With how much we already know about the science of beauty, I’m shocked and saddened that so many brands continue to test on animals. I’d like to see cruelty-free testing and innovation become the standard for the beauty industry, but until that happens, I’m grateful that Leaping Bunny makes it easy to distinguish which brands are truly cruelty-free.

In order to be Leaping Bunny certified, a company cannot be tested on animals at any stage of development; they also have to commit to monitoring their suppliers.

We’ve seen an increase in “clean beauty” certifications and marketing, but it can be trickier to figure out what haircare companies are truly cruelty-free, so today I’m rounding up my favorite shampoos that do not test on animals.

best cruelty-free shampoos for fine hair

amika the kure strength repair shampoo

Amika is a great brand, and I love that it’s Leaping Bunny certified. It’s also really easy to buy, as you can find it at both Ulta and Sephora, as well as online (I personally subscribe to it on Amazon to save a little extra). The kure strength repair shampoo has been a favorite for over a year now. A little goes a long way, and it gives you a great lather without stripping your hair of its natural oils or drying it out. The smell is heavenly - a rich vanilla that isn’t too empowering or girly; my boyfriend loves this shampoo, too. It’s incredibly hydrating without weighing your hair down, and it doesn’t mess with my color-treated hair.

k18 DAMAGE SHIELD pH protective shampoo

K18 is a pricier brand, but the quality is always there, and it’s Leaping Bunny certified, so I feel better investing in them than other brands that still test on animals. This shampoo is a great daily shampoo, especially if you have color-treated, damaged, dry, or fine hair. It gives you a big boost of hydration and volume, and it leaves your hair feeling clean but not dry. The scent is subtly fruity but not too sweet or artificial; it never triggers my migraines, so I always recommend this brand to those who are sensitive to strong scents or fragrance in general.

ouai detox shampoo

It’s good to use a clarifying shampoo every week to 10 days to remove product buildup, and the Ouai Detox Shampoo is the best I’ve ever tried. The formula is effective yet gentle, and it never dries out my scalp (even in the winter or dry climates). A little goes a long way, and it suds beautifully without stripping your hair of its natural oils. Ouai is Leaping Bunny certified, and I enjoy pretty much every product the brand puts out.

While not Leaping Bunny certified, I also really love:

davines nounou shampoo

This is another go-to shampoo because it’s gentle, doesn’t dry out my hair/scalp, and keeps my hair color looking fresh. It’s a gentle, color-safe formula that removes product build-up without stripping your hair. I know it’s best to not wash your hair every day, but I’ve used Davines Nou Nou daily in the past and my hair health was still great - no breakage, damage, or crazy frizz.

davines heart of glass silkening shampoo for blondes

While this is technically a brightening shampoo rather than toning, I really love this shampoo. It’s not too purple, yet not too blue, so it will brighten up a variety of highlight tones (whether you’re icy blonde or prefer a warmer, sun-kissed look). The scent isn’t my favorite; it’s just a little too floral-y, but it’s thankfully subtle. The product title mentions blondes, but my hair is still pretty brunette on the bottom and I love it; my mom is salt-and-pepper grey and this really takes her hair to the next level.

kristin ess deep clean clarifying shampoo

This is not my top favorite, but I still wanted to include it because it’s rare to find a solid drugstore option that’s cruelty-free, since so many of those brands cut costs by testing on animals (sadly). The bottle itself feels a little flimsy compared to other Kristin Ess products, but you get a great lather with this and it does remove product build-up without drying out your scalp. To avoid breakage and bring hydration back into your hair, use a deep conditioner and then finish with a drugstore leave-in conditioner, too.