14 Best Plastic-free Shampoos That Nourish Hair And the Environment

Written by Alvira Dsouza, Hair Expert
Updated on Feb 26, 2024
plastic free shampoo
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Indulging in various hair care rituals is something we all enjoy! However, when you see how many shampoo bottles and packets you toss out in a year, it's tough not to worry about the harm we do to the environment. As using various haircare products such as serums, conditioners, dry shampoos, masks, and more becomes more common, it's vital to ensure they are eco-friendly. Great news! You can easily upgrade your hair products to benefit not only your hair but also the environment. Our findings show that plenty of popular brands are coming up with plastic-free shampoo bars that are eco-friendly in terms of packaging and ingredients.

Advocating for these zero-waste shampoo bars, Nunzio Saviano, a New York-based stylist and owner of an eponymous salon, states, "Shampoo bars also save water and don’t require excess plastic packaging, making them a good option for those who want to make their beauty routine more eco-conscious." These shampoos typically come in packaging made from eco-friendly and biodegradable materials like cardboard, paper, or metal. Additionally, the formulation of the shampoo also focuses on natural and sustainable ingredients, reducing the use of harmful chemicals and preservatives.

Top zero-waste shampoos and conditioners are crafted from cruelty-free, vegan, and natural ingredients, without harmful chemicals, for sustainable living. These products not only take care of your manes but also reduce the potential effects of plastic in your everyday personal care products. 

Based on our expertise, we have thoughtfully sorted a list of plastic shampoos free from plastic and enriched with natural ingredients to keep your hair nourished and hydrated without producing any toxic waste. So, scroll down to explore these products and transform your hair care routine with an environmentally responsible and luxurious experience.

14 Best Plastic-free Shampoos

Revive your dry hair with this replenishing shampoo bar, which offers a cleansing and nourishing experience without being too heavy on your locks. Enriched with the invigorating scent of refreshing peppermint oil, it leaves a rosemary minty-fresh fragrance that lasts long. Plus, it contains the goodness of Ghanaian cocoa butter and organic creamed coconut butter, giving your tresses a rejuvenating treat, lustrous shine, good hair growth, and a voluminous effect. Moreover, this product’s sustainability shines through with vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and renewable ingredients

Pros
  • Suitable for normal hair type
  • Minty fresh scent
  • Grease free
  • Act as a deep conditioner
  • Travel-friendly
Cons
  • Might weigh down hair
  • Best Vegan Shampoo Bar

    Clever Yoga ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY NATURAL SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER BARS

    Clever Yoga ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY NATURAL SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER BARS
  • Pamper your hair with the luxurious benefits of argan oil that adds to the density of your thin, fine hair while preventing breakage. This soap is highly beneficial for dry and damaged hair as it is enriched with essential oils that deeply nourish the scalp and promote healthy hair strands. These compact bars are eco-friendly and versatile, making them ideal for on-the-go adventures. Say goodbye to plastic waste and experience the natural, sustainable goodness of 100% vegan haircare with this product.

    Pros
    • Extra nourishment
    • Cruelty-free
    • Tackle frizz
    • Small and lightweight
    • Long-lasting effects
    Cons
    • Strong scent
  • Best Lather-producing Bar

    HiBAR Solid Shampoo & Conditioner Bar Set

    HiBAR Solid Shampoo & Conditioner Bar Set
  • Embrace an eco-friendly haircare routine with this ultimate all-natural bar set. These plastic-free, travel-sized bars are not only color-safe but are also eco-friendly. Enriched with honey quat and shea butter, they are entirely free from chemicals and provide sustainable hair care that's gentle on both your locks and the environment. Infused with natural properties, these zero-waste bars nourish your hair, leaving it feeling squeaky clean. Plus, each one of these can last up to 6 months.

    Pros
    • 100% soap-free formula
    • Suitable for all hair type
    • Ergonomic design
    • Free of synthetic ingredients
    • Vegan and cruelty-free
    Cons
    • Might make hair frizzy
  • Best Vegan Shampoo

    R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo

    R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo
  • Embrace eco-conscious hair care with R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo—a plastic-free solution for all hair types. This vegan and cruelty-free shampoo redefines luxury, offering body, shine, and smoothing effects without compromise. Free from mineral oil, parabens, sulfates, and gluten, it aligns with your conscious lifestyle. Elevate your hair routine with a plastic-free alternative that not only cares for your hair but also contributes to a sustainable future. Immerse yourself in the perfect blend of performance and environmental responsibility for a guilt-free, lavish hair care experience.

