Organic Shampoo Guide: The Best Organic Shampoo By Hair Type

I’ve said it before, but switching from conventional to organic shampoo can be daunting. It’s right up there with finding a good natural deodorant. Luckily, I’ve found some solid winners over the years and I’m excited to share them in my organic shampoo guide!

I’ll break these down by hair type, but before we begin, I’d like to share my hair type. I’ve tried all of these out but obviously, I experience them through the lens of my own hair. My hair is normal to oily and has some texture. I prefer shampoos that cleanse well and conditioners that are really moisturizing. My scalp can get itchy in the winter and I like shampoos that can help with that.

Organic Shampoo Guide

Unfortunately, greenwashing is rampant in the hair care world. Many conventional shampoos use clever marketing—like earthy packaging, buzzwords like “clean” or “botanical,” or even the color green—to make products seem natural when they’re anything but. A closer look at the ingredient list often reveals synthetic fragrances, sulfates, parabens, and harsh preservatives. That’s why it’s so important to go beyond the branding and really read labels or rely on trusted sources. Every shampoo in this guide has been vetted against my strict ingredient standards so you can feel confident you’re getting a truly non-toxic option.

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How to Choose the Right Organic Shampoo for Your Hair Type

With so many options out there, choosing the right organic shampoo comes down to your unique hair needs. If you have oily roots, look for clarifying formulas with ingredients like tea tree, rosemary, or clay to help balance oil production. Dry or damaged hair benefits from deeply moisturizing shampoos with ingredients like shea butter, aloe, or coconut oil to restore softness and shine. Curly hair types typically do best with ultra-hydrating, sulfate-free shampoos that minimize frizz and enhance definition. And if you’re dealing with scalp issues like itchiness or buildup, shampoos with soothing ingredients such as chamomile, calendula, or oat extract can offer real relief. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different shampoos and conditioners to find a routine that really works for your hair.

Hair Type:

Normal to Oily

Innersense Pure Harmony Hair Bath $28: I’ve used this shampoo for years and love the scent and how well it cleanses without stripping my hair. It’s a favorite for the whole family here. The corresponding conditioner is slightly less moisturizing than I prefer so I usually swap it for another one.

Maya Chia Power Fol Shampoo and Conditioner $87 for duo: This has quickly become a favorite. It helps to repair hair and seal any damage while making it stronger. The founder of Maya Chia really dives deep into the science behind ingredients to formulate the products to deliver maximum result. In other words, this is splurge but definitely worth it if you want to go for it.

Evolvh Ultrashine Moisture Shampoo + Conditioner $27 & $28: I want to love this shampoo since so many people swear by it, but it’s very drying for my hair and scalp. However, I do LOVE the conditioner and use it each time I shampoo.

Under Luna Warrior Shampoo $36: I tried another version of this brand just for this post and fell in love. It works a bit differently than other shampoos but cleans hair really well while leaving it soft and manageable.

Rahua Classic Shampoo + Conditioner $36 & $38: This is one of the least sudsing shampoos on the list, so it’s extremely gentle, but it does leave hair clean. The conditioner moisturizes well. I find I have to wash my hair every day using this and I prefer to go every other day. This would be a great choice if you’re looking for a gentle, non-stripping shampoo.

Griffin Remedy Daily Shampoo + Conditioner $10.49 each: This is on the gentle side and I need to use it daily to not be oily. It’s a fantastic value though. The shampoo and conditioner together are pretty budget-friendly.

Graydon Matcha Mint Shampoo + Hair Smoothie Conditioner $25 each: I debated what section to put this in. It’s meant for normal hair but I’ve found it lightly cleanses, so perhaps normal to dry hair? In any case, it smells so good and my kids always end up stealing it when I have some on hand. It does wonderful for Annabelle’s hair which is quite fine and very thick.

Ursa Major Go Easy Daily Shampoo + Conditioner $26 & $28: A gentle daily shampoo + conditioner. This does indeed work best when used daily unless you have drier hair. Great scent that appeals to anyone!

