The connection between the celiac disease and gluten in wheat was made in the middle of the last century by a Dutch pediatrician. Many scientists believe that the discovery was a result of the Dutch 1944 famine. The discovery resulted in people suffering from celiac disease giving up wheat and similar foods.
Much later in the 20th century, gluten-free foods started appearing in the aisle shelves giving celiac suffering people a much-needed reprieve. Gluten-free shampoo, however, appeared much later in the picture. In fact, for the longest time, the majority of shampoos available in the market contained gluten through hydrolyzed proteins obtained from gluten-containing ingredients.
| Budget |
|---|
 |
| Andalou Naturals Lavender & Biotin Full Volume Shampoo |
| 4.75/5.0 |
| Product Type: Shampoo |
| Volume: 11.5 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $0.96 |
| A great volumizing and strengthening shampoo that doesn’t contain gluten and is available at an amazingly pocket-friendly price and produces good lather. |
| Check Amazon |
| Best Value |
|---|
 |
| Verb Hydrating Gluten-Free Shampoo |
| 4.75/5.0 |
| Product Type: Shampoo |
| Volume: 32 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $1.25 |
| A nearly flawless and fairly affordable gluten-free shampoo that was developed solely for people with dry hair and a flaky scalp, it hydrates, detangles, and protects hair well. |
| Check Amazon |
| Top Pick |
|---|
 |
| Tree to Tub Soapberry for Hair Ultra Gentle Shampoo |
| 4.5/5.0 |
| Product Type: Shampoo |
| Volume: 8.5 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $2.10 |
| An unbelievable, super-mild, soapberry-based gluten-free shampoo that is perfect for countering dandruff, psoriasis, damaged or sensitive scalp, and even sensitivities to smell. |
| Check Amazon |
As a result, people with celiac disease had no other option than to go through the ingredients lists of multiple shampoos before making a purchase. Fortunately, all that has changed in recent decades as manufacturers have started catering to this requirement of people dealing with celiac disease. Now, many shampoos clearly mention that they’re gluten-free for the convenience of such customers.
This guide has also been developed for people coping with celiac disease. If you’re enduring the celiac diseases, then this guide will answer all your questions before helping you buy the right gluten-free shampoo for yourself and your family. Here’s everything you’ll find in this guide, laid out in a neat and easy to click navigation panel.
- Why Do Shampoos Contain Gluten?
- Do You Need A Gluten-Free Shampoo?
- What Type of Ingredients Do You Need to Avoid?
- Top 10 Gluten-Free Shampoos Comparison Table
- Top 4 Budget Gluten-Free Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Value Gluten-Free Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Premium Gluten-Free Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
Why Do Shampoos Contain Gluten?
Hair is made up of a protein called keratin. Damaged or brittle hair is essentially hair that has lost a good chunk of its protein content. Many shampoos offer this back to the hair by incorporating either keratin or another similar type of proteins into their formulae.
When these shampoos are applied to the scalp, the hair absorbs some of this protein, getting stronger in the process. Shampoos contain gluten because the proteins incorporated in the shampoo come from gluten-rich ingredients such as wheat.
Do You Need A Gluten-Free Shampoo?
The main problem with celiac disease is that even a little bit of gluten can result in a massive reaction. This is why cross-contamination is such a big problem for people suffering from celiac disease.
Some people can be so sensitive that they cannot even eat food from a kitchen that isn’t completely gluten-free. The reason why you need a gluten-free shampoo is that using such a shampoo can also result in cross-contamination.
The easiest way this could happen is if a little bit of the shampoo goes into your mouth. A more roundabout way would be for gluten to settle in your hair and then reaching your mouth or nose through your fingers because you touch your hair from time to time.
Some people even say that the gluten in these shampoos can get in your system through your skin i.e. your shampoo coats your skin and your skin absorbs the gluten in it. However, there’s no conclusive scientific evidence of this and most studies suggest that gluten molecules are too big to be absorbed by the skin.
At the same time, there are loads of people out there who are so sensitive to gluten that their skin breaks out when exposed to gluten. If you’re also very sensitive to gluten, the safest bet would be to avoid gluten-containing hair and skin products entirely.
