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We’ve personally tested and researched dozens of nontoxic hair sprays and hair gels — these are our editor’s top picks for safe, clean options at a range of price points.

We love a great hair day — the kind where your curls fall just right or you finally achieve the styling miracle your hairstylist performs when you go to the salon. Once your hair is styled to your liking, you want it to stay put all day. But the reality behind traditional hairsprays is…not so pretty. Many hair stylers contain phthalates and parabens, which are known endocrine disruptors linked to hormonal imbalances, reproductive issues, allergic reactions, and more. That’s a no from us!

What is nontoxic hairspray?

Most conventional hairsprays rely on volatile organic compounds (VOCs), along with solvents and propellants that become airborne the second you spray them. Inhaling these chemicals in a small bathroom (we’ve all been there) can lead to coughing, irritation, and longer-term health concerns. Research cited by the National Library of Medicine points to ingredients like methylene chloride — a common ingredient in hairspray — being linked to reproductive harm and central nervous system depression. And according to the American Lung Association, exposure to VOCs from personal care products can contribute to respiratory issues and indoor air pollution.

Nontoxic hairspray is free of these potentially harmful ingredients like phthalates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances. Instead, ingredients are plant-derived, organic, and natural, providing hold, movement, and shine without the risk.

Because looking good shouldn’t come at the expense of your lungs (or your hormones), we’ve rounded up the best nontoxic hairsprays and styling gels — so you can lock in your look, toxin-free.

Our criteria:

Our editors have tested, researched, and scoured thousands of customer reviews to determine the very best natural hair styling brands. These brands are organic, free of harmful chemicals, and a pleasure to use, coming in at a variety of price points. We update this list regularly with emerging favorites that meet the criteria below.

• NATURAL/ORGANIC | Each of these hair sprays and gels is made with clean, natural, and organic ingredients that are safe and nourishing for your locks.
• EFFICACY | We’ve tested and researched the best nontoxic hair sprays to ensure their formulas are effective and will give you the hold you desire — without any crunch or residue.
• AFFORDABILITY | We know that styling your hair is just one part of your morning get-ready routine! We’ve included nontoxic hair care brands that are easy on the wallet, so we can all benefit from the products.

While we’re talking about your hair journey, here are our favorite hair masks (with DIY at-home options!) and the best supplements for hair growth if your goal is to grow your hair long and strong.

1. Dae

Best For | Fresh scent and heat protection
Ingredients | Citrus peel oil, moringa seed oil, prickly pear seed oil
Price | $30 for 7 fl oz of the Sunsetter Hairspray

Dae’s cruelty-free and vegan hairspray is one of few aerosols on our list. It offers a strong yet brushable hold for a style that lasts all day — while still letting you run your fingers through your hair. With hydrators like prickly pear seed oil (rich in vitamin E and amino acids that give your hair strength and shine) amidst the brand’s signature desert botanicals, you can expect a high-performing mist that moisturizes as well as it holds. Topped with a fresh citrus-vanilla scent, your shiny locks will have everyone asking, “Who smells so good?”

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2. Josh Rosebrook

Best For | Buildable hold and hair care benefits
Ingredients | Organic brown rice extract, organic orange peel & essential oils, organic yucca starch
Price | $20 for 4 fl oz of the Firm Hold Hair Spray

For hair that won’t budge all day long, we turn to Josh Rosebrook’s Firm Hold Hair Spray. This spray is specifically designed for a firm hold — without the “crunch” — all made possible by the organic brown rice extract and yucca starch. The essential oils and plant extracts ensure that your hair won’t be damaged along the way, instead supporting continued hair growth. Light, effective, and nontoxic… What’s not to love?

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3. Innersense

Best For | Propellant free flexible hold with added shine
Ingredients | Certified organic honey, rooibos tea, rice protein, lavender oil
Price | $28 for 10 fl oz of I Create Finish; $10 for 2 fl oz travel size

We love Innersense for its truly clean yet effective hair care, and I Create Finish is no exception. Great for both wet or dry styling and a fit for all hair types and textures, this spray offers enough versatility for nearly any styling routine. Organic honey (we promise it’s not sticky) locks in moisture and rooibos tea works to protect your hair from damage, all while offering a lightweight hold and a glossy (never greasy!) finish. And we haven’t even mentioned the soothing scent courtesy of lavender essential oil — no synthetic fragrance here!

