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Shampoo is among the most widely used products in our homes, along with things like conditioners and toothpastes, as they are cleansers that keep your hair clean and help you gain control over its feel and appearance. However, traditional shampoo often has less than desirable things in its ingredient list.
For starters, many tend to contain silicones, to add some of the benefits of a conditioner to a shampoo. For many people though, the biggest issue is the presence of parabens, which are preservatives, as well as sulfates that are used to make a shampoo foam, like sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate.
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Unfortunately, silicones and sulfates may make the hair feel and look dry over time and might make it unhealthy. Parabens may cause the same issues while irritating the scalp, dulling color treated hair, and possibly even causing some people to lose their hair. As a result, many people opt to use paraben and sulfate free shampoos.
However, with so many paraben and sulfate free shampoos on the market, it can be very hard to know which brands and shampoos to use. That is why the reviewers for this article have made the following guide to the very best hair care products of this nature, to help everyone find a perfect paraben and sulfate free shampoo for them.
Reviewing The 11 Best Paraben & Sulfate Free Shampoos In 2025
Let's get straight to the guide to the 10 best paraben and sulfate free shampoos in 2025. By comparing shampoos from numerous brands based on vital factors like their formulation, price, smell and range of benefits, the reviewers have compiled a list that has a perfect paraben and sulfate free shampoo for everyone.
St. Felix Botanical Shampoo – Best Overall Sulfate & Paraben Free Shampoo🥇
Toxique Shampoo – Best For Women
Mengine Oil DHT Blocking Shampoo – Best For Men
Ina Essentials Natural Nettle Shampoo – Best Budget
Maple Holistics Biotin Shampoo – Best Volumizing Shampoo
Botanic Hearth Peppermint Shampoo – Best Scalp Hydrating Shampoo
Vanidox Carbonic Acid Shampoo – Best With Collagen
Love Beauty And Planet Murumuru Butter & Rose Shampoo – Best Vegan
Dr Hempster Shampoo – Best With Hemp
Shea Moisture Strengthen & Restore Shampoo – Best For Afro Or Curly Hair
Body Shop Shea Moisture Restore Shampoo Bar – Best Bar
1. St. Felix Botanical Shampoo – Best Overall Sulfate & Paraben Free Shampoo
St. Felix Botanical Shampoo is a premium, sulfate and paraben free hair cleanser formulated to work across all hair types — dry, oily, color-treated, fine, thick, curly, or straight. Designed with a blend of plant-based actives and gentle surfactants, it not only avoids harsh chemicals but actively supports hair vitality while promoting pH balance and scalp health.
This shampoo stands out for its luxurious formulation and a clean, spa-like fragrance that lingers in the hair. The unique combination of biotin, bamboo extract, and hydrolyzed quinoa protein strengthens the hair shaft and reduces breakage, while essential oils like lavender, bergamot, and rosemary provide both antimicrobial and aromatherapeutic benefits.
With a light lather that doesn’t strip natural oils, it delivers both immediate smoothness and long-term health benefits — making it suitable for daily use without buildup or dryness. It is cruelty-free, vegan, and comes in recyclable packaging, making it a top-tier pick for both performance and ethical standards.
Ingredients:
Biotin, bamboo extract, hydrolyzed quinoa protein, rosemary oil, lavender oil, bergamot oil, coconut-derived surfactants, glycerin, aloe vera juice, panthenol, citric acid, sodium phytate.
Pros
Strengthens hair while boosting volume and elasticity
Luxurious, gender-neutral fragrance that lasts
Works across all hair types — even sensitive or color-treated
Cruelty-free, vegan, and eco-packaged
Conclusion
St. Felix Botanical Shampoo is the best all-around sulfate and paraben free shampoo for 2025. It delivers salon-quality results without compromise, repairing and nourishing hair without harmful chemicals. Suitable for all hair types and aligned with ethical and environmental standards, it’s the reviewers’ top recommendation for anyone seeking a premium daily shampoo with real benefits.
Toxique Shampoo — Best Paraben & Sulfate Free Shampoo For Women
Toxique Shampoo is a cruelty, paraben, silicone and sulphate free shampoo that is created solely from a selection of natural oils. A relatively new shampoo, it is made to be used on all hair types and make the hair look, feel and smell great, but it can be especially useful for people worried about losing their hair.
