Finding a Shampoo Free of Chemicals Can Be Difficult, but It Is Possible
Everything we use on our bodies has a potential impact on our health, including our shampoo and conditioner. Have you ever considered that there may be dangerous shampoo chemicals inside your shower? And are the chemicals inside your personal hygiene products safe to use? You’ve trusted Mamavation to look into topics like 10 homemade shampoo recipes for DIYers, 10 homemade lotion recipes for DIYers, and which Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) personal care brands are safe, join us as we explore shampoos and conditioners and the ingredients they contain. Understanding you use these hair products regularly, you’d assume that they wouldn’t be allowed to contain harmful chemicals, right? Well sadly, this is not the case as we reveal on our post on the Illuminati of the Cosmetic Industry—the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR).
We’re here to bring you the facts about your favorite shampoos and conditioners. Though they’re made out of really common ingredients, common doesn’t always mean safe (neither does “natural” products for that matter). Most are made with strong chemical formulas which can be harsh to your skin and to the environment.
Hair care products like shampoo and conditioner are highly engineered. They’ve been designed to lather up and leave your hair “squeaky clean”, but that’s not even that good for you! Dangerous shampoo chemicals will leave your hair stripped of natural oils causing dry hair, which is why we need conditioner to re-moisturize it without leaving it oily. Build up of these chemicals can also clog and reduce the size of hair follicles, leading to hair loss and damage, especially to sensitive skin.
Achieving the desired cleaning effects, being shelf stable, and not using any harmful ingredients is a big ask for brands looking to make safer options, but it is possible. Even many “natural shampoos” and organic shampoos are not 100% pure. In this post, we’ll review harmful chemicals to avoid in your beauty products and the worst and best shampoo and conditioner brands for healthy, natural hair.
Disclosure: This post was written by MADE SAFE. MADE SAFE is the first non-toxic certification in the country that screens products across store aisles for chemicals known to harm human health and ecosystems. They’re experts on common toxic chemicals in products and safer options. The product recommendations, however, are from an investigation by Mamavation alone. We have included MADE SAFE certified products as the highest ranking because we trust what they are doing, but have also included other brands that are not certified with Made Safe. We’ve worked with some of the brands we’ve mentioned in this post, like Beautycounter, Dr. Bronner’s, Now Solutions, etc., but to ensure this list is useful to you, we have also included brands we have not worked with. This post contains affiliate links.
Dangerous Chemicals in Shampoo
Surfactants: This is what makes your shampoo lather up with suds. We usually associate soap suds with cleaner hair, but that’s not necessarily the case. Sudsing doesn’t really occur much in nature, so it’s often the result of a chemical reaction or agent. While these chemicals aren’t toxic to humans, they can cause serious irritation and can be really harmful to aquatic life. Given the quantity of shampoo going down the drain every time we wash our hair, we’d prefer to avoid irritation and create a safer environment by choosing better products.
Preservatives: Ever noticed the expiration date on your shampoo? Nope, neither have we. That’s because shampoos are full of preservatives to keep them shelf-stable. They’ll last for a really long time without separating out or going “off”. These preservatives prevent the growth of yeast, mold, bacteria, etc., but because they’re literally designed to kill things, preservatives are tricky and can have a range of toxicity problems for both humans and the environment.
Fragrance: This is definitely something to look out for. The term “fragrance” can act as a backdoor for all kinds of chemicals to sneak into your products. It’s often applied as an over-arching term for up to 100 ingredients, many of which are toxic to human health. To name a couple of these toxic offenders, phthalates are linked to reproductive and developmental damage, and synthetic fragrances are known to build up in our bodies and linked to hormone disruption.
Conditioner
Like shampoo, conditioner suffers from many of the same problems when it comes to surfactants, preservatives, and fragrance, but it has one more problematic ingredient category, emulsifiers.
