An organic shampoo has a limited number of ingredients in order to still be able to claim that organic label. Because of this, you’re more likely yo recognize the ingredients in an organic shampoo and you won’t have to worry about those ingredients containing pesticides, or other artificial agents. If you’re conscious of what you put in your hair, then you’ve probably already considered an organic shampoo – but may not know where to start looking. Don’t stress it, though, we’ve done the homework for you.
We reviewed dozens of organic hair shampoos to identify the best of the best. We looked for high-quality organic shampoos for dry hair, for oily, or even for curly hair. We found the organic shampoo set that will give you everything you need to wash and nourish your hair, and the dry shampoos for your on-the-go lifestyle. No matter what you’re looking for in a shampoo, we’ve found the right one for you.
Early in our research, we could identify a clear winner that stood out among its peers. The Christna Moss Naturals Hair Shampoo – With Organic & Natural Ingredients has so many positive reviews, high-quality ingredients, and is so universal that it’s an excellent pick for anyone to use as their shampoo.
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The 5 Top-Rated Organic Shampoos
Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating |
---|---|---|
Best Organic Shampoo Overall | Christna Moss Naturals Hair Shampoo – With Organic & Natural Ingredients | 4.3 |
Best Organic Shampoo for Dry Hair | Maple Holistics Sage Shampoo for Anti Dandruff with Jojoba Argan and Organic Tea Tree Oil | 4.4 |
Best Budget Organic Shampoo | The Seaweed Bath Co. Balancing Shampoo | 4.2 |
Best Organic Dry Shampoo | Hair Dance Dry Shampoo Volume Powder. Natural and Organic Ingredients | 4.2 |
Best Organic Shampoo and Conditioner Set | Bingo Hair Care Natural Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner | 4.7 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Organic Shampoo Overall: Christna Moss Naturals Hair Shampoo – With Organic & Natural Ingredients
The Christna Moss Naturals Hair Shampoo – With Organic & Natural Ingredients is sure to make sure your hair is only getting the best nature has to offer. It’s sulfate-free and won’t dry your hair out, and without any of the harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients, you can use this on even the most sensitive scalp. In fact, you can even use this shampoo on your little one and feel confident that the shampoo won’t harm your baby.
You’ll use this shampoo just like any other – apply to wet hair, lather, and rinse, but you’ll see such a difference in your hair’s health after a few uses of this shampoo. It uses (all organic) coconut oil, aloe leaf juice, rosemary extract, and more. With all these aromatic ingredients you may be surprised, but this is also an unscented formula so you won’t have to worry about any smells releasing from your hair.
Nearly 1,000 customer reviews on Amazon have given this an overall rating of 4.3 stars and that’s plenty to suggest the quality of this shampoo.
Christna Moss Naturals Hair Shampoo – With Organic & Natural Ingredients Key Features:
- Cruelty-free; vegan
- 8 fl oz
- For all hair types
Best Organic Shampoo for Dry Hair: Maple Holistics Sage Shampoo for Anti Dandruff with Jojoba Argan and Organic Tea Tree Oil
The Maple Holistics Sage Shampoo for Anti Dandruff with Jojoba Argan and Organic Tea Tree Oil is specially designed to help dry hair and scalp. You’ll apply this shampoo to your wet hair and allow it to sit a few minutes before rinsing away. You can even repeat this process if your hair and scalp are particularly in need, and you won’t have to worry about the effects over-shampooing will have on your hair.
The use of organic ingredients means there aren’t any harsh pesticides that have bled into your shampoo to strip the moisture from your hair and by using ingredients like jojoba oil, tea tree oil, and argan oil, your hair will be hydrated and shine like never before.
Well over 6,500 customer reviews on Amazon have given this an overall rating of 4.4 stars and that’s certainly saying something. In fact, we’d say that made it more than just a little tempting!
Maple Holistics Sage Shampoo for Anti Dandruff with Jojoba Argan and Organic Tea Tree Oil Key Features:
- Subscribe and save eligible
- 2 size options
- Made in USA
Best Budget Organic Shampoo: The Seaweed Bath Co. Balancing Shampoo
The Seaweed Bath Co. Balancing Shampoo is a hydrating shampoo that utilizes the restorative properties of vitamin E, the hair balancing vitamin B5, and the nutrient-rich seaweed to make sure your hair is as healthy as it can be. You’ll also appreciate the strengthening effect the argan oil and aloe have, as well as an overall smoothing effect.
The formula lacks sulfates and parabens and is made 100% vegan, so not only will you be able to use this shampoo without any animal cruelty guilt, but you’re going to know from the get-go that you’re using a shampoo that will help you reach your full hair-health potential.
