Nobody likes frizzy and unkempt hair. And if we’re honest with ourselves, having a good hair day can seriously boost our mood and confidence.
But, many people are not aware that there are animal components in hair products. Popular ones are animal keratin, biotin, gelatin, and stearic acid. Namely, there’s a high likelihood of your hair products containing at least one of these components.
However, vegan hair care isn’t hard to find. Especially today with so many brands advocating for cruelty-free and vegan products.
We’ll outline some of our favorite haircare brands below. But more than taking a look at their vegan aspect, we’ll take a deeper dive into their business practices and how sustainable they are.
After reading this article, you’ll quickly realize that looking for vegan haircare brands and hair products isn’t as challenging as you may have thought.
Jupiter - USA
Rooted in confidence and positivity, Jupiter creates hair products that are good for your hair and scalp. Adopting a mantra of “zero flakes given,” this brand seeks to find clean solutions for scalp issues.
They are completely vegan and cruelty-free with a leaping bunny certification. Their products are clean and safe for treated hair. Plus, they’re good for all hair types!
What We Recommend
Our personal pick from this brand is their shampoo and conditioner duo. The pair is specifically formulated to cleanse the scalp and remove flakes while also providing proper moisturization.
Using them as a pair will yield the best results since the shampoo is intended to clear flakes while the conditioner provides the necessary moisture.
You can also use their scalp brush for a better experience in caring for your hair.
What’s Inside?
This haircare duo is great for everyone, but those of you with a flaky and dry scalp will definitely love this.
These products are vegan and cruelty-free. They also do not contain any sulfates, parabens, and phthalates for a clean hair experience.
Here are some key elements in this iconic duo.
Shampoo: Zinc Pyrithione (active ingredient to help with a flaky scalp), Coconut oil, Decylene Glycol (to help with oil production), and Algae extract.
The shampoo has a minty smell with notes of vanilla, sage, and lavender.
Conditioner: Lactobacillus Ferment (for a healthy scalp), Vitamin E, and Oat Kernel.
The conditioner has a similar scent to the shampoo. It will help reduce tangling and breakage, plus it’ll keep your hair lush and soft.
Company Values
We’ve mentioned that Jupiter is all about confidence and positivity. We admire that the brand recognizes the negative practices in the beauty industry.
Way too often, we see advertisements of products that—through subtle means—make us feel inadequate. The brand message is to change the narrative and shift the conversation to more productive aspects.
They also donate 5% of their revenues to mental health causes, which is part of what we love about this vegan hair brand. Giving back to the community is a great feature we’re happy to contribute to.
Their bottles are (mostly) recyclable, but they are currently working on becoming more eco friendly and using recycled materials in their items. They already used recycled materials in their packaging.
Though they’re not fully there yet sustainability-wise, we admire the honesty and transparency with their sustainability goals.
A bonus is their impeccable customer care. Their support menu on-site works in a way that there’s always someone to address your concerns.
Pacifica - USA
We’ve talked about Pacifica a lot here at Puratium. And it’s no surprise that we do.
This vegan and cruelty-free company hold plenty of options from skin care to hair care and polish to fragrance and sunscreen, and we’re pretty sure they most likely have everything you need for beauty.
What We Recommend
We highly recommend adding their Vegan Silk Shampoo & Conditioner to your hair routine. If you want something a little extra, the Vegan Silk collection also has hair styling options with a hair mask and primer.
The products have a subtle vanilla smell that isn’t too overwhelming.
This hair maintenance pair is perfect for achieving the right balance of cleansing, moisturizing, and nourishing your locks.
The shampoo serves as a cleansing mechanism that will leave your hair adequately hydrated. On the other hand, the conditioner can help with deep conditioning to reduce damage. All in all, leaving your hair with a healthy silky shine.
What’s Inside?
This power duo is packed with vegan silk. This specific component adds shine and strength to the hair. It is a plant-based biomimetic of silk, helping your hair hold on to moisture better.
Let’s take a better look at what makes these shampoos and conditioners so good.
