7 Amazing Eco-Friendly Shampoos for Luxurious Hair

Almost all of us struggle with finding substitute to our daily use shampoo to more eco-friendly ones. It’s easy to replace soap, face wash, moisturizer, and even lip balm but I found it extremely hard to find a replacement for my regular shampoo with eco-friendly shampoo made of natural ingredients and which will not harm environment.

 I must have tried more than 10-15 brands of shampoos, shampoo bars, and quite a few trendy home remedies from Instagram. I am sure most of us have fallen for these instance Instagram solutions. But I could never find the perfect solution for my hair.

After a lot of struggle, trial, and error, and wasting a lot of money, at last, I was finally able to find a few products that helped me to replace my chemically loaded shampoo with more natural, eco-friendly shampoo.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to do so much research and waste time, I will give you the outcome of all my experiments, so please read on to find out which eco-friendly shampoos made my experiments successful and you can use them to replace your chemical shampoo without worrying about anything.

If you are new into sustainability world, you can refer to my other posts below.

Eco-Friendly Shampoo: What Makes them Eco-Friendly?

Nowadays we hear eco-friendly words so often that several times we forget what they mean. In my point of view eco-friendly are the items that don’t harm the environment but at the same time provide alternative or better substitutes for their chemical counterparts.

Most of the off-the-shelf shampoo are loaded with chemicals like sulfatase, parabens, and other several harmful synthetic fragrances. All these chemicals are not only harmful to the environment but are extremely dangerous for our health too.

When it comes to shampoo, we all have different needs as we have different types of hair, some of us have naturally curly hair and some have hair fall problems which is more like an epidemic nowadays 😊

The Benefits of Using Eco-Friendly Shampoos

We have been using easily available shampoo since childhood which was like a lifetime ago. But it’s never too late to switch to more natural eco-friendly shampoos. This switch will not only benefit you but will also help the environment.

In addition to not having chemicals, eco-friendly shampoos, they also contain nourishing ingredients like essential oils and botanical extracts, which are extremely beneficial to our hair and help in enhancing the appearance of our hair.

There are several natural ingredients available in our house like lavender and rosemary essential oils, these oils have a lovely fragrance and also have therapeutic benefits. These oils help to stimulate hair growth, reduce dandruff, and provide a soothing effect on the scalp. Botanical extracts such as aloe vera and chamomile are well known for their moisturizing properties, which help in repairing and strengthening hair, giving it a healthy shine and improved texture.

We also need to focus on the packaging because quite often best of these natural products come packed in plastic packaging which defeats the purpose of sustainable living. We have to ensure that eco-friendly products are packed in recyclable or biodegradable packaging material, reducing plastic waste.

I would recommend everyone make the switch to eco-friendly hair products. It may sound like a very small step but it has a huge impact on a greener lifestyle.

Top 7 Amazing Eco-Friendly Shampoos

I have tried several eco-friendly shampoos over several years and here I will give you my carefully prepared list of the best eco-friendly shampoos available on the market today.

Company: Ethique

With over 71% of 5-star ratings on Amazon, this is one of the very popular choices in the USA. This is suitable for all hair types and it works well in all climates but needs to be stored in a dry place to prevent the bar from dissolving. This also comes in paper packaging so no more plastic bottles reducing the plastic waste.

I have used this bar every 2-3 days or as and when needed.

I generally buy the combined package of eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner from Amazon and it lasts almost for 3-4 months.

Company: Plaine Products

With over 64% of 5-star ratings on Amazon, this is a natural, Vegan Shampoo. This comes in a Sustainable refillable bottle that can be returned to be reused for free. This helps in eliminating single-use plastics!

This comes in a reusable bottle of 16 oz size with a pump. The pump can be kept and used with refill bottles.

Though this is suitable for normal to dry hair a small percentage of users have complained that this shampoo leaves their hair quite dry. I have oily hair, so I didn’t have this issue.

In my opinion, this is a good product but I am not too comfortable with the plastic bottles though these bottles are refillable and pump can be reused. So it’s a good sustainable solution.

I had used this shampoo almost daily hence a bottle lasted almost a month. I bought this from the great Amazon sale so it was cost effective for me.

Company: The BodyShop

This is one of the very well-known brands in vegan skin care. I have used almost all of its products. They even have a range of shampoos and conditioners for different types of hair. There are various types of shampoos like Ginger Scalp Care, Shea Intense Care Shampoo, and Banana Truly Nourishing Shampoo just to name a few.

With over 74% of 5-star ratings on Amazon, this is a natural, Vegan Shampoo. This comes in a Sustainable recyclable bottle without any plastic pump. Recently Bodyshop has launched the initiative to even recycle the bottles and caps which can be returned to the shop. This helps in eliminating single-use plastics!

