Curly hair deserves the same level of care as any other hair type, but finding products that work AND align with clean beauty principles can feel overwhelming. So, what does clean haircare actually mean? Clean haircare (also known as clean beauty) is a term used to describe products that are non-toxic and made with natural ingredients, often marketed as environmentally friendly, cruelty-free, and sustainable. The focus is on being honest and intentional about ingredients—not claiming to be "chemical-free" (because let's face it, not all chemicals are bad), but avoiding the harsh, drying stuff that can damage your curls over time.
And it's not just about how many ingredients are in products, it's about the kind. We're talking about avoiding parabens, silicones, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, and artificial colours. And when it comes to sulfates, they can actually benefit your curls when used correctly, such as being paired with a hydrating shampoo.
The goal of clean haircare is to focus on natural ingredients like botanicals, clean fragrances, and plant extracts that work specifically for your hair.
New to clean beauty? Here's how to start.
Essential Products for Your Clean Beauty Curly Hair Routine
Making the switch to clean beauty doesn't have to happen overnight, and it shouldn't! This is a journey, not a race, so be kind to yourself as you transition. Try not to stress about having all the perfect products for your routine right away.
The easiest approach? Replace products as they naturally run out. When your shampoo bottle gets low, that's the perfect time to try a clean alternative. Follow the same pattern with your conditioner, then gradually move on to styling products. This gentle approach is kind to both your wallet and the environment.
Feeling more eager to dive in? That's fine too! You can always pass along unopened products to friends or family who might love them. Remember, there's no right or wrong way to begin your clean beauty journey, just do what feels right for you.
Here's something important to keep in mind: your hair will likely need a few weeks to adjust to new products. Don't get discouraged if things feel different at first. This adjustment period is completely normal as your curls get used to cleaner formulations.
And how clean you go is also up to you. Some won't use any chemicals, some are happy with more gentle formulations. Some will be open to using sulfates, whilst others are sulfate-free. The same goes for fragrances - some are fine with them, while others avoid them due to the belief that they may disrupt hormones.
1. Nontoxic Shampoos
For the most part, look for sulfate-free shampoos with gentle cleansing agents like coco-glucoside or decyl glucoside. These best sulfate free shampoo options effectively remove buildup without stripping your curls of their natural oils. However, we still recommend clarifying your hair every 6 weeks - either with a sulfate shampoo as we believe they can be beneficial when used correctly, or if you're avoiding sulfates altogether, try an apple cider vinegar rinse to ensure your hair stays properly cleansed. However, some gentle sulfate-free shampoos might not be effective enough to remove all buildup on their own. The best rated sulfate free shampoo options will maintain your curl integrity while providing thorough cleansing.
2. Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
Eco-friendly bars can feel intimidating at first - many people worry they'll leave curls dry and lacking definition. But quality shampoo bars and conditioner bars really do deliver results, like the Kitsch Rosemary & Biotin Volumizing Solid Conditioner Bar. Making the switch comes with serious benefits. For one, solid shampoo bars like the Chey Solid Shampoo Bar - Aloe Vera don't count as liquids when travelling, making them perfect for your carry-on. Learning how to use shampoo bars (tip: make sure your hair is dripping wet and then create a lather in your palms) is simple, and they eliminate the need for plastic packaging while working as a great solution for those who want to live a more minimalist lifestyle.
It's an eco-conscious choice that lasts longer than liquid shampoo and reduces environmental waste, an excellent upgrade for any clean beauty routine.
3. Leave-In Conditioner
A quality leave-in conditioner will nourish your strands while providing light curl definition. Look for products with unaltered oils and plant proteins - the Innersense Sweet Spirit Leave-In Conditioner delivers on both fronts with its blend of botanical ingredients. Another great clean option is the Bounce Curl Moisture Balance Leave-In Conditioner, which features a luxurious blend of five Ancient Eastern Mediterranean oils including Jojoba, Olive, and Argan oils, plus it's clinically proven to protect against UV damage.
