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Best Non-Toxic Hair Relaxer in 2025
Updated:
Aug 28, 2025
Written by Camille May
Cofounder & Product Curator
+ 1 more
Medically reviewed by Olushola Awoyemi
PhD Environmental Toxicology
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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
Not all products in this category are Welpr Approved, but they’re safer than most. The ones that meet our full standard will have the Welpr Approved tag. View our full standards here.
Find Non-Toxic Hair Relaxer
No items found.
Olive Oil No-Lye Hair Relaxer - ORS
Welpr Rating
4.95
/5
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$34.98
Product Details
- Gently relaxes hair while protecting it from damage during the process.
- Infused with a blend of exotic oils for added hydration and moisture.
- Leaves hair softer, silkier, and more manageable.
- Helps to strengthen and revitalize brittle hair, adding shine and body.
- Facilitates easier styling for a variety of hairstyles.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Leaves hair soft, silky, and manageable.
- Gentle on the scalp, reducing the sensation of burning for most users.
- Easy-to-follow instructions make it simple for at-home use.
- Recommended by both regular users and professional hairdressers.
- Helps control frizz and provides long-lasting results.
Cons
- Some users with sensitive skin may experience irritation or burns.
- May not include protective jelly, requiring extra care for some users.
Ingredients
Ingredients: Aqua (Water/Eau), Guanidine Carbonate, Sorbitol, Ci 19140 (Yellow 5)
Rosehip Seed Oil Hair Relaxer - Pura d'or
Welpr Rating
4.75
/5
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$14.99
Product Details
- Provides a natural solution for relaxing hair and managing frizz without harsh chemicals.
- Rich in antioxidants like vitamins A and C to enhance skin glow and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
- Improves skin texture and reduces the appearance of scars or stretch marks with essential fatty acids.
- Packaged in a convenient pump bottle to ensure easy application and prevent contamination.
- USDA certified organic, ensuring a product that is free from harmful agents like parabens and sulfates.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lightweight and absorbs quickly, leaving skin feeling soft and non-greasy.
- Helps with hydration, providing a natural glow and rejuvenating the skin.
- Organic and free from toxins, making it a safe choice for sensitive skin.
- Effective in reducing scars, breakouts, and dark spots over time.
- Convenient pump design for hygienic and easy application.
Cons
- Some users with very sensitive skin may experience irritation and should patch test first.
- The oil's natural scent or color may not appeal to everyone, though it dissipates quickly.
Ingredients
Ingredients: 100% Pure Cold Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil
Shea Butter Mild Relaxer - Silk Elements
Welpr Rating
4.75
/5
Certifications
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$125.00
Product Details
- Gently relaxes hair while protecting and nourishing it.
- Combines shea butter and silk proteins for soft, healthy-looking hair.
- Ideal for those seeking a mild formula to maintain hair health.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Leaves hair soft and silky.
- Quick and effective for mild treatments.
- Easy to learn with a few tries.
Cons
- Some users experienced packaging issues leading to damage.
Ingredients
Ingredients: Water, Petrolatum, Mineral Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetyl Alcohol, Laneth-15, PEG-75 Lanolin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Hydrolyzed Silk
Shea Butter Regular Relaxer - Silk Elements
Welpr Rating
4.75
/5
Certifications
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$69.99
Product Details
- The unique formula gently relaxes hair while protecting and nourishing.
- Combines olive oil and silk protein for softness and shine.
- Keeps hair healthy-looking and maintains a smooth, straight appearance.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Long-time users find it to be excellent and non-damaging to hair.
- Highly rated by satisfied customers.
Cons
- Some may experience dryness, highlighting the need for moisturizing care afterwards.
- Instructions on the label can be hard to read for some users.
Ingredients
Ingredients: Water, Petrolatum, Mineral Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetyl Alcohol, Laneth-15, PEG-75 Lanolin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Hydrolyzed Silk
Our Product Rating System
First, Camille (co-creator of Welpr) hand picks cleaner product options from a variety of sources.
Next, we collect information about each product's safety, consumer satisfaction, and eco-ethical standing.
Finally, we run all this information through an algorithm that calculates the Welpr Rating.
Welpr Rating:
5.0/5
Part 1: Product safety
We evaluate safety information from 3rd party organizations (e.g. EWG, Made Safe, etc.). Instead of relying solely on any one of these companies for safety information, we assess all of them.
Part 2: Consumer satisfaction
We scour the web for consumer ratings and reviews to verify products are not only cleaner options, but also effective. Products can either be Above Average, Average, or Below average for their respective category (e.g. cleaning products).
Part 3: Ethics & Environment
When you buy a product, you’re supporting that company with your dollars. We believe it’s important to support ethical companies, so we pool together certifications that verify a company's ethics and environmental impact.
