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I’ve personally tested the best natural and organic shampoos and conditioners on the market — these are my top 12 picks with clean, organic ingredients.
One of my best friends in middle school had gorgeous, straight, shiny hair. I remember envying her. Mine was textured, wavy, voluminous, and reacted to every bit of humidity. All things I’ve learned to love now, but when I was 12, I thought I had a shampoo problem. I insisted on switching to the $3 Suave shampoo my friend used, thinking that would change my texture.
Much to my chagrin, my hair didn’t get any straighter. And when I insisted my babysitter straighten my hair with a clothing iron, my mom was seriously unhappy. I had to learn to accept the texture and shape of my own hair.
“These days, I’m not straightening or scrunching my hair anymore; I am embracing my natural texture.”
In high school, I found a new hair idol — a girl with waves who religiously “scrunched” her hair. I followed her lead: Sleep with my hair in a messy bun, take it out in the morning, flip my head over, and spray loads of Aussie Sprunch Spray in my hair while crunching it with my hands to create gelled waves for school. A style that actually worked with my natural texture. And I remember people started giving me compliments. They liked my natural waves — and over time, I did too.
These days, I’m not straightening or scrunching my hair anymore; I am embracing my natural texture. I like to wear my hair product-free, so what I’m really focused on is shampoo and conditioner that don’t weigh my hair down and actually hydrate my waves.
“I like to wear my hair product-free, so what I’m really focused on is shampoo and conditioner that don’t weigh my hair down and actually hydrate my waves.”
I live in a dry climate now, so my hair doesn’t get as frizzy as it did growing up on the East Coast. But I’m still thinking about protecting it with nourishing ingredients — not stripping or drying it with harsh chemicals. Before this guide, I’d been religiously using Nécessaire’s shampoo, which I’ve ranked in the guide below (and still love). But I hadn’t expanded my shampoo horizons in a while, so when it came time to test these brands, I was excited to see what else was out there.
Our criteria and methodology:
Over the last month, I’ve tested 11 shampoo brands — and called in a guest tester from our team, Silsila, to review one of the brands designed for hair that’s more textured than mine, so you could get the best firsthand perspective.
My process was simple: Wash my hair, let it air dry, document how it affected my texture and waves, and then live with it for a few days. I also paid special attention to scent — I’ve grown to prefer unscented products over strong perfumes and synthetic fragrances, so I’ve noted the intensity of scent and whether it lingered in the guide below.
And I considered how the products foam. Most shampoos and soaps foam because of SLS — a harsh chemical foaming agent. We associate foam with efficacy, but it really doesn’t have much to do with how clean our hair gets. We’ve made sure all the products in this guide are SLS-free — but clean products have come so far. I was surprised that a lot of these lathered beautifully, giving that satisfying wash feel!
Beyond clean ingredients, I’m looking for hydration, bounce, shine, and minimal frizz. So here’s how these 12 brands stacked up.
The criteria for our selections fall into the below categories, and we regularly update this list with emerging favorites.
- NATURAL/ORGANIC | Each shampoo is free of sodium lauryl sulfate and other harsh ingredients, many with certifications to back them up like B-Corp or EWG verified.
- EFFICACY | I personally tested each product for efficacy, and you’ll find more details about exactly how each one left my hair feeling.
- AFFORDABLE | Cost is a number-one factor for a lot of folks, so we’ve included a range of price points here. They go for over $4 per ounce at the high end to a little over $1 per ounce at the low end.
- SCENT | I’m a sucker for a good scent! I’ve described the scent of each shampoo below, and noted which ones might be a bit too strong for folks who are sensitive to smell. We’ve only chosen brands that can ensure their fragrance compositions are also nontoxic.
To learn more about natural, clean beauty, check out our lists of natural skincare, aluminum-free natural deodorants, and plastic-free shampoo bars. Be sure to also check out our comprehensive guide on the best nontoxic curly hair brands for all curl types.
*Please note that the prices of these shampoos may vary depending on location, sale events, or availability.
