Native Shampoo and Conditioner: Do They Work and Are They Non-Toxic?

You likely know Native for its popular non-toxic deodorant, but the brand also makes shampoo, conditioner, a hair mask, toothpaste, body wash, and sunscreen.

This article focuses on Native’s hair care line. We review the ingredients, discuss which hair types may benefit most, and share an honest, hands-on assessment after several weeks of use.

Let’s dive in.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase. The product was purchased by The Filtery and all opinions are honest.

What Type of Hair Products Does Native Offer?

Native’s hair care line includes shampoo and conditioner in three main formulations:

• Almond & Shea Butter (Strengthening)
• Coconut & Vanilla (Moisturizing)
• Cucumber & Mint (Volumizing)

They also offer a matching hair mask in the Strengthening Almond & Shea Butter formula for deeper conditioning. Seasonally, Native releases limited-edition scents.

What Hair Type is Native Shampoo For?

Native markets its shampoo and conditioner as suitable for all hair types, but performance varies. Those with fine or naturally oily hair (including my experience) may find the products weigh hair down or increase greasiness. If you have thin or oily hair, try the Cucumber & Mint Volumizing variant or consider using the shampoo alone, as it leaves hair feeling soft without conditioner for some users.

For thicker, dryer, or frizz-prone hair, the Almond & Shea Butter (Strengthening) or Coconut & Vanilla (Moisturizing) options are more suitable. Native formulas also contain salts that can help counteract the effects of hard water, leaving hair feeling softer and smoother.

Target often carries travel-size bottles, a convenient way to test whether the line works well with your hair and water conditions before committing to full-size bottles.

Native Hair Care: What We Love (THE PROS!)

Highlights of Native’s hair care products include:

• They make hair feel very soft and can mitigate the drying effects of hard water.
• They’re available at major retailers like Target.
• Ingredient lists are relatively short and straightforward compared with many conventional brands.
• Products are vegan and cruelty-free.
• They avoid common problem ingredients such as gluten, soy, dyes, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, microbeads, polyethylene, and DMDM hydantoin.

Native Hair Care: What We Don’t Love (THE CONS!)

Drawbacks to consider:

• Fragrance ingredients are not fully disclosed on labels, which raises transparency and safety concerns.
• Products are not marketed as biodegradable.
• Formulas are not tear-free and may not be ideal for children.
• Some formulations may be heavy for thin or oily hair types.

Are Native Shampoo & Conditioner Ingredients Non-Toxic?

Native keeps ingredient lists short—about ten ingredients per product—and prints them clearly on the bottle. Most ingredients appear to be safe, but there is a major caveat: the use of generic “fragrance” or “parfum.”

In the U.S., companies can list a blend of undisclosed chemicals as “fragrance,” which may include thousands of different compounds. Some of those may be harmless, but others can include allergens, volatile organic compounds, endocrine-disrupting phthalates, or other concerning chemicals.

Native’s public statement says their scents are made from essential oils, safe synthetic oils, and natural extracts, and that their formulas are phthalate- and paraben-free and adhere to IFRA guidelines. However, when asked to disclose full fragrance ingredient lists, Native declined, citing proprietary reasons. That lack of disclosure prevents a full safety assessment.

Because the exact components of their fragrances are not shared, we cannot confidently label Native’s hair care products as entirely non-toxic, despite the absence of many common harmful ingredients.

My Honest Review of Native’s Hair Care Products

After several weeks of use, the most pronounced result was how soft my hair felt. The shampoo created a sensation similar to soft water—likely due to the salts in the formula—and detangled hair effectively. For my routine, I rarely needed to use conditioner because the shampoo alone left hair manageable and smooth.

I have fine, thin hair with loose waves that get oily quickly. Native didn’t reduce oiliness for me and didn’t enhance my waves; the Cucumber & Mint Volumizing formula performed best for my hair but still didn’t outperform other brands I’ve tried. Overall, I’d grade Native’s performance for my hair type as a B-. It’s convenient and decent in a pinch, but not my go-to.

Results vary by hair type. Native may be a better match for thicker or frizz-prone hair and for households with hard water.

Other F.A.Q.s About Native Hair Products

Why Does Native Shampoo Make My Hair Greasy?

If Native products make your hair greasy, salts and oils in the formula may be contributing factors. Try the Cucumber & Mint Volumizing option, wash less frequently to avoid overproducing oil, use a dry shampoo between washes, or try a different non-toxic shampoo with fewer salts and oils to see if that improves matters.

Is Native Shampoo/Conditioner Sulfate-Free?

Yes. Native’s formulas are sulfate-free.

Is Native Shampoo/Conditioner Silicone-Free?

Yes.

Is Native Shampoo/Conditioner Phthalate-Free?

Yes.

Is Native Good for Color-Treated Hair?

Native states their shampoo and conditioner are safe for color-treated hair. As with any new product, test on a small section first to ensure the result meets your expectations.

Is Native Good for Oily Hair?

Responses vary. Some people with thin or oily hair find Native too heavy. Travel sizes are available at Target, making it easy to test the line before buying a full bottle.

Who Owns Native?

Native began as an independent brand founded by Moiz Ali and was acquired by Procter & Gamble (P&G) in 2017.

Where Can You Buy Native Hair Products?

Native’s hair products—shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask—are sold exclusively at Target stores and on Target.com. Other Native items are available on the brand’s website and at various retailers.

Other Native Products

Beyond hair care, Native sells deodorant, body wash, sunscreen, and toothpaste. Reviews and ingredient breakdowns for those products are available through various resources.

Conclusion: TL;DR: Do We Recommend Native Hair Care Products?

Our main concern is the undisclosed “fragrance” ingredients. That lack of transparency prevents a full endorsement from an ingredient-safety perspective. Still, Native avoids many widely recognized harmful ingredients—such as DMDM hydantoin, sulfates, phthalates, parabens, and certain synthetic preservatives—making it safer than many conventional options.

Functionally, Native leaves hair soft and smooth and may be especially helpful for people with thick or frizzy hair or those dealing with hard water. Those with fine or oily hair may find the line less suitable.

Overall, Native is an acceptable, more mindful choice compared with many traditional brands, but the undisclosed fragrance blends mean we cannot fully recommend it as the most transparent or unequivocally non-toxic option. Have you tried Native’s hair care? What was your experience?