What Type of Ingredients Do You Need to Avoid?
Many of the commonly used ingredients in shampoos contain gluten. While the majority of shampoos, these days, clearly state if they’re gluten-free, it is always better to check their ingredients list to make sure. Besides, some shampoos are gluten-free but don’t mention it in their marketing material.
Knowing which ingredients contain gluten can give you the option of verifying claims of gluten-free shampoos while simultaneously having the chance of finding gluten-free shampoos that aren’t marketed as such. Here’s a list of ingredients that usually contain gluten.
- Triticum Vulgare (scientific name of wheat)
- Stearyl dimonium hydroxypropyl (scientific name of hydrolyzed wheat protein)
- Laurdimonium hydroxypropyl(scientific name of hydrolyzed wheat protein)
- Wheat germ oil (obtained from wheat)
- Hordeum vulgare (scientific name of barley)
- Secale cereale (scientific name of rye)
- Avena sativa (scientific name of oats)
- Colloidal oatmeal (obtained from oats)
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (may be obtained from wheat)
- Dextrin palmitate (a type of starch that may be may be obtained from gluten-containing sources)
- Beta glucan (may be obtained from barley or oats)
Top 10 Gluten-Free Shampoos Comparison Table
Top 4 Budget Gluten-Free Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
1. Hask Biotin Boost Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
If you’ve only recently discovered that you have the celiac disease or have known it for a while but have been struggling to reign it in, then it is highly likely that you’re dealing with side effects of long-term gluten irritation. One of these side effects is hair loss which usually starts with thinning hair.
Typically, reactions to gluten can prevent the proper absorption of nutrients. This can, in turn, result in deficiencies in the body that can weaken hair. The outcome at the end of this series of problems is thinning hair. Naturally, you want to prioritize the celiac disease first but what if you could deal with thinning hair at the same time?
Hask’s Biotin Boost Thickening set of shampoo and conditioner will allow you to do just this. It is a pair designed specifically for people with thinning hair by the Hollywood hairstylist, John Villanueva. Villanueva, incidentally, is the personal hairstylist of Mark Wahlberg.
The shampoo and conditioner set both are based on biotin but feature collagen and coffee as well. Biotin is supposed to give hair volume, collagen is supposed to strengthen brittle hair while coffee is included to help the hair follicles.The ingredients do their job too with the shampoo and conditioner set pretty accomplished at thickening thinning hair.
All the ingredients in the shampoo and conditioner are natural except for silicones. The presence of silicones is a flaw in our eyes because of the long-term problems they create. At the same time, we understand their inclusion because silicones can help protect brittle hair well.
Even the silicones, though, can’t keep this set from leaving the hair too dry. Apart from silicones, this pair doesn’t contain any other synthetic ingredients including sulfates and parabens. It still manages to lather quite well.
The pair smells nice too with an herbal eucalyptus scent. While most people like the scent, some women find it a bit masculine. The best part is that this set is available at a very competitive price. In fact, it is one of the cheapest gluten-free sets available in the market right now.
A minor flaw that we feel should be mentioned is that neither of these bottles comes with a pump. This can make using them a bit difficult with wet hands.
In case you don’t have thinning hair but are still interested in Hask’s shampoo and conditioner set, there are other options to choose from.
Other available variants are cactus water for weightless moisture, charcoal for purifying, coconut milk and honey for curl care, coconut monoi for nourishment, macadamia oil for intense moisturization, rose oil and peach for color protection, tea tree oil for reinvigoration, argan oil for repairing, and blue chamomile for blonde care.