Shampoo: Vegan Silk, Vitamin B, Shea Butter, and Sweet Almond Oil
Conditioner: Vegan Silk, Vitamin E, Vitamin B, Shea Butter, and Sweet Almond Oil
You can check out the listing for a full list of ingredients. Aside from using plant-based, Pacifica is also fond of using their own blends of essential oil.
Due to the hydration and moisturization component, this set is perfect for people with dry or damaged hair. Of course, it’s not limited to that alone, but the formulation is tailored for such hair types.
Company Values
As a clean beauty company, Pacifica is made compassionately for the planet and all that’s in it. They don’t put any toxins or parabens in any of their products, ensuring clean vegan hair products that your hair will surely love.
Their shampoo bottle and conditioner tub are made from post-consumer recycled plastic and they also have a take-back program for used-up containers. You’ll get store credits for your return so it’s a win-win situation.
Reverie
Started in 2009, Reverie stands for “beautiful daydream” in French. With vegan hair products that are botanically inclined, they’re definitely making changes in the industry.
All items are cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free, and free of any toxic chemicals. Components for the formulas are also sourced organically.
What We Recommend
Their range of products includes a shampoo + conditioner set which we adore. Both products work best when used together for maximum effect.
The shampoo improves hair strength and vibrancy, and it’s safe for regular use and color-treated hair. It lathers up nicely due to botanically derived elements such as coconut and sugar cane. It’s also packed with active components to help remove build-up.
The conditioner is made to be hydrating and to add shine. It is a gentle, minimalist formula that’s healthy for the hair and leaves the strands shiny and soft.
If you’re looking for styling options, we can also recommend the Mare Meditteranean Sea Mist. It’s a great way to quickly add texture to your hair without making it look dry.
What’s Inside?
The shampoos and conditioners under this brand are made without any sulfates, phthalates, parabens, silicones, or artificial fragrances. There are no animal or animal-derived components as well.
Here are some of the elements we’d like to highlight.
Shampoo: Amino Acids, Phospholipids, Zinc, Panthenol. With the use of the following essential oils: Pink Grapefruit, Neroli, Lemon Myrtle, Bergamot, Geranium, Jasmine, Bourbon Vanilla, Sandalwood, Cardamom, Balsam, Patchouli.
Conditioner: Pracaxi oil, Babassu oil, Acai oil, Murumuru butter. The same essential oils used in the shampoo were also used in this item.
Company Values
Reverie is one of the most holistic brands on this list. They believe in transparency and sustainability as the core values of their operations.
Many companies don’t make an effort to be transparent about where and how they source their materials, so we love that Reverie is making a wonderful effort.
They partner with family-run farms all over the world to ensure that they source organic, fair trade, and EcoCert materials. They also ensure that these elements are harvested ethically, and the workers are well-compensated.
Their bottles are fully recyclable, and the text is printed on instead of added as a label, reducing waste. They also use post-consumer recycled and biodegradable shipping materials.
Sukin - Australia
Based and made in Australia, Sukin is a natural, vegan, cruelty-free beauty company that’s inspiring to the core.
They use natural ingredients sourced sustainably and ethically. Plus, they’re a carbon-neutral company and actively take steps to do their part to better the planet.
What We Recommend
As always, we’ll recommend a shampoo and conditioner pair. There are plenty of options from their line you can choose from, but we think the Natural Balance Shampoo & Conditioner is best.
The Natural Balance pair is a natural way to cleanse the scalp without the need for the toxins you often find in conventional products.
It also adds luster and hydration to your hair, keeping it smooth and soft. This is perfect for people who want to achieve naturally balanced locks.
What’s Inside?
The matching set does not contain any sulfates, silicones, or any other harsh chemicals that could be damaging to your hair. Of course, they are vegan and cruelty-free.
Here are some of the key elements we’d like to highlight:
- Burdock, Nettle, and Horsetail Extracts – for natural cleansing
- Baobab Oil – for moisture and protection
- Sesame Oil – for adding shine and luster
- Mandarin, Tangerine, Lavender, and Vanillin scents
Company Values
One of the reasons we highly recommend this brand is its values. They are sustainable in their practices, and we see how they integrate the planet’s wellbeing into their work.
