The best vegan shampoo and conditioner for every hair type and budget

The best vegan shampoo and conditioner should be full of natural, ethically sourced ingredients, while still nourishing your hair and making it smell and feel great. However, opting for vegan hair care can be expensive and shopping for it confusing, especially when you consider that cruelty-free doesn’t always mean vegan.

Happily, these days there are lots of brands to choose from that offer sustainable, vegan hair care alternatives that are just as satisfying to use as any of the best shampoos and conditioners. Lesley Drummond, Senior Stylist at John Frieda Aldford Street, confirms that “a good vegan shampoo and conditioner will give you the same high-performance care as non-vegan hair care” – and the products don’t need to break the bank, either.

When buying a vegan shampoo and conditioner, you should always check what’s in the product, to ensure that there are no animal-derived ingredients and that the brand confirms this product is vegan (some brands may not be 100% vegan, but still offer vegan hair care) As veganism and sustainability are so intertwined, many of the best vegan shampoos and conditioners will come in recyclable packaging as an added bonus. "As a sustainability advocate, it’s important that the packaging and ingredients are responsibly sourced and made”, agrees Demi Colleen, sustainable beauty influencer. Whether you’re looking to switch up your hair care routine long-term, or just dipping into vegan hair products, this is our rundown of the best of the best.

How we tested the best vegan shampoo and conditioner

Depending on your hair type, the properties you’re looking for in a vegan shampoo and conditioner are likely to differ. However, there are a few essentials I paid attention to when testing these products, including scent and ingredients; how hydrating they felt to use; and how my hair looked, felt, and smelled the day I washed it and the next.

It’s worth noting that my hair is partly colored, fairly thick, sits somewhere between wavy and curly, and I definitely don’t get it cut as often as I should (meaning I have a fair few split ends). I also only ever let my hair air dry, so no heat was used on it after washing and conditioning with these products. These are the best of the best from dozens I tested, all of which are made from natural ingredients and have been certified as vegan products.

The best vegan shampoo and conditioner, chosen by our beauty team

Green People is known for their no-frills packaging and branding, dedication to natural ingredients, and refreshing, welcoming scents. I tested the moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, which contain aloe vera, chamomile oil, and orange oil. Both are formulated with 82%-90% organic ingredients, and undeniably smelled great when I applied them, with a fresh, fruity scent that was really lovely to apply.

My hair naturally falls between wavy and curly, and where it sits on that spectrum depends on the products I use and whether or not I fall asleep with wet hair, which never ends well. These products gave my hair a natural bounce and a lot of volume. However, if you have damaged hair, I would suggest a shampoo and conditioner combo that's a little more nourishing. My hair was soft after using the products, but my ends did still feel a little dry to the touch. On the plus side, my colored blond hair was almost as vibrant as when I use one of the best purple shampoos, looking vibrant and not at all brassy. 

Faith in Nature is one of the most well-known vegan beauty brands, and one of their biggest plus points is how low their prices are for such high-quality products. This shampoo and conditioner come in large bottles that look great in your shower caddy, and use a heavenly blend of natural ingredients that smell amazing. I couldn’t get enough of the sweet rose scent and strong, citrussy dragonfruit, which made my bathroom smell fresh. Just be aware that these scents are potent, so if you prefer your products on the neutral side, these may not be for you.

The shampoo lathered perfectly before the thick conditioner worked its magic as I left it in for a few minutes – as soon as I washed out the product I could feel just how much softer my damaged ends were. The fruity scent stayed in my hair all day, and it definitely gave me some extra volume, with my hair curling into loose ringlets and feeling super thick. I would definitely recommend Faith in Nature for those who don’t want to spend too much on their hair care. All of their packaging is recyclable and you can buy in bulk, so you could refill your original shampoo and conditioner from a larger bottle and never have to buy (or throw away) a new one again.

