17 Top Pregnancy-Safe Shampoos Moms Will Love
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Pregnancy is a beautiful and exciting time in any woman’s life. But it can also be scary and challenging.
Women’s bodies undergo so much during pregnancy, and moms must stay healthy for their sake and the baby’s sake.
That’s why pregnant women often have a strict regimen they need to follow, which includes prenatal care like taking vitamins, doing exercises, and using products that are safe for the baby.
And this includes beauty products.
Finding the top pregnancy-safe shampoo is essential to ensure they stay safe and healthy but still feel and look their best.
After all, pregnancy is difficult enough, you should have hair products that work without the worry.
That’s why we’ve done the legwork for you and compiled a list of our picks for safe shampoo for pregnant women.
With any of these products, you can be sure your hair will be smooth, silky, and beautiful!
- pH-balanced formula
- Dermatologist-tested
- Mild, gentle, fragrance-free
- Fueled by mega omega fatty acids
- Cruelty-free and chemical-free
- Performance-driven haircare
- An organic blend of fermented seeds
- Gentle pH for sensitive skin
- Formulated with organic barley extract
Table of Contents
Why You Need a Pregnancy-Safe Shampoo
You use shampoo on your hair for roughly a few minutes, then wash it off. So you may wonder how much damage your regular shampoo can really cause.
The truth is, though, that while shampoo is typically safe, beauty products aren’t tested on pregnant women, so it’s always better to err on the side of caution regarding what ingredients you use on your body.
Plus, certain shampoo ingredients have been shown to be potentially harmful to expectant moms, and it’s crucial to avoid them to be safe.
Aside from this, safety isn’t the only concern (although it’s a big one); pregnancy also ushers in many changes to the hair due to shifting hormones.
That’s why it’s best to pick the top shampoos for pregnancy that support your hair during all the changes your body experiences in the pregnancy journey.
What Happens to Your Hair During Pregnancy
The body changes a lot during pregnancy due to hormonal surges. And these changes aren’t always the same; they may vary from woman to woman.
As their pregnancy progresses, many women notice their hair growing faster and thicker than usual.
This is because excessive estrogen production during pregnancy may reduce hair shedding and cause excess hair growth.
On the flip side, some women may experience hair loss during pregnancy because of these hormonal changes.
There are also pregnant women that notice their locks getting drier, frizzier, and more brittle, while others’ hair gets healthier and shinier.
Additionally, some women may notice their scalps becoming more sensitive.
These are part and parcel of the pregnancy journey, and many changes are temporary.
However, while they are happening, it helps to get a pregnancy-safe shampoo to reduce hair problems without safety issues.
Things To Remember When Buying Pregnancy-Safe Shampoos
Now that you know why you should invest in the top pregnancy shampoo, what are some of the things you should consider when making your purchase?
Here are important reminders to keep in mind while shopping:
1. Skip Harmful Ingredients
The most important thing to do when choosing a pregnancy-safe shampoo is to get products with no harmful ingredients.
The ingredients you should skip include the following:
- Parabens — Repeated use of products with parabens disrupts hormone levels, which can potentially lead to low birth weight or, worse, pre-term birth.
- Phthalates — This ingredient has shown harmful effects in animal pregnancy studies, and it has been linked to developmental issues and even pre-term birth.
- Formaldehyde — This ingredient has been linked to miscarriages or congenital birth defects.
- Sodium lauryl sulfate — While some say this is related to potential congenital disorders, the research is inconclusive.
However, this ingredient is a known skin irritant, so it should be avoided while pregnant when the skin is more sensitive.
- Alcohol — This ingredient strips the hair of its natural oils, making it dry and brittle. However, some products do contain alcohol because it is a safer and more effective alternative to other preservatives.
Avoiding this in shampoos is more about hair health than safety, and if you find yourself suffering from dry hair during pregnancy, it might be a good ingredient to avoid.
2. Look for Moisturizing Ingredients
A common hair issue many pregnant women experience is dryness. As such, look for a shampoo with good moisturizing properties.
Ingredients you can look for include natural oils like argan oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil or butters like shea butter or kokum butter.
3. Go for Natural Ingredients
On the topic of natural ingredients, these are a great alternative to synthetic ingredients, so they’re your top bet when shopping for the top pregnancy-safe shampoos.
Look for essential oils, fruit extracts, and botanicals to ensure your shampoo is safe and good for your hair and your baby.
