10 Alcohol-free Shampoos That Are Gentle on Hair
Fact checked by Anna HarrisReviewed by Sophia Emmanuel
Here at Byrdie, we consider ourselves an authority on educating the you about the good, the bad, and the in-between ingredients of beauty care. And while you've probably heard that alcohol is a detrimental ingredient in our beauty products—which, for most part, is true—there are some exceptions when it comes to haircare.
"Some alcohols in products have drying properties, making them poor choices for people with thin hair, hair prone to breakage, or those that lack hydration and shine," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian, who adds that classic versions of these alcohols are propyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol. "Rather than gently cleanse hair, they strip natural oils and weaken the cuticle."
"When it comes to gentle hair care, minimizing or avoiding alcohol in shampoos, conditioners, and other haircare topicals is key to minimizing scalp irritation," dermatologist Dr. Rina Allawh tells us. "Alcohol has been also shown to strip the hair shaft of oils that help lubricate the hair and protect it from damage from outside stressors, such as irritants, UV damage, and thermal damage," she explains.
As for those alcohol exceptions we mentioned earlier? " Trichologist Veronica Joseph says that when evaluating alcohols in shampoos, it’s important to distinguish between the two types of alcohols that may be present in a shampoo: fatty alcohols and alcohols that are carrying agents, solvents, or antiseptics. "Fatty alcohols that can be plant-derived from coconut palm trees or corn plants are used in shampoos to provide moisture," says Joseph. For example, cetearyl alcohol is an emollient, emulsifier, and thickener made to add a creaminess to formulas and stop the oil and water from separating.
Instead, Nazarian says that the hydrating form of alcohols, such as lauryl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, can be used to strengthen hair and keep it moisturized. Allawh agrees: "Fatty alcohols, such as lauryl alcohol or stearyl alcohol may act as a surfactant, which means it helps to hold in water and moisture and lubricate the scalp and hair." In contrast, "Short-chain alcohols, such as ethanol may be drying and irritating to the scalp," she adds. Ethyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, SD alcohol, and benzyl alcohol, also fall into this camp.
Meet the Expert
Rina Allawh, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in King of Prussia, PA.
Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in New York City.
Veronica Joseph is an IAT-certified hair practitioner. She is also the founder of Luxju.
The good news is that natural shampoos sans alcohol are becoming the norm. To help you steer clear of these bad alcohols before they wreak havoc on your hair, we've rounded up a list of our favorite alcohol-free shampoos (or shampoos that use healthy alcohols).
Keep reading for the best alcohol-free shampoos you can find.
SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Shampoo
SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Shampoo ($13)
For an alcohol-free shampoo and conditioner combo, go for this one from SheaMoisture. This natural cleanser is derived from manuka honey and yogurt to cleanse gently, wafting rave-worthy scents. It uses mafura oil meant to promote healing and soften hair as well as shea butter to revive dry, brittle strands.
Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture & Shine Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture & Shine Sulfate-Free Shampoo ($11)
This shampoo from Carol's Daughter is free of silicones, parabens, mineral oil, artificial colors, or petroleum—and certainly none of the bad alcohols. It cleanses and restores your natural moisture without adding weight to your hair, courtesy of a mix of aloe leaf juice, sweet clovers, and rose extract.
Ogx Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo
Ogx Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo ($7)
If you're looking for a reason to not use alcohol in your shampoo, Allawh has a few. "Alcohol is a common drying agent and may trigger an allergic or irritant skin rash on the scalp, which may trigger increased hair shedding," she says. Ogx's Argan Oil Moroccan Shampoo is her top recommendation for alcohol-free shampoos. "It's great for maintaining shiny, smooth hair and ideal for all hair types (curly, straight)."
Reverie Shampoo
Reverie Shampoo ($38)
This gentle cleanser is chock-full of sweet almond nut oil, pink grapefruit, and neroli—all while omitting lauryl sulfate, glycols, petrochemicals, artificial fragrance, animal derivatives, and synthetic colors.
Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Curl Care Shampoo
Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Curl Care Shampoo ($9)
This alcohol-free shampoo is made with a unique mix of rice, keratin amino acids, and enzymes—and without sulfates or silicones—to hydrate and nourish hair from roots to ends with every rinse. While all hair types can benefit from its natural wonder, it's especially great for dry and curly tresses.
Ogx Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo
Ogx Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo ($11)
Another offering by Ogx, this shampoo's blend of coconut milk, coconut oil, and whipped egg white protein adds strength, elasticity, hydration, and balance to your hair. "Cleansing the hair or scalp that’s dry and in need of moisture would greatly benefit from an alcohol-free shampoo as its application will not exacerbate the dryness," says Joseph. Plus, this one smells incredible to boot.
Playa Everyday Shampoo
Playa Everyday Shampoo ($45)
This everyday shampoo works to remove impurities while preserving your hair's natural oils. "Using an alcohol-free shampoo ensures that whilst the hair is being cleansed no ingredient applied to the hair or scalp will cause the hair to become drier and will not counteract the moisture applied through conditioners and or hair masks," says Joseph. Here, coconut water hydrates while sugar beet extract stimulates the root to promote volume—without the presence of alcohol.
Acure Ultra Hydrating Shampoo
Acure Ultra Hydrating Shampoo ($6)
Nazarian's choice for a hydrating shampoo, this pick from Acure features argan oil and pumpkin seed oil (hello omega fatty acids) as key ingredients to revive dry strands. "It is a great vegan and cruelty-free product that hydrates hair with botanical oils, and washes clean without over-drying," she says.
Dove Ultra Care Shampoo Daily Moisture
Dove Ultra Care Shampoo Daily Moisture ($7)
Dove Ultra Care Shampoo Daily Moisture for dry hair is another cruelty-free product loved by Nazarian (and PETA). It is gentle on hair, making it a good choice for those with color-treated hair. "The formulation is made without drying alcohols and works well for thin and thick hair alike," says Nazarian.
Prose Custom Shampoo
Prose Custom Shampoo ($34)
Prose is known for its complete customization of products, tailored to your individual beauty needs. At its base, the gentle clarifying shampoo works to rebalance and hydrate hair for all hair types, but the ingredient list is up to you. Each personalized formula is cruelty-free and free of all the bad stuff (GMO, parabens, alcohol, sulfates, phthalates). The brand can also make your product formula vegan, silicone-free, or fragrance-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should use alcohol-free shampoos?
Those with a history of sensitive scalp, eczema as well as those with colored or chemically-treated hair should use alcohol-free shampoo as alcohol may affect the color and promote/enhance color fade. Dry, brittle, chemically-treated hair that breaks and needs moisture would benefit from using an alcohol-free shampoo.
What should I do if I already used shampoo with alcohol as an ingredient?
Try a hair mask or moisturizing conditioner to restore the pH balance.
What hair types/textures can benefit from using alcohol-free shampoo?
Hair that is straight, wavy, curly, coily, and kinky can benefit from using an alcohol-free shampoo if the hair looks and feels dry, brittle, or damaged.
Up Next: How Often Should You Shampoo Your Hair? Dermatologists Weigh In
Read the original article on Byrdie.