coconut free shampoos
Hair products

8 Coconut-free Shampoos (that are really coconut-free)

Have you scoured the internet for “coconut free shampoo” only to be disappointed when you see the recommendations’ ingredients lists contain coconut derivatives? Same. It’s a real bummer. That’s why we have filtered through those articles and other webistes to feature a few coconut-free shampoos that don’t contain coconut oil nor its derivatives.

Are coconut-free shampoos right for me?

There are a few reasons for avoiding coconut in hair care products. The most obvious reason is an intolerance or allergy to coconut. For people with this issue, it is a good idea to educate yourself on how to read ingredients lists so you can identify the ones that are most often made from coconut.

If you’d like to skip that work, check out all our recommendations to find more coconut-free products.

Now for some people, having a shampoo that simply doesn’t contain coconut oil (cocos nucifera oil) is sufficient. While coconut oil can be a quick fix for making hair look more hydrated, it can obstruct all other treatments from penetrating the hair. Thus in the long term your hair isn’t benefiting from the products you spend good money on to make it healthy.

Overall if your hair is coarse, dry, damaged, weak, easily broken – or if you’re prone to dandruff – your hair will appreciate a coconut-free shampoo.

6 Coconut-Free Shampoos

Shampoo for Sensitive Itchy Dry Scalp

Nature Sustained Organic Shampoo

9 Fl Oz

$25 on Amazon

Nature Sustained’s concentrated coconut-free shampoo is made from raw ingredients that are fermented instead of processed with heat. The lather of the shampoo comes from soap nuts that are harvested in Thailand. (If you have a latex allergy, it may be best to avoid soap nuts.)

Most that use this shampoo love that it doesn’t weigh down their hair, it doesn’t contain chemicals, and it is kind on skin that suffers from ezcema and psoriasis. We’re also happy to see that it comes in two scents: original and lemongrass.

Ingredients: Artesian Spring Water, Wildcrafted Soap Nut, Makrut Lime, Elephant Apple, Wildcrafted Indian-Laurel Leaf, Pineapple, Lactobacillus casei, Rhodopseudomonas palustris, Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Allergy Friendly Shampoo

naturally free coconut-free shampoos

Naturally Free Watermelon Restorative Shampoo

$16 on Naturallyfreeinc.com

Use the code “skinoasis” for 10% off

Naturally Free is a brand we love on our website. It seems odd to say, but it is impressive to list all the things the brand doesn’t use. It is vegan and free from coconuts, tree nuts, shea, argan, sesame, dairy, gluten, and soy. If you are wondering what ingredients are left to make a shampoo out of, this shampoo is sunflower based.

This coconut-free shampoo has a light watermelon scent, but the peppermint will make itself known during application. It is a lovely combination for your nose and more importantly your hair.

Ingredients: Water, Sunflowerate Betaine, Cucumber, Meadowfoam, Tea Tree, Rosemary, Peppermint, Panthenol, Watermelon, Vitamin A, C, D, E, K

Plant-based Vegan Shampoo

Pectolite, LLC Harmony Shampoo

10 Fl Oz

$30 on Pectolite.net

A unique ingredient in this coconut-free shampoo is the Wildcrafted Amla Fruit, which is also known as Indian gooseberry. This fruit is a source of antioxidants and nutrients. As a bonus, studies suggest that it may prevent hair loss.

Pectolite, LLC, offers a coconut-free shampoo in three sizes: 2, 10, or 20 Oz. If you want a specific scent for your shampoo, feel free to mix in a few drops of your favorite essential oil before use.

Ingredients: Artesian Spring Water, Wildcrafted Soap Nut, Makrut Lime, Elephant Apple, Wildcrafted Indian-Laurel Leaf, Wildcrafted Amla Fruit, Pineapple, Lactobacillus casei, Rhodopseudomonas palustris, Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Go Solid Instead of Liquid

Elegant Rose Boutique Eucalyptus Cypress Shampoo & Body Bar

5 Oz

$16 on Amazon

Instead of using coconut oil, this shampoo bar uses many heavy hitters like olive oil, cocoa butter, and castor oil.

