9 Best Organic and Natural Shampoo Brands: No Tears Over Toxic Ingredients
Closing your eyes to avoid soap sting is one thing; closing them to avoid toxic chemicals is another.
The body care aisle at your local grocery store is a cesspool of surfactants and preservatives you don’t want in your home—let alone on your body.
And when safe suds exist, why would you?!
There are many healthier options sans carcinogens and endocrine disruptors for “hair wash day.” These organic and natural shampoo brands are proof positive.
Superzero, for instance, doesn’t just make natural shampoo. They make natural zero waste shampoo in bar form.
While True Botanicals create some of the best natural shampoo and conditioners with a range of wild-harvested ingredients.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t give a special nod to Nylah who’s botanical formulations are designed for afros and curly-type hair.
Ethical beauty starts with natural ingredients, but it doesn’t stop there. Read more about our criteria here.
*This post contains affiliate links
QUICK LINKS FOR THE BEST NATURAL ORGANIC SHAMPOO
1. TRUE BOTANICALS
*Note: We have reached out to confirm this brand’s stance on palm oil.
True Botanicals’ Organic Shampoo
True Botanicals’ body care products are backed by research from Cornell and Carnegie Mellon.
Each bottle contains sensitive botanical extracts; no wrinkles, redness, or breakouts.
The same can be said for their best natural organic shampoo. Tested (and loved) by Olivia Wilde, it steers clear of SLES, SLS, harsh surfactants, or synthetic fragrances.
Their Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner is formulated with antioxidants and hydrating botanicals like green tea seed oil and aloe leaf extract; an organic shampoo for oily hair (or dry hair).
The ingredients are mostly organic, sustainably sourced, cruelty-free, and vegan.
About True Botanicals
The beauty industry would have you believe otherwise, but you don’t need chemicals to make your hair and skin look great.
True Botanicals is spreading truth with, well, botanicals!
They show high-quality plant-derived peptides, oils, and extracts give you healthier hair—and a healthier planet too.
Everything, down to production and packaging is carefully considered. They prioritize recyclable glass and aluminum bottles, the shampoo and conditioner come in the latter.
You won’t have to compromise on efficacy or worry about chemicals, because all True Botanicals’ formulas are MADE SAFE certified – free of more than 6,500 known toxic fillers.
Available: True Botanicals
2. PLAINE PRODUCTS
Plaine Products’ Organic Shampoo
You might not be a fan of plain, but your hair probably is—and our earth definitely is.
For shampoo without the redundant #extra, Plaine Products creates potentially the best all natural organic shampoo.
It’s non-GMO, vegan friendly, cruelty-free, biodegradable, color-safe, sulfate-free, silicone-free, and palm oil-free.
Instead of aqua as the principal filler, it relies on aloe to enhance and restore your hair’s texture. You can choose soothing scents like citrus lavender or rosemary mint vanilla (or unscented if that’s your preference).
It’s packaged in a reusable and refillable aluminum bottle (plastic pump optional, which can be avoided), making it a zero waste shampoo, too. They even take care of the refill process for you. Just send back the empty bottle using an included return label.
If you sign up for a subscription, you can also save money.
About Plaine Products
The sister-founded company is committed to creating products that are safe and non-toxic, and not just for your body but for our planet at large.
By minimizing their plastic use to almost nothing, they’re playing a big role in the zero waste revolution.
Plaine is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise that is climate neutral, Leaping Bunny certified cruelty free, a winner of the Real Leaders Impact Award, and a Certified B Corp.
All PP products are made in the USA and every purchase means a donation to 1% for the Planet.
Available: EarthHero
3. CONSCIOUS SKINCARE
Conscious Skincare’s Organic Shampoo
Conscious Skincare creates a few personalised shampoos.
An organic shampoo for men that doubles as a body wash (who doesn’t love a bit of multi-purpose), an organic cypress and sage shampoo, and a pure sulfate and fragrance-free natural shampoo.
They create some of the best organic shampoos.
