12 Best Vegan Conditioners For Soft And Healthy Hair – Top Picks Of 2024
Take care of your tresses with haircare products made from natural ingredients.
Michelle Morton is a cosmetologist and the founder of KmXtend Hair Extensions. With a relentless passion for empowering individuals to express their unique beauty, she has revolutionized the world of hair extensions, creating a lasting impact on the lives of countless people.
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Experience: 2 yearsOyendrila holds a master's degree in English Literature from the University Of Calcutta, West Bengal, and is a certified skin care coach. As a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience, she writes about everything that the modern woman needs to know about grooming and self-care.
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Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
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Experience: 7 yearsAnjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.
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Have you ever wondered why your hair keeps getting drier and duller no matter how many times you wash it? It is probably because your hair is not getting conditioned enough. Vegan conditioners are the best products to soften and protect your hair and are a necessary step in most hair care routines. Instead of using chemical-laden products, pick a gentle vegan hair conditioner with nourishing ingredients to caress your tresses.
Nowadays, there are several conditioner brands that produce all-natural, vegan products that contain only the good stuff. They will protect your hair against damage and help it bounce back to its natural best. Jennie Roberts, a celebrity hairstylist, and textured hair educator says, “Aside from the fact you’re not harming or exploiting an animal, and you’re helping the environment – is that quite often they contain higher-quality natural and more beneficial ingredients that feed your hair. More science has gone into vegan hair products to achieve results without the usual harmful chemical ingredients, so quite often, it’s a better quality product.”
In this article, we have compiled a list of the 12 best vegan conditioners for soft and healthy hair that you can try. We have selected these conditioners after thoroughly analyzing their formulations and the reviews that they have garnered on various platforms. So let’s take a look at them!
In This Article
What Is A Vegan Conditioner?
Most conditioners that you find at the store contain common and recognizable ingredients such as keratin. Many of these familiar products are derived from animals. There are nearly 20 different animal-derived ingredients you could find in conditioners and other hair products.
For example, keratin is derived from hooves, animal hair, horns, scales, and other keratinized animal parts. Chemicals lurk in many conditioner brands and can lead to scalp damage, diminishing hair health and dramatically affecting hair regrowth. Ingredients such as parabens are linked to breast cancer and cause irritation of the skin and affect your hormone balance. Silicones are another nasty chemical in many conditioners and coat the hair shaft to give the illusion of health and shine. Other harmful ingredients like silicones also coat the scalp and could clog pores and cause your hair to dry out. You also need to remain wary of other toxins such as dyes, synthetic fragrances, mineral oil, and sulfates.
To avoid all of that, your safest bet is to use vegan conditioners. Vegan hair products have many benefits that are often lacking in more mainstream hair product brands. But what are these benefits? Let’s have a look!
Important Benefits Of A Vegan Conditioner You Should Know
- Vegan conditioners usually contain more natural ingredients, which are more biodegradable and environmentally friendly than their synthetic alternatives. These products also come in recycled packaging. Using vegan conditioners not only means that you get healthier hair without harming animals in the process, but you also get the satisfaction of knowing you’re reducing your carbon footprint and helping to save the planet.
- Cruelty-free usually goes hand in hand with a product being vegan. If a brand doesn’t use animal-derived ingredients, it most likely does not condone animal testing. However, always double-check the packaging to check that this is the case, as vegan doesn’t necessarily mean cruelty-free and vice versa.
- A mainstream brand of shampoo will contain many ingredients which you probably can’t pronounce. This is because these shampoos are full of synthetic chemicals and ingredients, which are not environmentally friendly and can damage your skin, hair, eyes, and lungs. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium Laureth sulfate (SLES) are a couple of examples of these harmful ingredients. Sulfates can be quite drying for your hair if used regularly. Vegan conditioners are also usually free from parabens and silicones.
- If you want your hair to grow and be healthy, you must keep it moisturized. Vegan sustainable beauty and hair products contain natural oils, vitamins, and minerals which maintain hair moisture. Vegan conditioners promote and stimulate the hair follicles, making way for new growth.
