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Top 10 Irritant and SLS free shampoos for eczema skin – an update

07/08/2015 by Ruth Holroyd 42 Comments

At the beginning of this year I started my search for the perfect shampoo for my eczema scalp and sensitive skin. It seemed that this was no easy task. Read “10 shampoos for dry scalps, sensitive skin and eczema” here and you’ll discover that buying products recommended for eczema skin doesn’t always mean that it will be suitable.

Many of these, recommended in health food shops and found in supermarkets and pharmacies turned out to be anything but soothing, caring, gentle and healing for my scalp. From my last research the best shampoos were BareFoot SOS and Green People. Both products were natural and didn’t irritate my scalp. I still use both of these and alternate depending on my mood. So fickle… and at the moment, not loyal at all. I change shampoo like I change my underwear but I will hone in on a few firm favourites by the end.

With the help of my friends at Skins Matter and the FreeFrom SkinCare Awards team I have narrowed down my search to some truly lovely products. Special thanks to Sarah at SugarPuffish who knows a lot about shampoo!

The FreeFrom Skincare Awards did not award a winner to the hair care category this year however so I didn’t find any new shampoos. Perhaps some of the products below will enter next year. You’ve got to be in it to win it.

This blog shares a collection of shampoos that leave my scalp feeling refreshed and normal, not tight, itchy and sore. Some are recommendations from readers that I have not tried but which sound worth a go if they take your fancy. These shampoos may not be found in your local chemist but with a bit of internet searching you can find them.

  • Organic babies shampoo and shower gel
Organic Babies body wash and shampoo  by Green People
Organic Babies body wash and shampoo by Green People


Organic Babies body wash and shampoo

Organic Babies Scent Free Baby Wash is made without SLS, parabens, lanolin, methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, phthalates, artificial perfumes, petrochemicals and colourants to bring you the purest wash that nature can offer.

Ingredients: AQUA (SPRING WATER), SODIUM COCO-SULFATE (FROM COCONUT), COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE (DERIVED FROM COCONUT), DECYL GLUCOSIDE (DERIVED FROM CORN), CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (CHAMOMILE) FLOWER EXTRACT*, LEVULINIC ACID (PLANT DERIVED), ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) LEAF JUICE POWDER*, YUCCA SCHIDIGERA (YUCCA) STEM EXTRACT, POTASSIUM SORBATE, CITRIC ACID. *83.0% ORGANIC

  • Odylique Gentle Herb Shampoo
Natural Odylique Gentle Herb Shampoo
Natural Odylique Gentle Herb Shampoo


Odylique Gentle Herb shampoo

Actives ingredients: Strengthening horsetail, Conditioning coconut oil, Soothing chamomile, Biodynamic nettle for scalp health, Shine-promoting rosemary and Moisture-locking aloe vera juice.

Is is also 100% natural, 70% organic and Free from wheat, dairy, soy, common allergen nut oils and is suitable for vegans

It also won the SkinsMatter FreeFrom SkinCare Awards for best shampoo in 2014 so definitely worth a try.

  • De Bronner’s castille soap
Dr Bronner's Castille soap
Dr Bronner’s Castille soap

They have natural castille soaps so check out their website and see which you prefer. Go to the Baby and Sensitive section for the simple soap product.

Ingredients: Water, Organic Coconut Oil*, Potassium Hydroxide**, Organic Olive Oil*, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Citric Acid, Tocopherol.

  • Moo Goo Milk shampoo
Moo Goo milk shampoo
Moo Goo milk shampoo

Ingredients: Aqua, Decyl Glucoside (Glucose Derived Cleanser), Cocamidopropyl Betaine (Coconut Derived Cleanser), Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate (Coconut Derived Cleanser), Sodium Lauroamphoacetate (Coconut Derived Cleanser), Behentrimonium Methosulfate (Canola Derived De-Tangler), Lauryl Glucoside (Glucose Derived Cleanser), Cetearyl Alcohol (Plant Based Emulsifying Wax), Glyceryl Oleate (Natural Ester), Coco Glucoside (Glucose Derived Cleanser), Piroctone Olamine, Allantoin, Hydrolysed Milk Protein, Fragrant Oil (Phthalate free).

