure is a family owned company committed to using plant science to deliver effective, natural & organic personal care.
- Shampoo formulas: hydrating, smoothing, clarifying, volume, balancing and color wellness
- Fav product: Acure Ultra Hydrating Shampoo with Argan Oil & Pumpkin is moisturizing and very affordable.
- Best for: Affordable natural shampoo
- Price: $9.99 for 8-oz
Alaffia Everyday
Alaffia makes affordable, family sized shampoo made with fair trade shea butter and coconut oil, as well as other natural personal care products.
- Shampoo formulas: everyday shea, everyday coconut, curl activating, authentic African black soap, kids
- Fav product: Everyday Shea Vanilla Mint Shampoo
- Best for: Family sized bottles
- Price: $18.99 for 32-oz
Best Clean Shampoo Bars
If you want to have clean hair and be kind to the planet, consider switching over to a zero waste shampoo bar. These solid shampoo bars foam up similar to liquid shampoo and come in some great formulas.
Pssst! Check out my full review of natural shampoo bars too!
HiBar
HiBar is a Minnesota-based company (local to me!) making zero waste shampoo bars & conditioner bars that really work.
- Shampoo formulas: Moisturize, Soothe, Maintain, Volumize and Curl (matching conditioner available for each)
- Fav product: I have the Moisturize Solid Shampoo and the Moisturize Solid Conditioner they are fantastic! Love how easy they are to hold in the shower!
- Price: $13.95 per bar (equivalent to 16-oz bottle of shampoo) or $26.50 for a shampoo and conditioner set.
Ethique
Started by a student in New Zealand, Ethique has become an international, zero waste hit!
- Shampoo formulas: dry, frizzy, oily, dandruff, volumizing, curly, and shampoo bars for kids
- Fav product: I bought the special edition Wombar for normal hair (couldn’t resist the purple color!)
- Price: $17 per bar
Superzero
Superzero specializes in plastic-free personal care products made with vegan and cruelty-free ingredients.
- Shampoo formulas: nourishing, restoring, thickening and calming
- Fav product: Restoring & Repairing Shampoo Bar
- Price: $28 per bar
ATTITUDE
ATTITUDE offers plastic-free haircare products as well as liquid shampoos and conditioners.
- Shampoo formulas: nourishing, volumizing, hydrating, detoxifying
- Fav product: Sea Salt Detox Shampoo Bar
- Price: $15.95 per bar
- EWG Verified
Looking for more natural, non-toxic products like laundry detergent, cookware or mattresses? I’ve got you covered!
Best Dry Shampoo Brands
I’m not a dry shampoo user myself because my hair is on the dry side and has enough frizz and volume to keep it fluffy after many days. But since many of you have oily hair or rely on dry shampoo to get you through the week, I’m including some of the top-rated, natural dry shampoos that I’ve heard about.
Due to the recall of dry shampoos that contain benzene, I recommend sticking with benzene free dry shampoo powder instead of aerosol dry shampoo sprays.
Acure
- Shampoo Formulas: Certified organic and 100% vegan formula made with corn starch, arrowroot powder, kaolin clay and natural essential oils to absorb oil and remove grime without water.
- Products: Dry shampoo for all hair types and one for brunettes (with cocoa powder)
- Price: $11.99 for 1.7 oz
- USDA Certified Organic (if you are looking for a 100% organic shampoo, this is a good as you can get!
Beauty By Earth
- Shampoo Formulas: USDA certified organic formula made with corn starch, arrowroot powder, kaolin clay, baking soda and lavender oil to volumize your hair in a hurry.
- Products: light and dark formulas available
- Price: $21.99 for 2.5 oz
Non Toxic Shampoo for Babies
Babies tiny bodies can’t process chemicals the way the rest of us so extra care should be taken with shampoo used on infants. Here are some of the safest baby shampoos around, made with natural ingredients instead of toxic chemicals. You’ll notice many of them double as baby wash as well! (find more natural baby care brands here)
Babo Botanicals
Babo Botanicals is known for effective natural products for sensitive skin.
- Recommended product: Sensitive Baby Shampoo & Wash
- Price: $19.50 for 16-oz
- EWG Verified
Earth Mama
Earth Mama is a company dedicated to pure, safe products for babies and moms.
- Recommended product: Earth Mama Baby Wash & Shampoo
- Price: $9.99 for 5.3-oz ($8.49 at Thrive Market)
HealthyBaby
HealthyBaby specializes in products that are safe for baby’s growing brain and body
- Recommended product: Shampoo & Body Wash Concentrate
- Price: $32 for 16-oz (up to 250 bathtimes)
- EWG Verified
Best Clean Drugstore Shampoo
Many of you are looking for a clean drugstore shampoo and I get it! We don’t always have time to shop around for shampoo and other personal care items. So I rounded up a few of the safest drugstore shampoos I could find.
