Photo: Imaxtree
Just like the food we feed our bodies, the shampoo we feed our hair with is crucial for maintaining its healthiness. Not only is vegan shampoo an environmentally-friendly decision, it is one that your hair will also thank you for. Essentially a seal for healthy, natural ingredients in your shampoo, the term ‘vegan’ connotates a lack of the harsh chemicals that are often discretely hidden in popular shampoos. Vegan-certified shampoos often contain higher amounts of organic and natural ingredients that are often more beneficial for your hair. Below are some of our favorite vegan shampoos⎯ we’ve made sure to include one for every type to ensure that whether you’re rocking curly hair, straight hair, in need of something hydrating or perhaps something for the sensitive scalp, you’re covered!
28 BEST VEGAN SHAMPOOS
100% Pure Moisture Drench Shampoo $34
Made with a healthy mix of aloe, biotin, cucumber rose water and coconut oil, this shampoo is a great choice for someone searching for a hydrating vegan and sulfate-free shampoo (making it safe for color-treated hair too!). Created with sensitive scalps in mind, the shampoo provides gentle cleaning for those with dry hair. The mix of seaweed collagen which enhances collagen production, and coconut oil make this a great choice for curly-haired shampooers that are wishing to see more bounce in their curls without weighing them down. In addition, the formula also contains horsetail plant, an ingredient known to be helpful for maintaining strength. This, paired with the volume and growth qualities of biotin, make this shampoo perfect for the person hoping to renew and restore their dry hair.
Alternatively, you may find 100% Pure’s Kelp and Mint Volumizing Shampoo ($30) a better choice if searching for a more concentrated formula that will enhance texture and promote shine. While the Moisture Drench Shampoo is made for a gentle cleanse, this formula is made with ingredients such as French sea salt to enhance texture further. Still made with hydrating ingredients such as seaweed collagen and rose hydrosol and coconut oil, it is made for a more refreshing wash. Reviewers are in love with the minty-fresh scent, making this alternative a great choice for a morning shower.
100% Pure also makes a great revitalizing shampoo, Yuza and Pomelo Glossing Shampoo ($30) meant to eradicate buildup of excess oil in your hair. Often times, hair products leave buildup on your scalp that can make it harder for the hair to intake all the nourishing ingredients provided in a shampoo. This formula is made the yuzu and pomelo citrus plants that originate from East Asia, both great for “de-greasing” your hair. Once again, it contains all of the hydration-enhancing ingredients that makes 100% Pure’s formula so easy to love, but with the additional focus on mitigating the buildup that can help restore your dulled hair back to its vibrant self.
Looking for a vegan shampoo that stimulates hair growth to help you achieve your long-locked dreams? 100% Pure’s Grow More Shampoo ($34) was made just for that! Made with biotin, caffeine and green coffee, this shampoo helps to minimize hair loss and promote hair growth. Like all 100% Pure vegan shampoos, this shampoo is cruelty free and sulfate-free. With ingredients meant to deeply clean the scalp without stripping it of the oils needed for growth, it is the perfect blend for your “I’m thinking of growing it out” phase.
John Masters’ Organics Shampoo for Normal Hair $29
Made with a rich blend of organic rosemary oil, lavender oil, aloe vera juice, white tea extract and jojoba seed, this natural vegan shampoo makes for a beautiful lather and heavenly natural scent. The addition of rosemary and lavender help to soothe any scalp irritation, balance oil production, and calm down the hair follicles. The “lush lather” comes from naturally derived surfactants, proving that a vegan shampoo doesn’t mean you have to skimp on the luxurious experience of the bubbly lathering that makes washing your hair all-the-more fun.
Alternatively, you may choose to go for John Master’s Organics Shampoo for Fine Hair ($29) made with fine hair in mind. The formula treats fine hair by providing a gentle cleanse that won’t strip hair oils, and helps to strengthen limp or weak strands to prevent hair breakage. In addition, this formula is made with peppermint that adds an extra-soothing factor that will leave your scalp feeling clean and refreshed. As always, this John Masters’ Organics formula is made with naturally derived surfactants that lead to a beautifully lather-able shampoo.
