You have to try out these ammonia free hair dyes are there are several benefits to these hair colors. For starters, these are much better on greys. So check them out!
Life’s too short to have just one hair color. But what about damage? Just use the best ammonia free hair dyes to keep your locks healthy.
Always wanted to go blonde? Want eye-catching pink hair? Often, the fear of damaging our tresses keeps us from experimenting with new styles and colors.
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Related: Best dry shampoo for colored hair
Ammonia, PPD, and other such chemicals used can dry out your locks, open the cuticles on your strands, and leave them looking dull and lifeless.
Sometimes, frequent coloring can lead to breakage and hair fall.
But this doesn’t mean you should not color your hair. Just use these ammonia free hair dyes!
| Ammonia Free Hair Dyes | Best For | Longevity |
| Garnier Olia Ammonia Free Hair Color | Black Hair | Semi Permament |
| L'Oréal Inoa Ammonia Free Permanent Hair Color | Enhanced Shine | Permament |
| Clairol Natural Instincts Semi-Permanent Hair Dye | Semi-Permanent Dye | Semi Permament |
| Manic Panic Cream Formula Semi-Permanent Hair Color | Jewel and Pastel Tones | Temporary |
| Herb Speedy PPD-Free Hair Dye | Sensitive Scalp | Semi Permament |
| DpHue Color Boosting Gloss + Deep Conditioning Treatment | Dry Hair | Temporary |
| Revlon Total Color Permanent Hair Color | Grey Coverages | Permament |
How I tested the best ammonia free hair dyes?
I used these ammonia free hair dyes to do a strand test on my hair and then rated them on a scale of 1-5 based on certain factors that I've listed below. These factors include:
- Chemical-Free Formula - Being ammonia-free isn't enough, I also checked if the dyes are free from PPD, resicronol, and other harsh chemicals.
- Color Pigments - I then checked how well the hair dyes colored the hair on usage
- Duration of Dye - Lastly, I checked how long the dye lasted on hair and if it's easily faded or washed away
Check out our reviews of some of the best ones in the market below:
Top Ammonia Free Hair Dyes 2022
Garnier Olia Ammonia Free Hair Color
The one reason why people (and that includes me!) do not want to go for ammonia free hair dyes is that they fade quicker that other chemical-based formulas.
So I was glad to try out this Garnier Olia Ammonia free hair color as it claimed to be permanent. So it stays on for a very long time.
On using I really liked how well it works in covering grey hair. All the colors (and there are quite a few) turn out as advertised.
However, it's far from permanent. Yes, it is more long lasting then some hair dyes out there like Clairol or Speedy. But it won't stay permanently. So don't expect that.
I do however appreciated how this hair dye isn’t just absent of any harsh chemicals, but it’s full natural flower oils that leave your tresses shiny and soft.
The consistency of the hair dye is quite thick and creamy. So you don’t have to worry about it dripping down your face.
And that was another plus in my opinion. It wasn't that expensive either. So go for it if you want something more long lasting.
Pros:
- Affordable (more than Speedy or L'Oreal)
- No-drip formula that won't cause stains on skin
- More long-lasting compared to semi-permanent dyes
- Shine enhancing formula as it contains natural oils
- Good grey coverage as it spreads through hair easily
Cons:
- Contains sulfates so will give a clarifying effect
- Oil formula isn’t suitable for oily scalps
Colors Available:
31 colors available ranging from black to shades of brunette, red, and blonde.
My Ratings:
- Chemical-Free Formula - 4.5/5
- Color Pigments - 4/5
- Duration of Dye - 4.5/5
Grey Coverage - 4.5/5
Price - 4/5
Shine - 4/5
Longevity - 5/5
L'Oréal Inoa Ammonia Free Permanent Hair Color
On doing a strand test with this hair color what I liked most about the L’Oreal Inoa Hair Color is permanent and offers amazing grey coverage.