Who’s it for: If your hair is thinning and you’re looking for a pocket-friendly gluten-free shampoo and conditioner set, get this pair from Hask.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo & Conditioner Set |
| Product weight: 2 x 12 ounces |
| Active ingredients (shampoo): Biotin, hydrolyzed collagen, coffee seed oil, provitamin B5, corn starch, and silicones |
| Active ingredients (conditioner): Biotin, coffee, hydrolyzed collagen, shea butter, olive fruit oil, coconut oil, provitamin B5, silicones, and corn starch |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Best suited for people with thinning hair |
| Thickens hair and adds volume |
| 10 different variants available |
| Has a eucalyptus smell |
| Produces good lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Incredibly cheap set |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Shampoo and conditioner both contain silicones |
| Can leave the hair too dry |
| Some people may find the scent a bit masculine |
| Doesn’t come with a pump |
2. Free & Clear Hair Shampoo for Sensitive Skin
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
People with celiac disease are usually found to be more sensitive to other things as well such as to scents. Further, some of them are also allergic to various things. Multiple sensitivities and allergies can make life very difficult, especially when it comes to using products like shampoos.
One of the shampoos that most people with lots of sensitivities or allergies go for is the Free & Clear Hair Shampoo for Sensitive Skin. The reason for this is that this shampoo’s formula is easily the simplest of all competing products in the market.
In fact, this dermatologist-tested shampoo doesn’t even have any added fragrance. As a result, its smell is extremely basic. However, this does mean that its smell has a chemical or artificial note to it that you may or may not like. The one thing you can be sure of, though, is that this shampoo’s scent won’t irritate your nose.
This shampoo won’t even irritate your scalp or skin because of its pH-balanced formula. Further, the shampoo is completely free of synthetic chemicals and compounds such as parabens and sulfates. Because this shampoo doesn’t contain sulfates, it will be unable to produce a lot of lather in your hair.
This doesn’t mean that it won’t clean your hair, though. On the contrary, it is a cleansing shampoo that specializes in removing dandruff, sebum buildup, product buildup, flaking, and scaling.
While the shampoo is gentle enough to be used daily, its cleansing nature means that it will leave your hair very dry and prone to tangling. We suggest investing in a good gluten-free conditioner to counter this problem.
This shampoo isn’t available in differently sized bottles but that is alright because its price is competitive enough that you won’t need to look for larger bottles. The bottle it does come in will not have a pump so that’s something you should keep in mind.
Who’s it for: If you’re incredibly sensitive to gluten, smells, chemicals, and various natural ingredients, choose this simple Free & Clear shampoo.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 12 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Coconut derived compounds and provitamin B5 |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Best suited for people with dandruff and buildup |
| Good cleansing shampoo |
| Has a basic smell |
| No added fragrance |
| pH balanced shampoo |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Fairly affordable |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Leaves the hair too dry |
| The smell maybe a bit too artificial |
| Doesn’t produce a lot of lather |
| Doesn’t come with a pump |
3. Desert Essence Coconut Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
The Desert Essence brand has been very popular amongst people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease for a very long time. This is partly because the brand traces its history back to the late ‘70s but mainly because its products are very effective and truly gluten-free.
This Coconut Shampoo from the brand is the perfect example. It was developed for people with dry hair. When used, it moisturizes and detangles dry hair while simultaneously softening it and giving it a great shine. However, it is best suited for normal to dry haired people. If your hair is drier than most then it may not work for you.
For the majority of people, though, it is quite effective. This is because of two reasons. The first is that this shampoo contains three very strong moisturizers in the form of shea butter, coconut, oil, and jojoba seed oil. The other is that it doesn’t contain any sulfates.
It contains coconut-derived sulfates but the only thing they have in common with synthetic sulfates is the name. Scientifically speaking, they don’t even have the same properties, except for one – lather. This shampoo is very good at producing lather because of these coconut-derived cleansers.
The coconut oil and coconut-based cleansers in the shampoo are also responsible for its scent. It has a decidedly coconut and tropical smell. Further, the formula is free of all synthetic chemicals and compounds including parabens, which makes the shampoo suitable for colored hair too.
The biggest issue with this shampoo is its packaging. It comes in eight-ounce tubes which are very difficult to handle in the bathroom. The hole in the caps is very small which means that getting a sufficient amount of the product out becomes the chore, especially with wet hands.