It’s important to note that not all essential oils are safe for pregnancy.
Safe essential oils include lavender, ylang-ylang, bergamot, and mint, while unsafe ones include aniseed, rosemary, and sage.
Additionally, for guaranteed safety (especially for delicate pregnancies), essential oils aren’t recommended for use until after the first trimester.
That said, safety guidelines about essential oil use are geared more toward topical application. Most essential oils in shampoos are already diluted.
But it’s still a good idea to follow precautionary measures and avoid unsafe essential oils in your shampoo.
When in doubt, check with your doctor before using your chosen shampoo.
4. Opt for Hair-Strengthening Shampoos
You can use shampoos with strengthening ingredients like vitamins and minerals to keep your hair healthy and strong.
A good vitamin to look for is biotin to prevent breakage and keep hair strong.
5. Try pH-Balanced Shampoos
A pH-balanced shampoo is a good choice because it ensures that hair cuticles stay closed to prevent moisture loss, reduce frizz, and avoid breakage and hair loss.
17 Top Pregnancy-Safe Shampoos To Try
Now that you know what to look for and what to avoid in the top shampoos when pregnant, we’ll share our recommendations for shampoos you should try.
Check out our picks for the 17 top pregnancy-safe shampoos:
This pregnancy-safe shampoo cleanses your scalp and hair without stripping them of natural oils and nutrients.
Key benefits: Effectively cleans both hair and scalp; controls oil; reduces flaking; good for daily use
Features:
- Mild, gentle, and pH-balanced formula
- Dermatologist-tested
- Free of fragrances, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and formaldehyde
If you need a mild shampoo that is still good at removing product buildup and dead skin cells, this shampoo is a great choice.
This Vanicream Free & Clear Shampoo is a good pregnancy-safe shampoo that thoroughly cleans the scalp and hair without harmful chemicals.
As a mild and effective shampoo, it cleans product residue and buildup and helps remove dead skin cells without causing damage to the scalp or stripping it of its natural oils.
It also helps balance the pH level of the scalp while making your hair more manageable, which is a definite plus during pregnancy.
If you have unruly hair during pregnancy, this gentle shampoo is for you. It can clean the hair and tame it simultaneously.
Key benefits: Hydrates and restores hair moisture; smoothens frizz; gentle on the scalp
Features:
- Free of harmful chemicals
- Powered by moisturizing argan oil
- Rich in vitamins and antioxidants
This shampoo is gentle enough to keep the baby safe but at the same time clean even the most sensitive scalps and locks.
Hair dryness can be a problem during pregnancy, so getting a shampoo that moisturizes as it cleans is always a good idea.
This PureNature shampoo utilizes natural argan and jojoba oil to hydrate the hair while being gentle on the scalp.
It also contains antioxidants and vitamins to help protect against hair damage from sun damage, heat styling, and pollution.
It’s a great choice if you want to tame unruly or frizzy hair during pregnancy with the power of natural ingredients and no harmful chemicals.
The Love Beauty and Planet Hope and Repair Shampoo helps renew and protect dry and brittle strands while being safe for the baby.
Key benefits: Prevents hair breakage; repairs split ends; provides essential hair hydration
Features:
- Contains coconut oil and ylang-ylang
- Safe for all types of hair
- Cruelty and chemical-free
An excellent, eco-friendly shampoo that helps repair dry or damaged hair with powerful natural ingredients.
This shampoo is one of the most reliable pregnancy-safe options for hair that’s damaged.
It’s sulfate-free and silicone-free, and it utilizes natural ingredients to ensure hair health.
Thanks to its plant-based cleansers and organic coconut oil with ethically sourced ylang-ylang extract, it keeps your hair nourished, clean, and fresh-smelling all day.
However, it does contain benzyl alcohol, which is a mild and safe preservative, so it can be a bit drying.
If pregnancy is making your hair lackluster and limp, this safe volumizing shampoo will help give life back to your strands.
Key benefits: Revitalizes limp, lifeless strands; gentle on hair; safely cleanses and nourishes hair
Features:
- Contains pomegranate seed oil and jojoba protein
- Rich in antioxidants
- All-natural ingredients
This quality hair cleansing product uses natural ingredients to nourish your strands and give them bounce and volume.
Burt’s Bees isn’t just about lip balm. The company also makes quality hair care products like the Very Volumizing Shampoo, which is effective and safe for pregnant women.
