Shopping for organic shampoos can be a bit of a minefield. Have you heard of the term “greenwashing”? It is a term used to describe the deceptive practice of hiding unpleasant information through “green” marketing and advertising claims. When it comes to organic shampoos, greenwashing is rampant. A company may claim to use all-natural and organic ingredients, while simultaneously glossing over the fact that their formulas also contain toxic and irritating chemicals. This can be especially challenging for people with sensitive skin and scalp conditions who need absolutely pure formulas (like seborrheic dermatitis, folliculitis, psoriasis, and hair loss).
If you’ve been searching for a truly organic shampoo, then you’ve come to the right place. We set the bar high for this top list of the best organic shampoo products. Our research began with over 200 so-called “natural” products and it was eventually whittled down to just 27 products that made the cut. Not only does every organic shampoo on this list contain organic and all-natural ingredients, but you won’t find any sulfates, parabens, irritating foaming agents, phthalates, formaldehyde, oxybenzone, ethoxylated ingredients, polysorbates, phenoxyethanol, petrochemicals, triclosan, TEA/DEA, synthetic fragrances and colors, or any other ingredients from our prohibited list.
With that said, finding the right organic shampoo for your hair type can still be a process of trial and error. If you’re making the switch from synthetic hair products over to organic/natural products, it is important to know that it may take some time for your hair to properly detox and adjust. Since many organic shampoo formulas do not contain harsh detergents or foaming agents, it can take several washes to fully remove any leftover residues and buildup. You can speed this process up with a simple apple cider vinegar hair detox. Just mix ¼ cup organic apple cider vinegar into 2 cups of water and thoroughly rinse your hair with this solution once per week. This will help to eliminate residual grime without stripping your hair of its natural oils.
Want a great organic conditioner to go along with your new organic shampoo? Then check out our guide to The Best Organic Conditioners That Are Truly All-Natural!
Want our experts to choose the best organic shampoo & conditioner for your hair type? Then, check out The Ox Box! The Ox Box is a premium organic skin care subscription box filled with products that have been hand-selected for your specific skin type and skin conditions.
It’s really scary to have toxic shampoos at home. Thanks for sharing these non-toxic shampoos!
Thanks! I’m so happy that you found it helpful 🙂
Great list, I have to try some of these. I currently like using Maple Holisitcs because I find it does a good job.
Thanks, Jessica! We took a look at Maple Holistics and they unfortunately use some ingredients that we don’t allow on our lists. Doesn’t necessarily mean that they are “bad,” but we like to feature the purest best of the best!
Would love a list of the products that didn’t make the cut.
Thanks Amanda! That would be a SUPER long list 🙂
Which shampoo is the best for very thin gray hair? The reason for shampoo for gray hair is that my gray is turning yellow. My hair is all natural.
Hi Crystal! We didn’t test these products on gray hair types, so I can’t offer a specific recommendation. However, if you are not currently using an all natural, sulfate free, and gentle shampoo, then perhaps the chemicals in your conventional shampoo are causing the yellow tinge? Try a super pure Shampoo like 100% Pure or Josh Rosebrook’s formulation and see how your hair reacts!
Hair spray and certain shampoos heavy in alkaline along with unfiltered water from home can cause yellowing of gray hair. You can check at any professional hair supply store or ask a hair stylist for tips.
What if you have severe seasonal allergies to several plants and nuts what do you use then? A lot of the substances in the shampoos you list cause me to break out in hives.
Thanks for the note, Mary. So sorry to hear about your allergies. You should look for a very very pure shampoo (maybe make your own simple shampoo at home?). Check out Bubble & Bee, they have really simple shampoo products with very little nuts and herbs.
I don’t really have a comment, more a question. Where can I find a cleansing and clarifying shampoo without artificial ( chemicals) and preservatives, with a natural lemon scent? All I come across is Avalon. Avalon used to be somewhat okay, but not anymore.
Hi Debby! Have you checked out Bubble & Bee’s Organic Lemon Shampoo? It’s 100% clean with no artificial anything!
Hi! I absolutely love this list. It’s incredibly helpful as I have just started looking into my “cleaner” life. I’m dealing with skin and scalp irritations along with hormone imbalance as mentioned a few times. I plan on trying a few options (thanks to this site!) but would you have a good “ease in” shampoo and conditioner suggestion for the detoxify process? Thanks!!
100% Pure’s shampoos for sure!
Which shampoo would fix the problem of not only dry flaky scalp but also crazy frizzy hair? I have straight hair and have tried a bunch of products to help get rid of the frizz. I need moisture to come back ti my hair! Just came out of a hair salon and obviously my hair is soft and silky but I don’t want to use harsh chemicals on my hair. Please help 🙏.
Either 100% Pure’s Moisture Drench Shampoo/Conditioner or Josh Rosebrook’s Shampoo/Conditioner. Both are great!
Hello, Thank you so much for your article. I am looking for an all natural shampoo and conditioner that is good for dry and itchy scalp. I am also on a budget at this time. What would you recommend. Thank you.
Check out 100% Pure’s line of shampoos and conditioners (the burdock & neem shampoo might be good for an inflamed scalp). They usually offer them in two sizes so you can try them on a budget. I think they also have samples!