The Best Clean Hair Washes of 2025: Finding Your Perfect Match

Is your hair never quite right after washing? Maybe it's too dry, too oily, or your scalp is constantly irritated. Perhaps you've switched to clean beauty products but miss the effectiveness of conventional shampoos. Or you're overwhelmed by the growing variety of options – from traditional bottles to shampoo bars to waterless formulas – and don't know which would work best for your hair.

You're not alone. As the clean hair care market explodes with options, finding the right product has become increasingly complex. The good news? The latest innovations in clean hair washing have made it possible to achieve both clean ingredients and exceptional results – if you know what to look for.

This guide solves the clean hair wash puzzle. Through rigorous three-month testing by clean beauty advocates and experts, the top X hairwashes that actually deliver on their promises and beyond have been determined. Whether you're struggling with an irritated scalp, trying to maintain color vibrancy, or simply want to make a more sustainable choice, let’s find you your perfect match.

What You'll Learn in This Guide

• How to choose between different formats (liquid, bar, waterless) for your specific needs
• Top X hairwashes that don't compromise on performance

Understanding the Modern Cleaner HairWash Options

Traditional Liquid Shampoos

• Plant-based surfactants
• Focus on gentle cleansing
• Scalp-supporting ingredients
• Familiar format

Best for: Those new to clean beauty or preferring familiar formats

Waterless Formulas

• Powder Shampoos
  • Highly concentrated
  • Excellent for travel
  • Minimal packaging waste
  • Customizable dilution, sometimes activated by water
• Foam Shampoos
  • Pre-activated formulas
  • Ideal for on-the-go
  • Great for delicate hair
  • Low water usage

Best for: Travelers, sustainability-focused consumers, those wanting customizable cleansing

Shampoo Bars

• Zero-waste packaging
• Concentrated formulas
• Travel-friendly
• Water-efficient
• Often last longer than liquid formats
• Available in various formulations for different hair types

Best for: Zero-waste enthusiasts, travelers, those with simpler hair/scalp needs

Our Testing Process

Over 3 months, the products were evaluated based on 1) Performance (cleansing efficacy, build-up removal, oil control, colour protection and scalp health impact), and 2) Ease of Use (rinseability, dispensing design, and product consistency)

The Top Performers

#1: Small Wonder - Small Wonder Signature Shampoo - $38

Small Wonder Signature Shampoo is a professional-grade, powder-to-lather hair care product that transforms into a creamy lather upon contact with water. This innovative shampoo is color-safe, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free, and features the proprietary SHINE37 compound to leave hair shiny and healthy. Housed in a patented, chic, and easy-to-use Wonder Bottle, this shampoo is TSA-friendly, refillable, and designed to prevent waste. Suitable for a variety of hair types, it cleanses, hydrates, and boosts hair volume and shine. Paired with the Signature Conditioner, a marula oil-based treatment, it deep conditions without weighing the hair down.

Expert Notes:

 "This is the most unique shampoo I have ever tried! Its formula transforms from a powder into a delicate foam right in your hands, creating a magical experience. Hair becomes incredibly soft, smooth, and shiny thanks to jojoba and coconut oils.
Additionally, the shampoo is free of sulfates and parabens, cruelty-free, and not diluted with water or unnecessary fillers—only concentrated, effective ingredients. This is truly a new level of hair care!" - Viktoryia Rumina, @rumina.vika

"The Small Wonder Signature Shampoo is an innovative, eco-friendly cleanser that exceeded my expectations. Its powder-to-lather formula felt like a small luxury during my wash day, creating a rich, creamy lather that left my scalp feeling clean and my hair soft and refreshed. Unlike many shampoos, it didn’t strip my hair, making it perfect for maintaining the health of textured, moisture-needy strands.

The minimalist packaging is a win for sustainability enthusiasts, offering a travel-friendly and waste-reducing design. That said, finding the right amount for my thick hair took a bit of trial and error. Once I got the hang of it, the product delivered exceptional results.