Packed with compounds considered natural DHT blockers (dihydrotestosterone), it addresses hair loss at the root of the issue. Meanwhile, the other ingredients improve blood flow to the hair follicles and support scalp health, which may stimulate hair growth and nourish and strengthen the hair strands, making them healthier.
It then also has anti inflammatory properties that make it perfect for people with a sensitive scalp, while it is safe to use on color treated hair and dry or damaged hair, as well as hair of any style. This makes it a paraben and sulfate free shampoo that can be used by anyone.
Ingredients: rosemary oil, tea tree oil, peppermint oil, argan oil, castor oil, and ginger oil.
Pros
Contains no parabens, silicones or sulfates and is not tested on animals
May promote hair growth and prevents dry, thinning or damaged hair
Supports production of strong, healthy, thick, soft hair and a healthy scalp
Makes the hair smell fantastic and gives it a shine and wow factor
Conclusion
Toxique Shampoo is one of the best hair care products for women in general and easily the best sulfate or paraben free shampoo. It will get rid of any dirt, make their hair thick and give it a shine, and stop the hair and scalp from getting dry or damaged, while not being tested on animals.
Mengine Oil DHT Blocking Shampoo — Best Paraben & Sulfate Free Shampoo For Men
Meninge Oil DHT Blocking Shampoo is a sulfate and paraben free shampoo for men that boasts having no harmful chemicals of any kind in its formulation. Like all the other hair care products from the brand, it is made to stop men from losing their hair and promote growth, while also being suitable for use by women.
It removes dirt, fights the build up of DHT around the roots, strengthens the hair and scalp, improves circulation, balances PH levels, and reduces inflammation, while nourishing the scalp and hair to keep them healthy.
Suitable for use on all hair types, it enables even men with very fine hair to combat thinning hair or loss, repair damaged hair, and restore their natural hair health, while giving it a shine you may have thought you could only achieve with a stylist and which is sure to get you noticed.
Ingredients: hops extract, green tea extract, wheat protein, polygonum extract, fennel extract, biotin, peppermint extract, copper peptides, chamomile extract, and lemon balm.
Pros
May help treat and prevent male pattern baldness
May restore the health of the hair for men of all hair types
Makes the hair look, smell and feel great
Suitable for use by women as well
Conclusion
Meninge Oil DHT Blocking Shampoo is the top sulfate and paraben free shampoo for men, as it gives them back control of their hair. Not only will it help stop men losing their hair, it will also make it soft, thick, shiny and great smelling, while nourishing the scalp and roots to help keep your whole head healthy.
Ina Essentials Natural Nettle Shampoo — Best Budget
Ina Essentials Natural Nettle Shampoo is a natural shampoo made using a range of natural ingredients, the most notable of which is nettle extract. Rich in vitamins and minerals, it nourishes the skin, hair and roots all at the same time, while being one of the cheapest sulfate free shampoos.
This may soothe the skin, strengthen the roots, prevent dry hair, irritation, receding, and the build up of oils and chemicals, promote growth for people of all hair types, and even offer many of the benefits more associated with a conditioner, such as the ability to make the hair smooth and shiny.
Ingredients: Aqua, Urtica Dioica Extract, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Disodium Cocoamphoacetate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Mentha Piperita Oil, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Oil, Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Quercus Robur Bark Extract, Sorbitol, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Linoleate, Glyceryl Linolenate, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Xanthan Gum and Limonene.
Pros
A good option for people with dry hair
Very good value
Can be used on all hair types
Nourishes and supports the roots
Conclusion
Ina Essentials Natural Nettle Shampoo is a great option for people who are shopping for sulfate free shampoos while on quite a tight budget.
Maple Holistics Biotin Shampoo — Best Volumizing Shampoo
Maple Holistics Biotin Shampoo is a volumizing shampoo made to promote the growth of thick hair and prevent balding. Paraben and sulfate free, and boasting a very reasonable price tag, it is suitable for use by virtually everyone, including vegans and people with color treated hair.
Rich in oils and proteins, it is capable of nourishing everything from the follicles to the tips and making the hair look and feel great, while being particularly good for people with very fine hair or sensitive skin.
Ingredients: Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauryl Glucoside Carboxylate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Acrylates Copolymer, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glycerin, Glycol Distearate, Laureth-4, Sodium PCA, D-Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Jojoba Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Coconut Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Olive Fruit Oil, Tea Tree Leaf Oil, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Zinc Oxide, Biotin and Fragrances.
