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From skincare to sunscreen to our favorite fragrances, we constantly look for new ways to shop for clean, sustainable beauty products. As we are becoming increasingly conscious about what we’re putting on our bodies, it makes sense to want to upgrade your beauty stash, including finding a more natural alternative for your hair dye. Whether you want to touch up your roots, cover any errant gray strands, or are just a fan of the spontaneous color change, it may be time to find a natural at-home hair color.
While there are natural options like henna or even a few interesting vegetable concoctions that claim to help color your hair, there are plenty of simpler DIY hair dyes out there as well. If you are prone to irritation or itchy scalp, natural colors are your best bet to reduce the likelihood of allergic reactions. Plus, they are a better alternative for the planet and your overall hair health. We did the hard work by scouring the internet to find dyes free of the harsh chemicals found in popular traditional formulas. Below, find 14 of the best natural hair dyes for salon-level results in the comfort of your home.
Pros
Long lasting color
Cons
- Some say the pigment is too dark
Formulated without ammonia, silicones, and alcohol (and housed inside a recyclable carton), Schwarzkopf’s newest at-home hair color is its best yet. Equally exciting as what’s been left out is what this dye is formulated with: oat milk, soy protein, and argan oil to nourish and reinforce strands for a final color that’s natural and healthy-looking. Find it in twelve shades (all costing less than $10).
Walmart rating: 4.4 stars
A Walmart reviewer says: “No heavy odors while applying. Absolutely no scalp discomfort! The color is staying in my hair well and my hair is feeling and looking healthier than it usually does after applying a color. Great product.”
| Purpose | Permanent Hair Color |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All Hair Types |
| Ingredient Callout | Oat Milk, Soy Protein and Argan Oil |
Pros
- User-friendly
Cons
- Some don't like the smell
Madison Reed is pretty much synonymous with quality at-home hair dye—thanks to the brand's breakthrough formulations, product ease-of-use, and tech-savvy shade matching. The company touts itself for developing the original 6-free permanent hair dye, free of six red-flag ingredients: Ammonia, parabens, resorcinol, PPD, phthalates, and gluten. This chic and easy-to-use kit comes with everything you need to get salon-quality color at home, sans irritation (or accidentally dying the skin on your neck. Bonus: All Madison Reed products are cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified.
Ulta rating: 4.1/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “I've been a fan of Madison Reed hair color kit for a number of years! The main reason is that I need a more gentle kind of coloring formula due to developed allergy, over time, to store bought. Madison Reed is the answer for me! It's not without very mild itching for a few days but it's 95% better than store bought. You get a box with absolutely everything you need to do the job!”
| Purpose | Hair Color and Care Kit |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All Hair Types |
| Ingredient Callout | Gluten free |
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Pros
- Comes with all necessary products and tools
Cons
- Not long lasting
Though this specific kit is intended for root touch-ups, you can count on the entire DPHUE product lineup for clean, at-home hair color. Keep grays at bay with this cream-based color, formulated without sulfates (SLS and SLES), parabens, and a low amount of ammonia. It also ticks off the vegan, cruelty-free, recyclable-packaging, and gluten-free boxes.
Ulta rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “I have been spending a small fortune at a professional salon for years covering up my gray roots. I've tried many at home products and this is HANDS DOWN the best. It covered my stubborn gray and matched my hair perfectly.”
| Purpose | Root Touch Ups |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All Hair Types |
| Ingredient Callout | Vegan, Cruelty free |
4
Best For Temporary Color
Christophe Robin Temporary Color Gel
Pros
- Gentle on hair
Cons
- Not highly pigmented
There is zero ammonia, PPD, resorcinol, or peroxide in this plant-based hair coloring gel, which also doesn’t require any mixing before use. Leave it on for 40 minutes, then rinse out and enjoy your enhanced color for up to seven shampoos.
Dermstore rating: 5/5 stars
A Dermstore reviewer says: “Follow the directions, use enough, and it will cover the grey and last a few washes. Good color for auburn hair.”
| Purpose | Temporary Hair Color Gel |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All Hair Types |
| Ingredient Callout | Plant-based |
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Pros
- Wide range of shades
Cons
- Some say the pigment it too dark
If you’re looking for an all-over, more permanent hair color that’s also affordable, reach for Clairol’s Natural Instincts collection. Made with 80 percent naturally derived ingredients—and without ammonia—you’ll undoubtedly find a natural-looking color match among the 37 different shade choices.