Table of Contents
1. Ursa Major
Best For | Everyday wash
Natural & Organic Ingredients | Aloe leaf juice, coconut surfactants, macadamia; sulfate-free, paraben-free
EWG Rating | 5
Fragrance Free Options | No
Organic Certification | No; contains certified organic ingredients
Product Range | Go Easy Shampoo & Conditioner
Price Range* | $53 for bundle (discounted subscriptions available); $2.65/ounce
A Good Trade fave, Ursa Major is a B-Corp based in Vermont that specializes in no-frills skincare. They have a tight lineup of bodycare products, too, including deodorant, soap, shampoo, and conditioner. The brand calls its products, infused with natural ingredients, “super refreshing,” and “wildly effective.” They’re super transparent about sustainability, too — they’re certified plastic negative, they use FSC-certified paper for most of their secondary packaging, and they produce 90% of their cartons at a carbon neutral facility.
Grace’s Review | True to its name, this shampoo and conditioner duo is perfect if you’re someone who washes your hair daily – I do, especially when I’m working out a lot. The products have a bright, woodsy scent that smells fresh in the shower but doesn’t linger like a heavy perfume. The shampoo washes without stripping or dehydrating your hair, and the conditioner provides just the right amount of light moisture. My hair air-dried quickly and didn’t feel weighed down. I’ve found myself reaching for this product the most – it’s truly such an easy option!
2. Nécessaire
Best For | Scalp Hydration, hypoallergenic
Natural & Organic Ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, ApiScalp™; silicone-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free
EWG Rating | 1
Fragrance Free Options | Yes
Organic Certification | No
Product Range | The Scalp Duo with Hyaluronic Acid
Price Range* | $64 for bundle (discounted subscriptions available); $3.81/ounce
Nécessaire is known for their simple, effective formulations focusing on body care, their commitment to sustainability (they’re a B Corp), and their utterly chic branding. They rose to prominence with products like fragrance-free body lotion and body wash, and can now be found in Sephoras nationwide. But when they do fragrance, it’s elevated, spa-like, and plant-derived. Their flagship shampoo is unscented and has the National Eczema Association seal of approval. Nécessaire is even certified Climate Neutral, and they’re a member of 1% for the Planet.
Grace’s Review | Even before this review, I’d repurchased Nécessaire’s Scalp Duo 10 times. This light, hydrating, everyday shampoo and conditioner is powered by hyaluronic acid to moisturize your hair and soothe a dry, sensitive scalp. Their ApiScalp™ technology also calms itchiness and irritation. I’m not even someone who considers myself a dry scalp person — but with this shampoo, I’ve never had to deal with it, even living in a dry climate. It’s also fragrance-free, dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic — truly the gentlest everyday product. After an air dry, my hair always feels clean, smooth and weightless. Only after looking at all my air dry photos side by side, did I notice that the Nécessaire Duo left my hair a little more frizzy than some of the other brands… noted!
3. Sienna Naturals
Best For | Textured hair
Natural & Organic Ingredients | Aloe leaf juice, coconut oil, baobab oil; phenoxyethanol-free, sulfate-free, silicone-free, paraben-free
EWG Rating | 2
Fragrance Free Options | No; fragrance from natural essential oils
Organic Certification | No
Product Range | H.A.P.I Shampoo & H.A.P.I. Conditioner
Price Range* | $28 for shampoo, $32 for conditioner (discounted subscriptions available); $2.80–$3.20/ounce
Plant-based and dermatologist-approved hair care brand Sienna Naturals addresses growing concerns about harsh chemicals in many textured haircare lines. Founders Hanna Diop and Issa Rae created the collection with scalp health at the forefront, formulating products that are pH-balanced, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing. The Moisture-Rich Cleansing shampoo wins award after award, including a Byrdie 2022 Eco Award and a Cosmopolitan 2023 Holy Grail Beauty Award. The brand’s matching Untangled Conditioner helps with hydration and easy detangling.