When choosing a leave-in, consider your hair's specific needs: lighter formulas work well for fine curls that can be easily weighed down, while medium-moisture formulas like the Bounce Curl option are ideal for providing daily hydration across all hair types. Some leave-in conditioners can even double as light styling products, giving you that one-and-done convenience.
Whichever you choose, the right leave-in will give you that perfect balance of moisture and definition without the crunch.
4. Botanical Curl Cream or Gel
You've probably noticed 'botanical' appearing everywhere lately - on product labels, social media, and beauty blogs - but what does it actually mean? It simply means deriving from plants, so you can imagine that botanical products are natural, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are entirely clean.
When you're shopping for styling products, look for ones that offer curl definition and frizz control, but most importantly, are made up of clean ingredients (scroll down for the key ingredients to look for). Clean gels typically contain natural hold-providing ingredients like flax seed gel, chia seed extract, or aloe vera - take the Flora & Curl Defining Gel as an example, which scores 51/100 on the Yuka app that rates products based on ingredients, additives, and organic content. The Flora & Curl gel creates a flexible to strong hold while maintaining your curls' natural movement and bounce, without the crunch or stiffness you get from traditional gels loaded with synthetic polymers. Whereas clean curl creams tend to contain plant extracts, proteins, and oils - like Flora & Curls Curl Activating Lotion, which is rated excellent at 79/100 on Yuka.
5. Hair Oil or Serum
A lightweight hair oil or serum is probably one of the easiest clean beauty swaps to make as there are several clean brands that produce oils with a very short ingredient list, such as the 13 ingredient Bounce Curl Light Oil - a fragrance-free blend of ten plant-derived oils from around the world, including organic sunflower, baobab, and argan oil, infused with pink Helichrysum petals.
When it comes to oils and serums, look for products containing natural oils like sweet almond, coconut, or grapeseed oil, which nourish the scalp and ends without creating greasy buildup.
Sustainable Packaging
This could look like refillable products, brands like Ecoslay that prioritise minimal packaging in eco-friendly kraft paper pouches, or the simple cardboard packaging that comes with shampoo and conditioner bars. Ecoslay acknowledges their pouches aren't perfect - they're lined with PET plastic and nylon to prevent leaking - but they're recyclable as type #7 in most facilities. Glass packaging is another popular clean beauty brand characteristic that makes sustainability feel like a luxury, but investing in sustainable packaging will often work out cheaper in the long run - unless it's glass, but even then you're usually only paying for the packaging once and then just paying for refills. They're so much more environmentally friendly, so look for brands that prioritise refills and reusable containers rather than single-use plastic bottles.
Key Ingredients to Look For: The Yuka App
The Yuka app has become a popular tool for scanning product barcodes to get ingredient-based ratings, but it's worth noting that it makes more accurate ratings for foods and facial cosmetics than hair products, so take every rating with a pinch of salt. You can visit a beauty supply store and scan products you're interested in, but be aware that some products rated poorly might actually work brilliantly for your hair and scalp. However, the app is helpful for making informed decisions, particularly if you're sensitive to fragrances or certain chemicals, as it will flag these ingredients for you.
When building your clean beauty curly hair kit, prioritise products containing these beneficial ingredients: Shea Butter provides deep moisture and naturally softens your hair. Coconut oil tames frizz and strengthens hair strands from within. Aloe Vera offers lightweight hydration and helps smooth the hair cuticle.
Our Picks
-
Ecoslay Jello Shot (eco-friendly kraft paper pouches)
Final Thoughts
Investing in clean beauty for your curly hair is worth the sacrifice and the detox process. You'll likely notice reduced breakage, improved moisture retention, enhanced curl definition, and better overall scalp health. Clean products also tend to be more environmentally friendly, aligning with sustainable beauty practices.
Ready to start your clean beauty journey?
Shop in store or circle back to Our Picks
