Best Pregnancy Safe Shampoos

Are you looking for the best shampoo for pregnancy to support you through your hair changes whilst keeping your baby safe?

Then let us help you find a pregnancy safe shampoo and conditioner with our guide to the best pregnancy safe shampoos and conditioners.

Shampoo is a product that is typically safe for everyone, but you may not realize that hygiene and cosmetic products aren’t tested on pregnant women. So, while the chances of your shampoo harming your baby are slim, it’s still a good idea to grab a safe pregnancy shampoo to avoid any safety concerns.

Pregnancy also leads to changes in your hair due to hormonal shifts. As your baby belly grows, you’ll likely notice your hair changes. Many women feel that their hair grows faster and becomes thicker than before. Some experience dryness, but others say their hair becomes healthier.

It’s different for everyone, but you have to pick a shampoo and conditioner that supports your hair growth and development throughout these changes in your body.

Let’s look at some of the best and safest shampoos for pregnancy on the market.

And if you love this guide to the best shampoo to use while pregnant, make sure to check out these guides on best body washes for pregnancy, best deodorant for pregnancy, and best body lotion for pregnancy.

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Best Shampoo For Pregnancy

1. Vanicream Shampoo

Pregnant women often experience an increase in allergies or skin irritations. If you notice that even the mildest shampoos or body products trigger adverse reactions, you need to give Vanicream Shampoo a try. It is a shampoo without any added fragrances or potentially harmful substances, and with over 10,000 positive reviews, you know this is an excellent option.

Vanicream is an actual free and clear product that cleans your hair without excessive ingredients. They only use components that are truly necessary to give you the cleanest hair possible. In addition, it’s a fragrance-free shampoo, which means there are no added fragrances. If you notice a smell, it’s solely from the included ingredients.

Vanicream is a mild shampoo that is pH balanced to work for all hair types, gently yet effectively cleaning your hair and your scalp. It helps remove flaking and scaling skin and control oily scalps. It works for everyone! This shampoo is dermatologist tested and created with non-irritating ingredients.

You’ll love it!

What We Like:

• Fragrance-free shampoo
• pH balanced
• Suitable for all hair types
• Betaine-free
• Gluten-free
• Sulfate-free
• Silicone-free
• Protein-free
• Free of dyes, masking fragrance, lanolin, parabens and formaldehyde releasers
• Dermatologist tested

What We Don’t Like:

• Not Tearless
• Doesn’t Sud Well

2. Aveeno Scalp Soothing Fresh Greens Blend 2-and-1

Considering how popular Aveeno is, it’s no surprise that they made the list of best pregnancy shampoos. Their Soothing Fresh Greens Blend is an excellent choice; it’s a shampoo and conditioner combination.

This formula contains rosemary and peppermint oils, which are at safe levels for pregnant women. In addition, it will leave your scalp feeling cool and fresh after showering.

We love this shampoo because many of the ingredients are sourced in the United States. Even the oats are grown in the Mississippi River Valley! We love supporting US-based companies and farmers.

If you aren’t a fan of their rosemary and mint scent, don’t worry. Herbal Essences sells many other fragrances to enjoy, such as their Almond Oil Blend or their Apple Cider Vinegar Blend!

What We Like:

• 2-in-1
• Oat is the main ingredient
• infused with rosemary, peppermint and cucumber for thickness and body
• Free from sulfates, parabens and dyes
• Safe for color-treated hair

What We Don’t Like:

• Some Say The Scent is Too Strong
• Not EWG Verified

3. Aromatica Cypress Deep Cleansing Shampoo

Aromatica Cypress Deep Cleansing Shampoo is a product that is designed to cleanse the hair and scalp while also providing nourishment and promoting hair growth. It is made with 98% naturally derived ingredients, including cypress oil, rosemary leaf oil, and tea tree leaf oil.

The shampoo contains a blend of gentle surfactants that help to remove dirt and buildup without stripping the hair of its natural oils. The cypress oil in the formula helps to balance the scalp’s oil production, while the rosemary and tea tree oils provide a refreshing and invigorating scent.

Aromatica Cypress Deep Cleansing Shampoo is also enriched with biotin, which is a B vitamin that promotes healthy hair growth. It also contains arginine and panthenol, which help to strengthen and moisturize the hair.

This shampoo is free from harsh chemicals such as sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, making it a good choice for people with sensitive skin or scalp issues. It is also cruelty-free and vegan, and it has been certified by COSMOS, a European organization that sets standards for organic and natural cosmetics.

