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Experimenting with hair color can be insanely fun. From going all-out with the "expensive brunette" trend to dipping your toes in courtesy of babylights, there are no shortage of options for expressing yourself. And the best part is that there are plenty of at home hair color options to help you achieve the look you're after. But if you've dyed your hair before, there's a chance you've also had some experiences with minor skin—and hair color chemicals such as ammonia and P-phenylenediamine (PPD) could be to blame.
While rocking a new look might seem worth the discomfort, there are alternatives that will look just as good and feel a lot better: natural hair dyes.
Best Natural Hair Dyes
Like conventional formulas, natural hair dye deposits color onto the hair—temporarily or permanently, depending on the formula—but typically contains fewer chemicals. Sometimes, they're made with entirely plant-based ingredients. To make finding a natural or organic hair dye easier—whether you’ve dyed your hair before or are looking to continue coloring with more organic dyes—we evaluated the top-rated natural hair dyes on the market.
What to consider
There are a lot of options out on the market, but there are a few things you should keep in mind as you shop. Check out these important tips from experts.
Type
While they may all deposit color, not all hair dyes deliver long-lasting results. In general, there are four types of hair dye: temporary, semi-permanent, demi-permanent, and permanent.
- Temporary: Temporary is exactly what it sounds like–the color deposited washes out within a wash or two.
- Semi-permanent: These formulas are ammonia-free and can only go the same shade or darker. They don't cover gray hair, either.
- Demi-permanent: This type of dye is mixed with a peroxide developer and is great for root-touch ups or darkening your hair. It can also help blend grays.
- Permanent: This option typically has a stronger ammonia base that gives the dye more versatility—it can be used to lift, tone, and even completely cover grays. However, there are other alternatives (also chemical) that aren't as strong such as monoethanolamine (MEA) and triethanolamine (TEA). For natural products, henna tends to last a minimum of six weeks.
Ingredients
If you’re looking to take the most natural route when it comes to hair dye, you should probably steer clear of ammonia. "There are hair dyes that are ammonia and alcohol-free, which are drastically more gentle on the hair," says Krystel Cuadra, senior colorist at Fekkai in New York. "Most hair dyes contain p-phenylenediamine to help open the hair cuticle, but there are options to avoid this particular chemical, too. When looking for a more natural or clean hair dye, Dosso says to make sure to look for labels that say "leaping bunny-certified," as these often have fewer harsh chemicals.
Ultimately, henna is the safest option, says Cuadra. You can also seek out vegetable-based hair dyes made from plants like carrots, beets, and lemon juice, adds Felicia Dosso, lead colorist at Nunzio Saviano Salon. There are also more natural options, or conventional dyes that contain smaller amounts of chemicals.
Shade range
If matching your hair color is an important consideration—say for covering grays or deepening a brown that's oxidizing—make sure to seek out brands who manufacture a wider range of colors. Some brands only offer a handful of hues, while others may offer 30 or more for maximum flexibility.
How we chose
Women’s Health editors, including editorial assistant Sabrina Talbert and beauty director Brian Underwood, vetted the bestselling, top-rated natural hair dyes based on the advice of three hairstylists who specialize in color. We evaluated each experts' recommendations, considering ingredients, shade range, efficacy, and permanence. Our top picks include options from well-known brands as well as popular beauty subscription services like Madison Reed, but they all have one thing in common: We're confident they're the best natural hair dyes on the market.
Read on for all the details.
Pros
- Offers 100 percent gray coverage
- Available in 57 shades
Cons
- More expensive than other at-home options
Since it launched in 2013, Madison Reed has quickly become an editor favorite, and Dosso says the brand's Radiant Hair Color Kit is one of the best options she's seen for those who want the perfect marriage of efficacy and gentler ingredients. "It's free of all of the harshest ingredients that are commonly found in hair color products and is leaping bunny-certified," says Dosso. It's available in 57 shades, making it a great choice for those who want options.
Plus, it contains argan oil, which moisturizes hair and adds shine.
