Discover My Top Picks for Clean Hair Care in 2025
January 17, 2025
by Sarah Villafranco, MD
As the chief formulator for a natural skincare company and a medical doctor, I prioritize what I apply to my skin. My extensive research into ingredient safety shapes my choices for both our products and the non-Osmia items I include in my daily regimen. Given my expertise and the trust my vibrant Instagram community places in my advice on ingredient safety, it’s not surprising that I receive numerous inquiries about various skincare-adjacent products, including makeup, home cleaning items, and hair care solutions! Recognizing that these products can impact your skin as significantly as your skincare, I’ve conducted thorough research and compiled a list of my tried-and-true favorites. Below, you’ll find my top recommendations for hair care products. While this list isn’t exhaustive of all the fantastic products available, I can personally vouch for each one based on my experiences. Importantly, I have no affiliations with these brands—just my sincere opinions! For context, I have thick, wavy, coarse, undyed hair and have transitioned from having thick, dyed hair to even thicker, undyed hair over the years.
Key Ingredients to Avoid in Hair Care Products for Healthier Hair
While the list of ingredients to steer clear of in hair care products can be extensive, as someone with sensitive skin and a history of perioral dermatitis, I take ingredient safety seriously. My commitment extends to eco-friendly choices, and I react adversely to synthetic fragrances. Consequently, I make a conscious effort to avoid the following ingredients in my hair care routine:
My Top Natural Shampoo Selections for Nourishing Your Hair
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My top choice for shampoo is the Balance Shampoo by Josh Rosebrook. With organic aloe as the primary ingredient, its foaming agent is saponified coconut oil, or liquid coconut soap, complemented by a list of simple and beautiful plant ingredients. The scent is soft and mildly citrusy, creating an incredibly pleasant experience. When paired with the Balance Conditioner and allowed to air dry—my preferred method—I achieve soft, beautifully textured waves, while my hair remains clean and well-nourished. |
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I am also a fan of the Hydrating Cream Hairbath by Innersense, which proves effective for my thick and thirsty hair. Recently, they launched an unscented line, a commendable initiative for those of us with sensitive skin! The unscented Clarity Hairbath is a great option I often recommend for individuals with sensitive skin or noses. It tends to leave my hair feeling cleaner than the Hydrating Cream Hairbath, so I alternate between these two based on my needs. |
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Evolvh offers several types of shampoo; however, some have scents that can be overwhelming. Yet, their Ultrashine Ultra Hydrating Shampoo features a pleasant fragrance and a lovely sudsy consistency. It does contain cocamidopropyl betaine, which might irritate those with extremely sensitive skin, but both my daughters and I use it regularly without experiencing any issues. |
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For an affordable option, I recommend the Desert Essence Fragrance Free Shampoo. While it’s simple, it effectively leaves my hair feeling clean and soft. I prefer the unscented version, as some of their products contain synthetic fragrances, which I consciously avoid. |
Top Natural Conditioners for Hydration and Softness
Josh Rosebrook remains my go-to choice, especially on a designated hair wash day. The Balance Conditioner is lightweight, effective, and has a delightfully subtle aroma. With organic aloe as its primary ingredient, it feels like a nutritious smoothie for my hair. While it’s not overly rich, I sometimes pair it with a more intensive conditioner on the ends when I need deeper conditioning. |
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When I seek a richer conditioner, I opt for either the Hydrating Cream Conditioner or the Clarity Conditioner from Innersense. Both are thick, nourishing, and incredibly hydrating, leaving my hair feeling soft and manageable, making it easy to brush through in the shower. |
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The Evolvh Ultrashine Ultra Hydrating Conditioner offers a unique texture compared to most conditioners. It feels as though my hair absorbs it entirely, leaving it almost undetectable (though I always rinse it out thoroughly). It’s challenging to describe, but it’s not unpleasant, and my hair feels rejuvenated afterward! |
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For a more economical choice, the Fragrance Free Conditioner by Desert Essence is an excellent option that meets my hair’s needs. If you share your shower with others, it’s a practical choice! |
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Essential Styling Products for Perfect Hair
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When I let my hair air dry into its natural waves, I rely on the Innersense Sweet Spirit Leave In Conditioner and the I Create Life Volumizing Foam. I apply the leave-in conditioner while my hair is soaking wet, then style it using the volumizing foam with a “prayer hands” technique, as suggested on their website. This method enhances my waves beautifully. |
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For drying my hair, I use either the Josh Rosebrook Serum Spray or the Evolvh SuperFinish Polishing Balm. Both products effectively shield my hair from heat damage while leaving it incredibly silky and smooth! My stylist loved the Evolvh balm so much that she incorporated it into her salon’s offerings, eliminating the need for me to bring my own anymore! |
Must-Have Hair Styling Tools for Effortless Styling
This year, my daughter wished for an upscale styling tool known as the Dyson Airstraight, and Santa kindly fulfilled her request. Generously, she allowed me to test it on my own hair, and I was genuinely impressed. Given its price tag, I expected nothing less! It was user-friendly and dried my hair straight in a fraction of the time compared to a traditional hairdryer, leaving my hair looking fabulous for three days! Although I don’t often take the time to dry my hair, when I do, this device makes the process significantly easier than using a hairdryer and round brush.
Conversely, on the more affordable side, I’ve discovered that the Wet Brush, available on Amazon, is the finest detangling brush I’ve ever used. My daughter, who has hair as thick as mine used to be, agrees wholeheartedly. As I only brush my hair while it’s wet in the shower, this is the sole brush I rely on!
Top Natural Hair Oils for Nourishment and Care
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As expected, my all-time favorite hair oil is our Rosemary Scalp Oil, which I use three times each week. This prewash scalp treatment is perfect for application before a workout, allowing my scalp to warm up while it absorbs the oil. I gently massage it into my scalp with my fingertips, letting it sit for an hour or two before washing and conditioning my hair as usual. I’ve noticed that my hair feels stronger, sheds less, and I can even see new growth in areas where my hair has thinned, which brings me as much joy as the delightful aroma of rosemary! |
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Another favorite of mine is the I Create Shine serum by Innersense. I apply it as the finishing touch on wash days, scrunching it into my air-dried waves on curly days or smoothing it over my straight hair on the rare occasions I choose to dry it. While the ingredient list mentions “fragrance,” it’s noted as a 100% natural fragrance. I would appreciate transparency regarding the fragrance components, as it provides peace of mind, but I trust Innersense as a brand and continue to rely on their products! |
