When it comes to shampoo and conditioners, most people just want what works. They want something that will clean their hair and make it look and feel good. But what if you could have all of that while also being eco-friendly? And what if you could find brands that are ethical as well?
It may sound too good to be true, but it is possible! There are a number of different eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner brands on the market that are also ethical. These products will help keep your locks glossy and healthy while being gentle in the environment.
Are shampoos harmful to the environment?
The average person uses about six to eight gallons of water per day showering. That number can be even higher if you have long hair or wash your hair multiple times a day. All of that water adds up, and it takes a toll on the environment.
Most shampoos also contain harmful chemicals that can pollute the water supply. These chemicals can end up in the soil and eventually make their way into our food.
Although there is debate on whether shampoos directly affect human and animal health, there is little doubt that they have an impact on the environment.
That’s why it’s important to be aware of the ingredients in your shampoo and conditioner and to choose products that are eco-friendly and from ethical brands.
What does environmentally friendly shampoo mean?
There is no definitive answer to this question. But in general, sustainable or eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner are those that have less of an impact on the environment. This can mean a few different things.
The shampoo might be made with ingredients that are biodegradable or renewable. Or it might be packaged in recycled materials. The manufacturing process might also be environmentally friendly.
Basically, anything that reduces the shampoo’s impact on the environment can be considered eco-friendly.
What does it mean for shampoo to be ethical?
When it comes to shampoo, being ethical generally refers to the treatment of animals. Some brands test their products on animals, and many people want to avoid these brands. Other brands may use ingredients that are not cruelty-free.
So when we say that a shampoo is ethical, we mean that the brand does not test on animals and only uses ingredients that are cruelty-free.
What to look for in an organic shampoo?
When you’re looking for organic shampoo, you want to make sure that it is USDA certified. This means that the product has been verified to meet certain standards set by the United States Department of Agriculture.
You also want to look for a shampoo that is cruelty-free and doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals. Ideally, you want a product that is made with natural ingredients and is gentle on your hair and scalp.
You should always look at the ingredients that are included in the shampoo or conditioner that you’re buying and should look out for chemicals such as sulfates, phthalates, and parabens.
Sulfates are used as a cleansing agent in many shampoos and can be harsh on your hair. Phthalates are often used as a fragrance and can be harmful to your health. Parabens are used as a preservative and have been linked to cancer.
It’s also important to realize that not all organic shampoos are good for your hair, so doing your research is crucial.
How can I buy eco-friendly shampoos and conditioners?
The best way to buy eco-friendly shampoos and conditioners is to look for brands that specialize in these products. There are a number of different brands that offer great eco-friendly and ethical options.
But where do you find these brands? Do you need to go to your local store or some specialized shop that sells organic-only products?
The truth is, you can find eco-friendly and ethical shampoos and conditioners pretty much everywhere. Even some of the big chain stores are starting to carry these types of products.
You can also find a great selection online. There are a number of different websites that sell eco-friendly and ethical shampoos and conditioners. Amazon.com is a great place to start your search.
In fact, you should prefer to buy online since it saves you the time and energy of having to go out and search for these products in stores while offering you a huge variety of products that you won’t find elsewhere.
Some things to consider when buying eco-friendly shampoo
The type of hair you have
The type of hair you haveIf you have oily hair, you might want to look for a clarifying shampoo. If you have dry hair, you might want to look for a moisturizing shampoo.
These days, shampoo and conditioner bars have become really popular among the eco-conscious, and some have even experienced better results while using shampoo bars instead of their usual liquid shampoo brand.
Your budget
Eco-friendly shampoos and conditioners can be more expensive than conventional products. But there are also some great affordable options out there. If you’re really on a tight budget, eco-friendly shampoo bars are often a better choice than their liquid counterparts, and often last longer.
The ingredients
As we mentioned before, you want to make sure that the shampoo and conditioner you’re buying are made with natural ingredients such as coconut oil, palm oil, or any essential oils, and don’t contain any harmful chemicals. It is also important that the products must be cruelty-free and not subjected to animal testing.
