32 Sustainable Shampoo For Healthier Hair

Whenever we hear someone; our friend, hairdresser or a stranger on the internet talk about sustainable shampoo, what does it really mean?

Is it made from responsibly-sourced and fair trade ingredients? Or does it refer to a biodegradable, recyclable or zero-waste packaging?

In this article, we will unpack what sustainable shampoo is all about and look at some of the best environmentally friendly shampoo and conditioners that you can buy to help you get healthy hair whilst saving the planet.

We will also look at eco-friendly products that can help you make minimal but meaningful changes to preserve the environment.

Here are some of the recommended sustainable shampoo:

Ethique Eco-Friendly Purple Shampoo Bar

Here are some of the recommended sustainable conditioners:

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Eco-friendly shampoo brands to look out for:

Ethique

Beauty and The Bees

What Is Eco-Friendly Shampoo?

Nowadays, the word eco-friendly is used a lot. From clothes to makeup, it seems that different industries have been implementing this initiative across the board, but what does it mean?

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, eco-friendly (also known as earth-friendly and environmentally friendly) means something that brings very little to no harm to the environment.

The shampoo is a necessity in our daily lives – it is part of our self-care routine, nourishes our natural crown and is widely used by salons, blow dry bars and the like.

Basically, eco-friendly shampoo means that the shampoo is not damaging to the environment.

Sustainable Shampoo Production

In short, this is achieved by ensuring sustainable practices throughout the manufacturing process of the product, from sourcing the raw ingredients to packaging.

Responsibly-Sourced, Natural Ingredients

Ingredients are key to labelling products as environmentally friendly, especially consumer products like shampoo and conditioner.

Sustainable shampoo contains natural, non-toxic ingredients which help to nourish your hair and unleash its glow.

When choosing an earth-friendly shampoo, look out for these ingredients which are highly beneficial for your hair.

Essential oils such as argan oil, avocado oil and tea tree oil are known to provide hydration and nutrients for your crowning glory.

Clay and charcoal, on the other hand, are excellent exfoliators, which removes dirt and oil without damaging your hair. On top of that, coconut oil further strengthens your strands.

Earth-Friendly Packaging

Aside from ingredients, the packaging is also crucial in labelling any product as sustainable.

It refers to improving the life cycle of a packaging which lessens the impact on the environment. In this case, the packaging has to be either reusable, recyclable or compostable.

What Shampoo Is Best For The Environment?

Before we help you choose the best sustainable shampoo, let’s take a look at the reasons why you should consider making the switch:

It Is Gentle on Your Hair

Choosing a sustainable shampoo over a mass-manufactured, chemical-laden shampoo will give you healthier, voluminous hair minus the irritations that come in a bottled shampoo.

Chemicals such as parabens and sodium laureth sulphate may bring more harm than benefit in the long run.

Good For The Planet

When you purchase zero-waste products, you reduce your carbon footprint, which plays a big part in conserving the environment and tackling climate change.

Did you know that every year, 9 million tonnes of plastic is dumped into the ocean?

Easy on the Budget

Investing in sustainable shampoo shouldn’t put a huge dent in your wallet.

This is because shampoo bars are highly concentrated, as they are formulated with much less water than traditional shampoo.

A single shampoo bar can last up to the equivalent of 2 to 3 bottles of shampoo. So when you think about it, that’s a lot less money (and waste) for much more uses!

Types Of Environmentally Friendly Shampoo And Conditioner

There are various selections of earth-friendly shampoo in the market, such as:

Eco-Friendly Shampoo Bars

Eco-Friendly Conditioner Bars
2-in-1 Eco-Friendly Shampoo and Conditioner

Where Can I Buy An Eco-Friendly Shampoo?

Thanks to technological advancements and the vast availability of WiFi, access to sustainable shampoo is easily available at the tip of our fingers.

