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Note: Ratings are based on company record, including parent companies. They are not a comment on the product itself.
> more about ratings

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Shampoo

The Guide > Personal Care > Hair Care > Shampoo 

Palm Oil

Palm oil is found in roughly 50 per cent of all packaged products on supermarket shelves including shampoos, baking oil, chocolate, cosmetics, chips, cookies, margarine and soaps.

Unfortunately, not only does palm oil promote heart disease, but the vast plantations that grow oil palm trees have contributed to the destruction of the rainforest of South East Asia and threaten the survival of animals such as the Orangutan in Borneo, the Sumatran tiger, and Asian rhinoceros. Additionally, burning after deforestation accounts for significant greenhouse gas emissions. Despite this, it has recently been deemed a potential saviour as a renewable resource for use as a biofuel.
  • Palm oil may be in a product but labelled simply as 'vegetable oil'. An indicator however is if the nutritional panel lists saturated fat and it's higher than 50%, and yet there no animal fat listed as an ingredient, there is likely to be palm kernel oil, palm oil or coconut oil, as a component of 'vegetable oil' (most likely to be palm). See the various names for palm oil  [Palm Oil Investigations]
  • For a list of branded products that do not contain palm oil, see the 'Helping you buy responsibly' section on the Borneo Orangutan Survival website.  [Borneo Orangutan Survival]
  • Check out the Issues section of our website for more about palm oil  [ethical.org.au/issues]

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is the foaming agent commonly used in many soaps, shampoos, detergents, and toothpastes. It's also found in industrial products including engine degreasers, floor cleaners, and car wash soaps. Although used in low concentrations in bodycare products, it ends up on the most sensitive areas of our bodies almost every day. It is well known in the scientific community as a common skin irritant. In stripping away oil and drying the skin's surface, it reduces the skin's ability to effectively regulate moisture, and increases the skin's absorption of certain other chemicals such as preservatives, fragrances and colour additives. It's used in our products primarily because it's cheap, often derived from palm oil. Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is the alcohol form of SLS. It is slightly less irritating than SLS, but may cause more drying. There is mixed opinion as to whether SLS and SLES are carcinogenic (cancer causing), however, it is possible both may be contaminated with 1,4 dioxane, which is a probable carcinogen.  [EWG]
  • Avoid if you have sensitive skin. Read the product label and seek and alternative product without SLS, where possible. (i.e. ammonium lauryl sulfate as a surfactant).
  • Seek out products that claim to be 1,4 dioxane free or SLS/SLES free.