Flourish Lavender Mint + Clover Shampoo + Conditioner $28 each: I love this set! Leaves hair so silky and soft. Perfect for almost any hair type.

I have a whole review on Flourish Beauty Lab here.

Dry/Damaged

Rahua Hydration Shampoo + Conditioner $36 & $38: If you read my thoughts on the classic version above, think of this as even more gentle and moisturizing. Perfect if you really need to go easy on your hair and don’t mind the extra moisture.

Innersense Hydrating Hair Bath + Conditioner $28 & $30: Extremely moisturizing! Too heavy for my hair and leaves it weighed down, however, if you need some serious moisture, this is it.

Griffin Remedy Restorative Shampoo + Conditioner $10.49 each: Such a great value! once again, this brand is one of the most affordable on my list. These are very moisturizing and do wonders for damaged hair.

Curly

Innersense Hydrating Hair Bath + Conditioner $28 & $30: As I remarked above, this is way too heavy for my hair, though I have many readers with naturally curly or textured hair that swear by this set.

Evolvh SmartCurl Wash + Conditioner $32 & $34: Without having curly hair, I can’t speak to how it handles curls, but it is gentle and moisturizing and seems to calm frizz. Evolvh has additional products in their SmartCurl line to help moisturize and style.

Looking for Volume

Yarok Fed Your Volume Shampoo + Conditioner $46 each: As one of the more expensive options on the list, you may want to try the travel size first. It’s been some time since I’ve tested this, but it stood out as being a bit too stripping for my hair. That said, it did leave it feeling light and more bouncy.

Rahua Voluminous Shampoo + Conditioner $36 & $38: This is the most cleansing of all of the Rahua Shampoos, in my opinion, so this one works the best for my hair and I do see a difference in volume. The conditioner is slightly less conditioning than I prefer, but works well for those looking for light moisture.

Griffin Remedy Volumizing Shampoo + Conditioner $10.49 each: Really cleans well and leaves hair silky and bouncy. I need a bit more moisture than what this conditioner gives, but it’s light enough to not weigh hair down.

Color Treated

Rahua Color Full Shampoo + Conditioner $38 & $40: A nice, very gentle set for color-treated hair. Like the other Rahua options on this list, you may need to give your hair a chance to adjust to this as it’s very non-stripping.

Evolvh SmartColor Protecting Shampoo + Conditioner $34 & $36: This is a bit gentler than the UltraShine set and works well to preserve color.

Innersense Color Awakening Hair Bath + Conditioner $28 & $30: This set is very gentle and really preserves color well. I find all of the Innersense line to be gentle enough for color-treated hair, but this goes the extra mile to protect color.

Griffin Remedy Color Extend Shampoo + Conditioner $10.49 & $10.99: While I haven’t tried this particular set, I do like Griffin Remedy and imagine it works similarly to their other sets. Plus, this is one of the best values I could find for this category.

Scalp Help

Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue Shampoo $16.00: This works so well for itchy, flaky scalps! It has a nice, clean scent and leaves hair feeling fresh while giving you some scalp relief.

Griffin Remedy Scalp Therapy Shampoo + Conditioner $9.49 each: This has tea tree oil and aloe to help with itchy scalps. You can use it everyday or just when it’s needed.

Under Luna Warrior Shampoo $36: This was a surprising standout for me! I had a lot of requests to include this brand so I tried the Warrior shampoo. I could tell right away it wasn’t a very sudsy shampoo and those typically leave my hair heavy, but not this! In fact, not only does it make my scalp feel great, it leaves my hair very clean and soft. I can even go an extra day than normal without washing. Also, it seems to go a long way and even the smaller bottle really lasts! It may bump out my beloved Innersense as my go-to.

Rahua Scalp Exfoliating Shampoo $40: This has enzymes and a physical exfoliant to remove flakes and build up.

