When caring for your tresses, picking the right products can mean the difference between beautiful, healthy hair and lackluster hair. Getting the basics right will get you started on the right foot, and this is why we have set out to find out the best vegan shampoos available in the market. Vegan shampoos are gentle on hair because they are based on natural formulas and contain fewer chemicals.
We have compiled a list of some of the best vegan shampoos currently available in the market, like Lice Clean's Fresh Water Hydrating Shampoo, which is gentle on your hair and cruelty-free too! You have nine other options to consider, plus a buying guide to help explain why you should give this type of shampoo a try.
Quick List - Top Vegan Shampoos
Dr. Levy is a board certified dermatologist practicing in NYC and Westport, Connecticut. She has expertise in treating inflammatory skin conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. She has an interest in skincare and takes a personalized approach to all of her patients.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Maybe you don't like what you see on our list, or maybe you're wondering how we chose our products. Here are some guidelines that we followed, and you can do the same on your own search in finding the right vegan shampoo for your hair care needs.
There's an easy and visual way to tell whether a shampoo is truly vegan or not: a certification mark. There are a number of them, but the products we've listed have all been certified by either the Vegan Awareness Foundation, Leaping Bunny, and more. If you don't see a logo on the bottle, scan the ingredients or back label to see if you can find the phrase "100 percent vegan."
Admittedly, many organizations can certify vegan products based on different standards; but rest assured that many of these organizations have very high standards, even down to the kind of equipment used to produce the shampoos.
For example, the Certified Vegan Logo means that the product does not contain animal products or byproducts, now was it tested on animals. Vegans can look for this mark instead of having to go through the ingredients list.
Without all of the typical moisturizers and nourishing ingredients added to non-vegan shampoos, it can be tough to tell what's going to work for your specific hair condition whether it be oily, dry, or damaged. That's why we've broken it down for you.
The keyword in finding a shampoo for your dry, frizzy, or damaged hair is "oils." Think coconut, avocado, olive, or argan oils. These all come packed with healthy fatty acids that will nourish your hair and lock in moisture. If you suffer from an itchy scalp, products with aloe or oatmeal included may be soothing.
Essential oils that come from plants also have moisturizing effects on the hair and scalp for those with dry hair. A few examples include lavender, tea tree, rosemary, and eucalyptus. You can look for shampoo infused with these ingredients for that extra soothing effect.
For hair that is dry, shampoo less frequently. Shampoos are meant to strip some oils from the hair to clean the shaft and the scalp.
Argan oil is very hydrating and can seal up the hair shaft, which decreases frizz. It adds hydration without weighing down the hair. Be sure to rinse your shampoo out well to prevent buildup of the product.
Give shampoos with apple cider vinegar a try because the ingredient is said to balance your hair and scalp health with its acidic properties. Furthermore, apple cider vinegar has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which limit bacteria growth on the scalp.
Tea tree oil (in small doses), lemon peel extract, and yucca cactus are other natural ingredients you can look out for when choosing a shampoo for oily hair. They help balance your scalp's pH levels, thus minimizing sebum creation.
Tea tree oil is very helpful if you have dandruff or a scaly, itchy, or red scalp. You may notice an immediate relief of itch after using tea tree oil. Apple cider vinegar can be harsh for the hair, so I only recommend doing an apple cider vinegar rinse once a week if you have oily hair. Be sure not to let apple cider vinegar on facial skin since it can cause a chemical burn.
If you have color-treated hair, you know that shampoos can do more harm than good if you're not careful. The dyes and bleach used to color the hair could leave it extra weak, thus requiring extra attention and care.
With vegan shampoos, it's important to look for shampoos without sulfates. Plant-based ingredients like green tea also seem to effectively keep color from fading quickly without drying out your hair's natural oils.
I generally recommend avoiding sulfates in shampoos if you have sensitive skin. Sulfates can cause hives or dermatitis in people prone to these conditions. Fewer additives in products are generally better. Additionally, sulfates can strip color, so avoid sulfates for color-treated hair.
In addition to your hair condition, you need to match the shampoo with your hair type, whether thick or fine and curly or coily. You can go for vegan shampoos infused with almond or coconut oils to help add volume and body to fine hair types.
Meanwhile, curly or coily hair needs gentle cleansing with extra taming properties. Oils like avocado, coconut, and argan, plus shea butter, could help keep your hair frizz-free and manageable while ensuring it's properly moisturized.
For thorough cleansing of thick hair, shampoo formulas infused with antioxidants and floral or citrus oils or scents keep your hair looking, feeling, and smelling clean and fresh all day.