    Pros
    • Suitable for all hair types
    • Vegan and cruelty-free
    • Enhances body, shine, and smoothing
    • Mineral oil-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, gluten-free
    • Eco-conscious luxury
    Cons
    • Expensive
  • Best Natural Ingredients

    Grown Ass Man CO. Last Call Bar 3-in-1

     Grown Ass Man CO. Last Call Bar 3-in-1
  • This versatile 3-in-1 bar serves as a perfect cleanser for hair and beard. Plastic-free and eco-friendly, it's ideal for all those environment-conscious folks. Formulated with natural and organic ingredients, it offers a clean, refreshing feel for all hair types. Plus, it contains essential oils that make your hair and scalp healthy. This 3-pack ensures you're ready for a long-lasting hair cleaning routine. This sustainable approach to grooming is fortified with premium and natural ingredients like sunflower oil, coconut oil, patchouli, pine, cassia, clove, and many more that bring a tint of shine and health to your manes.

    Pros
    • Long-lasting effects
    • Sustainable choice
    • Clean ingredients
    • Can be used on the whole body
    • Plastic-free packaging
    Cons
    • Might dry out hair
  • Best Plastic-free Design

    FOAMIE Aloe Vera Shampoo Bar For Dry Hair

     FOAMIE Aloe Vera Shampoo Bar For Dry Hair
  • This bar from Foamie consists of aloe vera and is specially designed to nourish your hair and scalp. This non-plastic shampoo bar not only provides eco-friendly hair care but is also integrated with cotton string for an ergonomic design. Plus, it is cruelty-free, paraben-free, and sulfate-free, making it a responsible choice for your hair and the environment. Embrace the convenience of solid shampoo bars and enjoy the benefits of natural ingredients that leave your hair and scalp refreshed and revitalized. Say goodbye to plastic waste with Foamie's eco-conscious approach to haircare.

    Pros
    • Super moisturizing
    • Good for dry hair
    • Cold-pressed formulation
    • Ph-balanced
    • 100% free from soap  
    Cons
    • Very strong scent
  • Best All-natural Ingredients

    Peach not plastic Moisturizing Shampoo Bar

    Peach not plastic Moisturizing Shampoo Bar
  • This best sustainable shampoo is your moisture-rich solution for dry, damaged, and lackluster hair. Loaded with nourishing babassu oil, it not only cleanses gently but also promotes scalp health and locks in moisture for radiant, silky-smooth hair. Plus, it is sulfate-free and doesn’t remove natural oil from the scalp. Its delightful scent adds a refreshing hint of fragrance to your manes, while its all-natural ingredients ensure a clean and nourishing hair strand with a greener and more responsible haircare routine.

    Pros
    • 100% plastic free
    • Clean and vegan formula
    • Delightful scents
    • Very nourishing
    • Leaves the hair silky soft
    Cons
    • Didn’t last very long
  • Best Gluten-free Formula

    Sweet and Sassy Shampoo Bars - Sumptuous

    Sweet and Sassy Shampoo Bars - Sumptuous
  • Made with the blend of the finest ingredients, this all-natural and SLS-free shampoo bar adds a touch of incredible shine to your locks. Safe for color-treated hair, they deliver a sumptuous cleansing experience while completely plastic-free. Enjoy the richness, luxurious, and eco-friendly cleansing with this bar, and experience the difference in your haircare routine. Great for all hair type, they are very gentle and doesn’t hurt your natural shine

    Pros
    • Gluten-free
    • Travel friendly
    • Stimulating aroma
    • Compact travel-friendly design
    • Stings when get into your eyes
    Cons
    • Very small size according to the price
  • Best Repair And Control Damage

    LOLE'S Shampoo & Conditioner Bar 2-in-1 with Argan Oil

    LOLE'S Shampoo & Conditioner Bar 2-in-1 with Argan Oil
  • Designed for normal to oily hair and enriched with rejuvenating argan oil, this potent duo offers repair and damage control for your locks. Crafted from 99% natural origin ingredients, including sustainably sourced beeswax, it's free from preservatives, silicones, soap, and dyes. All you have to do is apply it on wet hair, and you are ready to flaunt your manes. Plus, it's packaged sustainably without plastic, minimizing your environmental footprint. With this bar from LOLE’s, you're making a responsible choice for your hair and the planet while enjoying the benefits of nature's goodness in a convenient bar. 

