Kit by: Audrey E.
Co-Founder | Agreeable & Co.
We all wash our hair often (hopefully!), but many shampoos for “healthy looking hair” are not healthy at all. Some contain harsh surfactants, irritants, and chemical cocktails that seep into our bodies through our scalp. Ew. Below is a list of healthy alternatives! Here’s is my list of the top 10 shampoos, based on overall experience, ecological impact, and social responsibility (i.e. shampoos made by socially responsible brands).
There is no order or rank to this list. Based on our research, each of these products — and their associated brands — fulfills our standards for eco-consciousness and social responsibility, possessing their own unique initiatives and environmental efforts. For this reason, we deem all of these shampoos more beneficial than conventional shampoos, for you and for the planet.
So, what research did we do? We consulted several third party ingredient glossaries (such as the Environmental Working Group and the FDA) and peer reviewed scientific articles from various academic journals (many of which can be found through Google Scholar, if you’re interested). We looked for shampoo solutions that had high levels of biodegradability and low levels of toxicity. In marketing terminology, we took the all-natural and chemical-free route. These products are almost entirely botanicaly-based, effective and well-reviewed!
If you’ve got a great idea for a top 10 list, let us know!
Top 10 List of Eco Friendly Shampoo – Rated & Reviewed
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Top 10 List of Eco Friendly Shampoos – Rated & Reviewed
Organic, Vegan & Biodegradable Shampoos – Free of Harsh Chemicals
Organic Argan Oil, Stem Cell Shampoo – Free of Sulfates, Parabens, Phthalates, Petroleum, PEG
By: Acure Organics
A Better Alternative
To begin the list, which again is in no formal order, I’ll begin with this organic argan oil shampoo by Acure Organics. According to our research, this product rates high for biodegradability and, furthermore, both The Good Guide(TM) and The EWG (Environmental Working Group) Guide give this product a high rating across several metrics related to ingredient quality and sustainability. I’ve also used this particular shampoo and it’s done me well — no overpowering scents or skin irritations. Customer reviews reflect a similar approval.
RATING
Organic Sweet Orange & Cranberry Herbal Shampoo – Free of Petrochemicals, Dyes, Parabens, Phthalates, SLS
By: Herbal Choice Mari
A Better Alternative
This brand usually flies under the radar. It’s a relatively small company, but crafts effective and ecologically low-impact bath and beauty products. This organic shampoo has all the seals and certifications you’d want your shampoo to have — plus, like the shampoo above, it’s ranked well by the EWG. Additional research on the ingredients list shows that this product is completely plant and botanical -based, which suggests, in this case, that this shampoo is truly all natural and raises little to no health concerns.
RATING
Non-GMO Lavender & Biotin Full Volume Shampoo – Fair Trade, Sulfate-Free
By: Andalou Naturals
A Better Alternative
Andalou Naturals is a relatively new brand to hit the shelves. I’ve been seeing them in more and more health stores and many of the Whole Foods in my area — so, I decided to do some research to learn about the company. Two things stood out: 1. Andalou Naturals engages in several forms of philanthropy and is a long-time supporter of a women’s health and wellness initiative; 2. they use stem cell research to ensure that their products are effective and biodegradable. In a word, they’re great and I recommend them for several reasons.
RATING
Handmade, Small-Batch Complete Organic Haircare Set – Sulfate-Free, 100% Natural
By: Essential 8
A Better Alternative
It’s important to recognize small, family or personal companies that are trying to make a positive shift towards conscious consumption. This is one way to bring them to light. In researching eco-friendly shampoo products, I came across this one-woman owned company, Essential 8, on Etsy. She handcrafts small-batch, plant-based, sulfate-free hair care products and sets. I have yet to try it, but the reviews suggest that her creations get the job done.
RATING
Hand-Harvested, All Natural Moisturizing Unscented Argan Seaweed Shampoo – Paraben-Free, SLS-free, No Dyes
By: The Seaweed Bath Co.
A Better Alternative
A recent favorite of mine. The Seaweed Bath Co. handcrafts high-quality skin and hair care products with all-natural and sustainably harvested fresh bladderwrack seaweed off the coast of Maine. Their product philosophy was born out of a desire to help empower customers with sensitive skin and innovate in a way that would support local communities and protect the greater ecological community. So yeah, take a bath in the ocean…literally.
