The Good Trade editors endorse products we’ve personally researched, tested, and genuinely love. Learn more about our methodology and business model here.
Our editors have tested and researched dozens of sulfate-free shampoos — these are our top picks for clean and natural ingredients, as well as efficacy.
By now, you probably know all about the benefits of using sulfate-free shampoo to help preserve your hair’s shine and color and to reduce irritation. Sulfates can also be potential endocrine disruptors, which can dysregulate your body’s natural hormone production, causing you to produce too much or too little of certain hormones.
But good shampoo doesn’t need sulfates to do its job — we’ve rounded up some of our favorite shampoos that clean hair with other surfactants or cleansing agents. These science-backed brands use clinically proven formulas to boost hair health and target specific hair goals, like repairing damage, managing frizz, or adding volume. And our very favorite formulas keep sustainability top of mind — some are even Certified B Corps. Read on for our favorite sulfate-free shampoos.
Why avoid sulfates in shampoo?
Avoiding sulfates in shampoo is a smart move for a few reasons. First off, it will keep your hair and scalp healthy since sulfates can strip your hair of its natural oils. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are strong detergents and can lead to dryness, frizz, and breakage, especially if your hair is curly, or treated with color. Sulfates can also irritate your scalp and, as mentioned above, disrupt your hormones.
Our criteria:
Drawing on a decade of experience researching, testing, and corresponding with organic haircare brands, we’ve developed the criteria below for our selections. We regularly update this list with emerging favorites.
- NATURAL/ORGANIC | Each shampoo is free of sodium lauryl sulfate and other harsh ingredients, many with certifications to back them up (like B-Corp or EWG-verified).
- AFFORDABLE | Cost is a number-one factor for a lot of folks, so we’ve included a range of price points here.
- EFFICACY | Sulfate-free doesn’t mean your shampoo won’t work! We’ve chosen brands known and loved for their efficacy in cleaning your scalp and hair.
Try these nontoxic dry shampoo bands for in-between washes!
1. Prose
Best For | Custom formulas
Natural & Organic | Organic & natural ingredients, free from parabens, sulfates, & GMOs
Price | $32
Prose believes that all hair is different, so all shampoo should be, too. They make custom clean sulfate-free formulas based on your hair type, specific concerns, and where you live, adding in more of what your hair actually needs — like oat oil for color protection, honey for volume, arginine for heat protection, or apple cider vinegar for shine — without the junk. Prose is a B Corp and Climate Neutral, and they’re constantly updating their formulas with the newest research from their Paris lab.
Our Editor’s Review | “Overall, I loved my experience with Prose, from the questionnaire and certified clean ingredients lists to the personable packaging and custom natural formulas. It’s an excellent brand for anyone needing more than a standard Target shampoo for hair health, and while a bit pricier than drugstore brands, you get what you pay for. After too many years with box dye and cheap hair products, you can bet I’ll be a repeat Prose customer.” – Kayti Christian [Read the full review.]
2. Sienna Naturals
Best For | Curly, coily, and textured hair
Natural & Organic | Nontoxic, free from sulfates, silicone, & parabens
Price | $28
The breakthrough line by actress Issa Rae and entrepreneur Hannah Diop makes hair care products formulated for textured hair and rooted in technology. Sienna Naturals products are all vegan, cruelty-free, responsibly sourced, and dermatologist approved. Their H.A.P.I. Shampoo is a moisture-rich cleanser that’s effective enough to remove build-up from styling products but gentle enough to restore natural curl patterns. It’s making waves in the beauty world, winning beauty awards from Elite Daily and Byrdie. It soothes irritation, detangles, and leaves a subtle spa-like lavender and geranium scent.
Customer Review | “This has to be the best hydrating shampoo I have ever had! I’ve tried so many since I began my loc journey and none can compare to this. And I love the smell of this shampoo as well. The geranium scent is perfect! Scalp gets squeaky clean but not dry. All around the perfect product!” – Micah M. (Read all reviews.)
3. Meow Meow Tweet
Best For | Shampoo bar
Natural & Organic | Fair trade & organic ingredients, plastic-free, free from sulfates & parabens
Price | $14
This shampoo bar from Meow Meow Tweet is designed to nourish your hair and scalp (and is even versatile enough for use on your whole body!). Infused with avocado oil and aloe vera for conditioning and rosemary and hops flowers for added shine, it’s color-safe for treated hair. As a solid bar, it reduces waste compared to bottled shampoos, and comes in a recyclable, compostable paper box. For those with hard water, a weekly citric acid rinse (1 teaspoon per cup of water) is also recommended to keep hair feeling squeaky clean!
Customer Review | “I was surprised as it suds well and my hair feels super soft and detangled! I enjoy the earthy clean scent and my scalp feels good after I use it. I have a very sensitive scalp and this is amazing for my hair! Using drying shampoo products cause my head to itch and this bar is softening and calming! Should have tried this sooner!” – Holly (Read all reviews.)