Emulsifiers: Emulsifiers combine oil and water to stop them from separating in your conditioner. They also soften your hair giving you that soft, flowy feeling. But though these emulsifiers, such as siloxanes, are effective, they don’t break down in the environment. This is definitely bad news for aquatic life!
Ingredients to Avoid*:
- Ethanolamines
- Parabens
- Octinoxate
- Oxybenzone
- Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives:
- Quaternium-15
- DMDM hydantoin
- Imidazolidinyl urea
- Diazolidinyl urea
- Polyoxymethylene urea
- Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
- 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bronopol)
- Glyoxal
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- Fragrance
*These ingredients are listed on the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Red List, which is part of the MADE SAFE screening process for personal care products.
The following list of bad, better, and best products for your health are provided to you by Mamavation. We used Made Safe’s list of ingredients to avoid in order to create it. Most of the shampoo brands mentioned here are not multi-level marketing (MLM) brands. If you are looking for a list of multi-level marketing brands, check out our post, Best MLM Companies: Which Ones Should You Choose? Ingredient Investigation.
Shampoos & Conditioners that are Bad for Your Health
These are all products that contain dangerous shampoo chemicals and ingredients that are to be avoided as far as possible, like carcinogens and endocrine disrupters in “fragrance” and at least two other ingredients hazardous to your health.
- American Crew
- Andre Walker
- Bed Head
- Biolage
- Brazilian Keratin
- Clear
- Carol’s Daughter
- Fekkai
- Garnier Fructis
- Garnier Whole Blends
- Infusium 23
- It’s A 10
- John Frieda
- Johnson’s Original Baby Wash
- Up & Up (Copycat of Johnson’s & Johnson’s) Baby Wash
- Keratin Protein
- Loreal Everpure
- Loreal Original
- Mane ‘N Tail
- Mixed Chicks
- Nexxus
- Redken
- Rusk
- Suave
- Tresemme
- Equate
Shampoos & Conditioners that are Better for Your Health
These products contain some dangerous shampoo chemicals like sodium laureth sulfate and “fragrance”, but they’re not quite as bad as those listed above.
- Aussie
- Aveeno
- Axe
- Cetaphil
- Clairol hair food
- Dove men+care
- Essence Ultime
- Galvin & Galvin London
- Head & shoulders
- Equate (head & shoulders copycat)
- Herbal Essences
- Jhirmack distinctions
- Mustela Bebe
- Old Spice
- Pantene pro-v
- Pert
- Prell
- Ricitos de Oro
- Renpure s
- Selsun
- Equate
- Soapbox
- Suave
- VO5
- White Rain Kids 3 in 1
Shampoos & Conditioners that are Best for Your Health
These sulfate-free shampoo brands also do not contain phthalates or parabens. They may contain preservatives, but not ones I’m concerned about. If you are looking for shampoo free of chemicals, you should feel comfortable using just about any of the products on this list. Most rely on natural ingredients like essential oils, coconut oil, argan oil, tea tree oil, shea butter, aloe vera, to provide cleansing and moisture to various hair types. In addition to being free of harsh chemicals, most of these brands are also cruelty-free and/or eco-friendly and made from organic ingredients.
- Acure
- Alaffia*
- Attitude
- Babyganics
- Beautycounter
- Burt’s Bees
- California Baby
- Clean Freak Dry Shampoo
- Dr. Bronner’s
- Earth Mama
- Eucerin
- Fresh Monster Haircare
- Hairprint*
- Johnson’s Baby Naturals
- Nine Naturals
- Now Solutions
- PSSSST Dry Shampoo
- Shea Moisture Baby Shampoo
- So Cozy 3 in 1 Kids Shampoo/Conditioner & Body Wash
- The Honest Company
- ThinkBaby
- ThinkSport
- True Botanicals*
*Brands with products certified and independently screened by MADE SAFE. This means they have independently verified that products are made with ingredients not known to harm human health and ecosystems.
