Question from Carole
I used the Janice Shampoo and conditioner for many many years from their catalogs or web page….now seeking more safe shampoo and conditioners…I’m 78 and have severe chemical allergies since 1942
Lisa’s Answer
You can look through several fragrance-free products on Debra’s List. Many of these companies sell hair products. Please note that not all of the products on this particular list are free of synthetic chemicals because it was developed by Debra for people who are sensitive to fragrance. For a list of non-toxic hair care please use this list, but know that they are not all fragrance free.
I had a very bad experience with Magick Botanicals. The ingredients listed on their shampoo bottle did not include any of the toxic chemicals that are listed in the EWG. I called the company and asked about it. They said it must have just been THAT particular bottle and proceeded to hang up on me!
I now use Nurture my Body products which offer both unscented and scented products with nontoxic ingredients. I also use Free and Clear occasionally. Both are fine and I have severe MCS.
I fine Dove to be very good, used it for years. Judy
I cannot speak for today’s dove. But back in the 1980s when I developed mcs,my mother came for a visit and brought her dove soap to use – I believe it said no fragrance; well it stunk of perfume and I wouldn’t let her use it. But maybe things have changed since then. Just wanted to mention this. If ever in doubt, always contact the company for more info.
Hi, check out these 2 companies
https://bubbleandbee.com/
personal experience- great deodorants and more, I haven’t tried the hair care products.
25% off and free shipping through end of this year
https://naturesskinandbody.com/
fabulous products – sunscreen, moisturizer, self-tanner, masks and more, plus special hair care I haven’t tried
Monthly promo 25% off all products, plus free product for every $100 before discount(!), and free shipping. Usually starts around 6th of each month.
There are several unsafe and toxic ingredients in the Magick Botanicals shampoo according to EWG. (Ingredients: Purified Water, Alpha Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocomide MEA, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.)
The propylparaben for one, is rated 5-7, and two others are 2-5. Because of this I stopped using it, even though it is fragrance-free.
I am now using Free & Clear Shampoo which is rated much better (on Think Dirty app).
I understand that this Magic Botanicals is fragrance free. However, their products have parabens, MEA, and other questionable ingredients that an MCS person shouldn’t even be exposed to. I realize everyone’s tolerance is different, but I think we should not promote companies that are still using ingredients that may be potentially harmful. I personally would never recommend these products. They are not “clean.” Fragrance-free and non-toxic are not mutually exclusive. As an MCS person, I would not want to absorb these chemicals into my body. Just my humble opinion.
Thank you for this information. I completely agree that if it contains those ingredients it should not be used. I added it because many readers have written about not being able to find it and when I found out it was again available, I listed it here. I should not have done so without checking the ingredients.
Does anyone know anything about Nature Clean shampoo – you can get it from Needs in Syracuse, NY. It’s a Canadian company. Says their shampoo is 99 % natural and unscented. The ingredients are: water, cocoglicoside disodium cocoamphodacetate, caprylyl /capryl glycoside, glycerin, xantham gum, chondrus crispus (carrageenan), citric acid, panthenol, sodium benzoate, and phenoxyethanol. This last ingredient concerns me.
Overall, the shampoo has a low level of toxicity. EWG rates it a 2 out of 10, with 1 being the least toxic. The ingredients of some concern are phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate, both of which are used as preservatives. The European Chemical Bureau (CPS&C) classifies phenoxyethanol as an irritant and Japan’s Standard for Cosmetics limits the concentration that can be used. Sodium Benzoate also has concentration limits by Japan’s Standard for Cosmetics. Given that the 2 ingredients of concern are last on the list, they are probably present in low concentrations.
John, what shampoo and conditioner do you use (assuming it is fragrance free)? Thanks.