Environmental Working Group verified, they combine the likes of organic simmondsia chinensis oil, sage oil and pro vitamin b5. You won’t find animal byproducts, palm oil, or artificial fragrances, just essential oils.
All shampoos come in stylish glass bottles with an optional dispensing pump. Eco friendly refill bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic.
About Conscious Skincare
After founder Rebecca and her partner suffered from chemical-induced sensitivities and full-blown allergic reactions, she began making her own high-quality organic products for face, body and hair, men, women, and even little people!
All Conscious Skincare products are safe, effective, and come in eco friendly recyclable packaging.
They have accreditation from PETA, Cruelty Free International, and the Vegetarian Society (not to mention an abundance of rave reviews).
Available: Etsy
Conscious Skincare has featured in an article on palm oil free shampoo.
4. NATURELAB TOKYO
*Note: We will be reaching out to this brand to confirm their policies.
NatureLab Tokyo’s Natural Shampoo
What ingredients will you never find in a natural shampoo and conditioner?
Mineral oil, harsh sulfates, phthalates, and parabens.
So what can you expect to find in the best natural hair shampoo from NatureLab Tokyo?
Leading the botanical technology revolution, this brand chooses active ingredients that are safe, and environmentally friendly.
Their plant-based formulas utilize the protective botanical properties from the likes of apple stem cells, quinoa and prickly pear oil. Their argan oil acts as a natural surfactant and algae protects the hair from UV rays.
Between smoothing, repairing, volumizing, and making your hair truly shine, their shampoos, mists, conditioners, jellies, and gift sets make for some pretty great shower performances.
About NatureLab Tokyo
Rosa Takagi was on a quest to create natural and effective beauty products that were as clean as they were affordable.
She drew upon centuries-old Japanese beauty rituals and combined them with the latest technology to create a line of the best all natural shampoo and conditioner.
The concept of Wabi-Sabi is embodied in all products—reminding us to embrace beauty in imperfections.
The Japanese company still manufactures in Japan, but now has a West Hollywood office. We’ll reach out to find out more about where and how they get their ingredients.
No products are tested on animals, but some do contain animal byproducts.
You can order your NatureLab Tokyo products in an eco-friendly refill pouch. Each pouch is the equivalent of two bottles but made with 85% less plastic.
Available: NatureLab Tokyo
5. ETHIQUE
Ethique’s Natural Shampoo
Used a shampoo bar recently?
There’s a good chance Ethique is in some way responsible for that.
They were one of the first to do plastic-free ‘poo packaged in a recyclable / compostable cardboard box.
Just one bar is the equivalent of three bottles of liquid shampoo.
Looking for the best natural shampoo for oily hair? pH balanced and surfactant-free Saint Clements is one of the safest bets.
How about the best natural shampoo for kids? Oaty Delicious is purpose built for little ones and no-stress brushing.
Alternatively, Wonderbar can be used for all hair types which is especially useful for those of you who’s hair condition is season dependent.
No matter your haircare need, each of their twelve shampoos are free of animal products, animal testing, and palm oil.
This eco friendly vegan shampoo really is like “a natural holiday for your locks, from scalp to ends”.
About Ethique
Ethique creates bars for all purposes: zero waste deodorant, organic body wash, natural face wash, or, for the home, zero waste cleaning products.
They’re a Certified B Corp who has changed the way we think about body and home care products—and they’ve prevented more than 9 million plastic bottles from being manufactured in the process.
They’re also certified Carbon Neutral, they donate 20% of annual profits to nonprofits and they plant a tree for all orders through a partnership with Ecologi.
Getting shampoo in your eyes doesn’t sound so bad now, eh?
Available: Ethique | Amazon | Holland & Barrett (UK) | Nourished Life (AU)
6. ANDREA’S ORGANIC MARKET
*Note: Some shampoo bars contain eggs but there are vegan options.
Andrea’s Organic Market’s Organic Shampoo
If you need an apothecary for your hair (one might say, an apothe-hair-y), this is the shop for you.
