When you’re pregnant, you become more aware of everything you put on and in your body, and for good reason. While many shampoos and conditioners line store shelves with promises of healthy, beautiful hair, not all of them are created equal when it comes to pregnancy safety. Here’s what most people don’t realize: cosmetic and personal care products aren’t required to be tested on pregnant women before they’re sold. That means ingredients that might be fine for the general population could pose unnecessary risks during pregnancy when your baby is developing.
Hair care is an essential part of your pregnancy beauty routine, alongside protecting your skin from the sun and choosing the right skincare products. If you’re building a complete pregnancy-safe beauty regimen, be sure to check out our guides on pregnancy-safe sunscreens and pregnancy-safe skincare ingredients with dermatologist-recommended products. You can find all of these in our series on pregnancy-safe beauty products.
Today, we’ll cover all the things you need to know about the best shampoo and conditioner for pregnancy!
Table of Contents
- Understanding Your Hair During Pregnancy
- Harmful Ingredients to Avoid
- The Essential Oils Concern
- Beneficial Ingredients to Seek Out
- How to Read Product Labels
- Best Pregnancy-Safe Shampoos
- Choosing the Right Conditioner
- Expert Perspective: When to Consult Your Doctor
Understanding Your Hair During Pregnancy
Before we dive into product recommendations, it’s helpful to understand what’s happening with your hair during pregnancy. Many women notice significant changes:
Increased Thickness and Volume: Thanks to elevated estrogen levels, your hair stays in the growth phase longer, resulting in thicker, fuller hair. You’ll shed less hair than usual during pregnancy, which many women love!
Changes in Texture: Straight hair may become wavy, or curly hair might relax. The structure of your hair can temporarily change due to hormonal shifts.
Oiliness or Dryness: Some women experience oilier scalps, while others find their hair becomes drier. This change can require adjusting your washing frequency and product choices.
Postpartum Hair Loss: Around three to six months after giving birth, you’ll likely experience increased shedding as your hormones normalize. This hair loss is completely normal—you’re simply losing the hair you didn’t shed during pregnancy. Choosing strengthening shampoos during pregnancy can help prepare your hair for this transition.
Understanding these changes helps you select the right products for your evolving hair needs throughout your pregnancy journey.
Harmful Ingredients to Avoid
The best shampoos for pregnant women are ones you can find in the “clean” or “conscious” beauty departments. These departments are getting easier to find nowadays, as everyone from Ulta to Sephora to Target is focusing on “clean” beauty. And it’s for a good reason—no one wants to feed their body ingredients that are possibly dangerous.
It’s been shown that parabens, phthalates, and sulfates are not good for us, so it’s become even clearer that using products with those ingredients while pregnant is definitely not safe. This means hair products, sunscreen, body wash, skincare products, and deodorants all need a closer look when you’re pregnant.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to avoid and why:
Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben): These preservatives can mimic estrogen in the body and may interfere with hormone function. During pregnancy, when your hormones are already fluctuating, it’s best to minimize exposure to endocrine disruptors.
Phthalates: Often hidden under the term “fragrance,” phthalates have been linked to developmental issues and hormonal disruption. They’re particularly worrying during pregnancy when your baby’s organs are developing.
Sulfates (sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate): While not necessarily harmful to pregnancy itself, these harsh detergents can strip natural oils from your scalp and hair, causing dryness and irritation—something pregnant women with sensitive skin don’t need.
Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives: Look out for DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, and quaternium-15. These can release small amounts of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, and may cause scalp irritation.
Synthetic Fragrances: The term “fragrance” or “parfum” can hide dozens of undisclosed chemicals, including phthalates. These can trigger allergies and may contain hormone disruptors.
Triclosan: This antibacterial agent has been linked to hormone disruption and is banned in many products, but may still appear in some shampoos.
Coal Tar Dyes (P-phenylenediamine): Often found in dandruff shampoos and hair color products, these can be absorbed through the scalp and may pose risks during pregnancy.
The Essential Oils Concern
According to dermatologist Dr. Sandy Skotnicki, “There have been several studies showing that essential oils like lavender and tea tree oil have hormone-disrupting effects. Therefore, it’s best to avoid using undiluted essential oils if you’re pregnant or trying to conceive.”
