Can hair be low-impact? It’s a valid question, especially considering all the rather hairy ingredients commonly used in shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, and more. Thankfully, sustainable hair care products are here to save the do (er, day).

Still, finding a safe and eco-friendly shampoo and hair gel is a bit like washing your hair after eco camping for a week—it takes a few rounds of scrubbing to see through the grease and grime.

That’s why we did the work for you and compiled a list of the best hair care products that will show love to your locks and the world.

We’re also using our Brand Rating System to evaluate brands against a range of sustainability criteria, including impact on biodiversity, climate impact, and chemical management. Keep an eye out for rated hair care brands on the list below (as they need to opt in to be rated) and explore more rated brands here.

We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.

The Best Hair Products Your Locks Will Love

Oway’s biodynamic, Italian-made haircare range includes targeted shampoo and conditioner collections for various needs. They also offer styling products and various specialist treatments. Hair products contains 90–95% botanical ingredients, most of which are grown on Oway’s own biodynamic farm. Oway has been comprehensively rated by us on their sustainability credentials – find the full rating here.

An SJ go-to brand for refillable hair products, Plaine Products’s formulas are biodegradable, GMO-free, and incredibly effective. Plaine Products has been comprehensively rated by us on their sustainability credentials – find the full rating here.

Delicate Daisys offer a Hair Mask for damaged, chemically treated hair, made with mostly organic, nourishing ingredients to soothe and strengthen. Delicate Daisys has been comprehensively rated by us on their sustainability credentials – find the full rating here.

Index: Best Hair Products

  1. Oway Jump to brand
  2. Plaine Products Jump to brand
  3. Delicate Daisys Botanical Beauty Jump to brand
  4. Ethique Jump to brand
  5. Everist Jump to brand
  6. EcoRoots Jump to brand
  7. Andrea’s Organic Market Jump to brand
  8. Yarok Jump to brand
  9. Tints Of Nature Jump to brand
  10. Acure Jump to brand
  11. Apple Cider Vinegar Jump to brand

Oway

Image by Sustainable Jungle (Best Sustainable Hair Care)
Image by Oway (Best Sustainable Hair Care)

Disrupting

Top 10% of brands
Italy, United States
Europe, North America
$$$
Carbon Neutral
Brand has been certified as Carbon Neutral.
Cruelty-free
Products are not test on animals at any stage in their production.
Ethical Sourcing
Raw materials have been sourced ethically with people and planet in mind.
Green Energy
Brand exclusively uses green energy to power their headquarters.
Handcrafted
Products have been made by hand, typically by an artisan or group of artisans.
Locally Made
Products are made local to the brand's headquarters.
Non-toxic
All products are made with ingredients or materials that are currently considered non-toxic
Organic
Products are made from organic materials.
Recycled materials
Some or all products are made with recycled materials
Sustainable Materials
Either all or most products are made with sustainable materials
Thoughtful packaging
Product packaging has been designed and created with the end of life outcome in mind and can be easily recycled or composted.
Upcycled
Products have been upcycled from an unusable or undesirable form into new products.
Vegan
This brand does not use any animal products or by-products in their products
ECOCERT Cosmos PETA

Oway offers a wide selection of highly rated biodynamic, Italian-made haircare products. Their hair product range includes targeted shampoo and conditioner collections for various needs—such as Volumizing, Rebuilding, Curly Hair, Purifying, Frequent Use, and Sensitive Scalp—alongside treatments like soothing scalp serums, leave-in sprays, hair masks, and nourishing oils.

Each formula contains 90–95% botanical ingredients, many grown on Oway’s own biodynamic farm in northern Italy. All products are free from sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrances, PEGs, petrolatum, and other harmful chemicals.

Oway products are mostly housed in recyclable amber glass bottles with metal caps. Their packaging avoids single-use plastic and is labeled with FSC-certified paper, and shipping materials are made from upcycled agricultural waste.

Certified vegan and cruelty-free by PETA, Oway’s formulations are developed using green chemistry principles and are considered safe for sensitive skin and during pregnancy.

The brand holds certifications including ECOCERT Cosmos and is Carbon Neutral. Their production facilities are powered entirely by renewable energy.

Oway has been rated by Sustainable Jungle. Find the full rating here.