Contributor Brigitt Earley has been a subscriber for two years now—the kit gets automatically delivered to her house every six weeks—and says it not only gives her brown hair a deep refresh with all-over color, but it also effectively covers gray hair along her part. It also leaves hair feeling soft and shiny. Some of our testers say they couldn't tell the difference between the at-home kit and a salon visit.
In addition to great results, we love the simplicity of the directions—it couldn't be more straightforward. Start by sectioning your hair into four parts and applying the barrier cream just below your hairline to prevent staining on your skin. Then, mix your activator and color together. Apply color to your roots and leave it on for 35 to 45 minutes. Then, pull the color through the mid-lengths and ends, leaving it on for an additional five minutes before washing with shampoo and conditioner. Easy right?
Read more: The Best Root Touch-Up Products
Type | Permanent |
---|---|
Ingredients | Keratin, argan oil, ginseng root abstract |
Shades | 57 |
Best Budget Dye
Clairol Natural Instincts Demi-Permanent Hair Dye
Pros
- Can dye hair in under 20 minutes
- An excellent value when compared to comparable formulas
Cons
- May not fully cover gray hair
When you dye your hair at home, you can forget about having to budget hundreds of dollars for a professional treatment—especially when you shop this drugstore brand. The demi-permanent isn't like other conventional formulas you'll find on the shelves, either. It's made with 80 percent naturally-derived ingredients designed to be gentler on your scalp and hair.
Users say it does carry a harsher scent than some of the other natural hair dyes we evaluated, but that it's still relatively subtle compared to ammonia-based products. They also love that there's 42 shades to choose from and that directions are clear and easy to follow. Another plus? Users said the dye left their hair feeling silky and looking shiny.
Type | Demi-permanent |
---|---|
Active ingredients | Coconut oil, aloe vera |
Shades | 42 |
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Pros
- 100% natural ingredients
- Adds shine
Cons
- Limited shades compared to other brands
For a 100% natural option, check out Khadi's natural hair dye. The ingredient list is comprised entirely of vegan herbal ingredients. There's no synthetic dyes, fragrances, preservatives, color enhancers, peroxides, or ammonia—only natural pigment that comes from finely ground plant powder that naturally darkens your hair.
Users say exact results depend on your starting hair color—some see more coverage than others. But, as a nice bonus, users say it leaves their strands impressively shiny. A few of them also liked the product's earthy smell, which they preferred over the ammonia scent in standard dyes.
Type | Permanent |
---|---|
Active Ingredients | Indigo, Henna, Amla |
Shades | 14 |
Pros
- No chemical smell
- Comes in 31 shades
Cons
- Doesn't last as long as some other permanent options
We love Naturcolor’s Permanent Herbal-Based Hair Color Gel, because its ingredient list is packed with plants and botanicals. It's made with no harsh chemicals—only herbal ingredients, like chamomile and sage. It's easy to apply, too. The directions are clear, and the color sets in under and hour.
Users say it doesn't last quite as long as some other permanent options they've tried, but say the formula does a great job eliminating orange and brassy tones while leaving hair soft and shiny. We also found that the smell was not harsh like standard dyes yet not too earthy either.
Type | Permanent |
---|---|
Active ingredients | Arctium lappa toot extract, centella asiatica oil, urtica dioica leaf extract |
Shades | 31 |
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Best Smelling Dye
Garnier Hair Color
Pros
- Ammonia-free
- Floral scent
Cons
- May not 100% cover gray hairs
Made with natural flower oils, Garnier’s Olia hair dye will color your hair while adding shine and showering it in a flowery scent. We love that it's readily available on drugstore shelves, and just as easy to use as other color kits. It comes with everything you need from start to finish, plus works its magic quickly.
Users with skin sensitivities say this dye worked well for them and didn't cause irritation. In its wake, the product left super shiny and soft hair with rich color. It's worth noting, though: Those with particularly stubborn grays and dark hair said the product didn't completely eliminate the silver strands.