Nb: Not suitable for anyone with a dairy allergy

  • Green People sensitive skin shampoo
Green People sensitive skin shampoo
Green People sensitive skin shampoo

Green People sensitive skin shampoo

Green People Neutral/Scent Free Shampoo is made without SLS/SLES, alcohol (ethyl alcohol, ethanol), parabens, methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, phthalates, artificial colourants and artificial fragrances to bring you the purest shampoo that nature can offer.

Ingredients: AQUA (SPRING WATER), SODIUM COCO-SULFATE (FROM COCONUT), COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE (DERIVED FROM COCONUT), DECYL GLUCOSIDE (DERIVED FROM CORN), ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) LEAF JUICE POWDER*, CAMELLIA SINENSIS (GREEN TEA) LEAF EXTRACT*, ANANAS SATIVUS (PINEAPPLE) FRUIT EXTRACT, YUCCA SCHIDIGERA (YUCCA) STEM EXTRACT, MARIS SAL (SEA SALT), CITRIC ACID, BENZYL ALCOHOL, SORBIC ACID, SALICYLIC ACID, GLYCERIN. *83.3% ORGANIC

Green people also do an Irritated scalp shampoo. I haven’t tried this one but I’m sure it’s as good as the sensitive scalp one. This is one of my favourite brands. All their products seem to suit my skin.

  • Pure Earth Hair Wash
Clay based natural hair care
Clay based natural hair care

Pure Earth Hair Wash

This is what they say:

Our Pure Earth Hair Wash is simple, pure and effective. How, exactly, does our Hair Wash work? Our Pure Earth Hair Wash cleans ever-so-gently by absorbing excess dirt and oil and never strips your hair. It is a super-natural clay-based cleanser, created by Mother Earth herself, that our small team of artisan crafters humbly blends with certified organic soothing, hydrating aloe vera juice, certified organic nourishing herbals and organic essential oils. Sweet!

Ingredients: Organic aloe vera juice (from concentrate)°, bentonite clay, organic extracts° of organic linden flower°, organic nettle°, organic chamomile° and organic shavegrass°.

I haven’t tried this product yet myself but it’s on my list of shampoos or source one day because the ingredients sound so simple and clean. Having also tried out rhassoul clay to wash my hair I know clay is a really gentle cleanser.

  • Dr Essence

Thanks to one reader Mary for recommending Desert Essence shampoo. She finds the coconut shampoo the best but not so much the conditioner. I haven’t tried this one yet but thanks Mary for the suggestion

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract *, Arctium Lappa (Burdock) Root Extract*, Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow) Extract*, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract *, Foeniculum Vulgare (Fennel) Seed Extract*, Sambucus Nigra (Black Elderberry) Flower Extract*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract *, Sodium Coco-Sulfate (Coconut Derived), Decyl Glucoside (Coconut and Corn Derived), Propanediol (Corn Derived), Coco-Glucoside (Coconut Derived), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil *, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Dehydroacetic Acid, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides (Coconut Derived), Sodium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate (Fruit Derived), Lauryl Glucoside (Plant Derived), Citric Acid, Stearyl Citrate (Vegetable Derived), Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Coumarin, Limonene, Fragrance (Parfum) *Certified Organic – See more at: https://www.desertessence.com/store/coconut-shampoo#ingredients

  • A’Kin Unscented natural shampoo
A'Kin Natural Unscented shampoo
A’Kin Natural Unscented shampoo

Itchy scalp and dandruff can be caused by ingredients common in some shampoo and conditioner. If you suffer with itchy scalp or dandruff it is well worth trying a product like this, if you see an improvement it points to your condition being caused by a sensitivity to the ingredients in your old shampoo and conditioner. If you see no improvement then a therapeutic shampoo and conditioner should be tried instead – we suggest the Barefoot Botanicals SOS shampoo and conditioner.

