Let me share my favourite yet affordable eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner today, all tried and tested, and under £10.

There are things I baulk at spending money on. Shampoo and conditioner are two of them. Until recently, when my partner cut his hair short, there were four long-haired heads that needed to be washed in my family. Pricey sustainable shampoo simply isn’t practical for my budget.

There are lots of lovely-sounding eco-friendly shampoos and conditioners out there. They’re all paraben and Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES) free, with natural and organic ingredients.

The problem is the cost. I once got sent a press release for an organic shampoo. The cost? A whopping £45 for an average-sized bottle. For me, that would be a wildly extravagant luxury. I can’t even imagine spending that much money on shampoo.

Another time I got sent a sample of a very expensive shampoo. The instructions included a section on how you simply can’t use too much of their shampoo, so to just keep using more if the results aren’t as intended. Yup, when a bottle of shampoo can cost more than a weekly food shop, then I think you can definitely use too much shampoo.

However, I’ve found a few really good budget-friendly, eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner brands out there. These won’t break the bank, ruin your hair or compromise your eco-credentials. I thought I’d share my tried and tested, relatively affordable, eco-friendly favourites with you today.

The Best Affordable Eco-Friendly Shampoo and Conditioner Brands

Here are my favourite eco-friendly and sustainable haircare brands. I’ve selected my favourites based on performance and cost; however, I’ve also considered the packaging too. Look out for brands that offer refill and recycling options:

Faith In Nature

I’m a fan of the Faith in Nature range of eco-friendly shampoos and conditioners – available at Ethical Superstore. Especially the Grapefruit and Orange shampoo (£7.99 for 400 ml) and conditioner (£7.99 for 400ml).

With a natural and refreshing citrus scent, it sorts out my fine, slightly oily hair no end. I also love the Lavender and Geranium scent. Honesty, I’ve not found a scent in their range that I didn’t like – Faith In Nature seems to get it right every time!

What’s to love is that all Faith in Nature products are free from nasties, like parabens, artificial fragrances, petrochemical-based ingredients, SLES, and synthetic preservatives. Plus, they’re made with naturally derived ingredients, have no synthetic additives, and are never tested on animals. Almost all of their products are also vegan-friendly.

If you would rather skip the plastic bottle, Faith In Nature refill points are widely available across the UK. You can bring your own bottles and fill them up, making it incredibly convenient and zero-waste.

Miniml

Another purse-friendly brand that I’ve tried and loved is Miniml (from £4.95 for a 500 ml bottle of shampoo or conditioner).

My favourite is the Pink Grapefruit & Aloe Vera scent. These lovely-smelling products may be cheaper than other sustainable brands, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on performance. They leave my hair feeling clean, soft and nourished.

This vegan-friendly shampoo and conditioner is packed with gentle, all-natural ingredients. It’s also free from tons of common nasties sometimes found in conventional hair care products, such as parabens, SLS, SLES, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. It’s also made in Britain, and cruelty-free, certified by the Leaping Bunny Programme.

It does come in a plastic bottle, but there are heaps of refill options. You can choose between a 1-litre refill pouch for a budget friendly (£7.95), or opt for a 5-litre carton. These can then be returned for free to Miniml, who clean them, refill them and use them again. There are also refill points up and down the country, if you want to avoid plastic altogether.

Alter/Native By Suma

Suma’s Alter/Native range of eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner comes in at £7.49 for a 400 ml bottle at Ethical Superstore.

This range of effective but affordable shampoos and conditioners is another favourite of mine. It kept my hair feeling light and fresh throughout the day without any greasiness, which can be a common issue with some shampoos.

What’s to love about Alter/Native is that its haircare products are certified vegan and cruelty-free by the Leaping Bunny Programme. Plus, all of Suma’s products are made in the UK too, so they don’t have to travel a long way to get to you.

In terms of ingredients, all Alter/Native hair care products are made with natural essential oils and plant-based ingredients. What’s more, they are free from parabens and SLES. 

To save plastic, you can buy a bulk carton and refill your bottle. Or you can take any of your own empty bottles to refill at one of the many Suma refill points across the country.

Weleda

Finally, I’m also a fan of the Weleda Calendula range. The Calendula Shampoo and Bodywash (£6.64 for 200ml at Ethical Superstore) is specially designed for babies. However, I used it on my daughters when they were little (and on my hair!), and I still love it now.

This product has a luxurious texture and creates a lovely lather. I’ve found that it leaves my hair incredibly soft and shiny, with a subtle scent of calendula that’s not overpowering.

This vegan-friendly shampoo is formulated with beneficial ingredients like extracts of organic calendula. It’s also free from synthetic preservatives, fragrances, colourants, and raw materials derived from mineral oils.

Given that it’s specifically formulated for babies, it’s an excellent choice for those with sensitive scalps or skin. However, it’s always wise to check the ingredients first before use. Particularly if you know there is a specific ingredient that you know you are allergic to.

If you’re specifically in the market for baby shampoo, I also recommend checking out my guide to organic baby shampoo for more options.

What About Eco-Friendly Shampoo Bars?

I didn’t forget about shampoo bars. It’s just that shampoo bars can be a bit of a different beast compared to liquid shampoo.

Some shampoo bars come with a transition period (spoiler: you don’t need to go through this transition period, you just need a better shampoo bar). Some leave your hair feeling waxy. And some can dry your hair out. I’ve therefore polled 13,000 Moral Fibres Instagram followers to produce this separate guide to the best shampoo bars for almost every hair type.

And in terms of conditioning, I have a whole guide to plastic-free conditioner that you can check out, too.

Do you have a favourite affordable eco-friendly shampoo or conditioner? I’d love to hear!

Wendy Graham