Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?
ALL-NATURAL SKINCARE PRODUCTS are much more than the crunchy aesthetic often associated with them. Sure, I love the Grateful Dead as much as the next guy with a dusty acoustic, but natural soaps, deodorants, and cleansers pack serious benefits you simply can't get from standard drugstore options. It's why, over the past few years, the number of all-natural shampoos—one of the more popular all-natural products around—has exploded, and there's now an option for just about every hair type, style or preference as a result.
Best All-Natural Shampoo for Men
Most Versatile All-Natural Shampoo
Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 Hemp Peppermint Pure-Castile Oil Soap
Read more
If you've never dabbled in the world of natural products before, it's fair to wonder why an all-natural shampoo is necessary. Of course, like most categories of haircare, it ultimately still comes down to personal preference, but there are plenty of reasons people make the switch.
When shampoos are organic in origin, they’re generally more eco-friendly (read: sustainably sourced) and lack harmful chemicals that irritate skin commonly found in hair products. This, in turn, offers a gentler and more nourishing cleanse than many commercial shampoos. Not to mention, the all-natural ingredients often found in these options won’t strip hair of its own natural oils while still moisturizing the scalp and boosting overall hair health.
Still, like most self-care essentials, choosing the right all-natural shampoo for you will come down to a combination of factors like sensitivity to synthetic ingredients, lifestyle and general preference. So, there are a few things to keep in mind before committing.
What to Consider
Key Natural Ingredients
As we've mentioned, one of the major boons of using an all-natural shampoo is the unique benefits of their organic key ingredients. Depending on your hair type and any underlying skin or hair issues you're prone to, you'll want to zero in on specific ones. For example, coconut oil is one of the most common natural ingredients you'll find in these products and is rampant across our list. This is largely because the oil is rich in fatty acids, particularly lauric acid, which helps moisturize, nourish and strengthen hair. Another popular ingredient is aloe vera, which is packed with vitamins and minerals that work to soothe and hydrate the scalp, therefore it's used to combat dandruff and dryness. Tea tree and Argan oil provide similar benefits.
Hair Type
Like the standard options you'll find lining the shampoo aisle, all-natural alternatives are designed for every and all hair types. Whether your hair is thin, thick, fine, or curly, there's an all-natural shampoo for you. You may also notice, perhaps, that some shampoos leave your hair feeling dry or, alternatively, weighed down. If this is the case, you'll want to look for options designed specifically to combat these concerns.
Size
Step one is obviously finding an all-natural shampoo you love that compliments your hair type with key ingredients you prefer. However, once you’ve found a winner, one that leaves your locks feeling as good as they look, it’s a smart idea to consider the product’s size to ensure you get one that reflects your lifestyle. If you’re a frequent traveler, you’ll want to opt for smaller, more compact bottles (3.4 oz or under for flights) that’ll easily fit inside a Dopp kit. That being said, for those looking for a new daily shampoo that’ll rarely step beyond the shower curtain, go big! (you’ll save money in the long run this way.)
How We Selected
For the past year, we’ve consulted with Men's Health grooming editors and writers on the top all-natural shampoos for men. Experts, including our Grooming Commerce Editor, Sean Zucker, tried numerous all-natural shampoos to evaluate how they impacted the hair’s feel, look, and scent, as well as their effectiveness over time. We also performed deep dives on each brand’s product to determine the legitimacy of their organic ingredients and to what extent they were truly all-natural. As for which were chosen to test, we considered the top-reviewed all-natural shampoos with over 100 five-star customer ratings on e-commerce websites that we trust, in addition to those our writers and editors previously enjoyed and vouched for.
Below is the culmination of this research and testing, with the nine best all-natural shampoos for men.
Pros
- 100 percent biodegradable container
- 100 percent plant-based ingredients
- pH balanced formula
Cons
- One of the smaller bottles on this list
To recap, someone may look to all-natural shampoos for one of three primary reasons. They either A) prefer the nourishment of organic ingredients, B) are looking to naturally attack preexisting issues, or C) want a more eco-friendly product. The Ingreendients Daily Shampoo finds itself at the top of our list because our testers agree it excels on all three of these levels.
The shampoo's formula is led by soothing tea tree oil, which is known to have antibiotic properties that can relieve dry scalp and dandruff. This is in addition to apple cider vinegar that removes scalp buildup and helps restore the pH balance in hair. Not to mention, aloe vera to improve hair health and even help promote growth.
All of this is then packed in a 100 percent recycled plastic bottle, and the formula is entirely biodegradable and cruelty-free. But, more than anything, the rich and wide-reaching lather of this shampoo left our hair feeling hydrated and smooth with enough bounce and flow to make styling a breeze. It simply outperforms not only other all-natural options, but popular shampoos across the board.
