8 Natural Hair Dyes That Are Kind to Your Hair and Look Amazing (2024)

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Our top choice is Biolage Plant-Based Hair Color. There are 20 shades available, all of which contain—wait for it—10 ingredients or fewer and are anywhere from 82 to 100 percent plant-based. The semi-permanent formula lasts for up to 20 shampoos.

This natural hair dye uses a purified version of henna (in this case, one derived from cassia angustifolia leaf) for its wide array of tones. Shades range from brunettes and blondes to trendy pastels and rainbow hues. While the product is meant for the pros, those going the DIY route will appreciate that it only needs to be mixed with water—no separate developer necessary.

Who It's For

This henna hair dye is intended for professional colorists, though some skilled DIY users may like the semi-permanent, easy-to-mix formula.

Active Ingredients: Henna | Type: Plant-based | Shades: 20 | Size: 3.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

For those who don't like to break the bank on boxed dye, this is a great choice. It's not only inexpensive but also free of a litany of ingredients, including ammonia, parabens, sulfates, silicones, and phthalates. (Just a heads up, it does contain resorcinol.) The cream formula doesn't drip, and the demi-permanent color lasts up to six weeks while completely covering any pesky grays. Bonus points for the inclusion of a botanical-based conditioning gloss.

Who It's For

Those looking for an affordable, user-friendly option for covering grays or trying a new shade will appreciate the demi-permanent formula.

Active Ingredients: Cannabis sativa (hemp) seed oil, sesame oil (brunettes), black tea (dark hair), cranberry (reds), chamomile (blondes) | Type: Permanent | Shades: 16 | Size: 2.5 fluid ounces (developer), 1.7 fluid ounces (cream colorant), 1.7 fluid ounces (conditioning gloss) | Cruelty-Free: No

Ultra-gentle and ammonia-free, this bargain buy is made with 80 percent naturally derived ingredients, such as coconut oil, aloe vera, and vitamin E. As a demi-permanent color, you can expect it to last up to 28 washes. For this reason, Natural Instincts is best for blending smaller sections of gray or enhancing your natural shade and shine rather than a complete color change. Still, there are over 35 colors to choose from, including an extensive mix of blonde, brown, black, and red tones.

Who It's For

It's an excellent product for blending in grays or enhancing your natural hair color.

Active Ingredients: Coconut, aloe vera | Type: Demi-permanent | Shades: 38 | Size: 5.85 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

If you want an entirely natural option, henna-based color is the only way to go. Available in nine colors, there's literally nothing else in Rainbow Research besides henna in the form of cassia obovata powder. The process can take some getting used to—you add boiling water to the powder to create an oatmeal-like consistency before painting it onto your hair—and the color will only last four to six weeks. Still, happy reviewers rave not only about the plant-derived formula but also the natural-looking results.

Who It's For

If you're up for boiling water to mix with the powder and want a semi-permanent wash of color, this single-ingredient dye is an excellent choice.

Active Ingredients: Henna | Type: Plant-based | Shades: 13 | Size: 4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This brand touts having the first "six-free" permanent hair color, meaning it doesn't contain ammonia, parabens, resorcinol, PDD, phthalates, or gluten. Instead, Madison Reed's Radiant Hair Color is packed with hydrating and nourishing ingredients—think keratin and argan oil—to improve both the look and feel of your strands. Bonus points for the complete gray coverage it delivers, as well as the thick cream formula that won't run or drip.

Who It's For

Those who want a hair dye that doesn't wash out or fade will like this nourishing, ingredient-conscious formula.

Active Ingredients: Argan oil, keratin, ginseng extract | Type: Permanent | Shades: 36 | Size: 1.7 ounces (radiant cream color), 2.5 ounces (conditioning color activator), 0.7 ounces (barrier cream), 0.5 ounces (color protecting shampoo and conditioner) | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For commitment-phobes or those who just want a temporary color change, this color-depositing hair mask is a great pick. Each of the 17 shades (ranging from bolder tones to more subdued hues) lasts anywhere from four to 10 shampoos. And to the point of natural, the wash-out formula is ammonia-free, vegan, and cruelty-free, with certifications from PETA, Leaping Bunny, and the Vegan Society.