From the cost perspective, this is slightly on the higher end. But I do buy if my monthly budget allows it as its good for my hair. I did feel the change not only in appearance but also in the strength of my hair.

I buy from during the sale time from Amazon and several times I have gotten amazing deals.

Company: Lush

No plastic, no packaging, no brainer! – My Favorite brand.

A very well-known brand in the field of eco-friendly, vegan world. They have almost all the skin care products available. I have been using Lush shampoo bars for the past several years and I just love them. I don’t even need to use any conditioner post shampooing my hair.

They have over 20+ different types of shampoos available to meet all your needs. You can take your pick. The best part of Lush Products at least the ones I have used is that they don’t come in any kind of plastic packaging. I have tried quite a few Lush shampoo bars and I can say with confidence that they are made and packed entirely in eco-friendly material and suits almost all hair types. My hair fall have also reduced after I have started using them.

Cost of a small shampoo bar is around 20$ and it easily lasts around 2 months which turns out to be pretty cost-effective. The only issue I have found is that this product is not available on Amazon though they have their website and you can buy directly from there.

I am quite lucky as they have a store very near to my New York office and I generally pick up from there directly. I do miss out on the online offers but somehow I feel very satisfied buying from the shop. I think, I secretly like going there because it smells amazing with all the natural products kept in the open and several people trying them out. Lush shops smells better than shops selling all top brand perfumes too.

Company: Innersense

Made of quinoa, rice extracts, shea butter, and coconut and avocado oils, this has impressive ingredients to be called a natural and eco-friendly shampoo.

Innersense is not a Vegan brand as they use honey and beeswax but they do NOT formulate with animal byproducts or proteins, so they are still better for the environment.

A very small quantity is required to wash your hair as the product is quite thick and a small quantity goes a long way.

I just bought this product once and I found the quality to be satisfactory but I didn’t buy this product again as it comes in plastic bottles and there is no option of reusing or recycling the bottles in the store itself.

You can buy this product from Amazon to get a good discounted price but do check out the Walmart or near by super stores also as at times, there will be some good offers going on in physical stores.

If you would like to make eco-friendly body washes you can check out “7 Powerful All Natural Body Washes for Glowing, Healthy Skin“.

Company: Meera

To my delight, my recent hair care experiments have proven incredibly worthwhile. I have an Indian friend with stunningly beautiful, thick black hair that always catches my eye. Driven by curiosity and admiration, I finally mustered the courage to ask her about her hair care secret. She revealed that she has been using Meera Advanced Herbal Hair Wash Powder since childhood, a product she swears by. It’s made of ingredients that her mother and grandmother have been using it from past several decades back in India.

This remarkable product was unavailable in the USA at that time, but she graciously brought me a few bottles from India every year. Recently, I discovered that this magical product is now available on Amazon USA, and my joy knew no bounds.

While the product does come in plastic bottles, I am reassured that the water used to wash my hair is free of harmful chemicals, making it a worthy trade-off. On a personal level, I make it a point to recycle the bottle after each use. Despite my oily hair and my friend’s dry hair, this hair wash powder works wonders for both of us. I haven’t even felt the need to use a conditioner since I started using it.

The effectiveness of Meera Advanced Herbal Hair Wash Powder across different hair types is truly impressive, providing both of us with healthy, lustrous hair. This discovery has been a game-changer in my hair care routine, and I am thrilled to have found a product that aligns with my commitment to natural and chemical-free hair care.

Company: Avalon Organics

This hair shampoo is good for normal to dry hair but not suitable for oily hair. This is also good for particularly beneficial for people with sensitive scalps.

This is specially formulated for dull or lackluster hair, this shampoo cleanses hair and helps restore shine. It is comprised of a blend of Lemon Essential Oil, Quinoa Protein, Aloe, and Vitamin E. Its is formulated without parabens, sulfate, synthetic colors, or synthetic fragrances.

From a sustainability perspective, it’s packed in a 100% recycled bottle and most of there bottle doesn’t come with any pump, reducing the usage of plastic.

They have certifications for being cruelty-free from Leaping Bunny, assuring no animal testing. This shampoo is NSF Certified as a personal care product containing organic ingredients.

This brand is also Environmental Working Group (EWG) confirming that it doesn’t contain any EWG’s chemicals of concern and meets the EWG’s strictest standards for our wellbeing. It’s also very cost-effective, so it gets a thumbs up from me. You can buy it directly from Amazon and pls let Amazon staff know that you don’t need any extra packaging and would prefer if the products are delivered in eco-friendly packaging.

