Shampoo and conditioner have come a long way in the past couple decades, but that's not necessarily a good thing…in fact, there seems to be more and more new, untested ingredients added to our hair care products every day. For this project alone, we investigated over 400 ingredients and 80 brands, filtering them through assorted criteria to create three tiers of recommendations.
Our research involved the accumulation of many different sources that weigh in on the safety of various ingredients including Chemical of the Day, PubMed, International Fragrance Association (IFRA), Science Lab, and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) among others. It's really a matter of examining labeled ingredients for potential hazards, and then choosing products with well-known ingredients that have been studied and certified whenever possible.
Why You Need Safe Shampoo and Conditioner
The vast majority of hair care products contain highly toxic chemicals including synthetic fragrance, sodium lauryl sulfate, retinyl palmitate, methylisothiazolinone, parabens, and phthalates along with a host of moderately hazardous ingredients, so it's a true task to find safer options. But we love a challenge!
For this project, we chose ready-made products for non-DIYers, or those of us who just don't have the time (like me!) to make our own shampoo and conditioner. But for you super crafters, we found this great recipe to make your own homemade shampoo with castile soap. Someday we'll get to it 🙂
Also super interesting is the poo-free option. This is when you don't use any shampoo at all, letting your hair go through the natural process of recovery and on to the stage where you don't actually need shampoo. We've heard it really works! Let us know if you try it.
NOTE: We researched a selection of products from each of the manufacturers listed below to provide our recommendations. This means we did not conduct a thorough study of every product made by those brands, so be sure to do your homework and read the label before purchasing.
Top Picks
These are our absolute favorites. Our research shows these shampoo and conditioner brands contain no hazardous ingredients.
[show-logos orderby='none' category='shampoo-tier-1′ activeurl='new' style='normal' interface='grid3′ tooltip='false' description='true' limit='0′ ]Next Best
The following list consists of our second place choices. These brands may contain up to two ingredients of mild concern including potassium sorbate, dimethicone and behentrimonium chloride.
[show-logos orderby='none' category='shampoo-tier-2′ activeurl='new' style='normal' interface='grid4′ tooltip='false' description='true' limit='0′ ]Still Great
Third place, but still great. These brands of shampoo and conditioner may contain up to three ingredients of concern, although they appear at the bottom of the ingredients list which usually means there's a pretty small amount present in the product. The ingredients we found include behentrimonium chloride, potassium sorbate and tocopheryl acetate. None of them are especially harmful, but are worth noting.
[show-logos orderby='none' category='shampoo-tier-3′ activeurl='new' style='normal' interface='grid4′ tooltip='false' description='true' limit='0′ ]What's your favorite non-toxic shampoo brand?
68 comments
What about Pure Haven Essentials Shampoo???
I second that!
Thanks you two! We added Pure Haven Essentials to our recommendations. ~The Soft Landing Sisters
How about 100 Percent Pure?
We have conflicting information about 100% Pure, so we’ve elected to leave them off the list until we can learn more. ~The Soft Landing Sisters
What about for dandruff
Hi Heather, We hope to add a dandruff shampoo soon! ~The Soft Landing Sisters
What about Babo Botanicals?
Yes! I was wondering about this too.
Babo Botanicals didn’t make our list because we excluded brands that contain quaternium ingredients. ~The Soft Landing Sisters
I’ve been using Alba Botanical. Did you guys look at that one? I’m nervous it isn’t on the list!
Alba Botanica didn’t make the list because their shampoos and conditioners contain a handful of questionable ingredients. Not the worst option, just not good enough for our purposes. ~The Soft Landing Sisters
Miessence would be in “the best” category
Added! ~The Soft Landing Sisters
Did you look at Deep Steep shampoo and conditioner?? it is one of the few that claims to be color safe (better than most but still not like it was pre-chemical free!)
The Deep Steep brand uses a couple of questionable ingredients: potassium sorbate and “aroma.” Potassium sorbate isn’t overly alarming, but aroma is often a synonym to the umbrella term “fragrance” which is something we avoid at all times.
As defined by EWG, “The word “fragrance” or “parfum” [or “aroma”] on the product label represents an undisclosed mixture of various scent chemicals and ingredients used as fragrance dispersants such as diethyl phthalate. Fragrance mixes have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential effects on the reproductive system.”
More research is definitely necessary to determine the safety of any Deep Steep products that contain aroma, however, there appears to be several Deep Steep hair care products that don’t contain an aroma ingredient, and those would be safe to use. ~The Soft Landing Sisters
Go Poofy
Wondering about Intelligent Nutrients brand – Pure Lux shampoo and conditioner?? Thanks
Hi Lisa, A quick look at Pure Luxe ingredients doesn’t reveal too much to worry about, so we’d put them in our “Still Great” category because they do use potassium sorbate and tocopherol. Great find! ~The Soft Landing Sisters
How would you rate pure and gentle shampoo?
