The right vegan shampoo is your best beauty weapon.
To help make the best choice, here is our guide to the best vegan and cruelty-free shampoos for 2023. Pick your favorite shampoo from our collection and enjoy happy and healthy hair.
From Pacifica to Pureology, these vegan shampoo brands give your gorgeous hair naturally. No nasty chemicals, animal ingredients, or animal testing – just guilt-free lathering luxury.
Best Vegan Shampoos 2023
Tested and tried, these are our favorite vegan shampoos for 2023. Hydrate, nourish, repair, and add shine – these cruelty-free vegan shampoos do it all.
- Best overall: Drunk Elephant Cocomino Shampoo
- Best organic: Rahua Hydration Shampoo
- Best salon-quality: Oribe Gold Lust Shampoo
- Best affordable: Acure Ultra Hydrating Shampoo
- For dry hair: Hempz Triple Moisture Shampoo
- For oily hair: Pacifica Rosemary Purify Shampoo
- For fine hair: Verb Ghost Shampoo
- For damaged hair: Olaplex No. 4 Shampoo
- For colored hair: Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo
- For curly hair: Curlsmith Curl Quenching Wash
- For thinning hair: Vegamour Gro Revitalizing Shampoo
- For sensitive skin: Vanicream Free & Clear Shampoo
Best Vegan Shampoo Overall
1. Drunk Elephant Cocomino Glossing Shampoo
Cocomino is our favorite vegan shampoo. It fits all hair types and makes the hair super shiny and smooth. The natural formula features sacha inchi fruit, panthenol, and coconut amino acids. Pair it with Marula Cream Conditioner for best results.
With this vegan shampoo, I feel my hair doesn’t need blowdrying after. The hair stays smooth and the ends also look healthy and nourished. Cocomino is free of all the main suspects that can harm or dry out your hair such as sulfates, silicones, and fragrances.
- What we like: best vegan shampoo, leaves hair soft and smooth
- What we don’t like: doesn’t provide much color care
Key ingredients: coconut amino acids, panthenol, sacha inchi seed oil| Features: vegan, cruelty-free, natural, silicone-free, sulfate-free, fragrance-free, essential oil-free, alcohol-free, color-safe | Price: $27 (8 oz)
Best Organic Vegan Shampoo
Rahua Hydration Shampoo is the best organic vegan shampoo. It uses no harsh chemicals and is packed with natural extracts such as organic mango, passionfruit, aloe vera, and signature rahua oil. It makes the hair smooth and hydrated, plus it smells delicious and lathers well.
We love that Rahua products are sustainably made using wild-harvested plants of the Amazonian rainforest. Each purchase also directly supports the local environment and communities of the indigenous people. Pair with Rahua Hydration Conditioner.
- What we like: organic ingredients, ethical brand
- What we don’t like: not hydrating enough for damaged hair
Key ingredients: organic mango, passionfruit, sacha inchi, aloe vera, rahua oil | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, organic, natural, paraben-free, sulfate-free, gluten-free, color safe, sustainable, refills available, made in the USA | Price: $36 (9.3 oz)
Best Salon-Quality Vegan Shampoo
3. Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo
If you are looking for salon-quality vegan shampoo, go for Oribe Gold Lust. It’s the best luxury vegan shampoo, especially for dyed, dry, or damaged hair. This bestselling shampoo is made with pineapple enzymes, biotin, plant collagen, and caffeine to repair and strengthen the hair.
While expensive, one bottle of Gold Lust lasts for months. And I love how the hair stays clean for days. This shampoo has helped repair my brittle hair without weighing it down. Pair with the Gold Lust Conditioner for best results. Their Transformative Masque is also excellent.
- What we like: repairing effect, little goes a long way
- What we don’t like: it’s expensive
Key ingredients: pineapple enzymes, watermelon, lychee, edelweiss, plant collagen, caffeine, biotin, cypress, argan oil | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, sodium chloride-free, color-safe, keratin-safe, UV-protection | Price: $53 (8.5 oz)
Best Affordable Vegan Shampoo
4. Acure Ultra Hydrating Shampoo
Acure Ultra Hydrating Shampoo is the best affordable vegan shampoo. For less than $10, you’ll get a great-quality vegan shampoo made with natural and organic ingredients. The shampoo gives great shine and packs the hair with moisturizing omega fatty acids.