Plaine Products

Disrupting

Top 10% of brands
United States
United States, Canada
$$$
Circular
All or some products are circular in nature - such that no part of the product needs to end up in landfill at the end of its life
Cruelty-free
Products are not test on animals at any stage in their production.
Locally Made
Products are made local to the brand's headquarters.
Non-toxic
All products are made with ingredients or materials that are currently considered non-toxic
Palm Oil Free
Products contain no palm oil or palm oil derivatives.
Plastic-free
All products are entirely plastic-free
Refillable
Product packaging can be refilled with more product, either at a physical store or via a return program.
Small business
This brand is a small business run by less than 15 people
Take Back Program
Brand offers a take back program for their products and responsibly manages returned items.
Thoughtful packaging
Product packaging has been designed and created with the end of life outcome in mind and can be easily recycled or composted.
Vegan
This brand does not use any animal products or by-products in their products
Woman Owned
This brand is owned by a woman or a group of women.
Zero Waste
Products are made with a low or zero waste approach where ideally no or limited waste is created throughout the production process or at the end of life.
1% for the planet
1% for the planet
Certified Environmental Giving — Businesses give 1% of their annual sales directly to vetted environmental partners.
B Corp Leaping Bunny PETA

Whether you’re buying shampoo or conditioner, Plaine Products’ packaging consists of 100% recyclable and refillable aluminum bottles—travel sizes included.

Their hair care range goes beyond your standard shampoo and conditioner – they offer a hair repair product with shea and nourishing oils, a deep conditioner, a sea salt spray, and purple shampoo and conditioner for keeping those brassy hues in check.

Plaine Products is a sister-owned company, founded by Lindsey and Alison Delaplaine, that specializes in vegan, cruelty-free, palm oil-free, chemical-free, plastic-free, and biodegradable hair and natural body wash products.

The sisters personally try all products on themselves and their families before approving them, but they also run every ingredient through the Environmental Working Group database to ensure every single one is non-toxic.

While their intent is to refill your empties, if you choose not to refill your Plaine Products order or are unable to send them back, you can recycle the aluminum bottles yourself, a process that requires less energy than the original production.

Plaine Products has been rated by Sustainable Jungle. Find the full rating here.

My Personal Review of Plaine Products’ Shampoo & Conditioner:

“I’m impressed by how quickly Plaine’s shampoo foams up. I only need a tiny bit to clean my entire scalp. The conditioner is so nourishing I don’t even feel like I have to use it every time I shower. When I do, my hair is left feeling soft and smooth but not at all weighed down.”

Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content

Delicate Daisys Botanical Beauty

Image by Sustainable Jungle (Delicate Daisys) (Best Sustainable Hair Care Products)
Image by Sustainable Jungle and Delicate Daisys (Best Sustainable Hair Care Products)

Disrupting

Top 10% of brands
United States
Worldwide
$$$
BIPOC Owned
Brand is owned by Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color.
Cruelty-free
Products are not test on animals at any stage in their production.
Ethical Sourcing
Raw materials have been sourced ethically with people and planet in mind.
Non-toxic
All products are made with ingredients or materials that are currently considered non-toxic
Organic
Products are made from organic materials.
Palm Oil Free
Products contain no palm oil or palm oil derivatives.
Small business
This brand is a small business run by less than 15 people
Sustainable Materials
Either all or most products are made with sustainable materials
Thoughtful packaging
Product packaging has been designed and created with the end of life outcome in mind and can be easily recycled or composted.
Vegan
This brand does not use any animal products or by-products in their products
Woman Owned
This brand is owned by a woman or a group of women.
Leaping Bunny MBE
MBE
Minority Business Enterprise Certified
PETA WBENC
WBENC
Women's Business Enterprise National Council Certified

Delicate Daisys’ Herbal Hair Mask with Probiotics is a concentrated, plant-based treatment designed to repair damaged, chemically treated hair. Made with ingredients like shea butter and argan oil, the mask is formulated to soothe irritation, support the scalp microbiome, and strengthen hair without synthetic additives.

The mask is packaged in BPA-free recycled plastic to reduce shipping weight, shipped in FSC-certified recycled paper, and is formulated in small batches in Europe under strict cosmetic safety and human rights regulations

The brand formulates all products with mostly organic, and non-GMO ingredients and excludes common synthetic chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and artificial fragrance. Delicate Daisys is woman and minority-owned, and certified by Leaping Bunny and PETA.

Delicate Daisys has been rated by Sustainable Jungle. Find the full rating here.

