9 Palm Oil Free Shampoo Brands For Detangling Without Deforestation
Let’s lather up a list of palm oil free shampoo.
You mean the stuff that’s responsible for deforestation and orangutan endangerment?
Yup.
While the complex palm oil free debate isn’t solved by boycotting the substance, we can reduce our reliance on it, especially in products where it serves no purpose.
You might not know this, but palm oil (or its many derivatives) is commonly found in shampoo—for no good reason other than increasing a company’s profit.
That’s why we’d rather jump in the shower with palm oil free shampoo brands who put planet before the bottom the line.
Conscious Skincare provides a conscious alternative with palm oil sulfate free shampoo to give your locks the TLC they deserve.
If you’re after palm oil free shampoo bars, Ethique is the hero of zero (waste, that is).
Shower Superfly Soap with love for having some of the best palm oil free shampoo for you and our planet.
We s(hair) the why and how these brands were chosen at the root end of the article.
*This post contains affiliate links
QUICK LINKS FOR THE BEST PALM OIL FREE SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER
1. CONSCIOUS SKINCARE
About Conscious Skincare’s Palm Oil Free Shampoo UK
For pure, palm oil free shampoo, turn to Conscious Skincare.
Not only are the shampoos and conditioners free of harmful chemicals, but they’re consciously packaged in glass bottles (pumps are optional) with refills available.
Their plant-based organic Cypress and Sage shampoo and conditioner infuses nourishing herbal oils with pro-vitamin B5 and prebiotics for a chemical and cruelty free cleanse.
That and their Pure Sulfate Free are EWG verified.
About Conscious Skincare
As the name suggests, Conscious Skincare and its female founder, Rebecca, focus on natural and organic products with a clean conscience.
Driven by personal health issues, she wanted to create products that worked—without complications or compromises.
From natural face wash to cruelty free moisturizer, everything is made in-house, using ethically-sourced and palm oil free ingredients.
Finished products are approved by the Vegetarian Society, PETA, and Leaping Bunny Cruelty Free.
Their philanthropic efforts include product donations to essential workers and support for animal rescue charities.
Available: Etsy
2. ETHIQUE
About Ethique’s Palm Oil Free Shampoo Bars
Whether your mane is oily, dry, damaged, flakey, curley, sensitive, or blonde—or you just want some balance—Ethique will cater to all and any of your follicles’ needs.
Their zero waste shampoo and conditioner bars are compostable in wrapping and concentrated in formula, that is one bar equals around three bottles of liquid shampoo.
Unlike some other natural shampoos, there’s no transition period required either.
There’s a variety to choose from depending on your hair type, though all are plant-based, palm oil free, vegan, and cruelty free.
About Ethique
New Zealand-started, globally-spread Ethique has raised the bar (literally).
Their plastic free range includes zero waste deodorant and other goods for clean bodies and homes.
The Certified B Corp ticks all the boxes regarding sustainably-sourced, vegan, and cruelty-free ingredients that are, iIn most cases, directly traded.
They’re certified by the Orangutan Alliance for being palm oil free but are open to using RSPO palm oil once they can be sure it’s legitimately sustainable.
Offsetting 120% of the company’s carbon emissions, they’re climate positive.
Not only do they plant a tree for each order, but they also donate 2% of sales to environmental and animal welfare organizations.
Available: Ethique | Amazon | Holland & Barrett (UK) | Nourished Life (AU)
3. SUPERFLY SOAP
About Superfly Soap’s Cruelty and Palm Oil Free Shampoo
With varieties like Avocado & Banana, Orange Spice, and Mango, Superfly Soap’s palm oil free conditioner and shampoo sound delicious.
You practically could eat these shampoo bars, too, as they’re made with recognizable, natural ingredients like macadamia nut oil, rice bran oil, and cocoa butter.
Unscented is available, too, for those sensitive to scents.
You can choose to get the bars unwrapped or wrapped in vegan paper with eco ink.
About Superfly Soap
Hailing from Scotland, Superfly Soap is an affordable, award-winning, and eco-conscious skincare brand.
Founder and foodie, Lisa, uses her favorite foods—ground orange peel, coconut oil, avocado oil—to make cold process soaps that are always vegan, cruelty free, and palm oil free.
Everything is made using renewable energy and zero waste practices (meaning minimal, eco-conscious packaging).
Selling on Etsy means she guarantees the carbon emissions of shipping are offset.
Available: Etsy
4. ECOROOTS
About EcoRoots’ Palm Oil Free Shampoo and Conditioner USA
EcoRoots’ shampoo and palm free conditioner bars can be directly applied to wet hair of all types, including curly or color-treated hair.
In addition to an unscented version for sensitive scalps, nine unisex scents are available for slightly different purposes.
For instance, for palm oil free anti dandruff shampoo, they recommend Forest Mint.