It is a bit of a learning curve to get used to shampoo bars. You’ll be amazed to see how long it lasts you as well. Remember to only apply it to your roots and find a nice apple cider vinegar rinse to follow. If you have psoriasis on your scalp, the rinse may relieve symptoms as well.

Ingredients: Organic cocoa butter, castor oil, avocado oil, organic jojoba oil, organic sunflower oil, mango butter, kokum butter and apricot kernel oil. Pure essential oils of eucalyptus and cypress.

DIY Coconut-free Shampoo

Havintha Natural Hair Shampoo

227 Grams

$12 on Amazon

This is the most adventerous recommendation in this article. To make shampoo out of this powder, you add hot water to 3-5tsp of the powder. Let it soak for 30 minutes to 24 hours. Add in some essential oils if you’d like to make it smell less earthy. Apply it to your hair and scalp, keeping it out of your eyes, and wash your hair thoroughly.

Made in India, this product is 100% natural and doesn’t contain chemicals nor preservatives.

Ingredients: Amla fruit powder, Reetha fruit powder, Shikakai fruit pod powder, Methidana powder

Dry Shampoo for Between Washes

Captain Blankenship Refresh Dry Shampoo Powder

1.2 Oz

$26 on Amazon

Some people listen to their body to know when they’re hungry and how much to eat. Try listening to your hair to know how often to wash it. Many people can wash their hair every day whereas others can do it every two to three days. Use dry shampoo between washes to keep your hair looking fresh.

If you know you’re going to wash your hair in a day or two, apply Captain Blankenship Refersh Dry Shampoo with a makeup brush on to your roots. Some people wait until their hair is already greasy to apply dry shampoo, but end up making their hair look worse. The trick is to apply the dry shampoo on to dry clean hair as a preventative measure.

Ingredients: Maranta Arundinacea Root Powder, Kaolin, Sodium Bicarbonate, Silica, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sea Silt, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Cymbogon Martinii Oil

2 Coconut-free Shampoos that Contain Palm

As a general rule on our site, we do not recommend products that contain palm or its derivatives. However if you do not have a palm allergy or sensitivity, there are some coconut-free shampoos available to you.

A Gentle Citrus Shampoo

Clean Kids Naturally Tropical Orange Burst Shampoo

16 Fl Oz

$18 on Amazon

Using a palm-derived glycerin, this is one of the most popular coconut-free shampoos on the market. It can be used daily, is gentle to hair, and does not leave behind any film.

Ingredients: Aqua (Infusion Of Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice), Laminaria Japonica Extract, Glycerin, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Peel, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Lecithin, Calcium Pantothenate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Sweet Orange) Flower Oil, Potassium Sorbate.

An Aloe Vera Shampoo

Morrocco Method Heavenly Essence Shampoo

16 Fl Oz

$34 on Amazon

Morrocco Method’s shampoo is a concentrated formula that is raw, vegan, paleo, sulfate-free, gluten-free and non-foaming. One of the main ingredients is aloe vera, which moisturizes and conditions as you wash your hair. According to their website, their vegetable glycerin is made from palm.

Since the shampoo is so concentrated, it is recommended that before use, water it down to a 1:1 ratio. This will facilitate application and as a bonus make the bottle last even longer for you.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Saponins (Green Tea), Acetic Acid (Raw Apple Cider Vinegar), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Montmorillonite, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum (Flax) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica (Prickly Pear) Extract, Phenylpropanol, Salicylic Acid (White Willow), Tocotrienols (Vitamin E), Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) Leaf Oil, Salvia Sclarea (Clary Sage) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Glycerin (Vegetable), Maris Sal (Sea Salt), Citrus Aurantium Amara Fruit Extract, Citrus Sinensis Peel Extract, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extracts, Lactic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid

Begin a Coconut-free Self Care Regime

Looking for more hair products without coconut? Check out our Comprehensive List of Hair Products without Coconut Derivatives. You’ll find more shampoo recommendations and everything else you could use on your locks.