When using shampoo, I recommend focusing on getting the product on the scalp and top part of the hair. This is where shampoo works best to clean the scalp of oil and build up. Overusing shampoos can dry out hair, so avoiding drenching the shaft in product can help prevent this from occurring.
Vegan shampoos may contain fewer additives or harmful ingredients, but it's still possible for them to be irritating depending on the condition of your hair, scalp, or allergies.
Anything that contains sulfates like sodium laureth sulfate should be discounted from your list unless you're willing to risk it. This could cause irritation and has been linked to hair loss. If you have a sensitive or broken scalp (or allergies), you may want to avoid things like added fragrances that could irritate your sensitive skin.
Many vegan shampoo brands online have plenty of customer reviews of every hair type that can attest to a shampoo's potential irritants, so read thoroughly before buying!
If you have a history of contact dermatitis or eczema, ask your dermatologist for a list of products that are safe to use. Even if a product is vegan, it still may have allergens or irritants. All-natural does not mean allergen- or additive-free. Your dermatologist has access to lists of specific allergen-free products if you have a known reaction to certain ingredients.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Live Clean Fresh Water Hydrating Shampoo | ![]() | Cruelty-free Botanical Shampoo for Everyday Use | |
2 | Tree To Tub Moisturizing Shampoo for Sensitive Skin | ![]() | The Perfect Formula for Sensitive Skin | |
3 | New York Biology Argan Oil Shampoo | ![]() | Moroccan Argan Oil Nourishes and Protects All Hair Types | |
4 | Whiff Botanicals Unscented Shampoo Bar | ![]() | A Shampoo Bar With No Plastic Packaging | |
5 | Christina Moss Naturals Original Shampoo | ![]() | For Oily Hair and Hot Summer Days | |
6 | Teadora Wild Superfood Miracle Shampoo | ![]() | The Best Vegan Option for Color-treated, Frizzy, or Damaged Hair | |
7 | Rahua Voluminous Shampoo | ![]() | Pump Up Your Hair's Volume | |
8 | Acure Curiously Clarifying Shampoo | ![]() | You Can Still Have Great Hair on a Budget | |
9 | Love Beauty & Planet Hope and Repair Shampoo and Conditioner|Coconut oil & ylang ylang | ![]() | Highly-Rated Vegan Shampoo and Conditioner Set for Damaged Hair | |
10 | Baja Baby Shampoo & Body Wash|Lavender | ![]() | Relaxing Shampoo and Body Wash for Babies |
When it comes to light shampoos that will cleanse your hair without stripping it off its essential oils, you cannot go wrong with Live Clean Fresh Water Hydrating Shampoo. It's free of parabens, SLS, and dyes and gentle on your hair during cleansing. This shampoo will hydrate your hair and leave it silky smooth.
Some reviewers warned that this could dry out damaged or naturally dry hair, so follow it up with a good conditioner. Still, many others said this was unlike other vegan shampoos because it made their hair soft, manageable, and shiny. They said their hair and scalp felt great after using the product.
For those who suffer from dry hair and itchy scalps, Tree To Tub has developed an organic formula of soapberries that works wonders for sensitive skin. Free of sulfates, parabens, gluten, silicone, and artificial fragrance, this shampoo has a soothing lavender essence that feels great and smells amazing. It even hydrates hair through the infused coconut extracts.
A few users had mixed reactions to the product, with some saying it dried out their hair while others said the formula left their hair feeling greasy. On a positive note, this shampoo was a hit among many who said that it was indeed gentle on sensitive skin. They noted that it lathered well and had a nice scent to it.
Hair that seems dull and lifeless is a common problem, but this shampoo is designed to address this problem. Its rich vegan formula uses vitamin E to boost healthy hair production and argan oil to restore your hair's natural shine and strength. The shampoo's restorative formula can also relieve dry and itchy scalps.
A few reviewers complained that the product was too watered down, forcing them to use more product than desired. Some also said it dried out their hair. Meanwhile, many others had no issues using the shampoo and said that it made their hair better than ever. Reviewers shared that the shampoo helped make their hair more manageable.
If you're looking for a way to reduce your carbon footprint, this shampoo bar is perfect for you. Along with being vegan and cruelty-free, Whiff Botanicals also uses no plastic to package their bars. It contains just four ingredients (including cocoa butter and coconut oil) that nourish your hair with provitamin B5 for elasticity.
Some reviewers claimed it made their hair frizzy or knotted after use, so we recommend following up with a good conditioner. On the other hand, many were pleased with how well the bar lathered. They loved that it didn't have any scent and could really clean even thick wavy hair.