Silsila’s Review | Both the Sienna Naturals H.A.P.I. Shampoo and H.A.P.I. Untangled Conditioner have won multiple awards, and for good reason. The shampoo is designed to deeply cleanse the hair and scalp, removing product buildup without stripping away moisture, while the conditioner detangles, strengthens, and supports healthy hair growth — basically, everything that textured hair needs. Naturally, I was excited to test them on my dry scalp and curly, tangle-prone hair.
After two washes, both products truly lived up to the hype. The shampoo has a creamy texture and creates a silky, gentle lather, with an earthy lavender scent that feels both comforting and refreshing. I was genuinely surprised by how soft and moisturized my hair felt after rinsing — most deep-cleansing shampoos leave my strands dry, but this one didn’t. The conditioner features an earthy floral scent, subtly reminiscent of honey, and a medium-thick texture. A little went a long way, providing just the right amount of slip to detangle with either my fingers or a brush. Once air-dried, my scalp felt calm and flake-free, and my curls looked shiny, soft, and refreshed. I even received compliments on how defined and voluminous my hair looked! While on the pricier side, for how little you need for the product’s effectiveness, this duo is well worth it.
4. Roz
Best For | Salon quality
Natural & Organic Ingredients | Coconut-based surfactants, ceramides, transparent fragrance formulation; silicone-free, SLS-free, paraben-free
EWG Rating | 2-5 (Roz products range – but Shampoo & Conditioner Duo not listed)
Fragrance Free Options | No
Organic Certification | No
Product Range | The Foundation Shampoo & Conditioner Duo
Price Range* | $81 for bundle; $4/ounce
Founded by celebrity hair stylist Mara Roszak, Roz delivers high-end, salon-grade formulations made simple. They create basic, clean formulations all about performing at a professional level while reducing impact on the environment, and use sustainable packaging made of glass or aluminum. Each product is vegan and cruelty free. And while fragrance is notoriously one of the ingredients you should avoid when product shopping, since brands are allowed to protect their formulas and not disclose fragrance ingredients, Roz believes in radical fragrance transparency. Their signature shampoo scent, a blend of bergamot, fig, vetiver, and neroli, is free of PEGs, nitromusks, and phthalates, and is fully International Fragrance Association-compliant. Their hydrating, salon-grade shampoo is also formulated with their BotaniComplex along with coconut-based surfactants and ceramides.
Grace’s Review | It seems like all of a sudden, all the coolest girls I know have Roz in their shower. Developed by a celebrity hairdresser with over 20 years in the industry, The Foundation Duo feels and smells truly luxurious — with a strong, salon-style lather without SLS. The shampoo is designed to hydrate and remove buildup to create the perfect base for styling. It’s also packed with ceramides and pea peptides to strengthen your hair and protect it from damage. After washing with it, my brush glides through completely tangle-free.
My one complaint: The scent is quite strong and perfumed, and it lingers. It actually smells like you put on perfume for the rest of the day after washing your hair. Some people love this — and the scent is beautiful — but strong scents just aren’t for me.
5. Prose
Best For | Custom formulas
Natural & Organic Ingredients | Transparent ingredients; sulfate-free, silicone-free options, paraben-free
EWG Rating | None
Fragrance Free Options | Yes
Organic Certification | No
Product Range | Custom Shampoo & Custom Conditioner
Price Range* | $34 for shampoo, $34 for conditioner (discounted subscriptions available); $4/ounce
Since everyone’s hair is different, Prose believes everyone’s shampoo should be, too. The hair care brand crafts custom formulations depending on your hair type, hair concerns, and even the environmental factors where you live, like UV exposure and humidity. The result is a formula that’s 100% yours, with your name on the label. You can opt for individual shampoos or conditioners, or invest in the complete systems, which also come with a treatment mask and oral supplements. Prose is committed to transparency, ensuring their ingredient options undergo testing and third-party EWG scoring, so you’re aware of the safety and purpose of each ingredient in your custom hair product. Prose is a certified B Corp and Climate Neutral, they formulate with no harsh chemicals, and they bottle everything in their Brooklyn factory.
