Native Shampoo Review (Is it Worth the Hype?)

Last Updated on September 23, 2024 by Our Editors

Native is a clean beauty brand known for its minimalist, cruelty-free, and vegan approach to personal care. With a strong emphasis on transparency, the brand focuses on delivering personal care products without “dirty secrets,” using simple yet effective ingredients. 

Their formulas avoid harsh chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and silicones, while maintaining performance. This commitment to clean beauty has gathered significant attention, but the real question is whether their products live up to both their sustainability promises and effectiveness?

In this review, we’ll examine Native shampoo’s claims around sustainability and product effectiveness—especially for dry hair—along with consumer feedback on Native shampoo reddit and Native shampoo prices to see if it’s worth your money or not! 

Sustainability Spotlight: What Sets Native Apart?

Native strongly emphasize that “you deserve personal care products without dirty secrets”. That is the reason why Native manufactures daily personal care staples from shampoos to deodorants and lotions that are made using simple ingredients without compromising on effectiveness. 

Strongly advocating for safety, Native’s hair care products are formulated without sulphates, parabens, silicone and dyes. It is a proud vegan and cruelty-free brand with strong ethos when it comes to their unique formulations. 

Talking about the packing they clearly mention on their official website that “Plastic doesn’t make perfect, and we’re doing our part to help”. But is it so?! They feel that reducing the brand’s environmental impact is as important as it is difficult and while it’s hard to promise and get it right every time they try to be upfront about it. But again is it really so?! 

Contrary to what they say most of the Natives products come in a plastic packaging without any mention about whether it is recycled plastic or not. But there is  one exception which is Native Plastic Free Deodorant which is made using 100% paperboard and is 100% plastic free. One plastic free alternative does make a difference when they are selling hundreds of units but the brand needs to do much better. 

As much as we like the simple ingredients list and cruelty-free and vegan approach of the brand, it lacks enough effort and transparency in terms of overall sustainability. What are Native’s goals? And how are they are working to reach these goals? What have they accomplished? We’ll also see a compilation of the brands sustainability report in this Native shampoo review, talking about actual facts and figures and not just statements saying how sustainable and transparent they are.  

Native Shampoo Ingredients: Clean or Just Clever Marketing?

Native takes pride in their products being formulated with minimal ingredients to keep them simple yet effective. And this is definitely true for their moisturizing shampoo for dry hair has just 11 ingredients! This minimal approach by the brand with a complete transparency about the ingredients made us curious enough to dig a little deeper into the ingredients and their effectiveness. 

Native shampoo’s ingredients:

Water, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Salicylate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Polyquaternium-10, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Citric Acid, Fragrance

This Native shampoo for dry hair has an Environmental Working Group (EWG) rating of 3 out of 10 (10 being the worst) so the product is fairly good for your use in terms of the ingredients it has! It is important to remember that not all the ingredients of the Native shampoo for dry hair are naturally derived and most are synthetically manufactured but this doesn’t always have to mean a bad thing and they are usually very safe to use on the human body. 

But are these Native shampoo ingredients as gentle on the planet as they are on your scalp? Native clearly mentions on their website that though their products are made without sulfates, harmful dyes, microbeads and polyethylene they are not biodegradable. So sadly it is not as good for the planet as we’d hoped. But the brand says that this is something they are working on so hopefully soon we’ll see some news on the website saying Native is one step closer to being a truly sustainable brand! 

Performance: Does it Actually Work for Dry Hair?

Native manufactures shampoo in seven different categories for people with different requirements – Moisturizing, Volumizing, Strengthening, Curl Care, Daily Clean, Scalp Refreshing and Full & Thick. In this Native shampoo review, we focus mainly on the moisturizing shampoos that are offered in four different flavors – Coconut & vanilla, ocean & timber, sweet peach & nectar and warm cider & cinnamon.  

So, does the Native shampoo and conditioner set really work? Native shampoo for dry hair has received mixed reviews from customers, even according to Native shampoo reddit threads. While many users praise it for leaving their hair feeling soft and silky, others report issues such as hair loss, dryness, and irritation. Let’s dive into what actual customers are saying to get a clearer picture of its effectiveness.

