15 Best Pregnancy-Safe Shampoos & Conditioners, Vetted by Experts

Most pregnant women worry about the safety of their hair care products when pregnant. Even some women avoid washing their hair on a regular basis when they are expecting a baby. Their fears are plausible since not all shampoos are safe during pregnancy.

That doesn’t mean you have to commit to limp, lifeless, and dull-looking hair for the entire nine months. With so many options on the market, it is easy to get confused when you try to pick a suitable product that’s safe and gentle on your skin and hair. The good news is you can keep your hair clean, vibrant, and healthy with a few pregnancy-safe hair care products, such as shampoos and conditioners. 

As pregnancy brings some hormonal changes, you need to take extra care of your hair and skin. Whether you need shampoo for dandruff or color-treated hair during pregnancy, we have got you covered. Here, we have assembled some of the best pregnancy-safe shampoos and conditioners for a hassle-free shopping experience. Keep reading.

Pregnancy-Safe Shampoos & Conditioners

Our Top 3 Picks

Best Pregnancy-Safe Shampoo: Paul Mitchell Shampoo One

Paul Mitchell Shampoo is one of the products we highly recommend for a safe hair care routine during pregnancy. The cleanser’s vegan formula is free of toxic ingredients like parabens, phthalates, sulfates, or artificial colorants. Also, be assured that our beauty team has tested the shampoo to verify that it’s safe for pregnancy.

Since it’s a premium beauty brand, the ingredients in this shampoo are top-notch. Enriched with ingredients such as chamomile, rosemary, aloe vera, and jojoba, the formula of Paul Mitchel is gentle enough to use as a daily shampoo regardless of hair type. In terms of effectiveness, the formula not only helps to get rid of dirt and excess oil but also helps keep your hair moisturized.

Also, it has a fresh tropical scent that is mild, with one of our testers validating that “I can go on with my daily activities without any annoying irritation.” Though it is an excellent nourishing shampoo to keep your hair healthy and shiny, it is a little pricier.

Best Pregnancy-Safe Dry Shampoo: Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo

During pregnancy, your hair texture suddenly changes. The sudden changes might make your hair drier, oilier, or frizzier. That’s why you need a dry shampoo that can turn your dull, dry hair into a soft, nourishing one. You wouldn’t find a better dry shampoo than this Amika Perk Up to cleanse and deodorize your dry, lifeless hair during pregnancy.

This cleanser contains natural rice starch to mop up excess oil, buildup, and odor from your scalp. Its non-toxic formula is also enriched with “super-fruit” Sea Buckthorn Berry that locks the hair’s moisture and ensures maximum strength, shininess, and smoothness. And the addition of a few emollients helps nourish the scalp and relieve itchiness. “It leaves my hair looking freshly washed with no residue,” a user on Amazon commented.

It has a light, clean scent that fades quickly. And like other pregnancy-safe dry shampoos, it is also free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, or similar harsh elements. 

Best Pregnancy-Safe Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair: Pureology Hydrate Shampoo

For colored hair during pregnancy, you need a super hydrating shampoo that protects your hair dye from fading. Pureology has an impressive hair care line for color-treated hair. And Pureology Hydrate Shampoo is one of the shampoos worth considering while pregnant.

Our beauty experts were impressed that Pureology Hydrate Shampoo is more on the natural side compared to many higher-end shampoos. The sulfate-free formula uses green tea and jojoba oil blend to keep your hair soft and hydrated between washes. Also, the formula doesn’t harm your hair color, thanks to the anti-fade complex agents.

Our testers like that the shampoo has a mild natural fragrance that’s not overpowering. “Smells great, and treats my hair like royalty,” a tester remarked. The shampoo is on the pricey side but worth the splurge, considering all the benefits it offers for color-treated and damaged hair without harsh chemical additives.

Pregnancy-Safe Shampoos & Conditioners

Rated Highly by Parents and Experts

SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil

SheaMoisture hair care products come at an unbelievably low price, yet they are packed with all the safe ingredients to ensure glowing hair during pregnancy. This all-natural Manuka Honey Shampoo is made with a rich mix of organic ingredients and essential oils to enhance the overall quality of your hair.

Among the nourishing ingredients, there is coconut oil which acts as a curl enhancer, while jojoba oil helps prevent dryness. The sulfate-free formula produces a creamy lather for a gentle wash without weighing the hair down. Aside from a gentle cleansing, this shampoo also boosts your hair’s natural look while restoring shine.

When paired with its conditioner, the combo does a stellar job of making your hair soft and manageable. Also, the smell of this shampoo is pretty awesome.

