Looking to tame your frizz, hold your curls, or boost your hair volume without potentially harmful chemicals? Yeah, us too.
It can be difficult to find natural, non-toxic, or organic hair styling products that use truly clean ingredients… but we’ve got you covered.
So, what are the best non-toxic natural hairspray brands? What ingredients should you look for and avoid? Does organic hair spray work? Let’s dive into the hairy details.
Keep reading to learn more!
Note: This article contains affiliate links, meaning In On Around will make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps us maintain the site. As always, we value full transparency & only work with brands we love and trust.
Jump To The Best Brands
Author: In On Around Founder & CEO,Catherine Power.
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Ana Engelhardt.
- Published On:March 4, 2024
- Updated On: March 12, 2025
Summary:
- It’s best to opt for non-aerosol hairspray that’s free of undisclosed fragrances, phthalates, alcohol, and more.
- Best Brands = Yarok, Innersense
Table of Contents
Understanding the Importanceof Natural Non-Toxic Hairsprays
Natural and non-toxic hair sprays (that work well) can help maintain healthy, vibrant hair.
Unlike most conventional hair sprays, which are laden with harsh chemicals that can damage your health, truly natural hair sprays get the job done without unnecessary chemical exposure.
They should also provide hold and hair volume control without causing product buildup or long-term damage.
Damaging hair care products, like some hair sprays, can weaken hair follicles over time, leading to shedding and breakage.
Oftentimes, if the product contains ethanol (which is a type of alcohol) it can dry out your hair strands long-term, leading to even more frizz.
You deserve to use clean hair care products that don’t damage your health!
Why Choose Non-Toxic & Organic Hairsprays?
There are many reasons to choose natural non-toxic, and organic hair sprays, such as:
1. Natural hairspray is better for your hair (and can work just as well as conventional sprays).
- Natural and non-toxic hair sprays use fewer chemicals of concern, which can be damaging to your long-term hair growth. Plus, it can include nourishing natural herbs and oils to help make your hair shiny and voluminous.
2. Non-toxic hairspray is better for your health
- Inhaling hair spray chemicals can do damage to your health, even in the short term. If you get a big whiff of the hair spray, it can sometimes cause immediate dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and more. Definitely not ideal! It’s toxic when inhaled (which can be very easy to do, since you spray it around your head).
3. Natural and organic hairsprays are better for the environment + your indoor air quality.
- According to the EPA, indoor air quality is typically 3-5 times more polluted than outdoor air quality. [1]
- Spraying hair spray contributes to indoor pollution! Plus, it’s really bad for the environment, as well as any pets that you may have in the home (especially birds).
Is Hairspray Toxic? The Health and Environmental Impacts
Hair sprays can be toxic and therefore can have significant implications for both personal health and the environment, with potential risks ranging from respiratory issues to pollution.
In fact, exposure to some hair sprays can cause symptoms like:
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Abdominal pain
- Burning eyes and throat
- Rash
- Dry hair
- Slurred speech
- Collapse
- Low blood pressure
- Allergic reactions
- Respiratory issues
- Stupor
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea … and more. [2A]
Hairsprays release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, which can lead to allergic reactions and irritation in some individuals.(VOCs are a group of carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate into the air at room temperature and can contribute to air pollution and health risks.)
If you experience an adverse reaction to hairspray, contact your local poison control center. Visit an emergency room or doctor if symptoms are serious.
Did you know that hairspray can contain hormone-disrupting chemicals?
In 2021, dozens of aerosol hair products were recalled due to traces of cancer-causing Benzene. [1A]
What to Avoid in Natural, Non-Toxic, and Organic Hairsprays
When choosing natural, non-toxic, or organic hair sprays, it’s crucial to be mindful of certain ingredients and formulations.
In our opinion, it’s best to limit or avoid these ingredients:
- Undisclosed fragrance – both natural and synthetic fragrances (even if they’re natural essential oils – it’s unnecessary in hair spray)
- You can learn more about fragrance here:Safe Fragrance 101 – What Is Natural Fragrance?
- Aerosol propellants, such as:
- Butane
- Isobutane
- Propane
- Phthalates
- Parabens
- You can learn more about parabens here: Paraben Safety – Are Parabens In Makeup Harmful?
- Formaldehyde releasers
- Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (“Quats”)
- Carboxymethylcellulose – this is poisonous
- Denatured alcohol
- Hydrofluorocarbon – this is poisonous
- Polyvinyl alcohol
- Polyvinylpyrrolidone
- Benzene (a contaminant)
- Ethanol
- Polymers
- Ethoxylated ingredients or polysorbates
- Silicones
- Propylene glycol
- Sulfates
- Alcohol (which can lead to dry hair)
Many conventional hairsprays contain propellants, solvents, holding agents, and many potentially harmful additives.
To learn more about all the ingredients we aim to avoid in cosmetics, check out the Clean Beauty Checklist E-Book. Here we detail the 70+ ingredient classes to avoid in personal care items… including hairspray!
