Biodegradable Shampoos that are Camping-Friendly!

Kirtana has a postgraduate degree in mass communication and journalism. She developed a deep passion for writing after reading the brilliant works of Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl and has chosen a career... more

When it comes to maintaining hygiene during camps and other outdoor activities, we seldom think about using biodegradable products. What we don’t realize is that we are inadvertently poisoning the environment with the toxic ingredients in our regular shampoos, body washes, and other soapy liquids. So, if you are planning to go camping in the wilderness, you must pack toiletries that are biodegradable, reef-safe, eco-friendly, and ocean-friendly. And to make shopping for them easy for you, we have collated biodegradable shampoo brands that are not only nature-friendly but safe for your hair, skin, pets, and other cleaning needs. Yes, they are out-and-out multi-taskers!

However, you must not use biodegradable or green products right next to a lake or other water sources. As a precautionary step, you can use it at least 200 ft away. Your one small step towards protecting the environment can be life- saving for nature and aquatic life. So, why not make a difference with the best biodegradable shampoo? Here’s our list of the 10 best biodegradable shampoos of 2021 for you.

Top 10 Biodegradable Shampoos That Are Good For The Environment Too!

1. Ethique St Clements Shampoo

Add a zing of freshness to your hair wash sessions with this citrusy shampoo bar. Ideal for oily hair, St Clements Shampoo will intensely clean all the dirt and greasiness with the infused orange and lime oils. Free from surfactants that strip the natural oils from the hair, this shampoo will balance the oil production and moisture levels instead. And it is naturally conditioning too! 100% soap-free and plastic-free, it also contains Theobroma cacao butter, castor oil, and vegetable glycerin to please all the proud vegans out there.

Pros:

• pH balanced
• Cruelty-free
• Non-drying
• Eco-friendly
• Safe for color-treated hair
• Equal to 3 bottles of liquid shampoo

Cons:

• May not last long
• Slightly expensive

2. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap – Baby Unscented

The versatility of this organic biodegradable shampoo will amaze you! Safe for sensitive skin and gentle enough for babies, you can use this liquid soap for hair, body, laundry, pets, dishwashing, and other cleaning needs! Sounds unbelievable? The formula contains a double dose of olive oil, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, hemp oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E, and other fair trade and organic ingredients. Safe for you, your family, pets, and the Earth, this all-purpose cleaning soap is 3 times more concentrated than other soaps and free from harsh foaming agents too.

Pros:

• 18-in-1 uses
• Vegan
• Non-GMO
• Cruelty-free
• Fragrance-free
• Recyclable bottle
• A little goes a long way

Cons:

3. Acure Coconut & Argan Shampoo Bar

One soap for all your head-to-toe cleansing needs! Swap those chemical- based shampoos with this gentle and toxin-free bar on your camping trip. Free from harsh chemicals, it does not contain parabens, mineral oil, sulfates, formaldehyde, and petrolatum. Instead, it has organic and ultra-moisturizing ingredients such as coconut oil, argan kernel oil, cupuacu seed butter, sunflower seed oil, goji fruit extract, and acai fruit extract. Safe for your hair, skin, and your pets, this biodegradable shampoo bar will clean with comfort and care.

Pros:

• Vegan
• Palm oil-free
• Cruelty-free
• Suitable to use as hand soap

Cons:

4. Mustela Gentle Shampoo

Does your hair tangle up instantly after a shower? Try this shampoo as it will leave your hair feather-soft and detangled effortlessly. Although designed for newborns and their mummies, this biodegradable ultra-gentle shampoo is suitable for all dealing with weak, fine, and breakage-prone hair. The shampoo contains chamomile flower extract and avocado fruit extract to cleanse the dirt without stripping natural oils and leaves a soothing scent with every use. Also, no more painful detangling with this one, as 98% agree it prevents knots after a hair wash. Besides this, the shampoo rinses off easily and is free from phenoxyethanol, phthalates, and parabens.

Pros:

• Hypoallergenic
• Tear-free formula
• Dermatologist-tested
• 93% safe and natural ingredients
• Suitable for daily use

Cons:

• Contains sulfates
• May not be suitable for sensitive skin

5. J.R. Liggett’s Old-Fashioned Shampoo Bars – Pack of 3

How about going traditional to restore your mane’s suppleness and shine? The century-old recipes in these eco-friendly shampoo bars contain all-natural and ultra-nourishing ingredients for a dry and itchy scalp. If you are dealing with dryness, the jojoba and peppermint soap along with olive oil, coconut oil, and castor oil will dissolve the hardened build-ups, clean and nourish the follicles and penetrate deep into the hair shaft to combat dryness. The tea tree and hemp oil shampoo bar also contain castor oil, coconut oil, olive oil, and almond oil to soothe itchiness, combat dandruff, and stimulate hair growth. And if you are dealing with frizzy hair, the coconut and argan oil shampoo bar will tame the frizz and flyaways and leave your hair supple, manageable, and shiny with every wash.

Pros:

• SLS-free
• Non-GMO
• Cruelty-free
• Sulfate-free
• Detergent-free
• Will not strip natural oils
• Suitable for colored, permed, and curly hair

Cons:

6. Love Beauty And Planet 2-In-1 Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower Shampoo And Conditioner Bar

Good for your hair and safe for the planet, this biodegradable shampoo and conditioner bar is power-packed with sustainably and ethically sourced ingredients! Are you missing your flip-worthy, gorgeous, and bouncy hair? This 2-In-1 shampoo bar will lightly moisturize, restore the suppleness and add a lush volume to your mane that you can’t help but flaunt! Also, it is free from harsh chemicals such as silicones, parabens, dyes, and phthalates and promises to add a Hawaiian touch with the infused coconut oil. Besides this, it contains the floral notes of Moroccan-sourced mimosa flower, sweet honey, and fruity raspberry for a blissful hair washing experience.