MADE SAFE Certified Hair Care Products
Hairprint: All Hairprint products are certified MADE SAFE. We particularly like their Chelating Shampoo, which is formulated to remove the buildup and dangerous shampoo chemicals left by conventional hair care products and hard water. Before you switch your routine or try and go au natural, you need to chelate your hair. Even just hard water will leave residue on your hair so it’s a good idea to remove the build up from time to time.
Alaffia: Alaffia’s Authentic African Black Soap is a shampoo option that actually does create suds. It’s creamy and leaves hair with a healthy feel. African Black Soap is known as a detoxifier with healing properties, but it’s also strong, so daily use isn’t recommended for skin and scalp.
True Botanicals: Nourishing Shampoo also delivers a MADE SAFE certified luxurious lather that moisturizes, and its companion Nourishing Conditioner is designed to protect hair and restore shine.
Pleni Naturals: For your little ones! Apple + Broccoli Hair and Body Wash is made with ingredients from fruits and veggies, like broccoli oil, olive oil, and apple amino acids.
MADE SAFE certified products have been screened by scientists for known carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, reproductive toxins, neurotoxins, behavioral toxins, flame retardants, heavy metals, high-risk pesticides, insecticides, toxic solvents, and harmful VOCs. Ingredients have been further examined by a chemist for bioaccumulation (builds up in human bodies), persistence (builds up in the environment), ecosystem harm, as well as for general and aquatic toxicity.
We hope this list will help you make informed decisions about chemical-free shampoos you can feel safe switching to. For more information on how to avoid hormone-disrupting chemicals in your personal care products, pick up a copy of Green Enough: Eat Better, Live Cleaner, Be Happier (All Without Driving Your Family Crazy!).
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Yes, there are chemicals in everything. From the food we eat to the clothing we put on our bodies. The FDA does not require cosmetic products and ingredients to be approved before they go on the market. It would be naive to think that these chemicals don’t harm us in some way. Personally, I choose natural products. My health and well being are too important to me to take chances.
What about Alba Botanicals specifically the Gardenia Smoothing shampoo
Where does Paul Mitchell fit in on these lists?
What about Lanza healing Volume Thickening Shampoo? Trying to find ingredients – not on container.
After I discovered Maple Holistics I stopped buying shampoo that had chemicals because naturals shampoo felt much better on my hair.
Thank you for the information
I’m calling bs on this. By the look of her hair, I would rather stay with the sulfates. I would also like to see your scientific proof that they cause cancer. Your throwing misconceptions out there with no proof. There is no study that says they cause cancer. Even the water you drink and bathe with have chemicals. Chemicals are every where.
Exactly. That’s why you should filter your water. My parents even use a filter for their shower water. There’s no proof that chemicals cause cancer, but it makes sense. I know it causes my mom to feel bad and that has been proven. She has an auto immune disorder so she can’t fight off the chemicals as well as other people can. She had so many toxins in her body and didn’t start feeling better until she got them out. It affects you more than you realize. That’s why it’s good to at least get some of the toxins out of your life.
I agree with you! Plus its a bit hypocritical when you have sauve.on both the safe and unsafe list. Tgis is too earthy crunchy for me….I’ll stick to recycling and using my Biolage 🙂
Elizabeth is right: it’s hypocritical to put one product on both-bad and good lists.
No sense and no logic. I use Suave very sparingly (rarely) and it cleans my hair fine. I follow with conditioner from the hair color set.
Don’t be too quick to judge.
Certainly do your own research
But after having itchy and burning hives on my scalp and all over my body ,it was discovered I’m allergic to formaldehyde.
It is used as a preservative in many products, including shampoo and body lotions.
I’ll be looking at this lists preservative free items.
I know this is an older thread, but a new start up called Public Goods makes some great stuff. Last time I checked EWG, they didn’t have a listing for them but hopefully they will soon. Order directly from Public Goods and become a member to save big bucks.