- What we like:
- What we don’t like:
Key ingredients: yellow argan oil, pumpkin extract, organic aloe juice | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, natural, paraben-free, sulfate-free, formaldehyde-free, mineral oil-free, petrolatum-free| Price: $9.99 (8 oz)
Best Vegan Shampoo For Dry Hair
5. Hempz Triple Moisture Shampoo
Hempz Triple Moisture is the best vegan shampoo for dry and frizzy hair. Made with the brand’s signature hemp seed oil, it gives dehydrated hair lots of healthy moisture. It also makes the scalp feel hydrated and balanced. It comes in 4 great scents and has a rich lather.
- What we like: best hydrating vegan shampoo, creamy lather
- What we don’t like: no unscented option
Key ingredients: hemp seed oil, vegan biotin, shea butter | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, SLS-free, SLES-free, THC-free, gluten-free, color safe, made in the USA| Price: $15.99 (17 oz)
Shop on: Amazon, Official site
Best Vegan Shampoo For Oily Hair
6. Pacifica Rosemary Purify Shampoo
The mint & rosemary vegan shampoo is ideal for oily hair. It washes away all the excess oil, toxins, dandruff, and buildup, and gives your hair all-day minty freshness. It’s a great natural vegan shampoo for detoxifying the scalp and keeping the hair clean and breezy.
- What we like: very refreshing and deep-cleansing
- What we don’t like: not hydrating enough for dry hair
Key ingredients: rosemary, mint, spirulina, vitamin B5, soy protein | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, mineral oil-free, made in the USA | Price: $10 (12 oz)
Best Vegan Shampoo For Fine Hair
Verb Ghost Shampoo is the best vegan shampoo for fine hair. It gives beautiful volume and body to thin hair. As the name suggests, this shampoo feels weightless. The shampoo is made with quinoa protein and moringa seed oil to fortify fine hair while adding shine.
- What we like: gives volume and strengthens fine hair
- What we don’t like:
Key ingredients: quinoa protein, green tea, moringa oil, sunflower seed oil | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, SLS-free, SLES-free, formaldehyde-free, mineral oil-free, gluten-free, UV-protection, color-safe | Price: $20 (12 oz)
Shop on: Amazon, Sephora, Ulta
Best Vegan Shampoo For Damaged Hair
8. Olaplex No. 4 Bond Building Shampoo
For damaged hair, nothing beats Olaplex’s bestselling Bond Building Shampoo. It’s the best vegan shampoo for damaged, bleached, and chemically or thermally treated hair. It’s great for smoothing out frizz and repairing broken hair strands and split ends.
The shampoo uses a patented active ingredient that can repair the disulfide bonds of hair caused by chemical, mechanical, and heat damage. Pair with No. 3 Hair Perfector Treatment and No. 5 Bond Maintenence Conditioner for best results.
- What we like: actually repairs hair, rich lather
- What we don’t like: some experience a drying effect
Key ingredients: bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, phosphate-free, gluten-free, nut-free, pH-balanced, color-safe | Price: $30 (8.5 oz)
Shop on: Amazon, Sephora, Ulta
Best Vegan Shampoo For Colored Hair
9. Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo
Pureology Strength Cure is the best vegan shampoo for colored hair. This sulfate-free vegan shampoo keeps hair dye fresh and vibrant for much longer than any other shampoo. We also like Pureology’s bestselling Hydrate Shampoo but the Strength Cure is more nourishing.
- What we like: keeps hair dye fresh and repairs the hair
- What we don’t like: it has quite a strong scent
Key ingredients: Keravis (plant protein), astaxanthin | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, formaldehyde-free, mineral oil-free, color-safe | Price: $36 (9 oz)
Shop on: Amazon, Sephora, Ulta
Best Vegan Shampoo For Curly Hair
10. Curlsmith Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash
Curlsmith Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash is our favorite vegan shampoo for curly hair. Rich in avocado oil and shea butter, it’s the only shampoo that keeps the curls, coils, and waves properly moisturized. It also makes the curls more defined and bouncy.
- What we like: very nourishing and non-stripping
- What we don’t like: can feel heavy for very fine curly hair
Key ingredients: avocado oil, shea butter, aloe | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, mineral oil-free, silicone-free, SLS-free, SLES-free, gluten-free, color-safe | Price: $26 (12 oz)
Shop on: Amazon, Sephora, Ulta
Best Vegan Shampoo For Thinning Hair
11. Vegamour Gro Revitalizing Shampoo
Vegamour Gro is the best vegan shampoo for thinning hair. Whether you are dealing with hair loss or you want to boost hair growth and density, I’ve found this shampoo to be incredibly helpful. It’s made my hair stronger and longer in a matter of months. Read our review here.
