Byrdie
TL;DR
We're big fans of natural shampoos that can cleanse without causing irritation. If you're looking for an affordable but effective option, we recommend the Hask Argan Oil Repairing Shampoo. We also love the RŌZ Foundation Shampoo if you shampoo everyday, as it's gentle on the scalp.
The world of “clean" haircare can feel ambiguous. There’s no one-size-fits-all definition, but the TLDR is clean shampoos tend to avoid ingredients like sulfates and parabens. Dr. Kristina Collins, M.D., FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist, says she often recommends them for "individuals with sensitive scalps and/or allergies. They often contain plant-based ingredients such as essential oils, herbal extracts, and vitamins, which can nourish the scalp and promote healthy hair growth. They may also help with issues like dandruff or dryness.”
Unsurprisingly, Byrdie editors appreciate all those benefits and regularly use clean shampoos as a result. We surveyed these editors to learn about their most tried-and-true clean shampoos, what makes them great, what benefits they impart, and who they’re most suited for. We then consulted with a dermatologist to finalize our recommendation of the very best clean shampoos.
Our Top Picks
Best for Everyday
RŌZ Foundation Shampoo
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Fresh, herbaceous | Size: 2.4, 10, 20.2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
PSA: Clean shampoo newbies, this is the formula for you. RŌZ Foundation Shampoo leans on coconut-based surfactants to generate a lather so satisfyingly rich that Byrdie editor Adi Giesey claims it outperforms sulfate-enhanced alternatives. While it’s super effective at cleansing, the pH-balancing formula is gentle enough for daily use. It leaves Adi’s hair noticeably softer, with a subtle shine and enhanced texture to boot. The scent is also a bonus—clean and fresh without the lingering intensity that can be off-putting to sensitive noses.
Byrdie
Adi Giesey, editor with type 1 hair: “The formula is hydrating but does not weigh strands down. After every use, it leaves your hair feeling fresh and shiny.”
Best Budget
Hask Argan Oil Repairing Shampoo
Hair Type: Dry, damaged | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Citrus | Size: 12 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Our associate editor, Emily Cieslak, swears this affordable shampoo works better than fancy salon formulas that cost triple the amount. Its star ingredient, argan oil, moisturizes each strand without weighing it down. Despite being a sulfate-free formula, it lathers really well, leaving hair feeling clean, light, and healthy. The shampoo also did an impressive job of amplifying shine—no small feat on Emily’s bleach-lightened hair.
Byrdie
Emily Cieslak, an associate editor with hair type 1B: “It keeps my bleached hair hydrated and shiny without weighing it down or causing buildup in the long run.”
Best for Natural Hair
Alodia Nourish & Heal Organic Black Soap Wash
Hair Type: Natural, textured | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Sweet | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
While some endorse the “no-poo” method for cleansing natural hair, sulfate-free shampoo formulas like this one can work wonders. Made with 100% natural and organic ingredients, including African black soap to cleanse and coconut oil and shea butter to hydrate, it leaves hair clean but never stripped. Social media director Star Donaldson, a devotee of this shampoo for four years, loves the nozzle applicator, which delivers product directly to the scalp. The liquid consistency lathers up nicely and removes buildup in a single wash, creating a super-clean foundation for applying her favorite styling products.
Byrdie
Star Donaldson, social media director with hair type 3C/4A: “You can distribute it evenly through curls and coils and get down to the scalp easily. It deeply cleanses the hair without making it feel stripped.”
Best for Volumizing
Amika Big Hit Volumizing Shampoo
Hair Type: Fine, medium | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Vanilla, spicy sweet clover, and citrus | Size: 9.2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Add Amika’s Big Hit shampoo to your shopping cart to infuse limp strands with touchable, bouncy volume. The easy-to-lather formula relies on caffeine to remove excess sebum and give fine hair extra oomph, making it appear noticeably thicker. Former associate editor Abby Dupes says the nourishing blend of sea buckthorn and glycerin helps hydrate her scalp while making strands soft and sleek—no frizz or static in sight. As a bonus, it even helps detangle her fine, wavy hair post-shower.
Byrdie
Abby Dupes, former associate editor with 2B/C: “From the first wash, I noticed a big difference. Thanks to the shampoo's star ingredient, caffeine, Big Hit delivers a noticeable lift from the mid-lengths down to the tips, leaving my hair feeling bouncy and full.”