I have recently switched to Tree to Tub and LOVE it. All ingredients are rated a 2 or below on EWG. They are free from everything you don’t want and use organic ingredients plus they are free trade. As far as performance I would rate it right up there with the most expensive salon shampoos I have tried. Please don’t tell me this would be on your bad list! : )
Thanks Ann! We’ll look into it!
Do you know if their products are cruelty free
I had no idea that shampoo and conditioner had so many bad chemicals. Did you ever find out if Bumble and Bumble was safe?
They don’t disclose online, so it’s hard to tell.
I can recommend this site for finding out if a product contain dangerous ingredients. It highlights toxic chemicals in the content lists of products, so it’s actually very easy to use, you don’t have to look up products separately etc, And it’s free!
Thanks!!
I really appreciate with your thought. I also think that It has definitely created me personally believe as well as I’m hoping to learn to read much more. Thanks for the sharing such a informative also helpful article.
Thank you!!
I didn’t find any of the best shampoos for our health at Fred Meyers in Beaverton, Oregon. I settled for parables free Garnier Whole Blends Oat Delicacy with oak milk and rice cream extracts. Next time that I need shampoo and conditioner, I’ll check Target in Beaverton, Oregon for one of the best shampoo and conditioner for our health. If I can’t find the healthiest shampoo and conditioner locally, I request Eucerin or Hairprint.
Sometimes the best things are online. If you want to skip Amazon, go direct to the company. I’m assuming you are trying to stay local?
How can Suave be on the good list and then ALSO on the bad list? I’ve used Suave, Biolage, It’s a 10 and John Frieda and NEVER experienced any negative symptoms. And I’m talking about using these products for years. This sounds very hypochondria-cal.
That’s a new one I’ve never heard before.
Suave good or Bad?
Any updates on the Bumble & Bumble evaluation? Thanks!
We can include that brand when we do the update. In the meantime, would you like to link up the ingredients for me?
Why is Garnier Whole Blends on the bad list? I checked out all of the bad ingredients per your list and none were found. This seems to be a good choice. And also you do not mention Pantene on the bad list or Suave Professional which have been in the news recently for the chemicals in them. I used to use Pantene regularly until i found its link to alsheimers and neural damage due to a chemical you did not list as bad. I am skeptical of your lists. It seems your research is incomplete.
What about Wen and also Monat are these safe?
Rachelle Monat is definitely safe, no sulfate or harsh chemicals 🙂 I’m a monat Market Partner if you’re interested.
Monat is not safe. I used but have changed after reading the review on the blog I read labels dor you… You can google it.
Monet is horrible
THIS IS NUDITY
Monat contains fragrance and in the fragrance ingredients includes sodium benzoate and citrus extracts which when mixed together creates benzene, a known carcinogen
Whether or not it’s safe as far as this list goes, Monat is definitely NOT safe for you or your hair. It has been strongly linked to hundreds of cases of hormonal issues, balding, sores on the scalp, and hair loss. Please do your research before you purchase from any Multi-Level Marketing company. Of course Lindsay will tell you it is safe, she sells it and wants your money.
We did an investigation on MLMs and that is here, https://www.mamavation.com/beauty/best-mlm-companies.html
What about caress
I’d pass
How about Monat? Pretty new in my area, lots of products!
.
I’m going to copy and paste my comment from up above because I think it is important to spread information aside from what the “market partners” want you to hear!
Whether or not it’s safe as far as this list goes, Monat is definitely NOT safe for you or your hair. It has been strongly linked to hundreds of cases of hormonal issues, balding, sores on the scalp, and hair loss. Please do your research before you purchase!
There are currently major lawsuits against the company.
Here’s our MLM investigation, https://www.mamavation.com/beauty/best-mlm-companies.html
You have Suave on the good list and you have Suave on the bad list. I think that a correction should be made to this as to clarify the readers.
Agreed,
In my opinion this should be on the good list.
I second the both of you. I’ve used Suave and never had any problems. Showing it on the good list and bad list is inconsistent research. Suave Essentials has never done harm to anyone that I know.
