As Ellea Whamond from 100 Acres puts it: ‘We believe that what you put on your scalp, and the rest of your body, for that matter, ends up inside you. At 100 Acres, we prefer to include only natural, nourishing ingredients in our hair products. We also veer away from mainstream sulphates which are renowned for overly-drying and stripping the hair of its natural oils, and we steer away from silicones too as they are often overly weighty for the hair. We prefer our natural conditioner which leaves hair soft, light and bouncy!’
We heartily concur. And when it comes to haircare, nature makes a compelling case.
The Best British Botanical Shampoos & Conditioners to Know
100 Acres
Botanical Shampoo & Conditioner, £29 each
A fragrant walk through an English botanical garden, bottled. 100 Acres products use essential oils like lemon, sage, lavender, and rose geranium to create luxury haircare that’s both therapeutic and effective. Free from sulphates and silicones, their shampoo and conditioner cleanse gently without stripping natural oils, leaving hair light, soft, and deeply nourished. And, we can attest, your mane will smell like paperwhites in bloom, which ranks up there with cut grass and woodsmoke as our favourite scents. Heaven in a bottle – we could not recommend the shampoo and conditioner with wilder enthusiasm. Oh, and the packaging is exquisite. The only danger? You may become addicted to washing your hair. Buy them.
Cornish Seaweed Bath Co.
3 for 2 Super Nutrient Haircare Sets, £79.90 (Was £179.70)
Harnessing the mineral-rich bounty of British shores, Cornish Seaweed Bath Co. has bottled the benefits of wild-harvested seaweed into a nourishing, botanical haircare line. Their shampoos and conditioners are brimming with vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids, making them ideal for revitalising tired, stressed-out scalps. Think of it as a sea soak for your locks – cleansing, hydrating, and naturally balancing. Plus, the brand’s commitment to sustainability and ethical harvesting makes it a standout choice for eco-conscious consumers. Buy it.
Wilder Botanics
Gift Of The Earth Shampoo, £26
Founded by naturopath Rachel Landon and her husband Charlie, Wilder Botanics’ entire collection is 100 per cent natural, organic, with everything they make created from wild crafted herbal ingredients. Its ultra-hydrating Gift of the Earth shampoo, which contains aloe, palmarosa, geranium leaf and bergamot, smells indescribably delicious, while also doing your scalp the world of good by balancing natural oils and promoting hair growth. Truly one of the stand-outs in the botanical shampoo field. Buy it.
Bain & Savon
Shampoo Bars, £3 – £7
These artisan shampoo bars are handcrafted in the UK and combine nature’s finest – coconut oil, sea salt, and plant extracts – to gently cleanse the scalp while protecting the planet. Free from palm oil, parabens, and SLS, they’re perfect for zero-waste living without sacrificing performance. Ideal for travel or everyday use, these bars are cruelty-free and suitable for all hair types. We like the fresh thyme and cedar bar best fo all. Buy it.
Odylique
Prebiotic Gentle Herb Shampoo, from £14
Designed with ultra-sensitive scalps in mind, this organic shampoo from Odylique combines soothing herbal extracts with prebiotics to balance and support the scalp’s microbiome. Chamomile, nettle, and horsetail extracts work to calm irritation while delivering a soft, healthy finish. Certified organic and completely free from synthetic chemicals, this is a true hero product for those with delicate skin or eczema-prone scalps. Buy it.
Ilapothecary
Head Space Shampoo and Conditioner, £38 each
There is a reason that the London-based Ilapothecary is covered in awards. So called for the Sanskrit word for Earth – Ila – its every ingredient is 100 per cent natural, its collection of exquisite products representing the meeting point of herbology, naturopathy, homeopathy and phyto-actives. We love its Head Space shampoo and conditioner. Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, circulation-stimulating, and growth-promoting, it’s basically magic. Highly nourishing magic. And it smells divine too. Buy it.
Urban Apothecary
Fig Tree Shampoo, £26
Tajinder Banwait MBE is the force – and the nose – behind the London-based Urban Apothecary, which, like all the best brands, was breathed into life around her kitchen table. Her mission? To bring together the flowers, fruits, resins and woods she adores, in unconventional, natural scents and nourishing products. We love the wonderful Fig Tree shampoo, its glorious scent marrying the freshness of the fig leaf, with the sweetness of the fruit and the grounding woodiness of cedarwood. The smart packaging is pretty great too. Buy it.
Green People
Daily Aloe Shampoo, £18
A pioneer in certified organic beauty since 1997, Green People was founded by Charlotte Vøhtz in a bid to find gentle skincare for her eczema-prone daughter. Their botanical haircare range is ideal for anyone with a sensitive scalp or an interest in holistic wellbeing. Key ingredients include aloe vera, chamomile, lavender, and eucalyptus – all selected for their soothing and strengthening properties. From the best-selling Daily Aloe Shampoo to the Intensive Repair Conditioner, each product is crafted in the UK with integrity, purity and sustainability in mind. Buy it.
Napiers
Napiers Herbstrong Hair Duo, £29.94
With a heritage dating back to 1860, Napiers is one of Britain’s oldest and most respected herbal medicine brands. Founded by Duncan Napier, a Victorian botanist and herbalist, the company has spent over 160 years harnessing the healing power of plants. Their Herbstrong Hair Duo continues that legacy, combining rosemary, horsetail, yarrow and nettle in a powerful shampoo and weekly use hair tonic designed to strengthen locks and treat the scalp. It's a traditional formula with modern relevance – and serious results. Buy it.