The Body Shop has loads of vegan shampoos and conditioners and this Ginger range is their best-seller, with one sold every six seconds. While I don't have a flaky scalp, it is sensitive (childhood hair-brushing sessions with my mom would always result in tears) This aims to soothe dry, itchy, and sensitive scalps with ingredients like ginger essential oil, white willow, and vegan keratin silk protein. If you're looking for one of the best scalp treatments, this could be for you – the gentle formula was soothing on my scalp and didn't feel harsh at all, despite the zingy scent.

When I used the shampoo, the first thing I noticed was just how much it lathers. A little really does go a long way, and this was probably the soapiest consistency I experienced across all the shampoos I tested. The second thing that hit me was the potency of the ginger scent – which could be a turnoff if you're iffy about products omitting an odor that’s distinctly ‘edible’. The conditioner smelled similar but felt a little waxy when poured into my hand. If you don’t mind this double-whammy of intense ginger following you around, you’ll be rewarded by just how soft your hair feels. My ends were much less straw-like, and the fluffy feeling of my hair had me smoothing my hands over it all day.

JVN Nourishing shampoo does smell quite chemical compared to the natural and floral scents of products like Green People and Body Shop – but it is true to the salon nature of the product. This is the shampoo and conditioner combo that made my hair feel the sleekest and shiniest, banishing any frizziness, making this a great product to use if you like to style your hair into a blowout. However, I do prefer a bit more thickness to my locks, and this seemed to make my hair feel less volumized. 

The real highlight is the conditioner – it genuinely feels as soft as silk, and I could feel it nourishing my damaged ends as I applied it. If you’re looking for a gentle conditioner that will smooth your strands I couldn’t recommend this more. The next day, my mid-to-end lengths felt soft and hydrated, but the very top of my scalp did feel a little itchy and not quite as soft. Bonus tip: I often use conditioner in place of shaving cream, which I find to be a little harsh on my sensitive skin. I used this to shave in the shower and suffered zero razor bumps, itchiness, or dryness.

Aveda is well-known for its vegan, cruelty-free yet intensely repairing hair products, and the Botanical Repair range is the perfect antidote for damaged hair. Ingredients include avocado and green tea, and these definitely do what they say on the tin, with my hair feeling super-silky on both wash day and the next one. 

The scent of the shampoo and conditioner (rose and ylang-ylang) was less potent than some others on this list, which will be a plus for those who don’t like hair care to smell too intense. After 36 hours, my hair didn’t smell fresh at all – as opposed to after, say, the Malin+Goetz duo, which omitted a fragrance every time I flicked my hair for a couple of days. While my colored, not-particularly-nourished hair definitely felt more hydrated and my split ends were much more manageable after using Aveda, I’d suggest something a little more gentle – the Body Shop Ginger range, for example - if you have a particularly sensitive scalp or dandruff.

Finding the best vegan shampoo and conditioner for curly hair comes with its own challenges, explains Colleen, “I have to be careful when picking hair care products, due to the fragile nature of my coils,” adding she opts for products “with specifically hydrating ingredients” and avoids silicone, alcohol, sulfates and mineral oils. Luckily. Noughty’s Wave Hello range is a 10/10, from the eye-catching tubes to the vitamin-rich formula and soft, shiny post-wash feel. If you’re wondering is sulfate bad for your hair and looking for an alternative, this is free from parabens, silicones, and sulfate, replacing these with a coconut-derived lathering ingredient called sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate.

While the shampoo and conditioner are full of natural ingredients such as sea kelp, avocado oil, Irish moss, and sea fennel, I did find the scent a little clinical. However, both the products were lightweight, the shampoo successfully lathered up and the conditioner comfortably worked through the ends of my hair. I would usually add some curl-defining serum on wash days or hair oil on non-wash days to smooth down my flyaways and split ends. I didn’t find either of these steps necessary after washing with this range, making this the perfect routine for anyone with a curly hairstyle.

