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The beauty industry, ranging from haircare to skincare, is seeing a revolution with the rise of natural products, including natural shampoo.
As more organic, and natural shampoo brands emerge in the space, it’s becoming clear that industry reliance on using chemicals and toxins in products is becoming a less and less popular decision.
Eco-conscious consumers are moving towards different brands that take better care of the environment.
These natural shampoo brands are great for your hair, containing powerful ingredients that nourish your hair and protect the planet too.
In this guide, we’ll show you some of our favorite natural shampoo brands, including zero-waste shampoo bars, as well as providing a few tips on how to care for your hair naturally.
How Can I Clean My Hair Naturally?
Unless you’re willing to try ‘no-poo’, which involves cutting out all shampoos and conditioners completely, you’ll want a natural shampoo free from unnecessary, potentially harsh chemicals.
While there isn’t much evidence to show that ingredients in regular shampoo is bad for you, there’s no question that you don’t need all of them to have healthy hair.
That’s why these shampoos are a great option. They’re all made with minimal unnecessary ingredients, focusing on natural ingredients that help maintain your hair and scalp health.
Here are fourteen organic, natural shampoo brands you need to know about.
Our Recommended Natural Shampoo Brands
1. True Botanicals
True Botanicals constantly strives to be better. The company is dedicated to finding the best resources and scientific advances for its products, such as its natural shampoos in order to create truly outstanding formulations that demonstrate clinical results.
This is a brand that pays attention to every little detail. Every True Botanicals formula falls under the MADE SAFE® certification – which means their products are made without 5,000+ known toxic ingredients.
From development, production, packaging, and shipping, each step is designed to have a minimal environmental impact.
| True Botanicals Pros | True Botanicals Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Made Safe and no toxic chemicals | ❌ Reviews say may cause drying on thinner hair |
| ✔ Vegan & Cruelty-free shampoo | ❌ Not a strong fragrance |
2. Prose
Prose is a truly unique brand when it comes to natural hair care. Their brand philosophy is about catering to the individual, not the masses. While some natural shampoos are pre-formulated with great ingredients, customers can also choose to customize products. Complete a quick quiz about your hair health, texture, issues, and location to start.
Prose takes all that information, recommends the best natural active ingredients for your specific hair type (taking into account environmental factors), and creates natural hair care products like shampoos and conditioners just for you.
Customers can choose to buy these custom natural shampoos as a one-off purchase, or subscribe and save.
Prose are also a B Corporation, so by supporting them, you’re supporting their workers and environment too.
| Prose Pros | Prose Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Cruelty free shampoo | ❌ On the pricier side |
| ✔ Good for Volume and reduction in shedding |
3. Ceremonia
Ceromonia is a clean and natural haircare brand, using only vegan and cruelty-free ingredients inspired and sourced from Latin America. The brand is women-owned, and was founded by entrepreneur Babba Rivera, who celebrates her Latinx heritige.
The brand carefully combines a range of clean, natural ingredients from Babassu Oil which replenishes the scalp and promotes scalp health to soothing aloe vera and strengthening avocado oil.
The unique blends of Ceromonia’s natural shampoo combats dry, damaged hair and frizzy hair leaving your hair replenished and silky smooth. You can even complete a Ceromonia quiz to make sure you get the right natural shampoo and conditioner for your hair needs.
Also available to shop in the UK from SpaceNK.com.
| Ceremonia Pros | Ceremonia Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Great for curls | ❌ Limited product range (We wish they’d release more!) |
| ✔ Nourishing and an amazing scent |
4. Vegamour
If you suffer from hair loss, thinning, or bald patches and can’t find anything to help, then definitely check out Vegamour.
The Los Angeles-based brand creates vegan, cruelty-free, hormone-free, and nontoxic shampoos, conditioners, and hair serums. In addition, Vegamour uses natural extracts and unlocks the powers of Karmatin™️ b-SILK™️ protein, which smooths damaged hair cuticles and reverses damage caused by coloring and heat damage.