Here are some of the best eco-friendly shampoo and conditioners available on the market:

Eco-Friendly Shampoo Bars

A selection of zero-waste shampoo bars to help you reduce waste and get more bang for your buck:

Ethique Eco-Friendly Purple Shampoo Bar for Blonde & Silver Hair

Eco-Friendly Conditioner Bars

Concentrated wholesome ingredients come in conditioner bar form, too! These are some of the top picks:

Organic Argan Oil hair Conditioner Bar By LittleBearBigBear

2-In-1 Eco-Friendly Shampoo And Conditioner

Combo packs and zero-waste shampoo and conditioner bars. A bang for your buck and travel friendly:

Ethique Eco-Friendly Shampoo & Conditioner Bar Bundle

Best Environmentally Friendly Shampoo Brands

Here are some of the best earth-friendly shampoo brands for you to get started:

Ethique

Ethique is a pioneer in producing a line of solid beauty bars – from shampoo and conditioner to cleanser and scrubs. They were started with the aim to reduce plastic waste. They ensure their products are sustainably produced and biodegradable, that are cruelty-free and plant based and free from palm oil.

Ethique is 100% plastic-free and committed to ensuring that ingredients are responsibly-sourced. One shampoo bar is roughly equivalent to 3 bottles of 350ml shampoo!

Shop Ethique

Chagrin Valley Soap And Salve

Chagrin Valley Soap and Salve – This family-owned company uses ingredients certified organic by the USDA and ensures their products are sustainably produced. Their skin and hair products are all natural with no chemicals, no artificial or synthetic ingredients, ensuring their products are suitable for sensitive skin.

Shop Cha grin Valley Soap and Salve

100% Pure

100% Pure – True to their brand name, 100% Pure ensures that all their products are 100% natural, with non-toxic ingredients. They are also cruelty-free and use pigments from natural sources. They focus on natural biological changes in products using techniques such as fermentation, distillation and cold processing to result in a 100% naturally produced product.

Shop 100% Pure

Rahua

The brand Rahua – Named after rahua oil, an Amazonian nut oil that has kept the Amazonian womens hair healthy, luscious and long for centuries.

Known as rahua oil this is the key ingredient in their products, and they work with the families of the Amazonian tribes to ensure that their products are sustainable and effective, as well as to protect and preserve the rainforest along with the indigenous people. Almost 500 families from various tribes work with alongside the founder Fabian to produce plant-based products that nourish, heal and transform.

Shop Rah ua

Beauty And The Bees

Beauty and The Bees is a Australian brand founded in Tasmania. They offer a range of shampoo, in which all-natural ingredients are used in the production, with ingredients that are all locally sourced. Since their establishment in 1993, they only use earth-friendly packaging and are also cruelty-free.

Shop Beauty and The Bees

Is Shampoo Bad For The Environment?

Shampoo in itself is not bad for the environment. However, some of the ingredients (particularly chemicals) used to formulate shampoo may be detrimental to the environment.

Let’s take a look at some of these ingredients:

Sulphates

Sulphates are cleansing agents which are widely used in everyday products, including shampoo.

You may find them in one of their many names, such as sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES).

Although sulphates play an important role in removing dirt and oil from your hair, it may not be suitable for everyone.

It can irritate sensitive scalp, strip natural oils from your hair as well as cause frizzy hair.

Apart from that, using sulphate-based products can be harmful to the environment. This may lead to water pollution, which can affect the habitat of aquatic life.

Parabens

The main use of parabens is as preservatives in cosmetics, skincare and haircare products.

They are added to prolong the shelf life of products by preventing bacteria growth.

Unfortunately, using products with high amounts of parabens may disrupt hormonal functions and cause skin irritations. Additionally, due to the prominence and high usage of parabens, it has become an emerging pollutant and is found in various water sources.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is another microbe-preventing preservative which is mainly added in shampoo.

It is easily absorbed into the skin, which has been proven to cause allergic reactions with consistent use. Moreover, formaldehyde can be toxic, especially to aquatic life and causes air pollution from industrial emissions.

Are Shampoo Bars Better For The Environment?

Shampoo Bars Are Earth-Friendly

Firstly, shampoo bars are often free from packaging and plastic, so it is practically zero waste and leaves a minimal carbon footprint.

Secondly, producing shampoo bars requires much less energy and the least amount of water than commercial shampoo.

Thirdly, shampoo bars are biodegradable and non-toxic. Besides being plastic-free, they are formulated with ingredients which are good for your hair and do not contribute to pollution, resulting in a greener and cleaner planet Earth.