Also check out our article 8 Coconut-free Face Washes for Sensitive Skin

27 Comments

  • Jenny N

    Thank you for putting together this article. I have struggled for YEARS looking for a shampoo without coconut ans now I have a list of all these products! I’m so grateful. I especially appreciate the shampoo bar so I don’t have to buy more plastic. It’s the combo I’ve been hoping for!

  • Niqy

    I’m allergic to coconut/coconut oil and it’s in everything and I mean everything I really wish companies would stop using it and let people add it to their products themselves it’s stopping people who want to use products and eat certain things it’s limiting me to everything almost to nothing so frustrating so it’s wonderful to have found this list I will be using these products also I’d like to know do you all have hair conditioners for relaxed hair as well or shampoos for relaxed hair that do not contain coconut oil it kills my hair follicle makes me have to shave my head bald and start all over again I’m afraid one day it won’t grow back it makes me itch and break out if I eat it thank you

  • Tricia Dedmon

    Ok! So I found shampoos! What about conditioners? Any coconut free? Thank you for this site!!

    I only knew about Marcoon method and kids one, but they weigh my hair down.

  • Helen Gill

    I have anaphylaxis to coconut and am really struggling to find a shampoo for my hair I am in the UK does anyone know any items that I can get over here? And I 100% agree they need to stop putting it in everything everyday life is like a minefield for us with coconut allergies 😭.

  • Zaria

    Love this! Wish these products were in the UK as I have an allergy and struggle to find a coconut free shampoo, especially for a dry scalp!

    • Claire M.

      I have struggled with my coconut allergy since I was 6 and it’s only gotten worse, as coconut is now in eveything. I’ll find a shampoo or soap that’s coconut free only to have an reaction to it months later because they’ve changed the ingredients and are now using coconut products.
      I’ve tried making my own soaps and shampoos but I just have gotten it right so thank you so much for putting this list together.

  • Adelyn

    Love all the info and these options, thank you for sharing! I haven’t tried any of those yet, but I’ve also dealt with coconut sensitivity and recently tried out The Natural Soap Shoppe and liked them! Their products are totally coconut (and coconut derivative) free. The owner created the entire line because her daughter was allergic to coconut, gluten, and corn and they couldn’t find any natural options that worked for her. They have an unscented and scented version with essential oils. Sharing on here so it can hopefully help someone else out, too! https://www.naturalsoapshoppe.com/

  • Milou van Belzen

    This is great information. Anyone on here who also has an allergy to balsam of peru? This means products also cannot have any scents (also no natural/essential scents), extracts, shea butter, cacao butter, apple cider vinegar, benzoates, parabens and a lot more. I’ve been searching for a shampoo that lathers and cleans for years but it seems impossible to find.

  • Milou van Belzen

    I wanted to share about the Cleure Conditioner – Fragrance-Free. I had a major reaction to it. I inquired with them if any of the ingredients are coconot-derived, but they responded nothing is coconut derived. I suspect they may not be knowledgeable enough on how to judge whether ingredients are coconut-derived and they did a general assessment. What is your opinion?

    • E. Mila

      Sorry you had a bad reaction πŸ™
      Many companies are buying their ingredients from other suppliers, so it may be that they were unaware that one of the ingredients (like Caprylic/Capric Triglycride, Cetearyl Alcohol or the Caprylyl Glycol) was actually made from coconut. Another possibility is cross contamination. After a quick glance from their website, I see that they do use some coconut ingredients that they use in other products. Or you may have a different sensitivity that you may not be aware of and it was irritated by something else. I hope you’re able to find something that works for you!

    • Constance

      Very sad to announce that Alodia changed their formulas and their shampoos now contain coconut.
      I asked them if there was still some bottles of the old formula I could buy, but they’re all out.
      I’ve been using it for a few years and it was a life saver, I’m struggling to find a shampoo without coconut that will ship where I live and won’t weigh my hair down. I’ll check out the link you shared in the comments! Thank you for your service 🫑

  • Mandy

    Thank you for this list because it’s so hard to find a real coconut free shampoo. I’ve tried SkinSafe and it was good until the free trial ran out and of course I wasn’t looking for a new shampoo during those 7 days.

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