Top 10 Awesome Benefits of Plant-Based Shampoos

What are the benefits of plant-based shampoos, and should you switch your regular shampoo for a vegan one? Continue reading to learn more.

Over the past few years, the world has gradually been moving towards more sustainable and health-conscious living, a trend that has spread across all industries - including beauty and personal care. 

Luckily, we are no longer limited to hair products full of chemicals, parabens, and silicones - the surge in demand for natural, eco-friendly options has brought plant-based shampoos to the forefront. 

These shampoos harness the potent benefits of plants, herbs, and natural oils, offering a holistic approach to hair health. So, if you are looking forward to discovering the main benefits of plant-based shampoos, just keep on reading:

What is a plant-based shampoo?

Plant-based shampoos, also known as vegan shampoos, are hair products formulated primarily with natural ingredients derived from plants. Instead of using harsh chemicals, they focus on gentle, eco-friendly components like herbal extracts and essential oils. 

A plant-based shampoo is not only good for hair because it offers a nourishing and sustainable option for hair care, but also because it's more gentle to the hair and scalp, reducing the risk for irritation, inflammation and damage otherwise caused by harsh chemicals.

What are the benefits of plant-based shampoos?

Plant-based shampoos offer benefits like gentle cleansing with natural ingredients, suitability for sensitive skin, and no harsh chemicals. They're environmentally friendly, often biodegradable, and provide nourishing properties from botanical extracts, promoting healthier hair and scalp.

However, let's take a look at the benefits of plant-based shampoos in more detail:

1. Free from harsh chemicals

While not all plant-based and vegan shampoos are entirely free from harsh chemicals, it is one of the most common characteristics that define them compared with regular hair products.

As opposed to traditional shampoos, which commonly contain sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), as well as parabens and silicones, vegan alternatives usually opt for milder, natural cleansing agents to ensure proper cleaning with damage. 

These agents typically strip away the natural oils of your hair, which may lead to dryness, irritation, and including hormonal disruptions in some more serious cases. In addition, they can build up on hair over time, reducing moisture and the natural shine of the hair. 

2. More gentle to the hair

Among the biggest benefits of these plant-based hair products is that they are more gentle on the hair and scalp, reducing the risk of irritation and dryness. They use natural cleansing agents, which are milder than synthetic detergents and provide effective cleaning without stripping the hair of its natural oils.

For example, the NuMe Vegan Hydrating Tourmaline Shampoo is made with tourmaline powder, hydrolyzed quinoa, citric acid, and other natural ingredients to provide nourishment to the hair from the inside out.

It also contains 11 amino acids for adding shine, stimulating new hair growth, and naturally reducing frizz while delivering vitamins for healthier hair. 

3. Maintain the natural oil balance of the scalp 

Another awesome benefit of plant-based shampoos is that their natural ingredients help maintain the natural oil balance of the scalp. Unlike harsh shampoos that strip away these oils, plant-based formulas cleanse while preserving essential moisture.

They boast anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, protecting the scalp from environmental damage and oxidative stress, on top of reducing scalp irritation and inflammation. 

In addition, natural ingredients can help regulate sebum production, reducing excessive oiliness. This is beneficial for maintaining clean, unclogged hair follicles and a healthy scalp environment.

For ensuring good overall scalp health, we highly recommend adding the NuMe Hairology Scalp Serum to your hair care routine - made with the power of four core plants, it is designed to transform your hair into its highest potential.

4. Plant-based shampoos are suitable for sensitive skin

Speaking of the awesome benefits of plant-based shampoos, we can't forget to mention that they are also highly suitable for sensitive skin. As we mentioned earlier, the natural ingredients that they are formulated with are more gentle and not irritating compared with synthetic chemicals.

Harsh chemicals like sulfates and parabens may cause reactions to sensitive skin, such as red skin or scaly patches, which can range from mild reactions to even moderate and severe reactions. In fact, as many as up to 24% of people may experience sensitive skin and potential reactions at least once in their lives.

However, many plant-based ingredients are hypoallergenic, making them less likely to trigger allergic reactions or skin sensitivities. They also often have a pH level that's similar to that of the skin, which helps maintain the scalp's natural balance and barrier function, reducing the risk of irritation.

5. They promote hair growth

Plant-based shampoos like the NuMe Vegan Hydrating Tourmaline Shampoo contain natural ingredients rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants essential for healthy hair growth.

For example, ingredients like biotin, niacin, and vitamins A, C, and E can nourish the hair follicles and promote stronger, healthier hair growth.

On another hand, natural oils like argan oil can moisturize and strengthen hair strands. These oils can also prevent hair breakage and split ends, which are crucial for maintaining hair length and promoting hair growth.