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4. Rahua

Best For | Fighting frizz and salon-level performance
Ingredients | Rahua oil, sugarcane, aloe vera, green tea
Price | $45 for 6.5 fl oz of the Defining Hair Spray

We love this non-aerosol, plant-powered styling spray from Rahua for its salon-quality hold (the founder is renowned hair stylist Fabian Lliguin, after all) without any stickiness. Sugarcane extract provides a firm hold while aloe vera smooths and hydrates, keeping hair healthy and touchable. Natural notes of orange, palo santo, and geranium leave a subtle, refreshing scent. Perfect for all styles, from sleek updos to voluminous blowouts, it delivers all-day, frizz-resistant hold while still allowing natural movement. Best of all, many ingredients are harvested sustainably through the brand’s Symbiotic® partnerships, which honor Indigenous preparation methods, ensure ethical sourcing of raw materials, and provide jobs for women in the Amazon.

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5. Living Proof

Best For | Versatility and color-treated hair
Ingredients | Provitamin B5, plant-based emulsifiers
Price | $34 for 7.5 fl oz of the Style Lab® Flex Hairspray; $18 for 3 fl oz travel size

Set, style, and finish — all in one bottle. Free from silicones and oils that can weigh hair down, Living Proof‘s Style Lab® Flex Hairspray keeps color-treated and chemically processed hair healthy, touchable, and full of movement. This lightweight spray lets you rework your style throughout the day, and its light citrusy fragrance uplifts with every touchup.

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6. The Barb Shop

Best For | Waves and curls, above-the-shoulder styles
Ingredients | Aloe vera leaf juice, provitamin B5, rice protein, shea butter
Price | $30 for 3 fl oz of the Go-To Styling Cream

The Barb Shop creates styling products for short hair — think pixies, bobs, buzzcuts, and beyond. The brand’s styling cream offers the lightweight hold of a hairspray with the touchability of an air dry cream. Available with or without The Barb Shop’s signature (herbaceous, fresh-from-a-haircut) original scent, use this on waves and curls to define your natural texture or on straight hair to smooth, fight frizz, and add volume without any stiffness.

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7. Ceremonia

Best For | Defining curls and slicked back styles
Ingredients | Açai extract, aloe vera powder, Pequi oil
Price | $26 for 6.7 fl oz of the Pequi Styling Gel

This award-winning hair gel is begging to be the shining star of your next slicked-back bun. Offering hold and definition without a sticky, crunchy residue, Ceremonia‘s Pequi Styling Gel promises to maintain your style all day and fight frizz and flyaways, no matter the climate. Reviewers specifically call out how great this product is for textured and coily hair, thanks to nutrient-rich, deeply hydrating Pequi oil. Knowing 97% of users would recommend this gel to a friend… What are you waiting for?

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8. Sienna Naturals

Best For | Curls, braids, and dry, sensitive scalps
Ingredients | Aloe vera juice, baobab protein, essential oils & floral extracts
Price | $30 for 8 fl oz of Dream Curl Mousse

The name says it all — this mousse is a dream for curls! Made with all hair textures (as well as braids) in mind, your strands will stay in place all day with this ultra-hydrating formula from Sienna Naturals. Style your curls as you please, whether you’re an air dry kind of gal or you take the time to diffuse — and achieve a moderate to firm hold depending on how much product you use each day. The mousse’s fresh, floral scent comes from an essential oil blend that includes orange, chamomile, and rose. Yum!

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9. Prose

Best For | Custom formulas and humid locations
Ingredients | Varies by person, aloe vera juice, sea moss, hyaluronic acid
Price | $32 for 8.5 fl oz of the Custom Styling Gel

Prose knows your unique hair can’t be put into quick and easy categories. Its custom formulas take over 85 (!) factors into account — hair porosity, texture, where you live, and even your diet — creating products that give your hair exactly what it needs. Nothing more, nothing less. Formulas can also be adjusted in real time based on your feedback or to accommodate season changes. The brand’s consultation process takes less than 10 minutes and if you prefer a visual experience over multiple choice, they’ve got you covered! The result? A styling gel made just for you and your hair’s needs.

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