Ingredients: Aqua (water), sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, lauryl glucoside, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, sodium chloride, glycerin, glyceryl laurate, sorbitol, sucrose cocoate, citric acid, sodium citrate, sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium gluconate, sodium hydroxy methylglycinate, tetrasodium EDTA.

All shampoo sold at mypure.co.uk is free from Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) & Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES).

  • Lavea green clay shampoo
Lavea Green Clay purifying shampoo
Lavea Green Clay purifying shampoo

All shampoo sold at mypure.co.uk is free from sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) & ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES).

Ingredients: All shampoo is free from sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) & ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES). For more information on the different types of sulfates and the sulfates which are safe to use in organic shampoo please click here

AQUA (WATER), AMMONIUM LAURYL SULFATE, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, GLYCERIN, BENTONITE, ILLITE, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE POWDER*, THYMUS VULGARIS EXTRACT*, VITIS VINIFERA LEAF EXTRACT*, COMMIPHORA MYRRHA RESIN EXTRACT, LAMIUM ALBUM FLOWER EXTRACT*, HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), POTASSIUM SORBATE, SODIUM BENZOATE, SODIUM USNATE, DEHYDROACETIC ACID, BENZYL ALCOHOL, SODIUM CHLORIDE.

* Ingredients from Organic Farming 98.9% of total ingredients are natural

I haven’t tried this one either but the ingredients look quite good. Worth noting it does contain wheat protein and perfume/fragrance.

  • Madara Eco Baby mild baby shampoo
Madara Eco Baby mild shampoo
Madara Eco Baby mild shampo

Ingredients: Aqua Sodium, Coco Sulfate, Rosa Damascena, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Cocamphoacetate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Citric Acid, Avena Sativa, Tillia Cordata, Sodium Chloride, Aroma, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene

Again, not tried this one either but it sounds good.

Other brands you might like to look at include Jason, Faith in Nature and Skin Blossom.

You’ll find many of the shampoos featured above on the So Organic website, a one stop show for people living an organic life.

Have I missed any?

Related posts:

Lush Soak and Float shampoo bar10 shampoos for dry scalps, sensitive skin and eczema Testing Ollson and Kind2 shampooShampoo for eczema and TSW Rhassoul clay - Image from Natural Spa SuppliesRhassoul clay shampoo for dry, itchy eczema scalp

Filed Under: Eczema, Skin care Tagged With: A'Kin Unscented natural shampoo, best shampoo for dry scalp, best shampoo for eczema, clay shampoo, De Bronner's Castille soap, Green People sensitive skin shampoo, lavea green clay shampoo, Moo Goo Milk shampoo, My Pure mild baby shampoo, natural shampoo, Odylique gentle herb shampoo, paraben free shampoo, Pure Earth Hair wash, sensitive scalp, sentisive skin shampoo, shampoo for eczema, SLS free shampoo, So Organic sensitive scalp shampoo

About Ruth Holroyd

Author of 'Anaphylaxis: The Essential Guide: An Action Plan For Living With Life-Threatening Allergies' and 'The Shape of Skin, both available as paperback or Kindle on Amazon. Ruth is a Writer, Blogger and Patient Expert in allergies, asthma, anaphylaxis, eczema and topical steroid withdrawal.

Comments

  1. L Sane says

    08/08/2015 at 3:32 am

    Hi Ruth,
    I simply use a saponified organic coconut oil and water bar soap. I wash my hair and body with it. For the driest areas of my skin, I use a saponified organic olive oil and water bar soap. These two soaps have two ingredients each.