AVEDA Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo

You can’t go wrong with Aveda hair care products. AVEDA Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo contains some of the finest plant-based ingredients and is a safe choice for pregnant women.

Infused with micelles and white vinegar, this purifying shampoo delivers the deepest purification without leaving any oily residue or grease. Even better, it doesn’t contain sulfates, silicones, parabens, or other harmful ingredients.

The long-lasting smell of rosemary and mint will leave a calming effect on your mind. Our beauty editors were surprised at how good their hair smelled after every wash. “This shampoo works magically for my oily hair, leaving it soft, shiny, and full without the waxy feeling and dull look,” shares one of our Beauty Assistants.

Pricey, but this shampoo is a money-saver option since one wash can last up to three days.

Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo

Argan oil has been a mainstay in many clean beauty products. That’s because argan oil is rich in beneficial nutrients for the hair and skin. To reduce the hassle of pairing a shampoo with argan oil, OGX has created an argan oil-based shampoo. This magical cleanser comes with a perfectly balanced formula that helps gently cleanse your hair without sulfates and other harmful ingredients. The formula also revitalizes your damaged hair caused by consistent chemical use over the years.

The vitamin E, fatty acids, and antioxidants in argan oil help condition and soothe your itchy, dry scalp. Moreover, it contains Cocamidopropyl betaine, a cleaning agent that reduces oil build-up and increases the foaming action.

Your hair gains volume and radiates a lively appeal as soon as you wash off the lather. Your hair will feel silky smooth and clean even after hours of usage. Whether you have curly or color-treated hair, the shampoo and conditioner combo is a good choice and a money-saving deal.

Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo & Conditioner Set

A drugstore popular, Pentene shampoo and conditioner set comes packed with the right ingredients to meet your hair care needs during pregnancy. As a sulfate-free shampoo, it cleanses your hair thoroughly and repairs the damaged hair due to chemicals.

Works as a gentle cleanser, it contains a pro-V ingredient and rose extract blend to keep your hair moisturized, smooth, and soft. Besides, it improves the overall health of your hair by providing the necessary nutrients. It’s dye-free, paraben-free, and doesn’t contain silicones or mineral oils, either.

With a mix of mint, lily of the valley, and rose, you’ll love the fragrance of this shampoo. 

OGX Nourishing + Coconut Milk Moisturizing Shampoo

Formulated with nutrient-rich milk, coconut oil, and egg protein, the creamy formula of OGX Moisturizing Shampoo claims to provide a long-lasting freshness and a shiny appeal to your hair without harsh chemicals. Thankfully, our in-house testers and reviewers approve this claim as well.

OGX’s nourishing formula isn’t only capable of nourishing your hair and giving it a youthful bounce but is also great at preventing future hair damage as well. In addition, the sulfate-free formula gently cleanses the hair and works well for most hair types.

You’ll love the fact that it’s a dermatologist-recommended shampoo and safe for pregnancy. Furthermore, it’s proven safe for delicate and sensitive skin.

Herbal Essences Purifying Shampoo

If you’re looking for sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner combo that’s affordable, check out this Herbal Essences Shampoo.

During pregnancy, your hair can have a dull and withered look. Thankfully, you can utilize the pH-balanced formula of Herbal Essences Purifying Shampoo to restore the natural shine of your damaged hair. It does this through a special blend of natural components, such as honey and Vitamin B.

“Regular use of this shampoo has led my hair to soft and silky which is easy to care for and manage,” a user shares. Also, many online reviewers highly recommend this shampoo for a radiant look and renewed hair freshness.

Safe for color-treated hair, this shampoo doesn’t contain phthalate, paraben, mineral oil, or sulfate. Even better? It has a pleasant and invigorating minty citrus scent.

Other Recommended Pregnancy-Safe Shampoos & Conditioners

The Honest Company Shampoo & Conditioner Set

As the name suggests, the Honest Company has a shampoo and conditioner set that only contains clean ingredients, such as natural organic Botanicals Leaf extracts to nourish your hair and skin. It makes curly hair feel light and soft with no tangling, with one user sharing that “it gets my (long, wavy) hair clean without drying it.”

This brand is the number-one choice for many pregnant women since it maintains a high standard when it comes to product ingredients. It’s purely plant-based and doesn’t contain parabens or SLS. It’s an everyday cleaning product that fortifies your hair to make it soft and shiny.

Color Wow Color Security Shampoo and Conditioner

As the name suggests, Color Wow shampoo plus conditioner is specially formulated for color-treated hair. As claimed sulfates and parabens-free, you are less likely to experience dull and dark residues on your hair. Instead, your hair will be bouncy, soft, and full of life.

