We're all looking for that one magical shampoo that will make our hair shine, without paying the price in the form of sulfates, parabens and other unpronounceable nasty chemicals. Although many shampoo brands boast the label "free of sulfates and parabens," they often shy away from adding other harmful ingredients. It is also noticeable that numerous online blogs recommend shampoos without sulphates and parabens, while completely ignoring other toxins.
In this blog we take a (significant) step forward. We present our top 5 toxin-free shampoos that are not only free of sulfates and parabens, but also free of other foreign ingredients.
*Editorial note before you read further: When we say "toxic-free," we mean that the fewest possible harmful chemicals have been used. It is still possible that the shampoos we recommend contain ingredients that we would rather not have encountered in a perfect world, or that a combination of ingredients that are not harmful in themselves could be harmful to your health. Our top 5 consists of the best options we have found. Have you found a shampoo that you recommend? Let us know by leaving a comment.
Avoid these ingredients in shampoo
Many common shampoos on the market contain chemical ingredients such as sulfates, parabens and fragrances, which can be harmful to your health.
To make your shampoo easy to spread, foaming agents are often added. Sulfates, such as SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and SLES ( sodium laureth sulfate) , are used in many shampoos to create lather and clean the hair. These surfactants can irritate the scalp, skin and eyes, dry out the skin, cause or worsen acne and irritate the lungs. SLS and SLES are also probably carcinogenic. However, this is still being researched.
Parabens, used as preservatives, have been linked to disruptions in the hormonal system. Scientists have found a link between parabens and changes in the thyroid gland, an increased risk of hormone-related cancers, obesity and changes in fertility in women and men. That is why we do not recommend that you use a shampoo with parabens.
Those who want their hair to smell like a synthetic tropical island have a lot to choose from: most shampoos contain synthetic fragrances . Non-natural fragrances can cause allergies and irritations. Sometimes the fragrance is named on the label. Mind you , you won't soon come across 'rose petals' on the label, but rather something like benzyl alcohol. Often only fragrance (perfume) is mentioned. Due to current regulations, the manufacturer does not have to reveal all its 'fragrance secrets', so we usually do not know exactly what is in the perfume. Research by the Tegengif Foundation in collaboration with the Danish Consumers' Association and the Belgian organization Kom op tegen Kanker, shows that there are many harmful substances in perfumes sold in the Netherlands. We therefore do not recommend using a shampoo that contains a perfume and the exact composition of which is unknown.
Greenwashing and shampoos
There is an incredible amount of greenwashing going on in the world of shampoos and conditioners. Greenwashing means that a brand pretends to be greener and more natural than it is, with the aim of selling more. In 2022, to take just one example, L'Oréal accused of greenwashing by the Changing Markets Foundation ( greenwash.com ). L'Oréal claimed that hair Elvive Full Restore 5 shampoo pack would be ' more sustainable', without supporting this claim with facts. The plastic bottle was also said to be 100% recycled, which later turned out to be untrue.
As a consumer, you naturally do not want to fall into the trap of greenwashing. Are you looking for a toxin-free shampoo without sulfates, parabens and other harmful chemicals? Always take the time to read the full ingredient list. You can look up your shampoo via EWG's Skin Deep and see what score it gets.
Top 5 Toxic Free Shampoos
Evergetikon shampoo for dry and normal hair
Sometimes you accidentally come across a product that makes you completely happy. This shampoo for natural or dry hair from the Greek brand Evergetikon is one of those. The Greek brand uses the powerful herbs you can find on the island of Crete, and strives to produce 100% natural products that are free of harsh chemicals. Why are we fans? We tried it ourselves and it makes your hair wonderfully soft and shiny, and it also smells fantastic.
100% PURE Kelp & Mint Volumizing Shampoo
This shampoo from 100% PURE ™ was one of the first shampoos we recommended, and it remains a favorite. The ingredients list is as clean as it can be. The brand does not use harsh or toxic ingredients.
PURE Ingrid Wash Duet (odorless)
We are fans of this shampoo from PUUR Ingrid! The shampoo is certified by the EWG , which means that the product meets the EWG's strict standards for health and safety. This shampoo contains no ingredients on the EWG's 'Unacceptable List', and the brand is completely transparent about the ingredients used. So you can safely wash your hair with this shampoo.
True Botanicals Nourishing Shampoo
This fine shampoo from True Botanicals has the MADE SAFE® quality mark , the most comprehensive 'non-toxic' safety standard currently available. To obtain the quality mark, you must not use 6,500 toxic chemicals that are known to harm human health and the environment. When you use a True Botanicals product, you can rest assured that no harsh chemicals have been added.
California Baby SUPER SENSITIVE™ SHAMPOO & BODYWASH(fragrance)
A shampoo for babies? You read that correctly! Because babies have extra sensitive skin, natural shampoos that are specially made for babies are perfect for adults with sensitive (scalp) skin. You will not find any aggressive chemicals, SLS, sulphates, parabens or fragrances in this shampoo. The added calendula extract comes from their own 100% organic farm. What's not to love?
Disclaimer (Do Your Own Research): We are happy to share with you our experiences and knowledge that we have gained in our search for a toxic-free life. At the same time, we would like to emphasize that you are solely responsible for your health (that goes without saying, right?). The information we share here is for general educational purposes and is not personalized medical advice. Everyone is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another.
*This blog contains affiliate links, which means if you click on the affiliate link and purchase an item, we will receive a commission. This allows us to test new products and expand the less toxic community. Want to know more about how we select products and maintain our integrity? Check out our selection procedure .