7 Non-Toxic Shampoo and Conditioners That Really Work

We don’t often stop to think about just how many shampoo bottles we go through over a lifetime. But consider this: if you use one bottle of shampoo per month (a conservative estimate), that adds up to, on average, 744 bottles during the years from age 18 to 80. 

Factor in conditioner, hair treatments, travel minis, maybe multiple household members, and the figure climbs even higher. Each of those bottles is usually made of plastic, often half full of water or diluted formulas, and wrapped in secondary packaging. All of that adds to waste, carbon emissions from transport and resource extraction.

It reduces plastic waste, often cuts down water usage (both in transport and formulation), encourages cleaner ingredients and frequently supports brands with ethical or transparent supply chains. Below is our selection of excellent, low-impact options that balance being both good for you (your hair, scalp and health) and good for the planet.

1. Wildsmith Skin Shampoo, £32 and Conditioner, £34

We chose this duo for their smart use of ingredients. Take, for example, the unique botanical surfactants which are derived from coconut oil and sugar; they work in the shampoo to cleanse the scalp without irritating. In the conditioner, you’ll find honey, coconut oil and shea butter to ensure tresses feel and look soft and glossy. During the manufacturing process, Wildsmith use biomass-powered facilities and collect and reuse their rainwater. The packaging of these bottles combines recyclable aluminium – reducing plastic waste – but also ensures they’re shower-safe. Wildsmith really have thought about every element of their products, ensuring they’re high quality at each step – but once you try them yourself, the explosion of scents really does do all the talking. 
Wildsmith Skin Shampoo, £32 and Wildsmith Skin Conditioner, £34

2. Evolve Monoi Rescue Shampoo & Conditioner Duo, £24

Evolve are one of our favourite brands to follow when it comes to impact journalling, as they proudly share each step they take to be a better business on their website. These hair heroes are made with completely natural and organic ingredients which have been certified with the seal of approval of the industry’s COSMOS Standard. The products are also cruelty-free and vegan. The star ingredient, Monoi oil, is used alongside quinoa proteins and botanical extracts to nourish dry and colour-treated hair, reducing frizz and improving shine. With some ‘natural’ shampoos, you don’t get a foaming sensation, but Evolve have recognised that and added gentle surfactants rather than very harsh detergents. So you’ll feel clean with every wash! 
Evolve Monoi Rescue Shampoo & Conditioner Duo, £24

3. Windle Lab Nourishing Shampoo Bar, £21 and Conditioner Bar, £21

Opting for a solid-bar shampoo and conditioner will significantly reduce your bathroom waste. Firstly, there’s no plastic packaging; Windle Lab report a 94% decrease in plastic packaging with their bars. And the product is more concentrated, containing less water, so it is lighter to ship, lowering carbon footprint. Windle Lab was created by London hairstylist Paul Windle, who has over 35 years’ experience taming locks of the rich and famous. He has smartly supplemented silicons and sulfates in his products with natural, kind-to-the-hair alternatives, ensuring it is deeply cleaned without stripping it of its natural oils. Plus, fragrance-free options are also available for both bars.
Windle Lab Nourishing Shampoo Bar, £21 and Windle Lab Nourishing Conditioner Bar, £21

4. UpCircle Shampoo + Conditioner Hair Care Duo, £35.99

Known for using upcycled ingredients or by-products where possible, Upcircle have chosen Pink Berry as the star ingredient in this shampoo and conditioner. A waste product from the fragrance industry, you can be sure it leaves every strand smelling fine. They’ve also created a unique texture – a liquid-solid hybrid – which enables you to use less product (50% to be exact), so each jar lasts that little bit longer. The packaging is glass with aluminium lids, so you’re reducing your plastic waste too. 
UpCircle Shampoo + UpCircle Conditioner Hair Care Duo, £35.99

5. KanKan Clarifying Shampoo and Hydrating Conditioner, £54 

KanKan have made refillable shower products pretty chic. Take this clarifying shampoo, which helps to remove product and pollution buildup; it wades through the hard water often found in cities, reducing the frequency you need to wash your hair. The Hydrating Conditioner contains a bioactive that’s been sourced to help balance water in the skin, so it’s not only hydrating for hair but also the body. Each bottle lasts for 75-100 washes and comes in an aluminium can, which can be infinitely recycled. The attachable pump head encourages you to refill and reuse, plus with every can purchased, KanKan plants a tree in partnership with Treepoints.
KanKan Clarifying Shampoo and Hydrating Conditioner, £54 

6. Small Wonder Signature Shampoo and Conditioner Set, $65

Not yet available in the UK, but one we definitely have on our radar is Small Wonder. They have created powder formulations that – once mixed with water – lather, clean and condition. It’s smart technology that ensures the brand isn’t packaging up water in their bottles; the lighter weight powder lowers their carbon footprint, and, the best part: each bottle lasts 50-80 washes. They’ve also included a signature shine complex which leaves a mirror-like shine on even what’s usually dull and dehydrated hair. It took years to create the brand, which results in salon-worthy results, and their highly reputable team have over 60 years in haircare and chemistry.
Small Wonder Signature Shampoo and Conditioner Set, $65

7. Selkie Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner Starter Kit, £29.99 
As a pretty new brand on the block, we were intrigued and amazed by Selkie. They create natural, vegan and cruelty-free powder formulas which arrive in plastic-free recyclable cardboard tubes with keep-for-life bottles. Once you add water to the powder formulas, they make up 300ml of Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner, lasting 8-10 weeks on average. The products are gentle on the scalp and kind on strands, and are curl and colour safe while remaining 98% natural (for the shampoo) and 99% natural (the conditioner). They’re helping reduce water consumption, lower carbon footprint, decrease single-use plastic – and all with natural formulas.
Selkie Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner Starter Kit, £29.99

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