The 15 Best Silicone-Free Shampoos and Conditioners
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When I first started getting into hair care, one of the rules that were shoved down my throat by the online hair community is that I should, at all costs, avoid silicones in my hair products.
At first, I didn’t want to listen to them. I’ve used silicones in my conditioners all my life, and I saw nothing wrong with my hair.
It’s like using a detangled hair product, make my hair shiny and poofy, so why should I give it up if my current routine worked already?
But the more I learned about silicones and what it does to hair, the more I understood the benefits of quitting them altogether.
It’s been a process for me over the last few years, but today I want to impart what I know to all of you.
Pureology Hydrate Sheer Shampoo
- For dry, damaged hair
- Contains vitamin E and sunflower seed oil
- Vegan, sulfate and silicone free
Pureology Hydrate Sheer Conditioner
- Silicone free conditioner
- Works great with color-treated hair
- Rich in vitamin E and sunflower seed oil
Love Beauty and Planet Coconut Water and Mimosa Flower Shampoo and Conditioner
- Organic coconut oil usage
- Perfect for enhancing natural hair growth
- Contains mimosa flower extract
What are silicones, and what do they do for the hair?
Silicones are human-made polymers that we usually find in conditioners to give them more of a slip to detangle and run your fingers through the hair easily.
Over the last couple of decades, silicones have become a recurring ingredient in popular shampoos as well.
If you grab your bottle of conditioner right now, I bet you can find silicones like Dimethicone, Amodimethicone, and Cyclomethicone in the list of ingredients on the label.
But for many people, silicones are the bane of their existence and will avoid them to the best of their ability.
Popular hair influencers on YouTube will even look appalled at the mention of silicones because they know it’s a controversial hair care ingredient that can do more harm than good.
But the critical thing to know is that silicones aren’t necessarily harmful to you.
So many big and trusted hair brands use silicones in their products, so they can’t be completely horrible, can they?
Silicones actually have a lot of benefits you’ve probably enjoyed for years without you knowing it.
As mentioned earlier, silicones provide a rich slip to shampoo and conditioner, making the hair softer and easier to detangle.
They also coat the hair with a protective layer of polymer that keeps moisture locked in your strands. They seal the hair and everything in it, including chemical hair color.
Because they’re quite heavy, they can also control frizz and tame flyaways.
The benefits of going Silicone-free Shampoos and Conditioners
So if silicones provide all that good for the hair, why should we avoid it?
The biggest reason is that the hair doesn’t absorb silicone.
It just kind of sits on top of the hair shaft, and while it gives it temporary shine and protection, it doesn’t do anything else to make the hair healthier. It has no nutrients or vitamins because it’s literally just plastic.
In short, it’s a band-aid solution—it fills in the gaps in your hair right now, but it doesn’t really do anything for overall hair health.
You probably still have dry, unmanageable hair underneath all that polymer.
When silicones sit on the hair doing nothing, it can block other moisturizing products from getting deep into the hair cuticle to nourish it.
The worst part is that they can build up on your hair over time, so you’re left with a hard coating around your hair that you can’t get rid of easily.
The situation makes the hair drier time by time and will make it less shiny and lustrous too. And as with all product buildup, your hair will feel heavy and lose that healthy bounce.
The biggest benefit of going silicone-free is that your hair will be able to absorb more of the nutrients and moisture other, healthier ingredients can give your hair.
It’s a lot easier for moisture to penetrate the hair when there’s no silicone blocking it. Giving up silicones can also mean being able to use gentler shampoos.
To get rid of silicones, you almost always have to use shampoos with harsh sulfates. But if you do without silicones, you can opt for more gentle and natural formulations.
Another plus is that your hair will need to be washed less often when you give up silicones.
It won’t be so weighed down with buildup and excess oil, so you can get away with washing your hair just once or twice a week without feeling greasy.
You can get the hydrating and frizz-fighting benefits of silicone with other natural moisturizing and conditioning ingredients that will provide the same slip and be even better for your hair.
Some of these include coconut oil, manuka honey, aloe vera, keratin proteins, and more.
That said, let me share some of my favorite silicone-free shampoos and conditioners with you.