You can get this shampoo in three different sizes i.e. a single tube, a pack of two tubes, and a pack of three tubes.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for the traditionally famous gluten-free shampoo, go for this one from Desert Essence.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 8 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Coconut derived sulfates, rosemary leaf extract, yarrow extract, elderberry flower extract, fennel seed extract, shea butter, coconut oil, and jojoba seed oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Best suited for people with dry hair |
| It hydrates, detangles, and softens hair well |
| Has a coconut smell |
| Produces good lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Available in three differently sized packs |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Doesn’t always provide sufficient moisture |
| Comes in a tube |
4. Andalou Naturals Lavender & Biotin Full Volume Shampoo (Best Budget)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
Andalou Naturals’ gluten-free shampoos are the best when it comes to the budget market segment. There is a total of eight variants to choose from and each one of them is a great option.
The available variants are the age defying argan stem cell, the brilliant shine sunflower and citrus, the complex color care 1000 roses, the daily dose, the flower power, the moisture hit, the moisture rich argan oil and shea, and the full volume lavender and biotin. We’re reviewing the full volume variant here.
As its name suggests, this shampoo is intended for gluten-sensitive or celiac sufferers who are also coping with thinning hair. This shampoo is fairly effective at adding shine, body, and lift to fine hair.
The company also says that people with medium hair will benefit from this shampoo. However, the results are a hit and miss if you don’t have very fine hair. If you have medium or close to medium hair, then the shampoo may fail to provide the lift you want, leaving your hair flat and lifeless.
For people with fine hair, though, it can work wonders due to its ingredients. It contains a stem cell complex along with lavender and biotin which not only give the hair bounce but also the strength it needs to cope with adverse environmental conditions. The stem cell complex is drawn from grapes, hemp plant, heirloom apple, argan tree, and swiss alpine rose.
The smell of this shampoo comes from its lavender content. The scent is very soft and subtle making it suitable even for people with sensitive noses.
There are no synthetic ingredients in this shampoo’s formula, and this includes parabens and sulfates both. Despite the absence of sulfates, this shampoo still manages to produce considerable lather.
The shampoo is also available in varying sizes. Available options are 8.5-ounce bottles, 11.5-ounce bottles, and 32-ounce bottles. None of the bottles come with a pump, though.
In terms of pricing, this shampoo falls in the budget market segment but only barely. For this reason, instead of calling it cheap, we think this shampoo is best described as affordable.
Who’s it for: Regardless of what type of gluten-free shampoo you’re looking for, you’ll find Andalou Naturals’ multiple offerings to be the best bet in the budget segment.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 11.5 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Aloe vera leaf juice, coconut derived cleansers, fruit stem cells, BioActive Berry Complex, jojoba seed oil, vitamin B complex, lavender flower extract, wolf’s bane flower extract, chamomile flower extract, flaxseed oil, grape seed oil, white tea leaf extract, roselle flower extract, vitamin E, guar gum, Tasmanian blue gum leaf oil, and lavender flower oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Best suited for people with thinning hair |
| Thickens hair and adds volume |
| 8 different variants available |
| Has a soft lavender smell |
| Produces good lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Available in three differently sized bottles |
| Fairly affordable shampoo |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Doesn’t always provide sufficient volume |
| Doesn’t come with a pump |
Top 3 Value Gluten-Free Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
5. Mineral Fusion Volumizing Hair Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
Mineral Fusion is a company that specializes in using the benefits of minerals in its products. In the case of gluten-free shampoos, they offer nine variants. The one we’re reviewing here is for thinning hair, while the others are anti-dandruff, curl care, fortifying, hair repair, lasting color, smoothing, strengthening, and vibrant shine.
The biggest thing you need to remember about these shampoos is that the company says they’re gluten-free even though they list hydrolyzed barley protein in their ingredients list. Barley is known for containing gluten but in very minuscule amounts.
The hydrolyzed barley protein these shampoos contain is in very small quantities, to begin with. The fact that barley itself contains trace amounts of gluten means that the possible amount of gluten in these shampoos is incredibly small.
Whether this causes a reaction in you or not depends on how severe your problem is. Therefore, while a lot of celiac disease suffering people have used Mineral Fusion shampoos without problems, you’ll have to make up your own mind if you want to risk it.
The company, though, openly calls these shampoos gluten-free. Further, the shampoos are quite impressive too. The volumizing variant we’re reviewing here contains argan oil and a series of minerals. Argan oil helps moisturize the hair while the minerals strengthen strands from the inside out.
