Fragrance-Free Hair Products You'll Actually Enjoy Using

In the past, if you needed to avoid fragrances, you had to go past all the mainstream, fully-featured products to the "bummer section" with one fragrance-free option for shampoo and conditioner. Usually unreliably stocked if you're shopping on-the-ground.  

Fragrance is a common allergen, irritant, headache-inducer, asthma-trigger, blah, blah, blah - people still love fragrance. Product manufacturers know their fragranced items sell better. There is not mega-profit in fragrance-free cosmetics. However. Demand is slowly growing with fragrance-free workplaces and awareness of skin-irritation potential. 

Fragrance-Free is having a glow-up! 🌟 Here are some cosmetic-benefit-forward products I feel confident sharing for their lack of scent (unless indicated). Whether you're avoiding fragrance for yourself, for somebody else, for work, to avoid attracting mosquitoes, for hunting - whatever. The days of having a fragrance-free shampoo leave your hair a matted, sticky, frizzy, dry mess are in the rear view mirror!

This page may contain some affiliate links for which I may receive a small commission from Amazon and The Ordinary when clicked at no cost to you and without revealing your identity to me. 

Price is indicated. Watch those bottle-sizes, some products are a good deal because the bottle is bigger.

$5-10: $
$10-20: $$
$20-30: $$$

Hairitage By Mindy Down to the Basics Shampoo 13 oz:  $

This is a lovely, concentrated, pearly conditioning shampoo with a dense lather. It cleans well, but has a great balance of cleansing and conditioning and doesn't make hair feel tangly (it has some slip). Seems to encourage shine and volume. Doesn't have a sour or off-putting scent, but no masking fragrances are indicated.

Hairitage By Mindy Down to the Basics Conditioner 13 oz:  $

With glycerin for moisture, this concentrated conditioner also contains (somewhat) hair-penetrating Myristyl alcohol. This may be rich for hair that goes flat or becomes oily easily. 

The Ordinary Sulphate 4% Hair and Body Wash, 8 oz  $: Gentle cleansing (not too drying) gel shampoo with a light feel.

The Ordinary Behentrimonium chloride 4% Conditioner, 8 oz $:  Light and slippery but with good conditioning - one of my favorites! Great for Fine/Medium hair, or hair that goes flat easily, or hair that tends to show build-up. Little to no odor.

Four Reasons (No Nothing) Sensitive Moisture Shampoo 10 oz: $$$
More cleansing than conditioning, but does have mild detangling benefits.

Four Reasons (No Nothing) Sensitive Moisture Conditioner 10 oz: $$$
For slip (detangling!), smoothing, softening, anti-static. Multiple conditioning agents to address more and less damaged areas.

Both products are little to no odor - you may notice the odor of the ingredients.

Four Reasons Sensitive also makes:

A Purple shampoo for countering yellowing/brassiness in blonde or silver hair or highlights.

A Shampoo and conditioner for color-protection.

A "Repair" shampoo and conditioner.

I'm a bit lukewarm on the shampoo - but I really like their Fragrance-free mousse. Which is sold out as I write this. I hope it comes back. We need a good "FF" mousse!

Attitude Sensitive Natural Shampoo and Conditioner: 16 oz $$

Shampoo (16 oz): Gentle cleansing with a little conditioning and protein. Suitable for Fine/Thin hair (not too heavy). I could see needing to occasionally alternate with a shampoo with a little more cleaning power unless your hair is dry.

The 8 oz conditioner is softening with Capric/Caprylic triglyceride as an additional emollient and a little protein and starch for volume.

FragFre Intense Hydrating Shampoo (8 oz) $$

This is a gentle-to-moderate-cleansing gel-type shampoo, but not a conditioning shampoo in the sense that it help detangle your hair. It's concentrated! A little goes a long way.

FragFre Nourishing Conditioner (12 oz) $$

This is one of my favorites. It's thick and clingy and just a little volumizing. No glycerin, not too heavy, but plenty of conditioning. If your hair needs help pulling together in waves or curls, or has a lot of flyaways - clingy products help a lot!  Light to medium moisture - multiple conditioners to address damaged ends and less-damaged areas. Hydration from Lactic acid - which does a little temporary bond-repair! 🧬

FragFre Moisturizing Shampoo (8 oz) $$

Gentle cleansers, Wheat germ, Sweet almond, Apricot kernel, Jojoba, Olive and Rose hip oils to soften hair and help detangle. Panthenol for hydration. No synthetic fragrances, but does include essential oils (Oregano, Tea Tree, Sweet orange).