The 15 Best Silicone-free Shampoos and Conditioners
1. Pureology Hydrate Sheer Shampoo
Product Overview
This vegan, silicone and sulfate-free shampoo by Pureology was specially designed for those with dry damaged, colored hair.
It contains sunflower seed oil and vitamin E that help moisturize and boost the hair’s elasticity, making it soft, shiny, and bouncy.
- Contains vitamin E
- Infused with sunflower seed oil
- Works great with damage, dry hair
- Vegan, sulfate and silicone free
This hydrating shampoo also works to protect your hair color and make sure it stays as vibrant as ever, so you can enjoy it for longer.
Pros
- Repairs split ends and damaged hair
- Provides needed nutrients and vitamins
- Deeply cleanses and moisturizes
The Cons
- Contains silicone
2. Pureology Hydrate Sheer Conditioner
Product Overview
Use this Pureology conditioner with its matching silicone-free shampoo above for fantastic results!
Like the other products in Pureology’s Hydrate Sheer line, this conditioner is perfect for colored hair. It helps soften and nourish the hair for easy detangling, leaving it soft and smooth to the touch.
- Deeply nourishing conditioner
- Contains high level of vitamin E
- Infused with sunflower seed oil
- Works great with color-treated hair
The conditioner has the same gorgeous sunflower seed oil and vitamin E to strengthen and restore the hair. It also has a refreshing peppermint fragrance to wake you up in the shower.
Pros
- Combats hair damage and dryness
- Increases hair elasticity
- Makes your locks nice and soft
The Cons
- Doesn’t work great with oily hair
3. Love Beauty and Planet Coconut Water and Mimosa Flower Shampoo and Conditioner
Product Overview
If you love tropical scents and deep hydration, you’ll love this silicone-free shampoo and conditioner set by environment-friendly brand Love Beauty and Planet.
This cruelty-free set builds bounce and volume in your hair by giving it plenty of hydration from organic coconut water.
- Enriched with coconut water
- Mimosa flower essence
- Nice for enhancing natural hair growth
- Fresh and pleasant fragrance
Mimosa flower gives it a touch of zest and freshness in its fragrance.
It also helps to thicken the hair in the long run, so it’s perfect if you’re looking a shampoo and conditioner to grow out your hair.
Pros
- Delivers plenty of hydration
- Build bounce and volume
- Makes your hair perfectly looking
The Cons
- The packaging might be broken
4. Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Shampoo
Product Overview
If you have particularly dry hair, you require serious nourishing shampoos and conditioners.
Maui Moisture’s shea butter shampoo is perfect for cleansing your hair and keeping it soft and moisturized without the use of silicones.
- Perfect for dry hair
- Shea butter usage
- Coconut and macadamia oil usage
- Has no sulfates or other harsh chemicals
It’s made with shea butter, coconut oil, and macadamia oil to nourish your hair while this shampoo gives your scalp a gentle yet thorough wash.
It also doesn’t use any sulfates, so you won’t scrub your hair with harsh surfactants that can dry it out more.
Pros
- Doesn’t have sulfates, oils, gluten or other chemicals
- Deeply nourishes your hair
- Does a great deal cleansing your scalp
The Cons
- Not the best for oily hair
5. Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Conditioner
Product Overview
Use this matching silicone-free Maui Moisture conditioner from the same line to complete your nourishing hair care routine!
This conditioner is infused with the same shea butter, coconut oil, and macadamia oils to moisturize your hair and soften it too deeply.
- Shea butter usage
- Coconut and macadamia oils
- Plenty of beneficial nutrients
- Rich in vitamins
Because of the rich, emollient ingredients, it’s super easy to detangle your hair in the shower with this conditioner, even just with your fingers!
Pros
- Does a great deal moisturizing
- Softens and hydrates your scalp and hair
- Makes your hair easy to detangle
The Cons
- Might get a spilled bottle
6. Nexxus Ultimate Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner
Product Overview
One hair care ingredient that can soften your hair and control frizz apart from silicones is protein.
This silicone-free shampoo and conditioner set is infused with elastic protein and other moisturizing ingredients to keep your hair strong and silky.
