Natural Shampoo: Make a Clean Cut
When it comes to shampoo, we’ve been conditioned. Big plastic bottles and long lists of ingredients have led us to believe that more is more. In the U.S. alone, over 500 million shampoo bottles are stranded in landfills every year, which is the equivalent of filling 1,164 football fields. And the real kicker is that on top of all of this waste, a lot of companies are using ingredients that remind us more of astroturf than something we should be putting in our hair. In an effort to start cleaning up the poo, here are our picks for the best sustainable, eco-friendly and natural shampoo.
ethique:
BAr none
Why hit the bottle when you could go to the bar? Ethique is officially our new favorite. And trust us, were skeptical of the shampoo bar at first. But after one use, we were totally hooked. It’s simple to use and lathers easily for really clean and soft hair. Ethique is based in New Zealand, is a certified B Corp, and ships all of their products in compostable packaging. They have bars for frizzy hair, damage control, and they even have a gentle bar for the kids. We love this zero waste start to the day with a 100% natural shampoo that’s completely biodegradable. Not to mention, the bars are concentrated, so each one is equivalent to 3 bottles of shampoo. We also recommend picking up one of Ethique's plastic-free storage containers
Dr. Bronner’s:
Hair to the Throne
This miracle product is a best seller for good reason. It comes in bars as well as in 100% post-consumer recycled bottles. The “18-in-1” organic soap not only acts as a shampoo, but you can use it as a body wash, laundry detergent, or a cleaning solution. It’s also super concentrated, so a little goes a long way. We had used this product before on many a camping trip, but never as shampoo. We’re really glad to add another use to the list, and the Peppermint scent is definitely an invigorating way to start the day. Dr. Bronner’s is a certified B Corp, family-owned and run, and is committed to promoting and advancing positive social change. If only we could accomplish 18 things at once.
True Botanicals
If you’re not ready to #giveupthebottle, True Botanicals Nourishing Shampoo is a fantastic sulfate-free, non-toxic shampoo. True Botanicals was founded by activist Hillary Peterson and supported by other well-known female activists (Olivia Wilde, Laura Dern, and Zazie Beetz to name a few) who are fed up with toxic chemicals in conventional beauty products. True Botanicals is certified with the MADE SAFE® seal, which certifies they are made without 5,000+ toxic chemicals known to harm human and environmental health. We love the sleek eco-friendly aluminum bottle and citrus scent, and our hair felt healthier after the first few washes. If you decide not to stay True, they have a 30-day guarantee on all products.
Plaine products
Another effective natural shampoo in an aluminum bottle. Plaine Products offers a clean product that makes your hair feel just as clean. Dedicated to the elimination of single-use plastics, Plaine will ship you a refill with a return label as you are nearing the end of your bottle. Just put your empty bottle in a box, and ship your used bottle back to them for reuse. We quite enjoyed the Rosemary Mint Vanilla and Citrus Lavender scents. Plaine Products is a B Corp and Leaping Bunny certified- they also have 2.5 oz aluminum shampoo bottles if you decide to travel, or have a fear of commitment.
everyone
Sulfate-free, gluten-free, cruelty-free, synthetic fragrance-free. This shampoo is 7 dollars away from just being free. Everyone is a certified B Corp with a focus on sustainable manufacturing and making natural and affordable body care that helps people and the planet stay healthy. We tried the Nourish shampoo and were really pleased with the results. When you’re looking for something to love, try everyone.
soapbox
This refreshing shampoo line from Soapbox comes in Activated Charcoal, Bamboo, Coconut Oil (our personal favorite), and Tea Tree. Soapbox products are made in the USA but focus on spreading the love around the world. For every Soapbox product that is purchased, a bar of soap is donated to someone in need (for a total of about 3 million as of today). With the Hope Code printed on the label, you can check out which aid project is being supported by your product’s donation. Soapbox is also a certified B Corp, so get up there and spread the word.
seed phytonutrients
Seed Phytonutrients definitely gave us a unique and fun shampoo experience. Spoiler alert: there’s a packet of seeds attached to the inside label (our wild arugula is well on its way). The packaging uses 60% less plastic than traditional shampoo bottles as it is encased in 100% post-consumer recycled, compostable paper. Natural organic ingredients will keep your hair, and your new plant, growing strong.