The numbers don’t lie, and the numbers on this shampoo are definitely something to praise. There are right around 450 customer reviews on Amazon and they’ve given this shampoo an overall rating of 4.2 stars. The best part, however, has to be the cost – you can pick this organic shampoo up for under $15.
The Seaweed Bath Co. Balancing Shampoo Key Features:
- 12 fl oz
- 4 scents available
- Subscribe and save eligible
Best Organic Dry Shampoo: Hair Dance Dry Shampoo Volume Powder
We’ve all done it – (or nearly all) – when you’re too busy to take a shower before you go dray shampoo is a lifesaver. You may have overslept, or you may have lost track of time, you could even be camping and unable to shower, whatever the reason, we’re not here to judge. We’re here to give you the best alternative to traditional hair washing. The Hair Dance Dry Shampoo Volume Powder will clean your hair without using a lot of harmful ingredients or harsh chemicals.
You’ll simply apply to the roots in sections, lightly massage and brush it out to evenly distribute. It won’t leave your hair slimy or dry-looking, and if you want an extra boost, you can also purchase a firming cream to help the styling process along.
There are a lot of benefits to purchasing this shampoo – even beyond the quality we’ve just detailed. There’s a whopping 2,200+ customer reviews on Amazon for this shampoo, and that makes the overall rating of 4.2 stars all the more impressive.
Hair Dance Dry Shampoo Volume Powder Key Features:
- 2 size options
- Available with complementing firming cream
- Lavender oil scent
Best Organic Shampoo and Conditioner Set: Bingo Hair Care Natural Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner
The Bingo Hair Care Natural Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner uses ingredients you’ll love to keep your hair well-hydrated and give it a healthy shine as you’ve never seen. The Moroccan argan oil will build your hair’s strength and prevent breakage while smoothing frizz and flyaways. It also acts as a UV-protectant and increases the elasticity of your hair.
It’s always nice to buy a set to make sure that the ingredients in your shampoo complement the ingredients in your conditioner. Sometimes, manufacturers even split vital ingredients that will balance each other out to make one necessary for the other. For example, they could include a drying out ingredient in the shampoo that requires a hydrating one, but they put it only in the conditioner. That’s definitely not the case with this set, but it’s always something you want to be cognizant of when you’re buying your hair care products.
There are 1,500+ customer reviews on Amazon for this shampoo and conditioner set and that’s more than enough to build confidence in the accuracy of the rating. And when the overall rating is 4.3 stars, that means you know this is going to be a quality product.
Bingo Hair Care Natural Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner Key Features:
- Sulfate-free
- Includes Vitamin E
- Each bottle is 14 fl oz
Who Should Buy an Organic Shampoo
If your scalp or hair is sensitive, then you’ll want to consider a shampoo that’s gentle on them. With limited ingredients produced without pesticides, organic shampoo is bound to fit that criterion. You’ll potentially notice all kinds of by-products to the organic shampoo – including an increased shine, faster hair growth, and an improvement in hair strength, as well. It also contributes to longer-lasting hair color, so if you plan on minimizing your trips to the hairdresser, an organic shampoo could be just the thing to help you prolong your vibrant color.
If you’re someone who is conscious of the environment and how things are made, you’ll definitely want to make sure the ingredients found in your shampoo aren’t harmful – to you or the environment. Organic shampoo can be an excellent choice for those who are picky with what they’re supporting with their purchase. You may need to do a bit more homework on the manufacturer, but if you want to choose a green company that produces shampoo responsibly, then searching for an organic shampoo is one way to start. (This list is another!)
If you’re interested in other cleansers, then you may also want to check out The Best Hand Soaps.
Important Features to Consider
An organic shampoo should do several things well. Here’s what to consider when selecting an organic shampoo for your family:
- Shampoo bars. Shampoo bars tend to be more gentle on your hair because they lack the ingredients necessary to maintain a liquid state. They’re not as user-friendly in that they don’t spread as easily, but you can apply the bar to your hair and was is by lightly massaging the bar into your hair and scalp and working it through to the ends of your hair. The bar is also more environmentally friendly and easy to travel with – making it a huge convenience in other areas to more than make up for the learning curve of a new shampoo method.
- Shampoo and conditioner sets. If you use an organic shampoo but a non-organic conditioner, is there even really a point? Well, yes, the shampoo still won’t be contributing to the damage of your hair, but without the matching conditioner, you’re not going to see results as fast. Even if you only use conditioner occasionally, you may want to consider buying a set in the beginning and just replacing your conditioner as needed.
- Natural is not necessarily organic. You should bear in mind that no matter how natural your shampoo is, that doesn’t mean that it’s organic. Since there are no strict rules on what constitutes natural, you’ll find a lot of those “Natural” labels are just there to lure you in. However, organic comes with a clearly defined meaning and for the FDA to declare a product organic, it has to meet strict criteria. If you’re looking for a shampoo with limited ingredients, then you’ll want to stick to organic, rather than just natural.