- Any product you put into your hair will provide a lingering fragrance wherever you go. If you wish to not smell like a chemical factory, try vegan products. Because vegan hair products are full of natural ingredients, you get all those yummy smells.
Now, let’s dive straight into the list of the 12 best vegan conditioners for soft and healthy hair.
12 Best Cruelty-Free And Vegan Conditioners For Soft And Healthy Hair (2024 Picks)
1. Best Overall:Matrix BIOLAGE Colorlast Conditioner
If you want to prevent your hair color from getting faded away, try the Matrix Biolage Colorlast Conditioner. This conditioner is essential for maintaining colored hair health and repairing hair damage. This product preserves salon-vibrant color for up to 9 weeks. It is a low pH conditioner that moisturizes and extends the life of your hair color. After use, your hair is left soft and shiny. It can be used on curly as well as pre-lightened hair. Check out this video detailing a tester’s experience of using this product to learn more about it.
Key ingredients: Orchid
- Color-protecting formula
- Low pH level
- Paraben-free
- Has a gentle formula
None
Did You Know?The first vegan conditioner was created in the early 1970s by a company called Earthly Body. The product was made with natural ingredients such as aloe vera, jojoba oil, and essential oils.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 24,766 customers have given the product positive reviews on Amazon.
2. Best For All Hair Types:Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Conditioner
The Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Conditioner is suitable for all hair types, and it helps to renew and revive your hair while leaving it refreshed. It is enriched with a moisturizing botanical blend that helps to soften, smooth, and tackle tangles for instant manageability. The famous Tingle Complex, a blend of tea tree, peppermint, and lavender, leaves a cooling, “tingling” sensation on the scalp. The tea tree fragrance leaves your hair with an experience of aromatherapy. Check out this video detailing a reviewer’s experience of using this conditioner to learn about its benefits.
Key ingredients: Tingle Complex – a blend of tea tree, peppermint, and lavender
- Suitable for all hair types
- Color-safe formula
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Might be drying
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has garnered over 13,306 positive reviews on Amazon, and the number continues to grow.
3. Best Natural:Garnier Fructis Grow Strong Fortifying Conditioner
Level up your conditioner game with the Garnier Fructis Grow Strong Fortifying Conditioner. It fortifies your hair and helps it grow stronger, healthier, and shinier. The formula of this conditioner is enriched with active fruit protein that is a combination of ingredients like citrus protein as well as vitamins B3, B6, fruits, and plant-derived extracts, and apple extract, which is full of vitamins and minerals. It is heavily packed with ingredients like powerful polyphenols and antioxidants and ceramides that offer protection to your hair and protect it from heat and chemical damage. So with every use, your hair looks strong and healthy. Click here to check out a reviewer’s experience with the conditioner before buying it.
Key ingredients: Active fruit protein (vitamins B3, B6, fruit, and plant-derived extracts), apple extract, and Ceramides
- Gentle enough for everyday use
- Contains natural ingredients
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- Overwhelming fragrance
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has received 9,416 positive Amazon reviews from its users, stating its numerous benefits.
Matrix BIOLAGE Colorlast Conditioner Best Overall | Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Conditioner Best For All Hair Types | Garnier Fructis Grow Strong Fortifying Conditioner Best Natural | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Type | Color Treated, Chemically Treated | All | Frizzy, Dry, Fine |
| Dimensions | 3.15 x 3.15 x 9.76 inches | 3.68 x 3.68 x 8.68 inches | 2.93 x 3.94 x 9.49 inches |
| Weight | 2.25 Pounds | 2.3 Pounds | 2.2 Pounds. |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 24,766 | 13,306 | 9,416 |
| Price | $21.0 | $18.0 | $7.97 |
4. Best Gentle:Pureology Hydrate Conditioner
If you have color-treated, medium to thick hair, the Pureology Hydrate Conditioner will suit you the best. It deeply moisturizes your tresses with the goodness of green tea, jojoba oil, sage, and a signature mix of menthol, greens, and mint. The original anti-fade complex of this conditioner retains hair color vibrancy and offers enduring color pay-off. The formula of this conditioner is enriched with vitamin E, sunflower seed, and UV filters to fight environmental effects like pollution that may fade the hair color out. It also promotes long-lasting hair shine. It has a lightweight formula that untangles knotty hair and leaves it soft and smooth. This lightweight conditioner works best on thick, dry, colored, bleached, permed, and curly hair types. This conditioner is super-concentrated with a pleasant and rejuvenating fragrance. The people’s experience in a consumer study of participants with dry hair showed that this conditioner instantly softened their hair and made it look healthy.
