Understanding Palm Oil in Our Products
Palm oil has become a ubiquitous ingredient in many products we use daily, extending far beyond just food items. While it is commonly associated with cooking, this versatile oil is also prevalent in cosmetics, skincare, and hair care products. As awareness of the negative environmental impacts of palm oil grows, many consumers are seeking alternatives, leading to a rise in palm oil-free shampoo brands.
Top Recommendations for Palm Oil-Free Shampoo
- The Eco Alchemist
- Ethique
- Fat and The Moon
- Eco Roots
- Plaine Products
- Good Juju
- Acure
Palm Oil-Free Shampoo Brands to Explore
As more brands become aware of the environmental issues surrounding palm oil, many are striving to eliminate it from their ingredient lists. This is a challenging task, as palm oil is found in a wide array of products, including skincare, cleaning supplies, and even food items. To assist you in navigating this complex landscape, we have compiled essential guides at the end of our recommendations. These guides will cover:
Why shampoo contains palm oil, the detrimental effects of palm oil, and tips on how to shop for products without it!
1. The Eco Alchemist
Good for: Toning hair, promoting hair growth, smoothing, adding moisture and volume, and addressing dry or flaky scalps.
Standout ingredients: Vitamin B5, broccoli seed oil, fermented bamboo, and essential oils.
Price: $18
The Eco Alchemist proudly holds the distinction of being the first palm oil-free certified company in Canada. As they emphasize, “being a palm-free brand isn’t easy and significantly raises our production costs, but we believe it’s a critical stance to take.” Their commitment is commendable as all profits from their certification efforts go toward helping animals affected by deforestation, including the adoption of an orangutan each month for rehabilitation.
Their delightful shampoo bars offer a chance to indulge in a little self-care while providing targeted solutions for various hair types and concerns. With options like a purple bar for blondes to maintain tone, you can choose from six different bars, each crafted to address specific hair needs. We particularly love how their formulations are pH balanced for optimal hair and scalp health, enriched with plant-based proteins, nourishing oils, vitamins, and shine enhancers.
About The Eco Alchemist
Founded by Terri Kirkham, a holistic nutritionist and cosmetic formulator, The Eco Alchemist offers a range of effective and affordable products, including shampoo bars and body care items. Their formulations are free from sulfates, silicones, and artificial fragrances, ensuring quality by creating products in small batches. Additionally, they prioritize sustainable packaging, with 98% being plastic-free.
Things We Love ❤️
- Quality Ingredients
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
- Palm Oil-Free
- Sustainable Sourcing
- Innovative Packaging
2. Ethique
Good For: Sensitive scalps, frizz control, oil management, adding volume, dry hair care, and children’s hair.
Standout ingredients: Coconut oil and butter.
Price: Starting at $14.99
Ethique’s motto, “Conscious beauty without compromise,” is reflected in their extensive range of palm oil-free shampoo bars, catering to various hair types and concerns. If you struggle with an itchy scalp, the Heali Kiwi bar is formulated with neem and karanja oils, widely used in Ayurvedic medicine, combined with soothing oatmeal to alleviate scalp discomfort.
About Ethique
Founded by Brianne, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science and is passionate about environmental sustainability, Ethique not only focuses on hair care but also offers zero-waste hand soaps and natural makeup removers. They are a climate-positive company, offsetting 120% of their carbon emissions, and their packaging is entirely compostable.
Things We Love ❤️
- Quality Ingredients
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
- Palm Oil-Free
- Sustainable Sourcing
- Innovative Packaging
3. Fat and The Moon
Good for: Adding volume and scalp care.
Standout ingredients: Rhassoul clay, coconut, and elderberry extract.
Price: $23.99
Fat and The Moon creates effective hair products that hydrate and enhance volume through their carefully selected ingredients. Their shampoo bars are free from sulfates, phthalates, and parabens, and they proudly use only organic components. One bar is equivalent to 16 oz of liquid soap, and they also offer a palm oil-free dry shampoo.
About Fat and The Moon
Founded by Rachel, this women-owned company emphasizes social and ecological harmony, producing high-quality, consciously handmade body care products. Their commitment to herbalism and natural healing is reflected in their diverse product range, including organic lipsticks and eco-friendly makeup.
Things We Love ❤️
- Quality Ingredients
- Cruelty-Free
- Palm Oil-Free
- Sustainable Sourcing
- Innovative Packaging
Good to Know 🤓
- Vegan (with sustainably sourced beeswax in some products)
4. Eco Roots
Good for: Nourishing and softening hair.
Standout ingredients: Coconut oil, lemon peel, and Moroccan oil.
Price: $12.95
Eco Roots offers a selection of handmade, zero-waste shampoo bars and palm oil-free conditioners that leave your hair feeling nourished without weighing it down. Their products are vegan, cruelty-free, and free from silicones, phthalates, and parabens. With enticing scents like Forest Mint, CocoLime, Lavender, and Summer Breeze, there’s something for everyone!
About Eco Roots
This small business values consumer feedback, continually refining its products to meet customer needs. They also provide a range of zero-waste bathroom essentials, including razors, floss, and deodorants. With a commitment to animal welfare and low-waste practices, Eco Roots donates a portion of every sale to environmental initiatives.
