Me: Next month it will be a year since I stopped shampooing my hair.
You: WHAT?!!! Seriously?
Me: Yup. I love it. I still wash my hair, but I do it No Poo Style.
If you aren’t ready to go No Poo or want to stick with a commercial sulfate free shampoo, than Low Poo is for you!
What the Heck is Low Poo?
Low Poo is a way of cleaning and washing your hair with a sulfate free shampoo product. It is gentler on your hair and scalp than traditional commercial shampoos and because it does not remove all the natural sebum from your hair and scalp you can typically go 2-3 days between washings and still have clean, shiny, healthy hair – and who doesn’t want that?
Low Poo is the $h!†
C’mon, I had to put some kind of “poo” joke in here. I have two boys. I’m surrounded by poo jokes. I couldn’t help myself.
Low Poo is a gentler alternative to commercial shampoos containing sulfates, but be prepared for your first 2 or 3 washing to deliver less than disappointing results than you are used to. This may not happen, but if it does, stick with it. Your hair is just getting used to the gentler shampoo. Some have complained that their hair felt dry or had flakes or white debris when they started low pooing, take heart – it will pass. The white stuff is usually the waxes and buildup from your old products being released from your hair. Right before they start to flake off your hair can feel dry. Put your hair up and don’t quit. In a few days your hair will return to better than normal.
Do I Have to Condition When I Low Poo?
Conditioning is recommended because you are still removing some of the natural oils from your hair. I always say, test it out! Try just the Low Poo shampoo first. If your hair seems dry, add a sulfate free conditioner. Your hair will tell you what it needs.
Low Risk (to your wallet) Low Poo Sulfate Free Shampoos & Conditioners
I have found that L’Oreal has the easiest to find low poo product lines because not only are their shampoos sulfate free, but two of their lines are also paraben free (paraben has been linked to breast cancer), 100% vegan, affordable and contain no heavy coatings or waxes. SCORE!!!
The Natural Haven has a list of Low Poo shampoos that is very comprehensive if you are looking for tons of alternatives other than the ones listed here.
If you want an all natural, organic low poo product product (it’s a bit more expensive – around $8) then try Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo.
L’Oreal offers products for normal to dry hair, dry to very dry hair, a deep conditioning hair masque for brittle hair and a 2-in-1 solution for shampoo and conditioner. They are safe for color treated hair and for swimmers. There are many other Low Poo shampoos out there, like Deva Curl
I have featured some of the L’Oreal EverCreme products below as they are great for any hair type and to give you a closer look at what each of these products are about.
Low Poo Sulfate Free Shampoos
L’Oreal EverCreme Nourishing Sulfate Free Shampoo
Sulfate free gentle formula containing omega-3 and omaga-6 fatty acids to moisturize hair without weigh down. Leaves hair soft and shiny. Contains natural botanicals. 
For Normal to Dry Hair
Cost Varies: Typically $6.99
- Sufate Free
- Paraben Free
- Silicon Free
- No Harsh Salts
- No Heavy Coating Waxes
- For Normal to Dry Hair
- 100% Vegan
- Not Tested on Animals
- Contains No Animal Byproducts
Find it at Amazon Both offer free shipping on eligible orders. (We love free shipping).
L’Oreal EverCreme Intense Nourishing Sulfate Free Shampoo
Sulfate free gentle extra moisturizing formula containing sunflower seed oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, and Grape Seed Oil. Leaves hair soft and shiny without hair feeling heavy.
For Dry to Very Dry Hair
Cost Varies: Typically $6.99
- Sulfate Free
- Paraben Free
- Silicon Free
- No Harsh Salts
- No Heavy Coating Waxes
- For Normal to Dry Hair
- 100% Vegan
- Not Tested on Animals
- Contains No Animal Byproducts
Find it on Amazon
L’Oreal EverCreme Nourishing Sulfate Free Conditioner
Sulfate free conditioner for for normal to dry hair with no heavy coating waxes and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
For Normal to Dry Hair
Cost Varies: Typically $6.99
- Sulfate Free
- Paraben Free
- Silicon Free
- No Heavy Coating Waxes
- For Normal to Dry Hair
- 100% Vegan
- Not Tested on Animals
- Contains No Animal Byproducts
Find it on Amazon
at Walgreens.
Both offer free shipping on eligible orders. (We love free shipping).
L’Oreal EverCreme Intense Nourishing Sulfate Free Conditioner
Sulfate free conditioner that provides hydration without heavy coatings or waxes. Contains sativa seed oil, apricot kernel oil, and grape seed oil.
For Dry to Very Dry Hair
Cost Varies: Typically $6.99
- Sulfate Free
- Paraben Free
- Silicon Free
- No Heavy Coating Waxes
- For Normal to Dry Hair
- 100% Vegan
- Not Tested on Animals
- Contains No Animal Byproducts
Find it on Amazon
at Walgreens.
Both offer free shipping on eligible orders. (We love free shipping).
L’Oreal EverCreme Deep Nourishing Sulfate Free Hair Masque
Intense treatment to help restore moisture and help dry, brittle hair feel soft and silky. Contains camelina sativa seed oil, apricot kernel oil, and grape seed oil. 
For Dry and Brittle Hair
Cost Varies: Typically $8.99
- Sulfate Free
- Paraben Free
- Silicone Free
- No Heavy Coatings or Waxes
- 100% vegan
- Not tested on animals, no animal byproducts
- Not Tested on Animals
- Contains No Animal Byproducts
Find it on Amazon
at Walgreens.
Both offer free shipping on eligible orders. (We love free shipping).
