9 Safe, Non-Toxic Shampoo and Conditioner Brands 2023

Have you ever taken a look at the ingredients on the back of your shampoo or conditioner bottles? Do you know exactly what’s in it?

If you have looked at the ingredients, you’ve probably noticed a bunch of words that aren’t familiar!

Unfortunately, a lot of the popular companies who make shampoo and conditioner, include toxic ingredients in their products. This in turn, destroys our hair overtime and exposes us to harmful chemicals that are absorbed through our scalp.

Over exposure to toxic chemicals and ingredients can lead to health conditions including cardiovascular disease, chronic illness, cancer, autoimmune disease, hormone imbalance (thyroid conditions), and more.

It’s easy to assume that non-toxic or healthy hair products are more expensive or maybe even less quality than the most popular conventional brands. However, that’s not true at all! There are some great quality non-toxic shampoo and conditioner brands out there that are better than what you are currently using, especially because they support your health!

Here we will talk about what toxic ingredients to avoid, why it’s important, as well as what are some safe, affordable, non-toxic shampoo and conditioner brands for your household!

Common Shampoo and Conditioner Brands that Contain Toxic Ingredients

Living Proof
Biolage
L’Oreal
Dove
Head & Shoulders
Pantene
Everyman Jack
Axe
Old Spice
Herbal Essences
OGX
Suave
TRESemme
John Frieda
Paul Mitchell
Garnier Fructis
Redken
Nexxus
Aussie

What Toxic Ingredients Should You Avoided in Shampoo and Conditioner?

Parabens

Group of chemicals used as a preservative to reduce growth of bacteria and increase product shelf life.

Biggest concern: Parabens are hormone disruptors and have been linked to infertility, affect birth outcomes, harm reproductive organs and causes breast cancer, specifically.

Products can 100% be made without this ingredient.

Look for any word ending in “paraben” and avoid it!! For example, Isobutylparaben, butylparaben, isopropylparaben, propylparaben. Read more all about parabens in my blog post here.

Sulfates/Surfactants

Commonly seen as “Sodium Lauryl Sulfate” or “Sodium Lauryth Sulfate” (aka, “SLS”).

This ingredient is known to be an irritant to the skin and eyes. It also dries out, damages the hair and causes baldness over time.

Used to make the product foam and bubble up considerably.

The concern isn’t so much with the ingredient itself, but the manufacturing process. During manufacturing, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is often contaminated with high amounts of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. Ethylene oxide is a known human carcinogen and also can harm the nervous system. 1,4-dioxane is a possible human carcinogen. Carcinogen, meaning causes cancers.

Formaldehyde – Releasing Preservatives: DMDM Hydatoin

DMDM Hydatoin is a preservative used and Formaldehyde is slowly released in the chemical breakdown process for making DMDM Hydatoin.

Concerns: Hair loss, irritation with skin, eyes, nose and throat. Formaldehyde is a possible human carcinogen (cancer causing).

For this ingredient to be harmful, it would be used in high doses. However, Formaldehyde should be avoided.

Other terms used in products that are actually formaldehyde: methylene oxide, oxymethlyene, timonacic acid, benzylhemiformal, 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane.

Fragrance

Claimed to give the products a scent.

Companies do not have is disclose the chemicals are hidden in the ingredient “fragrance” and can be applied for up to 100 hidden ingredients.

Therefore, you don’t truly know what is in the product.

Typically, Phthalates are hidden in the ingredient “fragrance“.
- Phthalates are endocrine/hormone disrupters which harm reproductive organs, reduce sperm count, can cause cancer and infertility.
Of course we all love our products to smell amazing. Good news: They still can without the misleading “fragrance” ingredient!

If your skin is very sensitive and don’t want to be exposed to any type of scent, choose products which are labeled “unscented”.

BHT, BHA & Methylisothiazolinone

Preservatives found in cosmetics.
BHT & BHA are endocrine disruptors, affecting the reproductive system and often used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics. They can also cause thyroid, kidney, liver problems.
Methylisothiazolinone is highly allergenic and a known neurotoxin.

PEG’s (Polyethylene Glycol and Polysorbate)

PEG’s are used to open up the skin pore.
While PEG’s isn’t the main concern, it’s frequently contaminated with 1,4 dioxane, which is linked to cancer.
It’s important to make sure that there are no additional toxic ingredients in products that contain PEG, otherwise more toxins will be conveniently absorbed through the skin.