- What we like: hair growth results are real
- What we don’t like: it’s expensive
Key ingredients: vegan keratin, vegan silk, biotin, mung bean, red clover, baobab, murumuru butter | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, natural, paraben-free, phthalate-free, silicone-free, SLS-free, SLES-free, synthetic fragrance-free, color-safe | Price: $48 (8 oz)
Best Vegan Shampoo For Sensitive Skin
12. Vanicream Free & Clear Shampoo
Vanicream Free & Clear is the best vegan shampoo for sensitive skin. The gentle unscented vegan shampoo is pH-balanced, fragrance-free, silicone-free, sulfate-free, and gluten-free. We love that it has a very creamy lather and it’s great for balancing and hydrating the scalp.
- What we like: very gentle on hair and scalp
- What we don’t like: not very moisturizing
Key ingredients: purified water, vegan glycerin, panthenol | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, paraben-free, sulfate-free, fragrance-free, dye-free, silicone-free, protein-free, botanical extract-free, formaldehyde-free, betaine-free, gluten-free, pH-balanced, dermatologist-tested | Price: $11.99 (12 oz)
Best Vegan Shampoo For Itchy Scalp
13. Briogeo Scalp Revival Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
Made with charcoal and coconut, this vegan shampoo from Briogeo is perfect for dry, flaky, and itchy scalps. It cleanses, exfoliates, and soothes the scalp while fortifying your hair with biotin. It’s an excellent vegan scalp treatment, it has a sweet minty scent and the creamiest lather.
- What we like: best for itchy and congested scalps, creamy lather
- What we don’t like: it’s expensive
Key ingredients: charcoal, coconut oil, peppermint, spearmint, tea tree oil | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, natural, sulfate-free, silicone-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, DEA-free, synthetic dye-free | Price: $42 (8 oz)
Shop on: Amazon, Sephora, Ulta
Best Vegan Shampoo For Men
14. Malin+Goetz Peppermint Shampoo
Selected among our favorite men’s vegan grooming products, Malin+Goetz Peppermint Shampoo is the best vegan shampoo for men. It uses peppermint extract to make the hair and scalp very clean and refreshed. Meanwhile, it strengthens the hair strands.
- What we like: very clean and refreshed feel
- What we don’t like: minty tingle is not that strong
Key ingredients: peppermint extract, amino acids, quinoa | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, silicone-free, SLS-free, SLES-free, synthetic fragrance-free, mineral oil-free, gluten-free, made in the USA | Price: $24 (8 oz)
Best Vegan Shampoo For Kids
15. Pipette Daily Nourishing Shampoo
Pipette has the best vegan shampoo for kids. It’s safe, hypoallergenic, tear-free, EWG-verified, and overall very gentle. This shampoo makes the child’s hair soft and manageable while nourishing it with quinoa and squalane. It has a very subtle orange creamsicle scent.
Pipette is one of our favorite vegan skincare brands for kids. Their formulas primarily utilize sugarcane-derived vegan squalane to gently hydrate the child’s skin and hair. We also love their Fragrance-Free Vegan Baby Shampoo & Body Wash.
- What we like: natural and safe, leaves hair soft and detangled
- What we don’t like: doesn’t have a scentless option
Key ingredients: vegan squalane, quinoa, panthenol | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, mineral oil-free, hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, tear-free, EWG-verified, synthetic fragrance-free | Price: $8.99 (11.2 oz)
Best Vegan Solid Shampoos
These are the best vegan shampoo bars for 2023. These zero-waste vegan shampoos are great for your hair and the environment. Vegan solid shampoo is also your best friend when traveling. It’s compact and you don’t have to worry about spillage.
- Ethique Heali Kiwi Solid Shampoo Bar
- Kitsch Castor Oil Nourishing Shampoo Bar
- Viori Shampoo Bar & Conditioner Set
- Love Beauty And Planet Blooming Color Bar
Best Vegan Dry Shampoos
Looking for a great vegan dry shampoo? These vegan-friendly shampoos are excellent at soaking up the excess sebum and dirt from your scalp and roots giving the hair a freshly washed look. These are our favorite vegan dry shampoos.
Best Vegan Purple Shampoos
Blonde, gray, and lightened hair needs a good-quality vegan purple shampoo. These vegan shampoos are best at neutralizing brass and yellow hues and giving blonde hair a beautiful cold wash of tone. Here’s a list of our top purple vegan shampoos.
- Dae Violet Hour Purple Shampoo
- Pureology Strength Cure Blonde Shampoo
- Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Purple Shampoo
Best Vegan Dandruff Shampoos
Here are the best vegan anti-dandruff shampoos on the market. These vegan dandruff shampoos help deep-cleanse and balance the scalp and reduce scalp dermatitis, flaking, itchiness, dryness, and mild psoriasis.