Hi Alisa, We’d love to weigh in on Pure and Gentle, but there are no ingredients lists on their website that we can find. ~The Soft Landing Sisters
Great article! What about Zija International’s GenM shampoo and conditioner? 🙂
Thanks, Cristen! We can’t find ingredients lists on the Zija website which always raises a red flag, so we won’t be able to add them to our recommendations at this time. ~The Soft Landing Sisters
Lush Cosmetics
Hi Steph, Lush Cosmetics did not make our list because some of their shampoo products contain fragrance and parabens. ~The Soft Landing Sisters
I have been using Renpure for a while. Is it on your list?
Hi Niki, Renpure isn’t on our list because their products contain many ingredients we can’t recommend including fragrance and diazolidinyl urea. ~The Soft Landing Sisters
Which one of these brands come in a scent-free version?
Hi Erin, Each brand has various formulations and many have scent-free versions. You can follow the links provided to see their full lines, or do a quick internet search to find the information you’re looking for. ~The Soft Landing Sisters
Did you look at Seaweed Bath Co? Curious where it stacks up for you. http://seaweedbathco.com/collections/hair Thanks!!
Hi Ellen, a quick perusal of their ingredients revealed several questionable ingredients including cocamidopropyl betaine, polyquaternium-70 and potassium sorbate, so we can’t recommend Seaweed Bath Co products at this time. ~The Soft Landing Sisters
Miracle 2 soap…Truly is a miracle 🙂
Hi Kimberly, Miracle 2 soap looks interesting, but I don’t see a thorough ingredients list on their website. It seems pretty vague, so we can’t add it to our recommendations at this time: http://www.miraclesoap.com/more/soap.html. ~The Soft Landing Sisters
I wouldn’t have California Baby up too when it has sodium benzoate which is molecularly close to Benzene, a known carcinogen.
Also, I would check out O’Hair.
Thanks for your input, Megan. We’ve determined that sodium benzoate is safe enough to be an ingredient in our recommendations. ~The Soft Landing Sisters
How does Jason brand rate?
Do you know how the EO brand stands up?
I love that you thoroughly researched this and have responded to readers’ suggestions! My favorite is PUREhaven Essentials!
What about Beautycounter?
What about Aveda ??
Aveda didn’t make our list because their products contain a handful of questionable ingredients. ~The Soft Landing Sisters
What about Savonnerie shampoo?
Hi Karen, Savonnerie shampoo contains several toxic ingredients, so we can’t recommend those products. ~The Soft Landing Sisters
Do you have recommendations for conditioning the hair. Also what are your feelings on Color Shampoo/condition example Aveda Blue Malva.
Hi Tessa, Our list includes conditioners of the same brands. We didn’t include Aveda because their products contain a handful of ingredients we can’t recommend using. ~The Soft Landing Sisters
How does Petal Fresh shampoo rate?
What about Little Twig and EO kids wash? Also, Nature’s Gate.
Curious about “Live Clean”
Any thoughts on Davines or Monat?
Lemongrass Spa is a great option too!
How about Carol’s Daughter?
What about https://jrliggett.com/bar-shampoo/2-bar-bundle-special-offer.html#product_tabs_ingredients
Any thoughts about Monat and Davines?
Have you looked at the Young Living shampoo and conditioner?
Have you seen Tate’s the Natural Miracle? Love this product!
What about Sukin Australian Natural Skincare shampoo and conditioner?
You should look at Max & Madeleine’s products! Transparent ingredients and all natural, many organic. https://shop.maxandmadeleine.com/oregon
What about WEN?Ive heard good,bad and horror stories
I love Alaffia brand shampoos and conditioners. I started using them a few years ago and noticed a drastic change in the health of my hair. It became so soft and happy. I have a lot of coarse curly hair that had always felt like a curse but I was using the wrong shampoo and conditioner. I’ve recently started using the Shea Moisture brand and like it as well. I’m considering giving the no ‘poo a try though. 🙂
What do you know about BWC shampoo?
Hi,
Have you checked into Babyganics? I have gotten this product before in the past and I like to use the butt cream, sunscreen, and bug spray for my child because they don’t come off as harmful with the ingredients. Let me know what you think or can find out. Thank you.
Hi Talia! We’re not familiar with BWC shampoo, so I’m afraid we aren’t able to help.
So many brands to choose from.
Hi! I had used TRESemme products for quite some time now and recently found out that there is a recall…. I have been experiencing hair loss, scalp redness and irritation. I had to seek medical attention a few weeks ago. What shampoo and conditioner would you recommend that I use now to hopefully get my long thick hair back???
I cannot see the Barnard you list in the article??? I can read your article but the paragraphs that list brands is “in code”?
I can’t see the list. I really want this information.
Disappointed I cannot see this list. As another reader mentioned, it appears to be displaying the code rather than the actual list.
Same! I can’t see it either 🙁