A 2017 study in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research was conducted to emphasize the positive benefits of using natural ingredients versus synthetic ones in beauty products such as shampoo. It should come as no surprise, that the researchers found natural ingredients such as herbal extracts had multiple benefits. In the case of natural shampoos, these herbal extracts not only contribute to beautiful hair, but eliminate the negative effects of harsh, synthetic chemicals and fragrances such as scalp irritation, and allergic reactions.
Below, in our best natural shampoo review, we’ve listed some of the most popular natural shampoos. Let’s face it, your skin will be absorbing these products, so doesn’t it make sense to use products which contain antioxidant packed natural ingredients such as sage and rosemary, instead of sulfates and parabens? Not only do these natural shampoos benefit your physical person, but they are also much better for the environment, as the less harmful chemicals which invade our water supply, the better.
Best Natural Shampoo Review Our Top 5 Picks!
When shopping for the best natural shampoo for you, the first thing to consider will be your hair type. No matter how perfect the formulation, if it is not formulated for your hair type, you won’t get good results. So, it’s a good idea to take stock of your personal needs before you read the review. For instance, if you’ve dry hair, then a natural moisturizing agent, such as Argan oil or aloe vera will do nicely. If you’ve hair on the oily side, then consider looking for a shampoo with bergamot oil, nettle or sage. If dry, flaky skin is an issue, then a shampoo with tea tree oil may be just for you.
Evolvh-Organic-UltraShine-Shampoo
Whether you have straight, wavy or curly hair, Evolvh Organic Shampoo will leave you with clean, fresh smelling, healthy hair. This concentrated, antioxidant rich is formulated with omega 9 rich Rahua oil, shampoo helps to promote growth, as well as maintaining a clean and healthy scalp.
Completely natural, this shampoo is paraben, sulfate and phthalate free. It is also free from gluten, silicone, and artificial fragrances. All ingredients in this formula have been sourced responsibly. This vegan friendly, cruelty-free shampoo will leave your hair feeling squeaky clean, hydrated, and manageable.
- Supports native Amazonian rain forest tribes
- 100 percent natural
- Formulated with Rahua oil
- Vegan friendly and cruelty free
- Some may find it a bit pricey
- The scent may be too 'nutty' smelling for some users
Stop The Water - All Natural/Vegan Shampoo
Stop The Water All Natural Rosemary Grapefruit Shampoo contains one of the top, natural ingredients in shampoos: Rosemary. Rosemary is renounced for it’s ability to create healthy, strong strands, while soothing tender and sensitive scalps, as well as increasing blood circulation to the scalp. This particular shampoo is no exception, and works well even on color treated hair. When the rosemary is blended with the grapefruit, you get a shampoo experience which not only cleanses and hydrates your hair, but leaves it smelling fresh and lovely.
Formulated with wheat protein along with lipids works to prevent your hair from drying out. This 100 percent all-natural shampoo is sulfate, paraben and cruelty free. One note about the name of the brand. The purpose of the brand name is to remind people to stop the flow of water while you suds up, and to be mindful of water waste in general.
- Formulated with rosemary extract
- Works on color-treated hair
- Beautiful smell
- Sulfate, paraben and cruelty free
- May leave hair oily for some users
- Some may not find that it lathers enough
Puracy Natural Daily Shampoo
For an all-natural, clinical-grade cleansing experience, try Puracy’s Natural Shampoo, created by doctors to give you the healthy, clean hair you crave. Formulated using a plant-based ingredients, this hypoallergenic, sulfate-free shampoo is infused with coconut cleansers, along with vitamins B5 and E.
Olive oil based squalene works to cut down on the frizzies, leaving your hair easy to manage, fresh and clean. Other natural ingredients include black walnut leaf extract ginseng root extract, aloe vera leaf juice, bergamot essential oil, and eucalyptus essential oil. As a result, you get an all natural, vegan shampoo specifically formulated for those dandruff sufferers who which to opt out of using chemically medicated dandruff shampoos.
- Clinical-grade formula created by doctors
- Hypoallergenic
- Infused with coconut cleansers
- Relieves your hair of the frizzies
- May not clean as well for some users
- Some users experience oily hair after use
Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo with Restorative Formula
Fans of the benefits of Argan oil will embrace Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo with Restorative Formula. This hypoallergenic shampoo works to rejuvenate and revitalize your tired, over-styled hair, to transform help transform it into the soft, silky and shiny hair you deserve. Moroccan delivers with this bio-restorative, natural formula, filled with nourishing natural ingredient such as almond oil, jojoba oil, and Moroccan argan oil.
An excellent, restorative shampoo made for those who want to steer clear of harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances, obtaining a refreshing cleansing, while minimizing the frizzies. Once lathered, rinsed and dried, your hair will be full of volume, easy to detangle, and your scalp healthy and hydrated. Sulfate-free, this shampoo is designed to be used daily, and even on color treated hair.
- Formulated with Argan oil
- Hypoallergenic
- Contains natural oils: Almond, jojoba and Moroccan Argan
- Can be used on color-treated hair
- The scent may be unpleasant for some users
Maple Holistics Sage Shampoo
Maple Holistics Sage Shampoo is a natural shampoo specifically formulated for dandruff sufferers, and utilizes essential oils to do it, rather than the usual chemicals. These high performance essential oils include jojoba, tea tree, rosemary, spikenard, and peach kernel. Together, these essential oils work to eliminate excess oil from the scalp, as well as having anti-fungal properties while moisturizing your hair and scalp.
As for sage, sage is known to be healthy to the scalp with it’s astringent, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties. This gentle, pleasant smelling shampoo lathers well, and rinses out easily, leaving you feeling refreshed, and your hair soft and silky. This pleasant smelling, all natural anti-dandruff shampoo is a hit with dandruff sufferers everywhere, as it not only cleans, helps control dandruff, but also leave hair soft, silky and manageable.
- Formulated with Sage
- Works well on dandruff
- Contains antioxidant rich herbal oils
- Leaves hair soft and easy to manage
- May weigh down fine hair
- Can cause hair dryness in some users
Why Choosing a Natural Shampoo Matters
Shampoos that contain synthetic chemicals not only harm our hair in the long run, but these chemicals are also absorbed into our bodies and into the environment. There is no reason one should put themselves at risk by using possible carcinogenic chemicals on their scalp, especially when there are natural alternatives available. Not only is the possibility of introducing cancer causing agents to our body via the scalp an issue, but synthetic chemicals in shampoos also reduce follicle size, irritate the oil glands, cause unnecessary dryness, all of which can result in premature hair loss.
By choosing natural shampoos over the standard, synthetic ones, you will gain much in the way of benefits. For instance, plant-based extracts actually can work to encourage hair growth, whereas synthetic shampoos may encourage hair loss. For the most part, these natural ingredients will not damage your hair, irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction. Finally, there is the consideration that these natural shampoos are environmentally friendly. As such, they’ll not only save your body and hair from unnecessary damage, but also our planet.
Conclusion
If you’re new to purchasing a natural shampoo, there are a few ingredients to look for. These include coconut oils, argan oils and aloe vera. All of which encourage hydration of the hair shaft and moisturizing of the scalp. Tea tree oil works well as a dandruff fighter as does sage. The important thing to remember when selecting a natural shampoo is to first consider your hair type, then look at the label. If the shampoo contains sulfates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, mureth sulfate, or ammonium lauryl sulfate, put the bottle down. Steer clear of alcohol derivatives, as well as propylene glycol and olefin sulfonate. In their common form, propylene glycol is known as antifreeze, and olefin sulfonate is unscented kerosene.