Grace’s Review | Prose knows that no one’s hair needs are the same, so they offer personalized, science-backed formulations and freshly bottle their products to create custom solutions designed to meet your unique needs. They let you pick whatever scent you want — or opt for unscented, which is my preference. I chose a formulation that would support my natural wave, and it really does! My hair dried frizz-free, and my waves felt voluminous and pronounced. I also focused on hydration and shine — and Prose delivered!
Since everyone’s formulation will be different, I highly encourage you to take the quiz. These products turned out great and my hair responded well.
6. Ceremonia
Best For | Damaged hair, UV & color protection
Natural & Organic Ingredients | Guava leaf extract, guava fruit extract, aloe vera leaf powder; sulfate-free, silicone-free, paraben-free
EWG Rating | 4
Fragrance Free Options | No
Organic Certification | No
Product Range | Guava Protect & Repair Wash Duo
Price Range* | $52 for bundle (discounted subscriptions available); $3.10/ounce
“Growing up as a Latin American immigrant in a homogenous country like Sweden, I never found myself represented in mainstream media and the products I consumed,” says Ceremonia founder Babba Riviera, so she set out to make a hair care brand that focuses on Latinx heritage. They source ingredients from Central and South America, and the brand offers three different shampoo/conditioner sets for different hair types — one for thick and dry hair, one for fine and thin hair, and one for damage repair and color protection. All products come in beautifully chic packaging with pumps.
Grace’s Review | Ceremonia’s Guava Shampoo smelled fresh, fruity, and nostalgic — the scent wasn’t overpowering, and reminded me of a childhood shampoo in the best way. It left my hair smooth, hydrated, healthy, and bouncy. This reparative shampoo and conditioner is specifically developed for damaged hair, and while you’d need to test it over time to see long-term results, I love that it’s designed to repair and protect from damage and color fade. I don’t dye my hair, but if you do, this duo is designed to revitalize your locks after color treatment. It’s also a great option for summer — protecting your hair from chlorine, salt water, and UV exposure.
7. 100% PURE
Best For | Plant-forward formulas
Natural & Organic Ingredients | Acai, biotin, rice bran ceramide, honey; sulfate-free, silicone-free, paraben-free
EWG Rating | 1-2 (Specific Shampoo & Conditioner not listed)
Fragrance Free Options | No
Organic Certification | No; made with certified organic ingredients
Product Range | Glossy Locks Moisture Drench Shampoo & Conditioner
Price Range* | $24 for shampoo, $24 for conditioner; $3/ounce
California-based 100% Pure is cruelty-free and uses all-natural ingredients in their hair care formulations. They offer a range of different shampoos, conditioners, and hair treatments targeting different hair types and concerns, all with botanical-forward ingredients like a “restorative” system with honey and a “healthy scalp” set with neem. The company is Green Business Certified and offers skincare, body care, and makeup products, too.
Grace’s Review | 100% Pure gave me one of my best air-dries — the right amount of weight and bounce to leave my hair textured and wavy, but not too big or voluminous. I didn’t feel like I needed to do any additional styling. It has a light cherry scent that smells a tiny bit artificial, but doesn’t linger long.
The conditioner is deeply moisturizing and made with aloe vera, rose hydrosol, cucumber, argan oil, and seaweed collagen to lock in moisture and restore bounce and shine. This sulfate-free shampoo is also safe for color-treated hair – so it’s a great option if you frequently dye it.
8. SEEN
Best For | Dermatologist approved
Natural & Organic Ingredients | Bisabolol, hemisqualane; sulfate-free, silicone-free, paraben-free
EWG Rating | 2
Fragrance Free Options | Yes
Organic Certification | No
Product Range | SEEN Essential Bundle
Price Range* | $82 for bundle (discounted subscriptions available); $4.77/ounce
Created by a dermatologist, SEEN targets their products to folks with sensitive or acne-prone skin, treating hair care like part of your skincare. They carry two shampoos — one with scent and one without (the latter being backed by the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance) — both of which were clinically proven to be non-comedogenic. In a study, 70% of participants with acne saw an improvement in body acne and 52% saw a reduction of face acne, while 93% of participants with flaky scalps saw improvement. Combine those stats with a formulation that’s designed to reduce frizz and deeply clean without stripping, and you’re left with both healthier hair and skin.