My Personal Review of Delicate Daisys Herbal Hair Mask Probiotics:

“I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this herbal hair mask totally won me over with its amazing scent and how silky and shiny it left my hair for days after. Using it once a week has already noticeably improved my hair’s health and softness, especially now in the summer where I spend so much time outside in a dry climate and my hair typically dries out.”

Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content

Ethique

Ethique has not been rated.

We LOVE bars because they can safely and securely be wrapped in recyclable paper or not wrapped at all. If you travel a lot, say goodbye to TSA liquid restrictions, because bars are a breeze at the airport.

Ethique’s full line of shampoo and conditioner bars—along with a host of other non-hair eco-friendly toiletries—are vegan, palm oil free, non-toxic and cruelty-free. There are also a number to choose from based on your ethical hair care needs. Their impressive range suits everything from oily to frizzy to excess dandruff (for which the totally tropical Heali Kiwi is anything but flakey).

They’re also way more concentrated than regular products, so it’s designed to last up to six times longer. Having tested and used their products for years, we can safely say they create some of the best products for naturally healthy hair around.

They’re certified vegan, cruelty-free, palm oil free, plastic-free, and use minimal, sustainable and biodegradable (make sure you toss this in your compost!) packaging for everything.

Ethique are a Certified B Corp AND donate 2% of revenue.

Everist

Everist has not been rated.

For those not ready to jump the bar into shampoo bars, Everist offers concentrated paste shampoos and conditioners packed in aluminum tins and tubes—making for hair products with sustainable packaging. Each container is designed to last for more than 50 washes, providing a long-lasting solution. And if you hate squeezing the last bit out of a tube, theirs come with a key so you don’t lose a drop.

Everist products incorporate pure, natural ingredients such as aloe vera leaf juice and bergamot fruit oil. Instead of endocrine-disrupting synthetic fragrances, they contain a refreshing herbal-citrus blend of essential oils. Everist’s formulas are suitable for any hair type and utilize patented bond-repair technology, effectively strengthening damaged hair.

They’re certified Climate Neutral and opt for local sourcing whenever possible. All products are vegan, cruelty-free, and free from palm oil. By purchasing from Everist, you also contribute to their commitment as a member of 1% for the Planet in supporting planet-focused nonprofits

EcoRoots

EcoRoots has not been rated.

Discover the compact hair care products from EcoRoots. The bulk of their range includes colorful solid shampoo and conditioner bars that effectively cleanse and nourish your hair, leaving it soft and maintaining its natural oils.

Handcrafted with a blend of predominantly coconut oil and cocoa butter, these bars also incorporate a variety of nourishing plant oils (without the use of palm oil) and a Pro-Vitamin Complex to enhance shine and strength.

Their Natural Hair Oil is perfect for the occasional deep treatment. With nourishing ingredients like avocado seed oil and rice bran oil, it deeply penetrates and restructures the hair fibers into something “strong, shiny, and frizz-free”.

Based in Colorado, EcoRoots is committed to offering a wide range of ethically sourced products for various areas of your home, kitchen, and bathroom, each one matching exceptional performance with ethical performance.

Everything is thoughtfully packaged with zero waste in mind, including naked bars or glass jars, and recycled and biodegradable shipping materials like compostable cornstarch packing peanuts that are 100% plastic-free.

Andrea’s Organic Market

Andrea’s Organic Market has not been rated.

Andrea’s Organic Market creates handcrafted hair care products, including their hair serum, split end serum, and an eco-friendly hair mask.

These treatments are pure and simple ways to give your hair a deep conditioning treatment that de-frizzes, shines, and helps your hair maintain moisture by targeting the follicles themselves (therefore decreasing your need for regular conditioner!).

Use the Organic Honey Hair Mask (the closest you’ll get to making your own DIY hair mask) once or twice a week and let the magic of its herb-infused avocado oil and raw honey transform your hair into something soft and healthy.

Regardless of which restorative haircare product you choose, you’ll be getting a formula made with entirely organic ingredients like raw cocoa butter and moisturizing argan oil. Everything is all-natural, non-GMO, palm-oil free, cold-pressed (in the case of oils), and best yet, put in recognizable words!

This Oklahoma-based woman-owned brand specializes in all manner of hair and sustainable skincare. Andrea also uses organic ingredients where available and her ingredients are sourced ethically, from small businesses like herself, where possible.

