Vanicream

Free and Clear Hair Shampoo.

Haircare

About this product

A gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo formulated for sensitive scalps to cleanse hair while avoiding common allergens and irritants.

Full ingredients

Purified Water, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Citric Acid, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate

Guru Score

71%

Mixed

5 experts · Moderate agreement

5Gurus

3Yay

0Mixed

2Nay

What they liked

Gentle for reactive scalps
Protects scalp barrier

What they flagged

Stings around eyes
Performance underwhelming

What the gurus are saying

Free of common allergens and designed for reactive scalps, this shampoo earns praise for gentleness with eczema and contact dermatitis. With 2% zinc pyrithione (higher than many competitors) at around $15, it works well for daily use. The one thing to note: the formula runs down your face when rinsing, so those with very sensitive facial skin or reactive eyes may want to be careful, and it's not for makeup removal.

Synthesized from 5 expert reviews · most recent take March 2026

Best for

Sensitive skin

Type

HaircareLiquid

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Amazon → Google → iHerb →

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Dr. Aleksandra Brown

142k subs

~Yay

"The Vanicream Free and Clear Hair Shampoo is an extremely gentle shampoo formulated for the most sensitive scalp. It is completely fragrance free, dye free, formaldehyde releasers free, and it doesn't really have any common irritants. So I find it ideal for patients with eczema, contact dermatitis, or super reactive scalp. It can be used daily without disrupting the scalp barrier. The key ingredients are really mild surfactants and glycerin."

Dr. Vanita Rattan

1.23M subs

~Yay

"If you want to go with something that's cheaper, that's non-irritating to the scalp that's going to protect the scalp barrier, go with this product."

Dr. Jenny Liu

322k subs

~Nay

"I love Vanicream but I have to tell you their Free and Clear line for shampoo and conditioner isn't the most elegant, at least for me. Like it just didn't deliver."

All 3 takes from Dr. Jenny Liu

Dermatologist Fall Hair Care tips | Dr. Jenny Liu

"I really like Vanicream, their hair care line. That shampoo I recommend to individuals that have contact dermatitis to hair care products. It's super gentle, void of common allergens, and so that is one to consider if you're more like eczema prone."

Dermatologist-Approved: The Best Drugstore Haircare You NEED to Try | Dr. Jenny Liu

"I love Vanicream but I have to tell you their Free and Clear line for shampoo and conditioner isn't the most elegant, at least for me. Like it just didn't deliver."

Improve Hair Growth With These Scalp Care Must Do's | Dr. Jenny Liu

"Vanicream Free and Clear Hair Shampoo is great for daily use."

Dr. Shereene Idriss

1.72M subs

~Nay

"Is it great for removing makeup absolutely not and does it make your eyes a little bit itchy and sensitive absolutely yes so it's not the best but it's good enough"

The Budget Dermatologist

723k subs

~Yay

"Zinc pyrithione is also anti-fungal so it can cut down on that malassezia. My favorite shampoo with this ingredient is by Vanicream, it contains two percent zinc pyrethione, which is higher than some of the competitor shampoos that contain one percent. So this one is a little more expensive at just under fifteen dollars, but that is still a great price for a shampoo."

All 2 takes from The Budget Dermatologist

Sensitive Skin? Try These Skincare Products! | Budget Skincare Routine

"Vanicream makes a gentle shampoo and conditioner that are both very effective at maintaining scalp health and not triggering skin flares. The shampoo and conditioner that you use actually runs down your face and your body skin when you are washing it off and this can actually trigger your skin if you are allergic or sensitive. So make sure that your shampoo is not making your skin worse. You can start with the shampoo and conditioner from Vanicream because they are the most simple. There are no frills. It gets the job done without creating new problems."

Fix Dandruff for Under $10 | The Budget Dermatologist Explains

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Frequently asked.

What is Vanicream Free and Clear Hair Shampoo?

A gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo formulated for sensitive scalps to cleanse hair while avoiding common allergens and irritants.

Is Vanicream Free and Clear Hair Shampoo worth it?

The gurus are split. 3 of the 5 gurus give it their stamp of approval while 2 would skip it, which lands it in the middle at a Guru Score of 71%.

What is Vanicream Free and Clear Hair Shampoo's Guru Score?

Vanicream Free and Clear Hair Shampoo holds a Guru Score of 71%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 5 expert reviewers we have collected.