Skip to content

Ethical brand ratings and accreditation since 2001

Eco-Friendly Shampoo & Conditioner

Which Shampoo & Conditioner brands are the most ethical and sustainable? For the answer, see our Ethical Shampoo and Conditioner comparison table to compare brands’ ethical scores.

Why is it important to buy eco friendly hair products?

Shampoo and conditioner are everyday essentials, yet many brands conduct animal testing, use animal-derived ingredients, or contain potentially harmful chemicals. Choosing ethical shampoo UK consumers can trust helps protect your health, animal welfare, and the environment. As many shampoos and conditioners have a negative impact on the planet and its wildlife, it is important to buy eco-friendly hair products from ethical brands. We will explore some of the ethical issues that occur within the hair care industry and identify some potential solutions. The GOOD Shopping Guide has been independently researching and rating brands on ethical criteria since 2001, making our comparison tables one of the most trusted resources for ethical hair care choices.

One of the most significant trends in sustainable hair care in recent years is the rise of the shampoo bar. Shampoo bars and conditioner bars eliminate plastic bottles entirely, significantly reducing packaging waste — a single bar can replace up to two 250ml plastic bottles. They are typically more concentrated than liquid products, meaning they last longer and generate less transport-related carbon emissions. Many shampoo bars UK consumers can now find on the high street are also sulphate-free, paraben-free, and vegan certified, making them an excellent all-round ethical choice. If you are looking to reduce your environmental footprint from hair care, switching to a solid bar is one of the most impactful steps you can take.

Toxic chemicals in hair care products: Parabens and sulphates

Some hair products contain parabens, a controversial ingredient that you might want to avoid in your shampoo and conditioner. Parabens have been linked to hair damage, including drying, irritation, fading of hair colour, and even hair loss.

Parabens may also have a harmful environmental impact, as the chemicals eventually end up in our water streams once they have been washed off your hair. Although research is still ongoing, early studies suggest that parabens can pollute waterways, kill coral reefs, and damage marine ecosystems. This means that any shampoo or conditioner that contains parabens may not be an eco friendly hair care product. We recommend purchasing paraben-free hair products so you can reduce the risk of damaging the planet, as well as your health. The UK Government’s REACH chemicals regulation provides a framework for assessing the risks of substances like parabens in consumer products — a useful reference point when evaluating brand claims about ingredient safety. For guidance on scalp health and the effects of hair product ingredients, the NHS offers useful information on common hair and scalp conditions.

Alongside parabens, sulphates — primarily sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES) — are another controversial ingredient in mainstream shampoos. Sulphates are the cleansing agents that create lather, but they can strip the scalp of its natural oils, causing dryness and irritation, and are particularly problematic for people with sensitive skin, colour-treated hair, or conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Sulphate-free shampoo is widely available from ethical brands and is a strong choice for consumers looking for a gentler, more natural shampoo UK option.

Additionally, many shampoo products unfortunately contain ingredients that may come from animals. Look out for ingredients such as glycerine, stearic acid, keratin, and beeswax. Some of these ingredients — such as glycerine — can come from plants, but it is not always easy to identify the source. Buy vegan shampoo to ensure the product is free from animal products.

Fortunately, our Ethical Shampoo and Conditioner comparison table shows you the best options for eco-friendly hair products from ethical brands, including vegan shampoo, organic shampoo, and paraben-free products. This allows you to choose the right products for your ethical values, without having to do the research yourself. For a full breakdown of how we assess brands across environmental, animal welfare and people criteria, visit our How We Rate page.

Our findings: The growing availability of organic shampoo and vegan shampoo

The GOOD Shopping Guide’s latest research into the shampoo and conditioner sector reveals the latest developments within the hair care industry. Unfortunately, many brands still conduct animal testing, either directly or through their parent company. This means that many brands still do not provide eco friendly hair care products.

Animal testing is a cruel and unnecessary practice in the health and beauty industry. With many alternatives to animal testing available, we see no reason why brands must continue to subject animals to experiments that cause them pain and distress. You can find out more about the problem with animal testing in our Ethical Makeup article.

Hence, any brand that has been found to be involved in animal testing has been marked down under the Animal Welfare category within our research. Some examples include Elvive and Garnier (owned by L’Oréal), VO5 and TRESémmé (owned by Unilever), and Pantene (owned by Procter & Gamble).

Look for brands with a bottom rating under Animal Welfare in our tables, so you know who to avoid. Alternatively, find brands that have been certified by Cruelty Free International’s Leaping Bunny, as this rules out the possibility of animal testing. The UK also banned animal testing for cosmetic products and ingredients in 1998 — one of the earliest such bans in the world. However, brands owned by parent companies that sell in markets where testing is still required may still receive a lower rating in our research.

