The Best Vegan Shampoos For All Hair Types

Fact: many shampoos contain animal parts, or were tested on them! If you love animals, you need to know about the best vegan shampoos for all hair types 

By Lora O’Brien

Finding the best vegan shampoos isn’t easy. After all, even those of us who actually check the ingredients of shampoos may not know what stuff is animal based, and what isn’t. And the worst part is that even the most clean, natural shampoos can contain all kinds of animal parts!

The biggest culprit is by far keratin, which is derived from animal hooves, hair and skin. It is also the key ingredient to the makeup of our own hair. It’s used in many non- vegan hair care products to boost shine and manageability.

But it’s not the only animal derived ingredient you’ll find in many non – vegan shampoos! You should also check the label for these ingredients, below.

Animal Ingredients In Non-Vegan Shampoos

Lecithin or Choline Bitartrate

Found in the nervous tissue of all living organisms, this is a waxy substance that is found not only in shampoos, but also lipsticks, creams, eye pencils, lotions, and soaps. A vegan alternative is soya bean lecithin.

Nucleic Acids

Found in the nucleus of all living cells, it’s used in cosmetics, shampoos, conditioners, as well as in vitamin supplements. These acids can be derived from animals or plants, but unless you see a leaping bunny on the label, you can assume it’s the former.

Placenta, or Placenta Polypeptides Protein

Are you ready to be grossed out? This is matter eliminated by fetuses, and comes from the uterus of slaughtered animals. Animal placenta is widely used in skin creams, shampoos, and facial masks.

RNA or Ribonucleic Acid

Found in all living cells, RNA or Ribonucleic Acid is used in many protein based shampoos and cosmetics. It can be harvested from plants, but again, if you don’t see a leaping bunny on the label, assume it’s animal derived.

Spermaceti, Cetyl Palmitate or Sperm Oil

This waxy oil was originally derived from the sperm whale’s head or – wait for it – from dolphins – but now, thank god, it’s most often derived from petroleum – but that’s not exactly good for your health, is it? Jojoba oil is a great vegan substitute.

Lanolin

This is a greasy yellow substance made from secretions (sebum) from the skin glands of sheep to condition their wool. It’s often used in shampoos as a humectant to keep hair hydrated.

Yay! More Cruelty Free Shampoo Brands Now Than Ever

It can be exhausting checking every label to see what’s in it. But luckily, there are loads of excellent vegan shampoos on the market that are also free of nasty toxic chemicals, too.

That’s great for our health, and that of the animals. Remember: even if they don’t contain animal ingredients, most shampoos have been tested on the eyes of poor, tortured bunnies! But vegan brands would never dream of doing that.

Here, I thought I’d share with you some of the best vegan shampoos for all kinds of hair types. Make the switch, and your hair – and animals – will thank you!

12 Of The Best Vegan Shampoos For All Hair Types

1. Pureology Hydrate Colour Care Shampoo

The worst thing about having dyed hair is preventing the colour from being stripped away. Pureology isn’t only vegan-friendly and kind to your hair, but its organic moisturising formula works to bring life back to even the dullest of locks. It’s best known for nourishing coloured hair and keeping it looking freshly pigmented, wash after wash.

Best for: Hair that has been left dry and lifeless due to hair dye. Why not try one of these organic conditioners if your hair is really thirsty?

Price: Around $30

2. R+Co Oblivion Clarifying Shampoo

Does your hair feel heavy? It could be a build up of products that are clogging your hair follicles and making your hair unhealthy. R+Co’s Oblivion Clarifying Shampoo uses a mix of coconut oil, rosemary leaf extract, witch hazel and tea tree oil to strip your hair of all that nastiness, without drying it out or leaving it lifeless. It also works to stimulate hair growth whilst it repairs damaged strands.

Best for: This is one of the best vegan shampoos for hair that feels heavy and lifeless and is in need of a serious detox!

Price: From $22

3. Gloss Moderne Clean Luxury Shampoo

When a shampoo is described as being like ‘pouring a million tiny champagne bubbles on your hair’ you know you’re getting something luxurious!. Gloss Moderne makes one of the best vegan shampoos by infusing coconut oil with Brazil nuts and fruit extracts. This creates a silky formula that will leave hair feeling like it’s been to the spa and back.

Best for: Reviving all hair types, but especially great for those looking to reverse damage.

Price: $48

4. 100% Pure Grow More Shampoo

We all shed hair. But sometimes due to colouring, styling and using toxic loaded products we can experience damaged hair that refuses to grow and even snaps off. Luckily, 100% Pure’s Grow More Shampoo not only deep cleanses and clarifies the scalp, it nourishes your locks making them stronger, healthier and revitalized. It’s practically a gym for your hair!