What We Like:

• Deeply Cleans Your Hair
• Gentle & Ideal for Daily Use
• Great for Oily to Normal Hair
• Forest-Like Smell
• EWG Verified shampoo with plant-derived ingredients
• 98% naturally derived ingredients
• Vegan
• Clinically proven
• Cruelty free
• 100% recycled plastic bottle
• Paraben and sulfate free

What We Don’t Like:

• Strong, Zingy Feeling You Might Not Like

4. Pure Nature LUX Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner

Consider the Pure Nature Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo to support your hair. This shampoo is free of dangerous chemicals, and it uses vitamin E to soften and strengthen your hair. It also provides your hair with vital sun protection by including antioxidants.

The ingredients for this shampoo and conditioner help hydrate and restore much-needed moisture in your hair. It also provides you with a thermal protectant, so it protects and repairs your hair from heat damage experienced by using a blow dryer, straightener, or curling iron regularly.

When it comes to ingredients, you can feel confident using their products. For example, the shampoo and conditioner are free of sulfates, parabens, sodium chloride, gluten, phthalates, and other harmful ingredients.

If you want to protect your hair and give it a beautiful structure, give Pure Nature products a try. Not only will it help to control and smooth frizzy hair, but it leaves your hair smoother than ever.

What We Like:

• Reduces Frizziness
• Leaves Your Hair Smooth
• Restores Moisture
• Free of Dangerous Chemicals
• Contains Vitamin E

What We Don’t Like:

• Bottles Are Too Small

5. Herbal Essences Sulfate Free Shampoo & Conditioner

Everyone loves a budget-friendly option, and Herbal Essences are one of those brands everyone recognizes. Their Honey & Vitamin B formula is rich and creamy, perfect for color-treated hair and those who need something gentle. Even if your hair isn’t colored, this shampoo and conditioner combo will leave your hair shiny, manageable, and free from build-up after several washes.

Another thing to note, if you’re worried about scent, is that this scent is pleasant and not too strong. So even if you use the conditioner, you won’t find it overpowering.

Since this is a conventional brand, it’s important to note that 87% of the ingredients come from natural origins, which means 13% come from artificial sources. However, that doesn’t mean those ingredients are unsafe.

Herbal Essences submitted the details of this shampoo and conditioner to the Environmental Working Group – EWG – and they verified that this shampoo is free from any ingredients that have health concerns.

Perhaps best of all, this shampoo is easy to find and available at many local stores to you!

What We Like:

• Budget-Friendly
• Readily Available
• Comes with Conditioner
• Safe & Independently Verified
• Pleasant Scent

What We Don’t Like:

• Not Ideal for Greasy Hair
• Not 100% Natural Ingredients

6. Maple Holistics Vegan Tea Tree Oil Shampoo

Pregnancy brings a lot of changes to your hair thanks to different hormone shifts, and many women notice that their hair is longer and thicker. However, some women find that their hair is oily during pregnancy, so Maple Holistics is an excellent choice for you! It’s free of any potentially harmful chemicals, using only all-natural ingredients.

This shampoo is ideal for women with oily hair during pregnancy, and it contains ingredients that not only reduce oiliness but help increase your scalp’s health. In addition, it will decrease flaking and itchy skin without sulfates. Instead, Maple Holistics uses a clarifying shampoo that takes care of the problem at the root.

Scalp problems don’t have to be expected throughout your pregnancy!

What We Like:

• Ideal for Oily Hair
• Cleansing & Clarifying
• Safe Ingredients
• Increases Your Scalp’s Health

What We Don’t Like:

• Strong Smell
• Might Dry Out Normal Hair Too Much

7. Shea Moisture Intensive Hydration Shampoo

Shea Moisture is one of the most popular natural shampoo brands on the market, and if you’re looking for pregnancy-safe shampoo, you can’t beat their products.

Grab their intensive hydration shampoo that works with your hair, rejuvenating and strengthening your hair after all of the hormonal shifts it experiences. It will infuse damaged hair without the use of sulfates. Instead, Shea Moisture uses a blend of restorative oils that restore, soften, and revitalize your hair.

If you look at the ingredients, you’ll notice ingredients like shea butter, manuka honey, mafura oil, and fig extract – all things you recognize and can pronounce. You won’t find ingredients like mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, or petrolatum. Their products are safe for all!