For those who want high-performance hair care without compromising on eco-conscious values, this shampoo is a standout choice. It’s effective, thoughtful, and an exciting addition to a modern routine." - Ja'nise Johnson, @hellojanise

"I love the package ! The scent was good not over power ! I love the texture for me and my kids hair it looked great and it was not harmful" - Jennifer Somkovic, @Blonde25
 

#2: Holistic Hair - Sensitive Shampoo - $19.75

This lavender-scented shampoo is designed to soothe and nourish sensitive, irritated, itchy, flaky, and oily scalps. Aloe vera and lavender oil work together to restore balance, while apple cider vinegar’s exfoliating and antimicrobial properties help remove dead skin cells, excess oils, and product buildup. The addition of neroli and chamomile oils, rich in antioxidants, enhances hair vitality, shine, and volume. Free from harsh synthetic chemicals, this mild shampoo offers a gentle and nurturing cleanse.

Expert Notes:

"Right after applying the shampoo, there is a pleasant feeling of lightness—it spreads smoothly through the hair without tangling or drying it out. The lavender scent is gentle and relaxing.
During washing, a refreshing sensation can be felt. There is no tightness or itching, only comfort and cleanliness. The shampoo lathers delicately, without an aggressive effect, yet effectively removes impurities.
After rinsing, the hair becomes smooth, soft, and light. It doesn’t get frizzy but still looks lively and well-groomed. Once the hair dries, a subtle, unobtrusive fragrance lingers, while the scalp remains calm and hydrated." - Viktoryia Rumina, @rumina.vika

"I love the way it helped me and my sensitive hair ! I love the way it helped cleanse my scalp and feel so hydrated and clean after use" - Jennifer Somkovic, @Blonde25

"Very gentle" - Elizabeth Follert, @bethfollertmakeup
 

#3: Pevonia Natural Skincare - Hair Energize Extra-Strength Shampoo - $44

This pH-balanced shampoo is designed to support the growth of healthy, strong, and vibrant hair while addressing thinning hair. It features coconut and oat amino acids, which create a gentle, sulfate-free, non-drying lather to cleanse and balance the scalp’s microbiome, preserving essential moisture. Clinical-strength botanicals, formulated with advanced encapsulation and delivery systems, target the primary causes of hair loss by stimulating, repairing, moisturizing, protecting, and rejuvenating both the hair and scalp to promote hair growth.

Expert Notes:

"The Hair Energize Extra-Strength Shampoo by Pevonia Natural Skincare is effective at deeply cleansing the hair and scalp, leaving a refreshed feeling after each use. The formula works well if you’re looking for a clarifying shampoo, but for textured hair that requires moisture, it might feel a little too strong.

While the light scent is pleasant, I found myself needing extra hydration after washing. It’s a decent option for those seeking an invigorating cleanse, but it’s not the best fit for hair that thrives on balance and nourishment." - Ja'nise Johnson, @hellojanise

"When you wash your hair with this shampoo, you immediately feel freshness and lightness. The foam is soft but cleanses well without causing dryness or irritation. Your scalp feels like it can "breathe," and your hair becomes smooth and soft to the touch.
After washing, your hair is easy to comb, looks healthier, and has more volume. Over time, it becomes stronger and thicker, as if gaining more strength to grow.
It's great that the shampoo doesn't dry out or weigh down your hair but gently cares for it. An excellent choice for those who want healthy, beautiful, and strong hair!" - Viktoryia Rumina, @rumina.vika

"It worked great for me and my kids hair ! I love the ease of use ! I love the scent also and the texture to was so good for my own needs" - Jennifer Somkovic​​​​​​​, @Blonde25
 

#4: Morrocco Method Int'l - Handcrafted Shampoo Bar - $22.80

This handcrafted shampoo bar is designed to leave hair moisturized and shiny, suitable for all hair types. Luxurious shea butter provides moisture, while French green clay gently cleanses without stripping hair. Lavender extract and rosemary oil offer a light fragrance and sheen, while also promoting stronger and longer hair growth. Castor oil helps ease inflammation and dandruff, with anti-fungal and antibacterial properties that support healthy scalp conditions and stimulate hair growth. All Morrocco Method shampoos are Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free, vegan, and free of gluten, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, soy, and GMOs. The shampoo bar is also environmentally friendly, packaged in compostable materials.

Expert Notes:

"This is the @morroccomethod shampoo bar $22.80 for 5.8 oz. It’s made with olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, clay, lavender, and rosemary oil.

