12 Best Natural Shampoos for 2023

Hair is an essential part of your signature look, and having the right shampoo and conditioner can make or break your hairstyle. And believe it or not, some of the traditionally common ingredients in shampoos can be harmful, so using a natural shampoo can help keep your mane lush and beautiful without damaging your hair. 

As for what makes a shampoo more natural, that can be a tricky question. There’s no universally set standard at the moment to clearly define a natural shampoo.

When looking for a more natural shampoo, it’s best to avoid products with potentially harmful ingredients. Those ingredients include parabens, phthalates, sulfates, formaldehyde, alcohol, toluene, imidazolidinyl, dimethicone, and retinyl palmitate. Instead, look for shampoos that incorporate ingredients like essential oils and certified organic ingredients such as honey or hemp.

There are plenty of options to choose from, from shampoos specifically formulated for dry or fine hair to those best for an itchy or dry scalp and even ones ideal for normal hair. We’ve narrowed down our picks for the best natural shampoos so you can find your new favorite.

Best natural shampoos overview:

• Best overall: Acure Ultra Hydrating Shampoo
• Best budget: Native Strengthening Shampoo 
• Best for itchy scalp: 100% Pure Burdock and Neem Healthy Scalp Shampoo
• Best for color-treated hair: Pureology Hydrate Sheer Shampoo
• Best splurge: Goop G. Tox Himalayan Salt Scalp Scrub Shampoo
• Best bar: Grove Collaborative Moisturizing Peach Shampoo Bar
• Best clarifying: WOW Skin Science Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
• Best thickening: Avalon Organics Thickening Biotin B-Complex Shampoo
• Best powder: Meow Meow Tweet Shampoo Powder
• Best hydrating: Pacifica Coconut Power Strong & Long Moisturizing Shampoo
• Best for all hair types: OLAPLEX No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
• Best protein: Reverie Shampoo

How we chose the best natural shampoos

To compile this list, we researched manufacturer specifications, including scent, ingredients, benefits, and more, to create a short list of the top natural shampoos. Then, we combed through detailed product descriptions, ratings, and reviews to find the best natural shampoos for each category.

Our picks for the best natural shampoos

Overall, our pick for the best natural shampoo is Acure’s Ultra Hydrating Shampoo for its moisturizing and softening benefits. While the brand doesn’t provide a description of the scent, it contains essential oils like sweet almond and fruit. Multiple reviewers said it smells fantastic, almost like a sugar cookie. 

Other key ingredients are argan oil, pumpkin seed oil, and omega fatty acids. These natural ingredients will keep your tresses moisturized, although some reviewers noted their hair was more likely to become tangled with this shampoo. Everyone’s hair is unique, so your experience may depend on your hair’s natural texture, though softer, more manageable hair is typically a benefit of using this shampoo. 

The packaging contains a warning to avoid getting shampoo in your eyes, so just know you could experience some stinging if that happens. But this product’s affordable price, natural ingredients, and the fact that it’s not tested on animals make this our top choice for a natural shampoo.

Hair type: Dry, damaged | Scents available: 1, with essentials oils like sweet almond and fruit | Size: 8 fl oz

It’s possible to get natural shampoo on a budget thanks to Native, which you may recognize from its line of natural deodorants. We love that this budget-friendly shampoo contains a total of just 10 ingredients without any sulfates, parabens, silicones, or dyes. 

The shampoo only comes in one scent, so you won’t be able to choose your favorite smell. But it moisturizes your hair while strengthening it to help prevent future damage. You can even find it in most drugstores, making it not only affordable but also convenient.

Hair type: All | Scents available: 1, almond and shea butter | Size: 16.5 oz

Though it’s a bit higher in price, this is the best natural shampoo if you tend to have an itchy scalp. The natural shampoo targets dryness and scalp discomfort, offering you refreshing relief from both. It even helps with dandruff so that you can say goodbye to those white flakes on your shoulders. 

Burdock and neem oil are the two main ingredients in this product. However, they offer a herbal smell that you may or may not love.