Grace’s Review | Seen makes a dermatologist-designed, fragrance-free shampoo and conditioner for sensitive skin. A little product goes a long way for a strong lather and clean hair. This gentle, sulfate-free shampoo rinses easily without leaving my hair or scalp feeling stripped. The lightweight conditioner helped detangle and soften my hair while reducing frizz and breakage.
I have normal hair, so this worked perfectly for me — but if you have dry or damaged hair, you might want to try their Deeper Conditioner instead. It’s also safe for sensitive, acne-prone, eczema-prone, and psoriasis-prone skin.
9. Plaine Products
Best For | Zero waste
Natural & Organic Ingredients | Aloe lead juice, Chondrus crispus extract, vitamin E; sulfate-free, silicone-free, paraben-free
EWG Rating | 1
Fragrance Free Options | Yes
Organic Certification | No
Product Range | Shampoo & Conditioner
Price Range* | $47 for shampoo, $47 for conditioner (discounted subscriptions available); $2.94/ounce
Plaine Products‘ shampoo and conditioner duo delivers a seriously refreshing upgrade. The salon-quality formulas are packed with plant-based ingredients that gently cleanse, hydrate, and restore shine and softness without sulfates, silicones, or other harsh additives. You can also choose a scent that suits your vibe — from hydrating Citrus Lavender and clarifying Rosemary Mint Vanilla to nourishing Cherry Almond or a completely Unscented option for sensitive scalps. Even better, the bottles are made from refillable aluminum and designed to be sent back and reused, making it easy to keep your routine both low-waste and luxurious.
Grace’s Review’s | Plaine’s packaging looks as eco-friendly as it is — this zero-waste company lets you return bottles for free to be washed and reused! The scent is minty and refreshing on your scalp with notes of vanilla and rosemary. My hair air-dried soft and wavy.
This gentle, non-toxic shampoo is packed with aloe vera juice, which cleanses your hair by stripping off oil and residue while keeping it healthy, shiny, and soft. It also has seaweed extract with moisturizing properties that help restore damaged hair follicles. A great option if you’re looking for sustainable packaging and clean ingredients.
10. Remilia Hair
Best For | Hair growth
Natural & Organic Ingredients | Rosemary oil, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, panthenol, biotin; sulfate-free, paraben-free
EWG Rating | None
Fragrance Free Options | No
Organic Certification | No
Product Range | Green Goddess Shampoo & Conditioner
Price Range* | $24 for shampoo, $24 for conditioner (discounted subscriptions available); $2.4/ounce
If your hair routine could use a little glow-up, Remilia Hair‘s Green Goddess shampoo and conditioner bring the spa straight to your shower. The vegan, rosemary-infused formulas gently cleanse away buildup while helping strengthen strands, reduce breakage, and support fuller, healthier-looking hair. Nourishing ingredients like avocado oil, coconut oil, green tea extract, and panthenol work together to boost softness, shine, and manageability without weighing hair down. Plus, the floral-green scent — a calming blend of cedarwood, vanilla, jasmine, and rose — makes every wash feel like a mini wellness retreat.
Grace’s Review | Remilia looks, feels, and smells like a spa treatment for your hair. The bottles are beautiful in your shower with sustainable cork tops. Their Green Goddess line is packed with rosemary, coconut, and avocado oils to leave your hair feeling soft, strong, and healthy. It also has a protein complex that strengthens from within and protects against breakage. I’ve also read that rosemary helps promote hair growth, so I’ll be curious to see that over time. The conditioner left my hair detangled, and it air-dried with extra beachy bounce and wave.