The formula is also free of all artificial chemicals and compounds including parabens and sulfates. It still manages to create a considerable amount of lather. In fact, you’ll only need a little of it to get the lather you can enjoy.
When taking the shampoo out, we suggest being careful because the bottle doesn’t come with a dispensing pump. Using too much of this shampoo will not only create too much lather but will also lead to wastage and negate the volume this shampoo is supposed to create.
Unlike products that are based on herbal essences and extracts, this one doesn’t have a medicinal or herbal scent. Instead, its smell is clean and metallic owing to its minerals. Most people like the simple clean scent too. Patriots will love these shampoos especially because it is made in the US.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a gluten-free shampoo that uses utilizes benefits of various minerals, choose Mineral Fusion’s offerings.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 8.5 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Aloe vera leaf juice, coconut derived cleansers, hydrolyzed barley protein, malachite extract, smithsonite extract, rhodochrosite extract, hematite extract, provitamin B5, jojoba seed oil, dead sea mud, pomegranate extract, mica, argan kernel oil, vitamin E, olive leaf extract, dog rose flower extract, and honeysuckle flower extract |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Best suited for people with thinning hair |
| Adds volume and moisture |
| 9 different variants available |
| Has a fresh, clean smell |
| Produces good lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Made in the US |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Contains hydrolyzed barley protein |
| Doesn’t always provide sufficient volume |
| Doesn’t come with a pump |
6. Verb Hydrating Shampoo (Best Value)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
When it comes to hair care, very few products can claim to even come close to being flawless but the Hydrating Shampoo from Verb is one product that does. As its name suggests, it is a moisturizing shampoo which means that it is particularly useful for people with dry hair.
This is also a gluten-free shampoo, even though the company doesn’t highlight that fact well enough. It does contain hydrolyzed vegetable protein but the company has specified that the source is gluten-free. More importantly, many people suffering from celiac disease have used this product without any side effects.
While it is a hydrating shampoo, don’t expect to offer the kind of intense moisturization that is usually the job of conditioners. It hydrates through various ingredients such as provitamin B5, hydrolyzed quinoa, and argan oil. These ingredients also give this shampoo the ability to protect hair from ultraviolet radiation.
The shampoo is gentle and mild enough to be used regularly on colored or chemically treated hair. It doesn’t contain any synthetic ingredients such as parabens and sulfates. Despite the absence of sulfates, this shampoo scores well when it comes to producing lather. This is because it contains a series of coconut-based cleansers.
In terms of scent, you can expect your hair to smell fresh and clean after a shower. The smell is neither too strong nor too subtle. As a result, most people end up liking it.
You can get this shampoo in two differently sized bottles. One contains 12 ounces of the product while the other’s capacity is 32 ounces. We should add that the bigger bottle is more pocket-friendly for two reasons.
The first is that it is cheaper on a per-ounce basis and the other is that it comes with a pump. The dispensing pump prevents wastage and makes the bottle last longer. The company doesn’t provide a pump with the smaller bottle.
Who’s it for: If you have dry hair, are sensitive to gluten, and need a nearly flawless shampoo, get the Verb Hydrating Shampoo.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 32 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Coconut derived cleansers, provitamin B5, hydrolyzed quinoa, aloe vera leaf juice, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, argan kernel oil, and sunflower seed extract |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Best suited for people with dry hair |
| It hydrates, detangles, and protects hair well |
| Has a fresh, clean smell |
| Produces good lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Available in two differently sized bottles |
| The bigger bottle comes with a pump |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Doesn’t always provide sufficient moisture |
| The smaller bottle doesn’t come with a pump |
7. Puracy Natural Daily Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity often struggle to find a good cleansing shampoo developed with natural ingredients. What products they do find are either don’t cleanse well enough or contain an ingredient that isn’t entirely natural or suitable to their condition.
The Puracy Natural Daily Shampoo, though, bucks that trend. Even though the company presents it as a cleansing and hydrating shampoo, we think it is better at removing buildup that adding moisture.