Hair type: All | Scents available: Herbal | Size: 13 oz

If you regularly dye or highlight your hair, you’ll want to reach for this natural shampoo with a lightweight formula specifically made for those with color-treated hair. You can also expect this to moisturize your locks, so it’s excellent for people with dry hair. 

It only comes in one scent (a combination of lavender, bergamot, and patchouli), but these scents have relaxing qualities for a soothing shower experience. The ingredient list is a little lengthy, but the shampoo is free from silicone and sulfates — common chemicals in many traditional shampoos.

Hair type: Color-treated, fine, dry | Scents available: 1, a blend of lavender, bergamot, and patchouli | Size: 9 oz

For a splurge-worthy natural shampoo with some unique benefits, look no further than Goop’s salt scrub shampoo. It offers exfoliating benefits and removes product buildup, oils, and dirt from your hair and scalp, leaving a clean feel behind. 

It comes in just one scent, but it’s an invigorating combination of rosemary, geranium, orange, and peppermint that you’ll love inhaling all day. Dipping your hand into the jar to scoop out the shampoo can be a little messy, and it’s definitely higher in price, but you can opt for the subscription option to save a few dollars if you love it.

Hair type: All | Scents available: 1, a blend of rosemary, geranium, orange, and peppermint | Size: 6.7 fl oz

These days, going green is becoming a little easier, and natural shampoo is no exception. This bar-style option is entirely plastic-free. This shampoo bar is also easy to take along on your travels. It’s even ideal for air travel, as it won’t count toward your onboard liquid limit. 

Because it’s free from parabens, phthalates, and silicones, it doesn’t lather quite as well as traditional shampoos, and the bar form could take some getting used to. But with a bit of patience, your thoroughly moisturized hair will thank you.

Hair type: All | Scents available: 1, a coconut and lavender blend | Size: 3 oz

This apple cider vinegar shampoo, meant for all hair types, clarifies the hair by removing product buildup. It also cuts down on breakage for healthier hair overall. The brand includes personalized instructions for dry or oily hair and itchy scalps to get the best results for your needs. 

Its apple cider vinegar scent may not be everyone’s favorite, but it cleanses without drying your hair and is free of sulfates, parabens, and silicones. You may want to be cautious about using this too often on color-treated hair, according to reviewers.

Hair type: All | Scents available: Apple cider vinegar | Size: 16.9 fl oz

If you have fine hair or experience thinning, you’ll like this natural thickening shampoo from Avalon Organics. It contains biotin (one of the B vitamins commonly used to promote hair growth) as well as saw palmetto, quinoa protein, and vitamin E. It adds body and strength to fine and thinning hair to protect it from breakage. 

Though the ingredient list is rather lengthy, the shampoo doesn’t contain synthetic dyes or fragrances, and many of the ingredients are plant-based. In fact, the shampoo is EWG Verified, meaning it’s also free of numerous chemicals such as phthalates.

Hair type: Thin | Scents available: 1, a blend of essential oils like lime and orange peel | Size: 14 oz

This shampoo powder is activated by mixing it with water, requiring a little more effort than liquid shampoo. However, it’s easy enough to sprinkle the powder into your hair and combine it with water before lathering up your tresses. It’s also an entirely plant-based shampoo, right down to its sweet floral scent. 

If you have thicker hair, you may need to use more product and completely saturate your hair with water before lathering. The bottle is made of recyclable, refillable metal, so there’s no plastic to worry about. You can also take this powdered shampoo with you on your travels to save precious luggage space.

Hair type: All | Scents available: 1, a floral blend | Size: 2 oz

If your locks could use some extra moisture, then this is the best natural shampoo for you. It can be used on all types of hair, including color-treated hair. But it’s especially helpful for people with dry hair or locks damaged by blow dryers and other hot styling tools. 

It doesn’t have sulfates, parabens, or phthalates, meaning the lather might not be what you’re used to with traditional shampoos. But its warm coconut scent is a tropical escape in the shower, and ingredients like coconut oil and aloe mean your hair will feel refreshed and have a healthier appearance overall.

