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Crafting an organic shampoo isn't quite as easy as, say, growing an organic cherry—from a technological standpoint, not all ingredients essential to shampoo can be certified organic. Some brands, of course, have tracked down the elusive USDA organic certification, while others have done their very best, pairing a majority of organic additives with a few essential, natural, and safe extras.
NYC-based colorist Stephanie Brown, who works at IGK Soho, says finding the right organic shampoo is super easy. It's all about looking for ingredients you recognize and can pronounce. "Go for oils like coconut, olive, and sunflower, apple cider vinegar, aloe, green tea, and other ingredients you would feel safe ingesting," explains Brown. "Look at the ingredients and label and look for certification symbols like COSMOS or soil association or national organic program."
Brown recommends organic shampoo for all hair types, but notes it's ideal for people with sensitive scalps who have allergies from harsh chemicals.
"If you're looking for a hydrating formula for your damaged hair, nourishing ingredients like argan oil and shea butter are great options," says Brown. "If you are looking to get a healthier scalp, ingredients such as tea tree oil, green tea, and calendula relieve itching, dryness, and inflammation."
Stringent labeling aside, here are the ones that met our standards.
View Gallery 18 Photos For A Stylist Recommendation Organic Shampoo Christina Moss christinamossnaturals.com $19.99 SHOP NOW
Brown recommends all of Christina Moss's products if you have a sensitive scalp. "It's soothing and doesn’t irritate your skin," she says.
For Natural Hair Growth Rainforest Grown Rahua Shampoo sephora.com $9.00 SHOP NOW
Coconut oil is the star ingredient here, gently lifting dirt from the hair shaft without depositing synthetic nasties on your skin. It also provides a bit of hair growth and scalp stimulation.
For Dandruff Organics Scalp Stimulating Shampoo John Masters Organics amazon.com $25.99 SHOP NOW
If you suffer from dandruff, you're not alone. A detoxifying shampoo, like this one from John Masters Organics, will cleanse your scalp and the root of your hair using peppermint and spearmint oils to get rid of dirt and debris. Plus, ingredients like sunflower oil work to balance oil production so you won't get dandruff again.
For Shiny Hair Organic Herbal Shampoo Dr. Alkaitis thedetoxmarket.com $18.00 SHOP NOW
You know that incredible lather most hair commercials promise but you can't achieve in the shower? This organic shampoo delivers! Dr. Alkaitis's shampoo uses ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, and vitamin E to create the perfect amount of shower fizz while strengthening strands and promoting shine.
For More Cost Per Use Ethique Eco-Friendly Frizz Wrangler Shampoo Bar Ethique target.com $15.99 SHOP NOW
Not only is Ethique's cruelty-free shampoo bar packed with frizz-taming natural ingredients like coconut and cocoa butter, but the no-bottle packaging is both better for the environment and your wallet, as one bar is equivalent to three bottles of liquid shampoo.
For Dry Hair OGX Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo OGX ulta.com $7.99 SHOP NOW
OGX's Argan Oil of Morocco shampoo might be the secret to shinier and softer hair. The sulfate-free formula intensely hydrates and locks in moisture with the help of silk proteins.
For Color-Treated Hair ArtNaturals Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo artnaturals walmart.com $24.99 SHOP NOW
Art Naturals products are made from 100% argan oil, making it ideal for extremely damaged or dry hair. It's also gentle enough for color-treated hair.
For A Sensitive Scalp Organic Argan Shampoo Tree to Tub amazon.com $24.00 $17.88 (25% off) SHOP NOW
Tree to Tub's Soapberry Shampoo puts your scalp first. Perfect for dry, irritated, or sensitive scalps, the formula is naturally cleansing and free from any toxins that might irritate your skin. Peppermint cleans while the soapberry moisturizes.
For Heat-Damaged Hair Chia Shampoo Aubrey Organics amazon.com $15.39 SHOP NOW
In the same way a few dollops of chia pudding wards off hunger for a weirdly long period of time, this protein-rich formula fortifies hair weakened from coloring, heated styling, or just day-to-day life.
For Relaxed or Chemically Treated Hair EO Botanical Sulfate-Free Shampoo with Keratin EO amazon.com $11.58 SHOP NOW
EO products have some of the most impressive certifications available today. Not only is each item USDA Organic—no easy feat—but they're also non-GMO, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and B Corp Certified, meaning the company is held to high ethical and environmental standards. This one smells nice too.
For All Hair Types Mint Leaves & Tea Tree Shampoo Earth’s Nectar sephora.com $21.50 SHOP NOW
Don't let the unassuming packaging fool you. This bracing elixir contains more than 70 percent organic ingredients.
For Bigger, Fuller Hair Volumizing Rosemary Shampoo Avalon Organics amazon.com $18.90 $16.04 (15% off) SHOP NOW
Certified organic botanicals (aloe leaf juice, rosemary extract, and quinoa seed) work to plump and fluff even the limpest strands.
For Brittle Strands Moisture Shampoo Acure Mega amazon.com $12.88 SHOP NOW
More than a dozen organic extracts and oils team up in this lush formula ideal for quenching brittle strands.
For Shinier Strands UltraShine Moisture Shampoo EVOLVh dermstore.com $26.00 SHOP NOW
This clean and zippily-fragranced shampoo is ideal for frizzy or damaged strands.
For The Dirtiest Hair Harmonic Shampoo Intelligent Nutrients amazon.com $29.99 SHOP NOW
Intelligent Nutrients pledges a minimum of 80 percent naturally derived ingredients and a 100 percent certified organic aroma. In this case, that means an antioxidant rich shampoo perfect for stripping away dulling build-up.
For Curly Hair Babassu Oil Conditioning Sulfate-Free Shampoo Mielle Organics target.com $12.99 SHOP NOW
Ideal for curly-hair, this oil-like formula miraculously still foams, making for a satisfying and softening washing experience.
For Expecting Moms Citrus + Mint Nourishing Shampoo Nine Naturals ninenaturals.com $20.00 SHOP NOW
Women expecting babies stumble upon this impressive blend of all-natural ingredients, and stick with it postpartum because it works that well.
For A Gentle Rinse Shampoo Nude sephora.com $38.00 SHOP NOW
Hand-blended in California with peak organic ingredients, this is one of the gentlest and most effective natural shampoos we've tried to date.
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