You walk down the shampoo aisle at your local store, and Native catches your eye.
The clean packaging promises natural ingredients and healthy hair. But then you hear whispers online about lawsuits and hair loss. What’s really going on with Native shampoo?
Native built its reputation on being the “clean” alternative to traditional shampoos.
The brand markets itself as sulfate-free, paraben-free, and made with naturally derived ingredients.
Many people switched to Native hoping to avoid harsh chemicals that might damage their hair. But recent legal troubles have put the brand under a microscope.
The controversy centers around what’s actually inside Native products.
Native is currently facing a class-action lawsuit for false advertising.
The Native shampoo lawsuit alleges that the shampoo contains PFAs (Perfluoro alkoxy alkanes), a group of chemicals known as “forever chemicals” that have been linked to serious health concerns.
You might be wondering if you should throw away that bottle of Native shampoo sitting in your shower.
Or maybe you’re thinking about trying Native but want to know the truth first.
This situation affects thousands of people who trusted Native’s marketing claims about being a safer, cleaner option for hair care.
The questions keep coming: Does Native shampoo really cause hair loss? Are the ingredients as natural as they claim? What makes a shampoo truly healthy for your hair?
These concerns matter because you use shampoo almost every day, and what goes on your scalp can affect your overall health.
Why Is Native Shampoo Brand Getting Sued?
The lawsuit accuses Native of saying their shampoos are ‘clean’ and ‘natural’. This is despite them reportedly containing unsafe chemicals.
At its core, the lawsuit accuses Native of not being honest. The legal battle started when attorneys began investigating whether Native products contain dangerous substances that contradict their marketing claims.
The PFAS Problem
The main issue revolves around PFAS chemicals, often called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down naturally in the environment or your body.
Attorneys are investigating whether they have enough evidence to file a class action lawsuit against Native over concerns that the products contain PFAS.
These chemicals have been used in consumer products since the 1950s, but we now know they pose serious health risks.
PFAS chemicals can cause multiple health problems. They’ve been linked to high blood pressure, cancer, liver damage, and immune system issues.
When companies use these chemicals in personal care products without telling customers, it becomes a matter of consumer safety and trust.
False Advertising Claims
The lawsuit goes beyond just the presence of harmful chemicals. It challenges Native’s entire marketing strategy.
The company has built its brand around being transparent about ingredients and offering a healthier alternative to traditional shampoos.
If the allegations prove true, customers paid premium prices for products that weren’t actually cleaner or safer.
Native charges more than many conventional shampoos because they position themselves as a premium, natural brand.
Customers chose Native specifically to avoid the chemicals found in regular shampoos.
The lawsuit argues that Native violated this trust by including harmful substances while claiming to be chemical-free.
Current Legal Status
Attorneys are looking into whether certain Native products contain toxic “forever” chemicals known as PFAS, and if so, whether a class action lawsuit can be filed to compensate buyers.
The case is still developing, with lawyers gathering evidence and testimonies from affected customers.
The legal process moves slowly, but the allegations have already damaged Native’s reputation.
Many customers now question whether they can trust the brand’s ingredient claims.
Some have stopped using Native products entirely, while others wait for more definitive answers about what’s really in their shampoo bottles.
Is Native Shampoo Good for Your Hair? An Honest Review
Native shampoo gets mixed reviews from actual users and hair care experts.
The brand promises to strengthen hair with naturally derived ingredients, but the reality is more complicated than their marketing suggests.
Made with just 10 thoughtful ingredients that give strength to your strands such as coconut oil derived cleansers, food grade cleansing salts, and citric acid for pH balance.
Free of silicone, sulfated surfactants, paraben, and dyes.
On paper, these ingredients sound appealing to people seeking cleaner hair care options.
What Works About Native Shampoo
Native does avoid some harsh chemicals found in traditional shampoos. The absence of sulfates means less stripping of natural oils from your hair and scalp.
Many users with color-treated or chemically processed hair appreciate this gentler approach.
The coconut oil-derived cleansers can effectively clean hair without the aggressive action of traditional detergents.
The pH balance from citric acid helps keep your hair cuticles smooth, which can reduce frizz and improve shine.
Some users report that their hair feels softer and more manageable after switching to Native.
