Fragrance-Free Shampoo

CupOfChai

Occasionally I suffer from a rash on my hands, which is caused by an allergic reaction to "something". I worked out that often it's perfumes in toiletries and strong detergents like washing up liquid that cause my skin to react, so I just have to avoid using these products or having my hands in them and I'm ok.

Recently the rash flared up again, and for one reason and another I suspect it might be my shampoo causing it. I tried the shampoo by Simple, as other products from them suit me due to their not containing any perfume. The problem now is my hair doesn't like it! It seems too harsh on the hair, when I'm washing my hair with it my hair goes really "squeaky-clean" as though it's been stripped, and it feels as though it's getting dried out.

So does anyone know of a shampoo which isn't quite so strong but also contains no perfumes or fragrance? Before I was using V05 Revive Daily, which for my hair I really like, it's just right and left my hair lovely. Anything just like that but completely unscented would be perfect, but I bet that's quite a tall order! Or am I going to have to wear gloves to wash my hair?

terra_ferma

Generally speaking simple is not as allergen free as they want people to think, as quite a few of their products still have chemicals that can cause allergies. However could it be that the shampoo you had before all had silicone? They would make the hair appear shiny and smooth, by coating them with a layer of silicone, but it's just an illusion and it ends up causing a build up.

You could try to work out what ingredients specifically gives you an allergy, it's not always possible, but if you look at the ingredients of all the products that you have been using you may find a common factor.
These are the brands of shampoo that have worked for me, people I know or recommended on allergy forums, delicate baby products seem to be quite good:
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/sainsburys-price-comparison/Baby_Care/Cussons_Mum_And_Me_Baby_Shampoo_Ultra_Mild_300ml.html
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/Shopping/FindProducts.aspx?Query=baby%20simple

Everything else failing, this is said to be one of the mildest shampoos available:
http://www.biggreensmile.com/products/nature-babycare-eco-shampoo/natybabysham.aspx?productid=natybabysham

Also Sanex do good bath and shower products as well as handwash.
For dish washing I find Ecover Zero very watery, surcare is better.
Laundry liquids: Ecover Zero is very expensive, the normal one has perfume, but surcare is OK

koan_2

I find I can't use perfumed shampoos or soaps when I'm showering as it causes irritation. This one is good:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Green-People-Neutral-Scent-Shampoo/dp/B000OEVO02

Not very easy to come by in the shops, unfortunately, but if you've got an independent health food store near you they might stock it?

marrowgirl

I think Cussons Mum & Me is half price in Tesco at the mo.
Johnson's baby shampoo is often on sale in Lidl.


I'm allergic to Hexyl Cinnamal /Cinnamaldehyde which is the chemical used (often in "natural" products) to make things smell & taste of cinnamon. It is everywhere! I worked it out my putting products together that I was allergic to and ones I wasn't and eliminating the culprit.

terra_ferma

marrowgirl wrote: »

Johnson's baby shampoo is often on sale in Lidl.

I think this one is not that allergy friendly, it contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate as well as perfume.

CupOfChai

No idea whether the shampoo I've used before had silicone or not, all I know is when you're washing your hair it's not supposed to go squeakysqueakysqueaky like that! I realise Simple products do still contain some not-very-nice ingredients, but they suit me which is why I tried the shampoo. I've worked out that it's often perfumed products that I'm allergic to, which is probably why I'm ok with Simple, because whatever it does have, it doesn't have that in.

I'll look into trying some of these ideas, thank you. Green People is pricey isn't it! If I don't find a cheaper one I like I might see if I can get a sample from them to check whether it suits me before I fork out that much for a whole bottle.

For washing dishes I wear gloves (or get OH to do it!) . Which is a whole other story as I can only use certain kinds of gloves as well!

This sort of thing is so annoying, isn't it? It would be so nice to be able to try loads of different lovely smellies on a whim without any worry at all!

terra_ferma

I totally feel your pain, it's a nuisance and also expensive because the moment they leave out the perfumes, stick a 'sensitive' label on something, it gets much more expensive.
The baby stuff from the supermaket is very cheap, hope it works for you, although now that I think about it, the Cusson one has some kind of scent, delicate but it's there. The one from the Big Green Smile is totally scent free though.

koan_2

CupOfChai wrote: »

I'll look into trying some of these ideas, thank you. Green People is pricey isn't it! If I don't find a cheaper one I like I might see if I can get a sample from them to check whether it suits me before I fork out that much for a whole bottle.

That's a good idea. On their website they have a try-me size and they're doing free delivery throughout March:

http://www.greenpeople.co.uk/shop-for-products/organic-scent-free/organic-scent-free-hair-care-products

You can sometimes get samples on EBay too.

blissfulbabe

Have you tried Liz Earle? Not cheap but actually is quite economical as you only need to use a bit (I have shoulder length hair and a tube lasts about two and half months). I'm allergic to something in most shampoos which gives me a dry, very itchy and flaky scalp and Liz Earle shampoo is the only thing that works and makes my hair shiny.

I normally buy it from QCV when it's on offer.

CupOfChai

I didn't even know Liz Earle did shampoo, haha. Looking at the ingredients it does contain fragrance though.