    I keep a bar of a shampoo soap by my kitchen sink for washing my hands. I’ve got oily hair so I don’t need the shampoo bar’s extra oils.

    I get all my products from Soap For Goodness Sake dot com. The soaps I use have less than five ingredients.

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      08/08/2015 at 11:16 am

      I love this idea, such a simple product. I’ll definitely be trying these. Let’s see if I can get your link pasted in here: http://soapforgoodnesssake.com

      Reply
  2. Maree says

    08/08/2015 at 6:56 am

    Also have a problem with coconut makes my scalp itch, all of the above have it bar one. Just bought a QV nourishing shampoo & conditioner from the chemist used it for the second time today my scalp feels better already

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      08/08/2015 at 11:24 am

      Thanks Maree, I just checked out that QV shampoo. For those reading comments here the ingredients are: Aqua (water), TEA-lauryl sulphate, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Lauryl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Glycol Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Methylparaben, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, Glycolic Acid, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA. I don’t know what some of these ingredients are but it does contain parabens which are not great. I’m glad it is helping your scalp but perhaps try the Pure Earth Hair wash listed above which has much better ingredients. Also I think A’kin one doesn’t have coconut… or is anything that says coco that you have a problem with? There are some coco somethings in the A’kin one. Skin Blossom which I didn’t feature here might also be free from coconut and is quite cheap, and I’ve seen it in chemists and supermarkets so look out for it. I have some to test so might blog about it soon if it’s good. I lost the will to live and just had to share this one before it turned into top 20 shampoos and took me 10 years to write ;o)

      Reply
      • Maree says

        09/08/2015 at 1:36 am

        Thanks Ruth I will try the Pure Earth Hair Wash. After doing more research I found QV does have coconut in it.
        These ingredients, commonly found in soaps and shampoos, come from coconut in some way, shape, or form:
        1,2 Octanediol
        2 Phenoxyethanol
        Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate
        Capryl Glycol
        Caprylic Acid
        Caprylic Glycol
        Caprylic/Capric
        Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides
        Caprylyl Glycol
        Ceteareth-20
        Cetearyl Alcohol
        Cetearyl Glucoside
        Ceteth-20 Phosphate
        Cetyl Alcohol
        Cetyl Esters
        Cocamide MEA
        Cocamidopropyl Betaine
        Cococaprylate/Caprate
        Coco Glucoside
        Cocomide DEA
        Coconut diethanolamide (CDFA)
        Cocos nucifera (another name for coconut oil)
        Coconut Oil
        Decyl Glucoside
        Disodium Cocamphodiprop
        Disodium cocoamphodiacetate
        Emusifying Wax
        Glyceryl Caprylate
        Glyceryl cocoate
        Hexyl Laurate
        Isopropyl Myristate
        Laureth-3
        Lauric Acid
        Lauryl Glucoside
        Lauryl Alcohol
        Lauramide DEA
        Myristic Acid
        Olefin Sulfonate
        Organic Sodium Cocoate
        PEG – 7 Glyceryl Cocoate
        PEG -100
        PEG – 100 Stearate
        Phenoxyethanol
        Polysorbate 20
        Sodium Cocoate
        Sodium Coco-Sulfate
        Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
        Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
        Sucrose Stearate
        Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
        Sodium Laureth Sulfate
        Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinat
        Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
        Sodium Stearate
        Sorbitan Stearate
        Stearyl Alcohol
        Stearalkonium chloride
        Sucrose Cocoate
        TEA-Laureth Sulfate
        Vegetable Cetearyl Glucose
        Vegetable Glycerine

        Reply
        • Ruth says

          09/08/2015 at 10:05 am

          WOWZERS that is some list! I am on a mission now to find coconut free washing stuff. Watch this space.

          Reply
          • Maree says

            09/08/2015 at 1:44 pm

            It sure is, no wonder I couldn’t find a shampoo. I thought it might be helpful for those with a coconut allergy. Just ordered Pure Earth Hair Wash online, I will let you know what it’s like.