Cocoa butter and coconut oil- and rapeseed oil-derived surfactants replace palm oil.
They’re not only all-natural but highly-concentrated. Just one bar will outlast two to three plastic bottles.
About EcoRoots
EcoRoots is fast becoming a house-hould name among its zero waste beauty brand counter-parts.
The Colorado-based company impresses their global customer base with everything for plastic free beauty and cleaning routines.
Many products are handmade in the USA, using ingredients that are vegan, cruelty free, and palm oil free.
All packaging is recycled and compostable, too.
As a member of 1% for the Planet, the brand also donates profits to organizations like the Ocean Conservancy.
EcoRoots has featured in articles on zero waste laundry detergent and natural dry shampoo.
5. FRIENDLY SOAP
About Friendly Soap’s Palm Oil Free Shampoo Bars UK
With a range including Lavender & Geranium, Peppermint & Eucalyptus, and Lavender & Tea Tree, Friendly Soap’s scents sure do put a smile on our face.
Their palm oil free shampoo bars don’t contain sulfates or preservatives.
Instead of palm oil, a blend of organic argon, castor, coconut, and olive oils are used.
However, they’re not suitable for use with hard water, as it can cause a chemical reaction that reduces their efficacy and may produce an insoluble residue.
About Friendly Soap
Friendly Soap’s products are cruelty free, vegan, plastic free, and palm oil free.
Everything is handmade by team members who are paid higher than living wages.
They’re listed as an Ethical Consumer best buy, not least because they’re certified by Fair Tax, meaning they pay the right amount of corporation tax!
The packaging is recycled and recyclable and they use eco shipping services instead of fossil fuel-intensive freight.
With every order, a portion of profits supports global hygiene projects through Just a Drop.
They also partner with Treesponsibility, giving the Friendly Soap team paid volunteer days to assist with replanting woodlands and hedgerows.
Available: Amazon
6. PLAINE PRODUCTS
About Plaine Products’ Vegan Palm Oil Free Shampoo
Make your mane smell like Citrus Lavender or Rosemary Mint Vanilla (or not smell at all) with Plaine Products’ palm oil free conditioner and shampoo.
If you’d prefer to keep it plaine and simple, there’s a multi-use Sage Hair & Body Wash, too.
Everything is biodegradable, non-GMO, color safe, reusable, and refillable.
When you’re ready for more, just order a refill, keep your pump, and send back your old aluminum bottle in the order’s initial custom fit packaging for it to be cleaned and reused.
If, for whatever reason, you don’t desire say, a body wash refill, the aluminum bottle is infinitely recyclable.
About Plaine Products
Between hair care products, organic body wash, and zero waste hand soap, Plaine Products was made to clean up our act.
The sister-owned business is a Certified B Corp and certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.
They test and manufacture everything (even the aluminum bottles) themselves.
Only using ingredients that are vegan and Leaping Bunny cruelty free, animal-lovers will find nothing hair-raising about their products.
Free from palm oil ingredients and derivatives, they use vegetable glycerin from coconut oil and glyceryl mono stearate from other vegetable oils.
They’re also a contributing member of 1% for the Planet and are carbon neutral.
Available: Plaine Products
7. BATTLE GREEN
About Battle Green’s Shampoo Without Palm Oil UK
With arguably the largest range of scents including Mint, Citrus, Chamomile, Lavender, and Tea Tree varieties, Battle Green has palm oil free shampoo bars whatever your preference.
The solid shampoo and conditioner is formulated with plant-based ingredients for treating a variety of issues, like dryness, frizz, detangling, split ends, while adding luster and softness.
Each bar can last about 80 washes and comes minimally packaged in compostable wrap.
You may experience the need for an adjustment period, for which they recommend using a weak vinegar rinse.
About Battle Green
North Wales is home to Battle Green, Etsy seller of eco alternatives for the everyday (think: deodorant to reusable kits).
Everything is handmade, using mostly organic and always vegan and cruelty-free ingredients.
These don’t include palm oil. Jojoba oil, cocoa butter, grapeseed oil, olive oil, and derivatives from coconut oil are used instead.
The shop partners with Surfers Against Sewage to help clean up beaches and waterways. With every purchase, a tree is planted.
Available: Battle Green
Battle Green has featured in articles on zero waste toothpaste and zero waste toothbrushes.
8. BIOME
Biome’s Palm Oil Free Shampoo Australia
Have dogs, dandruff, oily hair, a sensitive scalp, or lice?
No problem. With palm oil free hair products for all of the above, Biome is a one-stop follicle shop.
The shampoo comes in bar form and features organic plant oils, clay, and essential oils.
If you’re new to solid shampooing, you may want to try an apple cider rinse for a few weeks to ease the transition.