    Pros
    • Contains vitamin B5 and coconut oil
    • Restore breakage
    • Reduce split ends
    • Hydrate and protect
    Cons
    • Might dry out the ends
  • Best Eco-friendly Bar to Cleanse Impurities

    B.O.B BARS OVER BOTTLES Shampoo Bar – Trial Pack

    B.O.B BARS OVER BOTTLES Shampoo Bar – Trial Pack
  • This eco-friendly shampoo brand pack comes with a 7-piece set designed with an ideal pH balance to achieve solid and shiny locks. Crafted from natural and vegan ingredients, they offer an eco-friendly and sustainable hair care solution that's completely plastic-free. Embrace the waterless and zero-waste approach, and say goodbye to conventional shampoo bottles with this excellent trial pack version. Moreover, this anti-pollution formula cleanses impurities and helps with the flaky scalp while gently cleaning excess oils.

    Pros
    • Purify and nourish the scalp
    • Deep moisturizing properties
    • Revitalizing scents
    • Detox
    • Anti-Dandruff
    Cons
    • Very dense, and it takes a lot of scrubbing to produce lather
  • Best for Dry And Dehydrated Hair

    BRIXY Coconut Vanilla Shampoo Bar for Balance & Hydration

     BRIXY Coconut Vanilla Shampoo Bar for Balance & Hydration
  • This set includes two vegan and plastic-free bars, each weighing 4 oz, offering a sustainable solution for all hair types. With a perfectly balanced pH, these bars are also safe for colored hair. Immerse yourself in the delightful Coconut Vanilla goodness while enjoying hair that's both balanced and hydrated. Free from sulfates, silicones, phthalates, parabens, synthetic scents, and colorants​​, these are perfect for everyday use and don’t make your hair dry and dehydrated. This anti-breakage formulation makes your hair soft, shiny, and smooth.

    Pros
    • Eco-friendly
    • Nourishing properties
    • Frizz-free
    • Lathers well
    • Palm oil free
    Cons
    • Scent doesn’t last after the wash
  • SAPHUS Shampoo and Conditioner Bar

    SAPHUS Shampoo and Conditioner Bar
  • Enriched with natural Argan Oil, these bars provide deep nourishment, leaving your curls beautifully defined and frizz-free. They are soap-free and effectively control excess oil while maintaining a balanced pH. These compact 3oz bars are completely plastic-free, making them a responsible choice for your hair and the environment. This best sustainable shampoo helps remove the build-up and dirt from the scalp while promoting radiant and healthy shine. Plus, it’s free from detergents and chemicals and perfect for color-treated locks

    Pros
    • Treat damaged hair follicle health
    • Gentle
    • Safe formulations
    • Contains vitamins C, E, and argan oil
    • No synthetic oils
    Cons
    • Doesn’t smell good
  • THE POWDER SHAMPOO Purifying & Regulating Powder Shampoo For Oily Scalp & Limp Hair

     THE POWDER SHAMPOO Purifying & Regulating Powder Shampoo For Oily Scalp & Limp Hair
  • Combined with the goodness of nature’s best tea tree essential oil, willow bark, xylitol, thyme essential oil, and Pre+Probiotics, this shampoo helps in gentle exfoliation of your scalp, and unclog hair follicles, nourishes hair shaft while balancing the pH levels. Plus, this powder shampoo has plant-based ingredients, free from harsh chemicals, and is suitable for color-treated hair and all scalp types, prioritizing your hair's health and well-being. Being plastic-free, this product uses recyclable aluminum bottles of shampoo and eco-friendly paper for small pouches.

    Pros
    • Suitable for dandruff
    • Free of harsh chemicals
    • Plant-based formulations
    • Removes impurities
    • Toxin-free
    Cons
    • Poor product design
  • Terra Pure Grapefruit Oil Infused Shampoo Bar

       Terra Pure Grapefruit Oil Infused Shampoo Bar
  • This bar offers a plastic-free, soap-free, vegan, and plant-based solution for your hair care needs. It's a sustainable, eco-friendly, and zero-waste choice that not only pampers your hair with the refreshing essence of grapeseed oil but also positively impacts the planet. With Terra Pure, you can enjoy a luxurious, eco-conscious hair care experience that aligns with your values and commitment to sustainability.

    Pros
    • Long-lasting
    • Zero waste
    • Gluten-free
    • Plant-based formula
    • No parabens, silicons, or dyes
    Cons
    • Greasy

    We know picking a product is challenging when many options are available. Drawing from our expertise, we have curated a buying guide below to help you make the best decision.