It’s important to note that concentration matters. Many pregnancy-safe shampoos contain diluted essential oils as part of their natural fragrance profile, which is generally considered safe. The concern arises with:
- Undiluted essential oils applied directly to the skin or scalp
- High concentrations of certain oils
- Specific oils with known concerns: lavender, tea tree, rosemary, clary sage, and peppermint in high amounts
Oils that are generally considered safer in diluted form include chamomile, ylang-ylang, and citrus oils. However, the safest approach is to choose products with minimal essential oil content or those specifically formulated for pregnancy. If a product you love contains diluted essential oils as a scent component rather than as an active ingredient, it’s likely fine, but when in doubt, consult your healthcare provider.
Beneficial Ingredients to Seek Out
Switching to a “clean” shampoo has never been easier! Many of your favorite stores have already researched and are demanding the best in safe ingredients.
A good method for finding a pregnancy-safe shampoo is to look for clean, non-toxic, and nourishing products. Here are ingredients that are both safe and beneficial during pregnancy:
Aloe Vera: Naturally soothing and hydrating, aloe vera helps calm irritated scalps while providing gentle moisture without weighing hair down.
Shea Butter: Rich in vitamins and fatty acids, shea butter deeply moisturizes and helps repair damaged hair—perfect for combating pregnancy-related dryness.
Argan Oil: Packed with vitamin E and antioxidants, argan oil adds shine, reduces frizz, and helps strengthen hair without making it greasy.
Coconut Oil: Known for its penetrating moisture, coconut oil helps prevent protein loss from hair and keeps strands healthy and strong.
Jojoba Oil: This oil closely mimics your scalp’s natural sebum, making it excellent for balancing oil production, whether your scalp is drier or oilier due to pregnancy.
Chamomile Extract: Gentle and calming, chamomile soothes the scalp and adds natural highlights to lighter hair tones.
Oat Extract: Extremely gentle and anti-inflammatory, it’s perfect for sensitive, itchy scalps that many women experience during pregnancy.
Biotin and Keratin: These help strengthen hair structure, which is especially helpful as you prepare for postpartum hair changes.
Honey: A natural humectant that draws moisture into the hair while providing antibacterial properties for a healthy scalp.
It’s crucial to eliminate the toxic ingredients first. You don’t want to use products with some beneficial ingredients and others that are harmful, since you’d be defeating the purpose.
How to Read Product Labels
Understanding how to decode ingredient lists empowers you to make safe choices:
Where to Find Ingredients: Look on the bottle’s label. It will list ingredients in descending order by concentration. The first few ingredients make up the majority of the product.
Red Flag Terms to Watch For:
- “Fragrance” or “Parfum” (may hide phthalates)
- Any ingredient ending in “-paraben”
- “Lauryl” or “Laureth” (usually indicates sulfates)
- Numbers and letters like FD&C or D&C (synthetic dyes)
- “Quaternium-” followed by a number (often formaldehyde-releasers)
Helpful Certifications:
- EWG Verified: Products scoring well on the Environmental Working Group’s database
- MADE SAFE: Certified free from known toxic chemicals
- Leaping Bunny or PETA Certified: Cruelty-free verification
- USDA Organic: Meets organic standards
- NSF/ANSI 305: Contains at least 70% organic ingredients
Terms like “natural,” “pure,” or “botanical” aren’t regulated and don’t guarantee safety. Always check the actual ingredient list.
Pro Tip: Use apps like Think Dirty or EWG’s Healthy Living app to scan barcodes and get instant safety ratings while shopping.
Best Pregnancy-Safe Shampoos
To help you determine what’s safe during pregnancy, we’ve curated the best shampoos that are both effective and smell fabulous! And you can easily find all of these shampoos at an affordable price point at your local drug store or on Amazon.
It’s A 10 Miracle Shampoo Plus Keratin
It’s A 10 Miracle Shampoo has added Keratin, which protects your color and shields hair from heat and environmental damage. Reviewers love that this gentle, moisturizing shampoo has a great scent and works for all hair types.
SheaMoisture Intensive Hydration Shampoo & Conditioner
Manuka honey and Mafura oil provide rich, intensive hydration— which most moms-to-be desperately need. People love SheaMoisture’s shampoo and conditioning set, and this product has almost 5,000 Amazon reviews and a 4.6 star rating to show for it! The certified organic raw shea butter and African Rock Fig repairs hair, making it soft, shiny, and free of frizz.
Pacifica Power Strong and Long Moisturizing Shampoo
Pacifica is known for its gentle and effective ingredients that are both vegan and cruelty-free. This shampoo is also free of parabens and phthalates. Pacifia’s Strong and Long shampoo hydrates and strengthens hair, making it the perfect shampoo for after you give birth too. Check for Pacifica’s other varieties from this line, including Pineapple Curls (for curl-defining) and Rosemary Purify (with rosemary and mint to stimulate the scalp and clear excess build-up).