Evolvh SmartColor Color Protecting Shampoo $34
Formulated with color-treated hair in mind, this vegan shampoo helps your dyed hair keep its vibrant color. Whether it is an indie bright blue color or a subtle blond balyage, this shampoo will ensure the color remains for a longer period of time. Made with kiwi seed oil, almond oil, and seaweed extract, this natural shampoo also protects hair from breakage, frizziness, and split-ends. In addition, the infused shea butter adds a nourishing element that dry hair will certainly soak up. If you’re looking to bring back life into your dyed hair, this formula will definitely be a top-shelf favorite.
Evolvh also has a rich vegan formula meant for curly hair, SmartCurl Hydrating Wash ($32). Claiming to leave curls soft, smooth, and frizz-free, this organic shampoo puts focus onto ensuring your hair is thoroughly hydrated. Hydrating oils are paired with a plethora of amino and fatty acids to promote curl formation. Whatever it may be⎯ transitioning waves you’re hoping to define or ringlets you want to breathe life into, or coily hair you’re having trouble hydrating⎯ this luscious formula with enhance the natural texture of your hair minus the fussy tangles and frizz!
Rahua Classic Shampoo $34
Boasting a fancy formula made with “rare, sustainable sourced ingredients”, this formula certainly has its own charm that leads so many to love it. The rich shampoo is made with rahua oil, an ingredient known for its omega-9 which helps quick restoration and growth and intense shine in hair. If that isn’t enough to convince you, it also has a wonderful fresh and woodsy scent from its infused Palo Santo Oil. If you’re looking for a cult-favorite known for results and loved by many, you won’t be disappointed going the Rahua route.
If you want to reap all the exciting benefits of rahua oil, but don’t want to miss out on your volumizing shampoo, no worries⎯ the Voluminous Shampoo ($34) combines the two! This formula is meant to remove buildup of excess oil on your scalp with its antioxidant-rich blend of green tea, citrus, and lemongrass. The great thing about this shampoo is despite its volumizing properties, it is also extremely lightweight! So, not only is this a great vegan replacement for that favorite volumizing shampoo of yours, it is even better. Applying this is an experience in itself, with a wonderfully awakening eucalyptus scent and lavender which soothes the scalp.
Innersense Hydrating Cream Hairbath $28
This bestselling vegan shampoo is meant to feed your hair with the nourishment its missing. An absolute must for coarse, parched hair, this shampoo gives a heavy hydration fix. The nourishment comes from an organic blend of tamanu, flaxseed and monoi oils to ensure prime hydration. Along with that, it comes with quinoa proteins which further ensures the hydration your hair has been aching for. The end product? Beautiful shiny, new hair.
Josh Rosebrook Nourish Shampoo $35
This formula is no simple blend of ingredients⎯ complex in its combination of various natural cleansers, plant-derived oils and extracts, antioxidants and vitamins, it is the ultimate superfood your hair needs. These include (but aren’t limited to): ginseng, rose hip, lavender, coconut oil. hemp seed oil, jojoba oil and apricot oil. The non-foamy formula gives a light subtle lather which may be a slight change from the chemical-filled foamy lathers you’re used to. But, the less flashy experience is made up for in its effective nourishing qualities. As they say, quality over quantity (of bubbles)!
Also made by Josh Rosebrook, the Balance Shampoo ($35) is meant to reset your hair to the perfect in-between between too oily and too dry. Still made with the volumizing qualities, this formula focuses in on balancing the scalp to stimulate follicle circulation. The extra aloe vera in this blend also ensures the cleansing of impurities within the scalp and leaves your hair feelings more manageable, shiny, and strong (the ultimate trio),
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Shampoo $36
Chances are if you’ve been to a Sephora, you’ve come across Briogeo in the haircare section. This shampoo is perhaps the most popular in our list, and for good reason too. The sulfate-free shampoo is foamy, hydrating, and clarifying to help renew and restore your hair. The algae extract in this formula helps to revitalize the hair, and the natural panthenol ingredient helps to increase strength and elasticity. In addition, the rosehip oil assists in hydrating hair and keeping it from developing that orb of frizz many curly-heads deal with. B Vitamins in this mix help to repair split ends and heat-damage. This formula is a cult-favorite for its restorative purposes⎯ the amazing before and after pictures of customers go to show just how effective it is!