Andrea’s Organic Market has several hair products including serums, rinse, masks, and leave-in conditioners. But let’s talk about shampoo.
Have you tried using egg yolk in your hair?
It may be an effectively nourishing treatment, but it’s also sticky, slimy, and messy.
Thanks to this Etsy shop, you can get all the collagen and protein power found in an egg in their easy-to-use, unscented bar of shampoo.
This and other organic ingredients come wrapped in recycled paper.
They also have a vegan, unscented avocado shampoo bar that contains monounsaturated fats, minerals, and vitamins for healing damaged and dry hair.
If you’re just now transitioning away from liquid shampoo, they recommend following up with an apple cider vinegar rinse for a natural, DIY way to support your hair.
About Andrea’s Organic Market
With Andrea’s Organic Market, nature nurtures, while harmful chemicals are left in the lab.
This hugely successful Etsy Shop uses organic, non-GMO, synthetic-free, palm oil-free, and chemical-free ingredients in all of their zero waste skin care and body care products.
Fairtrade where possible, too.
And just like using their zero waste makeup remover is good for your personal beauty routine, their zero waste products are good for our planet.
Everything comes in eco-friendly packaging, which, in most cases, means a reusable, recyclable glass container. These can be refilled using biodegradable refill pouches.
On top of that, their shipping materials include compostable packing peanuts, recycled paper cushion, biodegradable hemp string, biodegradable plant cellulose packing tape, and recycled shipping labels.
Available: Etsy
7. FAT AND THE MOON
Fat and the Moon’s Organic Shampoo
Want to treat your tresses?
Try the shampoo from Fat and the Moon.
Their liquid natural organic shampoo comes in a reusable and recyclable aluminum bottle with an optional pump top. Their mostly organic ingredients are all recognizable, like vegetable glycerin, algae extract, and essential oils.
Just add water to their shampoo powder which contains much of the same formulation. There’s also a dry natural shampoo for oily hair and their Gentle Rhassoul Clay Shampoo Bar.
About Fat and the Moon
This brand can be likened to “an ever-loving golden retriever bringing you your slippers.”
Who wouldn’t want that!?
Fat and the Moon brings together la luna’s influence, healthy plant-based oils, organic and wild-crafted ingredients, and products that heal your hair, your skin, and our planet.
Founder Rachel Budde is a herbalist who uses traditions that have been passed down for generations—along with her team of fellow herbalists, a baker, and an aesthetician.
Fat and the Moon support also organizations like The Okra Project, The Nap Ministry, and Black Trans Women.
Their organic hair shampoo and zero waste makeup is packaged in compostable cardboard or reusable / recyclable glass and aluminum housing.
Available: EarthHero
8. SUPERZERO
*Note: While superzero’s shampoo is palm oil free, their conditioner is not.
superzero’s Natural Shampoo
superzero has a shampoo for you (yes, you, even with your flaky scalp!).
They create arguably the best natural dandruff shampoo, using tea tree oil, rosemary leaf oil, and Brazilian Ziziphus Joazeiro bark to eliminate flakes.
Not itchy?
They have several natural shampoo bars for normal /oily/fine hair, colored and frizzy hair, thinning hair, and a men’s all-over organic body wash and shampoo—along with a few conditioner bar options.
The shampoo bars contain 98% plant-based materials and are certified microplastic-free (as all their products) and Climate Neutral (with more products to follow). That’s on top of being cruelty-free, vegan, and free from synthetic fragrances, synthetic colors, sulfates, phthalates, and silicones.
All shampoos are free of palm oil, but they do use an RSPO-certified palm oil base in some conditioners.
superzero
As you would have guessed, superzero is all about effective products minus the waste.
Their range includes shampoos, conditioners, hair treatments, hand balms, and accessories.
They’re “on a mission to prove that true beauty does no harm” by correcting some of the blemishes of our beauty industry: questionable ingredients, bulky plastic packaging, an excessive carbon footprint and pollution.
Which is why nothing is packaged in a plastic bottle and you won’t find any water based fillers in their formulations.