The Downside To Using Shampoo Bars

The single argument used against using sustainable shampoo bars in our daily routine is the adjustment period.

We may discover that certain shampoo bars do not work for our hair.

Nonetheless, there are plenty of options in the market for different types of hair concerns to accommodate our ever-changing needs.

Are Shampoo Bars Better For Your Hair?

Environmentally Friendly Shampoo and Conditioner — Photo by Park Street on Unsplash

The short answer to this is yes. Shampoo bars are better for your hair.

These are how shampoo bars work to encourage hair growth, provide a boost of nutrients and bring back the natural shine in your hair:

Filled With Nature’s Best

Shampoo bars are manufactured with the wellbeing of the planet in mind. It is packed with the best natural ingredients to ensure similar, if not better results as a traditional shampoo.

Richer Formula For Better Hair

Sustainable shampoo, particularly shampoo bars are made with a lot less water than bottled shampoo.

This means that your hair is extra nourished in every wash due to lathering with concentrated shampoo.

Natural, Shiny Hair

Since shampoo bars are packed with non-toxic, natural ingredients, it can remove the chemical residue from commercial shampoo and permeate your hair with the best nutrition.

As a result, your hair will regain its genuine shine and glow.

List Of Eco-Friendly Products Which Are Good For The Environment

Apart from shampoo, there are countless items that you can start using to help you shift to a more sustainable lifestyle.

They are small changes that you can make every day. Here are some ideas to help you get started on your sustainable living journey:

Reusable Face Masks
Reusable Shopping Bags
Wooden Cutlery Set
Reusable Straws
Beeswax Wraps
Loof ah
Organic Eye Pillow
Reusable Razor
Eco-Friendly Toothbrush, Toothpaste and Dental Fl oss
Zero-Waste Dishwashing Soap
Zero-Waste Detergent

Reusable Face Masks

Nowadays, people are hoarding all sorts of necessities such as food, hand sanitisers and face masks. Instead of continuously buying boxes of disposable face masks, why not switch to a reusable, washable mask instead?

The Batik Face Masks are made with distinctive needs in mind. For adults, they come in two sizes, medium and large with 2-ply, 3-ply and even 4-ply options.

For kids, the batik face masks come in vibrant colours. All face masks are layered with filters so you can stay safe in style, with a contoured shape for full face coverage.

Reusable Shopping Bag

One of the ways to reduce single-use plastic is by using reusable shopping bags. They’re versatile, so you can use it for anything – from carrying groceries to work items.

The Reusable Shopping Bags from Baggu is made from sturdy ripstop nylong and adds a bit of flair in your everyday life.

Did we mention that it is also machine washable? Available as a set of 2, in various awesome colors and patterns. These Reusable Shopping Bags will keep you going for a long time. Buy Reusable Shopping Bags

Wooden Cutlery Set

Environmentally Friendly Shampoo Brands — *Photo by Good Soul Shop on Unsplash*

Switch to reusable cutlery when you plan on getting take away food or your next picnic.

Considering the pandemic and the amount of disposable plastic cutlery being used, it is definitely better to have a set of your own cutlery.

This 9-piece wooden cutlery set includes a straw and washing brush. It comes with a chic pouch, too, making it easy to carry around.

Reusable Straws

It is estimated that 500 million straws are used every day in the US alone. Start reducing your plastic waste today by skipping the straw.

You can start by getting a set of reusable straws for a change.

Reusable straws are available in various materials; such as these metal straws, these bent reusable silicone straws (if you prefer a more natural look) and these bamboo straws which are all biodegradable.

The straws come with a pouch, so you can take them everywhere you go.

Beeswax Wraps

Did you know that cling film or cling wraps are not recyclable? Instead of letting single-use cling wraps go to waste (no pun intended), why not use beeswax wraps for a change? They can be used over 100 times and last for a year or longer.

They are reusable, washable and eco-friendly, and also compostable and biodegradable.

The Beeswax Food Wrap from Swoofe is a perfect cling film alternative, ensuring that your food is kept fresh for a longer period of time.

It comes in vibrant colours, and you can get them individually or as a combo pack. Buy Beeswax Food Wrap

Loofah

Eco-Friendly Shampoo Bars — *Image by Jan Helebrant from Pixabay*

The natural loofah sponge gets its name from the luffa plant, which grows on a vine. It is actually a gourd from the cucumber family. Once they mature and dry out, the inner ‘skeleton’ or more scientifically known as the xylem of the gourd becomes the loofah.