FragFre Cleansing Conditioner (12 oz) $$

Gentle cleansers combine with the Hydrating Conditioner formula (above - light to medium moisture), with the addition of powerful humectants for hydration. Lactylate and Lactic acid - provide temporary bond-repair! 🧬

 

FragFre 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner (12 oz)  $$

A pearly, conditioning shampoo combining gentle cleansing with conditioning detanglers and powerful humectants for hydration. Silicone-free. If you don't like the result from natural (plant-based) oils, this is your moisturizing-shampoo option with this brand! 

If cleansing conditioners in creamy bases don't agree with your hair (or your hard water) - this may be a good alternative.

FragFre Firm Hold Styling Gel (8 oz) $$

This is a clingy gel with humidity-resisting hold. Works well with a leave-in conditioner for flexibility (curly styles, blow-dry) or use it alone for spiky styles or slicked-back looks. If it feels too sticky - apply with wet hands.

FragFre Detangler Plus (8 oz) $$

Hydrating with Aloe, in a detangling base, with Sunflower and Meadowfoam oils, a little Hydrolyzed wheat protein for strength and Panthenol for hydration.

Seen Shampoo (8.6 oz) $$: With C13-16 Alkane (also known as "Hemisqualane") as an emollient, scalp-soothing Bisabolol, and gentle detergents. Hemisqualane is a stand-out ingredient for shine and slip! It is especially appealing for hair that doesn't get along well with oils very well.

Seen Conditioner $$: Also with C13-16 Alkane (Hemisqualane) as an emollient, a base that should be slippery as well as clingy, can be great for dry/thirsty hair. But - this is a not-so-generous 8.6 ounce bottle. 

Kristin Ess Daily Cleansing Shampoo (lightly clarifying) 10 oz $-$$: Hair-color-friendly shampoo (based on the detergent blend) with a little coconut oil for emollient and conditioner/detangling benefits.

Kristin Ess Shine Enhancing Conditioner 10 oz  $-$$. This is a moisturizing product with some "cling." Propylene glycol is featured prominently as a humectant, which is a hair-penetrating ingredient to add flexibility which can be good for dry or somewhat coarse hair - it can be heavy or dulling for some hair. Also contains a little avocado and sweet almond oil, and a little Hydrolyzed corn, wheat and soy protein.

Philip Adam Fragrance Free Shampoo 12 oz $$: Gentle detergents, protein, herbal extracts and apple cider vinegar. Not much in the way of detangling for those who need it. Conditioner will provide detangling afterwards - but if tangles are a serious breakage issue that might be a deal-breaker for this product.

Philip Adam Fragrance Free Conditioner 10 oz $$: Clingy conditioner with Hydrolyzed pea protein and herbal extracts for volume, strength and shine.

Cleure Volumizing Shampoo 12 oz $$: This is more like a clarifying shampoo or a basic shampoo. It contains a detangler and conditioner for a little slip and has a pleasant foamy experience. Little to no odor.

Cleure Hydrating Conditioner 12 oz $$: This is an interesting product with a slightly different "base" that works quite well with Fine/Medium and also Coarse hair, also using Capric/Caprylic Triglyceride as an emollient, Panthenol for hydration. It may feel more or less slippery depending on your water - letting it sit for a moment, maybe splashing on some water can help it become a better detangler. Little to no odor.

Jessicurl Gentle Lather Shampoo (Fragrance-free option) 8 oz $$: This gentle-cleaning, hair-color-friendly shampoo isn't just for curly hair. With lightweight emollients, Panthenol for hydration, and detangling benefits, it is a great shampoo for a wide variety of hair types.

Jessicurl makes conditioners and styling products too - the conditioners contain herbal extracts, I have not tried them so I cannot comment on whether they contribute any scent to the product.