What We Like:

• Hydrating
• Safe Ingredients
• Helps with Damaged & Dry Hair
• Uses Restorative Oil

What We Don’t Like:

• Hydration Doesn’t Last Long
• Scent May Be Too Strong

8. Babo Botanicals Moisturizing Shampoo & Wash

If you want a pregnancy shampoo that is safe for family use, including your newborn child, then Babo Botanicals is an excellent option. This is a plant-based shampoo that you may use as a body wash and bubble bath.

One of the most impressive aspects of the Babo Botanicals Shampoo is that it uses safe ingredients, such as guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, typically called GHR. Imagine trying to say that five times fast. But, despite the long name, GHR helps condition your hair, preventing tangles and keeping your hair silky soft and volumized.

Another nice feature is that this shampoo doesn’t get too foamy but creates a nice lather. Since you can use this as a body wash and a shampoo, that matters! In addition, you’ll enjoy the calendula that helps soothe your skin and aid in a night of restful sleep. At the same time, calendula helps prevent dryness for both skin and hair.

The only downside to this formula is that it may not be strong enough to get your hair clean since it’s mild enough for newborn babies. Also, you may have to use more than one application.

What We Like:

• Safe Ingredients
• Organic Ingredients
• Made in the US
• Safe for All Ages
• Prevents Dryness for Skin & Hair

What We Don’t Like:

• May Be Too Mild to Clean Your Hair with One Application

9. Christina Moss Naturals Original Shampoo

Mothers often experience new skin allergies during pregnancy, and your little one may have allergies to different chemicals. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon as they enter this new world. The Christina Moss Naturals Shampoo is a hypoallergenic shampoo perfect for pregnant and new moms.

If you have sensitive or irritable skin or scalp, this is a great shampoo to use, even if you aren’t pregnant. It’s free of parabens, dyes, artificial fragrances, sulfates, etc. When you look at the ingredients, you’ll recognize many of them, such as organic aloe vera, coconut oil, olive oil, sunflower seed oil, and shea butter.

Christina Moss created a gentle formula to use on newborns, but women say that its natural foaming agent helps ensure your hair is washed and nourished. The company is so confident in its product that they guarantee it six months after purchase. They replace products or offer full refunds.

The only thing to note is that this shampoo contains rosemary, which is controversial in pregnancy. However, it is in a small amount, so the chances of being harmful are slim. At the same time, since rosemary is linked to potential organ toxicities, you need to make an educated choice for yourself!

What We Like:

• Safe Ingredients
• Hypoallergenic
• Safe for Moms & Newborns
• Money-Back Guarantee

What We Don’t Like:

• Contains Rosemary

10. Love Beauty & Planet Volume Thickening Shampoo

Many people recognize Love, Beauty & Planet hair care products. Their ingredient list contains no sulfates, parabens, or phthalates, making it a safe choice during pregnancy. In addition, their shampoos and conditioners are vegan and cruelty-free, so they’re a healthy choice for you, your baby, and the planet.

When you look at the ingredient list, you’ll find names you recognize. For example, love Beauty & Planet uses coconut water, mimosa flower, and coconut oil to create a shampoo that cleanses your hair, leaving it with volume and body. It works great for fine hair, moisturizing but not weighing it down.

What you won’t find are dangerous, harmful chemicals. This formula is free of parabens, silicone, and dyes, and it’s a vegan formula suitable for colored hair.

What We Like:

• Little Goes a Long Way
• No Added Harmful Chemical
• Healthy Ingredients
• Moisturizing & Volumizing

What We Don’t Like:

• Might Not Work Well for Super Flat Hair

11. ATTITUDE Super Leaves Hypoallergenic Shampoo

Many women prefer to have a scented shampoo, but the problem is that artificial fragrances are often a trigger for skin irritation and come from questionable sources. Also, what one person thinks is pleasant, another finds overpowering and repulsive.

ATTITUDE is an excellent option because so many mothers rave about the scent and because it’s far from overpowering. So, if you’re someone who wants scents but often feels sensitive to smells during pregnancy, this is an excellent choice for you.

The reviews for this shampoo state that users find they don’t have to use too much of the shampoo to work up a good lather, and it’s easy to rinse out of their hair. It will leave your hair feeling soft without any conditioner, and you’ll find, after a few washes, your hair starts to look shinier.

Even though this hypoallergenic shampoo isn’t formulated for dry or frizzy hair, moms report that they’re happy with the results and notice a reduction in their overall frizziness.

