Are you looking to make the switch to a vegan lifestyle? Here are our top vegan shampoo picks!
There are so many ways to live a more ethical and vegan lifestyle, one of them is to make sure the products you use on your hair and skin are ethical, cruelty-free and vegan as much as possible.
We’re so lucky to be living in the time that we do because there are so many options out there and they’re becoming so much more mainstream and available!
Before we dive into the best vegan shampoo brands here, let’s chat about why making more conscious purchasing decisions to include cruelty-free and vegan products is so important.
Vegan products being part of going vegan
We all know that when you think about ‘going vegan’ the main focus is on what you’re eating and consuming but when you decide to live a vegan lifestyle, we are committing to not using any products that contain animal byproducts or harm animals in any way in the production of the product.
What does a vegan lifestyle mean?
Living a vegan lifestyle does include quite a few areas within a lifestyle including clothes, furniture and the products we use like vegan shampoo and makeup. When transitioning to the vegan lifestyle you will need to look for vegan-friendly products. This means that no animal products or by-products were used in the product as well as no animals were used to create the product, most notably testing products on animals.
Make sure you look out for products that are ‘vegan certified’, you can learn more about that at vegan.org
Ingredients to avoid when looking for vegan shampoo
Of course, it makes it easier if the shampoo company has been ‘vegan certified’ but that isn’t always the case so we’re going to try and make it as easy as possible!
Here’s a list of non-vegan ingredients that you need to look out for when looking for cruelty-free shampoos:
- Glycerine: derived from animal fats and often found in hair care, soaps, makeup and moisturizers.
- Stearic Acid – this is commonly derived from pig, sheep or cow stomach but can also be derived from plant fats. It’s found in soap hair products and moisturizers.
- Keratin: derived from animal hair to help strengthen hair and nails.
- Amino acids derived from animals often found in cosmetics, shampoo and vitamins.
- Biotin derived from animals can be sourced from plants.
- Gelatin derived from cow and pig skin, bones and other connective tissues.
- Hydrolyzed animal protein found in many cosmetics, especially shampoo.
- Nucleic acids derived from animals, it is found in all cells so can be sourced from plants.
- Palmitic Oil: this is mostly derived from palm oil but can be from animals and is found in shampoo, shaving cream and other creams.
- Placenta: widely used in shampoos and is used from slaughtered animals.
- Propolis: found in tree sap that is gathered by the bee to be used as a sealant in the hive, found in shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant and supplements.
- Cetyl Palmitate: oil from the head of the sperm whale or dolphin but is often derived from petroleum now and is found in creams, shampoo and margarine.
For a full list of non-vegan ingredients, check out this list from PETA.
Vegan Shampoo Brands
Acure
Acure has a huge range of shampoos and conditioners but also other skincare products. They’re 100% vegan and use only the best ingredients within their products.
Their products are free of parabens, mineral oil, sulphates formaldehyde, petroleum and of course cruelty-free.
Pacifica Beauty
Pacifica Beauty stock a full range of hair products, makeup, skincare and fragrances and are of course are 100% cruelty-free and vegan, including vegan shampoo.
They have been vegan from day one and are committed to providing products that are not only good for you and then planet but also for the animals.
Ethique
The Ethique brand values sustainability in all of its products. All ingredients used in these products, including their zero-waste shampoo bars, are sustainable, ethically derived, cruelty-free and vegan. As well as never tested on animals.
Hibar
Hibar creates salon-quality shampoo and conditioners that are 100% zero waste. Four friends were trying to eliminate their plastic usage in the bathroom and that’s how Hibar was born.
Not only are the plastic-free but their Moisturize Bars and Volumizing Bars are 100% vegan. Just note that their Maintain Bars contain a small amount of honey.
HiBar shampoo and conditioners can be purchased at Earth Hero.
Puracy
Puracy is a plant-powered business that’s PETA and Leaping Bunny certified. They make vegan shampoo (among a whole range of other products) that were created by doctors and salon professionals that have been rigorously tested for all types of hair and color. They are plant-based, cruelty-free, color-safe, don’t contain any nasty ingredients and are made in the US.
100% Pure
100% Pure didn’t get it’s name by accident. If you didn’t guess, their ingredients are 100% pure and will never contain any harsh or toxic ingredients. Their shampoos are vegan and are completely cruelty-free.
Josh Rosebrook
Josh Rosebrook create luxury skin, hair and scalp care purely from ingredients from the greatest lab ever: Mother Nature. Almost all products are 100% vegan (with the excepts of some that use ethically sourced honey) and their shampoos are 100% vegan.
They go to great lengths to be able to source certified organic, organic and wildcrafted ingredients, mostly on the east coast of the US.
Cake Beauty
Cake Beauty is a 100% vegan company and stock a great range of hair products, including vegan shampoos, as well as body and skincare. They proudly state that ‘not a single hair on a bunny’s head is harmed’ and are PETA approved.
Hempz
Hempz products are 100% vegan, cruelty-free, THC free, gluten-free and paraben-free and are lovingly created from non-toxic, plant-based ingredients. They don’t just create vegan shampoo but also other hair products, skincare and body care.
Noughty Haircare
Noughty Haircare is 100% vegan and a cruelty-free company that creates a range of hair care solutions, including products for curly, coloured and damaged hair.
Eva NYC
Eva NYC creates hair products that are 100% cruelty-free paraben and phthalate free and fully recyclable. Almost all products are vegan-certified but just make sure you check each product. They easily display which products are with the ‘vegan certified’ stamp.
Beachwaver
Beachwaver is a female-founded company that believes in responsible hair care. All of their products are vegan and cruelty-free as well as being formaldehyde, parabens, sulfate, petroleum and benzophenone free and are beautifully packaged in recyclable bottles.
They don’t test any of their products on animals and they take that step further and do not sell their products in countries that require brands to test on animals.
We hope that helps you make the right vegan and cruelty-free choices when it comes to vegan shampoo and conditioners!
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