Target rating: 3.9/5 stars
A Target Reviewer says: “I have been using this product on and off for 30years!! I started using it in my high school years! Whenever I get an itching for some red in my hair, this is what I seek out. Easy to use and affordable!!”
| Purpose | Hair coloring, deep hydration |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All Hair Types |
| Ingredient Callout | Ammonia-free, paraben-free, contains coconut oil |
6
Best For Bold Colors
Manic Panic Amplified Semi-Permanent Hair Color
Pros
- Good color payoff
Cons
- The color can bleed on clothes
If you’re looking for at-home hair color that goes beyond your basic blond to brunette shade range—like, way beyond—Manic Panic is the name to remember. These bold hues range from ultra-violet to fluorescent pink to neon green and everything in between. These dyes are super easy to apply (no mixing or peroxide required) and are free from the usual chemical suspects, including PPD, parabens, ammonia, resorcinol, and gluten.
Ulta rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Ulta Reviewer says: “It definitely makes your hair super bright. If you wanted a bold change I would definitely recommend this. It works great and lasts awhile.”
| Purpose | Semi Permanent Hair Color |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All Hair Types |
| Ingredient Callout | Gluten Free |
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Pros
- No harsh odors
Cons
- Can leave a filmy texture on hair
It might not be a brand name you recognize, but this natural-based, permanent hair color boasts almost 1,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. No chemical additives are formulated into this permanent hair color, which promises no harsh odor or scalp irritation. Instead, you’ll find plant-based, strand-strengthening ingredients such as oleic acid (derived from olives) and meadowfoam seed oil.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “It's easy to use. Doesn't seem to damage my hair, nor irritate my scalp. Covers the gray. I've used it for years.”
| Purpose | Permanent Hair Color |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All hair types |
| Ingredient Callout | Oleic Acid, Meadowfoam Seed Oil |
Pros
- Easy to use
Cons
- Can be drying
If you don’t tolerate too much fuss when coloring your hair, a gel might be a better fit for you than the common dyes. With 31 shades, this formula is blendable, easy to apply, and gives a personalized color match in less than an hour. Made without parabens and ammonia, this dye promises a fade-resistant finish for long-lasting radiant pigment.
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I love this brand because it is resorcinol free. It also leaves the hair soft and shiny! Leave it on a little longer than the more chemical based commercial hair dyes, and it saturates the hair in nice even color. Lasts amazingly long.”
| Purpose | Permanent Hair Color Gel |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All Hair Types |
| Ingredient Callout | Gel formula |
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Pros
- Preventative treatment
Cons
- Expensive
If you’re simply looking to touch up grays, using an all-over permanent dye could be a little overwhelming. This easy-to-use restoring treatment cuts out any added stress and messiness of traditional dyes with a 100 percent all-natural vegan formula as an alternative to artificial root touch-up products. Using scientifically proven hair care technology, the Mayraki patented ingredients help boost melanin production to prevent incoming grays as your hair regrows.
Mayraki rating: 4.83/5 stars
A Hair Mayraki reviewer says: “It seems magic, but this product really works. It does require disciplined application following the instructions, but hair starts growing with a colour very close to ones natural colour. In my case, it has lighter highlights than my own hair, but it looks just fine. I definitely recommend this product.”
| Purpose | Anti Gray treatment |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All Hair Types |
| Ingredient Callout | 100% vegan |
Pros
- Great color matching
Cons
- Color can fade quickly
If you are looking for something with a decent shade range, Tints of Nature is sure to have a color for you. With 95 percent naturally sourced ingredients, this hair color is gentle on your strands without compromising an impressive color. The permanent dye formula offers long-lasting color and coverage. With color categories of black, brown, red, and blonde, the 23 shades offer room to experiment, and you can even mix the shades to create the perfect color for you.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “The color was perfect! Lasted through quite a few washes, made my hair soft and covered my grey. Loved it and will buy again.”
| Purpose | Permanent Hair Color |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All Hair Types |
| Ingredient Callout | 95% naturally sourced ingredients |
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Pros
- Highly pigmented
Cons
- Must leave on for a long time
This powder formula provides intense pigment with a mix of natural herbal ingredients. Created using traditional Indian recipes and medicinal plants, this Ayurvedic formula is certified 100 percent natural and vegan. The rich blend adds nutrients to help nourish and protect the hair and give it a radiant shine as it evenly colors the hair and completely hides gray strands.