Triclosan

Endocrine disruptor.
Can cause damage to the endocrine system and reduce the function of the reproductive system (ex. infertility).

Why is Using Non-Toxic Shampoo and Conditioner Important?

Our skin is our largest organ.

It has 6 main functions: protection, absorption, excretion, secretion, regulation and sensation.

Whatever is put on the skin, including the scalp, is absorbed into the body.

Therefore, what you put IN your body is just as important as what you put ON your body!

Our skin works as a defensive protective layer from the outside world. However, it is sensitive and over exposure to harmful chemicals weakens this protective layer.

NO NEED to panic. There are PLENTY of brands out there that offer safe, non-toxic shampoo and conditioner products, which are incredible! You’ll hardly notice a difference. If you do, it’s for a good reason!

Once your current product is empty, opt to vote with your dollar and try out one of these products below.

Top 9 Safe, Non-Toxic Shampoo and Conditioner Brands:

ACURE

This brand is affordable and has a lot of options available to fit your needs! I use their volume shampoo/conditioner all the time and I like the scent a lot. If you’re just starting out with non-toxic products, give this a try! You won’t be disappointed. You can find this on Amazon, Whole Foods and on the Acure website! Click here to view.

CARINA ORGANICS

This brand is absolutely amazing. It’s all organic and non-toxic, yet smells incredible. Their products make your hair super soft and shiny. Click here to view. Check out Carina Organics website at here for all of their products! They have so much to offer!

INNERSENSE

Everything I’ve tried from Innersense has exceeded my expectations! I’m absolutely in love with this brand! Their products are high quality, organic and I noticed a difference in my hair after the first use. Click here to check out their shampoo and conditioner here from their pure harmony line. If you don’t want to commit to full size bottles, I’d recommend trying the mini travel pack here! Also, for those of you looking for a non-toxic purple shampoo, they also have that here!

AVALON ORGANICS

This brand is widely available and affordable! It can be found at many common stores such as Amazon, Target, and Walmart. Click here to view!

ATTITUDE

I’m a big fan of Attitude products for its quality, affordability and the fact that they are EWG certified! If you are looking for a budget friendly non-toxic shampoo and conditioner, this is a good option! Click here to view.

HONEST COMPANY

Honest Company is widely available and is known for its safety for babies! I would be conscious that there are essential oils in their products, which can be irritating to some. Click here to view!

BEAUTYCOUNTER

Beautycounter is at a slightly higher price point, but still affordable and well worth it for their high quality products! Click here to view on their website.

RAHUA

If your budget allows, give this brand a try! Their products are high quality and have helped many people with their hair goals. Click here to view!

ORGANIC SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER BARS

VIORI

Shampoo and conditioners bars are a wonderful option! They last a long time and help reduce the use of plastic, which helps our planet! Just make sure the bars are organic and you check the labels! I like the company Viori, as they make their bars from ancient rice by the Red Yao tribe and are 100% natural. Check out their website here. You can also get these from Amazon by clicking here.

Follow The 80/20 Rule!

I’m a firm believer in the 80/20 rule when it comes to your health.

80% of the time, make healthy choices. 20% of the time, it’s okay to relax a bit.

Not everything has to be perfect! All you have to do is try your best and intentionally make choices that make sense for your life. Try to use the most safe and healthy products to your knowledge.

It’s never too late to make changes and try out something new!

I’m here to help and support you. Let’s create a healthy, less toxic community and take our power back!

Looking for more content like this one? Check out my post on Non-Toxic and Safe Body Wash Brands! You can find it here. You could also check out my post on Non-Toxic Face Moisturizers here.

Visit my website here for much more information and guidance on living less toxic.

I’d love to help you through your individual health journey and transition to a less toxic lifestyle!

References:

The Dirty Dozen: Sodium Laureth Sulfate. David Suzuki Foundation. https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/dirty-dozen-sodium-laureth-sulfate/

(2021, August 09). DMDM Hydantoin, Formaldehyde & Shampoo. Chemscape Safety Technologies. https://www.chemscape.com/blog/DMDM-hydantoin-shampoo

Segedie, L. (2022, September 06). Best Non-Toxic Shampoo & Conditioners of 2023. Mamavation. https://www.mamavation.com/beauty/dangerous-shampoo-conditioner-chemicals.html

Stoiber, T. (2019, April 09). What Are Parabens, and Why Don’t They Belong in Cosmetics? Environmental Working Group. https://www.ewg.org/what-are-parabens

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