The gentle formulation is infused with antioxidant-rich pomegranate seed oil, avocado oil, and jojoba protein to thoroughly clean the scalp, nourish the strands, and reduce frizz.
It also helps detangle hair and provides needed volume making your mane look fuller, healthier, and shinier.
It’s important to note though that this shampoo does contain phenoxyethanol, which is safe for adults but may be harmful to infants.
So while this shampoo is great for pregnancy, it’s best to discontinue its use when your baby is born.
This shampoo is a perfect softening and soothing natural option for pregnant women.
Key benefits: Cleanses and nourishes hair; unscented and mild; good for dry and sensitive scalps
Features:
- Made with plant-based ingredients
- Environment-friendly and cruelty-free
- No harmful chemicals
The Christina Moss Naturals Shampoo is made from high-quality natural ingredients and is perfect for pregnant women with sensitive skin.
This pregnancy-safe shampoo is perfect for women with sensitive skin as it’s made with natural ingredients like rosemary, olive, sunflower seed, and coconut oil.
It’s also infused with shea butter and aloe vera to keep your scalp hydrated and your strands silky soft.
The gentle formulation cleans the hair and promotes scalp and hair health throughout your pregnancy.
It’s also environment-friendly, cruelty-free, and free of harmful chemicals.
If you want a dermatologist-approved mild shampoo, the Super Leaves Science Shampoo is the hair care choice for you.
Key benefits: Strengthens weak hair shafts; stimulates new growth; cleans hair and reduces dandruff
Features:
- Hypoallergenic
- No toxic chemicals
- Dermatologist-tested
This shampoo is backed by science and powered with natural ingredients to make it safe and effective for pregnant moms.
Like all Attitude Natural Care products, this shampoo is free of all harmful chemicals.
And it relies on natural ingredients like moringa to detoxify the hair, jojoba oil to repair damage, and quinoa to hydrate the hair and make it more manageable.
The formulation provides extra strength to strands helping repair dry and damaged hair, boosting hair health, and stimulating regrowth.
This product is free of all toxic chemicals that could harm the baby, and it’s hypoallergenic, non-irritating, vegan, and dermatologist-tested.
This shampoo provides lasting moisture to your strands, leaving them soft, shiny, and healthy.
Key benefits: Nourishes and replenishes dry hair; reduces frizz; increases shine and elasticity
Features:
- Fueled by mega omega fatty acids
- Cruelty-free and chemical-free
- Performance-driven hair care
Experience the moisturizing power of argan oil and pumpkin extract for softer, smoother hair during pregnancy.
Acure Ultra Hydrating Shampoo is a gentle formulation that combines natural argan oil and pumpkin extract to provide omega fatty acids that leave hair soft and manageable.
The shampoo is designed to nourish, replenish, and repair dry and damaged hair.
It also reduces frizz and promotes renewed hair elasticity and healthy natural hair growth.
It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and free of all harmful chemicals, making it one of the top shampoos to use during pregnancy.
For those experiencing hair thinning during pregnancy, this shampoo is great for volumizing and promoting healthy hair growth.
Key benefits: Boosts hair volume; helps reduce breakage; effectively cleans the scalp and strands
Features:
- Made with biotin and silica
- Contains a blend of 19 active herbal ingredients
- Clinically tested
Get thicker, softer, and smoother hair during pregnancy with this highly effective biotin shampoo.
While some pregnant women experience excessive hair growth, others may experience brittle hair and hair shedding.
If that happens, you need a shampoo that prevents breakage and strengthens the strands.
This safe and effective shampoo from Pura D’Or Original Gold Label is packed with biotin and silica, which helps to strengthen hair strands and prevent brittle and thinning hair.
It also has a special herbal blend of premium oils and plant-based ingredients like nettle extracts, pumpkin seed oil, and black cumin seed oil that focuses on cleaning the scalp while improving overall hair health.
The Pureology Hydrate Shampoo is an excellent hydrating pregnancy-safe shampoo to maintain colored hair and promote hair health.
Key benefits: Hydrates the scalp; replenishes moisture loss; softens and smoothens hair
Features:
- Contains plant extracts
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Essential oils for a safe fragrance
This is one of the best shampoos for pregnant women that strengthens the hair while providing refreshing aromatherapy.
If you want to nurture your thick and healthy hair during pregnancy, this Pureology shampoo gives you a good way to do it.