Read More: Best Shampoos for Men
| Key Ingredients | Tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, aloe vera |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All |
| Size | 9.6 oz |
Best All-Natural Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair
California Naturals Coconut Daily Shampoo
Pros
- Refreshing coconut and sandalwood scent
- B-Corp certified
- Safe for color-treated hair
- 100 percent post-consumer recycled bottle
Cons
- Average lather
Formulated with at least 99 percent organic ingredients and bottled in 100 percent recycled plastic, it's no surprise this shampoo is B-Corp certified (only given to brands that meet the highest standards of environmental transparency and accountability). And thanks to its coconut and avocado oil-led formula, this shampoo is as nourishing to hair as it is to the environment.
As one of the more inclusive all-natural shampoos, California Naturals Daily Shampoo is designed for all hair types, including color-treated hair. Not to mention, it's backed by the brand's "Chief Shampoo Officer," Owen Wilson. Trust me, after one wash with this stuff you'll also be overusing "wow."
Read More: Best Beard Dyes
| Key Ingredients | Coconut, avocado oil, sunflower extract |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All |
| Size | 16.5 oz |
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Most Versatile All-Natural Shampoo
Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 Hemp Peppermint Pure-Castile Oil Soap
Pros
- Can be used to clean pretty much anything you can think of
- Packed with refreshing peppermint
- post-consumer recycled plastic bottle
Cons
- Scent is strong, especially if you don't dilute
Sure, everybody's heard of a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner. Maybe you've even tried a three-in-one option with added formulation for the body. But Dr. Bronner's looked at those, scoffed, and added 15 more. That's not a typo, this is an 18-in-one product—and an effective one at that. Sure, it sounds a bit crazy using the same soap you wash your body with for your dishes, but we can confirm that this stuff is effective across the board.
This is especially true for hair, as it left our hair looking shiny and feeling ultra-hydrated. That being said, we recommend (as do the instructions on the bottle) diluting the liquid with a three-to-one water/soap ratio (pro tip: you can also cut it with coconut oil for added hydration). This not only will help minimize the strength of the initially overpowering scent, but also keep the bottle lasting forever.
| Key Ingredients | Coconut oil, olive oil, hemp seed oil, palm kernel oil, jojoba oil |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All (including pet hair by the way) |
| Size | 25 oz |
Pros
- Scent is nice combination of vanilla, tobacco, and citrus
- Anti-frizz formula
- Doesn't leave any lingering dryness or buildup
Cons
- Its 100 percent organic claim is yet to certified by a larger organization
Infused with high-quality ingredients like coconut oil, argan oil, and tea tree oil, Johnny Slicks' Alpha Shampoo promises to nourish and hydrate the scalp while promoting healthy hair growth—a claim we can confirm it certainly lives up to. After using just once, our hair felt incredibly clean and lightweight, without any lingering dryness or buildup. After a few weeks, our hair also had noticeably more volume. Additionally, the natural oils left a subtle, refreshing scent, and the shampoo lathers well, making it a great choice for anyone seeking a healthy, chemical-free hair care routine. This was especially true for those with hair prone to frizziness, as its formula is designed specifically to combat this with vitamin E, jojoba oil, and aloe vera.
| Key Ingredients | Vitamin E, jojoba oil, aloe vera |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | Frizzy to normal |
| Size | 16 oz |
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best All-Natural Shampoo for Thin Hair
Attitude Super Leaves Volume and Shine Shampoo
Pros
- 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free (PETA-Certified)
- EWG-Verified
- Plastic-free packaging
- Refillable bottle
Cons
- If you prefer some fragrance, this borders on scentless
It turns out, soy doesn't just work as an excellent meat replacement—it's a perfect substitute for harsh chemicals typically found in standard shampoos. Not to mention, soy proteins are known to stimulate and strengthen hair follicles to help promote not only healthier but thicker hair. This natural shampoo utilizes the versatile ingredient to its fullest potential, by combining it with Indian cress and watercress for added volume and health. Plus, it's been verified by the Environmental Working Group to ensure there are no ingredients of concern.
| Key Ingredients | Soy proteins, cranberries |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | Thinning to normal |
| Size | 16 oz |
Best All-Natural Shampoo for Dandruff
John Masters Scalp Conditioning Shampoo
Pros
- Anti-dandruff formula with zinc and sage
- Strong lather
- Includes tea tree to balance oil production
Cons
- The least organic option on this list, despite the brand's name
- Bottle is on the smaller side
John Masters Scalp Conditioning Shampoo is a game-changer for anyone looking to nourish their scalp with natural ingredients. Armed with peppermint, chamomile, and aloe vera, it provides a cool, soothing sensation while also gently cleansing the scalp and hair. This unique formula (featuring storied dandruff killer zinc) promotes healthy circulation, helping to reduce dryness and flakiness, while tea tree oil works to balance oil production and further fight dandruff.
That being said, this shampoo is technically the least organic on our list, but for good reason. While the ever-powerful zinc is a naturally occurring chemical element, it’s often paired with man-made compounds—like pyrithion or sulfate—to boost its ability to squash dandruff and other scalp issues (John Masters inorganically pairs it with gluconate). We’d say the trade-off is worth it here because, after only a few washes, our hair felt incredibly refreshed and soft, without any lingering residue or, most importantly, flakes.
| Key Ingredients | Zinc, sage, tea tree oil |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | Dandruff prone |
| Size | 8 oz |
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Zero-waste
- Vegan, cruelty-free
Cons
- Can leave thicker hair feeling oily
If you're somebody who prefers bar soap to body wash, you'll probably also dig a shampoo bar, although this all-natural option from Church California is stellar enough to make any liquid devotees curious. For those who have never tried one, the major benefits of using bar shampoo are that they're more eco-friendly (read: no plastic container) and more travel-friendly because they're compact with no risk of leakage.
