6 Best Vegan Shampoo Brands for Gorgeous Hair

That’s why it’s so important to take care of our hair in the best way possible starting with finding a shampoo made with healthy ingredients!

We’ve rounded up the some of the best vegan shampoo brands, and are sure you’ll find one perfect for your unique hair!

In a Hurry? Here’s Our Quick List of Top Picks

• Sage and Tea Tree Set and Sage Dandruff Shampoo
• Dr. Woods Natural Raw African Black Moisturizing Liquid Castile Soap
• Dr. Hempster Hair Loss and Biotin Shampoo
• Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue Shampoo
• Carolina Castile Soap Lavender Liquid Soap
• Tree to Tub Moisturizing Shampoo for Sensitive Skin

Why are Sulfates So Bad?

You may notice most shampoo brands contain sulfates, but what are they and why do we hear it’s best to avoid them?

Sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium dodecyl sulfate are the two most common sulfates you’ll find in shampoo.

Sulfates help the shampoo mix into water and for the active ingredients in shampoo to work along with creating foam.

Sulfates are surfactants, which by definition is a substance used to reduce the surface tension of a liquid it’s dissolved in.

However, sulfates are really bad for you and your skin, so since we all use shampoo so frequently, we come in contact with sulfates regularly.

By their inherent nature, sulfates have the ability to damage hair proteins and lead to split ends and breakage.

Also, for some people, sulfates can cause forms of irritation like contact dermatitis.

If you are sensitive to sulfates in this way, you could also be faced with hair loss as an added ‘bonus’ along with the irritation.

Finally, there are some who believe sulfates may also lead to cancer; so avoiding them is your best bet for your health.

How to Choose the Right Shampoo for Your Hair

Not all shampoos are created equally, but so isn’t our hair. That’s why it’s important to choose the right shampoo for your unique hair!

First start by considering your hair and scalp type – is it oily or dry, curly, straight or thin?

Oily scalps would need a balancing or clarifying shampoo or one specifically designed to absorb oil.

Dry scalps can also lead to issues with itchiness or flaking so it’s important to look for moisturizing and soothing shampoos such as those for curly hair.

Remember to avoid sulfates and shampoos designed to absorb oil since it will lead to further dryness.

Hydrating shampoos are great for curly and dry, fine hair, but make sure they don’t weigh your hair down.

Fine and thinning hair would benefit from a fortified shampoo made with ingredients used to thicken hair strands and encourage hair growth.

Consider your hair length and thickness as well when choosing a shampoo since some work better than others for these different kinds, and amount, of hair.

Finally, climate is a big factor when it comes to our hair. As you may have experienced, humidity and dry air can do a number of things to our mane.

Taking climate into consideration, look for a more moisturizing shampoo in dry climates and a balancing one for humid climates.

Things to Look for That Differentiate These Products

All of the shampoo brands on our list are free of sulfates and other toxins. Also, they’re vegan and cruelty-free!

However, they differ from each other in how they are specially formulated for different hair needs.

You’ll notice shampoos which uniquely treat the scalp and dandruff, while another effectively prevents hair loss.

A couple of the products are castile soaps with the versatility to work as a shampoo and a soap for many other uses.

There’s even a shampoo utilizing nature’s very own soapberry which contains saponin which suds like soap and has many beneficial properties for your hair.

6 Top Picks for Vegan Shampoos

Whether you are looking for an everyday natural shampoo, one gentle enough for sensitive skin, or one to treat dandruff, hair loss, or other scalp conditions, you’ve come to the right place!

Sage and Tea Tree Set and Sage Dandruff Shampoo

Maple Holistics’ shampoo is specially formulated to treat dandruff and give strength and shine to dry hair and it’s safe for color treated hair.

Along with being anti-dandruff, it’s also anti-fungal to treat the scalp and naturally antibacterial and anti-septic, essential oils relieve itchiness and irritation.

The tea tree conditioner controls frizz, breakage, and static using naturally anti-inflammatory tea tree oil derived from select Australian distillation plants ensuring it’s paraben and cruelty-free.

There are so many beneficial ingredients in this shampoo which target dandruff at its source while treating your hair.

For instance, sage oil is an anti-septic capable of calming and clarifying your scalp, thereby reducing dandruff, itching, and flaking.

Jojoba oil is hydrating and leaves your hair smooth, shiny and thick due to its ability to maintain hair’s volume by plumping the hair strands and preventing hair loss.

African shea butter is excellent for detangling and moisturizing a dry, itchy scalp. It’s rich in vitamins A, E, and F along with fatty acids.

This pair is completely sulfate-free and there are no evil ingredients like parabens – just lots of wonderful botanicals and other nutrients.

It’s also good for all hair types including oily, dry, thinning, thick and curly hair too!

Dr. Woods Natural Raw African Black Moisturizing Liquid Castile Soap

Dr. Woods formulated a natural raw black soap with the versatility to work as an effective shampoo and all-over soap along with being a gentle moisturizing exfoliant.

Castile soap gets its name from its origins as an olive oil- based soap originating in Castile, Spain.

It holds the pH level of 8.9 which is the same as baking soda on the scale and it naturally attracts dirt and other non-water-soluble molecules.

