13 Best Natural Shampoos for Every Hair Type, According to Experts
Discover the top natural and organic shampoos for all hair types, plus expert tips for choosing the best clean hair care products.
13 Best Natural and Organic Shampoos for Every Hair Type
Modern hair care enthusiasts are increasingly making the switch to natural and organic shampoos—and not just as a passing trend. With growing awareness around the potential health and environmental impacts of harsh synthetic ingredients, clean shampoos formulated with botanicals and safer cleansers represent a smart choice for anyone seeking healthier hair and scalp.
But finding the right “natural” shampoo can be daunting, as the term itself is unregulated and open to interpretation. Whether you have dry, oily, curly, thin, or color-treated hair, the right formula can be found. This guide draws on dermatologist advice and real-world reviews to help you choose the best clean shampoo for your needs, along with a curated list of the top expert-recommended brands for every hair type.
How to Choose the Best Natural Shampoo for Your Hair Type
Unlike standardized drug labels, “natural shampoo” is a flexible category. Here are four essential factors to help you navigate the selection process:
- Define “natural” by your standards: Because no official criteria exist for natural shampoos, decide which ingredients and certifications matter most to you. Many consider natural to mean formulas without sulfates, parabens, silicones, and artificial fragrances or colors. It can also mean cruelty-free formulations or those made mostly of botanical extracts.
- Know your hair and scalp type: Hydrating shampoos are best for dry scalps and coarse or straight hair. Volumizing formulas often suit fine, limp, or oily hair. Curly hair usually benefits from moisturizing, frizz-taming options that don’t weigh curls down. Familiarize yourself with beneficial and potentially drying natural ingredients—avoid stripping oils if your hair is already brittle, and opt for gentle cleansers and nourishing butters or oils when needed.
- Watch for irritants—even natural ones: Just because an ingredient is plant-based doesn’t mean it’s safe for all. Essential oils, botanicals, and natural fragrances can cause sensitivity or allergic reactions. Since “hypoallergenic” is not regulated, always check labels for anything you react to and note ingredient placement—the higher up the list, the greater its concentration.
- Check for certifications: While certifications aren’t mandatory, they can help ensure safety and authenticity. Look for seals from organizations such as the Natural Products Association, The Soil Association, COSMOS-standard, EWG Verified, or NATRUE.
Ultimately, choosing natural shampoo is personal and might take some trial and error, but ingredient awareness and expert recommendations will point you in the right direction.
Ingredients to Avoid in Shampoos
Natural shampoo brands commonly exclude the following ingredients due to evidence of health risks or environmental harm:
- Sulfates (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate)
- Parabens
- Silicones and siloxanes
- Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
- Ethoxylated ingredients (e.g., PEG compounds)
- Polysorbates
- Phenoxyethanol
- Petrochemicals
- Triclosan
- TEA/DEA (triethanolamine/diethanolamine)
- Synthetic fragrances
- Artificial colors
Avoiding these helps reduce your overall exposure to potential allergens and endocrine disruptors while minimizing negative impact on the environment.
13 Expert-Approved Natural Shampoos to Try
Below you’ll find a diverse list of the best natural and organic shampoos for various hair types and concerns. Each formula is recommended by dermatologists or highly rated by users for its effective yet gentle cleansing power.
1. AG Hair Natural Balance Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
- Key features: Over 98% plant-based ingredients; apple cider vinegar and organic argan oil.
- Best for: All hair types, including color-treated hair.
- Benefits: Smooths, moisturizes, boosts shine, and removes scalp oils without harsh chemicals.
This shampoo uses apple cider vinegar to balance scalp pH and smooth the cuticle, while organic argan oil and aloe vera hydrate and tame frizz.
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2. Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
- Key features: Vegan, cruelty-free, contains charcoal, peppermint and tea tree oils.
- Best for: Itchy, flaky, or sensitive scalps.
- Benefits: Charcoal draws out impurities; coconut oil prevents dryness; peppermint and spearmint soothe irritation.
This micro-exfoliating formula deeply cleans the scalp to alleviate itchiness and flakes while hydrating dry hair with coconut oil.
3. Laritelle Organic Diamond Strong Shampoo
- Key features: Organic jojoba oil, rosemary extract, peppermint oil.
- Best for: Damaged, thinning, or color-treated hair.
- Benefits: Rosemary stimulates growth, jojoba balances oil, and peppermint enhances shine and circulation.
4. 100% PURE Kelp & Mint Volumizing Shampoo
- Key features: Certified organic, plant-forward formula, botanical extracts.
- Best for: Fine, limp, or oily hair needing gentle cleansing and volume.
- Benefits: Lightweight, invigorating scent, safe for daily use, and non-stripping.
5. Carina Organics Citrus Daily Moisturizing Shampoo
- Key features: Vegan, cruelty-free, unscented option available, simple formula.
- Best for: A budget-friendly pick for most hair types, especially sensitive scalps.
- Benefits: Affordable, gentle lather, leaves hair squeaky clean and soft.
6. Rahua Classic Shampoo
- Key features: Amazonian Rahua oil, certified organic ingredients.
- Best for: All hair types, including color- and keratin-treated.
- Benefits: Strengthens, promotes scalp health, imparts shine, safe for sensitive skin.
7. Yarok Feed Your Volume Shampoo
- Key features: Aloe vera, herbal extracts, 100% vegan.
- Best for: Fine, limp hair lacking body and volume.
- Benefits: Adds bounce and fullness, gentle enough for frequent use.
8. John Masters Organics Lavender Rosemary Shampoo
- Key features: Certified organic, essential oils, non-GMO.
- Best for: Normal and dry hair.
