The 14 Best Natural At-Home Hair Color Dyes

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.”

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!”

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.”

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.”

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!!”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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!!!!!!!”

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.”

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.”