Amazon rating: 3.7/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I ordered the golden brown and I’m going to order again! I’ve been trying to find hair dye with no toxins and this one covers my greys and my hair feels healthy. Applying was not as messy as I thought it would be. The smell is not the best, but it’s worth it.”
| Purpose | Permanent Hair Color |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All Hair Types |
| Ingredient Callout | Ayurvedic herbal formula, |
Pros
- Made without allergy reactants
Cons
- Small color range
If you are particularly prone to irritation or are a bit sensitive to harsh chemicals, Herb should be on your radar. The unique formula is free of PPD, ammonia, parabens, and other common reactants, created to reduce the risk of allergic reactions. Made with all-natural ingredients and herbal extracts, including licorice root, sage, Camellia seed oil, and rosemary extract, this dye gives your hair a boost of nourishment for results in as little as 20 minutes.
Amazon rating: 4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I’m allergic to every hair dye I’ve tried. Thought I’d just have to be ok with these grays. Read countless reviews of other products as well as this one and decided to give it a shot. Did an allergy patch test but was still skeptical. Turned out that I didn’t have an allergic reaction and proceeded to dye my roots. Make sure to read directions thoroughly before application as the process is a little different from standard box dyes. I was really Impressed with the coverage and the fact that I did not have an allergic reaction which is what sealed the deal. I will continue to purchase this brand from now on! Thank you for this!!!!!!!”
| Purpose | Semi Permanent Hair Color |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All Hair types |
| Ingredient Callout | Licorice Root, Sage, Camellia seed oil |
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Pros
- Reverses roughness and dullness
Cons
- Color may not last as long for some
Made with a 60 percent oil blend, this permanent color is perfect for those looking for extreme shine with their color. The ammonia and paraben-free formula hydrates hair and adds vivid color for a vibrant look with a noticeable luminous finish. This dye also promises 100 percent gray coverage and is excellent for all hair types and colors.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Covers all my grey. It’s gentle and doesn’t have much smell. Pricing is fair. Leaves my hair shiny and very natural looking. I use the light brown and it gives me light brown with lovely natural looking golden blonde streaks when I go out in the sunshine. It’s the only hair dye I will use.”
| Purpose | Permanent Hair Coloring, Hydration, Shine |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All hair types |
| Ingredient Callout | 60% natural flower oil blend |
Pros
- Leaves a vibrant color result
Cons
- Small shade range
If you aren’t quite ready to dive headfirst into a new hair color or are just looking to seriously enhance your natural color, Aveda is probably a brand to reach for. Formulated with shea butter, and a combination of strawberry, apricot, and raspberry seed oils, this treatment masque deeply hydrates and revives both natural and color-treated hair for a vibrant look with a visibly healthier shine. The brand is known for its high level of ingredient transparency, with all its products being vegan and cruelty-free.
Aveda rating: 4/5 stars
An Aveda reviewer says: “This color renewal treatment is everything! I hate how my brown hair often gets discolored or yellow and this really helped me combat that! Would definitely keep using it. An absolute favorite right now.”
| Purpose | Hair treatment, Color renewal |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All Hair Types, Natural and Color Treated hair |
| Ingredient Callout | Shea butter, Strawberry oil, Apricot oil, Raspberry seed oil |
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15
What is natural hair dye?
When discussing hair, the term “natural” hair color is far from one-size-fits-all—it can mean a lot of different things, such as that the formulation swaps out harsher chemicals (like ammonia) for less-irritating ones, that it’s eco-friendly, or that it contains plant-derived ingredients.
16
Does natural hair dye have chemicals?
Whatever the case, you’ll never find a 100 percent natural hair dye that doesn’t contain any chemicals at all—because for hair color to work, a chemical reaction must occur. It’s worth noting that there is one exception here—pure henna, although that’s another story, as it can create problems of its own.
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17
What are the hair chemicals I should avoid?
Generally speaking, there are two well-known chemical irritants that you’ll want to steer clear of: ammonia and paraphenylenediamine, or PPD, which is known to cause severe allergic reactions.
Rebecca Dancer
Rebecca has worked in print and digital media for more than seven years. After graduating from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, she moved across the country to pursue an internship at Condé Nast. Since then, she’s been fortunate to work at and contribute to various print and digital publications, including Byrdie, Allure, Brides, Teen Vogue, Beauty Independent, Shape, SELF, and Women's Wear Daily.
Tatjana Freund
Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor
Tatjana Freund is Hearst's Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor, covering beauty, fashion and more across multiple brands. Previously, she worked at ELLE.com and Marie Claire. She's a fan of whiskey neat, podcasts that give her nightmares, and one time Zoë Kravitz laughed at a joke she made.
Tasha Nicole Smith
Beauty Assistant
Tasha Nicole Smith is ELLE Magazine's beauty assistant. She loves all things hair, makeup, and skincare so you’ll find her talking about it here. She enjoys Marvel movies, a good pair of vintage heels, and lemon drop martinis and also shares a birthday with Beyoncé, which is her go to fun fact.