Pros
Great for adding volume to the hair
Especially useful for people with thin or fine hair
Very reasonably priced
Conclusion
Maple Holistics Biotin Shampoo can be a good product for people who are looking for a sulfate free shampoo to add a little more volume to their hair.
Botanic Hearth Peppermint Shampoo — Best Scalp Hydrating Shampoo
Botanic Hearth Peppermint Shampoo is a very reasonably priced sulfate free shampoo that nourishes, moisturises and conditions the skin and follicles to keep them in good health and prevents the build up of harmful oils and compounds. This is all while also smelling great.
Ingredients: Deionized purified water, Decyl glucoside, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, Disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, Sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, Panax ginseng root extract, Turmeric root extract, Polygonum multiflorum root, Cocamide MIPA, Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, Argan oil, Coconut Oil, Polyquaternium 80, Polyquaternium 71, Biotin, Nigella sativa oil, Phyllanthus emblica, Serenoa serrulata extract, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis extract, niacin, Beta sitosterol, Camelia sinensis, Tea Tree Oil, Sorbitan oleate, Peppermint Oil, Urtica dioica extract, Cedrus atiantica oil, Rosemary oil, Soy isoflavone, pyrithione zinc, vitamin e, Phenoxyethanol, Salvia sclarea oil, Ethylhexyl glycerin, Hexylene glycol, Citrus medica limonum oil, Caprylyl, Decyclucoside crosspolymer and citric acid.
Pros
A great option for people with very sensitive skin
Very reasonably priced
Smells great
Conclusion
Botanic Hearth Peppermint Shampoo is a good sulfate free shampoo for people who are very worried about their skin.
Vanidox Carbonic Acid Shampoo — Best With Collagen
Vanidox Carbonic Acid Shampoo is a paraben, cruelty and sulphate free shampoo made to combat DHT and oil build up, dandruff, and hair thinning or loss, boost hair growth and recovery, add volume, unclog the pores, protect damaged hair and help it recover, and improve oxygen and blood flow to the follicles.
It does appear to protect people with damaged or color treated hair as well as most sulfate free shampoos or conditioners.
Ingredients: Purified Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, PEG-150 Distearate, Glycol Stearate, Aloe Vera Gel, MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), Butylene Glycol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Castor Oil, Apigenin, Oleanolic Acid, Biotinyl Tripeptide-1, Polyquaternium 10, PEG/PPG-75/25 Carbonic Acid Copolymer, Orange Oil, Peppermint Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, PPG-Ceteth-20, Saw Palmetto Extract, Pumpkin Seed Extract, Propylene Glycol, Sorbitan Oleate, Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Biotin, Balm Mint Extract, Sodium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Argan Oil, Tea Tree leaf Oil, EDTA, and Vitamin E.
Pros
Good for people with oily hair or scalps
Can be useful for people with damaged or color treated hair
Conclusion
Vanidox Carbonic Acid Shampoo appears to be one of the better sulfate free shampoo or conditioner options for people with damaged or color treated hair.
Love Beauty And Planet Murumuru Butter & Rose Shampoo — Best Vegan
Love Beauty And Planet Murumuru Butter & Rose Shampoo is a vegan friendly sulfate free shampoo that is designed specifically for people with dry or color treated hair who want to improve its volume and make it look and feel healthier and give it that wow factor, without compromising on any of their morals.
Ingredients: water, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium chloride, sodium lauryl isethionate, sodium benzoate, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, astrocaryum murumuru seed butter, rosa damascena flower oil, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, fragrance (parfum), glycol distearate, lauric acid, citric acid, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, potassium sorbate, coconut acid, ppg-9, benzyl alcohol, benzyl salicylate, citronellol, and linalool.
Pros
Completely vegan friendly
Smells great
Good for people with dry or colored hair
Conclusion
Love Beauty And Planet Murumuru Butter & Rose Shampoo is a good option for people seeking vegan friendly shampoos free of sulfates and parabens.
Dr Hempster Shampoo — Best With Hemp
Dr Hempster Anti Hair Loss Shampoo is a unique sulfate free shampoo as it contains hemp. A natural ingredient that strengthens the hair on a cellular level, it may enhance density and growth, prevent or repair damage or loss, and possibly even boost the health of the skin, while being aided by other ingredients.