Key ingredients: Green tea, Jojoba oil, Sage, Menthol, Greens, And Mint
- Suitable for many hair types
- Safe for colored hair
- Highly concentrated
- Does not weigh your hair down
- Gentle on scalp and hair
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Cruelty-free
- No pump dispenser
- Not suitable for oily hair
- Expensive
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has received over 9,937 rave reviews on Amazon, proving it is a mass favorite.
5. Best Plant-Based:Love Beauty & Planet Murumuru Butter & Rose Blooming Color Conditioner
This Murumuru Butter & Rose Blooming Color Conditioner from Love Beauty & Planet has a nourishing formula that offers deep nourishment and intense hydration to color-treated hair. It makes your hair soft, healthy, and vibrant. The nourishing formula is enriched with ingredients like Amazonian murumuru butter to protect the hair from harsh chemicals and rebuild the hair strands while softening them. In addition, this conditioner is infused with the fragrance from ethically sourced Bulgarian rose petals to ensure a clean, fresh scent. The freshness of red berries enhances the floral notes to deliver a luxurious experience. Multiple reviewers claim they love the scent of the conditioner and agree that it deeply moisturizes and softens the hair.
Key Ingredients: Murumuru butter and Bulgarian rose petals
- Plant-based
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- Cruelty-free
- Dye-free
- Silicone-free
- Phthalate-free
None
6. Best Non-Toxic:Arata All Natural Conditioner
If you are willing to splurge into something natural, go for the Arata All Natural Conditioner. It is an antioxidant-rich hair conditioner that replenishes your hair’s natural softness and shines. The formula is created with 100% nature-derived ingredients like European blueberry that nourishes your scalp and strands and castor oil that adds shine. It also contains lemon and orange, rich in antioxidants that strengthen and revitalize your hair. The sugarcane helps in cleansing everyday pollutants from the scalp, and maple gives your tresses a lasting shine. In addition, it prevents hair fall, hair damage, dandruff caused by chemicals and prevents hair thinning and premature greying.
Key ingredients: European blueberry, Castor oil, Lemon, Orange, and Sugarcane
- 100% naturally derived
- Prevents premature graying
- Dermatologist-tested
- Non-toxic
- Cruelty-free
- Chlorine-free
- Dye-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- No phosphates
- SLES-free
None
7. Best Color-Safe:GIOVANNI Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Conditioner
To make your hair feel refreshed and renewed, the Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Conditioner will be your best pick. It increases scalp circulation and makes your scalp healthy. It is formulated with natural and organic ingredients like tea tree that helps alleviate dry and flaking scalp. The cooling peppermint and aloe vera extract are for those who need help with dandruff control. The three-organic-oil blend stimulates, conditions, and strengthens your hair and adds natural shine and resilience to it. Many reviewers state that the product does not have an overwhelming smell. They love that it can moisturize their hair and make it manageable.
Key ingredients: Tea tree, Peppermint, and Aloe vera
- Color-safe formula
- Soothes flaking scalp
- Sulfate-free
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
None
8. Best For Everyday Use:Aquableu Biotin Extra Volume Conditioner
The Aquableu Biotin Extra Volume Conditioner is specially formulated to tackle hair concerns like dryness, damage, and breakage by providing deep hydration and offering nourishment to your scalp and hair. It combines with other essential minerals and vitamins from coconut, keratin, argan, and jojoba oil, thus producing stronger, healthier locks as it revitalizes the follicle and root. It is lightweight and gentle enough to use on all hair types. It will not weigh your hair down. Instead, it will boost hair volume and shine too. It is made with 100% natural ingredients and is free of harsh chemicals.
