Taking care of your hair can be hard work, and finding the right vegan conditioner to suit your hair isn’t always easy. Over the last decade or so, there has been an explosion of plant-based haircare products in the UK. That's why we've put together this buying guide to help you select the right one.
Whether you're in need of a conditioning mask for curly hair, or like the idea of trying a plastic-free conditioner bar, we share our tips on how to find the best vegan and cruelty-free options online. Ranking the top 10 on Boots, Amazon and John Lewis from brands including Faith in Nature, Maui and Aveda, your hair will be looking gorgeous in no time!
Quick List - Top Vegan Conditioners
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Before we dive straight into the products, we think it’s worth taking the time to think about what you’re buying. For that reason, we’ve put together this buying guide with all the main considerations one must contemplate before purchasing a new vegan conditioner.
Now you might think that just because a product is vegan, this would automatically mean it is also cruelty-free. Sadly, this is not always the case as many countries still require cosmetic products to be tested on animals prior to being sold.
Although in the UK and Europe, animal testing has been banned since the 90s, you may not feel comfortable supporting companies that continue to test on animals in other territories. Luckily, many conditioners will state whether they are cruelty-free or not on the bottle.
Of course, you may want to do your own research into whether or not the company is truly cruelty-free beforehand. Here are some of our favourite websites which give you a list of trusted companies as well as what they sell – Cruelty-Free Kitty, Ethical Elephant and Cruelty-Free UK.
Unlike shampooing, conditioning is about replenishing and nourishing your hair to help maintain a healthy, shiny set of locks. There’s no secret that there are various hair products for different types of hair, so it’s a case of finding one that performs the role you need it to.
When looking for a conditioner to treat dry or damaged hair, there are some great vegan ingredients that you can nurse your locks back to health. We recommend seeking out natural oils, such as argan, avocado and coconut to keep your hair nourished while maintaining a healthy scalp.
However, you'll want to be careful of overdoing it as too much oil can make your hair appear greasy. Try to keep oil-rich conditioners concentrated to the ends of your hair to avoid jumping from one problem to the next.
Oily hair can be caused by several factors, such as unhealthy eating habits, stress, hormone fluctuations or even just a change in the weather. That said, there are some conditioners that can help to combat an oily scalp.
Ingredients such as ylang ylang slow down sebum production, whereas lavender can help keep your hair cleaner for longer so you won't need to wash it as often.
Thinning can occur in both men and women for many different reasons. That's why a conditioner that works for one person, may not necessarily work for the next. In this instance, you may need to employ a trial-and-error approach.
That said, there are some ingredients worth keeping an eye out for. Wheat proteins and caffeine will help strengthen your hair by providing additional proteins, while essential oils help protect damaged hair and prevent breakage.
When it comes to curly hair, conditioners rich in plant oils can help detangle hair, as well as reduce frizz. They do this by coating each hair separately, making it easier to slip a comb through.
Other ingredients to look for are aloe vera, which helps to balance moisture levels in the hair, and shea butter to nourish curls. As shea and cocoa butter conditioners tend to be heavier, this can help curls fall to prevent shrinkage.
A conditioner can come as a bar, liquid or mask, and the type you choose will depend on your personal preferences and needs. Liquid conditioners are the most common and popular choice as they tend to last longer, come in greater volumes and more varieties. However, they can be troublesome to travel with and use plastic packaging.
Conditioner bars are a great option as they won't leak while travelling and generally use less packaging, making them better for the environment and animals. That said, for a conditioner to stay solid, they require a higher pH level. This can cause dryness and fizz, which is the opposite of what you want from your conditioner.
Conditioning hair masks are ideal if you need to give your hair a little extra TLC. These contain rich ingredients in heavier concentrations and can be left on for longer periods of time. Although not really suitable for daily use, you may wish to incorporate a hair mask into your routine once a week, or every fortnight.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Maui Moisture Conditioner for Dry Hair|385 ml | ![]() | The Next Big Thing in Haircare | |
2 | Faith in Nature Natural Blueberry Conditioner|400 ml | ![]() | 16 Different Natural Conditioning Choices | |
3 | Alter/Native Patchouli and Sandalwood Conditioner Bar|95 g | ![]() | The Best Conditioning Bar for Newbies | |
4 | Aveda Damage Remedy|250 ml | ![]() | Moisturise Dry and Damaged Hair | |
5 | Ethique Wonderbar|60 g | ![]() | A Company With a Noble Cause | |
6 | Sukin Natural Balance Conditioner|1 L | ![]() | Animal Conscious Without Breaking the Bank | |
7 | Grow Gorgeous Intense Thickening Hair Conditioner|250 ml | ![]() | Give Hair an Extra Boost | |
8 | Umberto Giannini Coily Banana Butter Repair + Restore Leave-in Conditioner|80 ml | ![]() | A Leave-In Conditioner to Restore Curls | |
9 | Hair Burst Hair Growth Shampoo & Conditioner Set|350 ml (x2) | ![]() | Create the Perfect Scalp Environment for New Hair Growth | |
10 | Love Beauty and Planet Hope and Repair Conditioner|400 ml | ![]() | Cruelty-Free Conditioner With Ylang-Ylang and Coconut Oil |
We've chosen Maui Moisture's coconut conditioner as our top pick for vegans! It combines coconut milk, aloe vera, guava oil and mango butter to detangle locks and ensure shine.