Ingredients: Purified Water, Organic Aloe Vera Inner Leaf Juice, Organic Coconut Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Glycerin, Burdock Root Extract, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Organic Hemp Seed Oil, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Coco-Glucoside, Saw Palmetto Fruit Extract, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Galactoarabinan, Vitamin E, Horsetail Extract, Diheptyl Succinate, Organic Argan Kernel Oil, Niacinamide, Magnesium Sulfate, Peppermint Oil, Vitamin B-5, Citric Acid, Menthol, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Cayenne Pepper Extract, Biotin, Potassium Sorbate, Folic Acid and Natural Fragrances.
Pros
Can help combat thinning or damage
Nourishes the skin and follicles
Conclusion
This Dr Hempster Shampoo is a product that will truly split people's opinions. If you are looking for a sulfate free shampoo that contains hemp, there simply is not a better option to try.
Shea Moisture Strengthen & Restore Shampoo — Best For Afro Or Curly Hair
Shea Moisture Strengthen & Restore Shampoo is a shampoo that was formulated with afro hair in mind, but which can be equally beneficial for people with very curly or frizzy hair as well.
Designed to hydrate, strengthen, condition and nourish the hair, it is a sulfate free shampoo that offers many of the benefits of a conditioner. This also makes it a particularly good choice for people with fine or thin hair, while the range of natural ingredients that it contains will make your hair smell delightful.
Ingredients: Aqua, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Parfum, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, glycerin, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Shea Butter, Jamaican black castor oil, Mauritia Flexuosa (Buriti) Fruit Oil, Niacinamide, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Acetum, Yeast Extract, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Tocopherol, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract, Caramel, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Dextran, and Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3.
Pros
Ideal for people with afro, curly or frizzy hair, as well as very fine or thin hair
Pleasant smelling
Can double as both a sulfate free shampoo and conditioner
Very reasonably priced
Conclusion
Shea Moisture Strengthen & Restore Shampoo is one of the better options for people with afro hair, as well as curly, frizzy, fine and thin hair types, or people who want hair care products that combine shampoos and conditioners.
Body Shop Shea Moisture Restore Shampoo Bar — Best Bar
Shea Moisture Restore Shampoo Bar is unique, as it not only avoids using parabens and sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate, it even avoids using a bottle, as it comes in the form of a bar. This makes it a good option for people who are extremely worried about the environment, especially if they have very dry hair.
Ingredients: Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Aqua/Water/Eau, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Glycerin, Myristyl Lactate, Glyceryl Oleate, Parfum/Fragrance, Xylitylglucoside, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Anhydroxylitol, Montmorillonite, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter/Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Decyl Glucoside, Xylitol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Glucose, Linalool, Coumarin, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Citric Acid, CI 77492/Iron Oxides, CI 77491/Iron Oxides, CI 77499/Iron Oxides.
Pros
Does not have to be kept in a plastic bottle
Useful for moisturising very dry hair
Conclusion
The Shea Moisture Restore Shampoo Bar is a great option for people with very dry hair who try to avoid using parabens, sulfates and single use plastics. Unfortunately, its limitations mean it is not the best option for people with normal hair types or who aren't worried about using plastic.
Final Thoughts On The Best Shampoos In 2025 Without Parabens & Sulfates Like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Paraben and sulfate free shampoos are great to stop the hair getting greasy and keep it and the scalp healthy for people of all hair types. However, while there are many paraben and sulfate free shampoos in 2025, it is the opinion of the reviewers for this article that St. Felix Botanical Shampoo stands out as the #1 overall option, thanks to its luxurious formulation, exceptional results across hair types, and strong performance on both hair and scalp health.
Meanwhile, Toxique Shampoo remains the best option for women, with its DHT blockers, premium oils, and shine-enhancing benefits. And for men, Mengine Oil DHT Blocking Shampoo continues to deliver standout results for thinning hair and scalp vitality.
All three shampoos go beyond simply avoiding harmful ingredients — they actively support your hair’s strength, look, and feel, while keeping your scalp nourished.
They keep the hair clean, stop it or the skin getting dry, make the hair soft and thick, and give it a shine and smell that offer that wow factor and will have everyone wondering what haircare products you use.
The links contained in this product review may result in a small commission at no additional cost to you if you opt to purchase the product recommended. This goes towards supporting the advertiser's research team who are committed to only recommending high-quality products. Amber Smith is an award-winning ghostwriter who focuses on AI and health technology.
This content contains links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by the publisher, Lee Enterprises. The views, thoughts and opinions in this contributor content belong solely to the writer.
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