The variety of scents also appeals to people who want their hair care routine to smell pleasant.
The Concerning Side
However, we do not consider them likely to cause hair loss, but experts note that Native’s formulation may not be as beneficial as claimed.
Our biggest concern with Native’s hair care products is their use of undisclosed “fragrance” ingredients, and for this reason, we don’t strongly recommend it from an ingredient safety perspective.
The undisclosed fragrance ingredients create a problem for people with sensitive scalps or allergies.
You can’t make informed decisions about products when you don’t know what’s really in them.
This lack of transparency contradicts Native’s marketing message about being open and honest about their ingredients.
Real User Experiences
The 1-star reviews on the Native homepage, Shoppers Drug Mart page, and Amazon page all share that hair loss was experienced by users.
While individual experiences vary, the pattern of similar complaints raises questions about the product’s safety and effectiveness.
Some users love Native shampoo and report healthier-looking hair.
Others experience scalp irritation, dryness, or hair that feels stripped despite the sulfate-free formula.
The mixed results suggest that Native works well for some people but may not be suitable for everyone, despite claims of being gentle and natural.
What Is the Healthiest Shampoo to Use?
Finding truly healthy shampoo means looking beyond marketing claims and understanding what ingredients actually benefit your hair and scalp.
The Native controversy highlights why you need to become an informed consumer rather than trusting brand promises.
Ingredients That Actually Help Your Hair
The healthiest shampoos contain gentle cleansing agents that remove dirt and oil without stripping your hair’s natural protective layer.
Look for coconut-derived surfactants like sodium cocoyl glutamate or disodium cocoamphodiacetate.
These clean effectively while maintaining your scalp’s natural pH balance.
Natural moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, panthenol (pro-vitamin B5), and plant oils can help maintain hair health.
These ingredients don’t just sit on your hair’s surface – they actually penetrate the hair shaft to provide lasting benefits.
Proteins like hydrolyzed wheat or silk protein can temporarily fill in damaged areas of your hair cuticle.
Antioxidants such as vitamin E, green tea extract, or rosemary extract protect your hair from environmental damage.
These ingredients help prevent the oxidative stress that can weaken hair over time.
Unlike synthetic alternatives, these natural antioxidants typically don’t cause irritation or build-up.
Red Flags in Shampoo Formulations
Avoid shampoos with long lists of unpronounceable chemicals or vague terms like “fragrance” without specific ingredient disclosure.
The fragrance loophole allows companies to hide potentially harmful chemicals under one umbrella term.
This practice makes it impossible for you to make informed decisions about what you’re putting on your scalp.
Sulfates aren’t automatically bad, but harsh ones like sodium lauryl sulfate can strip color-treated or chemically processed hair.
Parabens, while generally considered safe in small amounts, can cause reactions in sensitive individuals.
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives like DMDM hydantoin should be avoided entirely.
The Clean Beauty Reality Check
True clean beauty means transparent labeling and third-party testing for harmful contaminants.
Companies that genuinely care about your health will readily share complete ingredient lists and testing results.
They won’t hide behind marketing terms or make claims they can’t scientifically support.
The healthiest approach involves choosing products from companies with strong reputations for ingredient transparency.
Look for brands that voluntarily test for contaminants like PFAS, heavy metals, and pesticide residues.
These tests cost money, so companies only do them when they’re confident in their product safety.
Building a Healthy Hair Care Routine
Your scalp health matters more than which specific shampoo you choose. Gentle massage during washing increases blood flow to hair follicles.
Avoiding excessive heat styling protects your hair’s protein structure. Regular deep conditioning treatments help maintain moisture balance.
Consider rotating between different shampoo formulations to prevent build-up and ensure your hair gets varied nutrients.
What works for your hair might change with seasons, stress levels, or hormonal fluctuations. Pay attention to how your hair and scalp respond rather than sticking rigidly to one product.
What Shampoo Ingredients Should You Avoid?
Understanding harmful shampoo ingredients protects you from products that might damage your hair or harm your health.
The Native lawsuit demonstrates why you can’t rely solely on “clean” marketing claims – you need to read ingredient lists yourself.
The PFAS Family of Chemicals
PFAS chemicals appear in shampoos under various names that most people don’t recognize. Look out for ingredients containing “fluoro,” “perfluoro,” or “polyfluoro” in their names.
