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Best Non-Toxic Hair Relaxers

We vetted hair relaxers against the Welpr Standard and here are our top picks.

Camille May

Camille May

Cofounder & Product Curator

Olushola M. Awoyemi

Olushola M. Awoyemi

Medical Reviewer, PhD

Here's what we look for:

  • Simple formulations using fully natural or safe synthetic ingredients
  • No parabens, PEGs, phthalates, harsh sulfates, BHA/BHT, artificial dyes, formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers, or undisclosed synthetic fragrance (unless certified safe)
  • Minimal, necessary preservatives only
  • Trusted third-party certifications when available
  • Transparent sourcing, ingredients, and manufacturing practices

The Best Non-Toxic Hair Relaxers

On Welpr, terms like "non-toxic," "safer," "cleaner," "healthier," and "vetted" are editorial labels based on our own standard for product assessment. They are not guarantees, certifications, or medical claims. Learn more.

Rosehip Seed Oil Hair Relaxer

Pura d'or

Rosehip Seed Oil Hair Relaxer

Est. Price$16.99
10.0
Performance
Ingredient Safety

Fails the Welpr Standard

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on Amazon

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Olive Oil No-Lye Hair Relaxer

ORS

Olive Oil No-Lye Hair Relaxer

Est. Price$25.99
7.0
Performance
Ingredient Safety

Fails the Welpr Standard

Buy Now

on Amazon

How to Swap to Non-Toxic hair relaxers:

Here's how to swap to non-toxic hair relaxers:

What to know about hair relaxers

Hair relaxers are designed to break and restructure the bonds in your hair, which means they use strong chemical formulations that sit directly on your scalp and hair for extended periods. Because of this prolonged scalp contact and the potency of the ingredients involved, Welpr pays close attention to what's in the formula.

  • Relaxers often contain harsh preservatives, synthetic fragrances, endocrine disruptors like parabens or phthalates, and formaldehyde-releasing ingredients — all of which Welpr screens for.
  • Since relaxers are applied directly to the scalp and left on for minutes at a time, they rank high on Welpr's risk framework for both skin contact and proximity.

Check what's in your current relaxer

Take a closer look at the relaxer you currently use by scanning its ingredient label with the Welpr Personal Care and Cosmetic Scanner. This will flag any concerning ingredients so you can see how your product measures up.

  • Start with the relaxer you use most often — if you rotate between products, check the one that touches your scalp for the longest time first.
  • Look for red flags on the label like "fragrance" or "parfum" without further detail, as well as ingredients ending in "-paraben" or any mention of formaldehyde.

Use your current relaxer more carefully

If you're not ready to switch relaxers right away, small changes in how you apply and time your treatments can reduce what your scalp absorbs. Replacing a product like this takes research, so these steps can help in the meantime.

  • Apply in a well-ventilated room and avoid leaving the relaxer on longer than the minimum time needed — extra time on the scalp means more absorption.
  • Space out treatments as much as your routine allows, and apply petroleum jelly or a protective balm to your hairline and ears to create a barrier between the product and exposed skin.

Choose a cleaner hair relaxer

Look for relaxers with simpler formulations that skip synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde-releasers, and harsh preservatives. Hair relaxers are a tough category to make fully clean, so Welpr selects the safest options available and clearly explains what each product is made from and what it's free from.

  • Prioritize products that are fragrance-free or scented only with essential oils, carry certifications like EWG VERIFIED™ or MADE SAFE®, and list every ingredient transparently on the label.
  • Click the button above to shop Welpr Approved hair relaxers.
Camille May

Camille May

Cofounder & Product Curator

Camille May is the co-creator of Welpr and a guide for clean living. After selling her last company in the health food space, she went non-toxic while working to heal an autoimmune condition....

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Olushola M. Awoyemi

Olushola M. Awoyemi

Medical Reviewer, PhD

Olushola M. Awoyemi (aka Shola) is a board-certified toxicologist and a research scientist with a PhD in Environmental Toxicology. Shola's long-term ambition is to be recognized as a world-renowned expert in toxicology,...

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