Tress Code | Plastic-Free Shampoos For Every Hair Type
Hello Everyone,
I hope all is well!
In today’s Tress Code episode, we’re diving into shampoos that care for both your hair and the planet: plastic-free, non-toxic, vegan, and cruelty-free options.
Finding a shampoo that works for your porosity, scalp, and goals is already a challenge. Add in sustainability standards — no plastic bottles, no harsh chemicals, no greenwashed formulas — and it can feel like a quest. This guide is here to simplify that journey, helping you align healthy hair care with eco-conscious living.
Every product included here is either EWG VERIFIED® or rated a 1–2 by the Environmental Working Group, so you can trust that these shampoos meet the highest standards for safety as well as sustainability. You shouldn’t have to choose between your scalp and your standards.
Plastic-free (bars, powders, or concentrates — no bottles allowed),
Non-toxic (free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and endocrine disruptors),
Vegan + cruelty-free (no animal testing, no animal byproducts),
And matched to your porosity, scalp needs, and hair goals.
Whether you’re just starting to detox your beauty routine or you're a zero-waste veteran with your own compost bin, this post is your one-stop shop for a shampoo routine that’s as aligned as it is effective.
You shouldn’t have to choose between your scalp and your standards.
How to Choose a Plastic-Free Shampoo
Finding a plastic-free shampoo is already niche — but finding one that actually works for you? That’s where this section comes in. Before you commit to a bar or powder, let’s break down what really matters.
1. Know Your Porosity
Porosity is how easily your hair absorbs and retains moisture — and it determines what kind of shampoo works best for you.
Low Porosity: Hair cuticles are tight. Products sit on top. Look for lightweight, clarifying shampoos that remove buildup without stripping.
Medium (Normal) Porosity: Cuticles allow just the right amount of moisture in and out. You can use a variety of shampoo textures — just keep it balanced.
High Porosity: Cuticles are lifted or damaged. Moisture goes in easily but escapes fast. Choose creamy or moisturizing bars with reparative ingredients.
Not sure what your porosity is? Try the strand-in-glass test or run your fingers along a strand — I break it down in detail here!
2. Understand Your Scalp
Your scalp is skin. The condition of your scalp can dramatically affect how your shampoo should perform.
Dandruff / Flaky: Look for bars with tea tree, rosemary, or neem — antifungal + soothing.
Oily / Greasy: You need a gentle clarifier, not a detergent. Look for activated charcoal, clay, or apple cider vinegar.
Dry / Itchy: Prioritize oat, calendula, or aloe-based bars to calm inflammation.
Sensitive / Reactive: Stick to ultra-minimal ingredients — no fragrance, essential oils, or harsh surfactants.
3. Clarify Your Hair Goals
We all want clean hair — but what does that look like for you?
Volume: Choose lighter bars that don’t leave heavy residues.
Moisture: Go for shea, cocoa butter, or coconut milk–based bars.
Strength / Repair: Look for protein-rich ingredients (rice, quinoa, oat, amino acids).
Frizz Control: Bars with aloe, babassu, or murumuru butter help seal the cuticle.
Color-Safe: Avoid high-pH formulas; look for pH-balanced bars and gentle cleansers.
4. Choose Your Format
Not all plastic-free shampoos are bars — though bars are most common. Here’s what to look for:
Bars: Compact, travel-friendly, usually come in cardboard or compostable wrap.
Powders: Great for travel and zero waste, but require mixing.
Concentrates: Paste or cube form — add water at home to activate.
🔑 If you’re new to plastic-free shampoo, give your scalp at least 2–4 weeks to detox from conventional products. Build-up, waxiness, or dryness during this period is normal. Clarify first. Be patient — your hair’s adjusting too.
All of the shampoos featured in this guide fall into one of these three plastic-free formats. Choose the one that feels the most intuitive — your hair (and your shower routine) will thank you.
Format Icon Key: 🧼 = Shampoo Bar |💧 = Concentrate | 🧪 = Powder
Recommended Plastic-Free Shampoos
Ethique Gentle Shampoo Bar
Formulated with babassu oil, cocoa butter, and mild cleansing agents like sodium cocoyl isethionate, this bar offers a gentle yet effective cleanse. It’s designed to condition while it cleans, making it an excellent choice for those with sensitive scalps, reactive skin, or high-porosity hair prone to dryness and frizz. If your scalp often feels tight after washing or your strands struggle to retain moisture, Ethique’s Gental Shampoo Bar provides a soothing, low-irritation alternative that still leaves hair soft and manageable.