👍🏼 Does it work? It is a transition if you are used to commercial shampoo, but if you have been using no sls shampoo then the results will be similar. However, it is a learning curve to use. I found that taking a small piece of the bar and lathering it between my hands to apply to the hair works best.
🧼 Does it lather? Slight lather
🌺 What’s the scent? The website says it is no fragrance, however it should be rebranded because the scent is a little overwhelming for me, but for most people, they would love it!" - Dana Fong​​​​​​​, @ecoartsy

"I do love a good bar shampoo. This one lathered well and was easy to use. The scent was just too much." - Pam NAPIER, @louisville_makeupjunkie

"The Morocco Method Shampoo Bar is a versatile and thoughtfully crafted product that brings simplicity and effectiveness to hair care. With dense, coily hair, I often approach shampoo bars with caution, but this one delivered a satisfying cleanse without leaving my strands feeling stripped or dry. The formula lathers well for a bar product, distributing evenly and rinsing out cleanly, even through my hair’s natural density.

What I love most is the commitment to natural ingredients, which aligns with my preference for clean, sustainable beauty. The bar's compact design is eco-friendly and eliminates the need for bulky plastic packaging, making it a perfect fit for travel or minimalistic routines. Overall, the Morocco Method Shampoo Bar offers an excellent balance of performance and sustainability." - Ja'nise Johnson, @hellojanise

#5: Hi-Desert Silba Soap - Strengthens & Volume Rice Protein Shampoo Bar - $14

This vegan, pH-balanced shampoo bar is designed for normal hair, featuring Hi-Desert Silba Soap’s original rice protein formula. Extracted from sustainable, non-GMO rice bran, the rice protein is rich in nutrients and amino acids, enhancing volume, density, and natural shine while nourishing hair from root to tip. Abyssinian oil, grapeseed oil, and provitamin B5 work together to improve strength, lock in moisture, and protect the scalp from fungal buildup. The result is healthy, smooth, shiny, and soft hair that is easy to manage. Each bar provides 50-70 washes, making it an environmentally friendly option.

Expert Notes:

"I have dry hair ends that constantly require hydration and care, and this shampoo handles it 100%.
The rice protein formula truly adds volume and strengthens the hair, while flaxseed oil, Abyssinian oil, and cocoa butter provide deep nourishment. After use, my hair becomes soft, bouncy, manageable, and completely frizz-free. Moreover, the shampoo not only cleanses but also cares for the scalp, thanks to lavender and cedarwood essential oils—a nice bonus in the form of a relaxing scent.
I also want to highlight its eco-friendliness: the shampoo is completely vegan, cruelty-free, and safe for colored hair. Plus, the solid bar format makes it both economical and plastic-free." - Viktoryia Rumina, @rumina.vika

"This soap is beautifully packaged and the bar itself has a lovely design, very pretty color, too. I had a hard time getting a lather with this soap. I typically did a double wash when I was testing it and it did get my hair nice and clean. It did not leave much of a scent in my hair but I have to say after my usual blow dry and styling my hair was so soft when using this shampoo bar. I like that this would be something easy to travel with...that is something that I consider when selecting shampoos!" - Lauren Parker, @thenaturalnomad_

"Love the smell and how m hair feels clean and soft after" - Elizabeth Follert, @bethfollertmakeup

The clean hair wash category continues to innovate, with formulators finding increasingly sophisticated solutions to previous limitations. This year's top performers prove you don't have to choose between clean ingredients and performance.

Cleansing isn’t just about removing dirt, it’s about maintaining balance. The best clean face washes of 2025 delivered effective cleansing without disrupting the skin’s natural moisture barrier, proving that gentle yet thorough cleansing is possible without sulfates or harsh preservatives.

The same principle also applies beyond skincare. A well-formulated hair wash can make all the difference in scalp health, hydration, and long-term hair strength. Next, we reviewed the best clean hair washes of 2025, highlighting formulas that cleanse effectively while keeping hair and scalp in optimal condition.

Follow us on Instagram (@CertCleanInc) for more clean beauty recommendations from this year’s judging panel. You can also subscribe to our newsletter and grab your free copy of the 2025 Clean Beauty Awards Ultimate Guide, a full rundown of this year’s top-performing products!