It’s not a mistake. It was on the Bad and the better list, but not the best. They had a formula that made the better list. Most of the products however, was in the bad section.
Have you studied Young Living’s Shampoos?
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Young Living’s shampoo. Thanks for letting me know about it.
Appreciate it very much intended for publishing this kind of fascinating article on this matter. It has definitely created me personally believe as well as I’m hoping to learn to read much more.
What about these brands!?
Bumble & Bumble
AVEDA
**Function of Beauty** – mostly interested in this one since they claim to be all natural ingredients and safe!
I believe Aveda is “better” not best. Function of Beauty really pisses me off because it’s REALLY hard to figure out what is inside that bottle. And when brands do that…I start wondering why. They have a list of what is NOT in the bottle on the website but I can’t find what is inside the different formulations. Hm….I’d pass honestly. AS for Bumble & Bumble, they are another company that drives me nuts with a lack of transparency on their site. I can’t find an ingredients list for them. That’s typically not a good sign.
I’m wondering how Suave made the “bad” and “better” lists at the same time. Was this a misprint? I use Suave daily clarifying shampoo but will definitely discontinue if it’s on the “bad” list! Thanks!
What is your opinion about Chi products?
If you can find an ingredient list, I’ll let you know. I can’t find it on their website. That’s not a good sign.
Thank you for this!!! What about Kevin Murphy? They claim to be healthy but I am suspicious…
Can you link up that brand please so we can follow up?
This is another brand with no ingredient disclosure on their site. They say “key ingredients” instead of telling us what’s in it. I can’t be sure, but that’s not a good sign.
What about Monat – Modern Nature?
Thanks! We covered the MLM brands here, https://www.mamavation.com/2017/02/best-mlm-companies.html
What about Just Nutrtive?
I’ll have to look them up! Thanks for stopping by!
What about Nu Skin / Pharmanex ?
We can look into this!
I use and love Acure products. Clean ingredients without a big price tag. 100% Pure is another great brand for haircare as well as makeup! For the kids, Babo Botanicals is a favorite.
I use fragrence free products and can only find one, Free & Clear, by Pharmaceutical Specialties, Inc. How does it rate and are there any other fragrence free products out there
Link me up to the ingredients please!
I have contact dermatitis, allergic to 13 different chemical, the most prevalent is formaldehyde. Dermatologist gave me a list of products I can use that was free of toxins, only shampoo and conditioner I can use is free and clear. Expensive and is not very good, to put moisture in my hair. I use coconut oil twice a week
Are you making your own shampoo?
You mentioned Suave and Equate as being both both bad and better for your health. Which Ones? Also, what about Salon Selectures or Herbal Essences? Thank you.
What about L Bri shampoo and conditioner?
What about L Bri shampoo and conditioner?
You missed preservatives Methylisothiazalinone and the closely related Chlormethylisothiazalinone. These were deemed the “Allergens of the Year” by the Contact Dermatitis Association in 2014. It’s commonly found in shampoos and liquid soaps, even including Seventh Generation and Mrs Meyers.
Beautycounter is the best!!! I traded out my free & clear shampoo for Beautycounter, and I have never been happier! My hair now feels and smells great and I’m using safe products!
We love BeautyCounter. We didn’t include MLM companyies but BeautyCounter is also selling in places like Target so we made sure to include them. You’ll find they did very well in our MLM write up as well, https://www.mamavation.com/2017/02/best-mlm-companies.html
Have you looked at PURE Haven Essentials shampoo & conditioner?
YES, actually we wrote about them in our MLM investigation here, https://www.mamavation.com/2017/02/best-mlm-companies.html.
Bumble and Bumble have become very popular shampoos and conditioners used in salons. Have they been evaluated? Thank you!
I can look into them and evaluate and add. Thanks for that!
What about Aveda and Adama Ancient Minerals Shampoo? Thanks for this!!