Who It's For

If you want to try something new without committing, this color-depositing hair mask is just the thing.

Active Ingredients: Argan oil | Type: Non-permanent | Shades: 17 | Size: 3.4 or 10.1 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you're looking for bold, rainbow-inspired colors, Manic Panic won't let you down. Beyond being made without PPD, ammonia, resorcinol, or parabens, the formula is vegan and cruelty-free. There are over 40 trendy shades to pick from (including some that'll glow under a black light if you really want to get wild). The color lasts up to six weeks, but you'll get the most vibrant results on hair that's either naturally light or has already been bleached.

Who It's For

This product is ideal for people with naturally light or bleached hair who want to experiment with bold hues.

Active Ingredients: Synthetic beeswax, Humulus lupulus (hops) extract, Anthemis nobilis (flower) extract | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: 86 | Size: 4 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

There are 18 shades of this permanent color available, nine of which are geared toward brown and black tones. Ammonia-, alcohol-, and silicone-free, it's also dermatologist-tested—a boon for those with sensitive scalps. Still, the dye is full-on permanent, super vibrant, and touts 100 percent gray coverage. This is always a plus, especially on darker hair.

Who It's For

If you have a sensitive scalp and are in the market for a permanent black or brunette hair dye, this one's for you.

Active Ingredients: Botanical oat milk, soy protein, argan oil | Type: Permanent | Shades: 18 | Size: 2.0 fluid ounces (tube color cream), 2.0 fluid ounces (developer lotion), 1.7 fluid ounces (nourishing conditioner) | Cruelty-Free: No

This creamy dye is easy to apply and blend—and you only need to leave it on for five minutes. Specifically formulated to be used on relaxed hair, you can apply it one day after you relax or straighten your hair. We love how the hydrating and nourishing conditioner helps lock in moisture and prevents dry, brittle strands.

Who It's For

This hair dye is meant to be used the day after relaxing or straightening. It's also a good choice for covering grays.

Active Ingredients: Ethoxydiglycol, tocopheryl acetate, aloe vera extract | Type: Permanent | Shades: 5 | Size: 1.8 fluid ounces (tube color cream), 2.6 fluid ounces (developer lotion), .05 fluid ounces (nourishing conditioner) | Cruelty-Free: No

This at-home hair dye was formulated specifically for concealing grays. It calls on botanical pigments to deposit permanent, natural-looking color while other plant-derived ingredients nourish your scalp and strands—we're talking jojoba, coconut oil, and vitamin E, to name just a few. And it doesn't contain ammonia, PPD, or resorcin. The color cream and developer are pretty thick, which can make them hard to mix together, but otherwise, this is a DIY-friendly kit.

Who It's For

Phytocolor is a permanent hair dye designed to cover grays with natural-looking color sourced from botanical pigments.

Active Ingredients: Botanical pigments | Type: Permanent | Shades: 21 | Size: 1.7 ounces (color cream), 1.7 ounces (developer) | Cruelty-Free: No

For black hair dye, we recommend IGK's Permanent Color Kit. The ammonia-free, vegan, cruelty-free formula comes in 33 deep, rich shades. In addition to pure black (in the shade Volcanic), there are a few variations, like almost black, deep ash brown, and comic book-inspired blue-black. As noted, this is a permanent hair dye. Make sure you're ready to commit, as darker colors are harder to lift. Also, the highly pigmented formula can stain clothes and surfaces, but it comes with a stain-remover pad.

Who It's For

This is a good option for people with naturally black hair wanting to cover grays or revert from previously lightened hair.

Active Ingredients: Ethanolamine, squalane, bamboo extract | Type: Permanent | Shades: 33 | Size: 1.7 ounces (cream color), 2.5 ounces (developer) | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Thinking about going red? This ammonia-free, herbal-infused hair dye comes in 36 shades, including many fiery tones, from crimson and mahogany to orange and coppery blonde. The gentle formula is also fragrance-free and promises not to have a strong chemical odor. Just a heads up, you have to leave the dye on for about 40 minutes. Otherwise, you might need two applications to get the color you want.