RATING
All Natural Dry Remedy Moisturizing Shampoo with Botanical Essential Oils
By: AVEDA
A Better Alternative
Although bath and beauty products by AVEDA have been around for a while, I actually only came about them during this search. Like the shampoos I mentioned at the top of the page, this product is similarly highly ranked by The Good Guide and EWG for its ingredient quality and health (i.e., in that its ingredients raise little to no health concerns). After some additional digging, I found there company page, which includes links to sustainability reports that they conduct. I’ll let you read it for yourself, but, in short, their facilities use renewable, clean Wind Power, they use 100% recycled materials for their packaging, and they abide by the CERES Principles (Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies). Try their products, and check them out.
RATING
Organic, Plant & Botanical -Based Moisturizing Shampoo – Free of Harsh Chemicals
By: Miessence
A Better Alternative
Although this shampoo and associated company is based in Australia and may have a slightly more expensive shipping cost, I want to share them with you all. (Plus, I’m pretty sure you can find them on Amazon and get it shipped from within the USA).
I hear quite a bit that people want a completely plant and botanical -based shampoo and body wash, so…here. This shampoo only has 12 ingredients and each is sourced pretty much directly from a plant. This is not only a biodegradable shampoo, and thus eco-friendly, but is also an incredibly effective and chemical free way to wash your hair.
RATING
Fair Trade, All Organic Citrus Shampoo & Rinse – Free of Harsh Chemicals
By: Dr. Bronner’s Organic
A Better Alternative
I’m sure you’ve heard of Dr. Bronner’s before — but I couldn’t not include their shampoo on this list. Besides being composed of a simple and clean list of plant-based essential oils and extracts, Dr. Bronner’s, as a company and brand, is highly respected by many environmental and social organizations and NGOs. Their products are Fair Trade certified, use organic ingredients, and, furthermore, they write their brilliant brand mission and philosophy right on each of their products. Read it. I promise.
RATING
Organic Biotin-B Complex Thickening Shampoo – Free of Parabens, Harsh Sulfates, Synthetic Colors, Phthalates
By: Avalon Organics
A Better Alternative
Again, pretty much no surprise here. Avalon Organics® is a classic pick for eco-friendly bath and beauty products. Avalon makes certified organic personal care products, ranging from all-natural hand lotions and facial cleansers, to shower gels. Their products are free of harsh surfactants, formaldehyde donors and are made with no synthetic fragrances and artificial colors. Their ingredients consist of botanical extracts, essential plant oils and are NSF Organic Certified. To ensure ethical practices, their products are Leaping Bunny Program Certified. Avalon Organics® also donates to the Breast Cancer Fund (BCF) in an effort to promote conscious cosmetic practices.
RATING
Organic, Nourishing Coconut Shampoo – Free of Phosphates, SLS, Parabens, EDTA, Petroleum
By: Desert Essence
A Better Alternative
Last, but certainly not least, is this nourishing organic coconut shampoo by Desert Essence. This is another product that you’ve probably seen at several health food and supply stores, but perhaps haven’t taken a deeper look at. I’ve picked this particular link to Amazon as this page shows the back of the product (i.e., a location that generally has the most abundant and important information). Besides seeing that it’s free of several of the chemicals that tend to raise health concerns, you’ll see that this product was made using Wind Power. I went to the site to verify this and found several other efforts towards social responsibility and sustainability. As for my personal review, this shampoo is also incredibly effective and never leaves my hair feeling dry.
RATING
View Our Research Standards.
Each of our six badges has its own unique set of metrics. These are some of the qualities (i.e., metrics) we try to look into when assessing a product and brand with respect to each of our badges:
Socially Responsible (purple triangle):
+ Does the company abide by Fair Trade Practices, or is it Fair Trade Certified;
+ Is there a commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR);
+ Is the company philanthropic – does it donate goods or services to environmental or humanitarian efforts;
+ Does the brand promote corporate transparency;
+ Are there any community engagement initiatives set in place;
+ Does the company communicate healthy and equitable working conditions along the supply chain;
+ Does the brand abide by fair and honorable employment values;
+ Is there a disclosure of sourcing methods, and are such materials or ingredients sourced responsibly;
+ Does the brand have a cause-driven mission towards human & environmental health & well-being.
