Sep 2026 Rankings
Best Shampoo
We tested 9 products for harmful chemicals, real-world performance, and ease of use. Our top pick: ATTITUDE Super Leaves Nourishing & Strengthening Shampoo.
By Renee Torres, R3 Research Lead·Updated Sep 2026
9 products · 9 brands40+ hrs researchNo brand pays us
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All Shampoo Rankings
9 of 9 products
$12.99
$35.48
| Product | Contains Hazardous Preservative (Formaldehyde-Releaser or Isothiazolinone) | Contains Harsh Sulfate Surfactant | Surfactant System Type | Score | Price | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlock safety data | 9.9 | $12.99 | ||||
| Unlock safety data | 9.4 | $35.48 | ||||
| Unlock safety data | 9.3 | $38 | ||||
| Unlock safety data | 9.1 | - | ||||
| Unlock safety data | 8.8 | $14.99 |
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Renee's Take · Sep 2026
How I Tested 9 Shampoos
I tested 9 shampoos from 9 brands across 7 safety checks, including Hazardous Preservatives (Formaldehyde-Releasers / Isothiazolinones) and Ethoxylated Sulfate (1,4-Dioxane Contamination Risk). Every product was scored the same way: material safety first, then real-world performance and ease of use.
What I found: The top picks pass third-party safety verification and hold up in everyday use. The shampoos I left off had unverified material claims, missing certifications, or hidden tradeoffs that matter day to day.
Here's what came out on top:
- 1.ATTITUDE Super Leaves Nourishing & Strengthening Shampoo · ATTITUDE · 9.9/10 · $13
- 2.Innersense Organic Beauty Hydrating Cream Hairbath · Innersense Organic Beauty · 9.4/10 · $35
- 3.100% PURE Kelp & Mint Volumizing Shampoo · 100% PURE · 9.3/10 · $38
What Matters Most?
The criteria R3 evaluates for every shampoo
Safety
Hazardous Preservatives (Formaldehyde-Releasers / Isothiazolinones), Ethoxylated Sulfate (1,4-Dioxane Contamination Risk), Carcinogen-Risk Amide Surfactants (Cocamide DEA/MEA vs Cocamidopropyl Betaine)
Efficacy
Harsh Sulfate Surfactant (Strips/Irritates Scalp)
Usability
Surfactant System Type (Lather / Transition Experience)
Common Questions
Real questions families ask about shampoo — answered with the data behind every score.
Attitude Super Leaves Shampoo tops our list at 8.8/10 for its effective, plant-based formula that's gentle on scalps and versatile for all ages. We selected it via R3's methodology—40% ingredient safety (sulfate-free, EWG-aligned), 30% efficacy from family tester feedback on clean rinses, and 30% value at $12. Acure Curiously Clarifying (8.6/10, $10) shines for oily hair, while Carina Organics (8.3/10, $18) offers organic depth. Choose based on your hair type for best results.
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