These chemicals make products feel smoother and help them spread easily, but they accumulate in your body and environment.
Common PFAS ingredients in personal care products include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and their derivatives. These chemicals don’t appear on ingredient lists as “PFAS” – they hide under complex chemical names that sound scientific and harmless.
The concerning aspect of PFAS is their persistence. Your body cannot eliminate these chemicals naturally, so they build up over time with repeated exposure.
Research links PFAS accumulation to immune system problems, hormone disruption, and increased cancer risk.
Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals
Phthalates often lurk in products with “fragrance” listed as an ingredient. These chemicals help scents last longer but can interfere with your hormonal system.
Since hair growth depends heavily on hormonal balance, disrupting these systems could potentially affect your hair health.
Triclosan, an antimicrobial agent, appears in some anti-dandruff shampoos. While it kills bacteria effectively, it also disrupts thyroid function and contributes to antibiotic resistance.
Your scalp has beneficial bacteria that help maintain healthy pH levels – killing all bacteria can create imbalances.
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives like quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, and imidazolidinyl urea slowly release formaldehyde to prevent bacterial growth.
However, formaldehyde is a known carcinogen that can also cause scalp irritation and hair breakage.
Harsh Cleansing Agents
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) create the rich lather most people associate with effective cleaning. However, these surfactants can strip your hair’s natural oils and irritate sensitive scalps.
The sulfation process used to make SLES can create 1,4-dioxane contamination, another potential carcinogen.
Ammonium lauryl sulfate provides similar cleansing power with potentially more irritation than its sodium counterparts.
These harsh detergents can disrupt your scalp’s natural barrier function, leading to dryness, flaking, and increased sensitivity to other ingredients.
Synthetic Colors and Fragrances
Artificial colors like FD&C dyes serve no functional purpose in shampoo beyond making the product look appealing.
These petroleum-derived chemicals can cause allergic reactions and have been linked to hyperactivity in children.
Natural alternatives like plant-based colors work just as well without the health risks.
Synthetic fragrances often contain dozens of undisclosed chemicals, including potential allergens and hormone disruptors.
The term “parfum” or “fragrance” can hide up to 100 different chemicals, making it impossible to identify specific triggers for sensitivities or allergic reactions.
Making Safer Choices
Reading ingredient lists becomes easier once you know what to avoid. When in doubt, choose products with shorter ingredient lists and recognizable components.
Companies that prioritize safety will often highlight what they DON’T include in their formulations.
Third-party certifications like EWG Verified or USDA Organic provide additional assurance that products meet stricter safety standards.
These certifications require independent testing and ongoing monitoring, unlike company self-assessments or marketing claims.
The Native shampoo controversy serves as a wake-up call for anyone who cares about what they put on their hair and scalp.
This situation proves that “clean” marketing doesn’t guarantee clean ingredients, and premium prices don’t automatically mean premium safety.
You now understand why Native faces legal trouble over PFAS chemicals and false advertising claims.
The evidence shows that some users experience hair loss while using Native products, though the direct causal relationship remains unclear.
What is clear is that Native’s marketing claims about being natural and transparent don’t match the reality of undisclosed fragrance ingredients and potentially harmful chemicals.
The healthiest approach to choosing shampoo involves doing your own research rather than trusting brand promises.
Look for companies that provide complete ingredient transparency, third-party testing results, and don’t hide behind vague marketing terms.
Your hair and scalp health depend on making informed decisions based on facts, not advertising claims.
Remember that your individual hair type, scalp sensitivity, and health conditions all affect how you respond to different products. What works safely for others might not work for you.
Pay attention to your hair and scalp’s signals, and don’t hesitate to discontinue any product that causes irritation or unusual hair loss.
The Native lawsuit continues to develop, but the lessons are already clear.
Read ingredient lists carefully, research unfamiliar chemicals, and choose products from companies that prioritize transparency over marketing hype.
Your hair deserves better than pretty packaging and empty promises.
Moving forward, you have the knowledge to make smarter shampoo choices that truly support your hair health without compromising your overall wellbeing.
The power to avoid potentially harmful ingredients is in your hands – use it wisely.