  3. Chris Bateson says

    16/11/2015 at 3:37 pm

    Hi Ruth

    Thanks for the article – I have very dry skin and a dry, sometimes itchy scalp and after an article you did over a year ago, switched to Barefoot SOS shampoo, face and body wash and the face cream. When I use the products consistently I do not have any problems.

    Chris

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      16/11/2015 at 5:01 pm

      Hi Chris, I’m so glad you find their products helpful. I love them too, but have turned into a bit of a swapper and a changer, partly so I can try out some of these new shampoos I’m finding I guess but that brand is good. I’m using Skin Blossom at the moment which seems to be quite good

      Reply
  4. Mariam Kohl says

    28/10/2017 at 2:23 am

    I have an allergy to Balsam of Peru (which has many other names).

    Needing recommendations for shampo0/conditioner, deodarant that do NOT contain BoP, Benzaldehyde, Benzoic acid, Benzoin, Benzyl salicylate and beeswax.

    Would love any helpful information.

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Ruth Holroyd says

      17/11/2017 at 11:10 am

      Hi Mariam, well this is a rare one. I’m not an expert on this ingredient but I can have a search around. In the meantime this is a more recent blog that I wrote on the subject when I had a whole shelf of new ones to try out. https://whatallergy.com/2017/01/natural-non-irritant-shampoo-for-dry-eczema-scalps/

      Reply
    • Nancy Malnak says

      22/07/2021 at 12:20 pm

      Dear Ruth,

      Do not use any shampoo that has sodium benzoate or benzoic acid. It the worst ingredient and you should look it up before printing it in this space. I hive from it and it is in every shampoo. Go to your local grocery store or pharmacy and read the labels. Then google sodium benzoate allergy. Most people don’t even know why they itch after using an organic shampoo. Please remove this ingredient from your list.
      Thank you, Nancy

      Reply
      • Ruth Holroyd says

        22/07/2021 at 1:50 pm

        Hi Nancy, I will look into this ingredient. I don’t think I react to that ingredient myself and will go through the shampoos mentioned above and add a warning. I guess it’s impossible, anyone can be allergic to any ingredient, even natural ingredients and essential oils. I will look into this ingredient though. I wonder why it’s in so many of these products made for people with sensitive skin. It certainly doesn’t sound natural in any way.

        Reply
        • Bob says

          04/10/2021 at 6:02 pm

          I agree with Nancy regarding sodium benzoate. It took me a lot of trial and error to determine that sodium benzoate in hair products makes my scalp itch and causes flare-ups in my otherwise well-controlled asthma.

          Reply
          • Ruth Holroyd says

            12/10/2021 at 9:25 am

            It’s so hard to work out which one ingredient isn’t it? How did you work it out? Just trial and error? What is your go to shampoo that is safe for you?

  5. Sajina says

    21/11/2017 at 11:29 am

    I have eczema on my scalp and can’t find any shampoo that will not irrate my scalp. I think I would like to try Pure Earth Hair Wash as it seems not to have any harsh chemicals including Cocamidopropyl Betaine, which I think I am allergic too. I live in the UK and I can’t seem to find a webiste that will ship Pure Earth Hair Wash to the UK. Would you be able to help.

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Ruth Holroyd says

      21/11/2017 at 11:34 pm

      Ah OK. Maybe contact the FreeFrom SkinCAre Awards organisers. https://www.skinsmatter.com/ I’m not an expert, just someone trying different things but I promise to scour the ones I’m using to see if any are suitable. Good luck in your search.

      Reply
  6. Alison Renshaw says

    05/02/2018 at 3:29 pm

    Hi

    Re. Mariam – I too have an allergy to Balsam of Peru, and I’m struggling to find a hand wash, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner without any Benzyl Benzoate!

    Any help would be gratefully received as I’m currently losing the will to live.