Key ingredients: Keratin, Argan oil, Jojoba oil, Shea butter, Jojoba Oil, and Silk amino acids
- Lightweight
- Contains 100% natural ingredients
- Suitable for all hair types
- Gentle enough for everyday use
- Offers heat protection
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Cruelty-free
- Silicone-free
None
Quick TipStarting from the ends and working your way up to the roots, apply conditioner to wet hair. To allow the conditioner to reach the hair shaft, let it sit for a few minutes. Thoroughly rinse the conditioner. If you have curly hair, scrunch it to squeeze out extra water, which shapes the curls.
9. Best Purple Conditioner:AVYO Aloe Vera Purple Conditioner
The AVYO Aloe Vera Purple Conditioner has a color-balancing formula that helps to neutralize the yellow and brassy tones. The conditioner is enriched with natural ingredients, and it is an effective solution for maintaining gray and blonde hair. It is easy to use and is even used by professional hair stylists.
Key ingredients: Aloe vera, Jojoba seed oil, and Vitamin E
- Enriched with natural ingredients
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Not tested on animals
None
10. Best Hypoallergenic:THEORIE Pure Ultra Gentle Hypoallergenic Conditioner
Leave your hair feeling luxurious, hydrated, and ultra-nourished with the Theorie Pure Ultra Gentle Hypoallergenic Conditioner. It is a gentle blend of essential nutrients suitable for those with sensitive, dry, or allergy-prone scalps. It has a base of hydrating aloe vera and is fragrance-free that maintains the skin’s natural moisture barrier while boosting moisture and shine. This plant-based conditioner can be used on delicate, distressed, color-treated, or keratin-treated hair.
Key ingredients: Aloe vera
- Hypoallergenic formula
- No allergens
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Alcohol-free
- No synthetic dyes
- Fragrance-free
- Phthalate-free
None
11. Best Sulfate-free:Natural Escapes Orange Tangerine Invigorating Conditioner
Now you can easily restore the shine and vitality of your hair with the Orange Tangerine Invigorating Conditioner by Natural Escapes. The conditioner is an organic blend of botanicals, proteins, and moisturizers that build strong hair and a healthy scalp. The conditioner has a gentle formula that helps to gently detangle your hair while controlling frizz and making it incredibly soft. It provides vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants that increase hair manageability and offers heat protection. The formula is infused with vitamin A, B12, and C that delay the aging process while moisturizing and conditioning your tresses. In addition, it combats external aggressors and boosts collagen production. Orange & Tangerine oils treat hair loss by dilating blood capillaries and stimulating blood circulation to the scalp. It provides nourishment and boosts hair growth. It also helps to relieve anxiety and stress. This eco-friendly, detangling, strengthening, and frizz-fighting conditioner is great for scalp care.
Key ingredients: Vitamin A, B12, and C
- Suitable for all hair types
- Has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Sulfate-free
- No animal by-products
- No synthetic colors
- Fragrance-free
None
12. Best lightweight formula:Authentic Beauty Concept Glow Conditioner
The Authentic Beauty Concept Glow Conditioner is a creamy, moisturizing conditioner that preserves and hydrates color-treated hair. Cationic Guar improves the ease of combing while leaving your hair soft and shiny. It has a lightweight formula enriched with date and cinnamon, known for its firming and conditioning properties.
Key ingredients: Cationic Guar, Date, and Cinnamon
- Suitable for color-treated hair
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- Cruelty-free
- No microplastic
- Mineral oil-free
- Overwhelming scent
Choosing the right conditioner based on your hair type can reduce tangles, increase shine, decrease static and make your hair more manageable; without weighing it down. Here’s how you can pick the right conditioner for your hair type.