DHS Clear Shampoo 8 oz & 16 oz are both $$: This is a pretty basic shampoo, with a conditioner for detangling. But before you skip it - DHS is really good at formulating shampoo for sensitive scalps. Unless you're sensitive to an ingredient here, or your skin or hair is extremely parched on a given day - this product isn't likely to leave your scalp dry and tight and prickly. 

As I Am Rice Water Micellar Shampoo 8 oz. $ Gentle detergents for mild cleansing, "micellar" means a liquid-to-foam texture. Enriched with scalp and hair-friendly ingredients, such as ceramides, rice water extract. Phytosterols, Saw palmetto and Copper tripeptide-1 may be helpful for hair-density.

As I Am Rice Water Conditioner 8 oz $

Glycerin, Betaine and Flaxseed extract for hydration. Phytosterols, Saw palmetto and Copper tripeptide-1 may be helpful for hair-density. Ceramides and Coconut oil for extra softness.

Dr. Eddies Happy Cappy Medicated shampoo 8 oz $$

This conditioning shampoo contains Zinc Pyrithione for anti-inflammatory, anti-dandruff benefits. As well as scalp-soothing apple and licorice extracts, Glycerin and Panthenol for hydration.

Dr. Eddie's Happy Cappy non-medicated shampoo: 8 oz $$

This conditioning shampoo is gentle-cleansing, with ingredients for anti-inflammatory benefits: Scalp-soothing apple, oat and licorice extracts, Glycerin and Panthenol for hydration.

Paula's Choice Hair and Body Wash 14.5 oz $$$: A basic shampoo with a some protein and detangler for thorough cleansing with less dehydration (Polyquaternium-10 here prevents some water logging that makes porous hair vulnerable during washing). This has long been a favorite of the Fragrance-free crowd with a nice large bottle-size.

Paula's Choice Smooth Finish Conditioner 14.5 oz $$$: High-slip conditioner with silicone emollients to detangle and reduce frizz, Panthenol and a little protein for hydration and strength.

CurlMix Wash and Go Shampoo (Fragrance-Free Option) 8 oz  $$$: Clarifying-type shampoo with moisturizers (glycerin, aloe), emollients to soften and detangle and Polyquaternium-10 to protect from dehydration and for light conditioning.

CurlMix Wash and Go Conditioner (Fragrance-Free Option) 8 oz $$$: With Grapeseed oil, Squalane as emollients, Glycerin and Aloe for hydration.

CurlMix also makes Fragrance-Free:

Moisturizer with Medium Hold

Moisturizer with Heavy Hold

Quinoa gel with Ultra Hold

Flaxseed Gel with Light Hold or with Medium Hold

CurlSmith Shine Shampoo 12 oz  $$$ Also not only for curly hair! Gentle detergents and lightweight conditioners. This does contain herbal extracts and citrus oil.

CurlSmith Shine Conditioner 12 oz $$$ Designed for dry or frizzy hair with oils and butters. 

CurlSmith also makes a fragrance-free styling Gel and Cream (Leave-in Conditioner). 8 oz $$$

Ouidad Unbreakable Bonds:

Shampoo: 8.5 oz $$$ Overall gentle cleansing with proteins, Hyaluroic acid, Coconut, Flax, Olive, Jojoba oil and shea butter, heat-protectant, and bond-building active ingredients.

Conditioner: 8.5 oz $$$ With proteins, humetctants (moisturizers) like Hyaluronic acid, Panthenol, Glycerin and Aloe, Coconut, Macadamia and Jojoba oils, and "Bond-repair" active ingredients. This is packed with great ingredients for strong, healthy hair.

Mixing Drops: 2 oz $$$ Humectant (moisturizer) rich, with ceramides, protein, Hyaluronic acid, "Bond-repair" and frizz-reducing active ingredients. 2-3 drops are added to a styling product (or a conditioner).

Odele Ultra Sensitive Shampoo: 13 oz $$ 

Gentle detergents, Aloe, Oat and Amaranth extracts to hydrate. Quinoa and Rice proteins for strength, and 2 conditioning detanglers. This shampoo has a lot to offer hair that is heat-styled, highlighted, sun-damaged, Fine-Medium in particular.