- Sensitive formula. If you have sensitive skin or delicate hair, you’ll need to seek out a shampoo that contains ingredients to keep that in mind. Look for the label that says sensitive, but organic shampoos are more likely to be more selective in their ingredients so you’ll have fewer allergens hidden in your shampoo. Organic shampoos will also skip the harsh chemicals in lieu of natural ones to maintain their organic label and that means a shampoo that’s overall more gentle on your hair and scalp.
- Regrowth. One of the bigger benefits of having an organic shampoo is that you’ll have fewer ingredients to cause hair damage and hair loss. You’ll slow or even cease hair loss, and with some ingredients, more common in organic shampoos, you’ll see a bit of regrowth. The key is that organic shampoos are typically going to use ingredients that are less abrasive to your hair. The chemicals are absent and in order to replace those harsher chemicals, natural and organic shampoos will often use common substitutions – namely grapefruit extract, coconut oil, and tea tree oil. All of those will aid in cleaning your hair and promoting hair regrowth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an organic shampoo?
Organic shampoo is a shampoo that you will use to clean your hair, just like any shampoo, but it has no ingredients that were grown with pesticides, synthetic fertilizer, sewage, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or ionizing radiation. It means that the shampoo is made with very specific ingredients, and each is chosen purposefully and for a particular function. You’ll be less likely to have a poor reaction and oftentimes, the natural ingredients in an organic shampoo will give your hair the nutrients it’s been craving.
We should note that though there are standards to meet for the label “organic” unless it has that FDA label of Certified Organic, then you can’t be sure that all the standards were met.
Is organic shampoo good for your hair?
Organic only refers to how the ingredients were made, harvested, or processed, not the impact each ingredient has on your hair. There are plenty of organic ingredients that may not be good for your hair. That being said, there’s a better chance that organic shampoo will be good for your hair just because some of the most common ingredients that are bad for your hair couldn’t possibly be organic. Harsh chemicals won’t be grown on a farm certified organic, of course.
We can’t guarantee all organic shampoos will be good for your hair. Some may dry it out, and some may make it greasy. What we can say, though, is that it’s more likely for an organic shampoo to be good for your hair than it is for a non-organic shampoo.
What shampoo chemicals are bad for your hair?
The biggest and most common ingredient in hair shampoo that’s harmful are sulfates. There are a few names these chemicals will be named (Sodium Laureth Sulfate [SLES], Sodium Lauryl Sulfate [SLS], Ammonium Laurel Sulfate to name a few), but one way to identify them is any word with ‘sulfate’ in it is one you’ll want to look into before blindly putting into your hair. Sulfates will create the foam and pull the sebum from your scalp, but they also dry out your hair and make it brittle and more likely to break. You’ll also want to watch out for parabens; they’re used to prevent bacteria, but they mimic estrogen and there has been a link found between this ingredient and breast cancer. Along those lines, also steer clear from Formaldehyde, for it’s known carcinogenic properties. Alcohol, as well as synthetic fragrances and dyes, often dry your hair out, so you may want to avoid them, too.
The biggest takeaway we hope you get is to know what you’re putting in your hair. Flip the bottle and make sure you know the ingredients.
How long does it take for your hair to get used to organic shampoo?
It’s so important to know before you make the switch that there absolutely is a transition period when your hair switches to a more natural and organic shampoo. During that transition period you may experience some greasiness, and you may even notice your hair being a bit heavier. During this time, it’s particularly important that you thoroughly rinse your hair after you wash. It will take a few washes to get through this stage, but after one to two weeks, you should start to see good things happening for your hair!
Other Organic Shampoos We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other organic shampoos. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best organic shampoos list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your hair. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
Organic Shampoo Bars
Aspen Kay Naturals Solid Shampoo Bar, Made With Natural & Organic Ingredients
If you’re looking for a shampoo bar to get the organic shampoo you love, then look no further!
Key Features:
- 2 packaging options
- 2 scents available
- Silicone, sulfate, and paraben-free
Cost: $15
iHeart Nature Organic Shampoo Bar
This shampoo bar will leave your hair smooth and giving off a crisp citrus smell.
Key Features:
- 3 scents available
- 3.5 oz bar
- For dry hair
Cost: $7
You’ll get three shampoo bars with your purchase of this organic shampoo bar.
Key Features:
- Includes jojoba, coconut oil, Vitamin E, almond oil, and more
- 4 scents available
- Perfume and chemical-free
Organic Shampoo and Conditioner Sets
DermaChange Organic Vegan Hair Growth Shampoo and Conditioner Set
If you’re looking for a shampoo that will help your hair thicken and regrow after years of damage, then you’ll want to check this organic shampoo and conditioner set.
