Avalon, Acure, Attitude and Vanicream Compared
If you’re looking for a phthalate-free shampoo, you’ve got plenty of options these days. I’ve tried Avalon Organics Lemon Shampoo, Acure Ultra Hydrating Shampoo, Attitude Super Leaves Clarifying Shampoo and Vanicream Shampoo, and they’re all quite different.
Some are better for oily hair, some suit dry hair, and some are really aimed at people with sensitive scalps. Here’s how they compare and which I’d choose depending on what you’re looking for.
| Best for | My pick |
|---|---|
| Oily hair | Avalon Organics Lemon Shampoo |
| Dry or thick hair | Acure Ultra Hydrating Shampoo |
| Sensitive scalp | Vanicream Shampoo |
| Ingredient-conscious buyer | Attitude Super Leaves |
| Fragrance-free option | Vanicream Shampoo |
Best for oily hair: Avalon Organics Lemon Shampoo
Avalon Organics Lemon Shampoo is the one I’d choose if your hair gets greasy quickly or you like a fresh, clarifying wash. It feels more cleansing than moisturising, so I wouldn’t make it my first choice for very dry or fragile hair.
The lemon scent also makes it feel brighter and fresher than some gentler shampoos, although that does mean it is not the best option if you are trying to avoid fragrance altogether.
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Best for dry or thick hair: Acure Ultra Hydrating Shampoo
Acure Ultra Hydrating Shampoo is the better choice if your hair is thick, dry, coarse or generally needs more softness. It is more of a moisturising shampoo than a clarifying one, so it makes sense for people who find lighter shampoos too stripping.
If your hair is fine or gets oily quickly, it may feel too rich.
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Best for sensitive scalps: Vanicream Shampoo
Vanicream Shampoo is the most practical choice if your main concern is sensitivity. It is fragrance-free and designed for people who react to common ingredients in personal care products.
It is not the most luxurious or exciting shampoo, but that is partly the point. If your scalp is easily irritated, boring can be a good thing.
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Best ingredient-conscious option: Attitude Super Leaves Clarifying Shampoo
Attitude Super Leaves Clarifying Shampoo is a good middle ground if you want something that feels more natural and ingredient-conscious but still behaves like a normal shampoo.
It is a useful option if you are trying to avoid phthalates but do not necessarily need a completely fragrance-free product like Vanicream.
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Which one would I buy again?
For my own hair, I’d probably buy Avalon again. My hair isn’t especially dry and I like a shampoo that actually feels as though it’s cleaning my hair properly. Some gentler shampoos can leave my hair feeling a bit flat after a few washes, whereas Avalon gives a really good clean without being harsh.
That said, I can see why Acure has such loyal fans. If your hair is thick, dry or coarse, I think it would be a much better choice than Avalon. It leaves hair feeling softer and more moisturised. I wasn’t completely sold on the sweet almond fragrance at first, but plenty of people love it.
If you have a sensitive scalp, I’d skip all the scented options and go straight to Vanicream. It’s not glamorous, but sometimes “doesn’t irritate my scalp” is the most important feature a shampoo can have. If you’re prone to reactions or fragrance sensitivity, that’s likely to matter more than whether a shampoo gives you amazing volume.
Attitude sits somewhere in the middle for me. It’s a solid everyday shampoo and a good option if you’re looking for a phthalate-free brand with strong environmental credentials. I liked it, but it didn’t stand out to me in quite the same way as Avalon or Vanicream.
The other thing to bear in mind is fragrance. Shampoo scents are surprisingly personal. I enjoy the fresh lemon scent of Avalon, but that’s not going to appeal to everyone. Acure’s almond fragrance is quite distinctive, while Vanicream is fragrance-free and designed for people who’d rather avoid scent altogether.
In the end, I don’t think there’s a single “best” phthalate-free shampoo. The right choice depends on your hair type, scalp sensitivity and personal preferences. If someone asked me for a recommendation without knowing anything about their hair, I’d probably suggest Avalon. But if they told me they had very dry hair or a sensitive scalp, I’d point them towards Acure or Vanicream instead.