    Reply
    • Ruth Holroyd says

      11/02/2018 at 10:20 pm

      Check out the SkinCAre Awards, google it. They might be able to help.

      Reply
  7. Kellie says

    18/03/2018 at 7:36 pm

    My daughter has an allergy to sodium benzoate. It seems to be in most shampoos. We will be checking the ones you have listed above. The shampoos with sodium benzoate give her hives over her shoulders and back. No matter how well she rinses. We are having a hard time finding any without it.

    Reply
    • Ruth Holroyd says

      21/03/2018 at 9:22 pm

      I have one now by Odylique which is their Gentle Herb Shampoo which doesn’t look like it contains Sodium Benzoate. Please double check before buying.

      Reply
  8. Kara says

    07/04/2018 at 7:12 pm

    Most of these are not actually allergen free, as Maree pointed out above. Anything that is coconut based can cause problems for people like me. Most of these shampoo options would cause me to break out into hives and for my head to scab over.

    Reply
    • Ruth Holroyd says

      07/04/2018 at 10:37 pm

      Hi Kara, I’m really sorry about that. I’ve just been trying to share my own findings of what works for me. I’m using John Master organic no fragrance shampoo at the moment. What do you use?

      Reply
  9. Rena says

    31/08/2018 at 3:00 am

    My child has an allergy to linalool which occurs naturally in over 200 essential oils including lavender and tea tree oil . Linalool exacerbates her ezema. Just about every shampoo I have researched, including the ones above, contain at least one oil. (I am unfamiliar if jojoba oil contains linalool.) Can you recommend a shampoo that does not contain linalool? Thanks so much.

    Reply
  10. Nonjabusiness says

    19/09/2019 at 4:50 pm

    Cocamidopropyl Betaine is just as bad for your hair as SLS is and should be avoided! Same goes for Cocomide DEA, Cocomide MEA, Hydroxysultain and anything starting with PEG.

    These are used in all the shampoos you mentioned!

    Reply
    • Loal says

      08/04/2020 at 8:22 am

      I have a major allergy to coco betaine and parabens including essential oils such as lavender, rosemary and camomile and I’m really struggling to find a shampoo and conditioner

      Reply
    • MALGORZATA says

      19/03/2023 at 12:34 pm

      HELLO COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE IS A STRONG ALLERGENT I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU

      Reply
  11. Jo Johnson says

    26/01/2020 at 7:08 pm

    I have a lot of allergies. Citrus and Aloe and tree-nuts. I can tolerate products with coco-nut but none of the rest. A lot of the shampoos listed have citric acid and/or aloe. Do you know of any that do have those ingredients. Almost everything seems to have the citric acid in it. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Ruth Holroyd says

      27/01/2020 at 11:29 am

      Hi Jo, off the top of my head I don’t know of any that are citric acid free. I’ve done a quick search and your’e right, most do seem to, even the really lovely natural ones. You could experiment with Rhassoul clay, which I have used to wash my hair. One ingredient, just the clay and very natural and good for the scalp. YOu also need to make a conditioner for which I used diluted cider vinegar. Check this out https://whatallergy.com/2015/01/rhassoul-clay-shampoo-for-dry-itchy-eczema-scalp/
      And in the meantime I’ll see if I can find one that is citric acid free.

      Reply
      • Annemarie says

        31/01/2022 at 11:49 am

        My daughter is allergic to Citric acid, and the only shampoos that I can find that works for her are: ,Good bubble, shampoo and conditioner, and Garnier Ultimate blends shampoo bar. Citric acid is a natural product that is added in nearly everything to balance the PH, even in food!

        Reply
        • Ruth Holroyd says

          31/01/2022 at 11:56 am

          Gosh yes citric acid is in a lot of things. I wonder if Kind2 bar shampoo might help, I use it. No plastic packaging and it’s got no citric acid. It does have Sorbic acid though. Use Promo Code WHATALLERGY for 15% off – https://kind2.me/?ref=kevdm7wlvl3

          Reply
  12. Loal says

    08/04/2020 at 8:28 am

    I have a major allergy to coco betaine and parabens including essential oils such as lavender, rosemary and camomile and I’m really struggling to find a shampoo and conditioner.

