Clean, Natural, Non-Toxic Shampoo

The Best Clean, Natural & Non-Toxic Shampoo

Want healthy, nourished hair without the harsh chemicals? Switch to clean, natural, non-toxic shampoo for a safe yet effective way to wash your hair. We’ve done lots of testing and found the best non-toxic shampoo brands, including the best ones for your whole family.

natural glass shampoo bottle

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I’ve always associated the luxurious lather of my sulfate-laden shampoo with clean hair. I was a little hesitant to test sulfate-free shampoo brands. I pictured myself trying to work some watery shampoo formula through my strands and ending up with greasy, stringy, lifeless hair – and I was so wrong!

Although free of sulfates, most of the non-toxic shampoo brands I tested had an impressive amount of lather (swapping out sulfates for ingredients like naturally derived surfactants sourced from coconuts). And I loved testing all of the new-to-me scents.

This guide features 10 brands of non-toxic shampoo at many different price points, so there’s something for everyone! Most brands have an array of shampoo and conditioner formulations for all types of hair, so even if you don’t have my hair type, most of the brands I’ve selected have options for most or all hair types.

If you’re looking for kid-friendly bath products, head to my post on non-toxic bath products for kids. The post includes shampoo for babies through the older kids, plus non-toxic bubble bath, body wash and more. All of the shampoo brands below work for most children. Beyond bath products, non-toxic leave-in conditioner and detangler is a must!

Why Use Clean, Natural, Non-Toxic Shampoo?

Your scalp is pretty absorbent…about 4 times more absorbent than the skin on your forearm (1)! A study on hair follicles found that caffeine applied as a solution to the scalp was detected in the bloodstream 5 minutes after application (2). So, anything that you apply to your scalp has the ability to get in your body.

Sulfates (sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth ether sulfate (SLES)), give drugstore shampoo plenty of foamy lather, yet they’re irritating to the scalp. They do a great job of removing dirt and oil from your hair, but in the process, they strip hair of the natural oils that are essential for moisturizing both your hair and scalp.

If you color your hair, sulfates in shampoo strip the color from your strands. Sulfate-free shampoo is recommended by top stylists to protect color.

Silicones in hair care products may trick you into thinking your hair is silky and full of volume. The truth is that silicones clog hair follicles and coat each strand of hair, inhibiting your hair from getting needed moisture.

Clean, non-toxic hair care products (free of sulfates and silicones) are the best way to keep your hair and scalp healthy. Your hair won’t be stripped of the protective oils necessary to moisturize, nourish and repair.

A few other ingredients to avoid in shampoo and hair care products:

Parabens– Parabens are a type of preservative used to prevent the growth of bacteria and prolong the shelf life of lip balm, deodorant, lotion, and other beauty and personal care products. The most commonly used are methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben and butylparaben. Based on a study conducted at the University of California Berkeley, researchers found that parabens were able to stimulate breast cancer cell growth, even at concentrations 100 times lower than the natural growth factor heregulin. These findings suggest that paraben exposure doesn’t have to be high to lead to cancer growth (3).
Phthalates- Phthalates are used to increase the flexibility and transparency in plastics. They’re also found in personal care products, and they enhance product absorption, help products stick to your skin and keep fragrance smelling fresh. Researchers speculate that phthalates mimic hormones, interrupting hormone production (4). A 2018 review found that current human exposure to phthalates may have effects on the male reproductive system (5).
Polyethylene glycol– Polyethylene glycol is used to make personal care products thicker and better able to transport moisture to the skin. The manufacturing process and introduce impurities and by-products, such as ethylene oxides and 1,4-dioxane, which are known carcinogenic materials (6).
Synthetic fragrance- Synthetic Fragrance may contain carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, allergens, respiratory irritants and neurotoxic chemicals (7). Synthetic musks like galaxolide and tonalide, are linked to hormone disruption (8). Fragrance formulations also contain phthalates, which are hormone disruptors.

Best Of | Shampoo

Best Budget Family Brand | Attitude Hair Care

Best Scent | Reverie Hair Care

Best Eco Brand | Plaine Products

Best Organic | Look Organics Hair Care

Best Ingredients | Yarok Hair Care

From budget-friendly to salon-worthy, you’ll find the perfect non-toxic shampoo for the whole family listed below.

*Cost was calculated at the time this article was published, and is subject to change.

ATTITUDE

Cost: $12-$20
Why I Love this Shampoo: This is one of my top picks for an affordable EWG verified brand for hair care and beyond. The whole family can use this shampoo, and they have formulas for all different hair types. I’m really impressed at how well this non-toxic shampoo works, and it’s the one I recommend most as a budget-friendly haircare line that’s actually effective.
From the Attitude website: Whether you’re going for strengthening and revitalizing or ultra hydrating, Attitude has a shampoo and conditioner to meet all of your haircare needs. Attitude Shampoo and conditioner is crafted with naturally-sourced ingredients to keep your hair happy and healthy, from root to tip!
Shop: Attitude Hair Care– for adding volume and shine, try Attitude Super Leaves Volume & Shine Shampoo and pair it with Attitude Super Leaves Volume & Shine Conditioner. For color treated hair, try Attitude Super Leaves Color Protection Shampoo and pair it with Attitude Super Leaves Color Protection Conditioner. For a gentle, fragrance-free formula for those with sensitive scalps, try Attitude Oatmeal Sensitive Care Shampoo and pair it with Attitude Sensitive Skin Soothing & Volumizing Conditioner. Find more formulas of Attitude Shampoo and Attitude Conditioner.