The cool thing is some of these brands are EWG-Verified, which is the highest safety certification from the Environmental Working Group. Bonus: these are also some of the most affordable natural shampoos around!
- Avalon Organics – $9.99 for 11-oz (EWG Verified)
- Everyone – $12.99 for 32-oz (EWG Verified)
- Shea Moisture – $14.99 for 13-oz
- Alaffia – $17.99 for 32-oz
- Honest Company – $11.99 for 10-oz or $27.99 for 32-oz refill carton
Readers’ Favorite Clean Shampoo Brands
When I put out the all-call for the best non-toxic shampoos boy did I get a lot of responses! Here are some natural shampoo brands that are the top picks from other bloggers and Mindful Momma readers.
- Innersense – non-toxic professional quality hair care products
- Neal’s Yard Remedies – restorative shampoos made with herbal and organic ingredients
- Andalou Naturals – affordable haircare and other natural products
Why You Should Switch to Non Toxic Shampoo
I know, I know! Switching shampoo is hard! But here’s the thing. Shampoo is a product you use frequently – whether it’s once a day or once a week – it still adds up to a lot of shampoo over the course of time.
Traditional shampoos are a chemical soup that foam like crazy and smell strongly of something that didn’t come from nature. The chemicals that make all that happen can be harmful to you and to the environment – and in the grand scheme of things, it just isn’t worth it.
Here are some of the toxic ingredients you’ll want to avoid in shampoo – so check the ingredient list before you buy:
- Sulfates – Sodium lauryl and laureth sulfates are foaming agents and can be contaminated with 1,4 dioxane, a probable carcinogen.
- Certain preservatives – This includes parabens which are linked to breast cancer and hormone disruption, as well as DMDM hydantoin, which releases formaldehyde and is linked to hair loss and scalp burns, according to a class action law suit. (FYI – some type of preservatives are necessary in shampoo but safer ones exist.)
- Artificial fragrances – The term fragrance is a catchall for thousands of chemicals including hormone disrupting phthalates, as well as skin irritants and allergens.
- Petroleum products – Ingredients that come from non-renewable resources are not environmentally friendly.
- Benzene – This cancer-causing ingredient has been found in aerosol dry shampoos, so if you use one you’ll want to check this dry shampoo recall list.
Here’s a full list of ingredients to avoid in shampoo if you are interested.
The good news is that many companies have mastered the art of non-toxic shampoo made with safe, natural and organic ingredients. Clean shampoo brands are made with plant-based ingredients and herbal and botanical extracts, and scented with essential oils or pure, plant extracts, while avoiding the harsh chemicals and artificial fragrance found in conventional shampoos.
Keep in mind that organic certification for shampoos is rare, but many are made with some certified organic ingredients. (read up on personal care certifications here)
What is your favorite non-toxic shampoo? Let us know in the comments so we all can learn from each other!
More Favorites from Mindful Momma
- Non Toxic Mattress
- Organic Clothing
- Organic Food Stores
- Best Baby Products
- Non Toxic Cookware
- Best Organic Coffee
Are these products PERFUMED? Since I’ve changed my lifestyle, going organic, life (as far as possible) without plastic, NO allopathic chemical medicines, cleaning products etc., I’ve become highly intollerant to perfumes of any kind. I find that most “organic” products have intollerable penetrant smells that literally make me sick. HELP!!!!
Hi Angela – Do you know if essential oils bother you or is it just the artificial fragrances? Most (but not all) of the natural brands are scented with essential oils. However, you might be better off with a completely fragrance-free shampoo – which can be harder to find. Earth Mama has an unscented baby shampoo: https://earthmamaorganics.com/products/natural-non-scents-baby-wash.html Hope that helps!
Modere Moisturing Shampoo and Conditioner. Safe ingredients and you don’t need to use much to get a larger.
Never heard of Modere – I’ll look for it!
Available in Canada! Yay! Thanks so much!
I have white hair and need a shampoo with no coloring of any kind. Clear, in other words. Are any you showed above colorless?
A lot of them are colorless – the Aubrey Organics, Acure and Beautycounter for sure!
I’ve heard of package free shampoo bars. I haven’t looked into those. Have you heard of them? Any feedback? Thank you!
Hi Barb – yes shampoo bars can be a great option for some people! I have not tried any myself (need to get on that!) but I have heard of J.T. Liggetts shampoo bars and I know that you can find handmade ones on Etsy. Let me know if you find a good one!
