Are you struggling to find a natural hair care regimen that caters to your fragrance sensitivities? Is fragrance a major migraine trigger for you? If you answered “YES” to either of these questions then this post is for YOU. I understand how difficult it is trying to find fragrance free products for natural hair. For years I suffered, ignoring triggers because most suitable options are loaded with fragrance and most fragrance free options did not cater to curly or kinky hair.
I felt like didn’t have any alternatives.
I still remember the pre-launch of a popular hair care brand that I was beyond excited about. I hyped up the product launch to anyone that would listen, I ordered THE MOMENT that the products dropped, and then… silence. I never mentioned the hair care line again.
What people didn’t know is that I had a horrible migraine attack as soon as I used the products. An immediate, full force migraine attack (in the shower) that took me out and had me in bed for days. I was embarrassed to admit that it was a fail and I didn’t want I give the brand negative feedback. Instead of sharing this experience, I was quiet and it’s something that I still regret.
I am creating this post because there is a real problem with brands using synthetic fragrances and an overwhelming amount of perfume in their products and it’s super important that we address this and push for change.
What brands need to understand is that there is a huge community of people that are either sensitive to fragrance or cannot tolerate it for health reasons. As more companies are expanding and upgrading their formulas to be inclusive of this community, I am so grateful that I have found a few that work great for natural hair. Check out a few of my favorites, below.
Jessicurl
When you research fragrance free products for natural hair, Jessicurl is likely one of the first brands that you will find. Jessicurl offers true fragrance free products and I love that this is their focus. A little birdie told me that the founder suffers from migraines herself which is why there is an option to select a fragrance free formula for most of the products offered.
The cleansing product that I tried is the Hair Cleansing Cream. I love that this cleanser is gentle and non-stripping. When I used their Cream Shampoo and Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner, I noticed that these products work great together. They allow you to really take your time and focus on the cleansing and conditioning process without having to rush to get products out of your hair because of the way they smell. As the name implies, these are heavier cream based products so this is something important to note if you prefer lighter products for your curls. Jessicurl is definitely worth checking out as safe and gentle hair care products for your natural hair.
Innersense Organic Beauty
Innersense is huge in the natural hair and curly community. As a highly recommended brand from Hair Professionals such as Cut it Kinky , their line of hair care products are such a treat. So much so, that their various lines of curl care are referred to as “Ceremonies”!
When I got my hair trimmed and styled recently, the curl specialist used Innersense products on my hair and I was surprised to see how it took her no time to wash, condition and style my hair. I could see how seamlessly her fingers glided through my curls as she styled, and it inspired me to give these products a try. The wash experience was mostly pleasant because I wasn’t at all triggered by any of the ingredients in the products and it either didn’t have a fragrance at all, or the fragrance was super light.
I have since purchased the Hydrating Cream Bath and the Hydrating Cream Conditioner. I love the consistency of the Hair Bath- it’s light and slippery and it melts right into my curls. I could feel how much lighter and cleaner my hair felt when I rinsed the hair bath from my hair but it didn’t feel dry or stripped at all!
Their website allows you to shop by product, hair type, or ceremony and they also offer trial sizes and packages to give their goods a try before you make a full size commitment!
Twelve12 Beaute
Twelve12 Beaute is a Black-owned Hair care company that is making waves in the Hair community. Their products are all natural, vegan and cruelty free. Although they are not 100% fragrance free, the scent is not overwhelming and the clean ingredients are safe for ALL hair textures! I have a full review of both the shampoo and conditioner here so be sure to check it out for the details on this line. I like the clarifying shampoo but I really think that the star of this duo is the conditioner. This is hands down one of my favorite conditioners of all time, as it leaves my hair soft and it makes detangling a breeze. The slip is amazing!!
Kinky Curly
Kinky Curly is a heavy hitter and an OG in the natural hair community. I have tried most of their products and while they are not 100% fragrance free, they have a light “clean” and “fresh” smell, that does not trigger migraines for me. A staple in my hair regimen, the Come Clean clarifying shampoo does exactly what it is marketed to do and while it is powerful, it’s fragrance isn’t!
I will be updating this list as I try new products that work well for naturally curly/kinky hair. Did I miss any?