We were super impressed by the incredible feedback the brand receives from its customers, we’ve decided to try it ourselves (gifted).
The smell of this shampoo is incredible, fruity, but not overpowering and leaves your hair feeling super smooth. Watch this space for our own before and after pictures.
| Vegamour Pros | Vegamour Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Great for hair growth and preventing hair loss | ❌ Can cause irritation for sensitive scalps |
| ✔ Fruity smell |
5. Ursa Major
Ursa Major prides itself on being a small skin care company that is obsessed with natural beauty. Each product, including their natural shampoos, is carefully formulated to ensure that it is clean, safe, and effective before it is officially launched.
Their natural shampoos are created from organic ingredients and are sulfate-free to create shiny, thick, and strong hair. Incredibly gentle, these natural shampoos are great for daily use and help make hair stronger.
| Ursa Major Pros | Ursa Major Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Affordable natural shampoo that’s suitable for all hair types | ❌ Small selection of shampoo types |
| ✔ Certified B Corporation | |
| ✔ Cruelty free and vegan shampoo |
6. Gemmist
Gemmist are a natural shampoo brand that create high-quality, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and cruelty free shampoo.
But, you can’t just buy any bottle of Gemmist.
You’ll take a short personalized quiz on their website, answering questions about your hair type and needs.
You’ll get a personalized recommendation based on data to ensure the shampoo is a perfect fit for your hair type and scalp.
If you order a shampoo and don’t like it, no worries. Gemmist have a 5-wash trial, so if their shampoo isn’t a fit for your hair, you can get a full refund.
| Gemmist Pros | Gemmist Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Great for increasing volume | ❌ Reviews say the product is good but expensive |
| ✔ Cruelty free shampoo | |
| ✔ Safe on color-treated hair |
7. Viori
Viori’s all natural rice-based shampoo bars are made in a traditional method, following the Red Yao women.
All of the ingredients anre natural, using rice found in the Longsheng Mountains.
They’re 100% vegan shampoo bars, free of any plastic, sulfate-free, paraben free, and pH balanced.
This shampoo bar recipe has been working for 2,000 years, and we don’t see a good reason it wouldn’t work for your hair too. Viori also give back 5% of their profits back to the Red Yao tribe to ensure they can help support the local ecosystem.
| Viori Pros | Viori Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Affordable natural shampoo bar | ❌ Some bars may not be suitable for very sensitive scalps |
| ✔ Thousands of positive reviews |
8. Odacité
Definitely one of the more unique brands out there, Odacite is dedicated to creating natural and organic shampoos – but they take it a step further. Instead of opting for plastic packaging and contributing to pollution, Odacite has created a shampoo bar. Simply lather and use on hair, the Odacite natural shampoo bar is restorative and great for creating voluminous soft hair.
Using ingredients like coconut oil, cupuaçu butter, and Argan & Castor Oil, the Odacite shampoo bar is great across hair types and creates zero-waste. One full-size shampoo bar can yield up to 80 uses, making it great value for money as well.
| Odacite Pros | Odacite Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Great reviews | ❌ On the pricy side for a shampoo bar but gets amazing reviews |
| ✔ Zero-waste and lathers well | |
| ✔ Vegan and cruelty free shampoo bar |
9. Madison Reed
Madison Reed is known for their ammonia-free at home hair dye, but they also make natural hair care products including shampoo and conditioner.
Their natural shampoo is free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and gluten.
It contains nourishing argan oil, keratin, and ginseng root extract to strengthen your hair.
There’s also UV protection designed to help lock in your hair color and prevent fading in the sun.
| Madison Reed Pros | Madison Reed Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Great selection for all hair types | ❌ Not all packaging formats are recyclable |
| ✔ Award winning formulas |
10. Plaine
Plaine Products are on a mission to change how we think about our hair care.