The hair color is formulated using a special ODS 2 Technology Sublime Shine Mix. This is a blend of natural oils that intensely hydrates the hair.
I just love how shiny our hair looked after using this dye. And the color was pretty vibrant too.
And the best part? Unlike so many other hair colors, you won’t find the chemical smell in the L’Oreal Inoa. So that was a plus.
You can use the lighter shades without a second thought as there’s no bleach used in the formula either.
It won't last as long as the "Permanent" Garnier Olia hair color. But this is still pretty good in terms of longetivity.
I don't use a sulfate-based shampoo and this dye lasted about 4-6 weeks on my hair.
Pros:
- Adds shine and is hydrating as it contains argan oil
- Lasts for a long time (about 4-6 weeks)
- No bleach so it won't lighten black hair
Cons:
- Not for oily scalps and hair
- You have to buy the developer separately
- Limited number of colors
Colors Available:
- Brown
- Mocha
- Carmeline
- Gold
- Black
My Ratings:
- Chemical-Free Formula - 4.5/5
- Color Pigments - 4/5
- Duration of Dye - 4.5/5
Further Ratings:
Grey Coverage - 4.5/5
Price - 3.5/5
Shine - 5/5
Longevity - 4.5/5
Clairol Natural Instincts Semi-Permanent Hair Dye
Most ammonia-free (and other natural hair dyes) tend to be expensive. So I was pleasantly surprised at the Clairol Natural Instincts.
It’s a semi-permanent dye. So it won’t give you the same long-lasting color as L’Oreal Inoa or Garnier Olia would.
But this Clairol dye claims to last up to 28 washes, so it’s not bad for its price.
I would suggest against using a sulfate-based shampoo if you’re using this product. It will wash out the dye sooner.
The formula is made with over 80 percent of natural ingredients, including ginseng, aloe vera, and chamomile, so it won’t inflame or irritate your scalp.
I loved the original formula and how it just brightened up your existing hair color.
But the new formula seems to be more vibrant and concentrated. While it’s a good thing if you’re using lighter shades, it can make dark shades a bit too dark.
I got the light blonde color but it still seemed honey blonde on my hair so be careful.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Natural ingredients like aloe vera that nourish hair
- Lasts for 28 washes (with a sulfate-free, color-protect shampoo)
- Good for sensitive skin
Cons:
- Might wash off quickly with regular shampoos
- Some shades are too dark and vivid after application
Colors Available:
38 shades of hair colors available, including:
- Blue black
- Brown black
- Darkest red
- Cool blonde
- Rose gold blonde
- Light auburn
- Reddish brown
My Ratings:
- Chemical-Free Formula - 4.5/5
- Color Pigments - 4.5/5
- Duration of Dye - 4.5/5
Grey Coverage - 4/5
Price - 5/5
Shine - 3.5/5
Longevity - 4/5
Manic Panic Cream Formula Semi-Permanent Hair Color
This ammonia-free hair dye is a cult favorite! And for good reason too.
Manic Panic Hair Color isn’t just free of ammonia, it doesn’t contain PPD, resorcinol, parabens, peroxide, gluten, or other terrible chemicals.
It’s also vegan and cruelty free, so we’ll give it extra points for that.
This hair color is also super-pigmented. The good news? This means, some amount of lighter shades (pink, blue, etc.) will show up on hair even if it isn’t bleached.
The bad news? You will probably stain your bathroom while taking a shower.
Manic Panic is one of those hair dyes you use to experiment with your hair color, not for grey coverage.
Its formula doesn’t penetrate the shaft of your hair strands but just sits on top of the cuticles. So it washes away in just 4-6 weeks.
Which isn’t such a bad thing if you’re just looking for a fresh, new look every other month.
