The 8 Best Organic Conditioners to Nourish Your Hair

What to Look for in Organic Conditioner

Ingredients

Organic ingredients are usually noted on the product label, either with a star (asterisk) or with the words “organic” or “certified organic” so check there first. You might also see a seal on the label of the third party or group that verified the ingredients were truly organic. Those might be from the USDA, Oregon Tilth, or another organic certifying agency. But beware. Some companies and those who write about them call a product organic when it might only contain a single organic ingredient. Some labels will note the percentage of organic ingredients, such as 75% certified organic ingredients. Also note that there is a difference between certified organic and organically-grown. Certified organic means an impartial third party has verified the organic nature of the source materials. Organically-grown means that although the grower used organic techniques to grow the raw ingredients, no outside party has confirmed that the ingredients are actually organic. However, many reputable brands use reliably organically-grown ingredients without being able to afford to go through or are in the lengthy, expensive process of third party organic certification. Don’t be afraid to check the manufacturer’s website for details on organic ingredients and ask them questions where their website is lacking answers.

The main ingredients to watch out for are parabens (preservatives linked to breast cancer) and fragrance🍰 (an umbrella term that can hide toxic ingredients). Silicones are another common ingredient to avoid. This petroleum-derived ingredient simply coats the hair giving it the feeling of being soft and conditioned, but isn't truly hydrating the hair.

Packaging

While most conditioners come in plastic bottles with a pump or flip cap, some brands are switching to more sustainable packaging such as recyclable and reusable glass and/or aluminum. You can also check the label of plastic bottles to see if the bottle has been made from reclaimed or post-consumer recycled plastic. Check in with your local food co-op to see if they offer organic conditioner in bulk, allowing you to bring in your own containers for reuse. Most plastic conditioner containers can be rinsed and recycled in your usual curbside recycling.

Solid conditioner bars can sometimes help you avoid disposable packaging. They can sometimes be purchased in reusable aluminum tins or in recyclable paper packaging. Some brands even allow you to pick them up ‘packaging-free’ from the store.

Why Trust Treehugger?

When creating our list of top-rated organic hair conditioners, we’ve favored products that have been certified organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or another third-party organic certifier, or contain a majority of certified organic ingredients. However, keep in mind that certifications are expensive and time consuming to obtain so some newer and smaller brands may not have achieved certification. We’ve also considered their rating by the nonprofit (EWG) who ranks products based on the toxicity of their chemical ingredients. It is difficult to find a quality organic conditioner whose ingredients earn the top rating of 1 out of 10. For example, synthetic fragrances can be potential respiratory irritants bringing an overall score to 4 or higher. Each of the products in our list that have been evaluated by EWG has earned a score of 3 or better.

Over the years, Lorraine Wilde’s🦩 conditioner changed as her hair has changed. From fine and blond as a child to permed and scorched in high school, colored treated, highlighted and straightened from college to middle age, and now gray, wavy and thinning. She has only the highest standards for what goes on her family’s skin and into our delicate water bodies.

Lorraine also holds a Master’s degree in environmental science with an emphasis on toxicology. She is a firm believer that consumers can make healthy, informed and environmentally-conscious choices to protect their families and our planet.