If you’re less concerned with renewing and more interested in “immediate fullness” and a shampoo that will help maintain thickness long-term, the Blossom and Bloom shampoo ($33) is a great alternative. It has two key ingredients that work to volumize fine hair: biotin and ginseng. Biotin is the go-to natural ingredient for growth because it targets the hair shaft and follicle. Ginseng (paired with ginger, lemon and witch hazel in this formula) helps promote blood flow to the scalp and clarify the buildup of excess oils. The high quality ingredients in this formula make it a great choice for anyone hoping to get the beautiful Cher-from-Clueless volume in their hair without the heat-damaging blowouts.
Briogeo also makes a specific vegan shampoo, Briogeo Be Gentle Be Kind Macha + Apple, ($28) in those hoping to finally overcome the dryness and dullness in their hair. Made with matcha, apple and spinach, this super-food filled shampoo is meant to repair dry and parched hair. Apple, specifically, is rich in a compound called procyanidin which is known to help in replenishing the scalp. Inspired by the trendy green juices your Instagram feed is filled with, it turns out these greens are just good for the gut, they’re great for your hair too. The perfect part is that (just like all Briogeo shampoos) this formula is safe for color-treated, keratin-treated, and/or any other chemical-treated hair!
Briogeo Be Gentle Be Kind Banana + Coconut Shampoo ($49) is smoothie-inspired and is great for all hair types, and provides a nourishing gentle cleanse. Made with turmeric, mango, coconut, banana, pineapple and papaya extracts, it is the ultimate antioxidant-filled vegan shampoo. This is a great alternative if you’re unsure of your hair type and are wanting a works-for-everyone and uncomplicated shampoo that still delivers healthy-looking results and is derived naturally.
For the shampooer that is sensitive to fragrance, essentially oils, gluten, lactose and soy, Briogeo has made the Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Shampoo vegan hypoallergenic formula. Also super-effective for all hair types ⎯ from pin-straight to coily and everything in-between. With 99% naturally derived ingredients, it is made with ingredients like oat extract and aloe vera to sooth the scalp and provide hydration. So, for the tired shopper who feels like their allergies make it impossible to find any effective shampoo, this fragrance-free formula is a must.
Ursa Major Go Easy Shampoo $26
The Go Easy Shampoo is with balsam and macadamia which allow your hair to feel softer and prevent it from turning it into a tangled mess. It is versatile in that it works on literally any hair type, and also focuses on keeping the scalp clear of excess oils with active licorice root extract, panthenol, and soy proteins. And just as if it couldn’t get any better, it has a comforting forest-y scent to it, emerging from the blend of balsam, fir and ginger.
Goop G. Tox Himalayan Salt Scalp Scrub Shampoo $42
Featured in the Cosmopolitan magazine, this fan-favorite vegan scrub works as a very effective clarifying shampoo with its scrubbing properties. The uniqueness in this formula comes from its whipped texture combined with the natural exfoliating beads of Himalayan pink salt. An absolute dream to wash your hair with, it is like a scalp massage with the added bonus of leaving your hair purified and cleansed. If you want the ultimate detox from the scalp buildup of the nasty dirt and oils that can linger there even when you shampoo, this scalp scrub will do the job. The bonus? It has a lovely citrus-minty scent that stays after the wash!
Malin + Goetz Gentle Hydrating Shampoo $26
If you are an everyday hair-washer, this gentle vegan shampoo will be your new best friend. This lightweight sulfate-free formula combines coconut-derived surfactants and amino acids for an effective cleanse without stripping the hair’s natural oils. Made with marine algae extracts and panthenol, it is great for retaining and promoting follicle strength. With a soft mandarin and orange blossom scent, this natural shampoo is for great for anyone searching for a vegan shampoo to fit into their daily routine.