Who It's For

Available in several shades of red, this dye is perfect for natural redheads wanting to cover grays and anyone looking to try a warmer shade.

Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, herbal extracts | Type: Permanent | Shades: 36 | Size: 4.6 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This herbal-based hair dye comes in over 30 colors, including several shades of blonde. From ultra-light and ashy to dirty blonde and strawberry blonde, there's something for every bombshell. It's formulated without ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, resorcinol, or parabens. While it does contain PPD, blonde hair color often contains less of it, as it's more meant to lighten rather than deposit pigment.

Who It's For

Whether you want to go super light, strawberry blonde, or an ashier shade, this herbal-based dye can get you there without ammonia or bleach.

Active Ingredients: Ethanolamine, m-aminophenol | Type: Permanent | Shades: 31 | Size: 4.1 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This user-friendly natural hair coloring product works sort of like a shampoo, but it's not meant to replace your everyday hair wash. In fact, you only need to use it about once a month. Just lather it into your hair, evenly covering all stands, wait five to 10 minutes, then rinse it out. It doesn't come in any light shades, though it's a good option for darker-haired beauties looking to cover grays. Also, the pigments might stain your hands, so make sure you wear gloves.

Who It's For

The easy-to-use, fast-acting formula offers semi-permanent coverage for up to a month—a great choice for those who want a low-maintenance hair color routine.

Active Ingredients: Herbal extracts | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: 8 | Size: 17.6 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This color-depositing "conditioner" isn't a replacement for your regular conditioner—but it's still a stellar product. You apply it to towel-dried hair, leave it on for up to seven minutes, then rinse it out. The result? A vibrant burst of color that lasts as long as you continue using it. (Use it about once a week to maintain the color.) We should note that it may stain your hands and bath linens, so consider designating a towel for this product to avoid damaging your good ones.

Who It's For

If you want to play around with a bold shade without committing to a new hair color, this semi-permanent formula is just the thing.

Active Ingredients: Natural pigments | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: 6 | Size: 8.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

FAQ

• What can I dye my hair with naturally?

  Henna is a popular choice for dying hair without using store-bought dyes. It’s a plant-based dye that deposits color, typically red, dark brown, or black. Other options to dye hair naturally include black tea for dark hair, chamomile for blondes, and cranberry for reds. Keep in mind your results may be a lot subtler than if you used a traditional hair dye.

• How can I color my gray hair naturally?

  Henna powder is a good choice for coloring gray hair. Henna comes in several colors and is easier to control than some other types of home-dying plant-based techniques, like coffee or tea.

• How can I dye my hair without damaging it at home?

  You can dye your hair at home without damaging it by using a product like pure henna without any additives. Be sure not to leave it on too long to avoid damaging the hair. Otherwise, you can choose a demi or semi-permanent color that deposits color and doesn’t use peroxide or bleach to lift, and therefore damage hair.

• Is hair dye dangerous?

  If you are committed to nontoxic beauty, consider using natural hair dye that is free from chemicals. There have been speculations about an association between chemicals found in hair dye and cancer for years; however, the results are not entirely conclusive.

13 Stylist-Approved Drugstore Hair Dyes of 2023

Updated byJill DiDonato

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2. Welsch F. Routes and modes of administration of resorcinol and their relationship to potential manifestations of thyroid gland toxicity in animals and man. Int J Toxicol. 2008 Jan-Feb;27(1):59-63. doi:10.1080/10915810701876687

3. Bailey AD, Zhang G, Murphy BP. Comparison of damage to human hair fibers caused by monoethanolamine- and ammonia-based hair colorants. J Cosmet Sci. 2014;65(1):1-9.

4. Welsch F. Routes and modes of administration of resorcinol and their relationship to potential manifestations of thyroid gland toxicity in animals and man. Int J Toxicol. 2008 Jan-Feb;27(1):59-63. doi:10.1080/10915810701876687

5. Eberle CE, Sandler DP, Taylor KW, White AJ. 2019. Hair dye and chemical straightener use and breast cancer risk in a large U.S. population of black and white women. Int J Cancer; doi: 10.1002/ijc.32738 [Online 4 December 2019].