11. Attitude
Best For | Affordable
Natural & Organic Ingredients | Glycerin, hebal extracts; SLS-free, silicone-free, paraben-free
EWG Rating | EWG Verified
Fragrance Free Options | No
Organic Certification | No
Product Range | Super Leaves Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner
Price Range* | $26 for bundle; $1.63/ounce
Known for their EWG-verified laundry detergents, Attitude has ventured into the space of cleaning your hair, too. The brand creates high-performance cleaning products and personal care products that run the gamut from air purifiers to toothpaste to face serums, and much of their packaging is designed to reduce plastic. The most affordable products on this list (by far!), their shampoos are still made with 98% naturally sourced ingredients, and you can usually find their products at places like Whole Foods and Walmart.
Grace’s Review | If you’re looking for a truly clean and affordable product line, Attitude is EWG-verified and packed with natural nourishing ingredients. It’s easy on your wallet, and the planet. Their Super Leaves Hydrating Duo features watercress and Indian cress super leaves, which are known for being purifying and packed with minerals and vitamins. These elements are designed to strengthen your hair from the inside out. It also has quinoa protein to restore hydration and health.
The scent is light, fruity, and floral — and doesn’t linger post-shampoo. It made my hair extra curly and bouncy, which is clear in the air dry photos.
12. Ethique
Best For | Bars
Natural & Organic Ingredients | Shea butter, argan oil; hyaluronic acid; sulfate-free options, silicone-free, paraben-free
EWG Rating | 1
Fragrance Free Options | Yes
Organic Certification | No; contains certified organic ingredients
Product Range | Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner Bar
Price Range* | $35 for bundle
New Zealand-based B-Corp Ethique is revolutionizing the haircare space with a full lineup of plastic-free bar shampoos and conditioners, and their sustainability initiatives don’t stop there — they plant a tree for every online order, and they donate 2% of their sales to charity. They offer shampoo bars for all sorts of concerns, from frizz to oil to curls, and they carry some face and body products, too, like deodorant, body wash, moisturizers, and lip balm.
Grace’s Review | I didn’t know what to expect from these fun blue shampoo bars, but I was pleasantly surprised. Ethique’s Hydration Bars are described as “eight glasses of water for your hair” — and they really delivered. Each one of my curls felt individually moisturized and defined. These bars lathered the least compared to the other products, but still left my hair evenly waved with a nice beachy texture. They come in completely recyclable, plastic-free packaging — and I love that they have mini options for travel. Definitely the most sustainable option overall.
Fun fact from their website: One bar lasts as long as three bottles of liquid shampoo.
What are the benefits of nontoxic shampoos and conditioners?
Nontoxic shampoos and conditioners are great because they leave out harsh chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, making them gentle on your scalp and hair (while reducing the risk of irritation or allergic reactions). They’re often packed with natural, nourishing ingredients like plant-based oils, botanical extracts, and vitamins that help strengthen and hydrate your hair, leaving it softer, shinier, and healthier over time. Plus, they’re eco-friendly, often coming in biodegradable packaging and made without harmful toxins that can negatively impact the environment. Many nontoxic formulas are also cruelty-free, so you can feel good knowing your hair care routine aligns with ethical and sustainable values.
What ingredients should you avoid in your haircare?
Our editors are big fans of shampoos that are free of harmful sulfates — sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), to be precise. These harsh surfactants can strip color from color-treated hair, along with your hair’s natural moisture, leaving it drier and more prone to breakage. Sulfates also have the potential to disrupt our hormones, too. We also like to avoid parabens and endocrine-disrupting phthalates, which none of the products on this list have.
It can tough to decipher which ingredients in our haircare brands we should avoid, especially when their are so many options to choose from. To make the selection process easier, you can use ingredient testing sites to help you understand which shampoos and conditioners are nontoxic and safe for your skin and hair. EWG-verified’s list of hair care products is a great place to start and learn which brands meet EWG’s gold standard of transparent, tested, and safe ingredients and the Clearya app and browser extension will alert you of toxic ingredients as you shop.
