Fragrance Free Conditioner

MI Free November 5, 2016 5 Comments

Fragrance free options are often suited to those with several allergies to cosmetic ingredients, including MI, as fragrance allergies can be tough to pinpoint and diagnose. Furthermore, given there’s a small possibility fragrance ingredients used by manufacturers can be preserved with isothiazolinones, choosing fragrance-free is a further insurance. The unscented conditioners below should be completely safe.

Desert Essence Fragrance Free Conditioner (8oz)
Very natural product based on aloe vera and green tea. Free from parabens, phthalates, gluten, artificial colours, silicones and petroleum-based ingredients. Vegan. Very good value at under $10. For more info, see also the Desert Essence site.  

Ecostore Ultra Sensitive Conditioner (NZ only) (220ml)
Plant-based, few-ingredient product which is extremely simple. Glycerin and almond oil (so not nut-free) are included, with phenoxyethanol as preservative, and behentrimonium methosulphate — widely considered the mildest conditioning and hair-detangling agent available to the natural formulator. 

Faith in Nature Fragrance Free Conditioner (400ml)
This accessible and affordable naturally-inspired brand does not use isothiazolinones in any products, so all its many varieties of conditioner are safe, but the fragrance free one is especially ideal for those with other sensitivities, and may be suitable for those who are uncertain to what they react. It has a straightforward formulation — with coconut derivatives, sunflower oil, plant extracts and gentle preservatives (sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate) — and is excellent value.

Free and Clear Conditioner (355ml)
A no-frills product which will not win any natural or green awards, but one which is free from almost all conceivable irritants, making it ideal for especially sensitive people. It’s free from all preservatives, wheat / gluten proteins, sulphates, oils, phosphates, fragrances, dyes, lanolin and much more. Ideal as a hypoallergenic product if you want to use a conditioner which is highly unlikely to trigger any reaction. 

Green People Natural/Scent Free Conditioner (200ml)
This is an excellent natural product, which is free from any fragrance allergens, and also free from wheat / gluten (unusually, it uses quinoa proteins instead). GP say it could be suitable for those with eczema or psoriasis. Key plant actives include olive oil, aloe vera, green tea and sunflower. Also available via Amazon, including in North America. 

Handmade Naturals Olive and Jojoba Conditioner (UK) (250ml)
One of the most simple formulations for a conditioner we’ve ever seen — just water, olive oil, aloe vera, jojoba oil, vitamins E and B5, glycerine, emulsifying wax and shea butter.

LOMA Fragrance Free Moisturising Conditioner (US)
A fragrance-free option from a confirmed MI-free brand. 

Nature Clean Pure Sensitive Conditioner (Canada) (300ml)
Hypoallergenic conditioner with a pleasingly simple formulation. Uses guar gum to detangle. Preserved with ethylhexylglycerin and phenoxyethanol. 

Philip Adam Unscented Apple Cider Vinegar Conditioner (Canada) (355ml)
A complement to the ACV shampoo by the same brand, this uses hydrolysed pea protein, rather than wheat protein, so is also wheat / gluten free. 

Philip Kingsley No Scent No Colour Conditioner (250ml)
A functional formulation with no botanicals nor food allergens, and preserved with phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin and sodium benzoate — therefore free from parabens and isothiazolinones. It uses silicones to provide the sought-after silky smooth gloss, and hydrolysed elastin to help condition hair. Manufacturers claim anti-static qualities too. Not the most affordable, but trusted, solid and functional. 

The Seaweed Bath Co. Unscented Moisturizing Argan Conditioner (12 fl oz)
Suited to normal through to dry/damaged hair, this seaweed enriched conditioner contains oils of avocado, coconut and jojoba in addition to argan, and is preserved with sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate, making it free from many preservatives consumers look to avoid, such as parabens, phenoxyethanol and of course MI. Contains soy and barley (albeit hydrolysed, therefore gluten free) and also the silicone amodimethicone. Vegan friendly. 

Others

The following look to be safe from the ingredients, but we have not received confirmation from the brands concerned. 

Earth Science Fragrance Free Conditioner (12 fl oz)

Pure Nuff Stuff Intensive Hair Conditioner Unscented (UK only) (250/500ml)

Stony Brook Conditioner Unscented (US only) (16 oz)