Odele Ultra Sensitive Conditioner: 13 oz $$ 

Glycerin for hydration, Amodimethicone for a silky feel, heat protection and porosity management and detangling. Amaranth extract and Rice protein for strength and hydration. Multiple conditioners to address different kinds of hair damage and work well in different water situations (hard water too).

CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Shampoo: 12 oz $ 

Combination of strong and gentle detergents for a clean scalp. Plus Amodimethicone to detangle and protect, Ceramides and Cholesterol for a calm scalp and less frizz/flexible hair. Powerful moisturizers (Hyaluronic acid and Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate). A small amount of Salicylic acid to exfoliate. Less than a typical dandruff shampoo. Plus Niacinamide for anti-inflammatory effects and conditioning detanglers.

CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo: 12 oz $$

1% Zinc Pyrithione for anti-dandruff, anti-inflammatory effects.

Combination of strong and gentle detergents for a clean scalp. Plus Amodimethicone to detangle and protect, Ceramides and Cholesterol for a calm scalp and less frizz/flexible hair. Powerful moisturizers (Hyaluronic acid and Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate). A small amount of Salicylic acid to exfoliate. (Less than a typical dandruff shampoo.) Plus Niacinamide for anti-inflammatory effects and conditioning detanglers.

Philip Kingsley Gentle No Scent No Color Shampoo 8.4 oz (250 ml) $$$

Gentle cleansing (sulfate-free), may work well in hard water. With 2 conditioning detanglers, and conditioning/hydrating Amaranth protein (it's a hybrid conditioner-protein ingredient that causes fewer "protein side effects.") and Glycerin for moisture.

Philip Kingsley No Scent No Color Conditioner 6.8 oz (200 ml) $$$

A simple formula, using Amodimethicone for detangling and a silky feel - and also managing porosity and heat protection. Includes a little Elastin protein for strength and hydration. For serious detangling effects.

Not Your Mothers Fragrance & Protein-Free Styling Cream 6 oz (177 ml) $$

 A rich but not-too-heavy styling cream to manage frizz and define curls with light hold. 

Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Activating Mousse: 7 oz $$

Humidity-resisting, "soft-touchable" hold. Conditioning, but not heavy or crunchy. Fragrance free, protein free.

Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Frizz Control Sculpting Gel: 6 oz (177 ml) $ - $$

Humectant-rich (very moisturizing), Medium hold with light conditioning. Fragrance free and protein free.

Not Your Mother's Kids Daily Care Moisturizing Fragrance-Free Shampoo: 8 oz (237 ml) $

Gentle detergents (sulfate-free) that also are good for preserving hair-color. Polyquaternium-10 to prevent dehydration and help detangle, Glycerin and Aloe for hydration. Good for adults too!

Not Your Mother's Kids Daily Care Moisturizing Conditioner: 8 oz (237 ml) $

Glycerin and Propanediol for deep hydration, along with Aloe. Triglyceride emollients for flexibility in a "clingy" base for hair that tends to be very flyaway (straighter hair) or has curls that need help pulling together.  

Not You Mother's Kids Daily Care Moisturizing Detangler: 8 oz (237 ml) $

Water-based, with conditioners and emollients for detangling and a moisturizer (Propanediol) for extra hydration. This spray can be used before washing to detangle, or between washes. 

Love Ur Curls Kids 2-in-1 Shampoo: 10 oz (300 ml) $$

Gentle cleansers, Sunflower oil, Watermelon oil, Argan oil and Squalane plus detangling conditioners to reduce tangling and add softness. Includes moisturizers (humectants) for hydration.

Love Ur Curls Kids Detangler and Leave-In Conditioner: 8.5 oz (250 ml) $$

Moisturisers (humectant) with bond-strengthening/anti breakage and detangling/smoothing benefits. Lightweight conditioning detanglers, Sunflower, Watermelon and Argan oils plus Squalane to soften.

It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner 4 oz $$-$$$

Humectant-rich conditioning spray to hydrate, detangle, and reduce frizz. With coconut oil, argan oil and shea butter.

Treluxe Hi-Definition Curl Enhancer Styling Gel (fragrance free version) 8 oz  $$ 

Moisturizing with lots of humectants, curl-enhancing and soft hold with natural film-forming gums for curl enhancing and hydration (Aloe, seaweed/Carrageenan, Xanthan), Amino acids. 

