From plastic packaging, irritating ingredients, and shady production ethics it can feel like sustainable haircare isn’t attainable. Luckily for us eco-conscious folks who aren’t down to no-poo or go without detangler, there are options to be found! Sephora, a typically accessible and popular place for all things hair, surprisingly offers several great options. So I’ve put in the work and made a list of my picks from Sephora, let’s get into it!
But first, what does sustainable haircare mean?
Honestly, there’s no one-size-fits-all for sustainable haircare. After all, we all have different scalps and hair types. Although different products may work for different people, we should all still scrutinize the products we buy and the companies we support.
Sustainability shouldn’t be overcomplicated or mean you need to compromise on product effectiveness. Look at the whole picture, look for third-party certifications, and understand the product ingredients. We can all try to lower our impact while voting with our dollar – and still have great hair.
In general, sustainable haircare includes:
- Non-toxic and non-irritating ingredients, which help scalp and hair health.
- Ethical treatment of animals verified through vegan and cruelty-free certifications.
- Thoughtful and innovative ingredients that use resources more sustainably.
- Product lifecycles being viewed more critically, which helps close the resource loop.
- Ethical working conditions for the people making these products.
Ethical and sustainable haircare at Sephora:
Although the brands listed below seem to get sustainable haircare, this list isn’t exhaustive. I’ve only highlighted key details, so make sure you check out the brands’ websites if you want more information.
- Leaping Bunny certified
- Climate-neutral certified
- B Corp certified
- Partnered with Provenance® for transparency with sustainability and ethical claims
- Great Place To Work® certified
Amika offers professional haircare for a wide range of hair types and concerns. They’re committed to transparency and continue to further sustainability goals. Their products are free of over 1,300 “questionable” ingredients and always cruelty-free and vegan. All haircare packaging is 100% recyclable, the plastic bottles use 90% PCR materials, and refill options are available. Overall, Amika is one of my favorite sustainable haircare brands with across the board amazing products. Find everything from shampoos and conditioners to leave-in and styling products.
- Products formulated with less resource-intensive ingredients
- Manufactured in USA
- Partnered with CleanHub and Green Works Waste Management to be plastic-neutral
- Refill pouch options
- Uses 100% PCR product packaging
Shaz & Kiks has a streamlined selection of haircare focused on Ayurvedic ingredients and beauty principles. These products are meant for those who want products with mindful and intentional ingredients rooted in long-standing cultural knowledge. With a focus on holistic hair health, you can find concentrated products like this amazing prewash mask and soothing scalp spray. In general, Shaz & Kiks offers a handful of effective yet mindful sustainable haircare products.
- No added water is used in the shampoos and conditioners
- Product packaging made from easily recyclable materials, like glass
- Formulas are biodegradable
- Leaping Bunny certified
- Shipping packaging is home compostable
Overall, The Rootist has a smaller line of haircare, but the few products they have tend to be good quality. Touting patented fermented ingredients, The Rootist offers products focused on scalp health for strong and healthy hair starting from the roots. If you too think roots, scalp, and hair should be treated as one ecosystem then these products may be for you. This brand offers a full-routine of products but their strengthening serum and dry shampoo powder are what really set this brand apart.
- FSC certified
- A minimum of 30% PCR materials used for product packaging
- Leaping Bunny certified
- 6-Free™ Haircare
- Clear recycling instructions on each package
Most well-known for their amazing deep conditioner, Briogeo is one of the first mainstream haircare brands to put more of a focus on sustainability. This brand offers products free of key questionable ingredients and backed by innovation. Clinical testing demonstrates the strength of their innovation, it’s a no-brainer that this brand is a cult classic. Diverse product ranges make it easier to find products that work for you, you can even find fragrance-free options!
- Plastic-free
- Climate-neutral certified
- Waterless products
- No microplastics used as product ingredients
- Supports projects like Plastic Bank
Trying to set performance and sustainability standards, Superzero products aim to bring out the best in your hair. Superzero mainly does shampoo and conditioner bars, with many options for different hair types and concerns like this clarifying shampoo bar (which is perfect for summer!). What’s different about this brand is they offer a serum bar that hydrates, tames frizz, and offers some heat protection without plastic! Overall, you can find great concentrated products that are formulated with efficacy, hair health, and resource conservation in mind.
- B Corp certified
- Climate-neutral certified
- Plastic-neutral certified via repurpose Global
- EU Compliant Formulation
- Manufactured in the USA
Looking for simple, clean, and effective haircare? Look no further than Nécessaire! This brand has a limited haircare selection but across the board performs well. You can find a couple of shampoo and conditioner options, including fragrance-free options like this shampoo. They also do a scalp serum that helps with scalp and overall hair health. Overall, Nécessaire has luxury products with substantial ethical and sustainability goals and practices making them a good choice for foundational sustainable haircare.
- Leaping Bunny certified
- Fairtrade certified for some ingredients, like their cocoa butter
- Packaging is plastic-free, biodegradable, and recyclable
- RSPO certified
- Certified ISO company
Another plastic-free brand, Viori focuses on shampoo and conditioner bars for various hair types and concerns. All products are pH-balanced and manufactured in the US. Founded with cultural insights and sustainability goals, if you’re looking for beautifully formulated shampoo and conditioner bars this is for you. Each option is scented differently based on the hair concern, but Viori offers a fragrance-free option as well!
- Partnered with rePurpose Global and uses 100% PCR bottles
- Leaping Bunny certified
- Climate-neutral certified
- Partnered with 1% For the Planet
- Easy-to-navigate “free of” ingredients page, allowing quick searches to check for allergens or ingredients you’re trying to avoid
Ceremonia offers a large selection of unique products to meet any hair need. With ingredients primarily sourced from Latin America, their products try to mesh modern-day rituals with a strong cultural foundation. You can find everything from shampoos and conditioners to treatments and styling products from Ceremonia. There are products for several hair types and concerns, most notably are their products that contain guava, like this leave-in conditioner, which is a natural UV protectant. I do find these products to be more heavily scented, so be mindful of that if you’re sensitive to smells.