Do you enjoy a breath of crisp clean unscented air? Me too! Especially, when it comes to my hair.
If you are on the hunt for clean, fragrance-free hair care products this list is for you.
Are You Sick of Fragrance in Your Skin and Hair Products? Me too!
I try out new products all the time. I try them for me and I try them for you. Oftentimes, I cannot get past opening the bottle, and sometimes it might make into my hands but I just cannot get past my nose to my hair or my skin.
Frankly, I don’t think we need fragrance to be in the top ten part of the ingredients, and 90% of the time, I can do without it all together.
Don’t get me wrong, I like to smell nice, but I am so tired of smelling as if I have a massive fruit salad in my hair. I would rather walk through the garden than be choked by the fake version of it all day in my hair. In addition, I definitely don’t need a different fragrance in every single product I am wearing.
It is not just annoying and overwhelming, but for me, it is due to several allergies. I am allergic to a few popular scenting oils like jasmine and violet. I’m allergic to formaldehyde; shockingly, perfumes are preserved in formaldehyde so the scents will last F.O.R.E.V.E.R! These products that are over-fragranced can mean an itchy scalp, sneezing, coughing, irritated throat, red, itchy and watery eyes for me.
AND Certain fragrances can stain your hair and cause yellowing on your silver hair.
What’s the difference between Fragrance-free and Unscented?
If properly labeled they do have different meanings; sadly, not all companies label properly, or comply with EPA and FDA guidelines. In the USA, the FDA has guidelines for what is considered fragrance-free or otherwise.
Note: it is considered okay to protect proprietary information like a signature scent by simply labeling it as ‘fragrance’ or ‘perfume’ in the product’s ingredients list.
Fragrance-free: According to the US EPA this “means that fragrance materials or masking scents are not used in the product.” This should mean it smells only of the ingredients in the product.
Unscented: the EPA defines unscented as “generally means that the product may contain chemicals that neutralize or mask the odors of other ingredients.” This means it won’t have an obvious scent but it will have fragrance agents to cover odors of ingredients.
No Added Scent: in general this means no fragrances or perfumes are added but it may smell like the ingredients; for instance, my products do not contain any synthetic perfumes or fragrance, but I do use essential oils for their hair and cleansing benefits so it smells like those oils.
Therapeutic fragrance: these would be products where the scent is part of the therapy, like pain creams and sleep aids, e.g. lavender and menthol. Usually, these are considered a drug classification and are regulated by the FDA.
Essential oils and aromatherapy: there is no regulation on the term “essential oils” for most though it implies plant-based (non-carrier) oils are used in the product, they can serve many functions beyond scent, if they hold functional, therapeutic, or aromatherapy qualities.
Where to Shop for Fragrance-Free:
It is not easy to find fragrance-free products, and now with most of our shopping online you cannot test the scent before you buy. I shop in a small handful of places for hair care — the ones that allow returns for items. The number one reason I return products even before their failure is perfumes.
A few places I know of that allow returns on used cosmetics and hair care: Amazon (if sold by and shipped from Amazon), Ulta, Sephora, Target and Walgreens.
Disclosure: The product links in this post may be affiliate links. As an Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. Read my Terms and Conditions Page to learn more.
Click any product name I mention or the photo and the link will take you to the product page for purchase.
My personally curated list of fragrance-free and unscented products:
You can click any product name or image to purchase items.
Not all the links are affiliate links; I just wanted you to have a list of great products and companies.
Last Update: 7.20.2024
Please keep in mind some of these products may not be gray-hair friendly, use caution and try to stick to the products that are white, clear or very pale in color to prevent staining. I will mark product with color as I learn them. Especially, avoid products with added dyes, like yellow, orange or red.
Hello SEEN Fragrance-Free
SEEN offers their entire line in fragrance-free. This includes NO MASKING agents.
This is my Number 1 pick!
I love everything about these products and my “daily” shampoo and conditioner are from SEEN.