For women with colored hair, the shampoo also helps maintain the vibrancy of the color.
This is possible through a fantastic mix of plant extracts and botanicals like sage, jojoba, and green tea leaf to hydrate the scalp and keep hair healthy and strong.
It utilizes lavender, bergamot, and mint essential oils to give the shampoo a natural aromatherapy fragrance that makes shampooing feel like going to the spa.
This shampoo does contain mild alcohol preservatives that, while safe, may cause hair drying.
Get soft and smooth hair with this gentle shampoo infused with soothing argan oil.
Key benefits: Smoothens hair; controls frizz; keeps hair healthy and shiny
Features:
- Contains Moroccan argan oil
- Color-safe and sulfate-free
- pH-balanced and safe for all hair types
Herbal Essences Bio:Renew Shampoo is safe for baby and effectively cleans the hair and scalp without harmful chemicals.
This is a great pregnancy shampoo made with all-natural ingredients like botanicals and Moroccan argan oil to help soften and smoothen hair.
It’s free of all harmful chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and others that can impact the baby’s growth.
It also has a conditioner that soothes the hair from root to tip.
Its formula is color-safe and pH-balanced, and it cleanses the hair safely with a refreshing fragrance of citrus, soothing vanilla, and exotic spices.
Safe for mom and baby, this gentle shampoo doubles as a body wash and comes with a conditioner.
Key benefits: Softens strands; nourishes dry hair; promotes hair health
Features:
- Made with the best natural ingredients
- Free of harmful chemicals
- Natural sweet orange fragrance
This shampoo and conditioner set is effective, free of harmful chemicals, and perfect for pregnant moms.
Expecting moms and those with kids are definitely familiar with Honest Co., which is known for its natural and gentle baby products. It’s also one of the top pregnancy-safe shampoo brands.
Its popular pregnancy-safe shampoo and conditioner set is highly effective and safe for both mom and baby.
It contains natural ingredients like jojoba, sweet almond, and coconut oil, nurturing hair with a delightful spa-like treatment.
Plus, the shampoo is hypoallergenic, so it’s good for moms with sensitive scalps or sensitive skin. It can also double as an effective body wash.
The power of oat and natural ingredients is harnessed in this pregnancy-safe sweet-smelling shampoo.
Key benefits: Nourishes hair; soothes the scalp; enhances the hair’s natural beauty
Features:
- Contains colloidal oat and almond milk
- Natural plant-based fragrance
- Clinically proven
Aveeno Oat Milk Blend Shampoo helps you safely hydrate and nourish dry hair.
Aveeno is a brand known for skipping harmful ingredients and utilizing the power of nature in its products. And this scalp-soothing shampoo is another perfect example.
While it contains propylene glycol which may strip the hair of natural oil, it also contains colloidal oat, almond milk, and a blend of wholesome ingredients that help to soothe the scalp and soften the strands from the root to the tip.
This gentle formulation cleans the tresses and enhances the hair’s natural beauty and shine while promoting hair health.
You can pair it with Aveeno Oat Milk Blend Conditioner for an optimal pregnancy-safe hair cleansing and conditioning set.
This organic and pregnancy-safe shampoo is formulated to promote scalp health while combating excess oil and strengthening your strands.
Key benefits: Maintains the scalp’s moisture balance; promotes scalp health; strengthens and moisturizes hair from the root
Features:
- An organic blend of fermented seeds
- Gentle pH for sensitive skin
- Formulated with organic barley extract
Get stronger roots and softer strands with this organic blend that promotes overall hair health.
If your hormonal changes are causing an oily scalp, this safe and gentle clarifying shampoo can help address that while thoroughly cleaning your strands.
It doesn’t contain sulfates, parabens, or phthalates. Instead, it uses a mix of plant extracts like barley seed and aloe vera to nourish and soften the hair, strengthen the roots, and prevent hair loss.
It also utilizes safe oils like lavender and bergamot for more moisturization and a natural and intoxicating earthy fragrance.
Clean your hair with a shampoo that’s safe for both mom and baby!
Key benefits: Softens and moisturizes; foams up quickly; provides hydration to the hair
Features:
- Infused sea minerals, banana, and tropical extracts
- Contains soothing coconut oil and aloe vera
- Free from harmful chemicals
This pregnancy-safe shampoo is effective and soothing, and it’s one you can keep using long after giving birth.
The Baby Bum Shampoo and Body Wash was created for babies, but moms (and dads) can use it too!