The plastic-free products are sent in recycled and recyclable, chlorine-free cardboard packaging. Only non-toxic, biodegradable inks and water-based adhesives are used.
To top it all off, they’re a member of 1% for the Planet and support marine conservation and ocean cleanup efforts.
Available: superzero
9. NYLAH
*Note: All products are vegan except their Maximum Moisture hair spray.
Nylah’s Natural Shampoo
Nylah might as well call themselves “nah-lah”.
Why?
Because the list of what you won’t find in this natural shampoo is long (!): petrochemicals, formaldehyde, artificial color, parabens, and many more on their “Never List.”
Shockingly, research shows that most products marketed towards Black women contain a cocktail of carcinogenic ingredients (even more so than standard hair care products).
When you wash, rinse, and repeat with the best all natural shampoo from Nylah, you won’t have to add ‘worry’ to that list because their select formulations are clean and green.
In addition to a thickening shampoo and restorative conditioner, they also create a leave-in cream and hair oil.
Their list of Super Botanicals are worth a read.
They include background on each ingredient used, how it benefits hair, and what hazard level it is based on the Environmental Working Group’s rating system.
About Nylah
Nylah makes award-winning hair products including natural shampoos for afro and curly type hair.
They understand that textured hair has its own requirements and that many conventional shampoos don’t address these needs.
The brand was started by a Black woman named Kam and inspired by her daughter Nylah.
After scouring the UK for hypoallergenic products suited to afro hair types, she found that not only did they damage hair, but they often contained ingredients associated with health and skin concerns.
So she decided to make her own: enter Nylah.
Now their moisture-rich formulations support every kink, curl, and coil – some of the best natural shampoo for black hair (reviews also claim it’s beneficial for all hair).
The brand is mostly vegan-friendly (except for their Maximum Moisture hair spray), cruelty-free, and free from synthetic fragrance and palm oil.
They also use recyclable packaging, create their products locally in the UK, and only use fairly sourced and sustainable ingredients.
Available: Nylah
HOW WE FOUND THE BEST NATURAL SHAMPOO
Using our ethical beauty criteria, we massaged our best organic shampoo into a natural lather that does even more for our planet.
If this is your first trip around the suds with us, here’s a reminder of what those criteria are:
Non-toxic natural & organic ingredients:
This was obviously the focus of this guide—and in a world where shampoo is known to contain a plethora of toxic ingredients, harmful surfactants, preservatives, and fragrances, it’s a necessary focus.
Not only do these brands trade toxic ingredients for natural, organic, and botanical ones, but many of them have certifications / verifications from MADE SAFE or the EWG to ensure your tresses won’t be exposed to toxic chemicals.
Non-toxic ingredients are also almost always biodegradable and water-safe.
Other criteria included:
- Cruelty-free: This means no animal testing. We can protect ourselves and the animals who are quite often the literal guinea pigs in the beauty industry.
- Vegan: If we don’t want our shampoo tested on animals, it’s easy to assume we don’t want them in it, either. Animal-derived ingredients are a no-no, except potentially where it contains ethically sourced beeswax, honey, or eggs.
- Palm oil-free: Ideally no palm oil, otherwise at a minimum responsibly sourced palm oil like that certified by RSPO.
- Ethical ingredient sourcing policies
- Thoughtful packaging: Recyclable, at the very least, but ideally zero waste (we give a green box for zero waste packaginge and orange for recyclable)
FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE BEST ALL NATURAL SHAMPOO
Petrochemicals and water go together like… well… oil and water!
Our self-care routines deserve better.
Yes, strolling down a drug store aisle will give anyone the impression that chemical-based plasticy shampoos are our only options, but these brands tell a different story.
And while they may not create tear-free shampoos (because tear-free requires a chemical numbing agent), they do make the best natural shampoos.
If you know anyone who’s looking to ditch the conventional, chemical formulations, spread the word about your new favorite hairstylist (i.e. Mother Earth) and these organic and natural shampoo alternatives!