Church California's bar offers these and more. It's devised largely of fermented rice water, which helps promote hair growth and hair density. Not to mention, we found this bar lasts forever (seriously, we've got weeks out of just one of these 3 oz bars.) Add in a wonderful woodsy yet somewhat floral aroma, and this shampoo bar is a true winner. Only minor gripe with the bar is that our fine-haired testers found it generally more effective than our thicker-haired testers, noting that it can leave a slightly oily feel.
Read More: Best Bar Soap for Men
| Key Ingredients | Rice water, olive oil, shea butter |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | Fine to normal |
| Size | 3 oz |
Best All-Natural 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner
Barrel and Oak 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner
Pros
- 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner
- Uber masculine bourbon cedar scent
- Cleaned and soothed our hair
Cons
- Some testers found that the bottle is prone to leakage
We love the idea of a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner as a way of both saving money and time, but most tend to fall short either skimping on their ability to properly cleanse or hydrate the scalp. Thankfully, this option from Barrel and Oak left our hair feeling as clean and soothed as a quality shampoo, while still feeling as moisturized as our favorite conditioner. Better yet, it accomplishes this with a wonderful bourbon cedar scent that could rival our go-to colognes.
Read More: Best Conditioners for Men
| Key Ingredients | Panthenol (vitamin B5), argan oil, shea butter, hazel |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | Dry to normal |
| Size | 16 oz |
Pros
- Powerfully soothing combination of aloe vera and chamomile
- Formula includes plenty of vitamin C
- Fresh scent
Cons
- Some may not prefer the citrus scent during cooler months
Backed by powerful organic ingredients, Pharmacopia's Citrus Shampoo is an energizing natural option that cleanses as well as it revitalizes hair. Its fruity additions, like lemon, lime, and orange extracts, offer a slew of antioxidants and vitamin C, helping to brighten dull hair and balance the scalp's natural oils.
Of all the natural shampoos on this list, we found Pharmacopia's to feel the most refreshing, giving you that soothing, almost tingly feeling after hopping out of the shower. Plus, it includes aloe vera and chamomile to further hydrate, which we found also left our hair ultra-soft.
| Key Ingredients | Orange extract, lime extract, lemon extract, aloe vera, chamomile |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All |
| Size | 16 oz |
Are All-Natural Shampoos Really Any Different?
For starters, the all-natural ingredients commonly found in these shampoos, such as coconut oil, aloe vera, or Argan oil, organically moisturize and repair hair—crucially, without stripping the hair of its natural oils. Plus, these ingredients are typically much more eco-friendly as they're (usually) more sustainably sourced and biodegradable than drugstore options.
You'll often find that these products tend to come in more environmentally conscious packaging using recycled plastic or plastic alternatives as well, to double down on this limited ecological footprint. Not to mention, many natural shampoo brands will even prioritize cruelty-free and vegan formulas, meaning they don’t test on animals and don’t include animal-derived ingredients like keratin or silk proteins, to further cement their products as a more ethical alternative.
But for many, the ingredients all-natural shampoos do not include are equally—if not more—important than the ones that they do. Standard shampoos often feature synthetic chemicals and fragrances that can be harsh on scalps and hair, especially for those with sensitive skin or who suffer from conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Instead, these plant-based ingredients are gentler and less likely to cause irritation or reactions.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Why an All-Natural Shampoo Might Not Be 100 Percent Organic
There is one major caveat when it comes to all-natural shampoos—or at least for some that claim to be one—so many all-natural shampoos are not entirely, er, all-natural. Now, there are a few with justifiable add-ons that don't do much to diminish the integrity of the product's organic material, but others not so much.
While 100 percent organic ingredients are generally considered safer overall, they also tend to have shorter shelf lives, so some products might include tiny trace amounts of preservatives to help extend their life. And some preservatives are essential to preventing microbial contamination (aka the formation of bacteria, viruses or fungi), especially in water-based products like shampoo. As a result, it's not uncommon to find all-natural shampoos that slightly stretch the purest definition of that term.
A great way to ensure your all-natural shampoo only contains the cleanest of ingredients is to look for products that are certified organic by the USDA or verified by environmental groups like B-Corp or the Environmental Working Group. That being said, just about every shampoo on the list above is at least 97 percent organic or higher.
More of Our Favorite Hair Products
Hair Thickening Shampoos | Hair Growth Serums | Shampoos for Hair Growth | Scalp Treatments | Shampoo Bars | Rosemary Oil for Hair Growth | Hair Conditioners | Hair Growth Serums | Hair Clays | Hair Products | Natural Shampoos | Shampoos for Chlorine Removal | Beard Shampoos