Carina Organics

Cost: $6-$20
Why I Love This Shampoo: Carina Organics shampoo & conditioner set made the top of my list – it’s fairly affordable and does an amazing job at cleansing and moisturizing my hair, leaving it bouncy, shiny and soft.
From the Carina Organics website: This company provides the cleanest possible products for your body, which means 100% natural products, full of medicinal organics and completely free of cortisone, steroids, DEA (diethanolamine), sulfates, salt (sodium chloride), propylene glycol, aluminum, synthetic fragrances, and dyes.
Shop: For an all-around great shampoo, try Carina Organics Daily Moisturizing Shampoo paired with Carina Organics Daily Light Conditioner. If you’re looking for an all-natural dandruff shampoo, try Carina Organics Dandruff Shampoo. Carina Organics also carries a fragrance-free shampoo and conditioner: Carina Organics Unscented Shampoo & Carina Organics Unscented Conditioner

Yarok Hair Care

Yarok Hair care

Cost: $46
Why I Love This Shampoo: I’m really loving this shampoo and conditioner. The shampoo produces a wonderful lather, and the conditioner is a nice consistency. I love the mild citrus scent and I’m impressed with the high quality ingredients like sea buckthorn and horsetail to boost the health of your hair. Plus, my hair looks the most volumized with this shampoo.
From the Yarok website: This luxurious, naturally foaming shampoo provides nourishing food for your head and is good for the earth as well. An aromatic blend of organic and natural botanicals, vitamins, ,and essential oils will be a treat to your senses, hair and scalp.100% vegan, free from alcohol, parabens, sulfates, chemicals, gluten and animal testing.
Shop: For major volume, use Yarok Feed Your Volume Shampoo paired with Yarok Feed Your Volume Conditioner. If you suffer from dry hair, try the Yarok Feed Your Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner. For an extra moisture boost, try the Yarok Feed Your Moisture Conditioning Mask.

Reverie Hair Care

Cost: $38
Why I Love this Shampoo: This is my top pick if you want to feel like you’re at the spa. The scent is incredible, and it lasts all day. If you don’t wash your hair every day and worry about the smell, then this shampoo is for you. I seriously could not wait to take my daily shower when I used this bottle of shampoo and conditioner. It also suds nicely.
From the Reverie website: Reverie Shampoo is formulated with biodegradable sugar cane and coconut provide a lather that won’t strip the hair or scalp of hydration; while a blend of botanical ingredients, including phospholipids, essential proteins and vitamins strengthen and moisturize to make hair more resilient against future damage. Safe for color treated hair. pH 5.5 – 6.1. For all hair types, including straight, fine, coarse, curly, and color treated hair.
Shop: Reverie Shampoo and Reverie Conditioner. They also carry Reverie Exfoliating Shampoo for dry flakes and excess sebum.

100% Pure

Cost: $24 -$38
Why I Love This Shampoo: I tried the kelp shampoo & conditioner and really loved how well it cleansed and moisturized my hair – it’s slightly pricier than some of the others brands that I tried, but sign up for their email promotions and stock up when they have sales. I love the minty scent!
From the 100% Pure website: Rather than use harsh stripping chemicals, preservatives and agitating fragrances that just make things worse, 100% Pure formulates their natural hair products with hand-picked natural ingredients, ultra-moisturizing oils and nutrient dense minerals and vitamins to give your beautiful head of hair the love and nourishment it craves.
Shop: For adding volume, try 100% Pure Kelp & Mint Volumizing Shampoo and pair it with 100% Pure Kelp & Mint Volumizing Conditioner. For hair that needs some serious restoration, try 100% Pure Honey & Virgin Coconut Restorative Shampoo and 100% Pure Honey & Virgin Coconut Restorative Conditioner. Find more formulas of 100% Pure Shampoo and 100% Pure Conditioner. Explore the Glossy Locks collection including 100% Pure Glossy Locks Shampoo and 100% Pure Glossy Locks Grow More Conditioner.