R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo $32
This shampoo⎯ with its niche flashy name⎯ lives up to the hype, to say the least. Promoting all the qualities you see on the celebrities that leave you star-crossed, this camera-ready shampoo provides shininess, volume, softness and smoothness. Key ingredients include: glycerin to helps to maintain a balanced scalp, juniper berry extract to add weightless moisture and detox follicles, and babassu sed oil to restore and moisturize. With a flirty romantic scent holding notes of cardamom, tangerine, bamboo and lavender, it is sure to make you feel (and smell) like the star you are.
For the flat-haired shampooer hoping to add vitality and volume, R+Co’s Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo ($29) strengthening vegan shampoo will not disappoint. It includes biotin for hair strength, pro vitamin B5 to leave a natural sheen, coconut oil to condition and hydrate. But, the star ingredient is the saw palmetto berry extract, which adds a voluminous body to thin hair. If you’re looking for a growth-and-volume promoting vegan shampoo directed towards fine hair, this is a great choice.
R+Co’s Bel Air Smoothing Shampoo ($29) is great for giving the silky, sexy, smooth hair you’ve been hoping to achieve. A great choice for those with thick straight hair, or curly frizzy hair, the broccoli and plum seed oil in this vegan formula will help smooth it all out. In addition, artichoke extract, known as a powerful anti-oxidant, protects the hair and scalp from harmful UV rays and free radicals that could otherwise lead to even coarser, damaged hair. Overall, this shampoo takes the cake in its protective and smoothing qualities
Pureology Nanoworks Gold Cleansing Shampoo $49
This vegan shampoo is made with key ingredients Keravis and golden marula oil, both giving off the luxurious Pantene Ad-esque shine we all secretly wish for. Though it is difficult to come by a salon-caliber vegan shampoo, Pureology’s formula is a favorite⎯ in fact, the brand is the #1 Professional Color Care Brand in the US. Sulfate, paraben, cruelty and mineral oil-free, the shampoo is fully guilt-free. Pureology boasts a patented “Antifade Complex” it infuses into every product, a combination of ingredients that have been proven to last color and protect vibrancy. Along with that, it also protects the hair from environmental effects that may fade color with a UV filter, Vitamin E oil, and infused sunflower seed.
Alternatively, Pureology (like Briogeo) also has the Smooth Perfection Shampoo ($30.5) specifically designed to fight frizzy hair. The gentle formula is made with an aromatherapy blend of cocoa and marshmallow accord, so the experience of washing itself is therapeutic. As with its other formulas. it also has the patented Antifade complex and protective ingredients!
Created to tone brassy blonde hair, Pureology’s Strength Cure Blonde Shampoo ($32) fortifies the hair for a more vibrant blonde. This way, you get the just-got-my-hair-done look to last longer without adding any damaging chemicals into your hair. The lightening ingredients in this formula include purple orchid toning pigments to combat the yellowy blonde with a sleeker toned blonde. And, like the other Pureology formulas, this shampoo has a naturally-derived scent⎯ a beautiful earthy sandalwood aroma!
Finally, Pureology’s Pure Volume Shampoo ($30.5) also makes a shampoo meant for flat or fine hair, formulated with a refreshing eucalyptus scent. The key ingredients include wheat protein to enhance volume and “restore movement” for fine color-treated hair! Again, this formula also comes with patented protective ingredients and an aromatherapy scent blend. For thin-and-dyed-haired people looking to turn up the volume, this formula will definitely do a beautiful job.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Whether you’re curly-haired searching to restore your curls, fine-haired hoping for voluminous locks, thick-haired hoping to smooth the frizz, or any other combination⎯ a shampoo on this list will definitely meet your needs. In sum⎯ it is an understatement to say there’s a lot of vegan shampoos out there!