What We Like:

• Nice, Pleasant Scent
• Dermatologist Tested
• Hypoallergenic
• Cruelty-Free
• Great for Frizzy Hair

What We Don’t Like:

• Some Felt Like It Didn’t Get Their Hair Clean Enough

How to Pick the Best Pregnancy Shampoo

With so many different shampoo options on the market, you need to know how to pick one that will work for your hair. Here is what you should consider.

Your Hair Type

The first thing to remember is that not all shampoos work for all hair types. Every woman has different hair types, and it may change throughout your pregnancy due to hormonal changes. So, before buying shampoo, make sure you think about your hair.

Is it oily or dry? Do you have a flaky scalp that needs some help? Does your hair need extra volume or TLC after being colored and heat-treated often?

Considering your hair is the first thing you should do.

Scented or No

You might always have loved a scented shampoo, but if you notice that certain smells make you nauseous, you’ll want to steer clear of using heavily fragranced shampoos. The good thing is that many shampoos are fragrance-free without artificial scents added.

Ingredients

Ensure the shampoo for pregnancy you use doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients. For example, if you’re switching shampoos to support your pregnancy, you want to ensure it’s free of potentially dangerous components.

FAQs about Pregnancy Safe Shampoo and Conditioner

What Happens to Your Hair During Pregnancy?

A lot happens to your body throughout those 40 weeks of pregnancy, but you might not realize changes happen to your hair.

Pregnancy causes a shift and an increase in hormone production in your body. So, you may notice different effects on your hair that vary from woman to woman. The most common effects are an increase in strength and texture; many women see that their hair grows faster during pregnancy and less comes out during brushing and showering.

Some women find that their hair looks shinier, and the thickness increases. These are some great side effects of pregnancy, but they won’t last forever.

You might experience other changes as well. Some curly-haired women say their hair is straighter, and smooth hair becomes flyaway and kinky. Other times, women say their hair becomes coarser, drier, or greasier. It’s hard to say what your hair will do!

Unfortunately, having your baby leads to a drastic hormone shift, and you will notice slower hair growth and an increase in hair loss. However, using the right shampoo for pregnant women will help keep your hair healthy throughout your pregnancy and, hopefully, decrease the adverse side effects after you have your baby.

Does Shampoo Affect Pregnancy?

Few studies, if any, have been done to show whether hair care products affect pregnancy, and doctors tend not to agree either. Some say that using the same shampoo you used before pregnancy is fine, chemicals and all, while others take a more cautious standpoint.

That means you have to make a choice that makes you comfortable.

If you tend to worry, investing in pregnancy-safe shampoo could be the best option for you. On the other hand, stick to what you have now if you don’t think it’s a big deal. Remember, there isn’t evidence to show one way or another, so you have to use your best judgment.

What Shampoo Chemicals to Avoid in Pregnancy

You might think that chemicals are no big deal, but your skin is the largest organ you have, absorbing chemicals within seconds. In addition, evidence shows that chemicals applied to your skin transfer to your unborn baby since different chemicals have been found in umbilical cord blood.

When picking a pregnancy-safe shampoo, you must know what chemicals you should avoid.

Formaldehyde

Most people know that formaldehyde is a no-go chemical, but you might not realize how many items still contain it. It is proven to increase infertility and, in general, is not safe for pregnant women. Ideally, everyone should avoid this chemical.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

You’ll find sodium lauryl sulfate in many body products like shampoo and body soap. However, it’s typically not used in baby products because it’s considered unsafe for their skin. Some studies suggest that SLS leads to eczema and increases soreness, redness, and skin irritation.

Parabens

Parabens are often used in body products as a cosmetic preservative, but too many exposures cause weight issues for babies once they’re born. They also have plenty of problems for adults that you want to avoid.

Phthalates

Exposure to phthalates is a problem for everyone, especially pregnant women. This chemical increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. When it comes to pregnant women, exposure increases the likelihood of their baby having issues with motor skill development.

Final Thoughts on Best Shampoo and Conditioner For Pregnancy

Not all shampoos and conditioners will work for pregnancy. Whether it be potentially harmful ingredients or changes to how your hair responses you want to be sure you are using a pregnancy safe shampoo that works for your hair type.

These picks for the best shampoo while pregnant are all excellent choices, but make sure you pick the one that works the hair type you have!

And if you love this guide on the best shampoo and conditioner during pregnancy, make sure to check out these guides on the best pregnancy safe makeup brands, best foundation for pregnancy, best maternity pajamas for cozy nights, and things new moms need for themselves.