After plastic-free conditioner? I’ve tried a few different UK zero-waste brands to find my favourites – here are my thoughts.

If you’re looking to zero-waste your bathroom, then you may well be on the lookout for plastic-free conditioner to add to your washing routine.

I made the switch to solid shampoo bars quite a few years ago now, and haven’t looked back. Solid conditioner bars, though, that’s a whole other story.

I tried using conditioner bars, but despite trying bars from a couple of different brands, it just wasn’t working for me. My normally healthy hair started to feel dry and prone to breakage.

I then tried using an apple cider rinse. It was recommended by various people on the internet, but I categorically did not like this. I didn’t feel that it worked for me, and don’t even ask me about the lingering sour smell that persisted even when my hair was dry. All I’ll say is that I think my hair is more porous than most.

So I started to look for other zero-waste options. Here are the haircare brands I found that are working to help beat plastic waste:

The UK Plastic-Free Conditioner Options To Try

Ready to ditch the plastic? Here are the zero-waste conditioners to try, with notes on exactly what they’re packaged in.

For some context, I have fine straight hair that hasn’t been colour-treated, and isn’t heat-damaged, but can be prone to oilyness and greasiness. It’s also started to go grey, and the grey hairs seem more delicate and more prone to breakage.

Evolve

• Packaged in a glass bottle, with a glass pipette.

Evolve’s Nourishing Hair Elixir (£16 for 30 ml) isn’t technically a conditioner, but a hair oil. However, my hairdresser told me that my hair doesn’t really need conditioner as it will weigh down my fine hair. As such, I’ve been using this for quite a few years now to help smooth and moisturise my hair without resorting to heavier conditioners.

It works really well for my hair – I really love it. I apply just 1-2 drops to damp hair, which I then comb through, and it does the trick. It also smells like chocolate orange, which is no bad thing! It leaves my hair feeling smooth and nourished.

A little really does go a long way. If you’re new to using oils, it’s very easy to overdo it – especially on fine hair. I’ve found sticking to the ends and mid-lengths (and avoiding the roots entirely) makes a huge difference between soft and sleek, and an oil slick.

Because you only need a couple of drops each time, this small bottle lasts for quite a long time. This really helps to balance out the upfront cost.

Get 15% off your first order when you sign up for the Evolve mailing list.

Conscious Skincare

• Packaged in a metal bottle with a metal lid

Sustainable beauty brand Conscious Skincare sells this fair trade and certified organic Argan Oil (£24 for 200 ml at Ethical Superstore) that can also be used in place of a conditioner.

Simply add a few drops to your hair before washing to use as a deep conditioner. Alternatively, rub a drop or two into the ends of your hair. Argan Oil is easily absorbed into your hair and helps to boost shine and condition even if your hair is dry. It also has hair-strengthening properties and assists in detangling.

Personally, I prefer Evolve’s hair oil, as with the dropper, it’s easier to get the right amount of the bottle. However, you do get a lot more for your money here, so there’s that to weigh up.

I think this is a really good option if you’re trying to keep costs down over time, but are able to splurge upfront. The larger size means it lasts for absolute ages, especially if you’re only using a small amount each time.

UpCircle

• Packaged in a glass jar with a metal lid

If oil isn’t for you, then UpCircle offers this fantastic plastic-free conditioner creme (£19.99 for 100 ml at UpCircle), that’s refillable at zero-waste shops up and down the country. As well as completely shunning plastic, it’s suitable for a wide range of hair types – including afro / textured hair, colour-treated hair, dry, and greasy hair.

What’s also to love about UpCircle is that it makes its conditioner with upcycled orange peel wax, a by-product of the orange juice industry. This can help to improve hair strength, reducing the likelihood of breakage and split ends. Plus, it’s vegan and cruelty-free, meaning it’s as well as leaving your hair looking good, it’s doing good too.

It’s a bit of a different approach to conditioner – it has a texture somewhere between a liquid and a solid. You just need a little bit, which you warm between your hands, before applying to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair. Leave it on for around 3 to 5 minutes to leave your hair feeling soft.

If you’re lucky enough to have a refill shop nearby, this is a really great option for cutting down waste even further. That said, access to refills can be a bit hit and miss depending on where you live, so it’s not always the easiest route for everyone.

Herbal Hare

• Packaged in a glass jar with a metal lid.

Looking for more of a conventional feeling conditioner? Herbal Hare (from £6 for 80 ml at Etsy) is a plastic-free conditioner from Trawden Soap Kitchen that will fit the bill. It’s a standard conditioner product, and it is cruelty-free, paraben-free, silicone-free, and vegan-friendly. It also contains no artificial fragrances or colourants. 

You can choose between a herbal or citrus scent. Shampoos and an intensive conditioning mask are also available, in the same plastic-free packaging.

I ordered a jar to try it out. I bought the herbal one, and wish I’d bought the citrus one, as it smells very aniseed-like. It’s not my favourite smell – it smells like those Blackjack sweets you used to get. However, it feels good to use, and leaves my hair feeling soft and manageable, so I would definitely repurchase this in the citrus scent.

I was a bit shocked that postage for the small £6 jar was £6 – it feels quite steep, but that’s not Herbal Hare’s fault. As such, I think it’s better value to buy the larger jar, or to buy several jars.

Beauty Kitchen

• Packaged in a recyclable aluminium bottle with a plastic pump.

Finally, Beauty Kitchen (£12.50 for 200 ml at Ethical Superstore) is another good low-waste choice – although not strictly plastic-free as it does have a plastic pump.

It’s particularly good if you want a traditional liquid conditioner. The conditioner is designed to be lightweight, so it hydrates without leaving hair feeling heavy.

It’s made with plant-based ingredients, including organic rosemary and mint, and it leaves hair feeling soft, smooth, and easier to manage. There’s also a blend of abysoft and sapote oil, which can help strengthen the hair and improve overall condition over time.

On the sustainability front, there’s a lot to like. The aluminium bottle is widely recyclable, and the brand is working to avoid plastic across its packaging. They’re also a certified B Corp, and donate a portion of their sales to charities, including the Plastic Soup Foundation, a conservation charity that aims to reduce plastic pollution.

Your Recommendations

Tried any other brands? Let me know which ones you rate!

Wendy Graham