You can check out my honest review here > SEEN: Fragrance-Free Hair Products for Sensitive Skin and Noses
Get 10% off with this QUICKSILVER10 coupon code.
Color Code: The shampoo is a pearly very light beige color, no staining on my hair if anything I think it has stopped some. The conditioners and styling cremes are all white.
LOMA Fragrance-Free
- Fragrance-free formula perfect for sensitive skin
- Replenish and restore moisture for silky, shiny hair
- Color safe
- Cruelty free and Vegan
- Deeply conditioning ingredients for dry hair
Color Code: Both the shampoo and the conditioner are white.
Get 20% off LOMA with code QSH20
Fragrance Free Hair Care Products by LUS Brands
If you have curly hair this may be a winning combo of products for you.
A very popular line in the Curly Community.
The All-In-One comes in Wavy, Curly and Kinky-Coily to match your hydration needs.
Color Code: The shampoo is a clear with a slight reddish tint. But caused no staining. The conditioners and all-in-one are white.
Now available on Amazon > LUS Brands Fragrance Free
JessiCurl
Jess created an entire line of products that cover every curl type and every curly need.
You can go to JessiCurl.com or you can find all the most popular products on Amazon.com
Every single one of her products comes in No Fragrance Added and trial sizes.
Color Code: all of JessiCurl product range from white to beige, the natural extracts and ingredients do this, but should not be staining.
The BTW Co.
The first fragrance free PURPLE shampoo and conditioner.
Designed by a silver sister for silver sisters!!
Available on their site: thebtwco.com
Available on Amazon (make sure to select unscented)
> Purple Fragrance Free Shampoo
Viori Shampoo and Conditioner Bars:
Native Essence: best for dry & sensitive hair types, unscented.
Get 10% off with code QUICKSILVERHAIR
A Simple Planet
Handmade products on a mission: scent-free options, plant based products, and zero waste.
Go here > A Simple Planet
Coupon code for 15% off: QUICKSILVER
Color Code: these products range from clear, to white, to beige. Also, all natural extracts and should not create staining. If you do choose a scented version, the owner recommends the lavender or the unscented for silver hair. The orange scent is orange tinted from the oils.
No Nothing
A full line of hair care products with no fragrance including:
No Nothing Very Sensitive Strong Hair Mousse
Fragrance Free Hair Care Products by Kristin Ess
Shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, and styling products. All in my Amazon Fragrance Free List
Color Code: all the products range from clear to white.
The Fragrance Free List Continues:
OUAI Curl Cream Fragrance-Free
COOLA Classic Body Organic Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 Fragrance-Free
Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Fragrance-Free Face Butter
The Ordinary Shampoo and Conditioner
Desert Essence Fragrance Free Shampoo & Conditioner Bundle
Vanicream Shampoo and Conditioner Set
FragFre Fragrance Free Hair and Body Products
Inahsi Has a Complete Curly Care Line of Fragrance Free Products
EvolvH: Natural WonderBalm Fragrance Free UV and Heat Protection Weightless Serum
Phillip Adam Hair and Body Care Unscented Collection
Full Unscented Line of Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash and Lotion.
For the full line head over to phillipadam.com
Fragrance-Free Body Products, ones I use and trust:
Click any product description to find it on Amazon.com
Aveeno Positively Smooth Moisturizing Shave Gel
Aveeno Restorative Skin Therapy Moisturizing Oat Repairing Cream for Sensitive, Distressed, Dry Skin
Dove Antiperspirant Deodorant, Sensitive Skin
Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant For Odor Protection Sensitive Deodorant Stick
I hope you found this post educational and helpful.
Thank you for reading. Please feel free to share.
As always it is about so much more than the hair.
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QuickSilverHair.com content disclaimer: content is provided for general information purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Product information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The hair care content is also for educational use, I am not a hair care professional or dermatologist, please be careful with your hair and skin. If you have any hesitations or concerns speak to your doctor or hair care professional for their support before using any information you find on this site. Be well.
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