Zero Waste Natural Shampoos and Conditioners

Miniml Shampoos and conditioners are the ideal swap to keep on hand, for sulphate-free haircare, ideal for sensitive scalps (also good for hotels). Made with biodegradable ingredients (including Yorkshire water – even the scents are naturally derived), these are vegan-friendly and not tested on animals, and sold in bottles that you can send back to be refilled!

Avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing (and avoid shea butter for latex allergies). Keep essential oils away from children and pets. And wash skin/hair before letting pets kiss you, if using cocoa butter products (and zinc oxide, found in sunscreens). 

These are concentrated, so a little goes a long way. At end of use, you can get the bottles refilled at stores that sell them, or use the QR code to send off empty bottles for refilling, and return.

The starter bottles are 500ml, and the refill bottles will last you ages!

To use, just add to hair, massage and rinse out. Choose from:

• English Lavender & Chamomile (repairing)
• Nourishing Coconut (for dry hair)
• Tea Tree & Mint (for oily hair)
• Pink Grapefruit & Aloe Vera (balancing)

There are discounts for regular subscriptions, and students.

Switching to zero waste hair care is  good for your hair and good for the planet, plus use natural scents that biodegrade, rather than fragrance oils that cause algae bloom in our rivers and seas.

You can recycle empty containers of old bottles. For half-filled ones, take them to hazardous waste disposal at your local council depot.

Green People’s Organic Shampoos (in sugar-cane packaging)

If you prefer liquid shampoos, Green People offers nice organic vegan ones, sold in easy-to-recycle sugar-cane packaging. Everything from scent-free to repair shampoos, to combined shampoos/shower washes.

Green People’s Organic Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Green People Organic Men’s Shampoo contains pineapple enzymes and aloe vera to calm irritation. Sold in easy-to-recycle sugar-cane packaging, it creates natural foam (coconut and yucca), anti-inflammatory oils of rosemary and tea tree (and quinoa protein to thicken hair).

While everyone sheds dead skin cells on the scalp, people with dandruff experience it more frequently. Common in cold months due to indoor heating, oily dandruff however may be caused by overproduction of sebum, and makes flakes sticky and yellow.

Dandruff is more common in people with eczema or psoriasis, excessive hair styling, and lack of zinc or B vitamins in the diet.

Most anti-dandruff shampoos are made with dodgy ingredients, that are too harsh for your scalp. Most contain salicylic acid, coal tar and other ingredients that can dry your scalp (and dandruff is actually caused by dry scalps, so it makes the issue worse).

Stop watching the TV ads (presenters are being paid lots of money!) and instead switch to a good organic shampoo.

Upcircle Shampoo Creme (with upcycled pink berries)

Upcircle Beauty is an award-winning brand of skin and hair care, all made with natural vegan ingredients, and sold in zero waste packaging (glass jars, metal lids and cardboard boxes).

These products are unique in that each one makes use of antioxidant-rich ingredients, that would otherwise be discarded by industry.

Upcircle Shampoo Creme is made with upcycled pink berries from the fragrance industry, along with coconut and rosemary oils to soothe scalp and strengthen the hair.

Highly concentrated, it uses 50% less water and lasts three times longer than standard shampoos, so only a small amount is needed per shampoo.

With a fresh herbal scent, this shampoo is clinically proven to relieve scalp irritation. To use, spread the shampoo (with whipped mousse consistency) across wet hair, then rinse.

Do not allow water to enter the jar.

A Conditioner Creme (with upcycled orange peel)

Upcircle Hair Conditioner Creme has amazing reviews, and is packed with nourishing ingredients to leave your hair soft and moisturised.

It’s made with upcycled orange peel wax (a by-product of the orange juice industry) that contains botanical lipids that act as emollients, to  help reduce split ends, and strengthen hair.

The conditioner also contains rosemary oil (good for hair growth), bamboo extract, vitamin E, corn wheat and soy proteins (to improve elasticity).

To use, warm a small amount between the palms, apply to hair ends for a few minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Green People’s Organic Shampoo Bars

Green People’s shampoo bars are made with organic ingredients, and due to no soap, you’re not left with sticky residue (no ‘transition period’ needed). Containing shine-boosting oils of argan and macadamia alongside frizz-fighting ingredients, one bar lasts 60 washes and  most people won’t need conditioner. Also in ginger.

Most shampoos contain sodium lauryl sulphate (used to degrease engines). So imagine what it does to your scalp (some believe long-term use can prevent hair growth).

If you’ve ever used a shampoo and ended up with ‘welts on your head’, try switching to a natural shampoo for a few weeks, and you should notice a positive difference.

Battle Green Solid Shampoo/Conditioner Bars

This mint shampoo bar is scented with essential oils of mint and rosemary (good for hair growth), it contains coconut oil, vitamin E and oils of olive and grapeseed.

The chamomile conditioner bar is made with nourishing oils of jojoba, grapeseed, rapeseed & coconut, with rhassoul clay to aid detangling. Just rub between wet hands and run through hair, leave for 2 minutes then rinse well with warm water. Also in mint & lavender.

Battle Green’s Dry Shampoos (in paper packs)

Battle Green’s organic dry shampoos are made with cornstarch, arrowroot powder and kaolin clay, with aloe vera and almla fruit powder to soothe the scalp. Scented with mint & tea tree oil or orange & neroli, they are sold in a cardboard shaker pot, with refill sachets (store in a dry cool place).

As well as avoiding paying for water to be shipped to your door (the ingredient in most liquid shampoos), dry shampoos are convenient if you have no regular access to a shower, and are also good for disabled people (and their carers who find it difficult to use a shower or lean over a sink).

They are also good for people with fine hair who find they need to ‘wash hair daily’, but prefer not to actually wet and shampoo their hair each day.

Sprinkle a little dry shampoo powder directly onto the roots of your hair (or into your palm) and apply with your fingers. Work into the roots, let it sit for 30 seconds to absorb oil, then brush through to remove excess powder.

Most dry shampoos are made with volatile organic compounds, which irritate the scalp and are made with talc (a mined substance with concerns over ovarian cancer). Some even contain flammable butane flammable gas (bin empty cans or take half-full ones to toxic waste).

The ‘no-poo method’ (not washing hair) is not advised by trichologists who say that ‘hair doesn’t clean itself’. You could end up with scalp infections. They say ‘pooh-pooh’ to ‘no-poo!’