Pros:

• Vegan
• Cruelty-free
• Detangles hair
• 100% recyclable cartons
• Suitable for fine, flat, and color-treated hair

Cons:

7. Sierra Dawn Original Formula Campsuds in Nalgene Bottle

Campers and travelers, add this all-purpose cleansing shampoo to your travel list today! Biodegradable and safe for the wilderness, this multi-purpose shampoo for camping contains essential oils and vegetable-derived ingredients that are safe for your hair, skin, and the environment. With little going a long way, a few drops of this shampoo can produce enough suds to meet all your cleaning needs. And the best part is, it works effortlessly in cold, hot, and saltwater. Regardless of what you use it for, it is tough on dirt, has a refreshing scent, and ensures a squeaky-clean experience.

Pros:

• Compact
• Reusable
• Durable
• Leak-proof

Cons:

• Contains sulfates
• Slightly expensive

8. Reef Repair Reef Safe Shampoo Bar – Coconut

Ticking all the boxes of keeping the environment and ocean safe, this coconut- scented vegan shampoo bar deserves the spotlight. Besides being 100% natural, Reef Safe Shampoo Bar produces rich suds, is non-oily, and suitable to use daily for hair and scalp cleansing. And unlike other vegan shampoo bars, this one will not disintegrate while using and is free from toxic ingredients such as silicones, sulfates, detergent, palm oil, parabens, formaldehyde, and dioxin. Biodegradable and child-safe, the shampoo bar is pH balanced, suitable for sensitive skin, and will prevent dryness and itchiness. Want more? It’s moisturizing and anti-bacterial too.

Pros:

• Cruelty-free
• Ocean-friendly
• Lightly-scented
• Eco-friendly packaging
• Suitable for all hair types

Cons:

9. Joshua Tree Tea Tree + Mint Body Wash

For a minty-fresh and squeaky-clean feeling post-shower, this all-purpose gel shampoo would be a great choice. Safe and gentle, you can use it for bathing, hair wash, pets, laundry, and utensils, making it an ideal choice for campers and travelers. Infused with biodegradable ingredients, the formula contains tea tree oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, peppermint oil, and vitamin E for an ultra-nourishing and conditioning experience.

Pros:

• Ultra-refreshing
• Lathers up easily
• Eco-friendly packaging
• Plant-based ingredients

Cons:

• Slightly drying

10. Direct 2 Boater Biodegradable Body Gel & Shampoo

Here’s another fantastic choice for travelers, campers, and those who enjoy fishing, sailing, and boating. Since chemical shampoos are harmful to the environment and aquatic life, this gel body and hair wash would be a safe substitute with its 100% biodegradable formula. You can use it in hard, salted, chlorinated, fresh, and brackish water, and it will lather up just fine to give a squeaky-clean wash. Tough on dirt and grease but gentle on your hair, skin, and environment, give this camping shampoo a try if you haven’t already!

Pros:

• Reef-safe
• Fragrance-free
• Synthetic dye-free

Cons:

Enjoy your camping trips without harming the environment! Here’s our list of the 10 best biodegradable soaps and shampoos that are tough on dirt but gentle on nature. If you are still wondering how to choose the best one from the list, we have some tips for you in our buying guide below.

How Do I Choose the Best Biodegradable Shampoo?

Here are some features that you must look out for in the product to make sure it is the best buy:

Since you are using it for bathing and hair wash, check if the ingredients are suitable for your skin and hair type. For example, if you have acne-prone skin, products with coconut oil may not be ideal because it is comedogenic. Besides this, biodegradable products with essential oils may be moisturizing for dry hair but may turn oily hair greasy sooner.

Not all biodegradable products may be good for the environment, and some may even use tags such as ocean-friendly and eco-friendly as a marketing gimmick. So, cross-check the ingredients and make sure it is free from harsh chemicals such as parabens, sulfates, silicones, formaldehyde, phthalates, and more for the best experience.

While looking for the best biodegradable shampoo, do not compromise on the cleansing benefits. Maintaining hygiene is as essential as protecting the environment. Choose a shampoo that ensures a squeaky-clean and refreshing experience after bathing and hair wash.

With an all-purpose shampoo in your bag, you don’t have to pack too many toiletries for the trip. And surprisingly, there are multi-purpose shampoos on the market (and our list) that you can use for bathing, hair wash, washing pets, laundry, utensils, clothes, and more.

Even if you are camping near a lake or water source, pick a shampoo that will not require too much water. Ideally, shampoos that produce suds instantly will need less water than those that don’t lather up effortlessly. So, choose accordingly!

Biodegradable shampoos are helping campers maintain hygiene without harming the environment. A decade ago, finding the right biodegradable shampoo was a task for earth-conscious souls, but not anymore. Today, brands are using biodegradable ingredients and choosing to be ocean-friendly and reef-safe to protect the environment. And our list has options that are safe for you, your family, pets, and nature. A one-stop solution to stay squeaky-clean and fresh in the outdoors! So, wait more! Now that we have sorted your cleaning needs— plan your camping and outdoors trips without worrying about harming the environment. Choose the best biodegradable shampoo today!

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