- Benefits: Hydrates, calms the scalp, enhances shine, USDA organic.
9. Acure Curiously Clarifying Shampoo
- Key features: Lemongrass, argan oil, vegan, sulfate-free.
- Best for: Oily, normal, and clarifying needs.
- Benefits: Deep-cleansing without stripping natural oils, affordable, cruelty-free.
10. Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Shampoo
- Key features: Biotin, saw palmetto, vitamin E, certified organic ingredients.
- Best for: Thinning, fine, or fragile hair.
- Benefits: Encourages hair strength and thickness, gentle on scalp.
11. Innersense Organic Beauty Pure Harmony Hairbath
- Key features: Certified organic plant extracts, sustainable packaging.
- Best for: Sensitive scalps, fine to medium hair.
- Benefits: Cleans and softens without residue or irritation, suitable for sensitive users.
12. Puracy Natural Daily Shampoo
- Key features: Plant-derived cleansers, vegan, biodegradable packaging.
- Best for: All hair types, including daily use.
- Benefits: Gentle cleansing, eco-friendly, subtle scent.
13. True Botanicals Nourishing Shampoo
- Key features: Wild-harvested botanicals, certified nontoxic, vegan.
- Best for: Dry or color-treated hair.
- Benefits: Restores moisture, protects hair color, safe for sensitive skin.
Table: Best Natural Shampoos at a Glance
| Shampoo | Best For | Main Ingredients | Unique Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| AG Hair Apple Cider Vinegar | All hair types | Apple cider vinegar, argan oil, aloe vera | Shine & balance |
| Briogeo Scalp Revival | Irritated scalp | Charcoal, coconut oil, peppermint | Deep cleansing & itch relief |
| Laritelle Diamond Strong | Thinning, damaged | Jojoba, rosemary, peppermint | Scalp stimulation |
| 100% PURE Kelp & Mint | Fine, daily use | Kelp, mint, aloe vera | Volume & gentle cleanse |
| Carina Organics Citrus | All, budget | Botanical extracts | Affordable & clean |
| Rahua Classic | All, sensitive | Rahua oil, palo santo | Strengthening |
| Yarok Volume | Fine, limp | Aloe, herbal extracts | Volume boost |
| John Masters Organics | Normal, dry | Lavender, rosemary | Moisture & shine |
| Acure Clarifying | Oily, clarify | Lemongrass, argan oil | Deep cleanse |
| Avalon Organics Biotin | Thinning | Biotin, saw palmetto | Thickening |
| Innersense Harmony | Sensitive, fine | Plant extracts | Gentle, residue-free |
| Puracy Natural | All, daily | Plant cleansers | Eco-friendly |
| True Botanicals Nourishing | Dry, color-treated | Wild botanicals | Moisture & color care |
Expert Tips for Sensitive Skin and Scalp
- Choose unscented or fragrance-free formulas if you have a known sensitivity to perfumes or essential oils.
- Patch test new shampoos on a small area of scalp before full use.
- Look for “hypoallergenic,” but because it’s unregulated, confirm ingredient safety independently.
- Prefer formulas with minimal and recognizable ingredients.
Natural Shampoo Certifications to Look For
- The Soil Association (UK organic standard)
- COSMOS-standard (international organic standard)
- NATRUE (natural and organic cosmetics label)
- EWG Verified (Environmental Working Group)
- Natural Products Association
These organizations provide extra peace of mind that the product’s claims have been validated by rigorous third-party inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does “natural shampoo” really mean?
There’s no official definition. Most natural shampoos avoid harsh chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, focusing on plant-based cleansers and botanicals. Always read the full ingredient list to determine if it meets your personal standard.
Can natural shampoos work for all hair types?
Yes—there are natural formulas for dry, oily, thin, thick, curly, and color-treated hair. Choose ingredients and textures matched to your scalp and strand needs for best results.
Are natural shampoos safe for sensitive scalps?
Generally, yes, but even natural ingredients can cause reactions. Opt for unscented or minimal formulas and always patch-test new products to check for irritation.
Do natural shampoos clean as well as traditional ones?
Most modern natural shampoos offer powerful—yet gentle—cleansing, though heavy buildup may require two washes or a clarifying formula. Without sulfates, don’t expect as much lather, but your hair will still get clean.
How do I know if a shampoo is genuinely natural?
Check the ingredient list and look for third-party certifications like COSMOS or EWG Verified. Avoid formulas heavy in synthetic chemicals, and research brands known for transparency and clean sourcing.
Conclusion: Making Your Natural Shampoo Switch
Switching to natural shampoo is an investment in your hair’s health and environmental sustainability. While it may take some time to find your perfect match, focusing on ingredients, product certifications, and your unique needs will help you choose confidently. Listen to your hair, consider trial sizes, and enjoy the renewal that comes from cleaner, greener choices in hair care.
References
- https://www.prevention.com/beauty/hair/g30532007/best-natural-shampoo/
- https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/natural-and-organic-hair-care-brands/
- https://organicallybecca.com/natural-shampoo-guide-by-hair-type/
- https://www.prevention.com/beauty/hair/g44853204/best-biotin-shampoos/
- https://www.prevention.com/beauty/hair/g63655512/best-hard-water-shampoos/
- https://evolvh.com/blogs/news/prevention-mag-the-best-natural-shampoos-according-to-dermatologists
- https://www.prevention.com/beauty/hair/g46136631/best-hair-growth-shampoo/
- https://www.prevention.com/beauty/hair/g30469954/best-shampoo-for-dry-hair/
- https://www.prevention.com/author/209240/krissy-brady/
- https://www.prevention.com/beauty/hair/
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