Just as we can’t judge a book by its cover, we shouldn’t choose a shampoo simply for its smell. It may smell terrific, but is it filled with chemicals and artificial fragrances that will weigh down your wavy mane? Or maybe it boasts “fragrance-free” but lists unpronounceable ingredients that are sure to damage your ‘do.
Despite how dramatic it sounds, a bad hair day can be tragic. If your hair care products aren’t doing their job – cleaning, de-frizzing, moisturizing – there could be hell to pay. Add to that the environmental and health hazards and basically I’d just recommend that you stay home.
Or you could try green. I’ve compiled a list of my eco-favorite shampoos and conditioners to help. All of them are free of parabens, SLS and phthalates.
Aubrey Organics Blue Camomile Hydrating Shampoo
Contains shea butter, aloe vera, horsetail extract and organic blue chamomile which conditions and adds a natural scent to this hydrating blend. Organic ingredients and certified vegan. Not tested on animals. Recyclable container. $9.98 per 11oz bottle ($3.25 for 2 fl oz sample size).
Avalon Organics Lavender Nourishing Shampoo
Contains certified organic lavender oil and beta gluten, which stimulates collagen synthesis for a healthy scalp. 100% vegetarian ingredients and no animal testing. Recyclable container made of recycled materials. Young company committed to “consciousness in cosmetics”. 100% solar powered offices and warehouse. $8.95 per 11 fl oz bottle.
BeeCeuticals Bee-Hair-Now Shampoo
Certified organic, holistic honey blend shampoo with Fair Trade Certified TeaCeuticals® Rooibos and Green Tea blend. With grape seed extract and white grapefruit essential oils. The company has its own organics sustainable earth policy. $9.99 per 12 fl oz bottle.
Burt’s Bees Super Shiny Grapefruit and Sugar Beet Shampoo
One of the most well-known brands on the eco-market. Ingredients include grapefruit oil, sugar beet extract and soy protein. 98.8% natural. Not tested on animals. Recyclable container. $8 per 12 fl oz bottle.
EO® Chamomile & Honey Conditioner
A gentle, nourishing leave-in or rinse-out conditioner made with botanical extracts, essential oils, aloe vera and wheat amino acids. (Available in six flavors specific to hair type). No artificial color or synthetic fragrance. Family owned, certified organic company and manufacturer. $7.99 per 8 fl oz bottle.
IKOVE by Florestas Amazonian Acerola Calming Shampoo
Premium certified organic ingredients. Contains Brazilian acerola fruit, rich in Vitamin C and anti-oxidants, plus herbal extracts. For oily hair. $12 per 8.45 fl oz bottle.
john masters organics evening primrose shampoo
Certified organic. Contains corn and coconut cleansers, plant extracts and essential oils. Safe for color-treated hair. Not tested on animals. All ingredients meet strict guidelines. For dry hair. $16 per 8 fl oz bottle.
Kiss My Face Whenever Shampoo & Conditioner
Aromatherapeutic formula with organic herbs and essential oils, including wheat protein, nettle, sage, horsetail and thyme. Free of synthetic colors, animal ingredients and chemicals. Not tested on animals. $7.99 per 11 fl oz bottle.
miessence Shine Herbal Hair Conditioner
Contains Tanzanian moringa seed oil, pro-vitamin B5, a plethora of organic herbs and organic apple cider vinegar (balances pH). Every ingredient is “active” serving a specific purpose. No preservatives or chemical emulsifiers. $25 per 8.5 fl oz bottle.
Nature’s Gate Organics Asian Pear & Red Tea Rejuvenating Conditioner
For damaged, chemically-treated hair. Protects against color-fade. Certified organic botanicals and ingredients. The Organics line has a specific formula for every hair type and need. $7.99 per 12 fl oz bottle.
Nurture My Body Fragrance-Free Shampoo & Conditioner
Shampoo has organic herbal slippery elm, horsetail and chamomile infusions; the conditioner adds macadamia nut oil and calendula as well. 100% biodegradable and free of preservatives or harmful colorants and dyes. Not tested on animals. Recycled packaging. Shampoo: $21.79 per 8.5 fl oz bottle. Conditioner: $22.51 per 7.75 fl oz bottle.
Simply Organic Moisture Rich Wash & Moisture Rinse
Contains olive leaf extract, passion fruit, quince, mango and peach extracts, apple pectin and honey. Organic high-quality ingredients without preservative or lathering agents. Shampoo: $26 per 8 fl oz bottle. Conditioner: $28 per 8 fl oz bottle.
Sircuit® Skin Liquid Crystal Hair Bath & Crystal Creme
Most expensive find, but truly worth every penny. 100% natural, organic based with Chiral Technology that separates out an ingredient’s most active molecules resulting in a superior, highly effective product. Contains Chirally Correct Vitamin E and shea butter. $35.95/each per 8 fl oz bottle.
Finding the perfect potion for you is next on the list. Go to your local co-op or health food store and ask for samples, or better yet, buy the travel size bottles (which of course, you will reuse). Try one for a few days, then try another. Everyone’s body chemistry is different – buying what your friend or sister uses isn’t necessarily the best way to go.
Be patient and experiment. This process may take time. If you’ve been using non-eco products, it could take 2-4 weeks for your hair to cleanse itself of the chemical build-up. Don’t be discouraged if your hair is initially limp or oily or dry while it returns to its naturally healthy condition.
Now go wash those eco-worries right outta your hair.
Image: hansvandenberg30
Kim Derby 
I have to stump for Oyin Handmade. All natural, wonderful smelling, effective line of products that anyone can use. I found them 2 years ago, and have never looked back (I’m a recovering product junkie, so that is significant!).
Having thick, unruly hair, I find the best thing is simply to cut down on washing. Conditioners with sage are also great if your hair is coarse or curly. 🙂
Having almost no hair at all, hair care is something I don’t have to worry about anymore. 🙂 But I’d like to recommend tea tree oil based shampoos and shower gels for gentleman of my follicular persuasion – it makes the scalp feel deliciously fresh, and it’s proved good for my skin – face and scalp. Having said that, I think I’d like to try the miessence (apple cider vinegar – on your *head*?).
I’ve been using Max Green Alchemy for a few years now and love it. It’s free of all the bad stuff (SLS, parabens, petroleum) and it’s good for dry or itchy scalp. Plus it has a nice herbal scent and leaves my hair feeling soft. I’ve converted a few natural-product skeptics and they love it, too.
I would be willing to try Beeceuticals, because I love their body lotion and their ecological practices.
I’ve been using Vichy Dercos Aminexil Shamoo. It provides great results for hairloss.
Tame Those Tresses: Best Eco Friendly Shampoo, Conditioner, and Hair Care…..like this post. really great image………..Apple iPhone 4 makes the most awaited video calling a reality with its face time feature. And the Retina display gives the highest resolution display ever. And to keep that display for long blueunplugged introduces you to the amazing Apple iPhone 4 accessories at the unbeatable prices. So cease all you need for your iPhone 4 and keep it in its best working condition for years to come.
Categories