Treluxe Untie The Knot Leave-In Conditioner (fragrance free version) 8 oz $$ 

A rich leave-in conditioner with a slippery base, Coconut and Avocado oil, Squalane and Broccoli seed oil, humectants for hydration, amino acids and Slippery elm.

Treluxe Re-Flex Curl Styling Serum (fragrance free version) 8 oz $$ 

Humectant-rich styling product, more serum-like or fluid compared to the styling gel (above).

LUS (Love Ur Curls) Shampoo, Conditioner and Styler (Different versions for different curl patterns)

Shampoo: Balanced cleansing and conditioning - with Shea butter and Moringa oil.

Conditioner: With Glycerin to hydrate, Shea butter and Moringa oil.

Styler: Glycerin to hydrate, Shea butter, Humidity-resisting polymers for hold without a hard crunch.

DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel: Fragrance Free Version $$$

Humidity-resisting, rich in Glycerin and Aloe for hydration.

monster peeps okra

DevaCurl One Condition conditioner: Fragrance Free Version $$$

Deep-penetrating conditioner with Coconut oil, Glycerin, Malic acid (strengthening), and anti-frizz ingredients. monster peeps okra

Curl Keeper Original Styling Liquid: Fragrance Free Version $$$

Humidity-resisting, Humectant rich for moisture, anti-frizz ingredients. Non-sticky.

Amazon link

Curl Keeper Ultimate Hold Gel: Fragrance Free Version $$$

Humidity- resisting, hydrating hold, lightweight formula.

ID

ID Hair Sensitive Extra Strong Mousse $$$ 🇺🇸 🇩🇰 🇪🇺

Non-sticky, non-crunchy mousse with Humidity-Resistance.

ID Hair Sensitive Everyday Shampoo $$$ 🇺🇸 🇩🇰 🇪🇺

Gentle cleansers, detangling and conditioning, with scalp-soothing herbal extracts.

ID Hair Sensitive Everyday Conditioner $$$ 🇺🇸 🇩🇰 🇪🇺

Lightweight conditioning detangler, with ingredients for extra hydration without weight or a greasy feel.

ID Hair 911 Rescue Spray $$$ 🇺🇸 🇩🇰 🇪🇺

Anti-Frizz, heat-protection, smoothing and detangling styling spray.

Paul Mitchell Clear Essential Shampoo $$

More ingredients here. Sulfate-free, gentle cleansers with one conditioning detangler (minimal ingredients to avoid irritation).

Paul Mitchell Clear Essential Conditioner $$

More ingredients here. This is a clear, serum-like product, not a creamy conditioner. Lightweight detanglers to reduce static and frizz. May be ideal for Fine or Silky hair.

Paul Mitchell Clear Styling Glaze $$

More Ingredients here. This is a conditioning styling serum with light hold and some humidity-resistance. 

Paul Mitchell Clear Smoothing Serum  $-$$

More ingredients here. Silicone anti-frizz and smoothing emollients in a non-greasy base. May protect against heat-damage and friction during heat-styling.

Head and Shoulders Bare Sensitive Scalp Care Fragrance-Free $

Sulfate-free, with a conditioning detangler. This is a very thick, concentrated product - use less than you normally would (you can always add more). 1% Pyrithione zinc to soothe scalp and reduce flakes. Minimal ingredients to reduce irritation AND it works well in hard water, thanks to the detergent combo.

CLOUDD Curl Defining Mousse: 7 oz (210 ml) $

Moisturizing! With Aloe, Honey, silk and flaxseed proteins and sugars. Light hold - soft, touchable finish.

CLOUDD Curl Defining Gel Cream: 6 oz $$$

Soft, natural hold for defining waves and curls without stiffness. With Aloe and Glycerin in a creamy base including Sunflower oil. A leave-in conditioner with styling benefits.

CLOUDD High Definition Firm Hold Styling Gel: 6 oz (180g) $$$

Firm hold, moisture from Aloe, Sorbitol, Glycerin and Panthenol. May need extra hold in high humidity conditions.

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