No Poo vs Low Poo vs Shampoo

It's a shampoo showdown! Some people lather up daily while others haven’t touched shampoo in years (and no, they’re not walking around with greasy, tangled messes on their heads).

Whether you’re looking to avoid chemicals, save some cash, or just find what makes your hair feel its best, understanding the differences between No Poo, Low Poo, and regular shampoo is the first step to making an informed choice for your locks. Let’s break down the pros and cons of each option so you can find your perfect hair wash routine.

Shampoo: The Classic (But Sometimes Controversial) Choice

Traditional shampoo is the go-to for most people today. It contains surfactants (like sulfates) that remove dirt and oil, often paired with synthetic fragrances, silicones, and preservatives.

Fun fact: Commercial shampoo as we know it wasn’t first used until the early 1930s. Before that, everyone used the no poo method.

Pros:

✔️ Cleans hair fast and effectively
✔️ No transition phase—just lather and rinse
✔️ Easy to find and widely available
✔️ Fits a variety of budgets since there is a huge variance of products at different price points

Cons:

❌ Can strip natural oils, leading to overproduction of grease
❌ Many contain sulfates and synthetic ingredients that may cause buildup or irritation
❌ Often requires more styling products to restore moisture
❌ Often results in an increase of frequency in washing your hair

👉 Best for:

Those who love the freshly shampooed feeling and aren’t as concerned with avoiding synthetic ingredients.

Low Poo: The Happy Medium

Low Poo uses shampoo, but with way gentler ingredients. No sulfates, harsh detergents, parabens, or polymers—just mild cleansers that get the job done without stripping your hair’s natural oils.

Pros:

✔️ Cleanses hair without over-drying
✔️ Less transition time than No Poo
✔️ Works for a wide range of hair types

Cons:

❌ Some Low Poo shampoos still contain questionable ingredients like fragrance
❌ Can still require trial and error to find the right one
❌ Not as budget-friendly as full No Poo

👉 Best for:

Anyone who wants to cut back on harsh shampoos but isn’t quite ready to break up with cleansing products entirely.

Favorite Low Poo Shampoo Brands:

Be sure to check each individual product to confirm that they don't have sulfates, harsh detergents, parabens, or polymers. I personally also avoid fragrance.

My favorite is Young Living Shampoos & Conditioners
- Formulated without harsh sulfates, parabens, synthetic colors or fragrances, phthalates, silicones, DEA, or animal-derived ingredients
- Order here and use code SHAREYL
SheaMoisture
Giovanni

No Poo: The All-Natural Rebel

The No Poo method ditches traditional shampoo entirely. Instead, you use natural alternatives like baking soda, apple cider vinegar, clay, or even just water to cleanse your hair. The No Poo Method uses natural ingredients in their purest form.

I could interview 100 no poo-ers and there is a good chance that not a single one of them follow the same routine. Everyone has different hair types and wants different results.

Pros:

✔️ No harsh chemicals or sulfates
✔️ Saves money (no fancy shampoo needed!)
✔️ Can lead to healthier, more balanced hair over time

Cons:

❌ The transition period can be rough and lengthy
❌ Finding the right No Poo method takes trial and error

👉 Best for:

People who want to embrace a minimalist, natural lifestyle and are willing to tough it out through the adjustment phase.

More on The No Poo Method:

Want more info on The No Poo Method?! I gotcha! I went 4 years without shampoo, then went viral. I have tons of articles on The No Poo Method and an eBook. Here are some top resources to check out:

So Which One Should You Choose?

If you’re all about going natural, have the patience for an adjustment period, and want to save money, No Poo might be your jam. My hair loves it!!

If you still want a bit of a cleanse but without the harsh effects of shampoo, Low Poo is a great middle ground.

And if you’re not ready to let go of the lather (or just love that squeaky-clean feeling), traditional shampoo isn’t the enemy—just be mindful of the ingredients!

At the end of the day, your hair, your rules. Whether you’re team No Poo, Low Poo, or Shampoo, the best choice is the one that makes your hair and scalp happy.