How To Choose The Right Conditioner For Your Hair Type
- Determine Hair Texture
If you have fine and flat hair, choose a volumizing conditioner. If you have straight, silky hair without frizzing problems, you need a conditioner that will add some much-needed texture to hair that might otherwise seem to just hang from your head. If you have wavy hair, look for a lightweight and moisturizing conditioner. Thick and curly hair needs deeply hydrating conditioners. If your hair type is African-American, look for deeply hydrating conditioners or oil-based products.
- Determine Hair Health
Use a color-safe or color-depositing conditioner if you dye your hair. With time you’ll notice that the dye in your hair will get washed away as you showers. To keep the hair color vibrant for as long as possible, choose an appropriate conditioner. If your hair is limp and oily, avoid using conditioners and other volumizing hair products. If your hair isn’t severely brittle or damaged, but feels dry, switch to a product labeled as “hydrating,” “moisturizing,” or “balancing.” Those who have extremely dry and frizzy hair should use a “damage repair” conditioner or side with a formula that offers restorative care.
- Check The Ingredients List
Irrespective of your hair type and hair health, you should always check the ingredients of the conditioner you use. Look for products that mostly contain natural, nourishing ingredients and are free from silicone, sulfates, parabens, and other harmful chemicals that can potentially cause damage to your hair and scalp. Also, check if you are allergic to any ingredients, like gluten or soy.
Certain factors differentiate these vegan conditioners from the other ones. Let’s take a look at those factors.
Things To Look For That Differentiate These Vegan Conditioners
- The vegan conditioner brands do not contain animal by-products and have naturally-derived ingredients from plants and the Earth.
- These products are cruelty-free which means that they are not tested on animals.
- If you are looking for a conditioner to assist in preventing hair loss and building volume, you’ll find a product specializing in this.
- There are also a few vegan conditioners exclusively meant for sensitive skin and everyone in the family. There is aromatherapy and hydration in one, and another is formulated with green vegetable extracts.
The Bottom Line
Using a good and hydrating vegan conditioner can bring you one step closer to achieving your dream hair goals. If you want to give your tresses the right amount of shine and softness, you can opt for any of these conditioners reviewed in the curated list. The Matrix BIOLAGE Colorlast can prove to be a great choice to preserve the color vibrancy and keep the hair soft and shiny, while the Pureology Hydrate has a lightweight formula that protects your hair from environmental pollutants and helps in detangling. For those who want to boost hair volume, thickness, strength, and shine, try Aquableu Biotin Extra Volume. These products are free from any harsh chemicals and help restore the shine and vitality of your tresses. While choosing the best vegan conditioner, determine your hair texture, hair health, and thoroughly go through the ingredients list. Additionally, remember to test the product first on a small section of your hair to check for allergic reactions.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Oyendrila Kanjilal, is a certified skin care coach who strictly uses vegan and cruelty-free products for her skin and hair. She believes that switching to vegan products can be beneficial for you in many ways. The products on this list are thoroughly researched and have been put together after considering many online reviews by users. They are safe on your hair and effective in preserving your hair color.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are vegan products better for your hair?
Yes, vegan products are better for your hair because they are formulated with natural components, not tested on animals, and are free from harmful chemicals.
Is vegan conditioner good for your hair?
Yes, a vegan conditioner is usually made up of natural ingredients or gentle and beneficial chemicals. They can be more beneficial than many non-vegan alternatives
Does vegan conditioner test on animals?
Vegan formulas are made without the use of any animal-derived ingredients. But that doesn’t automatically mean that they are cruelty-free.
Do you use conditioner before or after shampooing?
Shampooing first will help you get all the dirt and grease out of your hair before conditioning. So, it is best to use conditioner after shower. However, some people with very dry hair choose to condition their hair before and after shampooing.
How often should I use vegan conditioner in my hair?
Use your vegan conditioner on wash days. You can also use these gentle formulas every day. They will replenish and re-hydrate your hair with nutrients.
Does a vegan conditioner work as well as a conventional conditioner?
Yes, vegan conditioner, if not better, works as well as a conventional conditioner in hydrating and providing your hair with ample nutrients.
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