Type | Permanent |
---|---|
Active ingredients | Sunflower seed oil, castor oil |
Shades | 22 |
Pros
- Adds shine
- Smoothens hair
Cons
- May stain surfaces
If you don't love how hard your locks may feel after a dye job, grab this box from Naturtint. It's designed to simultaneously color and smoothen hair, since it's infused with oleic acid (derived from olives) and meadowfoam seed oil.
Users love that this dye has little-to-no scent compared to other big brand names. Many also noted that it was easy to apply. The results are impressive, too. Users say the color not only looks great, but their hair feels soft and bouncy after application. We're impressed by the shade range, too—it comes in 57 different hues.
Type | Permanent |
---|---|
Active ingredients | Olive oleic acid, meadowfoam seed oil |
Shades | 57 |
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Pros
- 100% organic and vegan ingredients
- Works with heat
Cons
- Requires a lot of product
This unique hair dye has a low pH formula that works with heat instead of harsh chemicals to raise the hair’s pH level to allow color to penetrate the cuticle. It's made entirely of organic and vegan ingredients—no ammonia or other harsh chemicals.
Many users who had a hard time finding hypoallergenic dyes raved that this one checked all their boxes. They found the product easy to use, despite the fact that you need to use a lot of product—especially if you have long, thick hair. But once color is deposited, users reported long-lasting results.
Type | Permanent |
---|---|
Active ingredients | Wheat protein, aloe leaf juice, comfrey leaf extract, orange peel extract, grapefruit extract |
Shades | 33 |
Meet the Experts
- Krystel Cuadra is a colorist at Maison Seventy Seven in New York.
- Felicia Dosso is a colorist at Sally Hershberger Nomad in New York.
- Terri Rehkopf is the founder and owner of Ippodaro Salon in San Antonio, Texas.
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How can I color my gray hair naturally?
Coloring gray hair might seem like more of a hassle, but it's definitely possible. While it is a longer process, you can use coffee grounds to dye your grays, says Terri Rehkopf is the founder and owner of Ippodaro Salon in San Antonio, Texas.
She also suggests using Hairprint, which can be done at home or at the salon with three to four rounds of application. If either of those aren't up your alley, consider using a semi-permanent dye. "It requires no peroxide, and it's just a stain that can go into the root," Rehkopf says.
If you're using natural hair dye on grays, experts say you need to manage your expectations. “It's always best to expect more translucent coverage with more natural dyes, as they don’t have certain chemicals to fully saturate the hair's cuticle,” says Cuadra. Natural hair dyes simply don't cover gray hairs as well as chemical-based dyes can.
Is hair dye dangerous?
The main difference between natural hair dyes and standard hair dyes is that natural dyes do not have ammonia. In standard hair dyes, ammonia can cause hair loss and irritation, Rehkopf says.
Many brunettes tend to develop dermatitis on the scalp from using dark dyes because they contain PPD (paraphenylenediamine), which is harsher on people's scalps and can cause thinning, she says. People allergic to PPD can get welts, itchiness, and burning on their scalp, or their eyes get swollen, says Rehkopf.
It's also important to note that people with inflammatory scalp conditions, like dandruff or psoriasis, are at a greater risk of irritation from PPD and should try to avoid the ingredient if possible, says Women's Health beauty director Brian Underwood.
If you're unsure how you'll react to natural dyes, simply do a patch test to see how you feel, he suggests. And if you show any signs of a rash, hives, or sudden itchiness after dye-ing your hair, contact your dermatologist as soon as possible.
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Brigitt Earley
Contributing Writer
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
Sabrina Talbert
Editorial Assistant
Sabrina is an editorial assistant for Women’s Health. When she’s not writing, you can find her running, training in mixed martial arts, or reading.
Reviewed byBrian Underwood
Beauty Director
Brian Underwood is the beauty director at Women’s Health. He is an award-winning journalist with more than 15 years of experience covering beauty and lifestyle for several national media outlets and previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily. His work has appeared in Woman’s Day, Life & Style Weekly, Good Housekeeping, and many more. He also serves as a member of the Skin Cancer Foundation’s gala committee and lives in New York City with his daughter.