Positive

“Thumbs up – Great shampoo conditioner combo” 

Coconut & Vanilla

Karen F. (09/04/2024)

“LOVE LOVE LOVE – this product smells amazing and makes my hair so soft and smooth, it also has been helping my hair become healthier after bleach and heat damage”

Coconut & Vanilla 

Ellie (08/16/2024)

Negative

“I bought this shampoo and conditioner 2 weeks ago noticed me and my 3 daughters hair falling out in clumps it drys and makes your hair makes it so brittle it tangles easily and breaks off!”

Coconut & Vanilla 

France C. (09/13/2024)

While most of the one-star reviews mention complaints about hair loss, dryness, and irritation after using the product, there’s a significant number of positive reviews from users who praise Native shampoo as the best product they’ve ever used, with Native shampoo ingredients leaving their hair feeling silky smooth.

Native Shampoo & Conditioner Set: Worth the Investment?

If you wish to buy Native shampoo and conditioner set then you have an option to “build your pack” where you have to mix and match up to 3 items you want. You can choose from all the available items on the website irrespective of the category and you get a 20% off if you go for this “build your pack” option!!

It is a no-brainer that buying in bulk will always be a cheaper option compared to buying individual items in smaller quantities and this is also true in this particular case. Therefore, “build your pack” is a budget friendly option for anymore looking to stock up their cruelty-free and vegan daily care products! 

Price vs. Value: Does Sustainability Cost More?

When evaluating Native Shampoo price for our Native shampoo review, we see that it often falls into the mid-range category compared to other shampoos. On average, Native Shampoo typically costs around $10 for a 16.5 fl oz bottle (436ml) including on Target and Walmart (USA), which is pricier than drugstore brands but more affordable than some premium or salon-quality shampoos.

The true value comes from its simple formulation which is free from sulfates, parabens, and silicones, plus its commitment to minimal ingredients. For those of you prioritizing effectiveness and minimalism, Native offers a cleaner product with fewer harsh chemicals. 

You can get the Native shampoo for dry hair or Native shampoo and conditioner set online on their official website, Target, Amazon or Walmart. It is also available in-store at some places so you can take a trip around and see if it’s available in a nearby store or supermarket and if not online store is always to the rescue! 

If you are someone who is very particular about the ingredients in your daily care products that also avoid harmful chemicals, then a slightly higher price should not be a problem. We think that Native shampoo ingredients strikes the right balance between minimal, safe and effective ingredients – especially when compared to higher-end natural brands that offer somewhat similar benefits but at a steeper price. So, yes, if ingredient transparency matters to you, the extra cost of the Native shampoo price is likely worth it! Many users on Native shampoo reddit threads find that it’s worth it too!

The Lawsuit: Should You Be Concerned?

A class action investigation is underway regarding Native products, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, toothpaste and deodorant, which are advertised as made with “naturally derived” and “simple” ingredients. 

Attorneys are exploring whether these products contain PFAS, synthetic chemicals linked to health risks such as cancer and reproductive issues. PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” resist breaking down in the environment. If proven, the lawsuit could result in refunds for customers and changes to Native’s product claims. However, the case is still in its early stages.

The Verdict: Is Native Shampoo Worth the Hype?

Native shampoo offers a blend of simplicity, cruelty-free, and sulfate-free formula that appeals to consumers looking for a minimalistic yet effective hair care product. While many users report positive results like softer, healthier hair, some complain about issues like hair loss and irritation. 

In terms of sustainability, the brand does have room for improvement, especially with packaging, and overall transparency. So if you’re looking for a mid-priced, clean beauty product and value minimal ingredients, Native shampoo is maybe worth a try—but if you’re a skeptic who doesn’t like experimenting a lot then it’s safe to stick to your regular shampoo and conditioner set! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Native Shampoo eco-friendly?

Yes! Native Shampoo is cruelty-free, free from sulfates and parabens, and focuses on using clean ingredients. While the packaging isn’t fully biodegradable, it supports sustainability efforts.

Does Native shampoo work for dry hair?

Yes, Native has been praised for working well on dry hair, providing moisture without harsh chemicals.

What are the key ingredients in Native shampoo?

Native features natural ingredients like coconut-derived cleansers, shea butter, and essential oils, avoiding harsh chemicals.

Is the Native shampoo and conditioner set worth it?

If you’re looking for gentle, sulfate-free products, the set provides a balanced clean and condition routine. Many eco-conscious users find the price worth it for the clean formula according to Native shampoo reviews and Native shampoo reddit.

How much does Native shampoo cost?

Prices vary, but the Native shampoo price typically ranges around $9-12 for individual bottles. Deals may be available for bundles.