This unscented shampoo made with certified organic ingredients has various plant, fruit, and seed oils to nourish and moisturize hair. It gently cleans the hair without stripping the strands nor your scalp of essential moisture. Meanwhile, the added aloe vera in the formula gives your hair a healthy dose of moisture and shine.
Reviewers warned that it could be fairly drying, so we would suggest this for those with particularly oily hair or those who are in hot and humid environments. On a positive note, many reviewers liked the mild scent of the product. They also loved that the formula was free of potentially harsh and heavy chemicals yet still made their hair feel and soft and smooth.
This blend of Amazon superfruits and botanicals is for all hair types, but especially for those with color-treated, frizzy, or damaged hair. It also contains antioxidants like acai to restore hydration and shine to your hair. Meanwhile, the blend of Vitamins A, C, E strengthens each hair strand.
While some reviewers were turned off by the smell, others were impressed by how well it kept color in their hair. Those with frizzy hair still had to follow up with a de-frizzing product, but they were pleased with the shampoo's moisture and nourishment. Many liked how soft their hair became as if they just stepped out of the salon.
If your hair needs some volume and bounce, Rahua has just the thing for you. This formula lathers quite well, meaning that just a small amount of the golden gel will go a long way. With a rich combination of green tea antioxidants, citrus juices, and lemongrass, it delivers shine, volume, and a subtle relaxing scent that will leave your hair feeling fresh and clean.
A few reviewers weren't fans of the scent of the shampoo, while some said it didn't improve their hair condition. Still, many reviewers stood behind the fact that it cleans hair well without any harsh ingredients. They liked how their hair achieved more volume by using the product.
If you need a great shampoo that does the job for less cash, look no further than Acure Curiously Clarifying Shampoo. The combination of moisturizing argan oil and clarifying lemongrass creates a natural formula that gently cleanses as it moisturizes your hair. It's vegan, sulfate- and paraben-free, and gentle enough for everyday use.
A few reviewers noted that the formula irritated their scalp, so we recommend double-checking the ingredients for potential allergens. On a positive note, many reviewers loved that the product didn't leave their hair feeling greasy. Users also said that their hair became clean, soft, and shiny, thanks to the shampoo.
If you'd rather buy your shampoo and conditioner in a set, then look no further. This Love Beauty & Planet pack uses coconut oil to moisturize and repair damaged hair. It's also paraben- and silicone-free. The products work by nourishing each strand to prevent hair breakage and split ends.
Some reviewers expressed concern over the inclusion of sodium laureth sulfate in the ingredients list, but many more were satisfied with how much softer, shinier, and more nourished their hair felt after using the products. Reviewers also liked the scent of the formula, which lasted all day.
This vegan shampoo and body wash comes with the relaxing benefits of hemp and lavender oil to soothe babies during their nightly bath time. It's also the proud winner of the Eco-Excellence Award in 2017, so it's great for conscious shoppers. The formula is gentle enough on dry and sensitive skin types.
A few reviewers complained about the smell of the product. One said that it didn't last long on the hair, while another noted a foul smell developed after a while. Still, many loved how a little product went a long way. Users loved the organic option and confirmed it was gentle on kids and babies.
Virtue Recovery Shampoo is what I personally use. It has an alpha keratin protein that infuses the hair and leaves it feeling healthy, nourished, and full. I recommend it for all hair types and especially overprocessed hair or hair that needs a little extra TLC.
In addition to reviewing and commenting on our buying guide, Dr. Levy also took the time to answer some commonly asked questions about vegan shampoos.
Dr. Levy answers, "Vegan shampoos are good for hair, as long as they contain ingredients that both clean and nourish the scalp and hair follicle. Look for ingredients like argan oil or jojoba oil if you have dry or brittle hair. For oily hair, look for kaolin, which can help absorb oils from the hair."
"Many keratin and collagen products are animal-derived, which is why they may not be included in vegan shampoos," Dr. Levy explains. "Vegan shampoos contain ingredients that are not derived from animals. This means that lots of natural oils are used. Common ingredients include kaolin clays, jojoba oil, and argan oil."
Whether it's your skincare or makeup, having a full lineup of vegan products can help put your mind at ease, especially if you're just transitioning to the vegan lifestyle. Here are some of our suggestions.
No. 1: Live Clean|Fresh Water Hydrating Shampoo
No. 2: Tree To Tub|Moisturizing Shampoo for Sensitive Skin
No. 3: New York Biology|Argan Oil Shampoo
No. 4: Whiff Botanicals|Unscented Shampoo Bar
No. 5: Christina Moss Naturals|Original Shampoo
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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