    Tips to Choose the Best Plastic-free Shampoo

    • Know Your Hair Type: Before choosing an eco-friendly shampoo, understand what your hair type is. If your hair gets greasy quickly, choose a plastic-free shampoo to control excess oil without over-drying. However, if your hair is dry and lacks moisture, opt for a plastic-free shampoo with oil-based cleansing properties. Make sure it has hydrating and nourishing ingredients to restore moisture and softness. Curly hair often needs extra hydration and frizz control, so choose liquid shampoos that promote curl definition and minimize frizz. Shampoos with natural amino acids can be considered to strengthen hair. 
    • Read the Label: Check the ingredients list for natural and eco-friendly components. Look for terms like "organic," "sustainable," and "biodegradable." Always choose a plastic-free liquid daily shampoo with natural and sustainable ingredients like aloe vera, tea tree oil, or shea butter. Avoid shampoos with harmful chemicals like sulfates and parabens. Some shampoos may have certifications like "Cruelty-Free," "Vegan," or "Certified Organic." These certifications can ensure that the product aligns with your values.
    • Consider Your Hair Goals: To maintain overall hair health, you may need a non-plastic shampoo with a balanced formula that cleanses and nourishes without specific targets. Whereas, for dry or damaged hair, choose a plastic-free shampoo with moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter or argan oil to restore hydration. If frizz is a concern, include anti-frizz ingredients for smoother, more manageable hair. Shea butter or argan oil might be your best bet to restore hydration.
    • Packaging Matters: It goes even without saying! One of the main reasons for switching to plastic-free shampoos is to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste. Therefore, it's essential to look for shampoos that come in eco-friendly or recyclable packaging. Look for glass, recyclable aluminum tubes, or biodegradable containers, which are not only recyclable but also more sustainable than traditional plastic bottles.

    Reasons to Choose a Plastic-Free Shampoo

    • Reduces Plastic Pollution: Choosing a plastic-free shampoo significantly contributes to the reduction of plastic pollution. Traditional shampoo bottles often end up in landfills or the ocean, where they can harm wildlife and ecosystems. Eco-friendly shampoos use alternative and more sustainable packaging materials to minimize plastic waste.
    • Environmentally Friendly Ingredients: Many plastic-free shampoos are crafted with natural and eco-friendly ingredients. By opting for these products, you reduce the environmental impact of harmful chemicals often found in traditional shampoos. This is not only better for the planet but also for your hair and skin.
    • Cruelty-Free and Vegan Options: Zero-waste shampoos often align with cruelty-free and vegan principles, meaning they are not tested on animals and do not contain animal-derived ingredients. By choosing these shampoos, you support ethical, natural, and organic beauty practices that add a sheen glow to your health.
    • Offer Great Benefits: Plastic-free shampoos often use gentler, natural ingredients that are highly beneficial for your hair and skin. They can reduce the risk of allergic reactions and irritation, making them a healthy choice for personal care.

    Conclusion

    As the world leans towards sustainable beauty and mindful shopping, it's not surprising that the hair care industry is rightly following the trend. Thanks to a wide range of products, it's now easy to be eco-friendly and reduce waste while having stunning, shiny hair. Most of these eco-conscious alternatives are made of organic, natural ingredients that are kind to your hair and offer superior moisturization to traditional plastic-heavy formulas. However, make sure to pick the right plastic-free shampoo as per your hair type and specific hair issues for the best outcomes. These shampoos not only enrich your hair but also reflect a commitment to a cleaner, greener, and healthier world. So, why wait? Make the switch to plastic-free shampoos today and see how your hair and the environment get better.

    FAQ's

    Do plastic-free shampoos suit every hair type?
    Plastic-free shampoos come in various formulations, and many are designed to work well with different hair types. It's essential to choose one that matches your specific hair needs for the best results.
    Do plastic-free shampoos work as well as regular ones?
    Yes, plastic-free shampoos can work just as effectively as regular ones in cleansing and nourishing your hair. Its effectiveness mostly depends on the brand and formulation you choose.
    Are there particular ingredients to seek in plastic-free shampoos?
    It is advised to look for natural and eco-friendly ingredients like aloe vera, tea tree oil, and shea butter in plastic-free shampoos for a more environmentally conscious choice.
    Do plastic-free shampoos help cut long-term costs?
    While plastic-free shampoos may have a higher upfront cost, they often result in savings over time due to concentrated formulations and reduced environmental impact.
    What sets zero waste shampoo apart from typical shampoo?
    Zero waste shampoo is different from regular shampoo because it aims to minimize environmental impact by using sustainable ingredients and packaging.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Alvira, our in-house haircare expert, loves to try various brands and products that promote hair health while minimizing waste. She firmly believes that zero-waste shampoo is the way forward for sustainability. She carefully examines ingredients and brands before recommending a product. Plus, she noticed less hair fall with a glossy sheen after she switched to plastic-free organic shampoos. After extensive research and analyzing numerous online reviews, she has compiled her favorite products in the list mentioned above.

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Alvira Dsouza
    Hair Expert

    With a keen eye for detail and a passion for hairstyling, Alvira is a certified Hair Expert who brings the latest tre More