Key Features:
- 2 sizes available
- Repairs damaged hair
- Paraben, sulfate, cruelty, dye, and fragrance-free
Cost: $25
Ingreendients Sulfate Free Tea Tree Oil And Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo and Conditioner Set
This shampoo and conditioner use green ingredients that ensure your hair’s health.
Key Features:
- Betaine and sulfate-free
- Color-safe formula
- Each bottle 9.4 fl oz
Cost: $30
MagiForet Organic Shampoo & Conditioner
With this shampoo, you’ll see an intense nourishing effect nearly right away, and even more over time.
Key Features:
- Each bottle 16.9 fl oz
- Complementing hair treatment mask also available
- Available individually or as a set
Cost: $25
Organic Excellence Wild Mint Shampoo and Conditioner Set
This shampoo and conditioner set act as a therapy treatment for your hair, repairing and strengthening it as you wash.
Key Features:
- Wild mint scent
- Restores healthy pH balance
- Each 16 fl oz
Cost: $35
Puracy Organic Haircare and Skin Care Set
The shampoo and conditioner available in this listing are part of an entire set for your body, from head-to-toe.
Key Features:
- Includes shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion
- Citrus mint scent
- Each bottle 16 fl oz
Cost: $40
Tree to Tub Gentle Argan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner
This shampoo and conditioner are ideal for sensitive hair or scalps because of its gentle formula.
Key Features:
- Each 8.5 fl oz
- pH protection
- For all hair types
Other Organic Shampoos
Avalon Organics Nourishing Lavender Shampoo
This organic shampoo will leave your hair with the calming scent of lavender all day.
Key Features:
- 3 formulas available
- 32 fl oz
- Vegan, cruelty-free
Cost: $15
BareBaby Organics Organic Baby Shampoo & Body Wash with Aloe
Babies, too, can enjoy the benefits of an organic shampoo, as proved with this listing.
Key Features:
- 17.9 fl oz
- Shampoo and body wash combo
- Gentle, tear-free formula
Cost: $15
Brickell Men’s Products Daily Strengthening Shampoo for Men
The daily shampoo included here is designed to give men the masculine smells while still treating his hair to luxury organic shampoo.
Key Features:
- Thickens and strengthens hair
- Includes aloe vera, vitamin E, tea tree oil, and more
- 8 fl oz
Cost: $25 (an estimated, rounded cost of the product)
Cosmeist &honey Shampoo Organic Hair and Scalp Care
The honey-rich formula of this organic shampoo won’t leave your hair sticky, but rather, smooth and well-hydrated.
Key Features:
- Blend of 3 kinds of honey
- Available with or without conditioner
- Gentle cleanser
Cost: $25
Dr. Squatch Natural Men’s Shampoo
There are fewer more “manly” mascots than a sasquatch, and any man that uses this organic shampoo will agree.
Key Features:
- Complementing conditioner available
- 2 size options
- Sulfate and paraben-free
Cost: $25
ecoLove Natural Shampoo with Organic Cucumber Spinach
This shampoo is perfect for your whole family, regardless of age or hair-type.
Key Features:
- No parabens, silicones, phthalates, or sulfates
- 10 fl oz
- Includes antioxidant-rich fig
Cost: $12
Juice Organics Color Protect Shampoo
If you color your hair, then an organic shampoo that protects that color, such as this shampoo, is definitely one you’ll want to consider.
Key Features:
- No parabens, silicones, phthalates, or sulfates
- 10 fl oz
- Includes antioxidant-rich fig
Cost: $12
With a pump nozzle, you’ll be able to easily access and use the organic shampoo contained within.
Key Features:
- 2 sizes available
- 2 scent options
- All hair types
Cost: $45
My Isreal’s Miracle Hair Bath Clean & Shiny Shampoo
This organic shampoo will serve to give your hair a spa-like bath for shiny hair with restored hydration.
Key Features:
- Utilizes herbs from Israel
- 8 fl oz
- Regrows lost hair
Cost: $15
Nature Sustained Probiotic Sensitive Skin Organic Shampoo
You’ll love the convenience of this large container of organic shampoo – especially if you’re in a family with a lot of hair!
Key Features:
- 2 scent options
- 2 sizes available
- Sulfate-free
Cost: $145
Pure Nature Lux Spa Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo SLS Sulfate Free Organic
The argan oil within this organic shampoo with smooth and strengthen your hair for a healthy appearance you’ll appreciate.
Key Features:
- Subscribe and Save eligible
- 16.9 fl oz
- Sulfate-free
Cost: $12