However, this varies based on hair type. Some people report that this shampoo cleansed their scalp well but ended up leaving their hair too dry while others say that it provided sufficient hydration.
Technically speaking, this shampoo does have ingredients for adding moisture such as beet sugar extract, provitamin B5, vitamin E, and squalene derived from olive oil. Therefore, it has the capability to moisturize hair.
On the other hand, it has even better cleansing ingredients in the form of several coconut-based cleansers. The cleansers are potent enough for this shampoo to produce a rich lather, especially since the shampoo’s formula has no space for sulfates. In fact, the formula is free of all types of synthetic ingredients including phosphates and parabens.
The shampoo smells nice too. Its scent is a mix of citrus and mint, although the company says it has a hint of eucalyptus too. The scent, however, is a little on the strong side which may bother some people.
You can get this shampoo in three different sizes. The smallest is a 16-ounce bottle, the biggest is a 64-ounce refill pack, and in the middle is a double-pack containing 16-ounce bottles. The bottles come with a pump allowing for easy dispensing of the shampoo.
Puracy backs this shampoo with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee which means that you can claim a refund if you don’t like your purchase. They also categorically specify that the product is manufactured exclusively in the USA.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a gluten-free shampoo that excels at removing buildup, then you won’t find any better than this one from Puracy.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 2 x 16 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Coconut derived cleansers, beet sugar extract, ivy extract, soapbark extract, black walnut leaf extract, matricaria extract, ginseng root extract, aloe vera leaf juice, bergamot essential oil, Himalayan pink sea salt, eucalyptus essential oil, peppermint essential oil, squalene, and vitamin E. |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Best suited for people with buildup |
| Good cleansing shampoo |
| Has a citrus and mint smell |
| Produces good lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Comes with a pump |
| Available in three differently sized bottles |
| Backed by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee |
| Made in the US |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Can leave the hair too dry |
| The smell maybe a bit too strong |
Top 3 Premium Gluten-Free Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
8. PURA D’OR Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Biotin Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
As we mentioned earlier in this guide, many times the celiac disease can end up causing hair thinning and hair loss. It happens due to deficiencies created by insufficient absorption of nutrition in the gut.
As a result, people who discover that they have celiac disease at a much later stage in their life often have hair loss to contend with too. Effectively, they’re forced to choose between gluten-free hair products and hair products that can help them against hair loss. Pura D’Or’s Original Gold Label Anti Thinning Biotin Shampoo is a product thatbridges this gap.
This is a shampoo that has made a name for itself amongst people dealing with hair loss. Apart from numerous anecdotal pieces of evidence of people seeing hair growth because of this shampoo, this product’s effectiveness against hair loss is backed by a clinical study too.
According to the company, an eight-week study showed positive results brought about this shampoo. Even so, like all solutions for hair loss, this one cannot offer a 100 percent success rate. Hair loss is a complex problem with multiple influences. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that this shampoo doesn’t work for everyone.
To be fair, the shampoo does contain a slew of ingredients known for countering hair loss. They have strengthening ingredients such as biotin, he shou wu, red Korean seaweed, argan oil, black cumin seed, aloe vera, tea tree oil, niacin, and vitamin E in the formula.
Additionally, the formula also incorporates multiple dihydrotestosterone (DHT) blockers. The most notable DHT blockers included in this shampoo are nettle extract, pumpkin seed, and saw palmetto.
The best part, though, is that this shampoo’s formula has no room for ingredients that are known to contain gluten, making it a perfect solution for people suffering from celiac disease. Further, this shampoo doesn’t even have any synthetic chemicals or compounds such as parabens and sulfates.
As a result, the biggest flaw of this shampoo is that it doesn’t produce a lot of lather. If you love lather, then this is something you’ll have to come to terms with before buying this shampoo. The shampoo does cleanse the hair and scalp well, though. It even leaves the hair too dry for some people.
The smell of this shampoo is an outcome of all the herbal essences and extracts it contains. As a result, its herbal scent is earthy and woodsy with a minty note to it. The smell is subtle which appeals to most people but medicinal which can put off a few.
The only other flaw of this shampoo than not producing sufficient lather is that it is a little on the expensive side. The saving grace is that the company offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, which you can avail for a full refund. The bottle also comes with a pump preventing wastage.