- Enriched with smooth green caviar
- Infused with elastic protein
- Doesn’t use any silicones or parabens
- Luxurious softness and silkiness
They are also enriched with smoothening green caviar, which adds a luxurious, velvety softness to your hair.
The result is lustrous, bouncy hair that looks like you just came out of a high-end salon.
Pros
- Deeply nourishes your hair
- Controls frizz and softens your hair
- Provides all the necessary nutrients for hair
The Cons
- Has a changed formula
7. Maple Holistics Silk18 Shampoo and Conditioner
Product Overview
If you’re looking for a nourishing, strengthening, frizz-fighting and silicone-free shampoo and conditioner, then you’ve come to the right place.
This set by Maple Holistics is formulated with 18 silk amino acids’ unique complex to smooth out the hair and make it stronger.
- 18 silk amino acids
- Shea butter and jojoba oils
- Infused with aloe vera
- Completely naturally-sourced
Both products have shea butter, jojoba oil, and aloe vera to give your parched hair intense moisture and shine. These ingredients are naturally-sourced and cruelty-free.
Pros
- Packes your hair with nutrients
- Strengthens your hair
- Makes your hair shinier and deeply moisturized
The Cons
- Not the best consistency
8. SheaMoisture Curl & Shine Shampoo
Product Overview
Every curly girl has at least once heard about SheaMoisture’s coconut and hibiscus line that nourishes the hair and defines curls without the suffocating silicones and harsh sulfates.
(Check out more Shampoos and Conditioners for Curly Hair)
This shampoo has a sweet, tropical coconut and hibiscus scent to invigorate you in the shower.
- Coconut and hibiscus extracts
- Infused with silk proteins
- Has neem oil
- Sweet and tropical scent
To moisturize and fortify the hair, it’s infused with silk proteins and neem oil.
It’s also a holy grail shampoo if you want to boost elasticity and prevent breakage.
Pros
- Leaves a nice tropical scent
- Rejuvenates and invigorates your hair
- Fortifies and prevents breakage
The Cons
- Contains a sulfate
9. SheaMoisture Curl & Shine Conditioner
Product Overview
Now, on to the matching silicone-free conditioner of the SheaMoisture shampoo mentioned above.
This conditioner has the same shea butter, silk protein, and neem oil combo to nourish and soften the hair.
- Coconut and hibiscus extracts
- Infused with silk proteins
- Has neem oil
- Sweet and tropical scent
It makes it extremely easy to detangle even kinky and coily curls while providing it the nourishment it needs to be naturally shiny and smooth.
That goes to show you how much better organic ingredients are than stuffy silicones that only give temporary slip and softness.
Pros
- Leaves a nice tropical scent
- Rejuvenates and invigorates your hair
- Fortifies and prevents breakage
The Cons
- Contains a sulfate
10. Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Shampoo
Product Overview
All it takes is simple natural ingredients to restore your hair health.
This paraben and silicone-free shampoo by Garnier Fructis uses clean ingredients like aloe vera and vitamin E to hydrate, soften, and fortify your hair strands so they can be bouncy and lustrous.
- Perfect choice for oily scalps
- Contains high levels of vitamin E
- Infused with aloe vera
- Vegan formula
It’s also a perfect choice for oily scalps. It hydrates lightly without stripping your skin, so you don’t develop greasiness in your hair.
This formula is vegan, so if you’re looking for products with no animal-derived ingredients, this is the shampoo for you.
Pros
- Lightly hydrates your hair follicles
- Uses only natural and organic ingredients
- Strengthens your hair
The Cons
- Strong perfume
11. Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Conditioner
Product Overview
And of course, here is the matching Garnier Fructis conditioner from the brand’s Pure Clean line.
This silicone-free conditioner also uses aloe vera extracts and vitamin E to strengthen and simultaneously detangle and moisturize the hair.
- Perfect choice for oily scalps
- Contains high levels of vitamin E
- Infused with aloe vera
- Vegan formula
Besides, it’s enriched with palm oil, glycerin, and apple extracts, which is even more hydration while conditioning and a touch of the tropics in the aroma in your shower.