Love Beauty and Planet – Volume and Bounty Thickening Set
Love Beauty and Planet is a favorite in the clean beauty category, and they sell for reasonable prices. This volumizing shampoo/conditioner set with Coconut Water and Mimosa Flower provides volume. In addition, it works to help rejuvenate and hydrate fine, flat hair. One reviewer posted, “Not only is my hair softer and shinier than ever, but my scalp is also calmer and much less flaky!”
TRESemmé Pro Pure Shampoo
TRESemmé Pro Pure has zero sulfates, parabens, or dyes. Made for dehydrated and dull hair, Pro Pure revitalizes your hair without stripping it of its natural, healthy oils.
Baby Bum Shampoo & Body Wash
If it’s safe enough for babies, you know it’s safe enough for mamas too. This ultra-gentle, multi-use shampoo and body wash was made with a baby’s sensitive skin in mind. Baby Bum’s products are dermatologist and pediatrician-tested and lightly scented with a bit of sweet banana. Natural, moisturizing ingredients include aloe, monoi coconut oil, and white ginger. You can follow this shampoo with Baby Bum’s Conditioning Detangler, which is also very light and pregnancy-safe.
Herbal Essences BioRenew
This affordable shampoo is dye-, paraben-, and sulfate-free, and scented with honey, jasmine, and creamy vanilla. It’s made without sulfates to cleanse and moisturize gently and is safe on color-treated hair. Snap up the matching conditioner for the whole experience!
Choosing the Right Conditioner
While shampoo gets most of the attention, choosing a pregnancy-safe conditioner is equally important for maintaining healthy hair during pregnancy.
Why Conditioner Matters: Pregnancy hormones can change your hair’s texture and moisture needs. A good conditioner helps replenish moisture, reduce frizz, prevent breakage, and make your hair more manageable—especially important when you’re already dealing with other pregnancy discomforts.
What to Look For in Pregnancy-Safe Conditioners:
The same ingredient rules apply to conditioners as they do to shampoos. Avoid parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. However, conditioners often contain additional ingredients worth understanding:
Safe Conditioning Agents:
- Behentrimonium methosulfate (despite the name, this is not a sulfate and is very gentle)
- Cetearyl alcohol and cetyl alcohol (fatty alcohols that are moisturizing, not drying)
- Natural oils (argan, jojoba, coconut, avocado)
- Plant butters (shea, cocoa, mango)
Ingredients to Avoid in Conditioners:
- Dimethicone and other silicones in high concentrations (can build up on hair, though small amounts are generally safe)
- Synthetic fragrances
- The same harsh preservatives you avoid in shampoo
Matching Your Conditioner to Your Hair Changes:
If pregnancy has made your hair oilier: Look for lightweight, volumizing conditioners and apply only to the ends of your hair, not the roots.
If pregnancy has made your hair drier: Choose rich, intensive hydration formulas like SheaMoisture Intensive Hydration Conditioner.
If your hair is thicker and more unruly: Smoothing and anti-frizz conditioners with natural oils can help tame your mane.
Pro Tip: Many of the shampoos we’ve recommended come with matching conditioners that share the same clean, pregnancy-safe formulations. Using products from the same line often yields the best results.
Expert Perspective: When to Consult Your Doctor
While switching to cleaner hair care products is a positive step, it’s important to know when to seek professional guidance. Dr. Jennifer Ashton, OB-GYN and ABC News Chief Medical Correspondent, emphasizes that pregnant women should feel empowered to ask their healthcare providers about any products they’re uncertain about.
Consult your doctor or dermatologist if you experience:
- Sudden, severe hair loss during pregnancy (not normal and could indicate a thyroid issue)
- Persistent scalp irritation, redness, or painful sores
- Severe dandruff or flaking that doesn’t respond to gentle shampoos
- Allergic reactions to new products (itching, rash, swelling)
- Significant changes in hair texture that concern you
Questions to ask your OB-GYN:
- Are there any specific ingredients I should avoid based on my medical history?
- I’m considering coloring my hair. What’s your recommendation?
- What should I do about my dandruff/psoriasis/scalp condition during pregnancy?
Your doctor knows your medical history and can provide personalized guidance. When in doubt, it’s always better to ask than to worry.
At the end of the day, clean beauty that’s pregnancy-safe is about more than just shampoo. Check out our other doctor-approved beauty finds for sunscreen and skincare products!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on October 21, 2021, and has since been updated.