Who’s it for: If you are coping with the celiac disease or gluten sensitivity along with hair loss, then this shampoo from Pura D’Or will help you with both problems.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 16 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Aloe vera leaf juice, coconut derived cleansers, lactobacillus ferment, willow bark extract, tea tree leaf oil, argan kernel oil, black cumin seed oil, nettle leaf extract, red Korean seaweed extract, biotin, saw palmetto fruit extract, cedarwood bark oil, rosemary leaf oil, clary oil, he shou wu root extract, hibiscus flower extract, pygeum bark extract, pumpkin seed oil, green tea leaf extract, zinc sulfate, soy isoflavones, amla fruit oil, lemon peel oil, grapefruit seed extract, lemongrass oil, vitamin B3, and vitamin E |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Best suited for people with hair loss |
| Encourages hair re-growth and strengthens existing hair |
| Blocks DHT well |
| Has an impressive list of ingredients |
| Has a light, earthy, and woodsy smell |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Comes with a pump |
| Backed by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Can leave the hair too dry |
| Slightly on the expensive side |
| Doesn’t work for everyone |
| Doesn’t produce lather like mainstream shampoos |
| Its smell has a medicinal note that everyone doesn’t like |
9. Tree to Tub Soapberry for Hair Ultra Gentle Shampoo (Top Pick)
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
In the premium market for gluten-free shampoos, this offering from Tree to Tub is the best purely because it caters to a wide variety of needs. The Soapberry for Hair Ultra Gentle Shampoo is a great buy for extremely sensitive people in terms of the scalp and smells.
Further, it is ideal for people who have a damaged scalp or are suffering from scalp-based diseases such as psoriasis. Naturally, this makes this shampoo suitable for countering dandruff too because dandruff is a scalp-based problem.
As effective as this shampoo is, though, it hasn’t helped everyone who has used it. For instance, there are people who say that it hasn’t helped their psoriasis problem. However, this could be because the problem was far too advanced for an over the counter product to resolve.
Besides, this shampoo isn’t a cure but helpful against psoriasis because it doesn’t aggravate the problem. As the name of this shampoo shows, it is formulated to be extremely gentle which is why it is so useful for all these types of problems.
The formula of this shampoo is different from its competitors because it is based on soapberry. Soapberry is known for being rich in saponin, which is responsible for producing lather. Tree to Tub, in fact, emphasizes its soapberry extraction process. The company says that it is sourced sustainably and processed in an ecofriendly way in its native country i.e. Taiwan.
The process includes harvesting soapberries from eco-reserves without damaging the trees, drying them in the sun, manually removing their seed, and then using a local processing technique to arrive at its essence. To support their claim, the company even delivers a real dried soapberry with every bottle of this shampoo.
The inclusion of soapberries in this shampoo’s formula is significant because they’re known for producing lather while being gentle. In this shampoo, they’re combined with coconut-based cleansers to ensure greater lather.
Even though they produce lather, the lather cannot be compared to what you get from shampoos that contain sulfates. This shampoo doesn’t contain sulfates or any other synthetic ingredients like parabens. Soapberry is also known for its pH neutral nature, which is why this shampoo is pH balanced at 5.5.
Apart from these ingredients, this shampoo also contains moisturizers in the form of organic Moroccan argan oil, aloe vera, olive leaves, and chamomile. The gentleness of the formula means that it is color-safe too.
The reason why this shampoo is a great choice for people who are sensitive to smells is that it doesn’t have any. It doesn’t have any added fragrance and the result is a very neutral scent that barely registers. For all intents and purposes, this shampoo doesn’t have a smell.
The only problem with this product is a result of its exotic roots. Because it comes from Taiwan, it is very expensive. The company does protect its consumers by offering a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee towards a full refund. Another positive trait is that the bottles come with pumps, which prevents wastage and ensures that the shampoo lasts a long time.