*We do not conduct in-person audits. Oftentimes we will consult the language and standards set by third-party certifications and seals such as Fair Trade Certified, B Corp Certified, Rainforest Alliance Certified, Green America Certified, etc. We will, however, do independent research with respect to certain badges and utilize peer-reviewed articles. Also, please note that according to the Journal of Economics and the EPA, “social responsibility” does include practices and commitments that support environmental health and well-being; thus, the qualities of this badge may overlap with our other badges.
Eco-Conscious (red triangle):
+ Does the company practice sustainable modes of production;
+ Is the product composed of materials and/or ingredients that are biodegradable;
+ Are the materials and/or ingredients compostable;
+ Does the company have carbon reduction or mitigation strategies set in place;
+ Do the involved materials and/or ingredients have a relatively low environmentally impact;
+ Does the company utilize reduce or reuse principles in their facilities;
+ Does the company use renewable or efficient energy technologies in the production of their good(s);
+ Are there practices in place that work to maintain ecosystem biodiversity;
+ Is environmental stewardship a part of their business model.
*We aim to be transparent and objective when it comes to labeling a product as “Eco-Conscious”, and reject “greenwashing”. According to marketing and advertising standards set by The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Green Guides, it is most accurate to communicate not that a product is necessarily “good” for the environment, but that it is a “better environmental alternative”. This is the message we aim to communicate in labeling a product as “Eco-Conscious”.
Quality Materials/Ingredients (M/I) (green triangle):
+ Does the product contain organic or certified organic m/i;
+ Is there a significant degree of m/i ‘naturalness’;
+ Is the product non-GMO or Verified Non-GMO;
+ Are the m/i biodegradable;
+ Are the m/i compostable;
+ Do the m/i raise little to no concern in terms of m/i toxicity;
+ Is the product treated with harsh chemicals;
+ Is there a healthy ratio of synthetic or artificial m/i to natural m/i;
*For select “Pantry” products, we may look into health and nutritional value.
*For select products, we may consult reviews to assess m/i effectiveness.
*Generally, these are the ingredients that we try to steer clear of: Acesulfame-K (acesulfame potassium), Acetylated ester of mono- and diglycerides, Ammonium chloride, Antibiotics, Artificial colors (Synthetic and FD&C Certified), Artificial flavors, Aspartame, Astaxanthin, Azodicarbonamide, Bentonite, Benzoates, BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), Bisulfites, Bromated flour, Brominated vegetable oil (BVO), Calcium bromate, Calcium disodium, EDTA, Calcium peroxide, Calcium propionate, Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate, Calcium sorbate, Caprocaprylobehenin Carmine, DATEM (diacetyl tartaric and fatty acid esters of mono and diglycerides), Diglycerides (acceptable in supplements), Dimethylpolysiloxane, Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS), Disodium calcium EDTA, Disodium dihydrogen, Disodium guanylate (GMP), Disodium succinate, Dimethylamylamine (DMAA)… Read more at Free From 101.
To see the rest of our badges and read our full list of indicators, please visit our “About” page.
Have a question? I’ll answer.
6 Comments
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On your top 10 shampoos I was wondering what other shampoos were in the running. I’m a big fan of Alterna hair cares bamboo line and was hoping to see them on the list.
Hey Megan, thanks for taking the time to comment! Perhaps we should have made this more explicit in our post, but we considered about 55-60 shampoo brands for this post. We also should have made more clear that we hope to do another post for top shampoos, based on another quality. Alterna makes a relatively good shampoo, but several of the ingredients in their bamboo shampoo raise a moderate level of concern according to the Environmental Working Group. Moreover, we couldn’t gather enough information about the company itself and how their facilities incorporate sustainability. Happy to hear your thoughts!
Helpful post!! I’ll come back to this, I need a good shampoo. What’s the next list that you’re going to do?
Thank you! Yeah, please come back and use this list as a reference. We’re here to help. The next list will hopefully be on vegan restaurants – stay tuned!
are these shampoos expensive?
Given the ingredient quality, I would say the price is fair. However, each shampoo has a different price, some more expensive than others. If you’re interested in seeing the price, click the “Available on” button.