The brand not only creates a range of stylist-approved nontoxic shampoos but also creates its product 100% vegan and cruelty-free.
Plaine offers a subscription, where you receive your shampoo with a handy pump – you can then receive your shampoo at your frequency of choice without the pump – which saves on plastic! Oh, and you can recycle your empties with Plaine too.
Plaine doesn’t use chemical nasties in its shampoo and even offers a fragrance-free option for the most sensitive scalps.
| Plaine Pros | Plaine Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Eco-friendly packaging | ❌ On the pricier side but made in the USA product with great reviews |
| ✔ Natural shampoo without harmful chemicals |
11. TrueKeratin
As the name suggests, the main ingredient in TrueKeratin’s natural shampoos is, well, keratin.
Each natural shampoo product is blended with natural and certified organic ingredients such as fruits, herbs, and oils. TrueKeratinhas created a powerful natural shampoo that works great across hair types.
Containing powerful antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals, TrueKeratin natural shampoos are affordable and are great for helping your hair become shinier and stronger. All ingredients are sourced from trusted and certified suppliers and come in state-of-the-art recyclable & biodegradable packaging.
| True Keratin Pros | True Keratin Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Fantastic selection of natural shampoos for all hair types | ❌ No negative reviews found |
| ✔ Affordable non toxic shampoo |
12. John Masters Organics
John Masters Organic prides itself on the fact that all products are formulated with more than 70% organic content, which includes nature-based ingredients harvested without the use of harsh pesticides and fertilizers.
In fact, many of their products are USDA Certified Organic, which means that they contain 95% organically produced ingredients.
Created by former New York City salon owner John Masters, their natural shampoo products are formulated to be nourishing and healthy for your hair using herbs, flowers, oils, and grains packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for gorgeous and healthy hair.
| John Organics Pros | True Keratin Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Great for dry hair | ❌ Some reviews say it doesn’t leave hair feeling super clean |
| ✔ Shampoo without harmful chemicals |
13. Yarok
Yarok is dedicated to improving scalp health, without causing negative environmental impact.
Starting off with one product, Yarok has quickly become a mainstay in the natural hair care world with its natural shampoos and conditioners.
Their natural shampoos contain a blend of organic and natural botanicals, vitamins, minerals, and essential oils to create a luxurious and nourishing experience for your hair. Their natural shampoos also contain a special vitalized water which is purified through a six-step process with rare volcanic minerals to give your hair an extra boost.
Yarok natural shampoos are 100% vegan and free of alcohol, paraben, sulfates, chemicals, gluten, and animal testing.
| Yarok Pros | Yarok Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Affordable | ❌ Mixed reviews with some people saying it causes drying |
| ✔ Vegan and free from harmful chemicals |
14. Morrocco Method
Morrocco Method products are designed to restore your hair through their small-batch natural shampoos.
One of the few organic and paleo brands out there, Morrocco Method natural shampoos are created through raw ingredients and botanical infusions for a truly organic shampoo experience.
Made in the USA, the 5 elements shampoo tends to be the most popular choice since it contains sustainable ingredients that are carefully selected to help hair become longer, stronger, and thicker.
| Morocco Method Pros | Yarok Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ No foaming and no fragrance options | ❌ Shampoo doesn’t lather |
| ✔ Raw and chemical free |
15. Wildland Organics
Wildland Organics stock a variety of organic, non toxic shampoos that are perfect if you’re looking for an affordable, high-quality option.
They stock a variety of shampoo bars, as well as mists and formulas to use out of the shower at the start of your day.
Their products are designed to care for your hair, no matter if it’s straight, curly, fragile, thick, or wavy. No matter what type of shampoo you need, we’re confident that Wildland Organics will have one that fits your needs.
| Wildland Organics Pros | Wildland Organics Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Zero-waste shampoo bar | ❌ The brand only creates shampoo bars |
| ✔ Long lasting (up to 40 washes) |
16. Aromatica
A popular Korean beauty brand, Aromatica is designed for sensitive scalps with their gentle and safe products. Using natural and organic ingredients, combined with their knowledge of aromatherapy, Aromatica creates products that smell amazing but are also great for your hair.