Instead of conventional conditioner, they offer a 100% Jojoba Oil Spray. It’s multi-purpose, so can also be used as a moisturizer, cleanser, bath oil, or carrier oil.
To stay looking grease-free between washes, check out their Dry Shampoo for Light and Dark hair. It comes in a reusable/recyclable glass bottle.
About Biome
Biome is one of Australia’s top zero waste online stores.
The ethical online marketplace stocks personal care products from the world’s best brands. Now they have their own line of eco friendly makeup, haircare, skin care, and more.
The woman-founded company crafts vegan, cruelty free, and mostly organic products, most of which are made locally.
They steer clear of toxic ingredients and palm oil, often using coconut oil in its place. You can read more about their palm oil stance here.
Eco-conscious packaging is all you’ll find when you order from this Certified B Corp and Net Zero company.
Available: Biome
9. ACURE
Acure Sulfate and Palm Oil Free Shampoo
Acure does not do shampoo in half measures.
As far as palm oil free shampoo brands go, they do it all: liquid eco-friendly shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo, and shampoo bars.
Maybe your hair’s curly, wavy, colored, dry, dull, flat, or a little lackluster, well…there’s a bottle or bar to take care of it.
Natural ingredients give each type clarifying, hydrating, and smoothing qualities sans sulfates or parabens.
About Acure
With hair and skin care products, deodorant, and vegan sunscreen, Acure is a cure for all us conscious consumers looking for ethical alternatives.
Everything is vegan, paraben-free, sulfate-free, petroleum-free, formaldehyde-free, mineral oil-free, and cruelty free.
Mostly coconut oil-derivatives are used in lieu of those from palm. Ingredients are often sourced from fair trade suppliers.
While they do use plastic packaging for most products, they have a national recycling program through a partnership with TerraCycle.
Their list of rotating charitable partners currently includes organizations like Unite For Her and Turning Green.
Available: Acure
WHY BUY PALM OIL FREE SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER?
Is there palm oil in shampoo?
Yes—in fact, about 50% of the products we use and eat contain palm oil.
In shampoo, palm oil works as a conditioning agent. The creamy liquid helps to restore hair’s natural oils, keeping it feeling moisturized and healthy.
You may also see one of palm oil’s derivatives in shampoo: Palmitate, Stearate, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Palmitoyl Oxostearamide, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), and Palmityl Alcohol—to name a few.
In these cases, palm oil is transformed into a cheap surfactant that works to cleanse and foam.
So why are people increasingly looking for palm oil free shampoo and conditioner?
For the same reason why they’re seeking out palm oil free toothpaste.
We’ve already washed, rinsed, and repeated this question several times when we looked at sustainable palm oil and provided answers to questions like:
But as a quick refresher:
- Palm oil is the cheapest and most efficient oil seed crop, meaning we consume around 74 million metric tons of it a year.
- Despite that, the world (multinational corporations being the principal culprit) is hungry for more. We’ve deforested more than 27 million hectares with the crop, destroying animal habitats and human settlements.
- Within the industry, human rights violations are common, as are threats to endangered species, like the Sumatran tiger, Borneo elephant, and orangutan.
However, this is a complex issue that can’t be solved by going totally palm oil free.
Other types of vegetable oils require as much as 10 times more land, so if we switched overnight it could have an even worse impact on our planet.
Instead, we should cut it out where we can without necessarily going cold turkey. Where we can’t cut it out, seek sustainable sources bearing Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and other similar certifications.
If you’re looking to cut down on your personal palm oil consumption, shampoo and conditioner are an easy way to do so.
Especially since many palm oil alternatives—namely jojoba, argan, coconut, castor, avocado, sweet almond, grapeseed, and olive oil—are more beneficial for our luscious locks.
These palm oil alternatives are especially helpful if you suffer from dryness, frizziness, dandruff, breakage, dullness, or damage. They might help your hair grow faster, too.
HOW WE FOUND THE BEST PALM OIL FREE SHAMPOO
Palm oil took center stage for this hairdo, but we considered our ethical beauty criteria, too.
- Palm oil free
- Vegan
- Cruelty free
- Non-toxic: AKA free of the many ingredients to avoid in skin care
- Ethical ingredient sourcing
- Thoughtful packaging: This ideally means compostable, reusable, or refillable zero waste packaging. If not, we seek brands that use widely recyclable types of plastic or have thoughtfully designed recycling programs.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON SHAMPOO WITHOUT PALM OIL
Shampoo without palm oil is not the easiest eco-alternative to source.
But there are brands out there diluting the demand.
Whether you’re 100% palm oil free, realize that sustainable palm oil has a place, especially once we can be sure it is in fact sustainable (whenever that might be).
Like the substance itself, palm oil is a slippery subject, but the more we talk about it, the more informed our choices will be.