Alternatives beyond the mainstream

Ethique shampoo bars  [more info]
Features: B Corporation, plastic free, vegan, cruelty free, palm oil free
Ethique is an ethical beauty business from New Zealand. They produce beauty products in concentrated bar form, rather than as a liquid in a plastic bottle.
Manufacturer: Ethique
Good Time  [more info]
Features: B Corporation, vegan, cruelty free, 50% of profits support clean water initiatives
Who Gives A Crap launched their Good Time hair and body care bar in 2022. Who Gives A Crap is B-Corp certified and donates 50% of profits to support clean water initiatives.
Manufacturer: Who Gives a Crap
Miessence  [more info]
Features: Certified organic, cruelty free, Australian owned, carbon neutral
Miessence has an extensive range of certified organic products for skin, hair, body, cosmetic and oral. Available online.
Manufacturer: Miessence
NueBar  [more info]
Features: 100% Australian owned & made, cruelty free, palm oil free
Australian owned & made solid shampoo, conditioner, face wash and body bars. Vegan & cruelty-free (accreditation pending), palm oil free (certified by Orangutan Alliance), SLS-free, plastic-free packaging. 10% of profits donated to ocean cleanup organisation Tangaroa Blue.
Manufacturer: NueBar
Tri Nature  [more info]
Features: 100% Australian owned & made, cruelty free, plant-based, non-toxic
Founded in 1989, Tri Nature's award winning range of eco-friendly cleaning and personal care products are Australian-owned and made, plant-based, accredited cruelty free, grey water safe and free of nasty chemicals.
Manufacturer: Tri Nature
About these listings
Find farmers' markets, food coops, farm gate products at Local Harvest
BRAND COMPANY OWNED RATING
De Lorenzo  De Lorenzo   Australian Owned  Praises, no criticism1
Sukin  Sukin   (BWX) Australian Owned  Praises, no criticism1
ecostore  Ecostore   NZL  Praises, no criticism1
Cedel  Heritage Brands   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Hairdressers Formula  Key Sun   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Marc Daniels  Lenan   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
MD  Lenan   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Fruits  Natures Organics   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
My Soda  Natures Organics   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
OC Naturals  Natures Organics   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Turning Point  Natures Organics   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Biologika  Organic Formulations   (Martin & Pleasance) Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Glow Lab  Earthwise   NZL  Some praise, no criticism2
Paul Mitchell  John Paul Mitchell Systems   USA  Some praise, no criticism2
Natures Gate  Levlad   (Natural Products Group) USA  Some praise, no criticism2
Palmers  Palmer's Australia   (ET Browne) USA  Some praise, no criticism2
Weleda  Weleda Australia   (Weleda) SWI  Some praise, no criticism2
Yes To  Yes To   USA  Some praise, no criticism2
Enya  Cosmetico   Australian Owned  No rating3
Headgear  Headgear   Australian Owned  No rating3
Ossential Wash  Kusco-Murphy   Australian Owned  No rating3
Natralia  LaCorium Health   Australian Owned  No rating3
Akin  McPherson's   Australian Owned  No rating3
Nak  Nak   Australian Owned  No rating3
RPR  RPR Hair Care   Australian Owned  No rating3
Marc Anthony  MAV Beauty   CAN  No rating3
Essano  Mix   NZL  No rating3
Lee Stafford  Quantum Beauty   UK  No rating3
Monday  ZURU   HKG  No rating3
Hairscience  Ego Pharmaceuticals   Australian Owned  Praises, some criticism4
Hair Tresses  Aldi Australia   (Aldi South) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Natures Essence  Aldi Australia   (Aldi South) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Protane  Aldi Australia   (Aldi South) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Batiste  Church & Dwight Australia   (Church & Dwight) USA  Praises, some criticism4
Palmolive  Colgate-Palmolive Australia   (Colgate-Palmolive) USA  Praises, some criticism4
Joico  Henkel Australia   (Henkel) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Schwarzkopf  Henkel Australia   (Henkel) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Taft  Henkel Australia   (Henkel) GER  Praises, some criticism4
John Frieda  Kao Australia   (Kao Corporation) JPN  Praises, some criticism4
KMS California  Kao Australia   (Kao Corporation) JPN  Praises, some criticism4
Charles Worthington  PZ Cussons Australia   (PZ Cussons) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Bed Head  Unilever Australia   (Unilever) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Clear  Unilever Australia   (Unilever) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Dove  Unilever Australia   (Unilever) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Love Beauty and Planet  Unilever Australia   (Unilever) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Sunsilk  Unilever Australia   (Unilever) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Toni&Guy  Unilever Australia   (Unilever) UK  Praises, some criticism4
TRESemme  Unilever Australia   (Unilever) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Vo 5  Unilever Australia   (Unilever) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Dermaveen  iNova   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Redwin  PharmaCare   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Natural Instinct  Mentholatum Australasia   (Rohto Pharmaceutical) JPN  Criticism, some praise5
Klorane  Pierre Fabre   FRA  Criticism, some praise5
Selsun  Sanofi Australia   (Sanofi) FRA  Criticism, some praise5
Zena  Coles Supermarkets   (Coles Group) Australian Owned  Criticisms6
Vidal Sassoon  Coty Australia   (JAB) LUX  Criticisms6
Avalon Organics  Hain Celestial   USA  Criticisms6
Johnson's  Johnson & Johnson Pacific   (Johnson & Johnson) USA  Criticisms6
Neutrogena  Johnson & Johnson Pacific   (Johnson & Johnson) USA  Criticisms6
Botanicals  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
Elvive  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
Garnier Fructis  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
L'Oreal  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
Matrix  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
Redken  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
Clinicare  Procter & Gamble Australia   (Procter & Gamble) USA  Criticisms6
Hair Recipe  Procter & Gamble Australia   (Procter & Gamble) USA  Criticisms6
Head & Shoulders  Procter & Gamble Australia   (Procter & Gamble) USA  Criticisms6
Herbal Essences  Procter & Gamble Australia   (Procter & Gamble) USA  Criticisms6
Pantene  Procter & Gamble Australia   (Procter & Gamble) USA  Criticisms6
Pert  Procter & Gamble Australia   (Procter & Gamble) USA  Criticisms6
PPS  Procter & Gamble Australia   (Procter & Gamble) USA  Criticisms6
Flex  Revlon Australia   (MacAndrews & Forbes) USA  Criticisms6
Revlon  Revlon Australia   (MacAndrews & Forbes) USA  Criticisms6
Fat Hair  Samy   (Howa Machinery) JPN  Criticisms6
iStyle  Samy   (Howa Machinery) JPN  Criticisms6
FX  Vogue International   (Johnson & Johnson) USA  Criticisms6
Maui Moisture  Vogue International   (Johnson & Johnson) USA  Criticisms6
OGX  Vogue International   (Johnson & Johnson) USA  Criticisms6
Briogeo  Wella   (KKR) USA  Criticisms6
weDo  Wella   (KKR) USA  Criticisms6
Wella  Wella   (KKR) USA  Criticisms6



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