Lindsay Dahl, an environmental health advocate, policy leader, and author of Cleaning House notes in her book that while certifications are imperfect for independent ingredient checking, “Clearya and EWG Skin Deep are two strongest, science-based apps that assess product and chemical safety.”
You can also use ecogolik‘s ingredient’s checker to reveal if your haircare product is free from parabens, sulfates, alcohol, silicones, allergens, and more.
In general, we like to look for formulations with simple, natural ingredients and no synthetic fragrances. A brand’s ethos and sustainability practices are incredibly important to us, too, which is why you’ll find B-Corps throughout this list, along with brands that are plastic-free or even certified climate-neutral.
How to choose the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair:
Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner comes down to understanding your hair type and its specific needs. If you have dry or damaged hair, look for hydrating formulas with ingredients like argan oil or shea butter to restore moisture and strengthen strands. For oily hair, a lightweight, clarifying shampoo with tea tree oil or charcoal can help balance excess oil without stripping your scalp. Curly, textured, or dyed hair thrives with sulfate-free, deeply nourishing formulas that enhance definition, fight frizz, and keep your locks vibrant. And if you have a sensitive scalp, a gentle, fragrance-free option with soothing ingredients like aloe vera or chamomile is a great choice. Ultimately, picking the right shampoo and conditioner is all about listening to your hair and giving it the care it needs!
To that end, here are a few of our favorite natural shampoos without toxic chemicals on the market right now, each of which has been editor-tested and approved. Read on for more details about these natural shampoos and their conditioner counterparts, and find out which one might be right for you.
Are organic haircare products worth the price?
Organic haircare products can be worth the price — especially if you’re someone who values ingredient transparency and scalp health. While they might cost a bit more upfront, organic shampoos, conditioners, and treatments often skip the harsh chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances that can dry out your hair or irritate sensitive skin. Instead, they’re packed with nourishing plant-based oils, extracts, and gentle cleansers that work with your hair’s natural biology. Many people find that over time, their hair becomes more balanced, shiny, and easier to manage. So if you’re looking to simplify your routine and minimize exposure to questionable ingredients, investing in organic haircare can definitely be worth it.
In addition to the long-term benefits for your hair and scalp, there’s also a “less is more” mindset with many organic formulations. Because the ingredients tend to be concentrated and free from unnecessary fillers, you might find that you need less product per use — which means it can last longer than conventional options. (Shampoo bars are a great example of this!) And if you’ve struggled with scalp sensitivity, flaking, or buildup from synthetic ingredients, switching to organic might be a game changer. There’s peace of mind in knowing what’s going onto your body is as safe and nourishing as possible.
Is organic haircare better for the environment?
Organic haircare is generally better for the environment. These products are often made with sustainably sourced ingredients, biodegradable formulas, and eco-conscious packaging, which means less pollution and waste throughout the product’s life cycle. What sets organic brands apart is their commitment to sustainability throughout the supply chain. From farming without synthetic pesticides to using recyclable or refillable packaging, many of the companies producing organic haircare are mindful of their environmental impact. Some even partner with carbon offset programs or regenerative farming initiatives that help rebuild healthy soil and capture atmospheric carbon.
Plus, avoiding synthetic chemicals reduces the risk of toxic runoff entering waterways during rinsing, which helps protect aquatic ecosystems. Many organic brands also prioritize cruelty-free practices and work with ethical farms or cooperatives to support a more regenerative approach to agriculture. While not all organic brands are created equal, supporting those that are truly invested in sustainability can amplify the positive effects of your purchase far beyond your bathroom shelf!
Grace Abbott is a LA-based freelance Brand & Marketing Strategist and a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade. She has a degree in Graphic Design from Parsons School of Design and is the founder of How To Go Freelance — a brand dedicated to empowering creatives to monetize their skills and build personal brands. Beyond work, she’s always studying a new spiritual modality, painting her bedroom a new color, practicing Pilates, hosting friends, or going on a nature walk with her chihuahua, Donnie. Find her on Substack or Instagram.
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