Are you wanting healthier hair using brands and packaging that are Earth friendly? I also wanted a more sustainable option than the plastic bottles that most hair products come in. Did you know that in the UK alone an estimated 520 million bottles of shampoo are thrown away every year? That is a lot of waste! I started the hunt for eco-friendly hair products that prioritized sustainable packaging, and my family tried a few different brands. Based on our trial and error, these are the best eco-friendly hair products if you are looking to go green with your hair care routine while maintaining your hair’s health and appearance.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
What are sustainable packaging options for hair products?
I wanted to avoid single-use plastic when looking for more sustainably packaged products for my family. I focused on refillable hair products and shampoo and conditioner bars as methods for reducing single-use plastic packaging. Fortunately, companies are starting to realize the importance of sustainable packaging. While you still need to watch out for greenwashing, more and more eco-friendly hair products come in recyclable and refillable packaging. This means less waste in landfills and oceans, as well as fewer resources used in production. By choosing products that prioritize sustainability, you can feel good about the impact you’re making on the environment. Plus, eco-friendly packaging options can save you money in the long run and reduce clutter in your bathroom.
Refillable Products: Cost-Effective and Convenient
Refillable products are an accessible and easy way to make a positive impact on both your beauty routine and the environment. My hair is very particular and is on the dry/frizzy side, so I wasn’t happy with using shampoo or conditioner bars (more on that below). I felt like they left my hair dull. Enter the refillable option. This allowed me to use liquid products that worked better in my hair without getting a new plastic container with each purchase.
I recommend Plaine Products for their wide variety of refillable eco-friendly hair products. Their haircare options include shampoo, conditioner, hair repair, and deep conditioner, and they also have a range of body and face products. The company offers carbon neutral shipping and hypoallergenic products that are not tested on animals. And their products are incredibly high quality! Their deep conditioner worked really well for me. It was thick and smooth and left my hair feeling hydrated without weighing it down. I also liked that the scent of the product was light and refreshing. Plaine Products offers unscented versions of some of their products which is great for babies or people with sensitivities.
How it works:
- Buy a pump with your first purchase
- Order a refill when your shampoo or conditioner is almost gone
- When the product is empty, rinse out the container. You can put it in the box the refill came in.
- Transfer the pump to the new bottle
- Go to the Plain Products website and submit a form for a return shipping label. They will email you a label and you can tape it to the box and send back the empty bottles.
- If needed, you can recycle the aluminum container
Other benefits to refillable hair products
Making the switch to eco-friendly hair care products not only benefits the planet but can also benefit your wallet. Refillable packaging options allow for a cost-effective and convenient solution to traditional product packaging. Instead of buying a new bottle of shampoo or conditioner every time you run out, refillable products allow you to simply purchase a refill, reducing packaging waste and saving you money in the long run.
Not only are refillable products environmentally conscious and cost-effective, but they also reduce clutter in your bathroom. By investing in a refillable product, you no longer have to worry about disposing of empty product bottles or finding space to store them. This not only simplifies your beauty routine but also makes room for other sustainable products you may want to incorporate into your routine.
Shampoo and Conditioner Bars: Minimal Waste, Maximum Performance
In addition to refillable products, there is another eco-friendly option that is gaining popularity: shampoo and conditioner bars. These bars offer a simple solution to reducing waste in your beauty routine. Unlike traditional liquid formulas, bars come in minimal packaging and generate little to no waste. Plus, they tend to last longer than liquid products, meaning you can get more out of your purchase. Bar versions are also lighter than liquid options so they require less fuel to transport. (P.S., if you are looking to switch to bar versions of other products, check out my post on how to make your own melt and pour soap bars)
Personally, I haven’t found a shampoo or conditioner bar that is right for my hair. That being said, there are tons of new brands coming out! And bars have worked well for my husband, who has very thick hair. He uses the Love, Beauty, and Planet bar we got from Target, which comes in a paper package that can be recycled. Other popular brands include Lush and Ethique.
How it works:
- Buy shampoo and conditioner bars (check that it doesn’t come wrapped in plastic!)
- If desired, you could also get a soap saving cover to help your bar last longer. We like these because we can hang the string on a hook so that the bar doesn’t get our shower shelf grimy
- Wet your hands and rub the bar or use it directly on your hair
- Rinse your hair with water
- Hang the bar out of water to make it last longer
Other benefits to shampoo and conditioner bars
Shampoo and conditioner bars are convenient because you can easily pack them on trips without worrying about liquid limitations. If you find a good brand that works for your hair type, bars can actually provide better results than your run-of-the-mill liquid counterparts because they often contain fewer harsh chemicals and synthetic ingredients. Plus, their concentrated formula means that you use less product per wash, making them even more cost-effective in the long run. Overall, making the switch to shampoo and conditioner bars can be a simple and effective way to reduce waste in your beauty routine while still achieving healthy, luscious locks.
In conclusion, ditching your conventional hair care products for eco-friendly alternatives has a host of benefits. Your hair will be healthier and more vibrant thanks to the natural ingredients found in many sustainable options. Plus, using refillable, recyclable, or minimal waste products helps cut down on environmental waste and supports sustainable practices. Making a small switch in your hair care routine can have a significant impact on both you and the planet. So why not try out some of the eco-friendly products we’ve highlighted in this post and see the difference for yourself?