Verdict

I compared all the above products after using them for a while and based on various factors, I would prefer Lush soap bar and Meera hair wash powder any given day. The only problem i felt with Lush soap bar is that it break if not kept in dry environment after use other wise its one of the best vegan hair wash product made without chemicals. My another favorite is the Meera Hair Wash Powder as its made of ancient natural ingredients and its does improve my the quality, strength of my hair. I generally alternate between Lush soap bar and Meera powder, depending on the time I have.

FAQ

I always feel more comfortable reading any post if I get answers to the most frequently asked questions also on the same page. That’s the reason I try my best to answer as many questions as possible in my posts. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions I found on Google, pls read on.

• Can shampoo be eco-friendly?
  • The most eco-friendly shampoo bars are shampoos that come packaged plastic-free, and that are made with 100% natural and organic ingredients.
• What is the name of the eco-friendly shampoo?
  • There are several brands available in the market, some of them are listed above.
• What is the best shampoo and conditioner for the environment?
  • Some of the environmentally friendly shampoo & conditioner brands
    • Ethiquesit Store.
    • Everist
    • HiBAR
    • Plaine Products
    • Lush
    • BodyShop
• Is Loreal shampoo environmentally friendly?
  • Respect for biodiversity and the environment is an absolute priority for the L’Oréal group, in the same way as health, safety, and animal welfare. We are committed to having 95% of bio-based ingredients in our formulas derived from abundant minerals or circular processes by 2030.
• Is Dove soap eco-friendly?
  • With renewable energy sources, reduced water uses and zero non-hazardous waste in landfills, we’re completely committed to environmental protection.
• What is a natural shampoo for hair?
  • Natural shampoos are free of the chemicals that are often found in regular shampoo – and for most people who use them, this means healthier, shinier hair. They’re free of things like parabens, a form of preservative that is known to cause sensitivity in some people.
• How can I make my shampoo eco-friendly at home?
  • Ingredients:
    • 2 tbsp. honey.
    • 1 tsp. olive oil.
    • ½ cup green tea.
    • ¼ cup castile soap.
    • 1 tsp. lime juice or aloe vera.
    • 5–10 drops of peppermint and lavender essential oils.
• What is plastic-free shampoo?
  • It’s a waterless and plastic-free alternative to plastic bottles of shampoo. Each shampoo bar is 100% vegan and made from a combination of different ingredients such as cacao or shea butter and oils from various plant products, such as almond, avocado, and coconut oil.
• What is the gentlest shampoo?
  • Johnson’s Baby Shampoo with Tear-Free Formula.
  • Aveeno Scalp Soothing Shampoo.
  • Sun Bum Revitalizing Shampoo.
  • Vanicream Free and Clear Shampoo.
  • Biotera Intensive 2-in-1 Scalp Scrub and Shampoo.
  • Dae Daily Shampoo.
  • Jupiter Balancing Shampoo.
  • Davines Naturaltech Calming Shampoo.
• Is organic shampoo eco-friendly?
  • While there’s no regulation in the U.S. for what’s in organic shampoos, they tend to contain ingredients perceived as safe or environmentally friendly. However, these “clean” shampoos separate and spoil faster than those made with synthetic stabilizers and preservatives.
• Is natural shampoo better for the environment?
  • Environmentally-friendly. Because natural shampoos avoid polluting chemicals like phosphates and sulfates, as it’s rinsed down the drain, it won’t harm the environment – or your scalp and hair.
• Is sulfate-free shampoo better for the Environment?
  • Plant-derived sulfate or sulfate-free shampoos are less likely to cause irritation and dryness, making them suitable for sensitive skin types. Their environmental impact is also considerably lower, as they are more biodegradable and less harmful to aquatic life.
• Is organic shampoo really better?
  • Instead of chemicals, natural shampoos use plant extracts, essential oils and other natural ingredients to clean hair and improve everything from shine to body. This is not only gentler on your hair, it’s also beneficial to your body and your health, because you’re not absorbing the chemicals found in regular shampoos.
• Is it healthier for your hair to not use shampoo?
  • No-poo is hardly a new phenomenon, though. For more than a decade, hair-care lovers and pros have been backing up the hair-boosting benefits of skipping shampoo. Not only does it contribute to healthier hair overall, but it can save money and reduce waste from plastic products.
• Why do people prefer Dove soap?
  • Dove, however, has a neutral pH that’s balanced with your skin to avoid any damage. It actively cares for your skin, adding skin-natural nutrients to keep it feeling its healthy best.

Even if a small percentage readers decides to move to eco-friendly shampoos, I will feel that my objective is fulfilled as every single step matters to save earth. If you have any other suggestions about eco-friendly shampoo’s please feel free to let us know in comments section.

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