Furthermore, you get a respectable volume, without the prices that are often associated with such luxury ingredients. If you want to give yourself a real treat, then this Caribbean-scented conditioner will do just the trick!
All of Faith in Nature's products are handmade to the highest quality using only naturally derived and cruelty-free ingredients. Each cleverly concocted recipe results in a gorgeously fragranced conditioner for more manageable hair.
We've opted for their blueberry conditioner, but there are 15 others to choose from, with options addressing a range of specific hair needs. We like that this one is suitable for all hair types, meaning that everyone will be able to get something out of it.
Although it was a hard choice, when compared to Ethique's conditioner bar you get around 30% more for about half the price. We've opted for their patchouli and sandalwood bar as it smells like a dream, and what's not to love about that?
This conditioner bar works well for all hair types, making it the perfect place to start if you're experimenting with bars for the first time. Plus, the company are completely vegan, cruelty-free and committed to using 100% natural ingredients.
Made for those with dry and damaged hair in mind, this formula from Aveda utilises the properties of quinoa to repair and moisturise damaged hair. If you often style or dry your hair using heat, this conditioner can help protect strands for a healthy shine.
Best of all, everything the company produces is suitable for vegans. So if you find that this conditioner works well for your hair, then you have a whole new range to choose from!
Ethique is a company that prides itself on producing effective products from 100% natural, sustainable and ethically procured ingredients. Their mission statement is to drastically cut down the use of plastic, working alongside charities to achieve this.
Their Wonderbar conditioning bar is made for balancing oily hair, andt can also be used as an in-shower moisturiser for sensitive skin. It's a little more expensive, but if you have the money and value the cause, it's money well spent!
Not everyone has the money to be buying expensive brand-named beauty care products, but that doesn't mean you can't take care of yourself and your furry pals at the same time! Sukin's Natural Balance conditioner is both vegan and cruelty-free, and suitable for all hair types.
Not only that, but you get a large-sized bottle for a very wallet-friendly price. It's nice to know it's not always going to cost you a considerable sum of money for the privilege of making a conscious choice.
For many men and women, having thin hair is a major pain! Thankfully, Grow Gorgeous' intense hair thickening conditioner looks to help rejuvenate and energise your locks.
Caffeine is the main ingredient used to stimulate your scalp. Combine that with hyaluronic acid and plant-derived panthenol, and the result is a silky smooth finish. You'll get everything you want from your usual conditioner, with an extra boost!
Next up, we have this leave-in conditioner from Umberto Giannini. Apply the mask thoroughly your hair once out of the shower, ensuring that all curls are coated to restore bounce and shine to your locks.
It can be used on its own for natural styling, but the results are even better when paired with the company's other styling products. Just be aware that it can be a little heavy for fine or straight hair, causing it to lie flat and possibly appear greasy.
Do prefer your shampoo and conditioner to come as a set? Check out this vegan collection from Hair Burst! The company produces all their goods on our shores, and this set aims to supercharge your hair for maximum growth in a minimum amount of time.
The formula contains wheat proteins to strengthen hair, with avocado and coconut to reduct irritation and improve scalp health for new hair growth. Of course, this might be a bit more of a commitment than some would like, especially if you already have a favourite shampoo.
Love Beauty and Planet have been independently certified as vegan and cruelty-free. This means that you can guarantee they are a reliable and trusted company when it comes to their haircare products.
Luckily, the conditioner itself is pretty good too! The main ingredients are ylang-ylang and coconut oil, which provide a nice thick formula that's easy to massage through your barnet. Some have found it a bit tricky to get product out of the bottle, so you might want to remove the lid entirely for easier access.
A vegan conditioner is one that's free from animal products and made using only plant-based ingredients. However, knowing whether or not a conditioner is actually vegan can be daunting, and even a little intimidating, especially if it’s your first time.
Being sure all the ingredients are plant based is difficult, even for experienced herbivores. That's why learning some of the most common animal derived ingredients found in cosmetics can be incredibly handy. If you want to play it safe, choose conditioning products that specifically state they are 'vegan-friendly' somewhere on the bottle or packaging.
Author: Lewis Clark
No. 1: Maui Moisture|Conditioner for Dry Hair|385 ml
No. 2: Faith in Nature|Natural Blueberry Conditioner|400 ml
No. 3: Alter/Native|Patchouli and Sandalwood Conditioner Bar|95 g
No. 4: Aveda|Damage Remedy|250 ml
No. 5: Ethique|Wonderbar|60 g
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