Why I Don’t Recommend You Switch Your Shampoo (Yet)

I know, I know. This sounds completely backward coming from a non-toxic shop. But stick with me—because this just might be the most refreshing take you’ll read on this tough category.

When people first dive into the world of non-toxic swaps, it’s easy to feel like everything has to change all at once. Toothpaste, deodorant, skincare, makeup, detergent, diapers... and yes, shampoo and conditioner.

But I’m here to say: maybe don’t start with your hair. 😂

The Hair Care Conundrum

Unlike other categories where non-toxic options are abundant and effective—like home cleaning, baby products, skincare, and even cosmetics—shampoo and conditioner are uniquely tricky.

Why? Because hair is complicated.

There’s thin hair, thick hair, curly, coarse, frizzy, fine, dry, oily, color-treated, thinning, graying, postpartum shedding… and all of it reacts differently depending on the products and the water you’re using. 

Now layer on the fact that most people don’t want to walk around with greasy or straw-like hair for weeks on end while they “adjust” to a new product. That’s a hard no for most.

The Surfactant Struggle

Surfactants (the cleansing agents in shampoos) are one of the hardest ingredient categories to clean up. Many natural brands resort to using saponified oils (basically, soap), which sounds nice… but in reality, it can leave a waxy, soap-scummy film in your hair—especially if you have hard water.

On the flip side, there are some “greenwashed” options that claim to be clean but are still using questionable surfactants under fancier names. It’s hard out there.

Why We Say Wait

Here’s the real reason I say to hold off on swapping your shampoo and conditioner:

When you’re first starting your clean living journey, you don’t want to be met with too many losses.

You’re already getting used to new textures, new smells, new routines—and when a swap feels like a downgrade (greasy roots, itchy scalp, dandruff, flat hair), it can kill your momentum.

That’s why I recommend starting with easier wins, not hair. Products that stay on your skin or touch your body all day expose you to more ingredients than rinse-off items like shampoo and conditioner. Moisturizers, baby products, deodorant, makeup, and home cleaning supplies. These are easier to find, easier to switch, and easier to stick with.

Save hair care for when you’re feeling a little more seasoned and emotionally prepared for the trial-and-error process.

Choose The 20 In Your 80/20 Wisely

No one is living a 100% toxin-free life, and you should feel empowered to set your own standards. Shampoo and conditioner are rinse-off products. They don’t sit on your skin for long, and they’re not your highest exposure risk.

That’s why—for many of us—they make a perfect “20” in the 80/20 clean living philosophy. Save your energy for bigger-impact categories, and revisit hair care later.

Now, I will say... some people get extremely lucky and find something that works for them instantly. You could be one of the lucky few. So I am not discouraging you from attempting this category—you absolutely should! I am simply saying it's not an easy category to tackle, and I don't want you to be easily discouraged so early in your clean living journey.

Here's a happy medium—rather than seeking perfection immediately, you can also try simply making a better (and not necessarily perfect) choice. We would recommend at the very least avoiding these common hair ingredients:

• Fragrance—There are plenty of products out there that are fragrance-free or fragranced with EOs only
• Certain Surfactants—There are many surfactants to look into, but we'd say Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate are among the worst. We also recommend avoiding Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, since it's an ethoxylated ingredient. 
• Certain Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats)—it's very hard to find a conditioner without any quats, but like surfactants, quats are also on a spectrum. Some are more harmful than others. Behentrimonium Methosulfate would be considered a "better" choice and what we see in more "low tox" conditioners. We still recommend avoiding ALL quats, but it would be considered a better choice. These are worst in hair products: Polyquarterniums, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Stearalkonium Chloride and Cetrimonium Chloride for either irritation, pollution or environmental concerns.
• EDTAs—commonly found in shampoos. Most are synthetically derived from the same precursors: ethylenediamine, formaldehyde, and sodium cyanide. They are all petroleum-derived, cause irritation, and have environmental pollutant concerns. A cleaner alternative to EDTAs would be ingredients like Sodium Phytate, Gluconolactone or Phytic Acid. 

You can read more on ingredients in our ingredient library. 

What About Going No-Poo?

Some people are ditching shampoo altogether and embracing the “no-poo” method—a whole lifestyle shift focused on restoring your scalp’s natural balance without conventional products. It requires the use of some basic household ingredients like baking soda and Apple Cider Vinegar.

I am actually in the middle of testing this out and will be reporting back, so stay tuned if you’re curious about it. While I have used these two ingredients for "hair detoxes" in the past (we love this ACV rinse as a conditioner!!), it typically requires a transition period of a couple of months, so it might be a while before you hear from us. Subscribe to get alerts!

Best Combination I Have Found

For now, the routine that has worked best is using the Beauty from Bees Shampoo (Safe for Hard Water and soap-free) and Chagrin Valley ACV Hair Rinse as the conditioner. This shampoo is safe for hard water and does not build up soap scum like saponified natural shampoos do. They are using a real (and safe) surfactant, Coco Glucoside. 

I have immediately noticed way less hair loss with this duo and have been genuinely impressed with the detangling abilities of ACV. We have another post on getting the most out of your ACV Hair Rinse here. A squeeze bottle is a must!

In conclusion, start where it’s easy. Celebrate the swaps that stick. And remember—you’re allowed to enjoy this process. Clean living should feel good. Not guilt-ridden. Not all-or-nothing. And definitely not like a series of expensive disappointments in the shower.