The packaging
You want to make sure that the product you’re buying is packaged in recycled materials. If your shampoo and conditioner brand isn’t using plastic-free packaging, then maybe it’s time to switch to a better alternative.
11 great eco-friendly and ethical brands for glossy locks:
1. Avalon Organics
Avalon Organics is a great choice if you’re looking for one of the best eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner brands. All of their products are cruelty-free and made with natural ingredients. They also have a great selection of shampoos for different hair types.
Their selection of conditioners is also impressive. Currently, one of their hottest products is the therapy thickening shampoo, which is designed to help give your hair more body and volume
2. Burt’s Bees
Burt’s Bees is another excellent choice for sustainable shampoo and conditioners. Their products are made with natural ingredients such as essential oils. They also offer a wide range of different conditioner bars for different hair types.
One of their most popular shampoos is the baobab oil shampoo, which is designed to help moisturize your hair and make it softer and smoother.
3. Giovanni
Another great choice, Giovanni offers an array of different products for different hair types where you’re sure to find something that works for you. One of their most popular products is the ultra-repair shampoo, which is designed to help repair damaged hair.
However, the Tea Tree Triple Treat shampoo is also a great choice if you’re looking for something to help with scalp problems.
4. The Honest Company
If you’re looking for a well-known brand for ethical bathroom products, The Honest Company is a great choice. Their products are handmade with natural ingredients and are one of the most popular when it comes to all-in-one products.
One of their most popular products is the Shampoo + Body wash, which is designed to help give your hair more body and volume, as well as leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.
5. Renpure
Renpure is a great choice if you want a cruelty-free choice that’s also affordable. Their biotin and collagen shampoo is one of their most popular products and is designed to help give your hair a refreshing look. However, they also have a great selection of other products, including the coconut cream conditioner, which is designed to help moisturize your hair.
6. Naples Soap Company
If you’re looking for the best eco-friendly shampoo bar, Naples Soap Company is one of the top choices. Their products are made with herbal oils and are known for their zero-waste movement. One of their most popular products is the travel shampoo bar, which is designed to help give your hair a refreshing smell even when on the go.
7. Ethique
Ethique is a great choice if you’re looking for a true zero waste shampoo. Made using natural ingredients, their products are free of harmful chemicals. Their shampoo bars are a popular choice and are suitable for most hair types. Their shampoo bars are well-known in the entire market and are designed to help give your hair a refreshing smell.
8. J.R Liggetts
An old name in the shampoo industry, J.R Liggetts is a great choice if you want an ethical choice with a traditional feel. J.R Liggetts was one of the first companies to start making eco-friendly shampoos and they offer a wide range of shampoo bars in retro packaging. If you’re a fan of old-school products, this is the brand for you.
9. Spiraleaf
Spiraleaf is a new kid on the block when it comes to zero-waste shampoo brands but they’re making a big splash. Made using pure essential oils, they claim to only use very limited ingredients in their shampoo bars. Their shampoos are packed in recycled and recyclable materials. If you’re looking for a zero-waste option, Spiraleaf is a great choice.
10. Suds & Co.
Suds & Co. is a Florida-based company that makes zero-waste shampoo bars and soaps. Their shampoo bars are what they’re most famous for and they come in a variety of different scents.
As well as being gentle on your hair, Suds & Co. products are also vegan and cruelty-free. Made from organic ingredients such as Hemp oil and Shea butter, their products are designed to nourish your hair without ruining the environment.
11. Top Pick: Best Zero Waste Shampoo
Saving the best for last; our top pick for the best environmentally friendly shampoo, based on thousands of reviews by satisfied customers, is Herbal Essences Repairing Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo and Conditioner. Herbal Essences is a cruelty-free company that’s known for its gentle and effective products.
This particular zero-waste shampoo and conditioner set is designed to help repair damaged hair, leaving it looking and feeling healthier. Made with organic ingredients such as Argan oil and mint, it’s also free from parabens, sulfates, and Artificial Colors.
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly shampoo that’s gentle on your coarse hair and the environment, this is the one for you.