I use SunLeaf Naturals Shampoo & Body Soap Love their products!
Good to know – I haven’t tried SunLeaf Naturals yet.
Tree to tub soapberry shampoo …its natural and toxicfree.
Thanks for the tip Archana – I’ll have to look for that one!
Alba botanicals shampoos And conditioners are great too! This brand goes underestimated! Face cleaners are all natural and free of GMOs. Their sunscreens are great too! I love this brand 🙂
I’m glad you mentioned Alba Botanica! I love their lotion but have not tried their shampoo!
I use aloe-based shampoo and conditioner from Pure Haven. It is the cleanest shampoo out there and my hair has never looked better!
I’ve never heard of Pure Haven. Thanks for sharing about it!
Great point about the frequency of use when it comes to shampoo and hair products, Micaela! I feel the products that get rinsed off aren’t as critical as the ones that stay on the skin, but this raises awareness. My personal favorite is the Invigorating Seaweed Shampoo and Conditioner from Neal’s Yard Remedies.
I use Pure Haven!!
Hi, Michaela!
Thank you for these types of posts. I can’t tell you how helpful it is for people like me who are beginning their toxin free journey.
Quick question, what so you think about the brand Truly Organic? I’ve been using them for a while especially their shampoo and conditioner, but I hope I’m not being greenwashed. Thank you!
Hi Lauren – I’ve actually never heard of Truly Organic. I took a quick look and I’ve very intrigued. I’m a bit thrown off by all those colors and the glitter – but the ingredients look good! I asked them some questions through the contact form on their website but I have not heard back yet. I’ll let you know what I hear back. Do you like the shampoo & conditioner?
Maple Holistics makes some great non toxic shampoo.
I’m a 70 year old male. And I am looking for a shampoo and conditioner that will be healthy and nourishing for my hair. What would you recommend?
Aubrey Organics or Acure would be good – they offer versions for different hair types.
Hello. This is probably an old post, but I will ask anyway. I found Acure several years ago at a Marshall’s discount store. It took me a long time to use it up, and when I was ready to replace it I found they had changed their bottle, which made me suspicious that it may have changed hands (and formula) though I could not find any information on that. That’s how I found your lovely Web site. Would you happen to have any info on this?
If not, I looked at Pure Haven, but it appears your shopping link no longer works (though I found their site) I am wondering if you are no longer distributing their product?
Thanks for your time.
All the best,
Robin
Hi Robin – I still recommend Acure! The products have probably changed over time but still a great brand. I’ve heard good things about Pure Haven but have not tried their products. Hope that helps!
Hi! I really like your articles! I use the wonder seed shampoo because it’s vegan and cruelty-free. The price is affordable and it works really good.
Are there ANY hair & body cleansers that are toxin free, as well as, coconut, palm, olive oil free, gluten & corn free? Having an exhausting search😔.
Gosh – I have to say, I don’t know about that! Most products have at least one of those ingredients. My recommendation would be to go to a local co-op or natural foods store and ask for recommendations. Good luck!
Thank you!
I have very oily, thinning hair. Since I had my two kids my hair hasn’t been healthy. I use suave now. I need a recommendation for a good non toxic shampoo and conditioner. My hair is also hard to brush. It tangles easy.
Hi Rachel – I wish I could give you a personal recommendation – but my hair is the opposite of yours (thick, curly, dry). One of my favorite brands – Aubrey – has an oily hair line that might be worth a try. Here’s more info: https://aubreyorganics.com/hair-care-2371/oily-hair.html Good luck with your search!
I just read that Suave is really bad. My hair started falling out and when I thought about it, it started when I started using Suave. When I looked online I found out there are class action lawsuits against Suave for causing damage and hair loss. Check it out
I stumbled upon Cara B Naturally products recently and OH MY GOSH – they have a lovely, light scent, are made for babies/children but can be used for anyone, and are some of the most seriously natural products I’ve come across. They only have 3 products, a shampoo, a leave-in conditioner, and a spray detangler (which I’ve not used yet), but the shampoo and conditioner are the absolute bomb. The shampoo is fresh and sweet smelling and the most gentle I’ve found, and the leave in conditioner makes my coarse, frizzy hair behave beautifully with no other products needed. 🙂
I had not heard of that brand – but happy you found something that works for you!
I absolutely love Beautycounter’s everyday shampoo and conditioner. Nothing makes my hair feel as good. But I cannot justify the expense. I tried Hibar to try to get away from plastic bottle but I’m not a fan of the shampoo bar as it turns out. I’m now onto Alaffia Everyday shampoo in coconut.
