Natural VS. The living thing
All products included are made with safe, non-toxic ingredients. By “natural”, we mean that the shampoos do not contain harmful synthetic ingredients, are derived from plants or natural sources, and are considered safe. Some of the options are also organic, or contain organic ingredients. This means that the ingredients were produced without the use of synthetic chemicals such as certain pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers.
There are several “organic” options. To be certified organic, a product must contain at least 70% organic ingredients. Since organic ingredients are more expensive, it doesn’t mean that it’s too difficult to find organic shampoo at the drugstore. However, there are good options out there — and there are many good options for affordable natural shampoos.
Brands included
These are my favorite natural shampoo brands, included in this guide:
- Rahua (the best of all)
- Acure (a leading drug store)
- Ordered
- Innersense
- Carina Organics
- SheaMoisture
- Evolvh
- Avalon Organics
- Andalou Naturals
1. Best Overall: Rahua
I’ve tried a few products from Rahua and they are some of my favorites on the market—not just my favorite natural options. Their Classic Shampoo and Conditioner leave your hair feeling soft while leaving your scalp clean. They offer several options depending on your hair goals and needs – whether you want to add volume or maintain your color.
My favorite is their Hydration combo which is a lifesaver for damaged hair. Also, it is one of the best smelling shampoos ever. This brand is sustainable, 100% organic, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and made with natural ingredients. They donate part of the proceeds to protect the Amazon rainforest and the communities they work with to grow essential ingredients.
What Shampoos does Rahua offer?
2. Best Drug Store: Acure
Acure offers everything from skin care to body and hair care, and they have some of the most affordable non-toxic products on the market. Although their ingredients are pure, they are not organic. But if you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, you can’t beat their prices: 8 fl oz (236mL) shampoo is only $9.99.
For example, the best sellers are the Ultra Hydrating Shampoo and the same conditioner. It leaves your hair shiny and manageable, and it’s vegan like all products from Acure. None of their shampoos and conditioners contain parabens, sulfates, mineral oil and other iffy ingredients.
What Shampoos does Rahua offer?
3. Order
Odele is a very new brand, and their ingredients are amazing. They recently reformulated their products and their current ingredient list does not contain anything harmful or harmful, and their fragrance is natural. You can find them at a few drugstores and Ulta, which makes them easy to find.
Their shampoos work very well and the same as any popular brand, and are a “salon-grade” product without the price tag. You can choose between different shampoo and conditioner combos depending on your hair type: their Volumizing shampoo is recommended for fine to medium straight to wavy hair, and their Smoothing Shampoo is best for medium to coarse hair, or very dry or damaged hair.
4. Mind
Innersense was founded in 2005 by two hairdressers who both felt the need for quality hair products that were also natural and non-toxic. Their entire range contains organic ingredients, and their goal is to make products that are as safe and effective as possible.
Their line includes clean styling products and everything you need to care for your hair beyond the basics. Their shampoos are “hairbaths” for the perfect touch. They even have a purple hairbath perfect for blondes. Remember that every shampoo has an accompanying conditioner.
Buy From: Credo
5. Carina Organics
I first had the opportunity to try this product when I started my blog, and they really stood out. It’s one of the few budget-friendly products that uses organic ingredients, and it’s also 100% vegan and natural (yes).
What I also like is that they offer some fragrance-free products, which makes them perfect for those with allergies or sensitivities. Likewise, they have a very special, unscented baby shampoo. This is a Canadian company but they also ship to the United States.
6. SheaMoisture
SheaMoisture has been around for a long time, and was one of the first brands made for black hair. They only use essential natural ingredients like Castor Oil, Black African Soap, or Argan Oil, but all of their formulas are non-toxic. They are available at most drug stores.
If you’re looking for a natural shampoo and conditioner that’s perfect for curly or curly hair, look no further. They have so many options ranging from dry hair to severely damaged hair. They also have a shampoo suitable for all hair types, and although most of their products target dry hair, they can work for normal or oily hair as well.
7. EVOLVh
EVOLVh has been around since 2009, long before the clean beauty movement was as big as it is now. They offer a line of pure shampoos and conditioners that work on all hair types.
All of their products are free of chemical fragrances, and avoid common additives such as sulfates, parabens, propylene glycol, and silicones. Everything in their line is also vegan and cruelty-free, of course, and uses only natural and organic ingredients.
EVOLVH is also included in one of the Best Beauty Boxes!
8. Avalon Organics
Avalon Organics offers a range of affordable hair, skin care and body care. Although no shampoo can really be 100% natural, all their products are certified by 2 organizations in the US, which means that their ingredients are at least 70% organic.
All of their products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free, and are some of the most affordable on our list, with a 32 oz bottle coming in at under $20. Avalon Organics is available on Amazon.com and at other Whole Foods stores in the US.
9. Andalou Naturals
Andalou Naturals is a certified Non-GMO Project brand that was founded in 2010 as a skincare brand, and quickly expanded into hair care (including its shampoos) in 2012.
All of their shampoos are cruelty-free and 100% vegan (they have a few skincare products that contain manuka honey) and their packaging is 100% recyclable BPA plastic.
For every shampoo, there is an accompanying conditioner as well.
The decision
Today, it is not difficult to find a great organic or natural shampoo that is not only free from any animal testing, but also has safe ingredients, and it works. Whether you’re looking for a drugstore shampoo or you’re willing to splurge for the best quality, there’s a choice for every budget.
To help you decide, here’s a quick roundup of our top picks:
Best overall: Rahua Classic Shampoo ($36)
Best drug store: Acure Ultra Hydrating Shampoo ($9.99)
Best for sensitive scalps: Avalon Organics Unscented Dandruff Flake Shampoo ($14.99)
Which Brands Are Cruelty Free?
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