4. Vegamour
Best For | Sustainable ingredient sourcing
Natural & Organic | Nontoxic, 100% vegan ingredients from fair trade partnerships
Price | $38 — 52
Vegamour develops its hair products with four core pillars in mind: Vegan ingredients, a holistic approach to hair wellness, clinically-proven formulas, and bioavailability, or the body’s ability to absorb ingredients. Their shampoo line includes products formulated for different hair types or hair concerns like volumizing or strengthening. They’re all color-safe and free of sulfates, phthalates, silicones, and artificial fragrance — they scent their products with natural ingredients like citrus and jasmine. The brand is committed to sustainability, too, creating its own supply chains and fair trade partnerships.
Customer Review | “I love this HYDR-8 range a lot. The shampoo and conditioner duo is fantastic. The shampoo leaves my scalp and hair squeaky clean. It deeply nourishes and hydrates my hair. I love how it does not have artificial fragrance. Highly recommend this.” – Manisha P. (Read all reviews.)
5. Ursa Major
Best For | Sustainable packaging
Natural & Organic | Free from parabens, sulfates, & silicones
Price | $26
Ursa Major’s Go Easy Shampoo is sulfate-free and lightly conditioning to clean hair without stripping it. The shampoo has coconut-derived surfactants to give a creamy lather, macadamia for its nourishing fatty acids, and licorice to help combat scalp flakes, and the natural scent is a woodsy blend of ginger and balsam. The B Corp certified brand launched by a Vermont couple makes gender neutral, sustainably sourced, and responsibly packaged skin and body products. The brand is even plastic negative — in partnership with rePurpose Global, for every plastic bottle they sell, they remove two from the environment.
Customer Review | “I love everything about this product! My hair is shiny. It seems thicker. I love the smell. Used another brand for 20+ years, and now I am switching!” – Vicky S. (Read all reviews.)
6. superzero
Best For | Strengthening hair & scalp stimulation
Natural & Organic | Sulfate-free, silicone-free, soap-free, plastic-free, cruelty-free
Price | $28
Boost your hair health with superzero’s stimulating shampoo for hair growth, formulated with caffeine, rosemary oil, vegan keratin, and Amla extract — an Ayurvedic remedy known for stimulating hair follicles and reducing hair loss. It enhances scalp circulation, lifts hair at the roots, reduces breakage, and improves shine making it ideal for those with thinning hair. The shampoo is sulfate-free, silicone-free, microplastic-free, soap-free, plastic-free, and cruelty-free, with a pH-balanced formula. Choose between light, medium, and intense moisture based on your hair needs!
Customer Review | “Absolutely love this shampoo & conditioner!! Has made my hair feel much softer & has more volume too!” – Nishma S. (Read all reviews.)
7. JVN Hair
Best For | Patented hemisqualane
Natural & Organic | Free from silicone & sulfates
Price | $34
Founded by Queer Eye star and hairstylist Jonathan Van Ness, JVN Hair makes products created with 100% clean ingredients, keeping sustainability and inclusivity top of mind. They make three shampoos — hydrating (for all hair types), volumizing (for finer hair types), and strengthening (for damaged hair types). All three formulations are color-safe, vegan, and free from sulfates and silicones, and they all use JVN’s patented hemisqualane, a molecule made from sustainably sourced sugarcane that penetrates the hair shaft for deep nourishment.
Customer Review | “This is by far, the love-of-my-life shampoo. I got the conditioner as well, and they have truly nourished my hair back to life! I lighten my hair in order to dye it pink (of course) and this Undamage duo made my hair softer and prevents split ends. It has a gentle and beautiful smell too, which I appreciate so much as I am sensitive to a lot of fragrances. I honestly would buy a perfume of this scent, if you want to make that too JVN!” – Kelsey (Read all reviews.)
8. Jupiter
Best For | Dandruff
Natural & Organic | Naturally derived and plant-based ingredients
Price | $25
Jupiter’s Balancing Shampoo calms scalp irritation and rejuvenates locks with a color-protecting, sulfate-free formula that controls oil production. It’s made with 1% zinc pyrithione, an active anti-fungal commonly used to treat skin conditions that cause flaking (like dandruff), while keeping hair moisturized with ingredients like squalane and coconut oil. Best combined with Jupiter’s Nourishing Conditioner, the shampoo leaves a natural mint, vanilla, rosemary, and lavender scent, to make fighting dandruff one of the most luxurious parts of your day.
Customer Review | “I have naturally curly hair, and this shampoo has been a game-changer. It cleans without drying out my curls, leaving them soft and defined. Plus, my scalp feels so much healthier!” – Maggie (Read all reviews.)
9. Authentic Beauty Concept
Best For | Ingredient-driven products
Natural & Organic | Sulfate- and silicone-free, 95% naturally-derived ingredients
Price | $31
Authentic Beauty Concept has five straightforward shampoos: One for colored hair, one for dry hair, one for fine hair, one for damaged hair, and a deep-cleaning shampoo for all hair types. Each one is formulated with different botanicals — date extract helps color-treated hair appear more shiny and soft, mango’s vitamins C and E give dry hair more bounce, and green tea and lime add body to fine, thin hair. All of Authentic Beauty’s products are vegan, cruelty-free, and sulfate-free.
Featured image is from Sienna Naturals