L’Oreal EverCreme Sulfate Free Cleansing Conditioner
Clean and condition hair in one step. Low-lather creme formula. Contains camelina sativa seed oil, apricot kernel oil, and grape seed oil.
For All Hair Types
Cost Varies: Typically $6.99
- Sulfate Free
- Paraben Free
- Silicone Free
- No Heavy Coatings or Waxes
- 100% vegan
- Not tested on animals, no animal byproducts
- Not Tested on Animals
- Contains No Animal Byproducts
Find it on Amazon
at Walgreens.
Both offer free shipping on eligible orders. (We love free shipping).
Low Poo is a Great Way to Get Ready for No Poo
Interested in going No Poo? Using a Low Poo shampoo (start using your vinegar rinse instead of the commercial conditioner) is a great way to prepare for your No Poo journey and shorten your transition time.
Share Your Low Poo Experience
Tell us what you know about Low Poo, how it has worked for you or ask any questions you may have below.
.
I started doing “no poo” 2 weeks ago, and while my hair feels softer near the top, the bottom is still frizzy and dry, and my hair is very flat. ): i’m thinking I’ll try this out for a little while to see what it’s like! Maybe it will make my transition easier…
Allie, I’m so glad you are going to try out the Low Poo method! Come back and share with us how it goes!
Leah Dossey recently posted..How To De-Funk A Smelly Lunch Box
I’m not brave enough to try the no poo lifestyle yet, but I have been using these loreal products for about three months bc they are sulfate free. Like you said, I was disappointed at first because the ends of my hair were like straw and my roots were oily. I also only use a smallllll dab of shampoo and conditioner (to try to ease into no poo) so that could also explain my nasty initial results. Now, though, my hair is healthier than ever!
It has more volume, less static, and the ends seem to stay healthier longer between haircuts! So glad you mentioned the loreal products 
I’ve had good luck with the Simply U line. It is Sulfate & Paraben free & has Keratin. It’s about $6 for 24.5oz for the shampoo or conditioner. There are two lines: Moisturizing & Smoothing the other is Color Protecting. I’ve only seen it at Wal-Mart.
Just a heads up – the L’Oreal Conditioning Shampoo has yellow dye in it (I think yellow 5) which was kinda dissapointing to me. I’m cutting out artificial dyes so I couldn’t use this one – so if you have any dye allergies, this specific one might not be for you!
Burt’s bees came out with a new shampoo line, it’s paraban, sulfate, and dye free!
The product you listed are all for normal to dry hair. Mine is oily at the roots and tend to be dry at the ends. Do you have any recommendations for this type that are also wallet friendly? I tried the no poo but I’m not able to be consistent with it so I thought i would try low poo for now.
Thanks for your great posts!
Helen, the first product in the post, the Shea Moisture Organic Shampoo is an AWESOME Low Poo designed for dry hair. The great thing is, (I’ve used it myself) is that it doesn’t leave your roots oily. It’s about $8 a bottle and you can find it at Walgreens (or just click on the link of the photo to order from Walgreen’s online).
My favorite shampoo is Ology. It’s sulfate and paraben free, made in the usa, the bottle is made of recycled materials, and it’s cheap! I get it at walgreens. My favorite one is the volumizing formula, the shampoo has either eucalyptus or tea tree oil (I can’t remember which of the top of my head) so it feels like your head is tingling when you wash it. Very invigorating.
Thanks for sharing! I love learning about new Low Poo alternatives.
I’m going to have to run out and grab some and give it a try (after researching each ingredient). You may have shared a new Low Poo product that I can share with our readers. Thanks!
I have been no-pooing for about a year with varying results – terrific at first with soft, manageable hair, then a period of super itchy, flaky scalp and heavy-feeling hair, and lately a very clean scalp and crazy, frizzy, dry hair. We have hard water and I used 1 Tbl BS in 1 cup water followed by 1 Tbl ACV in 1 cup water. Perhaps I never got the proportions right for our hard water…?
Lately the frizzies have taken over my head and I just couldn’t stand it any more. We stayed in a hotel last weekend, and I decided to use the hotel’s Aveda shampoo and conditioner. Not ideal ingredients, but still better than most. My hair felt great!
So I went to Walgreen’s today and purchased some of the Shea Moisture shampoo and conditioner. I am super sensitive to fragrances, and the shampoo is overpowering straight out of the bottle. I hope it doesn’t bother me. It’s REALLY strong.
Do you recommend still using a vinegar rinse after using the Shea Moisture products? I really hated having buildup on my scalp when I was using regular shampoo/conditioner (which were sulfate and paraben free but may have had some waxy type components). The best thing about my many months of no-pooing is that my scalp feels very clean.
Amy,
I still use the vinegar rinse after i use the Shea Moisture products. Honestly i always do. and it seems to be fine for my hair.
I have straight shoulder length hair.
Amy, you can totally use the vinegar rinse if desired after you wash with the Shea Moisture. The conditioner may be overkill – if you notice your hair getting heavy or limp, only use the conditioner sparingly. Let us know how it goes.
Thank you, Leah for this post. I wanted to comment, that although, L’Oreal has a line of sulfate-free shampoos, as you’ve mentioned, these shampoo can hardly be considered “Low Poo”. They foam significantly due to numerous alternative detergents and foaming agents. I did expect this post to discuss really low suds shampoos available on the market.
Tuft recently posted..L’Oreal sulfate free shampoo – popular and inexpensive
Tuft, there are so many ladies that live in rural areas where finding a low poo locally is difficult. These sulfate free shampoos can usually be found locally in most rural locations and provide an “easy to grab” alternative for those people.
The Natural Haven has a great list of Low Poo products, which is probably more of what you are looking for. Please check out this low poo list.