Created under the philosophy that their natural shampoos are “true botanical remedies,” they offer natural shampoos for all hair types. From dry and thick to fine and silky hair, Aromatica’s belief in holistic hair care ensures that each natural shampoo is safe, effective, and helps improve the look and feel of hair.
| Aromatica Pros | Aromatica Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Good for sensitive scalps | ❌ Only available on Amazon |
| ✔ Shampoo bar available |
17. Seed Phytonutrients
Seed Phytonutrients is dedicated to creating a sustainable natural product line that starts from the ground up, literally starting from the seeds. In an effort to protect seeds from over-commercialization, Seed Phytonutrients works with independent American organic farmers to source local seed varieties.
Ultimately, these local seed varieties are then used to create natural shampoos and other organic products, all grounded in sustainable practice. Their natural shampoo formulas include sunflower seed oil, camelina seed oil, coconut, shea butter, and turmeric. Combined with the power of vitamin C and vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals, these natural shampoos are designed to help hair become long and strong.
Unused parts of the seed are returned back to farmers to create an organic feed for animals, making it a zero-waste process. As an added bonus, Seed Phytonutrients natural shampoo bottles are made of paper – and shower-friendly too! Their natural shampoo bottles are made of 100% post-consumer recycled paper with a post-consumer recycled plastic liner, resulting in 60% less plastic than a traditional bottle.
| Seed Pros | Seed Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Eco-friendly & Climate-neutral certified shampoo | ❌ Doesn’t create a thick lather |
| ✔ Great for all hair types |
What is Natural Shampoo?
Natural shampoo is a type of shampoo made with ingredients derived from natural sources. Unlike most conventional shampoos on the market, which contain a range of synthetic chemicals, some of which can pose risks to health.
Most natural or organic shampoos are made with plant extracts, essential oils, and natural surfactants. In addition, they are typically free from synthetic fragrances, dyes, and other artificial ingredients that may be present in conventional shampoos. Many people choose natural shampoos because they are believed to be gentler on the hair and scalp and may be less likely to cause irritation or dryness.
Ingredients To Avoid
Parabens
Parabens are a preservative commonly used in shampoos to prevent the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms in the product.
In recent years, studies have shown that parabens can be detrimental to health as they can act as hormone disruptors, inhibiting the endocrine system’s normal function.
While the safety of parabens is still the subject of ongoing debate, many people prefer to avoid them in their personal care products, including shampoos, due to potential health concerns. However, there are a wide variety of natural and organic shampoos that are paraben-free, which may be a good option for those looking to minimize their exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
Phalates
Phthalates are a series of chemicals used in the cosmetics industry, including shampoos. Research suggests that Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, and increased exposure can potentially have adverse risks to reproductive health.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a chemical often found in personal care products, including shampoos. It is also sometimes listed on products as formalin, morbicid acid, methylene oxide, methylaldehyde, and methylene glycol.
Formaldehyde is classed as a potential human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and as a known human carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program (NTP).
Prolonged exposure to high levels of formaldehyde is linked to several health problems, including an increased risk of cancer, respiratory issues, and allergic reactions.
Wrapping up: Best Natural Shampoo Brands
These natural shampoo brands prove that the beauty industry is capable of change and that there are many ways to create products that are good for your hair, and also for the planet.
Using naturally derived ingredients, new formulas, and dedicating time to doing research on the manufacturing process, each of these natural shampoo brands is forging a new way forward.
With affordable pricing, innovative packaging, and amazingly nourishing formulas, it’s time to give your old shampoos a break and try something new and eco-friendly!
Your hair will love the change!
If you enjoyed this article, we recommend checking out the our favorite natural toothpaste, cruelty-free moisturizers, and natural deodorant brands.