Who’s it for: If your scalp is extremely sensitive, you have psoriasis, or if you have problems with smells, then this shampoo from Tree to Tub can help you.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 8.5 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Wild soapberry juice, coconut derived cleansers, jojoba oil esters, lavender essential oil, chamomile extract, olive leaf extract, aloe vera leaf juice, and argan kernel oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Best suited for people with a sensitive scalp, a sensitive nose, or psoriasis |
| Good anti-dandruff shampoo |
| Doesn’t have a smell |
| No added fragrance |
| pH balanced shampoo |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Comes with a pump |
| Comes with a free dried soapberry |
| Backed by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Doesn’t work for everyone |
| Doesn’t produce a lot of lather |
| Expensively priced |
10. LuxeOrganix Moroccan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
This is the second shampoo and conditioner set in this gluten-free shampoo guide. On a per ounce basis, while the first set was the cheapest option in the market, this one is the most expensive. In fact, this set is expensive enough to be qualified as a luxury product.
Based on Moroccan argan oil, this shampoo and conditioner set is intended for people with very dry, frizzy, and curly hair. It is very good at hydrating this type of hair and giving it the kind of appearance that you would expect from a luxury product. For instance, after using this pair, your hair will have bounce, volume, shine, and vibrancy. Additionally, it would also get protection from heat and ultraviolet rays.
The conditioner in this set, however, can be a problem for people who are extremely sensitive to gluten because it contains hydrolyzed wheat protein. Even though wheat is the most well-known carrier of gluten, the company still says that this set is gluten-free.
To be fair to them, they say that this ingredient accounts for less than 0.1 percent of the shampoo. The amount is incredibly small and will probably not cause reactions in the vast majority of the gluten-sensitive people. At the same time, extremely sensitive people should be careful.
The smell of this shampoo and conditioner set is also a little divisive. The company says it has a creamsicle scent. In practice, the scent can be best described as a combination of orange and vanilla. In effect, it is a citrusy smell with a sweet side. A lot of people may not like the sweetnessof the scent.
The shampoo in this set is also not that great at lathering mainly because it doesn’t contain any sulfates. This is a good thing, though, because sulfates can be very drying and damaging to hair. They can also strip the hair of color and chemical treatments. In fact, the set doesn’t contain any artificial chemicals or compounds, making it great for sensitive people and people with colored or chemically treated hair.
The biggest issue with this set, as mentioned earlier, is its cost. It is an incredibly expensive shampoo and conditioner set. Over time, it turns out to be even more expensive because the shampoo finishes lightning fast.
It has an extremely thin consistency which is not helped by the fact that the bottles don’t come with pumps. Without a dispensing pump, you end up taking more of the shampoo than you need, resulting in it getting finished. Quicker refills mean that the cost of this set becomes a problem over time.
This shampoo and conditioner set, though, will appeal to the patriots since it is manufactured entirely in the USA.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a luxurious experience but are limited to gluten-free products, try this shampoo and conditioner set from LuxeOrganix.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo & Conditioner Set |
| Product weight: 2 x 8 ounces |
| Active ingredients (shampoo): Coconut derived cleansers, Moroccan argan oil, and provitamin B5 |
| Active ingredients (conditioner): Coconut derived conditioners, argan kernel oil, silicones, provitamin B5, vitamin E, vitamin A ester, matricaria flower extract, yarrow extract, dog rose fruit extract, lemon balm leaf extract, lemongrass extract, white oak bark extract, spotted cranesbill extract, sage leaf extract, aloe vera leaf juice, witch hazel extract, and hydrolyzed wheat protein |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Best suited for people with curly, frizzy, and dry hair |
| Good at giving shine and protection hair |
| Has an orange and vanilla smell |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Made in the US |
| The Cons |
|---|
| The conditioner contains hydrolyzed wheat protein |
| Doesn’t come with a pump |
| Some people may find the smell too sweet |
| Doesn’t produce a lot of lather |
| A very expensively priced set |
Contents
- Why Do Shampoos Contain Gluten?
- Do You Need A Gluten-Free Shampoo?
- What Type of Ingredients Do You Need to Avoid?
- Top 10 Gluten-Free Shampoos Comparison Table
- Top 4 Budget Gluten-Free Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Value Gluten-Free Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Premium Gluten-Free Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