Hair type: All | Scents available: 1, warm coconut | Size: 12 fl oz

For a natural shampoo that works well with all types of hair, OLAPLEX is the way to go. While it’s a little more expensive than other brands, it adds moisture and shine for healthier-looking hair. It even repairs damaged strands while strengthening and protecting them. For best results, you’ll want to use the brand’s full 3-4-5 system that includes two other products (No. 3 Hair Perfector and No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner). 

Even split ends are a match for this shampoo, and people with color-treated hair can use it without worries. You’ll have peace of mind knowing the formula doesn’t contain parabens, sulfates, phosphate, or phthalates. Better yet, it’s gluten-free and nut-free, ideal for those with sensitivities or allergies.

Hair type: All | Scents available: 1, fresh | Size: 8.5 fl oz

This natural shampoo includes oat protein and amino acids, both of which keep your hair beautifully strengthened and can repair damaged hair, making it less likely to break. The sweet almond oil fortifies your strands to your mane easier to manage. You can use this natural shampoo daily, and it’s gentle enough for color-treated hair. 

Although the shampoo is slightly more expensive, the brand donates to an effort to remove plastic waste from the ocean with every bottle it sells.

Hair type: All | Scents available: 1, a blend of essential oils like almond, grapefruit, cardamom, and patchouli | Size: 8.45 fl oz

Navigating natural shampoos

Using a natural shampoo is the way to go if you want to avoid putting potentially harmful ingredients on your hair, scalp, and skin. These types of shampoos incorporate substances like essential oils or organic honey to cleanse your hair without toxins. A great starting point for a more natural shampoo is the Acure Ultra Hydrating Shampoo, thanks to its low price and natural oil ingredients that make your hair feel soft and moisturized.

How to pick the right natural shampoo for you

As with any product you apply to your body, it’s important to take the time to understand its ingredients. Natural shampoos are no different. You’ll also want to ensure the shampoo you choose is right for your hair type and any scalp conditions you may want to address.

Hair type

Keep your hair type in mind when selecting the best natural shampoo. People with dry hair should select a shampoo that’s moisturizing. Damaged hair benefits most from products with proteins or ingredients specifically designed to strengthen your hair.

Those with oily hair should reach for a lightweight shampoo, which can help reduce the likelihood of feeling greasy at the end of the day. If your hair is color-treated, be sure to select a shampoo that’s safe to use on color.

Ingredients

Some of the more common ingredients you might find in a natural shampoo are essential oils, which can offer hair benefits and a refreshing, natural scent. Plant-based oils like olive oil, geranium oil, or jojoba oil are also common. Certified organic ingredients are also often included in natural shampoos, which might include organic hemp or even honey.

In general, try to avoid as many of the more harmful ingredients found in shampoos as you can (parabens, phthalates, sulfates, formaldehyde, alcohol, toluene, imidazolidinyl, dimethicone, and retinyl palmitate), as they can irritate your eyes or cause long-term damage to your system.

Scalp conditions

Scalp conditions should also be a consideration as you choose a natural shampoo. If your scalp tends to be itchy, you might benefit from a moisturizing shampoo. Similarly, if you experience dandruff, reach for a shampoo that targets flaking. Natural shampoos without sulfates are a great option since they cleanse your hair without drying it out.

FAQ

Are natural shampoos good for your hair? 

Natural shampoos are often plant-based and free of ingredients like phthalates, sulfates, and parabens (which can cause long-term damage to the body). So, yes, natural shampoos are good for your hair and better for your entire body.

What’s the best shampoo without chemicals?

There are several shampoos on our list without those potentially harmful chemicals that can cause damage to your system. Overall, we like Acure Ultra Hydrating Shampoo because it’s affordable and moisturizes and softens hair.

What shampoos are the least harmful?

In general, look for natural shampoos with fewer ingredients. Try to avoid shampoos that contain parabens, phthalates, sulfates, formaldehyde, alcohol, toluene, imidazolidinyl, dimethicone, and retinyl palmitate. Instead, look for options with essential oils, aloe, coconut oil, chamomile, hemp, honey, and other plant-based oils.