- Ouai Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
- Jupiter Dandruff Shampoo
- Jason Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
- Bondiboost Dandruff Repair Shampoo
- Briogeo MegaStrength+ Dandruff Relief Shampoo
What Makes Shampoo Vegan?
A vegan shampoo is free from all animal ingredients such as honey, beeswax, lanolin, lactoferrin, pearl, silk, keratin, and a variety of animal-derived proteins and fats. A vegan shampoo is also cruelty-free and not tested on animals.
Vegan shampoos mainly use plant-based oils and extracts. Common ingredients in vegan shampoos are coconut oil, argan oil, vegetable glycerin, shea butter, lavender, tea tree, rose, and other vitamin-rich plants.
The ingredient list on shampoo bottles can be long and confusing. This is why you should always look for a certified vegan label from PETA or other vegan organizations. If the label is missing, you can always choose a shampoo from our recommended list.
What To Look For In A Vegan Shampoo?
A good vegan shampoo uses natural ingredients and is free from additives and synthetic fragrances. Though additives like sulfates and parabens are considered safe, they can still cause irritations, especially for people with sensitive scalps. Shampoos can easily do without them.
Another important thing to consider when shopping for vegan shampoo is your hair type. Though most natural vegan shampoos are suitable for all hair types, you can boost their effectiveness by a mile by choosing the right kind for your hair.
If your hair is colored or damaged, choose a vegan shampoo that is restorative and highly hydrating. If you have thinning hair, go for a vegan shampoo that includes biotin and zinc. Also, curly and coily hair needs special shampoo to make your natural hair bouncy and defined.
When looking to make the most ethical choice, it is best if your vegan shampoo is made with organic and sustainable ingredients. This allows you to support the ethical treatment of animals as well as the people and our planet.
How We Review Vegan Shampoos
When picking out the best vegan shampoos, we conduct product trials and rate the shampoos by the following criteria:
- Ingredients: The crucial thing about vegan shampoos is which ingredients they use and which they avoid. We prefer shampoos made with a high content of natural ingredients and avoid potentially harmful ingredients such as parabens.
- Experience: Washing your hair should be a pleasant sensorial experience. When rating vegan shampoos, we rate things like the richness of the lather, the scent, the texture, and the design of the packaging.
- Results: A good vegan shampoo should cleanse without drying it out. We carefully assess how different hair types look and feel after the wash. How nourished and soft the hair strands feel, how vibrant the hair color stays, etc.
Why Trust Us
None of the reviews at Vegan Avenue are incentivized by the brand or retailer. We choose all products independently and combine our personal experience with the opinion of hair experts and online reviews.
FAQ About Vegan Shampoo
A vegan shampoo is free from animal ingredients and is not tested on animals. Some common ingredients that make a shampoo not vegan include honey, lanolin, pearl, silk, and animal-derived keratin.
Compared to drugstore shampoo brands, natural vegan shampoo is always a better choice for your hair and scalp. Just make sure your vegan shampoo is free from harsh chemicals.
There is a wide selection of vegan shampoos available on Amazon, Sephora, and Ulta. Our favorite vegan shampoo brands on Amazon are Hempz, Pacifica Beauty, Acure, and Maui Moisture.
Dove shampoos are not vegan since they contain animal products. The company also exports its products to China that, until this year, required animal testing.
Aussie shampoo is not vegan and includes animal-derived products.
Wen shampoos are not vegan and include animal products and byproducts.
No, sadly OGX is not vegan. The brand sells its products in mainland China where until recently animal testing was mandatory for imported cosmetics.
ArtNatural’s Argan Oil Shampoo is not vegan since it contains honey. The brand is cruelty-free though and does not test on animals.
L’Oreal Ever Pure is not vegan. L’Oreal Paris products are sold in China where until this year animal testing was required by law.
Summary
Like vegan food, vegan shampoos are packed with vitamins, minerals, proteins, and antioxidants your hair so badly needs. Achieve the most luscious hair using only natural and organic vegan shampoos that are safe and healthy for you and the planet.
We absolutely love the vegan shampoo selection of Pacifica Beauty, Acure, and Maui Moisture. By using the highest quality natural ingredients, these companies make top-quality vegan shampoos that can beat old drugstore brands at any time.
As we come across new vegan haircare brands all the time, we keep updating this list with new favorites. Stay tuned to new vegan-friendly shampoos & conditioners. Thanks for choosing vegan haircare.
See also: Best Vegan Hair Products
Update 22 August (2023): Changed the best vegan curly hair shampoo from Maui Moisture Curl Quench Shampoo to Curlsmith Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash. Both shampoos are great but Curlsmith’s option is more conditioning and fits to a wider variety of curl patterns.