Advantages of Eco-Friendly Shampoo
There are many advantages to using eco-friendly shampoo, both for you and the environment. let’s take a look at some of them:
1. Gentle on your hair
One of the main advantages of sustainable shampoo, and eco-friendly hair care in general, is that it’s gentle on your hair. Unlike conventional shampoos, which can strip away natural oils, eco-friendly shampoo is designed to work with your hair’s natural oils. This means that it won’t leave your hair feeling dry and brittle after use.
2. Good for the environment
Another big advantage of biodegradable shampoo is that it’s much better for the environment. Most conventional shampoos contain harmful chemicals that can end up polluting the water supply. Sustainable shampoo, on the other hand, is made from organic ingredients that are biodegradable and won’t damage the environment.
3. Cruelty-free
Most eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner brands are also cruelty-free, meaning that they haven’t been tested on animals. If you’re looking for a shampoo that’s kind to both your hair and animals, sustainable shampoo is a great choice.
4. Affordable
Contrary to popular belief, environmentally-friendly shampoo doesn’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of affordable options on the market that will suit most budgets. Many of the above-mentioned brands offer great products at very reasonable prices.
5. Easy to find
Another big advantage of eco-friendly shampoo is that it’s easy to find. With more and more people becoming conscious of the environment, many supermarkets and drugstores now stock eco-friendly shampoo. You can also find it easily online.
Disadvantages of traditional shampoo
There are some major disadvantages of traditional shampoos, such as:
1. Contains harmful chemicals
One of the main disadvantages of traditional shampoo is that it contains a number of harmful chemicals. These chemicals can strip away natural oils, leaving your hair dry and brittle. They can also pollute the environment when they’re washed down the drain.
2. Not cruelty-free
Unfortunately, many conventional shampoos are not cruelty-free. This means that they’ve been tested on animals, which is something that many people are against.
3. Wastage during manufacturing
The manufacturing process of traditional shampoo also tends to be very wasteful. A lot of water and energy are used to create the products, which can damage the environment.
Liquid shampoo vs shampoo bars: which is more eco-friendly?
There’s a lot of debate over which type of shampoo is more eco-friendly: liquid or bar. Here are some pros and cons of each to help you make a decision
Liquid shampoo
Liquid shampooPros
- Liquid shampoo is easy to find and use. You can buy it in most supermarkets and drugstores, and it doesn’t require any special equipment to use.
- It’s also very versatile. You can find liquid shampoo for all different hair types, including curly, straight, thick, and thin hair.
- Liquid shampoo is usually less expensive than bar shampoo.
Cons
- Liquid shampoo can be quite wasteful. A lot of it gets washed down the drain, which means that it can end up polluting the environment.
- It can also be difficult to find eco-friendly liquid shampoo as many of the brands on the market contain harmful chemicals.
Bar shampoo
Pros
- Bar shampoo is much more eco-friendly than liquid shampoo. This is because it doesn’t produce as much waste, and it’s usually made from natural, biodegradable ingredients.
- It’s also very versatile. You can find bar shampoo for all different hair types, including curly, straight, thick, and thin hair.
- Bar shampoo is often less expensive than liquid shampoo.
Cons
- Bar shampoo can be quite difficult to use if you’re not used to it. It can take a bit of time to get the hang of using it, and you might end up wasting some of it at first.
The bottom line
The eco-friendly shampoo is a great choice for those who want to be kind to both their hair and the environment. There are a number of advantages to using eco-friendly shampoo, including that it’s gentle on the environment, cruelty-free, and often more affordable than traditional shampoo.
The main disadvantage of eco-friendly shampoo is that it can be difficult to find as many of the brands on the market contain harmful chemicals. Thankfully, online stores such as Amazon stock a wide range of zero-waste shampoos, making it easy to find the perfect one for your hair type.
If you’re looking for sustainable shampoo, be sure to check the ingredients list to make sure that it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals. You can also look for cruelty-free products to ensure that they haven’t been tested on animals.
So, what are you waiting for? Make the switch to eco-friendly shampoo today! Your hair and the environment will thank you for it.