I love Malin+Goetz’s simple branding and good-size bottles, but I admit I was a little hesitant about the scents – cilantro and peppermint? It all sounded a little edible and not in a good way. But as soon as I popped open the shampoo, I realized how misguided my trepidation was. The zesty scent of the peppermint was energizing rather than aggressively minty, and the cilantro offered a toned-down, almost floral smell that was really natural. This earthy aroma clung to my hair until its next wash, even after being engulfed by cooking smells in my small flat.

It’s not just the scent that made me want to use Malin+Goetz again – my hair felt thicker after washing with the shampoo and conditioner, and my waves were defined and soft. Needless to say this is not bargain haircare, and for those wondering is expensive shampoo better the answer is, not all of the time. However, if you are looking to spend a little more would definitely recommend it for a lightweight shampoo and conditioner that’ll leave hair feeling softer (thanks to ingredients such as shea butter and fatty acids) and your shower smelling minty-fresh. 

We Are Concentrate takes the sustainable beauty routine a step further by not using any extra water in the production of their shampoo and conditioner. If you’ve never used waterless shampoo before, you might be shocked when you squeeze the tube and find an almost toothpaste-like paste in your hands; the idea is that your already-wet hair will provide the perfect base to create a lather. The formula is also sulfate and silicone free, with 88% natural ingredients. These include guava, aloe vera, papaya, coconut, and vanilla, giving it a simple, sweet smell that wasn’t overpowering

Maybe due to the fact that I tested this in the bath, not under the steady stream of the shower, I didn’t find the paste-to-lather process quite as simple as promised. It’s true that you only need a small amount for your hair, but if you’re looking for a hydrating feel I’d recommend easier-to-lather options, such as The Body Shop or Lush. As I am wont to do, I used the conditioner as an alternative to shaving cream and it worked perfectly, due to the thicker consistency. If you’re intrigued by waterless hair care, this should be your go-to, as long as you go in knowing that a suds-filled experience this is not.

If you’re anything like me, the smell of Lush products will transport you to the days when the brand’s bath bombs were a gifting essential; of sauntering into stores for a free hand massage from a highly enthusiastic member of staff. Lush was one of the first brands to really pioneer cruelty-free beauty, and Jason and the Argan Oil is probably their most well-known shampoo bar. It is not only ethically made but has the added bonus of being sustainable, as there’s no packaging to get rid of each time you finish the product. 

The rose scent of the shampoo is reminiscent of Turkish Delight, and while the Big conditioner isn’t quite as potent, it’s still recognizably Lush-like. Like all the best shampoo bars, this lathers on the scalp with a circular rubbing motion, but how to use the Big conditioner bar is less clear. If you have short hair such as a box bob, using it will be a skill to hone, for medium or long hair, swish it over one shoulder so it’s all bunched together and rub the bar from mid-lengths to ends. I did notice some blue residue in my hair, but luckily this washed out with ease. The next day my hair felt noticeably thick, and while this isn't the most nourishing duo you'll ever try, my hair looked hydrated and smelled great. You will have to source something to keep the bars in between washes – if you leave them wet on the side of your bath, they will deposit some very brightly colored stickiness over time.

There’s a reason why Olaplex is widely considered one of the best shampoos for colored hair, making its way from every colorist’s salon toolkit to our shower caddies due to its intensely hydrating and smoothing properties. While No.3 Hair Perfector, the once-a-week treatment is one of the best hair masks for damaged hair, No.4 and No.5 Bond Maintenance shampoo and conditioner are less intensive, but still effective treatments for more frequent use.

It’s safe to say my weathered, balayage with money-piece-colored hair looked far more vibrant after this than any other vegan shampoo and conditioner I tried out. My ends felt less brittle as soon as they started to dry, and while some find Olaplex products a little greasy, I loved how nourished and soft my hair felt afterward. However, I found that silky soft didn’t actually equal sleek when it came to Olaplex. I also wouldn’t use this shampoo and conditioner every time I wash my hair, as it did feel a little too intensive to be applied so regularly. But if you’re looking for one of the best bond builders for hair and don’t mind paying that little bit extra for the cult Olaplex experience, it's a no-brainer.