HiBAR Moisturize Shampoo Bar (Fragrance-Free)
This moisturizing bar combines coconut oil, hydrolyzed rice protein, panthenol (vitamin B5), and kaolin clay for a balance of hydration and strength. It’s particularly well-suited for individuals with high-porosity hair, damaged or color-treated strands, and those experiencing dryness or brittleness. The inclusion of rice protein and panthenol helps to reinforce the hair shaft, while coconut oil delivers lasting moisture. If your hair feels weak, breaks easily, or craves extra hydration, HiBAR’s Moisturize Bar is a strong match.
Plaine Products Unscented Shampoo
Packaged in refillable aluminum bottles, Plaine Products Unscented Shampoo is ideal for anyone who prefers a liquid format without compromising sustainability. Its base of aloe vera, rice bran oil, chamomile, and botanical extracts makes it exceptionally soothing and pH-balanced. This formula works well for medium-porosity hair, color-treated strands, and individuals with sensitive or fragrance-averse scalps. It’s a versatile everyday shampoo that cleanses effectively while maintaining hair’s natural balance, all in a waste-free system.
ATTITUDE Super Leaves Clarifying Shampoo Bar
Formulated with coconut oil, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil, and natural clay, this bar is designed to clarify without leaving hair stripped. Illite gently absorbs excess oil and product buildup, while panthenol and inulin help retain moisture and support scalp health. Botanical extracts of watercress and Indian cress deliver antioxidant benefits, making this more than a simple detox step. ATTITUDE’s Clarifying Shampoo Bar is ideal for oily scalps, those who use styling products frequently, or anyone looking to incorporate a clarifying step into their routine.
Lush Shampoo Bar
Crafted with nettle leaves, rosemary, peppermint, and tea tree, this bar is made to refresh the scalp and deliver a thorough cleanse. The blend of botanicals helps to invigorate and clarify, while rose and vanilla add balance and softness. The Lush Squeaky Green is especially suited for individuals with oily roots, frequent product use, or anyone who enjoys a more stimulating wash experience.
Making It Work for You
No single shampoo will meet every porosity, scalp condition, or styling need on its own. Hair care is about balance, and the key is learning how to integrate the right formulas into a broader routine. Even if these shampoos aren’t a perfect match for your exact profile, they can still play an important role when used intentionally.
For those with low-porosity hair, Plaine Products Unscented offers a lightweight cleanse that won’t overwhelm the cuticle. Because low-porosity strands are prone to buildup, you can pair it with a monthly apple cider vinegar rinse or another gentle chelating treatment to keep hair fresh without harsh detergents.
If your hair is color-treated, both Plaine Products Unscented and Ethique Gentle are pH-balanced and free of stripping sulfates, making them safe to rotate into your wash days. To extend vibrancy, alternate with a color-depositing conditioner or mask that supports your shade while relying on these shampoos for a gentle base cleanse.
For those who, like me, prefer a clarifying step, ATTITUDE’s Clarifying Shampoo Bar delivers a true reset with the help of clay and botanical extracts, while Lush’s Shampoo Bar provides a more stimulating cleanse with rosemary, peppermint, and tea tree. Both are excellent for managing oil, product buildup, or scalp congestion, and can be used weekly or as needed alongside your main shampoo.
And if your needs overlap — for example, an oily scalp with dry ends or a sensitive scalp paired with damaged strands — consider alternating shampoos by wash day. Ethique Gentle works beautifully for sensitive skin, HiBAR Moisturize supports repair and hydration, Plaine Products Unscented provides a reliable everyday balance, and ATTITUDE and Lush give you clarifying options when you need a deeper reset. Used together in rotation, they create a flexible system that supports multiple concerns without compromising your non-toxic, plastic-free values..
Final Thoughts
At its core, hair care should be about alignment — not compromise. The shampoos highlighted here prove that it’s possible to care for your strands without sacrificing your health or the planet. By focusing on formulas that are plastic-free, non-toxic, vegan, and cruelty-free, you’re choosing products that respect your body, your values, and your environment.
While only three shampoos made it into this guide, that was intentional. The beauty industry thrives on endless options, but real integrity comes from discernment. Each product featured here has been carefully verified to meet the highest standards, making them worthy of a place in any sustainable routine. As I continue testing and researching, I’ll update this guide with new shampoos that meet these non-toxic and plastic-free standards — so this list will grow along with my discoveries.
Because the true Tress Code is simple: the healthiest hair is the kind that grows from choices you can stand behind.