Unlike some regular shampoos, the formula doesn’t contain silicones and other chemical agents that affect hair color. Also, the lightweight formula has a clean, light smell.

You will be impressed with how clean and shiny it makes your hair while protecting your hair color. Application is easy since you only need to apply on wet hair and massage uniformly, then rinse with clean water.

Vegan Tea Tree Oil Shampoo

If your scalp is constantly dry and oily, this tea tree oil shampoo from Maple Holistics can be a great pick. Vegan and cruelty-free, this purifying formula utilizes the valuable properties of lavender and argan oil, along with tea tree oil.

Both lavender and argan oil are especially good at keeping your hair moisturized, shiny, and soft, whereas tea tree oil helps control dandruff. So if you are struggling with dandruff, you don’t need to buy another anti-dandruff shampoo during pregnancy since it’s an all-inclusive cleanser. The last thing is that it has a nice floral smell that lasts a while after washing.

Wondering if tea tree oil is safe during pregnancy? The fact is you shouldn’t worry about tea tree oil diluted in skincare or haircare products. Properly diluted tree oil is considered safe for topical use during pregnancy.

Vanicream Free & Clear Hair Shampoo

If you are struggling with skin sensitivity during pregnancy due to fragrances and chemical additives of major OTC shampoos, then try this Free and Clear shampoo that is highly effective for individuals with sensitive skin.

The fragrance-free formula cleans hair well without disturbing the scalp’s pH balance or natural chemistry. And the shampoo does so without any questionable ingredients in the formula. Made by professionals in the cosmetology industry, be assured that it’s a safe hair care product for pregnant women.

Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Aveeno contains a unique formulation that rebalances your hair’s moisture content. It creates a fine and smooth lather that removes dirt without damaging the hair or scalp, mostly thanks to its powerful formula that utilizes the clarifying properties of Apple cider vinegar and the moisturizing properties of Colloidal oatmeal.

Best of all, the shampoo offers a gentle cleansing without utilizing harsh chemicals like sulfates, parabens, or gluten. Therefore, it is safe for pregnant women who often suffer from scalp dryness or irritation due to toxic elements. Also, this shampoo works like magic to deliver superior shine, smoothness, and softness. It helps greatly to retain the natural hair color as well.

You might struggle to find it on brick and mortar stores. The deal you will get at Walmart is definitely a plus. So this one is a perfect package for pregnant women.

Hask Coconut Monoi Shampoo and Conditioner

The clean formula of Hask shampoo and its matching conditioner is favorite among expecting moms for many reasons.

Infused with ingredients like monoi oil and coconut oil, the shampoo is highly rated for making the hair look healthy, voluminous, and clean. Coconut oil is essential in boosting overall hair health and preventing dryness or dullness caused by hair treatments, while monoi oil helps soften the hair.

Other than that, the brand claims Hask ingredients are carefully sourced and free from gluten, alcohol, sulfates, phthalates, and parabens. Most users raved about how their hair felt and smelled afterward. This combination of shampoo and conditioner in a package is cost-effective too.

Read Also: Best Pregnancy-Safe Body Washes

Best Pregnancy-Safe Shampoos & Conditioners

Questions & Answers

What kinds of shampoos and conditioners are safe during pregnancy?

Even though you try to use shampoos and conditioners less often during pregnancy, choosing the right shampoo still could be a big headache.

However, you don’t have to juggle with too many choices. It is less likely that you have to replace your current hair care line completely. Even if you need to, you can easily pick one from our list. We have carefully reviewed and tested before selecting each of the products.

Just make sure whether you want a scented or a fragrance-free version. For medicated shampoos, you need to talk to your doctor.

What shampoo ingredients to avoid while pregnant?

Regular shampoos often contain ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate, formaldehyde, and rosemary. Not just shampoos, these ingredients are pretty common in hair care products. So make sure your hair care products are free from these ingredients.

Some shampoos may also include parabens, synthetic fragrances, or preservatives. If you struggle with skin sensitivity, steer clear of these ingredients during pregnancy.

What are some of the best pregnancy-safe shampoo brands?

Conclusion

There are only a few things to consider when looking for a pregnancy-safe shampoo. Other than restoring natural hair appeal, your selected shampoo should cleanse without drying out the hair. In addition, they should be free of chemicals such as phthalates, sulfates, and parabens. With all this in mind, you can now shop for the best pregnancy-safe shampoo effortlessly.