A natural loofah is better for your skin and the environment, so it’s a no-brainer to shift to this greener option. The typical plastic mesh loofah contains a lot of plastic, and sadly 100 years from now will still be here. Each time they are used in the shower, microplastics are released into the waterways.

Natural loofahs leave no trace. They are a natural plant fibre that can be composted at the end of their lifetime. They absorb liquids, softening to be used as a shower scrub, but also for countertops, sinks and other surfaces. Try these biodegradable loofah sponges for easier use. Since you are encouraged to change it every few weeks, roughly every 3-4 weeks, you can get this loofah combo pack to help you stock up ready for your next switch.

Apart from showers, you can also use these loofah sponge as a substitute for your kitchen sponge.

Organic Eye Pillow

If you are wondering how to adopt a sustainable self-care routine, this organic lavender eye pillow can help you start.

The Organic Lavender Eye Pillow can help with tension headaches, anxiety and insomnia. The relaxing lavender scent is great for aromatherapy.

It can be used warm to relieve tired eyes strained after a long day in front of a screen. Or it can be used cold to reduce puffiness and swelling and the appearance of dark circles. Expect a well-rested sleep, relaxed mind and refreshed eyes after use.

Buy the relaxing Organic Lavender Eye Pillow

Reusable Razor

Shaving with disposable razors contributes to plastic pollution. However, you can change this by investing in a reusable razor.

This eco-friendly razor comes with a bamboo handle and a sturdy safety razor, helping you switch the blades easily.

It is suitable to be used for facial as well as delicate shaving needs.

Eco-Friendly Toothbrush, Toothpaste And Dental Floss

Level up your dental health game by using biodegradable toothbrushes. Check out this pack of 10 biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes which can be shared with your whole family.

In case you’re wondering, there is also an environmentally friendly toothpaste alternative.

You can use these toothpaste tablets which are not only travel-friendly but also easy to use. Fluoride-free toothpaste tabs are also available if you prefer that over the former.

Complete your earth-friendly brushing routine with these zero-waste dental floss, made from natural ingredients and comes in plastic-free packaging.

Zero-Waste Dishwashing Soap

Commercial dishwashing soap comes in plastic bottles which though recyclable, contributes to more waste.

Take a step to cutting down on waste by using a refillable dish soap for a change.

There are also zero-waste blocks of dish soap that are paired with soap trays that are a concentrated soap formula and ideally used with an eco friendly natural dish brush.

Zero-Waste Detergent

*Dropps Stain & Odor Laundry Detergent Pods: Clean & Crisp*

Make your washing more green (environmentally speaking) and give eco-friendly detergent a try. These waste-free laundry detergent tabs use plant-based ingredients and natural enzymes with compostable packaging.

They are chemical-free, non-toxic and cruelty free. They are available in various scents to suit your preference and in different sizes to suit each washing load.

*Dropps Stain & Odor Laundry Detergent Pods: Lavender Eucalyptus*

*Dropps Sensitive Skin & Baby Laundry Detergent Pods*

If you prefer a powder version, this natural laundry detergent works wonders to remove stubborn stains and keep your clothes smelling fresh.

*Molly’s Suds Natural Laundry Detergent for Sensitive Skin | Earth-Derived Ingredients*

Bottom Line – Are Sustainable Shampoos Worth The Switch?

The shift to adopt a sustainable lifestyle definitely pays off.

Not only does using sustainable shampoo help you save money and the planet, but you are also instilling good habits that benefit yourself as well as the planet, in the long run – by reducing waste and using better quality products.

NO HIDDEN TOXIC CHEMICALS

There are no hidden toxic chemicals that cause so many allergies and problems to our skin, sustainable shampoos use natural ingredients that are derived from plants that is gentler on your hair and skin.

It is also worth noting that adopting a sustainable lifestyle means taking it one step at a time.

Small switches that you choose to make today will bring as much of a good impact as significant changes do.

If you have used zero-waste shampoos or any of the eco-friendly products mentioned above, share your experience with us in the comments section below!