98.8% of Sukin’s items are made from natural materials. The only exception is Phenoxyethanol, which acts as a preservative.
While they do use plastic in their packaging, they make up for it by reducing environmental impact not only on the final packaging but across their supply chain. Not many brands can commit to such a tall order.
Still, they say they’re constantly on the lookout for better alternatives, so we hope they’re leaning towards using recycled materials or forgoing plastic entirely.
To add to that, they’re also carbon-neutral, which means they don’t leave behind a carbon footprint on the earth. All their products are made in their base country: Australia, where they house their carbon-neutral factory.
Vegan hair styling products Herbivore
Herbivore is less of a hair care brand than it is a lifestyle company. Still, we couldn’t resist including them in our list as they also have promising hair styling options.
Their vegan hair products are safe, effective, and made naturally. They are also completely vegan and cruelty-free.
What We Recommend
Our recommendation from their line of hair products is the Lavander Sea Mist. It’s great for giving your hair more texture, especially on the days when it’s acting extra flat. This spray is great for all hair types as well.
The styling spray is excellent for creating a beach vibe without leaving your hair too stiff. You can use it if you want extra volume or if you just want to add a little change in your hairstyle at some point during the day.
It sprays as a fine mist and has a mild lavender scent. Now those beach waves won’t be too far out of reach!
Some of you might be interested in its counterpart coconut scent if you’re not fond of lavender, but we think both are great either way.
What’s Inside?
This hair styling product is formulated with the same salinity as the Pacific Ocean one, giving you soft natural waves. Here are the elements that help make that happen:
- Sea Salt- the sea salt helps create a beachy hair texture
- Aloe Vera- the counterpart of sea salt, helps keep the hair hydrated and moisturized
- Lavender Essential Oil- provides the subtle calming scent
You can see the full list of materials used on the website. All the components are vegan and cruelty-free. They are also vegan, and there aren’t any synthetic dyes, fragrances, or preservatives.
Company Values
Being a clean beauty company doesn’t only mean producing products that are safe for people. It also means making them as clean for the earth as well.
Herbivore’s primary packaging is paper and glass. But they do use recyclable plastic where necessary. However, they are constantly working towards more eco friendly behaviors.
They are not Fair Trade certified, but they do ensure that they source materials ethically and sustainably.
Obia Naturals
Obia Naturals‘ mission is to produce natural, pH-balanced, and vegan hair products. All their formulas are backed by research and created for curly hair, although they could also suit transitioning and relaxed types as well.
With a founder that holds a degree in chemistry and biology, it’s easy to see why this company produces such quality products.
What We Recommend
Another hair product for women and girls with curls, their Curl Enhancing Custard is perfect for styling and leaves hair shiny and moisturized.
The custard is a versatile styling gel, leaving hair shiny and sufficiently moisturized.
From their range of vegan hair products, there is also a section for men. We suggest you take a look at Legendary Moisturizing Cream as it’s made for men.
What’s Inside?
This item does not contain any mineral oils, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and it is alcohol-free. Of course, it is completely vegan and cruelty-free. This item is a great, clean way to style your curls.
Notable components of this curling custard are the following:
- Argan Oil
- Olive Oil
- Grapeseed Oil
Company Values
The core of the brand is to create products that are natural and good for you. They’re also dedicated to creating safe cosmetics, ensuring that everything is vegan and cruelty-free.
However, one downside is that we don’t see any information on what they are doing sustainability-wise.
Number 4 Hair Care
Number 4 Hair Care focuses entirely on creating high quality hair products. From shampoo to treatments and from hair spray to gels, they’ve got your hair needs covered.
They are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. Additionally, none of their formulas have gluten or sulfates.
What We Recommend
While there’s a lot of styling products to choose from, we really like their Smoothing Balm. We haven’t tackled yet the prevalent issue of frizzy hair and how to tame it.
Many men and women go through so many treatments only to end up still having a frizzy mane. Smoothing Balm is such a great way to overcome that particular obstacle.
It is intentionally formulated to help manage frizzy hair, smooth any kinks, and leave hair effortlessly polished and styled.
What’s Inside?