What to Look Forin Natural, Non-Toxic, and Organic Hairsprays
When shopping for non-toxic hairsprays, focus on identifying ingredients and formulations that promote hair health.
Here are some popular ingredients found in truly natural hairsprays:
- Propellant-free and aerosol-free (very important!)
- Instead, look for pump sprays, not aerosolized sprays that use pressurized cans.
- This is one of the most important swaps
- Organic aloe vera juice or gel
- Natural essential oils (in moderation), such as:
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Tea tree
- Bergamot
- Rice proteins or rice extract
- Natural sea salt
- Organic honey
- Vegetable glycerin
- Teas, like green tea or rooibos tea
Keep in mind that hairspray efficacy can depend on your hair thickness and texture – sometimes you’ll need a little trial and error to find your best match!
If you’re looking for other natural hair products, like shampoo and conditioner, or styling products check out the In On Around Shop for the best swaps!
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Top Picks
What Are The BestNatural, Non-Toxic and Organic Hairspray Brands?
Switching from conventional to natural hairspray may take some getting used to… but the benefits make it worthwhile!
As for the best natural non-toxic hairspray for strong hold, prioritize brands known for their commitment to high-quality ingredients without compromising your health.
The “best” ranked products contain the best ingredients, but they will not always work as well as conventional hair spray – keep this in mind. Check out these best brands below!
- I personally use this option and it gets the job done very well!
- Ingredients: Structured Vitamin Aqua (Water) Concentrate, Non-GMO Corn and Rice Extract, Vegetable Glycerol, Plant Sourced Kosher Vegan Xanthan Gum & Potassium Sorbate; Natural Plant Sourced Vitamins A, C & E; Essential Oils of: Organic Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary), Organic Litsea Cubeba (May Chang)
- Alcohol-free? Yes
- Fragrance-free? Uses fragrances from essential oils – not synthetic.
- Ingredients: Water, Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Gel, Organic Cyamop-sistetragonolobus (Guar) Gum Sorbitol, Sclerotium Gum, Organic Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Flower Water, Organic Rooibos African Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Glycerin, Organic Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Organic Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Organic Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Organic Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Organic Eucalyptus Globulus Extract, Citric Acid, Organic Maltodextrin, Honey Extract, Linalool.
- Alcohol-free? Yes
- Fragrance-free? Uses fragrances from essential oils – not synthetic.
- Hold: Flexible
- Ingredients: Aqua, Organic Brown Rice Extract, Organic Yucca Starch, Organic Orange Peel Oil Expressed, Organic Horsetail, Organic Lavender, Organic Peppermint, Organic Oregano, Organic Rosemary Leaf, Organic Sage, Organic Thyme, Organic Vegetable Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Rosemary Essential Oil, Ylang Ylang Essential Oil Lavender Essential Oil.
- Alcohol-free? Yes
- Fragrance-free? Uses fragrances from essential oils – not synthetic.
- Hold: Firm
- Ingredients: Aqua, Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Alcohol (SDA 38B Lavender Oil) Lavandula Angustifolia, Sucrose, Caprylyl/Capryl Glycosides, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin/VP Copolymer, Lavandula Hybrida (Lavandin) Oil, Citrus Bergamia (Bergamot Orange) Oil, Bursera Graveolens (Palo Santo) Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens (Gernanium) Flower Oil, Gardenia Jasminoides (Gardenia Enfleurage) Oil, Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Oil, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract.
- Alcohol-free? Yes
- Fragrance-free? Uses fragrances from essential oils – not synthetic.
- Hold: Soft/Flexible
- Ingredients: Certified Organic Aloe Vera Gel, PVP, Certified Organic Aloe Sorb, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, DL Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Biotin, L-lysine HCI.
- Alcohol-free? Yes
- Fragrance-free? Yes
- Hold: Undetermined
- Ingredients: Water, Organic Glycerine, Organic Manihot Esculenta (Tapioca) Root Starch, Organic Flax Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil, Organic Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Organic Nigella Sativa (Black Cumin) Seed Oil, Organic Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil, Organic Lecithin, Organic Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Flower Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Organic Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Organic Cymbopogon (Lemongrass) Schoenanthus Extract, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Organic Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil, Organic Vitis Vinifera (Red Grape) Seed Oil, Organic Vaccinium Macrocapron (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Organic Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Organic Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Organic Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Organic Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Organic Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Oil, Organic Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil, Organic Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Flower Oil, Organic Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Leaf Oil, Organic Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Organic Citric Acid, Tocopherol from Rosa Canina (Rose Hip), Organic Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Juniperus Virginiana (Cedarwood) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Leaf Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Commiphora Guidotti, Citrus Aurantium (Neroli) Oil, Organic Gluconolactone, Organic Sodium Benzoate, Organic Calcium Gluconate
- Alcohol-free? No
- Fragrance-free? Uses fragrances from essential oils – not synthetic.
- Hold: Undisclosed
- Last of the “best” options due to the sheer amount of ingredients it uses – a bit much!