Look Organics hair care

Look Organics

Cost: $28
Why I Love This Shampoo: I love that it has nettle, ginseng, horsetail and red clover for hair growth and strength. All of the ingredients are organic or wildcrafted, and best of all, this shampoo and conditioner really works to make hair feel clean, bouncy and shiny. It has a mild citrus scent and it has a great lather. All-in-all a great shampoo with organic ingredients.
From the Look Organics website: This clarifying shampoo works to remove excess oil, pollution, and product build-up, deeply cleansing and reinvigorating the hair and scalp.
Shop: Look Organics Clarifying Shampoo paired with Look Organics Deep Conditioner

JVN Haircare

Cost: $24-$34
Why I Love This Shampoo: I tried the volumizing shampoo & conditioner and really loved it- in fact, it’s the one I keep using again and again. One of my daughter’s uses it too. It cleanses and moisturizes really well. My hair feels soft and swingy after I use it.
From the JVN website: JVN haircare line offers the best in effective and clean ingredients, and each product is meticulously formulated with vegan ingredients, sustainably sourced from nature as well as through scientific innovation, to create ethical, effective and eco-conscious haircare.
Shop: JVN Embody Volumizing Shampoo, JVN Embody Volumizing Conditioner, JVN Nurture Hydrating Shampoo, JVN Nurture Hydrating Conditioner, JVN Undamage Strengthening Shampoo, JVN Undamage Strengthening Conditioner

Innersense

Cost: $10-$84
Why I Love This Shampoo: I tried the Clarity unscented shampoo & conditioner and it worked really well – it’s slightly pricier than some of the other brands that I tried, but I love that Innersense offers an unscented shampoo and conditioner that is salon quality. The shampoo suds up very well into a nice lather.
From the Innersense website: Innersense sources the highest quality and Certified Organic ingredients, in the purest, most concentrated form, to create a complete, award-winning line of safe, sustainable and cruelty free personal care products. The ongoing result is salon performance formulas that hydrate, nourish and revitalize all hair types.
Shop: Innersense Color Awakening Hairbath & Innersense Color Radiance Daily Conditioner, Innersense Pure Harmony Hairbath & Innersense Pure Inspiration Conditioner; Innersense Hydrating Cream Hairbath & Innersense Hydrating Cream Conditioner, Innersense Clarity Hairbath Shampoo & Innersense Clarity Conditioner

Plaine Products

Cost: $30
Why I Love This Shampoo: This shampoo & conditioner set is really impressive – it’s eco-friendly and does a great job at cleansing and moisturizing my hair, leaving it bouncy, shiny and soft. This is one of my favorites, and the conditioner is the perfect consistency!
From the Plaine Products website: This Shampoo will gently cleanse your hair with a luxurious lather. The vegan ingredients restore essential nutrients, add hydration, and enhance your hair’s texture. Bonus that you can join the subscription- you’ll get new haircare in the mail and you can send back your empties!
Shop: Check out all of the shampoo at Plaine Products Shampoo & Plaine Products Conditioner, or try their fragrance-free haircare: Plaine Products Unscented Shampoo & Plaine Products Unscented Conditioner,

Griffin Remedy

Cost: $14
Why I Love This Shampoo: This was a great find- clean shampoo and conditioner that works at a great price!
From the Griffin Remedy website: Griffin Remedy hair care products are 100% natural, made from only the best ingredients, including pure, natural essential oils. Daily use of our shampoos and conditioners will leave your hair feeling healthy and clean. Free of parabens and sulfates with no harmful chemicals.
Shop: Griffin Remedy Shampoo and Griffin Remedy Conditioner.

Avalon Organics

Cost: $8-$22
Why I Love This Shampoo: This shampoo and conditioner works pretty well for the price (although definitely not my favorite of the bunch)- it’s budget-friendly and has a nice scent.
From the Avalon Organics website: Formulated with organic botanicals and essential oils, Avalon Organics® gentle, safe and effective plant-based shampoos and conditioners are designed to bring luminance to locks without the use of harsh preservatives or hair-stripping cleansers. EWG Verified.
Free From: Phthalates, Parabens, GMOs, ethoxylated ingredients, pesticides, SLS
Shop: Avalon Organics Nourishing Lavender Shampoo & Conditioner, Avalon Organics Clarifying Lemon Shampoo & Conditioner, Avalon Organics Volumizing Rosemary Shampoo & Avalon Organics Volumizing Rosemary Conditioner, Avalon Organics Strengthening Peppermint Shampoo & Avalon Organics Strengthening Peppermint Conditioner

Christina Moss

Cost: $22
Whu I Love This Shampoo: This is another really good shampoo & conditioner duo!
Free From: SLS, SLES, parabens, PG or PG derivatives, sulfates, dyes, synthetic fragrance or anesthetizing agents.
From the Christina Moss Naturals website: Christina Moss Naturals Shampoo is rich, nutritious and will clean, nourish, and feed your hair with pure and clean ingredients, including extracts and essential oils, leaving it healthy and beautiful. Excellent for ALL hair types, especially those with sensitive skin or scalp. This product is concentrated, so the 8oz bottle is equivalent to 16oz of other products. Gently lathers and rinses clean with scalp soothing ingredients, without leaving build-up, stripping, drying, or clogging your skin and pores.
Shop: Christina Moss Naturals Shampoo & Christina Moss Naturals Conditioner