Things We Love ❤️
- Quality Ingredients
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
- Sustainable Sourcing
- Innovative Packaging
Good to Know 🤓
- Palm oil-free (some other items in their line may contain it)
5. Plaine Products
Good for: Hydration, clarifying, scalp balance, and sensitive hair types.
Standout ingredients: Organic aloe barbadensis leaf juice, vitamin E complex.
Price: $30
Plaine Products, founded by two sisters, aims to reduce plastic waste in the world. Their shampoos come in refillable aluminum bottles, promoting sustainability. You can choose from three types: lavender for hydration, rosemary mint for clarifying, and unscented for sensitive skin. Their formulas are non-GMO, vegan, cruelty-free, and color-safe, providing a rich lather without harmful chemicals.
About Plaine Products
Plaine Products focuses on progress and inclusivity, offering a range of shampoos and body washes that align with their sustainability mission.
Things We Love ❤️
- Quality Ingredients
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
- Palm Oil-Free
- Sustainable Sourcing
- Innovative Packaging
6. Good Juju
Good for: Balancing hair pH, color-treated hair, and all hair types.
Standout ingredients: Organic snow mushroom, turkey tail mushroom, broccoli seed oil, and sacha inchi oil.
Price: $12.99
Good Juju’s handcrafted shampoo bars provide a deep, nourishing clean with a luxurious lather. Made in Canada, the brand is committed to zero-waste and uses organic ingredients. Their hair care line is pH balanced and safe for all hair types, including color-treated hair. Each bar is infused with delightful essential oils, ensuring a refreshing scent.
About Good Juju
Good Juju is a carbon-negative company that offsets its carbon emissions and supports initiatives for carbon reduction. Their packaging is made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials, promoting a truly eco-friendly approach.
Things We Love ❤️
- Quality Ingredients
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
- Palm Oil-Free
- Sustainable Sourcing
- Innovative Packaging
7. Acure
Good for: Various hair types, colored hair, and budget-conscious consumers.
Standout ingredients: Lemongrass extract, acai fruit extract, and fruit oil.
Price: $9.99
Acure offers a diverse array of palm oil-free shampoo products, including conditioners and dry shampoos, targeting eleven different hair concerns. Their mission is to uplift individuals through the power of purity, and their products are vegan and recyclable, making them an affordable option for conscious consumers.
About Acure
Acure is committed to avoiding harmful substances like sulfates and parabens, using coconut oil derivatives instead of palm oil. While they strive for plastic-free practices, their packaging still predominantly consists of plastic, which we hope to see evolve in the future.
Things We Love ❤️
- Quality Ingredients
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
- Palm Oil-Free
- Sustainable Sourcing
Good to Know 🤓
- Potential for improved packaging
Why Does Shampoo Contain Palm Oil?
Palm oil is often included in shampoo formulations for its conditioning properties, helping to restore natural oils stripped away by chemical processes. Its affordability and versatility make it a popular choice, extending the shelf life of products.
Why is Palm Oil Considered Harmful?
The primary concern surrounding palm oil is its significant contribution to deforestation, particularly in biodiverse regions. Approximately 5% of tropical deforestation is linked to palm oil harvesting, amounting to 66 million tons produced annually. This not only threatens plant life but also endangers species such as orangutans and Borneo elephants, while displacing indigenous communities.
Despite its non-toxic nature, palm oil is challenging to avoid since large corporations continue to favor it for its cost-effectiveness. However, organizations like the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) are advocating for sustainable practices in palm oil production, certifying 19% of global production under strict guidelines.
Criticisms of sustainable palm oil initiatives exist, with concerns over inadequate auditing and slow response to violations, highlighting the complexity of achieving true sustainability.
How to Shop for Palm Oil-Free Shampoo?
Identifying palm oil in products can be tricky due to its various names, such as PKO, OPKO, and Palmitate. Here are some criteria to consider when selecting palm oil-free shampoos:
1. Quality Ingredients: Look for products made from natural components. Resources like the Environmental Working Group can help verify ingredient safety.
2. Vegan Certification: Ensure the company does not engage in animal testing or sell in markets where it’s mandatory.
3. Cruelty-Free Status: Check for certifications from organizations like PETA and Leaping Bunny.
4. Palm Oil-Free Assurance: Seek brands that explicitly avoid palm oil to mitigate ethical and sourcing concerns.
5. Sustainable Sourcing: Investigate whether the company practices fair trade and environmentally friendly methods.
6. Better Packaging: Opt for brands that utilize sustainable packaging solutions and offer recycling programs.
A Final Thought on Palm Oil-Free Shampoo
When choosing a palm oil-free shampoo, it’s essential to ensure that palm oil isn’t hidden under alternative names and that the brand adheres to sustainable practices. While many options on our list include shampoo bars, don’t shy away from them! They are compact, travel-friendly, and just as effective as traditional liquid shampoos.
If you found this information useful, please consider sharing this article to help others make informed choices about their hair care products! 😊