The raw black soap used in this product is full of iron, vitamins A and E, antioxidants, and aids in skin regeneration.

These qualities help skin problems and are also naturally anti-aging!

Dr. Woods’ company slogan is ‘All Things Good’ referring to the certified cruelty-free ingredients which are locally-sourced and sustainable as much as possible.

Since this soap is great for skin and hair, it is formulated using naturally hydrating hemp oil, skin-protecting vitamin E, and botanicals like rosemary extract.

Use this soap for your whole body including your hair using wet hands, a washcloth or loofah!

Dr. Hempster Hair Loss and Biotin Shampoo

Hair loss is a serious bummer and thinning hair can accompany other signs of aging to make matters worse.

Dr. Hempster has created an all-natural anti-hair loss therapeutic shampoo to come to your hair’s rescue!

There are 5 key ingredients specifically targeting hair loss and its cause while giving your hair added volume and softness.

These include hemp oil which naturally stimulates hair growth, biotin to thicken the hair strands, and saw palmetto to fight the enzymes causing baldness.

Wheat protein works to create hair elasticity while argan oil stimulates hair growth, moisturize, and protect hair with antioxidants.

Also the ingredients contain omegas 3, 6 and 9 which can strengthen and thicken hair as well!

You can use this with confidence knowing it’s all-natural, non-toxic and was produced in a FDA-approved facility in the U.S.

Results may show right away or it could take about 3 months to see noticeably thicker hair; though in the meantime it will treat your hair and scalp beautifully!

Finally, it may appear you are losing more hair when you first start using this, but rest assured this is the natural process of the old and weak hairs making way for stronger, healthier hair.

Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue Shampoo

Beautiful, shiny hair starts at the root and without a healthy scalp this will never be achieved.

Thankfully, Max Green Alchemy created this scalp rescue shampoo with pure plant origins to treat your scalp the best way possible.

The formula is perfect for treating all sorts of scalp conditions such as dandruff, psoriasis of the scalp, seborrheic dermatitis, trichotillomania, and dryness/itchiness.

While this is a great shampoo for your scalp, it’s also suitable as an everyday shampoo for all hair types (even curly hair!).

The scent is a pleasant woodsy citrus both men and women will love using, and the pH balance makes it safe for color-treated hair.

Key ingredients include a proprietary blend of essential oils and herbs designed to treat the scalp, and hydrolyzed soy protein for improved hair texture and manageability.

Oryzanol, a mixture of lipids derived from rice, is naturally rich in omegas 3 and 6 which help nourish hair.

The essential oils are tea tree, lemon tea tree, lavender, rosemary, and geranium all known for their beneficial properties for skin and hair.

There are no petrochemicals, sulfates, or parabens and it’s gluten-free.

Carolina Castile Soap Lavender Liquid Soap

This organic lavender castile soap is versatile, non-drying, and great for cleaning all hair types!

Carolina Castile Soap uses a higher concentration of olive oil to keep skin and hair from drying out. This biodegradable soap is certified organic, fragrance free, plant-based, and never tested on animals.

This castile soap is also free from palm oil, a questionable ingredient many vegans try to avoid.

The soap can be used as dish soap, hand soap, shaving cream, body wash, laundry soap, house cleaner, and of course shampoo!

With ingredients like olive oil, coconut oil, and cocoa butter, this soap does not strip hair of its natural moisture.

There are no synthetic detergents, preservatives or foaming agents—just natural, organic ingredients.

This castile soap can be diluted for most uses, but don’t dilute it when using as a shampoo.

Tree to Tub Moisturizing Shampoo for Sensitive Skin

In this amazing shampoo, Tree to Tub uses wild soapberry – nature’s soap which is naturally antibacterial and anti-inflammatory!

The company will also send you a sun-dried soapberry as a free gift! How great is that?!

This is a dry hair shampoo containing organic argan oil, chamomile, aloe vera, and olive leaves combined with relaxing lavender.

Soapberries are so wonderful because their pH is 5.5 which is the perfect level for the human body and the right pH for hair.

Also, they are rich is saponin which is a low-sudsing detergent straight from nature!

The soapberries are foraged in the wild to protect their natural habitat at Taiwanese eco-reserves.

Recognizing how many dry hair shampoos claim to be for sensitive skin or natural, but actually have hidden chemicals, Tree to Tub is naturally hypoallergenic and free of any toxins.

This product is great for men, women and children, and is moisturizing for hair and skin. It’s color safe too!

Top Choice for the Best Vegan Shampoo

All of the vegan shampoo brands on our list are amazing and have unique attributes able to help you with all of your hair’s needs.

However, for our top choice it’s Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue Shampoo!

Achieving beautiful hair starts with taking care of your scalp, and with this shampoo you are treating the skin on your scalp and hair naturally!

While this is terrific at treating all kinds of scalp conditions such as dandruff, psoriasis of the scalp, seborrheic dermatitis, trichotillomania, itchiness, and dryness, it’s also great to use every day on all hair types including curly hair.

Oryzanol and hydrolyzed soy protein nourish the hair and a proprietary blend of essential oils and herbs feed the skin and hair the nutrients it needs.

With a unisex, woodsy-citrus scent and all-natural ingredients without any toxins, this vegan shampoo brand takes the award.