My daughter alerted me to all the toxic shampoos, because I am losing my hair because of Covid. I am in the process of throwing out some of these toxic shampoos. I enjoyed your Article! I am changing my lifestyle because of everything I’ve been through in the last year! Actually I have a good lifestyle I just have to eat more wholesome food and watch the products I use and be kinder to my beautiful hair!!
I’m sorry to hear you had the virus – but I’m glad to hear you are on a mission to change up your products and lifestyle! Hope you find a healthy shampoo that works for you!
I appreciate the fact that in the beginning of the article you say that our personal choice is just that, our choice and everyone is different. However, you proceed to then attempt to educate your reader on what makes one kind worse then another. The things written about, my mother NEVER new about and therefore never taught me about. Recently, just today actually, my 14 year old daughter is now bringing to my attention that brands I thought were ‘better’ (probably due to price and brand name) are in fact ‘worse’, due to the reasons you are explaining in this article. I feel so very stupid for not thinking about these things sooner, but thank YOU for not making me feel ‘less than’!
Furthermore, I also wanted to thank you for not belittling manufacturers of ALL things that are by a particular company. I just read two different articles by different writers and publishers that chose to just be mean about their ‘findings’. I’m not actually sure the findings were related to product safety for users or not because I simply shutdown and moved on. As a human being, it hurts my heart to see someone/something to be attacked and there be NOTHING good about whoever or whatever is being attacked? Instead of taking in the important information, I go on the defensive and it makes me not want to ‘hear’ what that ‘perfect’ writer/speaker is trying to say. As I’m just starting out in my journey in trying to become more informed, I thank you for passing along some of your knowledge in such a positive way. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction with what I should be look for! My daughter told me that not ALL things manufactured by a specific company are bad, but she didn’t have the time to teach me what I should be looking for when I shop next.
Again, thank you for passing along some of your knowledge in a positive, informative and enlightening way. There is not a thank you big enough, nor can I properly express how much it means you me that you did not make me feel worse then I already did for not already knowing these things at my age!
Hi Rose – I’m so glad you found my blog post positive and helpful – that is my goal! There is no reason to feel bad about your journey to find safer products – it’s called a journey for a reason – it takes time! I love hearing that your daughter is helping to inform you – we need the young people to speak up and help more people learn about this topic!
I, too, am losing hair due to Covid, and it is not slowing down. I also had been using shampoos with DMDM hydantoin. I am now limiting how often I am washing and am trying to locate an affordable shampoo option or even a DIY/homemade option. Any suggestions?
I recommend ATTITUDE for a very gentle shampoo. https://mindfulmomma.com/ATTITUDE
Some Shea Moisture products contain cocamidopropyl betaine as the third ingredient. Anyone switching to natural products to stop hairfall should be aware. This is NOT an ingredient you want on your scalp or hair.
Zatik Naturals has incredible products. I havent tried anything I didnt like. Shampoos are amazing, conditioning is amazing, literally everything.
I’ve never heard of them!
I love Zatik naturals too! So glad you mentioned this. I’ve never met someone else who knew about them!
I saw that Attitude has a prop 65 warning label on Walmart. Do you know why there would be a warning?
To be honest I’m not sure!
Vanicream shampoo & conditioner
I’ve never tried that – but glad it works for you!
I just learned that some of the ingredients in shampoo & conditioner will make you lose your hair.
Looking for the best chemical free shampoo & conditioner.
All the shampoos listed here are healthy for your hair and scalp!
Thank you so much for this list!
I’m just not a researcher 🙈 but I’ve been struggling with shampoos and conditioners since the one I always used was out of stock forever and then reformulated. Now my scalp is just constantly irritated. So on the search for something that wont affect my scalp like that. I’m hoping to get some samples maybe to try them first. Do you know if that’s a thing?
Hmmmm…I don’t know of any shampoo brand that has samples – wish they did!
Thanks! I appreciate this list as I generally am on the EWG website checking products. Cheers!
glad you found it helpful!
I am curious to why Ethique is on the “clean” list with parfum and fragrances? Im actually asking not being smart a**.
Ethique uses essential oils to scent their products.
I’m in desperate need of a growth shampoo! I’ve seen many on social media. A lot of them claim sulfate free etc. Has anyone tried one they had success with. I’ve seen The Routine, Hers, MDhair. Thank you.
I have not personally tried any growth shampoos (I have very thick hair even as I age) but I’ve heard that the Better Roots line from EVOLVh is very good: https://www.evolvh.com/collections/better-roots?rfsn=5628139.228ae64
JR Liggetts Shampoo Bar is the cleanest non-toxic (olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, essential oils); or Carina Organics for Liquid Shampoo.