Scented shampoo swap to Fragrance-free shampoo

Why make the swap

• Why switch to fragrance-free shampoo

  A shampoo with no fragrance, dye or essential oils, in the maker’s words.

• What's the concern with scented shampoo

  US labels can list a whole scent formula as just “fragrance”. FDA says some fragrance ingredients can cause allergic reactions for some people.

• General information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing or have a health condition.

• Good to know before you buy

  Want to skip the bottle and synthetic polymers too? See the shampoo bar below.

  Vanicream Free & Clear shampoo, 12 fl oz: Contains acrylates copolymer, a synthetic polymer. No fragrance, dye or silicone.

• Sources (3)

  1. FDA: 'fragrance' can stand in for undisclosed ingredients, some of which can cause allergic reactions (opens in a new tab)
  2. Viori: 'Truly fragrance-free. No added fragrance and no essential oils'; free of silicones; faint natural earthiness fades once hair dries (opens in a new tab)
  3. Vanicream shampoo listing: no fragrance, dye, botanical extracts or essential oils; full ingredient list (opens in a new tab)

  Health and safety facts on this page come from these sources. What a pick is made of comes from its maker's listing or website, as stated on the date we checked.