Best for Fine Hair
Amika Normcore Signature Shampoo
Hair Type: Fine, medium | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Amber, tonka bean and vanilla | Size: 9.2, 16.9 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Fine hair can be finicky, but Amika’s Normcore shampoo makes caring for delicate, fragile strands much simpler. One of our writers, Amanda Rosenthal, said the sulfate-free formula is great at removing product buildup. Unlike other shampoos, which can leave fine hair feeling stripped and dry, this one imparts a silky softness, sealing split ends and reducing frizz (coconut acids are to thank for that). She also swears it helps reduce shedding, making hair appear fuller.
Byrdie
Amanda Rosenthal, writer with hair type 2B: “Since using it, I noticed less hair in my shower drain. It gives my hair a nourishing boost while still giving my scalp that nice clean feeling.”
Best Scent
Dae Signature Shampoo
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Citrus, orange blossom, and vanilla | Size: 3, 10, 32 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The scent of your favorite shampoo is integral to that freshly washed feeling. If you’re a bit of a fragrance connoisseur, you’ll appreciate Dae’s Signature Shampoo. News editor Bella Cacciatore says it reminds her of an orange Creamsicle, boasting top notes of orange blossom and vanilla. Yummy scent aside, she loves how nicely the creamy shampoo lathers, cleansing the roots while delivering weightless hydration to her strands courtesy of moringa seed oil and prickly pear seed oil.
Byrdie
Bella Cacciatore, news editor with hair type 1C (not pictured): “It's a great no-frills shampoo that makes my hair feel soft and clean and smells really, really good.”
Best for Blonde Hair
R+Co Bleu Blonded Brightening Shampoo
Hair Type: Blonde, highlighted, bleached | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Not listed | Size: 8.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you have blonde hair you’ll likely already be familiar with the toning benefits of purple shampoos, which help counteract brassiness for a cooler blonde shade. This vivid formula gets its toning prowess from lilac stem cells and violet flower, which associate editor Ali Webb says leaves her hair bright and shiny. It also includes vitamins E and B and shea butter to hydrate and nourish, and vegan keratin to help repair frazzled strands—a must for chemically lightened hair.
Byrdie
Ali Webb, associate editor with hair type 1C/2A: “My hair looks brighter, toned, and more nourished after each use.”
What to Look for When Buying a Clean Shampoo
- Hair Type: Your hair type is important to consider when buying shampoo, especially if you’re looking at a natural formulation. Dry, damaged, or coarse hair types can benefit from formulas containing nourishing ingredients like shea butter or coconut oil. On the other hand, fine and oily hair might like to look out for clarifying options.
- Ingredients: “Look for ingredients like aloe vera or chamomile for soothing and hydration, tea tree oil or peppermint for scalp health, and argan oil or coconut oil for moisture,” says Dr. Collins. “If you have oily hair, look for lightweight formulas with ingredients like rosemary or citrus extracts. And avoid shampoos with high alcohol content, as they can be drying.”
- Experience and Results: If you’re transitioning to a clean shampoo for the first time, it’s important to be open to a slightly different hair-washing experience. For example, silicones can be responsible for that silky hair feeling, and sulfates can give you that satisfying, foamy lather. Many options will be formulated without those, but with time, you (and your hair) will adjust. Consider trying a travel-sized version of a clean shampoo before committing to a full-size bottle.
How We Tested the Best Clean Shampoos
To find the best clean shampoos, we surveyed editors on the Byrdie team to learn about their favorite clean shampoos.
- Number of Testers: Seven
- Testing Period: Two months to five years
- Frequency of Use: Every other day to once every two weeks
Meet Our Experts
To gain additional insights on the benefits of clean shampoo, we enlisted the professional opinions of a dermatologist and a trichologist.
- Dr. Kristina Collins, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in Mohs micrographic surgery and surgical and cosmetic dermatology. She earned her M.D. as valedictorian from Vanderbilt University and completed advanced training in dermatology at Harvard.
- Sophia Emmanuel is an IAT-certified trichologist and licensed cosmetologist based in New York. She owns and operates the Crown Worthy beauty salon in New York City and specializes in recognizing and treating various hair loss and scalp disorders.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She's tested countless shampoos over the years, so she is well-versed in the process. She also enlisted other Byrdie team members to test clean shampoos and spoke with an expert before narrowing it down to these top high-quality picks.
Esme Benjamin is a writer and editor based in New York City. She’s contributed to Byrdie since 2023 and is seasoned at sifting through tester feedback to highlight the most essential product insights. She always tries to prioritize natural beauty when it comes to her own consumer choices.