Innersense True Enlightenment Salt Scrub $42: This deep cleans your scalp and removes buildup. I use it about once a month or whenever I notice build-up on my scalp. It has a really refreshing scent.

Maya Chia Power Fol Duo– I mentioned this above, but not only does it do wonders for your hair, it also improves scalp health! How’s that for value packed?

As I mentioned in the beginning, hair care is tough. It’s typically where I see some of the worst ingredients and some natural brands just don’t do much. Hopefully, this organic shampoo guide can help steer you to some of the better options out there!

Purple Shampoo

Flourish Vibrant + Violet Purple Perfecting Shampoo + Conditioner $36 each: If you have gray or light blonde hair and want to fight brassiness, this is the perfect solution!

Does Organic Shampoo Have Sulfates?

No—true organic shampoos do not contain sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). These harsh detergents are commonly used in conventional shampoos to create a rich lather, but they can strip your hair of its natural oils, irritate the scalp, and even contribute to color fading in treated hair.

Instead, organic shampoos rely on plant-derived surfactants, like decyl glucoside, coco-glucoside, or saponified oils. These alternatives gently cleanse the scalp and hair without the harsh side effects of sulfates. Keep in mind that some organic shampoos may not lather as much—but they’re still doing the job effectively.

If you’re transitioning from a conventional shampoo, it may take a couple of weeks for your scalp and hair to adjust. You might even experience a short detox phase where your hair feels different—but hang in there! Many people find that their hair feels healthier, stronger, and more balanced after switching to a sulfate-free, organic formula.

🌿 Tips for Using Organic Shampoo Effectively

Since I first published this guide, I’ve heard from so many of you who love using organic shampoo—but a few common questions keep coming up. Here are some updated tips I’ve learned along the way:

1. Double cleanse if you use styling products or dry shampoo

Organic shampoos are gentle, and if you use dry shampoo, hair oils, or other styling products, you may not get a super “squeaky clean” feeling with one wash. This is good for your overall scalp and hair health as it’s not stripping hair but I get that some want that super clean feeling. Try shampooing twice in a row—the first cleanse breaks down buildup, and the second actually cleanses the hair.

2. Use an apple cider vinegar rinse once a week if needed

You can use a diluted apple cider vinegar rinse weekly to help remove buildup and balance the scalp. It leaves hair shiny, soft, and never weighed down. Just mix 1-2 tablespoons of raw ACV in 1 cup of water, pour it through your hair after shampooing, and rinse thoroughly.

3. Don’t skip the conditioner

Even if your hair leans oily, a lightweight organic conditioner helps restore moisture and protect your strands. Look for conditioners with aloe, jojoba, or argan oil if you want something hydrating but not heavy.

4. Be patient with the transition

If you’re switching from conventional to organic shampoo, your hair may go through an adjustment period. Many people experience a short detox phase where their hair feels oily, dry, or lacks volume. This is usually due to your scalp recalibrating after being stripped by harsh detergents like sulfates. Stick with it! It can take a few weeks for your scalp’s oil production to balance out and for buildup from silicones and synthetic ingredients to fully wash away. In the meantime, using a clarifying rinse (like diluted apple cider vinegar) once a week can help speed up the process. Once your hair adjusts, many people find they can go longer between washes and need fewer styling products overall.

Hair care is one of the trickier parts of going non-toxic. It’s an area where I’ve seen some of the worst ingredients sneak in, and unfortunately, some “natural” shampoos just don’t deliver. But there are real gems out there!

This guide is meant to help you find the best organic shampoo for your hair type and needs—because what works for one person may not work for another. I’ll continue updating this post as I discover more standouts.

💬 Got a favorite organic shampoo I didn’t mention? Let me know in the comments—I love finding new clean hair care options to try.

If you’re looking for some options for the kiddos, be sure to check out my Kid’s Products Post.

*Some affiliate links used. All thoughts and opinions are always 100% my own.