Natural Hair Care: What to Look for on the Label

"Natural" is on the front of almost every bottle, but it tells you very little. This guide explains what natural does and does not mean on a hair care label, which ingredients people often choose to avoid, how to read an ingredient list in three steps, and what a simple natural routine can look like.

What does "natural" mean on a hair care label?

There is no single legal definition of "natural" for cosmetics in the EU. A brand decides for itself what it means, for example that ingredients are of natural origin even if they have been processed. Independent certifications such as COSMOS and NATRUE have stricter rules, but they are optional. So the front of the bottle cannot tell you much. The ingredient list can.

Natural also does not mean gentle for everyone. Essential oils and plant extracts can irritate sensitive skin too. Test a new product on a small area first.

Ingredients people often choose to avoid, and why

Avoiding an ingredient is a personal choice. This is what each one is and why some people skip it.

  • Sulfates (SLS, SLES and sodium coco-sulfate): strong cleansing agents that make shampoo foam well. They can feel drying or irritating for some people, especially with a dry or sensitive scalp. "SLS-free" does not mean sulfate-free, because sodium coco-sulfate is a sulfate too. See how to spot sodium coco-sulfate marketing tricks.
  • Phthalates: a group of chemicals used in some plastics and, in the past, as carriers in fragrance. Several are banned in cosmetics in the EU. "Fragrance" on a label can cover many ingredients, so some people prefer brands that say their fragrance is phthalate-free. Read more about phthalate-free shampoo.
  • Parabens: preservatives that keep a product free of bacteria and mould. Some people prefer to avoid them. Every water-based product needs a preservative, so check what a paraben-free product uses instead.
  • Silicones: they coat the hair and make it feel smooth. Some people feel they build up over time and choose silicone-free products.

A shampoo does not cause or cure hair loss on its own. What it can do is clean the scalp without irritating it. Do shampoos work against hair loss? looks at what a shampoo can realistically do.

Plant ingredients and what they are used for

  • Jojoba and argan oil: plant oils that soften the hair and help keep it from drying out.
  • Aloe vera: used in scalp care for its moisturising and soothing feel.
  • Nettle, burdock root and hops: plant extracts with a long history in hair and scalp care.
  • Rosemary: a plant extract used in hair care for a long time. Small studies exist, see our article on rosemary oil versus minoxidil.
  • Caffeine and Ecklonia cava (a brown seaweed): studied for the scalp and hair follicles, mostly in laboratory research. Read about Ecklonia cava.
  • Biotin and niacinamide: vitamins used in skin and hair care.

You can see every ZENLUCA ingredient with a short explanation on our ingredients page.

How to read an ingredient list in three steps

  1. Look at the first five ingredients. Ingredients are listed from the highest to the lowest concentration, down to 1%. Below 1% the order can be anything. The first five make up most of the product. Water (aqua) first is normal for a shampoo.
  2. Find the cleansing agent. If you want to avoid sulfates, look for names ending in "sulfate", such as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate and sodium coco-sulfate. Plant-based alternatives have other names, for example soapwort extract (Saponaria officinalis).
  3. Check the fragrance and the preservative. "Parfum" or "fragrance" means a fragrance blend. A brand can tell you whether it is natural or synthetic, and some state that it is phthalate-free. Preservatives are listed too, and every water-based product has one.

A simple natural routine

A natural routine does not need many steps. The ZENLUCA routine uses shampoo, conditioner and serum, with an optional weekly roller:

The shampoo and serum are free of sulfates, parabens and silicones. The formulas are vegan and not tested on animals. They do contain a natural fragrance, which is phthalate-free. Not sure what to pick? Look at the sets.

What we mean by "natural"

At ZENLUCA, natural means that the ingredients are of natural origin: they come from plants or minerals, or are made from them. You can read the complete list on our ingredients page and more about our choices on Why Natural. The fragrance in our products is a natural fragrance, not a synthetic one.

Natural and sustainable

ZENLUCA works with Go Forest, and every order supports reforestation. Read more about our Sustainability Program.

Frequently asked questions

Is natural hair care better for your hair?

Not automatically. What matters is the whole formula: how gentle the cleansers are, what your scalp tolerates and whether it suits your hair type. Natural formulas can suit people with a sensitive scalp, but plant ingredients can cause reactions too.

What is the difference between natural and organic?

Natural usually means ingredients of natural origin. Organic means that part of the ingredients is grown under organic farming rules, and it is normally backed by a certification such as COSMOS Organic. Look for a certification logo rather than the word.

Does natural shampoo contain fragrance?

It can. Natural fragrance comes from essential oils or plant extracts. Check the ingredient list for "parfum", "fragrance" or essential oil names. Our products contain a natural fragrance that is phthalate-free.

How often should I wash my hair?

That depends on your hair and scalp. Many people do well with two to three washes a week, and the ZENLUCA routine uses the shampoo three times per week. If your scalp gets oily quickly or you sweat a lot, wash more often with a mild shampoo.

Is sulfate-free the same as natural?

No. A sulfate-free shampoo can contain synthetic ingredients, and a shampoo with natural ingredients can still contain a sulfate such as sodium coco-sulfate. Read the ingredient list.

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