6. Plant-based shampoos nourish the hair

Among the biggest benefits of plant-based shampoos is that they provide essential nutrients and hydration to the hair, promoting its overall health and growth. 

• They are rich in vitamins and minerals - vegan shampoos are often packed with vitamins (like A, C, E, and B-complex) and minerals, which are key for the strength and shine of the hair. 
• They provide hydration and moisture - argan oil, shea butter, and jojoba oils are commonly used in vegan shampoos as they provide deep hydration to the hair and prevent dryness, one of the most common hair problems.
• They strengthen the hair with protein - NuMe's shampoos and hair products contain quinoa and other types of protein, which help to strengthen the hair and maintain the overall health of the hair structure.
• They contain natural conditioning agents - in the same manner, NuMe uses plant extracts that are natural conditioning agents, leaving the hair smooth, soft, and manageable. 

If you need the full pack of plant-based products to ensure proper hydration, nourishment, and growth support for the hair, check out our NuMe Vegan Tourmaline Hair Care set.

7. An environmentally-friendly alternative

As opposed to shampoos made with mainly lab-created ingredients, plant-based shampoos are also a great environmentally-friendly alternative for a more conscious living.

Among the biggest benefits of plant-based shampoos is that they often use ingredients that are sourced from sustainable methods. 

Plants can be regrown and harvested in a way that is less taxing on the environment compared to the production of synthetic chemicals, which often rely on non-renewable resources and can involve more energy-intensive processes.

In addition, conventional shampoos often contain chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and silicones that can find their way into water systems after use.

These chemicals can be harmful to aquatic life and may disrupt ecosystems. Plant-based shampoos, being free from these harsh chemicals, reduce this risk.

8. Cruelty-free and vegan

Of course, we can't talk about the benefits of plant-based shampoos without mentioning that they are also cruelty-free and vegan! How awesome is that? Since they are not tested on animals, there are no ethical concerns about animal welfare.

On the contrary, a lot of traditional hair products often involve animal testing in order to assess the safety and efficacy of the products, which means that there are ethical concerns about the way animals are treated.

Plant-based shampoos, especially those certified as cruelty-free, assure consumers that no animal testing was conducted at any stage of product development. 

9. Suitable for all hair types

As we discussed earlier, shampoos with harsh chemicals may be unsuitable for some hair types, especially for those with fine hair or sensitive skin which may end up getting irritated.

On another hand, plant-based shampoos are generally more gentle to the hair and skin. However, keep in mind that not all plant-based shampoos are suitable for all hair types - if you are looking for one that is, we recommend trying the NuMe Vegan Hydrating Tourmaline Shampoo.

10. Can be more hydrating

A plant-based shampoo is good for hair because it can be more hydrating for your hair and skin. As we discussed earlier, they often contain natural oils and butter such as argan oil and shea butter.

These ingredients are known for their deep moisturizing properties, especially argan oil with its amazing benefits. Unlike synthetic moisturizers, they can penetrate the hair shaft to nourish and hydrate hair from within, rather than just coating the surface.

FAQ

Is plant-based shampoo good for your hair?

Plant-based shampoos, made with natural ingredients, are often gentler on hair and scalp compared to traditional shampoos.

One of the benefits of these plant-based products is they provide essential nutrients without harsh chemicals, promoting healthier hair and scalp, making them a good choice for many, especially those with sensitive skin.

What are plant-based ingredients for shampoo?

Plant-based shampoos often include ingredients like aloe vera, tea tree oil, coconut oil, argan oil, shea butter, and various herbal extracts.

These natural components nourish the hair, provide moisture, and help maintain a healthy scalp without the use of harsh chemicals.

Do plant-based shampoos lather well?

Plant-based shampoos may not lather as much as traditional shampoos due to the absence of sulfates, which are responsible for creating a rich foam.

However, many still effectively clean the hair and scalp, with some natural ingredients providing a gentle, albeit less bubbly, lather.

Are plant-based shampoos safe for color-treated hair?

Plant-based shampoos are generally safe for color-treated hair. They often lack harsh chemicals like sulfates that can strip color, instead using gentler, natural ingredients that help maintain color vibrancy and overall hair health, making them a suitable choice for dyed hair.

Can plant-based shampoos help with specific hair or scalp issues?

Plant-based shampoos can help with specific hair or scalp issues. Ingredients like tea tree oil combat dandruff, while aloe vera soothes irritated scalps. Oils like coconut and argan nourish dry hair.

However, effectiveness varies, and severe conditions may require specialized treatment.

Are plant-based shampoos suitable for sensitive skin?

Plant-based shampoos are often suitable for sensitive skin due to their natural, gentle ingredients. They typically avoid harsh chemicals like sulfates and parabens, reducing the risk of irritation and allergic reactions, and making them a favorable option for those with sensitive skin.