The Best Clean Hair Products That Actually Work
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Are you struggling to find clean hair products that actually work? You’re not alone. I’ve tested so many brands over the years. Some were total misses, but others have become favorites I always return to.
In this post, I’m sharing the best clean shampoo, conditioner, heat protectant and hair oil picks. There are a mix of luxe and budget-friendly options, so you can find what works best for your hair and your wallet.
For reference, I have fine to medium, color-treated hair that gets dry at the ends, so I’m always on the lookout for clean products that hydrate without weighing things down. Many of the products I’m recommending have options for different hair types, and I’ve also dug through reviews to make sure they’re loved by a wide range of hair textures.
🚫 What I Avoid in Haircare
When I say “clean,” I’m talking about products made without ingredients like parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrance, or silicones and ideally with transparent sourcing and eco-conscious packaging.
When I’m choosing clean hair products, here are a few ingredients I personally avoid:
Sulfates (like SLS/SLES): Harsh cleansers that strip your scalp and color.
Synthetic fragrance: A sneaky label that can include hormone-disrupting chemicals.
Silicones: Can cause buildup over time, especially if not water-soluble.
Parabens + phthalates: Often found in conventional formulas as preservatives or fragrance enhancers.
🫧 Shampoo + Conditioner
Clean shampoos sometimes get a bad rep because they don’t always lather like traditional ones. But good news, there are options that do lather and still leave your hair feeling clean, soft, and shiny.
🌱 Innersense Organic Beauty is my all time favorite clean shampoo and conditioner. I always come back to this brand because it just works! The Color Radiance Shampoo + Conditioner are my go-tos for keeping color vibrant and hair soft. Why I love it:
Great lather
Different formulas based on hair type
Color-safe and free of harsh chemicals
Travel sizes + refill options
More great options:
💰Attitude Shampoo & Conditioner: Affordable, foamy, and effective. A great affordable pick with a variety of formulas.
💎Rahua Shampoo & Conditioner: Performs well and has a beautiful, earthy scent. Slightly less lather, but a great clean option.
💎Act+Acre Shampoo & Conditioner : Focused on scalp health. Loved it postpartum for fuller-feeling hair, but noticed a film after long-term use, so best to rotate in. It’s also takes a bit of work to lather, but improves hair loss and volume.
🔥Clean Heat Protectant
If you're using any hot tools, even just a quick blow dry, a heat protectant is a must. It creates a barrier between your hair and the high temps, helping to prevent breakage, dryness, and long term damage. A good one will also add shine, tame frizz, and keep your style looking smoother for longer. Here are the best clean heat protectants for healthy hair.
This is my favorite because it is a multi-use spray. The lightweight mist is so good. It smooths flyaways, adds shine, and protects from heat, all without weighing hair down. Note: You may have to play around a bit to find the perfect amount to apply to your hair based on your hair type.
Other options:
🌱EVOLVh Smart Volume Leave-in Conditioner - This doubles as a heat protectant and leave-in conditioner! It does great at nourishing your hair, while also protecting.
💎Rahua Heat Protectant Spray - Lightweight, smoothing and smells like a tropical getaway.
💧Clean Hair Oil
Hair oil is a secret weapon for smooth, healthy looking hair. Just a few drops can make a big difference at taming flyaways, sealing split ends, and adding natural shine. The key is finding one that hydrates without leaving your hair greasy or heavy. Bonus: it can also help protect against environmental stressors and humidity.
I love this one for smoothing ends and flyaways. The dropper makes it easy to apply just enough, and it absorbs quickly without a greasy finish. This is a bit pricey, but lasts me a very long time.
Other Options:
💰Shea Moisture Argan Oil: This multi-use oil is budget friendly and keeps hair smooth and shiny.
🌱Evolvh The Standard Hair Oil: Lightweight and manages frizz!
💎Innersense I Create Shine Hair Oil: Works beautifully to tame and hydrate.
✨ Styling Picks, Detox Favorites + More
I’ve also found a few go-to’s for things like dry shampoo, hairspray, scalp detox, and hydrating masks, but I’m saving those for a dedicated post on clean styling and specialty hair products. That way I can dive deeper into options like dry shampoo, volumizers, texture sprays and more. Hope these clean haircare favorites become your favorites too.
👉 Stay tuned for that post next week! Drop a line if there is anything specific you would like a recommendation on.
Thanks for joining me on this clean adventure! Stay beautiful, stay green.
XoXo,
The Green Hue