    Does anyone know of any that I could try. I’ve been searching for years and the pain is unreal. I’m currently using Avalon Organics Apple cider shampoo and conditioner (which is the best I’ve found so far as only has Calendula O cinalis Flower Extract *marigold* part of the camomile family also)
    It’s awful when you can’t even wash your hair without irritation.

    Reply
    • Ruth Holroyd says

      08/04/2020 at 12:08 pm

      One thing you could try is Rhassoul Clay, it’s a bit of a faff, but works well with cider vinegar natural conditioner. You make it up yourself. Check out https://whatallergy.com/2015/02/pros-and-cons-of-washing-hair-with-rhassoul-clay/

      Reply
    • Ruth Holroyd says

      08/04/2020 at 12:09 pm

      In the meantime I will have a look at the ones I’m using and see if I can find something. There must be something out there

      Reply
      • Loal says

        14/04/2020 at 2:57 pm

        Thank you

        Reply
        • Ruth Holroyd says

          15/04/2020 at 10:15 am

          My pleasure… not found any miracle shampoo yet

          Reply
  13. Sammy says

    09/04/2021 at 4:46 pm

    I see many have corn derivatives included. Any suggestions on corn free products?

    Reply
    • Ruth Holroyd says

      10/04/2021 at 5:40 pm

      Yes actually, I’ve been using one by Kind2, Ingredients: Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Kaolin, Camellia Seed Oil, Fullers Earth, Macadamia Oil, Chia Seed Oil. Check it out here: https://kind2.me/products/the-sensitive-one

      Reply
  14. Anj says

    18/12/2022 at 10:18 pm

    For those with Benzoate, Balsam of Peru, etc allergies you’ll also need to stay clear of any product with Aloe Vera in it. The plant contains benzoates naturally.
    I’ve found several benzoate free shampoos over the years but sadly after a few months, sometimes years of using them I’ll get sensitive to them and have to start the search again.
    Currently I use https://www.houseofmistry.com/ products.

    Reply
    • Ruth Holroyd says

      19/12/2022 at 11:23 am

      Thanks so much for sharing, avoiding aloe vera and balsam of peru must be really hard work. I see it as an ingredient in so many products. Thank you so much for sharing.

      Reply
      • Paula says

        21/01/2023 at 10:42 pm

        Thank you Ruth for your very informative article and your tireless support to everyone who has written in to you

        Reply
        • Ruth Holroyd says

          22/01/2023 at 2:37 pm

          Hi Paula, thanks for your lovely comment. I’m always finding new shampoos, so perhaps I need to update this blog!

          Reply

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Welcome to my blog!

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Hello, I’m Ruth, author and blogger

Ruth

 

Hi I'm Ruth. I've grown up with eczema and multiple life-threatening allergies and collected more as I've got older.  It started with a peanut allergy and now I'm allergic to milk, wheat, soya and many more. In this blog I share tips, advice and things I've learnt living with allergies, asthma and eczema with a focus on topical steroid withdrawal. You can buy my books, which are brilliant by the way! The first is Anaphylaxis: The essential guide and the second, The Shape of Skin, healing poems for eczema and sensitive skin. The reviews speak for themselves. If you want to chat you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn (links below). Do get in touch. And please comment on blogs, it makes a humble blogger do a little happy dance!

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The Shape of Skin – poetry for eczema

The Shape of Skin poetry for eczemaThe Shape of Skin

Strange, striking and sensitive poems for people with eczema, psoriasis, topical steroid withdrawal and troubled skin.

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Anaphylaxis - the essential guideAnaphylaxis - The Essential Guide. An action plan for living with life threatening allergies.

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