Number 4 consistently produces items that are innovative in a bottle. At the core of each N4 styler (like the soothing balm) are four complex culture features. These are designed to give a particular effect to hair products.
In particular, these are Vibrance, Vitality, Defense, and Purity. Each one has its own use and special effect.
More than that, here are the features you’ll find in this styling item:
- Alcohol-free to prevent drying
- Thermal Protection
- Humidity-resistance
- Anti-static properties
No part is this item is toxic to human beings and to the environment. So yes, they are completely vegan and cruelty-free.
Company Values
N4’s operations are rooted in integrating natural materials with innovation to create products that are great for people and the environment.
While they do check certain boxes like vegan and cruelty-free, there isn’t any information on what they use to package their items and how they were sourced. Still, we think it’s worth giving them a shot.
Cake - Canada
Cake Beauty is a Toronto-based beauty company that has the goal of making beauty items that are luxurious, indulgent, and, most of all, natural.
Of course, they are completely vegan and cruelty-free. None of their products have animal products, nor do they have components that are tested on animals.
What We Recommend
Our sweet pick from their set of hair styling products is The Curl Friend. It is a defining curl cream that’ll help you manage your curly mane, leaving behind a polished and glossy look.
It is designed to not weigh your hair down while also giving you optimum definition and oomph! Plus, it has a sweet lemon cookie scent! This may not be for everyone, but it sure sounds delectable.
It’s also great for wavy hair or any type of curl, so this vegan hair product definitely has you covered.
What’s Inside?
This product is sulfate, paraben, and phthalate-free. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free. After all, natural and luxurious hair care is the goal here.
The Curl Friend is best for fighting frizz, defining curls, and providing a glossy, silky shine.
The key ingredients found in this are Avocado Oil, Soybean Oil, and Shea Butter.
Brand Values
Cake Beauty operates under five core values.
- Made in Canada
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Natural
- High Quality
As far as we’ve seen, they’ve made good on their promises.
However, one thing we’d like to address is the lack of information on packaging or sustainability. They don’t disclose what their bottles are made of or any plans to make the store more sustainable.
Nonvegan Ingredients In Hair Products
Keratin
Let’s start with one of the most popular ingredients in hair care: Keratin.
Keratin is a naturally occurring substance that acts as a protective barrier for the hair and prevents hair damage. But like all barriers, keratin can also be depleted. Thus, there are many hair products that use keratin to help strengthen hair.
Unfortunately, this material comes from animal sources. Namely animal hair, horns, hooves, and more. These are then grounded up as ingredients in hair products.
There are also no plant alternatives to keratin and no synthetic way to reproduce it. Some properties could be replicated using plants, but it won’t be exactly the same thing.
Biotin
Biotin is most commonly found in animals, but it can also be sourced from plants. Biotin is very important for hair care, and one of the signs of a biotin deficiency is excessive hair loss.
This is why you’ll find biotin in many hair products, and they’re popular as supplements as well.
Be careful, though. Just because biotin can be vegan doesn’t mean it always is.
Gelatin
This one you might be familiar with and had no idea that it’s an animal product. Gelatin is actually extracted from animal bones, making it a non-vegan product.
It’s healthy for the hair, and it’s commonly found in shampoos, hair masks, and other hair products.
There is no vegan gelatin, so any item that has this is not vegan.
Stearic Acid
This ingredient is usually placed in hair products because it can coat and protect hair. It’s also used as an emulsifier.
Stearic Acid can be sourced through animals and plants. There are instances when stearic acid can be vegan, but it’s not a guarantee, so we recommend being cautious of this ingredient.
If the product itself is vegan, then the stearic acid is most likely plan-based. But if the product doesn’t indicate a vegan status, we recommend contacting the company for confirmation.
Final Thoughts
Vegan hair products like shampoo are no longer difficult to find. With our suggestions, we hope you now have an idea of which brands to check out.
If our recommendations aren’t in your alley, then at least you know how to pick out the best brands in vegan hair care. Additionally, you should take a look at our article on zero waste hair care here, which should give you additional tips on hair care.
Remember, it’s worth the extra time to look deeper into business operations and values. A vegan label is one thing. Sustainability and ethics are another.