Pros
- Lightly hydrates your hair follicles
- Uses only natural and organic ingredients
- Strengthens your hair
The Cons
- Strong perfume
12. Puracy Silicone-free Shampoo and Conditioner
Product Overview
Clean beauty brand Puracy uses refreshing citrus and mint in their silicone-free shampoo and conditioner.
These aromatic extracts help stimulate your hair follicles and roots as you gently cleanse and soften your hair.
- Contains citrus and mint extracts
- Infused with LexFeel N5
- Only plant-derived ingredients
- Gentle cleanse and moisture
The set is infused with LexFeel N5, an innovative, plant-derived ingredient that gives you the same slip and silkiness silicone does, without the polymer coating and product buildup.
LexFeel N5 makes hair super easy to detangle and manage.
Pros
- Gives slip and silkiness
- Doesn’t use polymer coating
- Leaves a nice, pleasant fragrance
The Cons
- Hard to lather
13. Natural Riches Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner
Product Overview
If you want a brand made of purely natural ingredients and botanicals, this argan oil shampoo and conditioner by Natural Riches will be to your liking.
Each product contains nourishing argan oil from Morocco enriched with other organic ingredients.
- Contains argan oil
- Nourishing formula
- Contains botanical keratin
- Infused with a high level of pro-vitamin B
The shampoo has a blend of moisturizing oils, from coconut to jojoba to sweet almond oil. It also has botanical keratin for hair strength.
Meanwhile, the conditioner uses pro-vitamin B to fortify the hair and make it smooth and soft.
Pros
- Prevents your hair from split ends
- Keeps your hair healthy and shiny
- Ensures a healthy and nice hair growth
The Cons
- The package might get to your broken
14. Live Clean Coconut Milk Moisturizing Shampoo
Product Overview
This moisturizing shampoo from eco-friendly brand Live Clean boasts of rich and creamy coconut milk that gives the maximum hydration and shine to the hair.
This vegan and cruelty-free shampoo wash the scalp and hair thoroughly while replenishing it with the moisture it needs to stay healthy.
- Coconut milk usage
- A high level of coconut oil
- Maximum hydration and shine
- Vegan and cruelty-free shampoo
Coconut oil also penetrates the hair to nourish it from the inside out.
Pros
- Provides all the nutrients
- Deeply nourishes and cleanses
- Penetrates hair follicles and hydrates
The Cons
- Doesn’t help with oily scalps
15. Live Clean Coconut Milk Moisturizing Conditioner
Product Overview
Pair this coconut milk conditioner by Live Clean with its matching shampoo above!
This conditioner is made with coconut milk and apricot oil that give your locks a sweet smell while it nourishes and softens deeply.
- Coconut milk usage
- Infused with apricot oil
- Doesn’t contain silicones and sulfates
It’s super easy to detangle your hair in the shower with this product.
Like all products by Live Clean, this is vegan, cruelty-free, and doesn’t contain any silicones, sulfates, and parabens.
Pros
- Deeply moisturizes and nourishes your scalp
- Strengthens your hair with polymeric proteins
- Makes your hair nice, smooth and silky
The Cons
- Has a chemical fragrance
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a sign about whether you should give up silicones or not, this is it!
I bet that a few days or weeks into a silicone-free routine, you’ll find that your hair is way more lightweight, bouncy, and shiny (given you use a lot of natural moisturizing ingredients, your hair will drink up).
It seems like a big change in your routine, I know. But I promise it’ll be worth it, and your hair will be looking better than ever.
Pureology Hydrate Sheer Shampoo
- For dry, damaged hair
- Contains vitamin E and sunflower seed oil
- Vegan, sulfate and silicone free
Aida
Founder & Hair Beauty Specialist
I’m Aida and this is my blog where I write mostly about beauty and make up related stuff, but I like to spice it up a bit with lifestyle and photography posts. Or with whatever that comes to my mind. Hope you will enjoy the reading enough that we will ‘see’ each other more often!
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Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/why-is-silicone-bad-for-hair by Lauren Sharkey
https://www.greenpeople.co.uk/blogs/the-beauty-hub/why-you-should-switch-silicone-free-shampoo by Hannah Mepham