Common Harmful Chemicals in Hair Relaxer
Chemical Name
Why it’s harmful
Bisphenol A
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a solid used in manufacturing epoxy resins and polycarbonates for food packaging. Human exposure to BPA can cause allergic dermatitis and has been associated with negative effects on fertility, such as declined semen quality, increased sperm DNA damage, and risk of miscarriage. BPA, an endocrine disruptor, also affects oocyte quality during in vitro fertilization. Animal studies indicate that BPA caused eye damage in rabbits, accelerated tumorigenesis in mice, disrupted sex behaviors in rats, and induced obesity in rodents. Ecotoxicity studies show BPA's disruptive effects on sex characteristics in fish and gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana, suggesting broad environmental implications.
Sources:
Levels of parabens and bisphenols in personal care products and urinary concentrations in Indian young adult women: Implications for human exposure and health risk assessment, Estimation of intake and uptake of bisphenols and triclosan from personal care products by dermal contact, Exposure determinants of phthalates, parabens, bisphenol A and triclosan in Swedish mothers and their children, BPA and Phthalates: Chemicals found in our homes ,
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas with a pungent smell that's naturally produced in small quantities in human bodies and is also known as methanal amongst other names. It's used in the production of various items such as fertilizers, paper, plywood, and urea-formaldehyde resins as well as in some foods and household products like antiseptics, medicines, and cosmetics. Exposure to formaldehyde, which can occur through breathing contaminated indoor air, tobacco smoke, or ambient urban air can lead to respiratory symptoms, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat and has been linked to lung and nasopharyngeal cancer as well as leukemia. The EPA considers formaldehyde a probable human carcinogen (Group B1) and inhaling it can cause bronchospasm and pulmonary edema. Commercially, it's sold as formalin in solutions of 37%, 44%, or 50% and long-term exposure can cause first-degree burns, skin sensitization, squamous cell nasal cancer, and chronic pulmonary obstruction.
Sources:
Formaldehyde and Cancer Risk, Cleaning Products & Indoor Air Quality, No More Toxic Tub, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: Preservatives, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: Formaldehyde And Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives, Formaldehyde may be found in cosmetic products even when unlabelled, Formaldehyde Found in Popular American Beauty Products, Hair Salons - Formaldehyde in Your Products, Formaldehyde in cosmetic products
Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda or lye, is an odorless white crystalline solid that absorbs moisture from the air. It generates significant heat when dissolved in water or neutralized with acid which may ignite combustible materials. It is highly corrosive and is typically used as a solid or in a 50% solution. Sodium hydroxide is used to manufacture a variety of products including soaps, rayon, paper, explosives, dyestuffs, and petroleum products. Exposure to this substance may cause severe burns, necrosis, and pulmonary edema, depending on the concentration and exposure method.
Triclosan
Triclosan is a synthetic pesticide with antibacterial properties commonly added to detergents, soaps, and various personal care products such as deodorants and toothpastes. Although it lacks the ability to combat viruses causing colds and flus, it's used in products like body washes, disinfectants, and some toothpastes to resist bacterial growth. In 2016, the FDA limited its use in antibacterial soaps, but the compound is still permitted in other products. The European Union prohibited its presence in food-contact items in 2010. Exposure to triclosan has been associated with hormone disruption, increased breast cancer risk, liver damage, and the development of resistant super-germs.
Sources:
Triclosan Exposure, Transformation, and Human Health Effects, Are antibacterial products with triclosan fueling bacterial resistance?, Antimicrobial agents, triclosan, chloroxylenol, methylisothiazolinone and borax, used in cleaning had genotoxic and histopathologic effects on rainbow trout, The Effects of Triclosan on Puberty and Thyroid Hormones in Male Wistar Rats, Triclosan is a potent inhibitor of estradiol and estrone sulfonation in sheep placenta, The in Vitro estrogenic activities of triclosan and triclocarban, Antibacterial Soap? You Can Skip It, Use Plain Soap and Water, Environmental Exposure of Aquatic and Terrestrial Biota to Triclosan and Triclocarban, Triclosan: Environmental Fate and Effects, Chemical Profile: Triclosan / Triclocarban, 5 Things to Know About Triclosan, Underarm Harm? Whats So Bad About Antiperspirants?, Some flame retardants and the antimicrobials triclosan and triclocarban enhance the androgenic activity in vitro, Triclocarban Enhances Testosterone Action: A New Type of Endocrine Disruptor?, Triclosan, a commonly used bactericide found in human milk and in the aquatic environment in Sweden
Authors
Camille May, Product Curator
Olushola M. Awoyemi, Medical Reviewer