Andrea offers container returns for refills and refill pouches for dry products in biodegradable cello bags. As for shipping, everything comes in recyclable or compostable packaging. She also donates all blemished products to her local Blessing Box and has an on-site office compost bin.

Yarok

Yarok has not been rated.

Yarok, meaning “green” in Hebrew, makes all sorts of hair products that “feed” your hair in some way. The Feed Your Roots hair serum is designed to nourish your hair and enhance its shine.

Yarok’s full haircare line includes shampoo, conditioner (regular and leave-in), mousse, pomade, hair spray, a masque, and defining cream (for those seeking sustainable curly hair products). Love sunbathing? Your hair needs UV protection just as much as your skin! Spend a lot of time at the pool? The Feed Your Shine protects your hair from damaging chlorine thanks to organic aloe vera and blackcurrant seed oil.

The brainchild of New York stylist Mordechai Alvow, this luxury hair care brand consciously creates all vegan, natural formulas to nourish hair from its core using only responsibly harvested ingredients.

They are gluten-free, certified cruelty-free, and palm oil-free, in addition to donating 3% of every purchase.

Tints Of Nature

Tints Of Nature has not been rated.

Natural haircare doesn’t necessarily mean sticking to your natural color. Tints of Nature offers easy, at-home eco-friendly hair dye kits (saving you big bucks at the salon!) for both permanent and semi-permanent henna dyes designed to be gentle on your head and hair, being completely free from ammonia, parabens, sulfates, propylene glycol, and resorcinol.

While not completely 100% organic (they are currently rated around 75%, using 95% naturally derived ingredients), they are working toward that goal.

They use the absolute lowest possible level of PPD (p-Phenylenediamine), and only when an alternative is not possible. The dyes are even fortified with aloe and citrus to add all-natural hydration and shine to your hair, without damaging ingredients like ammonia.

Tints of Nature is changing the game by offering a nearly all-natural solution to something once thought completely chemical, earning an average of 4-5 stars in reviews. They are PETA-certified vegan and Choose-certified cruelty-free and they also procure over 75% of ingredients from within the UK to minimize shipping.

Back in 2003, they started using 100% recycled cardboard for their boxes. All packing chips are made from 100% biodegradable, septic-safe corn.

Tints of Nature only purchases natural ingredients from RSPO and/or ECOCERT-certified sources.

Acure

Acure has not been rated.

Acure Organics’ hair care range is simple but thorough—traditional shampoo and conditioners and dry shampoo.

Dry shampoo is one of those super tricky products to get right and people either love them or hate them. Those who hate them tend to not like the light colored powder in dark hair because the product typically takes longer to absorb and can make darker hair look like it’s just had white powder applied—clearly not ideal. Which is why we tend to use our own DIY dry shampoo with arrowroot powder.

In addition to Dry Shampoo for all hair types, Acure offers one specifically for brunette to dark hair with added cocoa powder to resolve this issue.

Both formulas are 100% vegan and “0% pretentious”, containing a short list of CCOF or USDA-certified organic ingredients like corn starch, baking soda, maranta arundinacea root powder, kaolin clay, rosemary leaf oil, and peppermint oil to refresh your senses as well as your hair. Things you won’t find in them include parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum, and formaldehyde.

Based in the USA, Acure Organics is a family-owned business specializing in skincare, hair care and body care products. They also source mostly organic ingredients from fair trade suppliers where possible and support charities.

Their packaging is made from recycled plastic and is recyclable.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Surprisingly enough, apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a sustainable hair cleanser, removing any build-up or greasy residue left behind by shampoo and product, while not completely stripping its own natural oils (meaning you go longer without having to wash your hair!).

Say goodbye to greasy-looking roots or dandruff. It leaves your hair silky, smooth, and tangle-free. Beyond that, ACV improves overall follicle health, by balancing the pH of the hair and scalp and removing bacteria and other buildup.

We promise you won’t smell like vinegar all day. However, you shouldn’t use ACV on your hair every day or the acid may make it look a little brassy. We use it one to two times a week.

Perfect for low waste living, you can often find ACV at your local bulk foods store which is the most sustainable way to buy it. If you don’t have access to a bulk store, try to buy the largest bottle you can to minimize packaging.

There are lots of brands out there, but we recommend Bragg, specifically their option that contains the mother for maximum benefits. It comes in glass bottles and is USDA-certified organic, made of non-GMO raw apples, and is unheated, unfiltered, and unpasteurized.