8 Eco Friendly Shampoo and Conditioners For Salon Hair

Looking to lather up with some eco friendly shampoo and conditioners? Well, I’ve found eight different environmentally friendly shampoo and conditioner brands actually worth raving about!

Whether you’re looking for cruelty-free, vegan shampoo and conditioner bars, organic sustainable shampoo, or options for textured hair, there is sure to be something here for you. 

Before we get into the awesome ethical and eco-friendly shampoo and conditioners I’ve gathered for you, let’s look into how to shop for eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner for yourself. 

Shopping for eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner can be a challenge, here's what to look for:

Like a lot of conventional beauty products, shampoo and conditioner can contain toxic ingredients known to pose a threat to human and environmental health. Common offenders include: 

Some of these ingredients (like formaldehyde) are known carcinogens. Others (like petrolatum) are derived from fossil fuel-intensive processes. Many more (such as sodium chloride and parabens) can be hard on the hair and scalp. All of these ingredients come together to create products that are unhealthy for us, for our hair, and for the environment. 

Haircare products like shampoo and conditioner are also a big source of plastic waste and pollution. The beauty industry alone is responsible for 120 billion units of packaging per year, most of which are not recyclable. Even when it is recyclable, 91% of all the plastics ever created have not been recycled, making recycling an unreliable solution.

For those reasons, when shopping for eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner we look for clean beauty brands that account for the health and environmental concerns associated with beauty products. 

To help, I have developed some clean beauty criteria which serve as a guide for vetting anything from face wash and body wash to loofahs:

Is it local?

I always prefer products that are made as near to me as possible. In doing so, I help to reduce my carbon footprint and support my local economy. 

Is it made of natural ingredients?

Here we consider what ingredients should be avoided and favor products that are formulated with all-natural ingredients instead. For a full list of ingredients to be avoided in cosmetics, check out the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. 

Is it certified organic?

Wherever possible, I also opt for products made out of certified organic ingredients. This helps to avoid any of the harmful chemicals that are commonly used in the agricultural processes involved or elsewhere in the supply chain.

Is it vegan?

I also consider whether products are vegan. Vegan products are entirely plant-based and contain no ingredients derived from animals or insects whatsoever. 

Is it cruelty-free?

I also make sure to look out for products that are cruelty-free, which means they are not tested on animals. 

Palm oil-free?

Lots of beauty products also include palm oil and I always look out for it because it is most often unsustainably farmed and contributes to deforestation in the communities where it is produced. When a product does contain palm oil, I look for the RSPO certification, which indicates that the palm oil was third-party verified to have been sourced sustainably.

Are the ingredients sustainably sourced?

From production methods to labor practices, I look for products made using ethical manufacturing processes, meaning safe working conditions and living wages for the workers involved. I also look at the overall environmental impact that the sourcing process has on wildlife, biodiversity, and ecosystems as a whole.

Does the company use environmentally-conscious packaging?

Packaging is a big issue when it comes to sustainability and cosmetics, so I also look for products that use as little packaging as possible. If there is packaging, it should be compostable or recyclable — think zero waste shampoo and conditioner in this instance. Some brands even offer take-back programs to help with disposal. 

Is it inclusive?

Here I look for products designed to serve the needs of our very diverse global community. Because if sustainable products are not available to everyone, we cannot create a sustainable future. 

Blue beauty products are also a great alternative when it comes to avoiding the pitfalls of conventional cosmetics. Blue beauty brands are similar to clean beauty brands but pay particular attention to keeping our coastlines, oceans, and waterways free of plastics and other toxic materials. 

Ethical and eco friendly shampoo and conditioners we recommend 

These are products we have used and loved over the years and we are so happy to be sharing them with you! So if you want salon-inspired hair at home...read on beautiful!

1. Upfront Cosmetics

Pin

A Canadian brand, Upfront Cosmetics strives to empower us to make informed decisions about the beauty products we choose by making all of the ingredients they use easier for us to understand. 

They bring us some of the best cruelty-free vegan shampoo and conditioner bars, using only plant-based emollients and proteins that leave hair shiny, and soft, as well as essential oils that stimulate and soothe. 

Each of their 65g shampoo and conditioner bars replaces three bottles of their liquid counterpart, and all of their products are free from silicones, parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, mineral oil, petroleum, and formaldehyde.

They also offer lots of different formulations, like their Nourishing shampoo bar designed to intensely moisturize or their Enlivening conditioner bar for deep-conditioning. And it's all packaged in biodegradable boxes.

For shipping, your Upfront bars will be delivered in cardboard boxes and packed using biodegradable packing peanuts made from potato starch, as well as plastic-free water-activated tape. And big news: you can now find them at Whole Foods! YAY!

