The 5 Best Organic Shampoos

Are you sure that the shampoo you just bought—the one that’s packaged in a bright-green bottle and says “All-Natural” on the front—is really what it claims to be?

The truth is, it may not be. You have to be careful when shopping for organic beauty items. The American cosmetics industry is currently not regulated by the FDA, so brands can make all kinds of deceptive claims about their products, including using that incredibly vague and ultimately meaningless word “all-natural.”

The fact is, unless a product is certified as USDA organic, than it’s not organic or all-natural, point blank period. Of course, this doesn’t mean that a non-organic shampoo or face wash or lotion isn’t a good product, filled some terrific, natural ingredients. It just means that not all of them are natural and that other elements, some of which have the potential to be toxic, are included in the mix, as well.

If a product is truly organic, it means that all of the ingredients used to create it are from the earth and are in no way man-made. Whether you decide to go all-organic with your beauty routine is a completely personal choice. But as the awareness of the chemicals and toxins that exist in some of these items increases, many people are deciding to revaluate what they put on their face, body and hair. As Dr. Alkaitis, the founder of Dr. Alkaitis Organics says, “If you can’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin.”

In order to make sure that the beauty product you’re buying is truly comprised of only organic elements—in this case, a shampoo—the best thing you can do is check the ingredients. Natural products have ingredient lists that don’t read like a foreign language. Chances are, you’ll be able to easily identify every item. You should also look for the USDA Certified Organic Seal, which is displayed on all products that are all-natural.

So, with all of that said, here our are five favorite 100% organic shampoos.

1. John Masters Organics Lavender Rosemary Shampoo,  $16

All of John Maters products are organic, from his amazing Blood Orange and Vanilla Body Wash to his Lavender Hydrating Mist for Skin and Hair. His sweet smelling shampoo contains lavender and rosemary extracts, as well as 13 other certified-organic ingredients to give your hair an amazing, all-natural cleanse. It’s also infused with soy protein, to strengthen strands and leave you with shiny, healthy, manageable hair. Plus, it’s sulfate-free, so it’s safe to use on color-treated tresses.

2. Avalon Organics Grapefruit & Geranium Smoothing Shampoo, $11

This soothing shampoo is perfect for frizzy and unruly hair. It uses gentle, plant-derived cleansers that are infused with essential oils, such as Babassu, wheat protein, vitamin E, geranium and grapefruit, all of which help to control frizz and enhance shine. Use with Avalon’s Grapefruit & Geranium Smoothing Conditioner, $11, for best results. Added environmental bonus—both bottles are made with 100% recycled materials.

3. Dr. Alkaitis Organic Herbal Shampoo, $45

Yes, it’s pricey, but Dr. Alkaitis’s organic products are all first rate, including this all-in-one, multipurpose shampoo (the bottle is also 8 ounces, which should give you about a two-month supply). It’s formulated to work on normal, dry and oily hair, as well as on hair that is color-treated. Ingredients such as aloe vera gel, coconut oil, rosemary, jojoba and many more work together to invigorate and stimulate the scalp, which increases blood circulation to the hair follicles and roots. Used regularly, your hair will become super shiny and full of volume.

4. Intelligent Nutrients PureLuxe Shampoo, $46

Intelligent Nutrients is a fantastic certified organic line of products for skin and hair, as well as aromatic oils. Creamy and rich, their PureLuxe Shampoo is particularly good for coarse hair, especially when used daily. It also works wonderfully as a weekly treatment for normal hair that may be experiencing dryness and damage due to heat tools and the overuse of styling products. PureLuxe protects the scalp’s natural oils without stripping or causing build up. It’s also free of sulfates, so colored hair will remain intact, and it has a low pH which helps to further reduce color fading. Ingredients such as lemongrass, ylang ylang and geranium soothe and soften, leaving locks shiny, bouncy and incredibly healthy.

5. Rahua Voluminous Shampoo, $32

This prettily packaged shampoo is infused with Rahua oil, which fortifies and nourishes weak, struggling strands. It also helps to regenerate the scalp and hair follicles, giving your hair a chance to grow longer, stronger and maintain a natural luster and bounce. Coconut and Shea butter are two other ingredients that gently remove oil, dirt and bacteria without washing away all-important nutrients. And finally, the smell of this shampoo is absolutely divine. Palo Santo, which is a tree species native to South America and is used for aromatic purposes, is infused in the formula, leaving your hair with a delicate, delicious scent. Use with Rahua Voluminous Conditioner, $32, for a truly beautiful head of hair.