The Difference Between Organic and Non-Organic Shampoo

There are many different terms that come with beauty products and shampoo is no exception. One of the most common terms to be associated with shampoo these days is the word ‘organic’. Many might know that the word organic means better for you and the environment but, they may not really know why. So, what is organic anyway? And when it comes to organic or non-organic shampoo, what’s the difference?

When referring to shampoos that are labelled “100%, certified organic” in comparison with other shampoos that are not organic, the difference is very simple. Organic shampoos are made only from all-natural ingredients that have not been processed in any way. They are left in their natural forms and are ingredients that will both clean your hair and make it shinier and healthier and are better for you too. Non-organic shampoos on the other hand, can contain ingredients such as petroleum that can be extremely irritating to skin and can even damage hair.

Unfortunately, the comparison of organic shampoo does not end there and is not quite so simple. Within the term ‘organic shampoo’ there are many different categories that shampoo can fall under. And, if you’re not clear about these differences, you may buy something because it says organic on the label and then be disappointed to find that the shampoo is not at all what you thought it was.

There are four different categories of ‘organic’ when referring to organic shampoo. The first is products that are labelled ‘100% organic.’ These products must not contain any percentage of any ingredient that is not completely natural and has been grown without hormones, fertilizers, pesticides, or any other synthetic materials. If a product has any kind of unnatural ingredient contained inside it, by law it cannot call itself a completely organic, or certified organic, product.

But products can still call themselves organic without being 100% organic. Any product that is made up of 95% or more organic materials and ingredients can label themselves as an organic product, they just cannot label themselves as being completely organic. And there’s still one more category of organic before you get to shampoos that do not contain organic materials. This is the category of shampoos that contain 70% - 94% organic ingredients. These products can legally label themselves as “being made with organic ingredients,” but they cannot call themselves organic.

Of course, any shampoo that contains less than 70% organic material cannot in any way say that they are an organic product or even contain organic ingredients. When it comes to the world of organic vs. non-organic shampoo, the difference is clear. It’s when you start looking into the different types of organic shampoo when things get complicated. Always make sure you read the label and know what you are buying, and what the difference is, before making your final choice.