2. Yarok

Pin

Founded by renowned Israeli hair stylist, Mordechai Alvow, this brand makes for a great 'green' or 'yarok' alternative to conventional shampoo and conditioner options. Among the powerful formulas offered, their Feed Your Moisture Shampoo is designed to gently cleanse hair using Vitamin Infused Water and Organic Fair Trade African Black Soap. 

All of their products are made of organic ingredients and all-natural botanicals for a 100% vegan haircare experience free from alcohol, parabens, sulfates, and gluten.

They also ensure that all of their ingredients are sourced responsibly using primarily certified organic ingredients.

3. 100% Pure

Pin

Along with their commitment to formulating the purest, healthiest, cruelty-free and natural makeup and skincare, 100% Pure also offers a wide selection of shampoos and conditioners made using all-natural ingredients.

For them, natural means using only ingredients or formulas made of plant, mineral, and/or marine vegetation using only biological processes like fermentation, distillation, and cold processing. 

When it comes to sourcing their ingredients, 100% Pure uses vegan and cruelty-free ingredients, so be sure to look out for the Vegan label under their product descriptions when browsing their selection. Many of their products are also made in the USA. 

4. Plaine Products

Pin

Founded by two sisters, Lindsey and Alison Delaplaine, Plaine Products is committed to offering healthier alternatives to the all too common single-use options that are polluting our planet. 

Their selection features a number of sustainable bath products including palm oil-free shampoo and conditioner. Both are vegan, cruelty-free, non-GMO, biodegradable, sulfate-free, color safe, and silicone-free.

Plaine Products is also a Certified B Corporation and offers carbon neutral shipping, a subscription program, as well as a take-back program.

Bottled in recyclable and reusable aluminum containers, it all comes together to make an excellent option for zero waste shampoo and conditioner. 

5. Etee

Pin

One of our favorites here at the Hub, etee offers some great options for anyone looking for cruelty-free shampoo and conditioner bars, natural vegan shampoo and conditioner, or plastic-free alternatives.

Also free of sulfates, parabens, and harsh chemicals, you’ll find several options for both shampoo and conditioner, including a Lavender Chamomile shampoo bar, a Coconut conditioner bar, as well as shampoo/conditioner combo packs. 

With a commitment to making a plastic-free life accessible to everyone, their selection of products is also entirely plastic-free. They also offer some great options for zero waste lip balm and zero waste floss. 

6. Attitude Living

Pin

A Canada-based company, Attitude offers safe, effective, and hypoallergenic personal care and cleaning products with as little harm to people and to the planet as possible. Featuring a wide selection of shampoos and conditioners made using EWG-verified ingredients, Attitude promises a gentle, worry-free experience for happy and healthy hair, from root to tip.  

With a commitment to offering safer products, you will also find that all of their offerings are 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and certified by PETA and ECOLOGO. 

As part of their commitment to lighten their environmental footprint, all of their products are recyclable and reusable as well. They encourage reuse by offering bulk eco-refills, and package orders in recycled and recyclable materials, filled with biodegradable and compostable starch packing peanuts. 

In an effort to adopt a circular approach to operations, Attitude also helps to regenerate and heal the planet through a reforestation initiative.

7. Evolvh

Pin

Evolvh is best known for its clean, high-performance, non-toxic shampoos and conditioners, and strives to formulate products for all hair types and concerns. 

They offer a particularly great option for curly hair in their SmartCurl Hydrating Wash made with only the best natural and organic natural ingredients. Free of silicones, parabens, panthenol, gluten, and entirely vegan, their gentle wash offers a great cleansing experience without stripping wavy, curly, and coily strands of beneficial oils.

They also offer the SmartCurl Hydrating Conditioner which is similarly formulated for curly strands, and silicone-free, panthenol-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, and vegan. 

8 Sienna Naturals

Pin

Co-owned by Hannah Diop and Issa Rae, this BIPOC-owned natural hair care brand prides itself on delivering clean care for textured hair without compromise. In keeping with this mission, all of their products are free of sulfates, parabens, silicones, phthalates, petroleum, mineral oil, formaldehyde, artificial fragrances, and dyes; for hair care that is both good for us and for the planet. 

Their selection of all vegan and cruelty-free products includes the H.A.P.I. Shampoo, which is a moisture-rich wash that gently cleanses hair without stripping its natural oils. Pair it with the Untangled Conditioner for easy and ultra-hydrating detangling.

They also offer lots of other natural hair care essentials so be sure to check those out as well. If you love what they have to offer you also have the option of signing up for their subscription program for easy top-ups. 

A final word Eco Friendly Shampoo and Conditioners?

There is now something for everyone when it comes to more eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner. I hope this list of brands will help you find something perfect for you and make the switch to safer, healthier, and more eco-friendly hair care products a little easier. Remember that there is no shame in finishing any hair care products you’ve already invested in so get through those and recycle or reuse where possible. What are your favorite haircare products? Tell me in the comments below!

If you found this post helpful, please help someone by sharing this article – sharing is caring 🙂!

Pin