It’s effective in cleaning the hair and keeping strands hydrated and nourished.
Plus, it’s a great option for sensitive skin with its mild formulation and naturally moisturizing ingredients.
The best part? You can share this product with your baby after you give birth.
If you have sensitive skin, this hydrating shampoo can nourish the strands and strengthen the hair without being too harsh on your scalp.
Key benefits: Cleans and hydrates the hair; soothes sensitive skin; makes hair stronger and more resilient
Features:
- Pure and free from sulfates
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Dermatologist-tested
Restore your scalp’s pH balance and prevent frizz and scalp sensitivity with this natural shampoo.
This shampoo has the perfect gentle pH balance to help prevent scalp itchiness and hair breakage, and frizz.
Not only is it free of harmful chemicals, but it also contains soapberry to make your strands smooth and shiny. It also has argan oil, aloe vera, chamomile, and olive leaves to moisturize the scalp and help combat dandruff.
Plus, lavender essential oil gives this shampoo a light and pleasant, relaxing fragrance.
This shampoo for moms is made by moms! It’s safe to use throughout your pregnancy and post-pregnancy journey.
Key benefits: Smoothens the strands; helps prevent hair fall and breakage; adds shine and volume
Features:
- Cleanser derived from coconut
- Contains hydrolyzed wheat and silk protein
- Clinically tested and certified toxin-free
If you need to detox your scalp and strengthen your strands while you clean them, this shampoo is a perfect choice.
Who’s better equipped to create a pregnancy-safe shampoo than moms?
The Mom’s Co. uses only the most effective natural ingredients and skips all harmful chemicals to create products safe for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and beyond.
Their gentle Natural Protein Shampoo belongs to their line of safe and effective products. It’s infused with nurturing plant oils and contains coconut and hydrolyzed silk and wheat proteins.
These natural ingredients smoothen the hair and help each strand retain moisture, while beetroot extract works to prevent hair fall.
This fragrance and chemical-free shampoo is perfect for pregnant women with sensitive skin.
Key benefits: Cleanses the scalp; hydrates and softens dry hair; reduces frizz; calms itch
Features:
- Vegan and fragrance-free
- Hypoallergenic and pH-balanced
- Rich in avocado oil
This gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo is a fantastic choice if you want a mild shampoo free of all harmful chemicals.
If you are hypersensitive during pregnancy, this shampoo is perfect for you. It’s hypoallergenic, chemical-free, unscented, and even soy- and gluten-free.
It also doesn’t contain any dye, colorant, or fragrance. Instead, it contains natural ingredients, including avocado oil to help hydrate and soothe the hair while maintaining its natural moisture.
Best of all, it’s suitable for even the most sensitive scalps.
However, this also contains phenoxyethanol, so it’s best to stop using it after the baby is born.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Top Shampoo To Use While Pregnant?
There is no one correct answer to this question. The answer depends on your hair’s individual needs.
You can look through the different safe shampoos to use during pregnancy listed above and decide which one can best address your hair issues.
How Often Should I Wash and Shampoo My Hair During Pregnancy?
Like when you’re not pregnant, you don’t need to shampoo your hair daily. That can actually strip away too much of your hair’s natural oils and leave it dry and brittle.
Instead, to keep your hair sweet-smelling and clean during pregnancy, you can shampoo it two to three times a week with a pregnancy-safe shampoo.
The Perfect Shampoo That’s Safe for Mom and Baby
Choosing the top pregnancy-safe shampoo will allow you to enjoy clean and healthy hair without exposing yourself to the potential risk that regular shampoos pose.
Remember, many of these shampoos won’t explicitly say they are for expecting moms, but knowing what to avoid and what to look for will help you pick the perfect products.
Looking for a shampoo that is made with all-natural ingredients and created without harmful chemicals is your best bet to ensure your health and your baby’s health.
Plus, it’s a better option for your overall hair care, even if you are a lucky expecting mom who doesn’t suffer from hormone spikes.
With these effective and gentle shampoos, you can enjoy clean, healthy, hydrated hair without worrying about your and your baby’s health.
Want To Read More About Shampoo and Hair Care?
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- 13 Fabulous Cruelty-Free Dry Shampoos To Keep Your Hair Fresh
- 15 Clarifying Shampoos for Curly Hair To Remove Stubborn Buildup
- 7 Shampoos for Waves That Are Gentle and Nourishing