Q: Hi Jessica!

Love your blog. Do you know of any clean drugstore shampoo brands? All of my products are Aveda, but I would like to save a bit on shampoo and I also like to alternate shampoos.
Thanks-
Sarah

A: Hi Sarah!

You aren’t going to like this answer.  There just aren’t a lot of Clean haircare options at the drugstore.  It’s a real bummer, I know.  What makes makes drugstore brands so affordable are the harsh, industrial-strength surfactants (sulfates, etc.) they contain.  Shampoo from Burt’s Bees, Yes to Carrots, Nature’s Gate, Desert Essence, Jason, Giovanni, Kiss My Face, Avalon Organics, and Alba are all marginally better than most brands you will find at the drugstore, but I just cannot recommend them with a good conscience, as they all contain at least two or three toxic ingredients (usually some form of sulfates, dimethicone, synthetic fragrance, or phenoxyethanol).  And please don’t buy Organix.  It is anything but Organic.

Why not try Acure?  I think it is the best affordable Clean product line, hands down, and people (including myself) love their shampoos and conditioners.  It is available at Whole Foods or you can purchase it here.

Also, if you like Aveda, try Intelligent Nutrients.  Horst Rechelbacher founded Aveda in 1978, and it was a very Clean brand, until he sold it to Estee Lauder in 1997 and they cheapened the formulas to increase shelf life and profits.  Rechelbacher then founded Intelligent Nutrients, which is so Clean you can eat it.  And it smells even better than Aveda.  Purchase it here.

I hope that helps, Sarah!

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