Palm oil is another ingredient worth scrutinising in shampoo and conditioner products. Many mainstream formulas contain palm oil derivatives as surfactants and emulsifiers. At its most unsustainable, palm oil production is linked to mass deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and human rights abuses in producing countries. Some ethical brands, including Conscious Skincare and Odylique — both of which hold Ethical Accreditation from The GOOD Shopping Guide and feature on our Top 200 Ethical Businesses list — have eliminated palm oil from their products entirely. Our Ethical Shampoo and Conditioner comparison table flags brands’ palm oil policies as part of our independent assessment.

ethical shampoo and conditioner, eco friendly hair care

How to buy eco friendly hair care products: invest in organic shampoo and vegan shampoo

We were pleased to see that many brands are now offering organic shampoo, vegan shampoo, or even both. Buying organic shampoo and vegan shampoo is a great way to buy more eco friendly hair products. We were therefore impressed with the number of brands now offering either organic shampoo or vegan shampoo within their product range.

As we have previously mentioned, vegan shampoo is a great option if you don’t want your hair care to come at the expense of animal welfare. Additionally, vegan shampoo has environmental benefits. Many of us are aware of the meat industry’s high carbon footprint, so opting for vegan shampoo is a good way to avoid the environmental harm caused by animal products.

Green People and Honesty Cosmetics are just some examples of brands offering vegan shampoo. Both brands achieve top scores in our Ethical Shampoo and Conditioner comparison table and have also received our prestigious Ethical Accreditation, which reflects their strong status as ethical brands. Find out more about the benefits of Ethical Accreditation.

Another option for eco-friendly hair products is organic shampoo. Organic shampoo is much more environmentally sustainable than traditional shampoo, as the organic ingredients used within the product will have been grown without the use of harsh agrochemicals. The chemicals used in non-organic farming can pollute rivers and seas, putting marine life and ecosystems at risk. The Soil Association’s COSMOS Organic certification is one of the most rigorous standards for organic cosmetics in the UK — look out for this certification on organic shampoo and conditioner products.

Moreover, organic shampoo may be healthier for your hair and scalp, due to the types of chemicals used. Organic shampoo is more readily available than ever, with many ethical brands now offering organic shampoo products. For instance, Living Naturally offers shampoo made with organic ingredients, which is also vegan certified.

Your choice of shampoo and conditioner sits within a broader set of ethical personal care decisions. See our Ethical Skincare comparison table for guidance on sustainable skincare choices, and our Ethical Cleaning Products comparison table for eco-friendly household cleaning options. For a comprehensive view of brands that have earned The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Accreditation across every personal care sector, visit our Top 200 Ethical Businesses page.

See our Ethical Shampoo and Conditioner comparison table to compare brands

Shampoo and conditioner brands don’t just appear on our Ethical Ratings Tables; The Good Shopping Guide has also written up extensive research pages on each company. Click on any brand name to read more of this research on brands’ ethics and sustainability policies.

Fushi Wellbeing, Green People, Living Naturally, Neal’s Yard Remedies, Honesty, Lavera, Weleda, Caurnie, Lush, Suma, Palmers, The Body Shop, Cantu, Charles Worthington, L’Occitane, Vosene, Avalon Organics, JĀSÖN, John Frieda, Aussie, Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, Alterna, Elvive, Garnier, Kérastase, Neutrogena, OGX, Redken, Schwarzkopf, Alberto Balsam, Aveda, Dove, TRESemmé, VO5 OUAI, L’Oréal Professionnel, and Wella.

Why is it important to choose ethical shampoo and conditioner brands?

What are parabens, and why should I avoid them in hair care products?

What should I look for when buying vegan or organic shampoo?

Is Fushi Wellbeing an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Green People an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Living Naturally an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Neal's Yard Remedies an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Odylique an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Conscious Skincare an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Weleda an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Caurnie an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Suma an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is The Body Shop an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Lavera an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Lush an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Cantu an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Alberto Balsam an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Palmers an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is VO5 an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Charles Worthington an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Paul Mitchell an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Avalon Organics an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is JĀSŌN an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is John Frieda an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is L'Occitane an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Vosene an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Aussie an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is OUAI an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Head & Shoulders an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Herbal Essences an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Pantene an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Elvive an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Garnier an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Kérastase an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is L'Oréal Professionnel an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Redken an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Aveda an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Neutrogena an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is OGX an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Alterna an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Schwarzkopf an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Dove an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is TRESemmé an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?

Is Wella an ethical shampoo and conditioner brand?