Best for: This is one of the best best vegan shampoos for anyone looking to encourage their hair to grow.

Price: $38

5. Rahua Classic Shampoo

Looking for a faithful shampoo that’s really gentle? Rahua’s Classic Shampoo is one of the best vegan shampoos around! It both cleans and nourishes your hair, with zero harsh chemicals. Made from a 100% natural formula made from fortified Amazonian nut oils, healing quinoa, coconut and Shea butter, this well-loved shampoo removes dirt, oil and bacteria from your hair without stripping away the nutrients that keep it healthy.

Best for: A classic shampoo formula that you can always rely on.

Price: From $21

6. Juice Organics Volumizing Shampoo

Locks flyaway or lifeless? Achieve the appearance of thicker and fuller looking hair with more body and bounce thanks to Juice Organics’ volumizing formula. Its blend of antioxidant-rich passion fruit and fruit oils will promote healthy locks. Soy and barley proteins will keep boost your hair shaft, making your mane appear more abundant.

Best for: This is one of the best vegan shampoos for those with thinner, flyaway hair.

Price: Around $24

7. A’kin Ylang Ylang Shampoo

We’re not all blessed with straight, silky strands. In fact, some of us constantly battle frizzy hair after washing. Well, not anymore! A’kin’s Rosemary Shampoo offers a nourishing blend of oils, such as ylang ylang and lavender. These work to eliminate impurities from both the hair and scalp, whilst controlling frizzy and flyaway hair.

Best for: This is one of the best vegan shampoos for taming frizzy hair into smooth and manageable locks.

Price: Around $21

8. Love Beauty And Planet Volume Shampoo

Bring volume and bounce to your hair with Love Beauty and Planet’s Volume and Bounty Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower Shampoo. It’s a bit of a mouthful to say (and type!) but this formula brings your hair all kinds of goodness. There’s coconut oil to keep your mane shiny, and mimosa flower to make it smell sweet.

Best for: At under $10, this is one of the best vegan shampoos for those on a budget.

Price: Only $7. Bargain!

9. Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo

A favourite with celebrities, superstar hairdresser Oribe’s shampoo could be the holy grail of hair care. This award-winning, rejuvenating cleanser offers your tresses a bounty of healing oils and extracts. It blends these with modern technology to create a shampoo that strengthens each individual strand of hair, whilst helping strands to look healthy and preventing future damage from occurring. And did I mention: it smells divine??

Best for: This is one of the best vegan shampoos for bringing life back to hair, whilst preventing it from future damage. It’s also great for those who don’t mind splurging a bit on hair care.

Price: A whopping $154! But fans of Oribe believe it’s worth it.

10. Green People Vitamin Shampoo

Hair dull and lifeless? It’s time to wake up both your hair AND your mood by using Green People’s Vitamin Shampoo. It features an all-natural, aromatherapy-based fragrance, as well as soothing aloe vera and avocado. This cruelty-free and vegan shampoo is the perfect antidote for hair that has been overexposed to sun, salt or chlorine.

Best for: Taking on holiday. It will keep your hair healthy all through your vacation

Price: From $13.95

11. Zatik Deep Moisturizing Shampoo

Thanks to environmental factors and hair styling, your hair can become incredibly dry – more so if you choose to dye it. And dry hair lacks lustre, and can be pretty limp – who wants that? Soothe your hair back to silkiness with this lavish shampoo by Zatik. Virgin coconut and baobab oils combine to your enhance  softness, and leave your tresses conditioned.

This is one of our favourite vegan shampoos, and one of the most economical! Here, you’ll find essential fatty acids, essential oils and plant extracts with qualities that will help to restore your hair’s health, all while soothing the scalp.

Best for: Those with coloured and/or dry hair.

Price: $10.00

12. Faith In Nature Lavender & Geranium Shampoo 

If you’re looking for a super affordable shampoo that you can rely on, then Faith in Nature’s Lavender and Geranium shampoo is the one you need. Naturally derived, it uses the calming benefits of lavender to help relax the mind while you soothe the scalp.

Free from silicone, parabens, SLS and SLES, it won’t leave hair heavy, but light and silky, and is suitable for all hair types. Pair this with their conditioner and you can say hello to hair that will look sleek and glossy.

Best for: Normal to dry locks, this will nourish your hair while providing some serious relaxation

Price: Around $10.00

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Lora O'Brien

Food Editor at Eluxe Magazine

After graduating in Journalism from the University of Greenwich, Lora worked for Sugar and Healing Lifestyles magazines in London before being hired to write about food for Eluxe. She’s recently become a new mom to baby Lulla, and is writing a blog about the experience of being a new mom. See more about Lora here.

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