The 15 Best Natural & Clean Shampoos For Curly Hair Of 2023

As curl expert Sunny of The Sunny Alchemist once told us, those with curls should regularly reach for a clarifying shampoo to remove buildup on the strands that may lead to flattening of the curl pattern. But not just any clarifying shampoo will do: Make sure you find one formulated specifically for curly hair—like this number that has aloe, honey, and willowbark extract—so you don't damage the strands in the process. 

Hard water (or water that has a higher concentration of minerals) is notoriously hard on kinks and curls as they are already prone to breakage. It is known to cause buildup on your strands and scalp as these minerals cling to your hair, creating a film of sorts. Over time, this film can hinder the penetration of moisture, nutrients, and so forth—resulting in dry, brittle, breakage-prone strands. This shampoo was designed specifically for this issue: It gets the hair clean but is non-stripping. Plus it's infused with nutrient-rich mandarin orange extract and sea kelp.

This innovative shampoo is perfect for anyone in need of damage reversal, says curl and color expert Christin Brown. It helps tend to damage, split ends, frizz, and signs of wear and tear by repairing the strand's bonds. (And has gained a mass following because of it.) We especially recommend this if your curls are color-treated or you regularly heat style, as that often weakens the hair bonds further. 

A lux sensorial experience that seriously upgrades your shower: This creamy-milky blend practically cradles your curls while you use it. The blend of argan oil and aloe are deeply hydrating, without being too dense. And the lemon tea tree oil helps lift dirt, oil, and debris from the hair and scalp while soothing it at the same time. 

For tender, dry, and flaky scalps, this shampoo helps in several ways. First, the tea tree helps deep clean and acts as antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal. The peppermint refreshes the skin and hair, as well as also having anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Finally, black cumin seed oil is an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal conditioner.

A super gentle wash that feeds your strands' hydration thanks to the aloe, a vitamin-rich botanical that your hair practically drinks up. Those vitamins also give the hair and scalp loads of antioxidant protection from inflammation, environmental stressors, and free radicals—all of which can cause increased hair shedding. Strands are further supported with a wheat protein extract.

The star ingredients in this shampoo make for a very sophisticated formula. First up, the namesake blue tansy nourishes hair follicles to help encourage new hair growth (and support the hair you already have, no less). The jojoba oil conditions strands and makes for a silky lather. The bamboo extract helps strengthen the hair and can even add a little shine.

This transforming product goes from a water to a foam when worked in between your strands. Since it starts out as a liquid, it's easy to apply on the scalp (also thanks to the targeted nozzle), and then it builds into a gentle lather that actually reduces friction during the washing routine. It uses micellar technology to attract and bind oils and buildup, which are then quickly washed away when you rinse.

For those with curls and combination hair (when your scalp and roots get oil, but your ends are dry) finding an appropriate shampoo proves to be quite the challenge. You want something that helps deal with the sebum up top but still aids and protects the strands below. This offers a nice hybrid: It builds to a hefty lather, but the squalane, ceramides, and jojoba esters keep the hair soft and conditioned.

This cocktail of botanicals is exactly as hydrating as the name suggests. It starts off with aloe (a popular botanical for both skin and hair), then blends in coconut oil, papaya, and plumeria extracts for conditioning oils and antioxidants. Then this silicone-free number is topped with a coconut water, white orange, and tonka bean to keep curls fresh.

This non-shampoo shampoo has become popular among curly-haired beauty lovers as it helps restore your scalp's natural balance of oils. The blend is entirely free of detergents and actually uses essential oils, like peppermint and evening primrose, to help clean and refresh the scalp. If you are sensitive to essential oils, you may obviously want to skip this one.

For those with scalp and skin sensitivities, this ultra-gentle number is a safe bet. Many ingredients in hair care products can be irritating for those who are hypersensitive—but this one keeps it super simple and basic with dermatologist-approved ingredients like aloe, oat milk, and green tea extract. It also nixes fragrance since some people find those hard to tolerate. 

This creamy cleanser lifts dirt and grime from your strands without drying them out, resulting in hydrated, fresh coils. Cupuaçu Seed Butter and Baobob Oil work to rescue, repair, and replenish curls. It's also infused with pro-Vitamin B5 which prevents damage, strengthens hair, and reduces tangle. If you're looking to improve the definition and texture of your curls, look no further.

If you find that shampoos strip your hair leaving it dry and brittle, this might be a game-changer for you. It's a hydrating wash, so it works wonders for dry, curly hair. The Hydrate Cleanser helps to bring back elasticity and bounce to your natural curls. Not to mention the mango and basil extracts work to hydrate and revitalize hair strand by strand.

This formula highlights nature's liquid gold: honey. It works to detangle strands and remove product build-up without sacrificing the shape of your curls. This wash works for color-treated hair and hair types including curls, waves, and coils. If you're in the market for something gentle and natural, this is an ideal match.