5 Eco-Friendly Shampoos Perfect For Your Morning Shower

As long as it smells nice and keeps us clean, does it really matter what is inside our shampoo? If you care about the health of your hair and the health of the environment, then yes! It can be easy to forget that everything we use and put back into the environment, such as rinsing a product down the drain, can have long-term impacts on the planet. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), shampoos and other personal care products can cause significant environmental damage once they are washed down the drain, seeping into the water supply and harming aquatic life. 

Of course, there are all kinds of techniques if you want to make your own shampoo, or if you want to test out going entirely shampoo-free. But for those of us who want something we can purchase easily at a local store or online, it's good to know what brands are making hygiene products that are not only safe for our bodies, but safe for the planet. Many eco-friendly brands are also a great bet if you want to avoid certain ingredients due to allergies or for ethical reasons, though you'll want to check each label individually to ensure you're comfortable with what you're putting onto your head. 

Check out these five eco-friendly shampoos, perfect for the next time you want to treat your scalp to a little TLC and give back to the environment, to boot.

Yes to Carrots is a small, California-based company that isn't afraid to use veggies in their cosmetics products. From tomato face masks to shampoo with carrots and pomegranate juice, you can be sure that whatever you pick will be unique. It will also be all-natural, as Yes to Carrots doesn't use any preservatives or sulfates in their formulas. This means that there won't be any harsh ingredients to dry out your hair, or to wash down the drain. If you suffer from dandruff or an itchy scalp, their scalp relief shampoo may offer just the solution you're searching for.

Try it out here. 

Aveda is a company committed to their environment. All of their products are packaged with 80 percent post-consumer materials, and are never tested on animals. Their signature Blue Malva shampoo is scented with natural, pure-plant essences and adds a unique silvery sheen to hair. This makes it perfect for those with dyed hair who wish to neutralize brassy tones without having to dye it. 

Pick up a bottle here. 

Alba Botanica is proud enough of the fact that their yummy-smelling coconut milk shampoo is sulfate and formaldehyde-free that they print it right on the front of the bottle! If you're searching for a thick, clarifying shampoo that moisturizes deeply and has an all-natural, tropical scent, look no further than Alba Botanica's Hawaiian Coconut Milk shampoo. Perfect for those with dry or otherwise brittle hair who want to put some shine back in!

Buy your own bottle here. 

Shampoo in bar form? It may sound strange, but innovative, all-natural cosmetics brand Lush has been making these beautiful solid shampoos for years now. Boasting all-natural ingredients, minimal to no packaging, and scents that are to die for, Lush shampoo bars, which last for up to 80 washes, are likely to be one of the most memorable hair products you'll ever try. Lush is also a 100 percent cruelty-free brand, with several completely vegan options. If you love smelling sweet, then Lush's Honey I Washed My Hair shampoo bar, made with Fair Trade honey, is hard to beat. 

Grab a bar here. 

Onira Organics, as their name implies, creates cosmetics with a range of certified organic ingredients. Some of the more unusual ingredients in their signature nourishing shampoo include what proteins and pracaxi oil, which are meant to fortify and detangle. Aloe Vera and calendula flower extracts lend a gentle, natural scent. If your hair has been damaged by heat or dyes, or if your hair is simply prone to tangling, then this may be the perfect all-natural shampoo for you.  

Get a bottle of your own here.