Pros:
- Good for sensitive skin
- Pigmented formula
- Easy to experiment with colors
Cons:
- Washes away quickly
- Colors might not show up on dark (unbleached) hair
Colors Available:
- Vampire Red
- Fuchsia Shock
- Plum Passion
- Ultraviolet
- Cotton Candy
- Silver Stiletto
- Velvet Violet
My Ratings:
- Chemical-Free Formula - 5/5
- Color Pigments - 4/5
- Duration of Dye - 3.5/5
Grey Coverage - 3.5/5
Price - 4/5
Shine - 3.5/5
Longevity - 3.5/5
Herb Speedy PPD-Free Hair Dye
Herb Speedy is one the best ammonia free hair dyes to use if you’re prone to sensitivities and allergies.
Even if the product is ammonia-free, it can still trigger allergies, because of the presence of PPD. But Herb Speedy doesn’t contain this chemical either.
This is a Korean product and can last upto 25 washes if you use a mild, sulfate-free shampoo.
Being a Asian brand, it comes with just three colors. But if you’re a brunette and want a natural-looking dye, this is a good pick.
Pros:
- No PPD or other harsh chemicals
- Gives natural-looking color
- Has sunscreen agent that prevents hair color from fading
Cons:
- Not many colors available
Colors Available:
- Natural brown
- Soft black
- Natural black
Grey Coverage - 4/5
Price - 4/5
Shine - 3.5/5
Longevity - 4/5
DpHue Color Boosting Gloss + Deep Conditioning Treatment
If you’re not a pro at mixing and applying hair colors, then you should try the DpHue Color Boosting Gloss.
It’s as simple as applying a conditioner to your hair. In fact, it’s hydrating formula even makes it like a conditioner.
We liked how shiny and soft our tresses felt after using this color.
If you have damaged hair, you can try this one too. The color pigment doesn’t penetrate the hair shaft but just wrap around your cuticles.
But the one downside is that this hair color is easy to wash off.
If you’re looking for just some fun experimentation and not a hair dye that seriously covers your greys and lasts long, this one is perfect.
Otherwise, you’re better off with Garnier Olia or L’Oreal Inoa.
If you have lighter shades of highlights on your naturally dark hair and want to hide them, this dpHue hair color can help you out.
Pros:
- Very easy to apply
- Does not damage hair
- Leaves hair soft
- Vegan, cruelty free formula
Cons:
- Not long lasting
- Some dyes don’t show up on darker hair tones
- Hair color shade might appear different depending on your natural tones
- Not enough grey coverage
Colors Available:
- Auburn
- Brown
- Copper
- Light brown
- Strawberry
- Sheer
- Light blonde
- Dark blonde
Grey Coverage - 3.5/5
Price - 4/5
Shine - 4.5/5
Longevity - 3.5/5
Revlon Total Color Permanent Hair Color
A hair dye that is ammonia-free, sulfate-free, long-lasting, and gentle? Seems like too much to ask. But this Revlon Total Color claims to be all this and more!
If you want to cover grey hair or touch up your roots, this Revlon hair dye is perfect!
The formula is vegan and you won’t even find common ingredients like mineral oil or silicones that weigh down your hair.
Revlon Total Color comes in 16 natural-looking shades. So we’re sure you’ll find your shade here.
Each hair color is formulated with botanical ingredients like black tea or cranberry. And every formula contains cannabis sativa (hemp oil) to nourish your locks.
However, this isn’t the one if you want something funky like electric blue or fuchsia.
Pros:
- Vegan
- Free of harsh chemicals
- Amazing grey coverage
- Lasts for six weeks
- Hydrating
- Non-drip formula
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not for jewel hair tones
Colors Available:
16 natural shades including:
- Classic black
- Dark brown
- Light brown
- Mahogany
- Burgundy
- Dark blonde
- Ash blonde
- Light blonde
Grey Coverage - 5/5
Price - 4/5
Shine - 4.5/5
Longevity - 4/5
Ammonia is a chemical often used in hair colors to help it penetrate the hair cuticle and increase the longevity of the hair dye.
But this ingredient can do more harm than good and often dries out and damages your tresses.
So these ammonia free hair dyes help you get the hair color of your dreams without hurting your hair!
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