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Top 10 Cruelty-Free Haircare Products
By Luke Chapman - 2 years ago | Updated
Did you know that 80% of countries have no laws against animal testing? As a nation that does, it’s important that we stand up against it and do all we can to become a more conscious country. And that doesn’t just mean signing petitions − it means investing in good quality brands that never take part in animal testing.
We know it’s hard to keep tabs on everything that’s cruelty-free; there’s just so much to consider. So, just as we advise on finding the right cosmetics, we’ve also made it easier for you to shop cruelty-free hair care. From shampoo and conditioner to supplements and treatments, we’ve got all the best brands for taking care of your locks without compromise.
But first, let’s cover some basics.
What does cruelty-free really mean?
Put simply, cruelty-free means that the products and ingredients were not tested on animals before, during or after production. However, when it comes to finding cruelty-free brands, you want to make sure the brand’s suppliers and manufacturers adopt the same animal-friendly approach.
What’s the difference between cruelty-free and vegan?
So cruelty-free doesn’t test on animals – yay! But vegan means that there are also no animal products in the ingredients – this could vary from beeswax and honey to gelatine and tallow (animal fats).
Most beauty lines who stand against animal testing will also carry a range of vegan products, if not a full collection.
With that in mind, here are our top cruelty-free haircare products.
1. Olaplex
Olaplex are the rising brand in the beauty industry. Their worldwide appeal, global recognition and passionate fan base speak volumes: they were only founded in 2016, creating revolutionary products that hair care had never seen before. Now, they stand near the top of the pillar in everything hair related, backed by precise science and unmatched results.
Favourite product:
Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector
£12.00 £16.00 (25% off)Applying Olaplex's much-loved No.3 Hair Perfector is like wiping all the paint off a piece of art and starting again with a blank canvas. Utilising the patented Bond's Multiplying System, the replenishing remedy reconstructs the hair from within to rebuild weak and brittle locks. In a nutshell, it continuously repairs and regenerates your hair to keep it at optimum health.
2. Noughty
Who doesn't want to feel a bit Noughty now and again? This award-winning brand have produced a range that is kind to your hair, bank account and the Earth. They boast the slogan '97% natural' in reference to their natural, vegan and cruelty-free collection that is drenched in enriching nutrients, from avocado to coconut, peppermint to vitamins.
Favourite product:
Noughty Tough Cookie Shampoo
£6.25 £8.95 (31% off)Cleansing the scalp can seem like an uncomfortable task, yet this shampoo undergoes the job at hand with gentle efficacy. Ideal for broken, weakened hair, it utilises antioxidants and anti-pollution technology to protect and strengthen strands. It smells pretty dreamy too.
3. Jack Black
This bestselling men's grooming brand has nothing to do with animal testing, or Jack Black the actor. What they ARE all about is multifunctional, easy to use and effective products for the modern man.
Favourite product:
Jack Black Double Header Shampoo & Conditioner
£26.50Every guy loves a shampoo/conditioner combo, right? This one will get you cleansed and conditioned in just one step with its creamy, sulphate-free formula. It's nice and gentle so it can be used every day, even on super sensitive scalps, and will give your hair natural shine.
4. Cantu
The go-to for naturally curly and textured hair, Cantu is an award-winning brand with delicious-smelling collections infused with coconut oil and 100% shea butter. In addition to having amazing products at affordable prices and being cruelty-free, Cantu has also partnered with the non-profit Women Empowering Nations to give girls of colour in marginalised communities mentorship and leadership training.
Favourite product:
Cantu Hydrating Cream Conditioner
£5.34 £8.00 (34% off)Curly hair will love this shea-butter based cream conditioner. It delivers a surge of moisture to dry hair while also maintaining your natural hair oils and strengthening your hair to protect against breakages and split ends.
5. K18
Not only is this community-centric brand cruelty-free, it's also vegan, dermatologically-tested and doesn't use any silicone, phthalates or sulphates. As well as being committed to pushing boundaries in their haircare products and tools, K18 are also committed to the planet and are Certified Plastic Neutral.
Favourite product:
K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
£12.00Featuring the brand's patented K18Peptide™, this hair mask reverses damage caused by heat, bleach, chemicals and environmental aggressors in as little as four minutes. By fixing broken keratin chains deep within the hair, this revolutionary mask delivers a salon-standard level of hydration for smoother, bouncier hair.
6. R+Co
Some of the best hair stylists in the industry are in charge of this amazing haircare brand, delivering products that are straight to the point and effective (in adorable packaging). Cutting out nasties like parabens and sulphates (and animal testing), R+Co have got everything you need for caring for and styling your locks.
Favourite product:
R+Co Turntable Curl Defining Cream
£26.00Are you a cruelty-free curly girl? This curl-defining cream's your new BFF. Lightweight and hydrating, it enhances your natural curls without weighing them down or making them crunchy. Plus, it adds shine and blocks humidity so you don't get frizzy throughout the day.
7. Color Wow
Whether it’s a quick volume boost, colour fix or intense nourishment, we can always rely on Color Wow to whip our hair into shape. With a magnitude of awards under their belt, this is science-backed hair care using only 'good for you' ingredients that provide salon-worthy results.
Favourite product:
Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
£9.99 £27.00 (63% off)Colouring hair can leave it dry, dull and prone to frizz, but this spray is here to reverse the damage with its heat-activated formula and polymer technology.
8. Pureology
Pureology have created customised, high performance formulas while caring for the planet and animals with beauty and integrity in mind. Featuring 100% vegan formulas, zero sulphates and ranges for all hair types across shampoo, conditioner and hair styling products, shop the brand that gets you salon-quality hair care at home.
Favourite product:
Pureology Hydrate Conditioner
£25.92 £28.80 (10% off)This creamy, luxurious conditioner deeply softens and nourishes normal to thick dry, colour-treated hair. What’s more, Pureology’s exclusive AntiFade Complex helps to preserve the vibrancy of your hair colour, giving you more time between salon visits.
9. Aveda
Aveda is committed to making beautiful, naturally derived products that are always cruelty-free. They never test on animals or ask others to do so for them. They're also invested in the environment by supporting the development of renewable energy, in fact, all of their products are made with 100% wind power. Pretty nifty!
Favourite product:
Aveda Be Curly Curl Enhancer
£7.92 £8.35 (6% off)Aveda's Be Curly Curl Enhancer ensures that locks are forever bouncy and beautiful. The lotion enhances curls by taming frizz, boosting shine and intensifying volume. How, we hear you ask? A wheat protein blend expands when hair is wet and retracts when it's dry to lock in your curl or wave pattern.
10. Moroccanoil
Moroccanoil are one of the most iconic haircare brands, and for good reason: they centre their range around the nourishing qualities of argan oil, a central ingredient that is complemented by a myriad of cruelty-free materials. The luscious lotions deliver silky-smooth locks that you can run your hands through with a clean conscience.
Favourite product:
Moroccanoil Hydration All In One Leave-In Conditioner
£23.94 £27.30 (13% off)This lightweight, detangling leave-in conditioner is a must-have for damaged hair. It'll hydrate, strengthen and protect your hair with its blend of superfoods, naturally derived sugars and (of course) antioxidant rich argan oil. Your hair will be left nourished and softened for up to 72 hours.
Hopefully you're feeling excited about adding more cruelty-free products to your haircare routine. Don't stop with hair, though! Check out our edit of the top 20 cruelty-free makeup brands.
Written by Luke Chapman
After six years of experience in content writing, Luke followed his passion for male grooming, particularly fragrances, hair styling and natural skin care.
