Formulating a gluten free shampoo wasn’t a trend - it was essential. Here's why...

Formulating a gluten free shampoo wasn’t a trend - it was essential. Here's why...

At Olsson Scandinavia, we didn’t set out to create another “sensitive” shampoo.

We formulated a salon-level haircare designed for people living with eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, coeliac disease, gluten sensitivity or intolerance - informed by clinical insight and genuine empathy and understanding for the conditions being managed. 

Making our formula 100% gluten-free was never optional - it was non-negotiable

Gluten often hides in shampoos and conditioners as hydrolysed wheat protein, wheat germ oil, oat derivatives, or even “vegetable protein”. Brands add these to boost viscosity, add shine, or improve hair texture - but they can pose real issues.

The eczema - gluten connection: 

While gluten can't permeate healthy skin, eczema-prone or inflamed scalps are often compromised, meaning topical gluten may provoke irritation or immune responses. Not a concern if your skin is intact, but here's the connection;

Given this connection, removing all gluten-derived ingredients from our formulas was never optional – it was a deliberate choice to protect sensitive skin and provide a safer, more supportive solution for those living with eczema and gluten-related conditions.

If you’re already avoiding gluten in food, your haircare routine is the natural next step to look to eliminate gluten

Shampoo traces on your scalp, hands, or hairline can lead to accidental exposure, increasing inflammation risk - even without ingestion. Ingredients to look out for:

  • Triticum vulgare (wheat)
  • Hordeum vulgare (barley)
  • Secale cereale (rye)
  • Avena sativa (oats)
  • Wheat germ oil
  • Hydrolyzed wheat protein
  • Colloidal oatmeal
  • Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
  • Dextrin palmitate
  • Vitamin E from wheat germ oil
  • Malt extract
  • Beta-glucan from wheat
  • Vegetable Protein* (Any Variant).
Note: “Vegetable Protein” is a catch-all term that could conceal wheat, rye, barley or oats - ingredients that matter greatly to people avoiding gluten.

Our formula is meticulously crafted, with no gluten, no colourants, no fragrance, and every ingredient chosen for its proven skin-friendly performance as well as salon performance. Choosing gluten-free haircare may seem like a small detail, but for many coeliacs and sensitive skin sufferers, it’s part of a bigger picture: creating a safer, more confident routine from head to toe.

Olsson Scandinavia is the only haircare brand approved by both Allergy UK and Asthma Allergy Nordic - a rare dual certification recognised across four countries. Our formulas were rigorously reviewed and tested by these leading organisations, ensuring they meet the highest standards for sensitive, reactive scalps. To us, this is more than a badge - it’s a promise of safety, trust and performance for those who need it most.

Opting for Olsson Scandinavia means choosing a safer, smarter alternative: a gluten-free shampoo that’s clinically considered, allergy-approved, and designed for sensitive lives.

Useful links:


Shalom et al., 2020: A cross-sectional study of 116,816 patients revealed that those with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis had a 0.8% prevalence of coeliac disease, compared to 0.3% in matched controls = a significant increase (odds ratio 1.609).

Disclaimer: Consult a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment for your specific condition. Due to the complex nature of allergies we cannot guarantee that our products will not trigger an allergic reaction. Over 3 years we developed a formula that has been commended by leading scientists and allergy associations who have gone on to provide their badge of approval. However, if you are a sensitive soul, we would always encourage you to examine the ingredients that are carefully itemised on each product listing, review our free-from table, discover our Help & FAQ Or ask our experts - but most importantly, undertake a patch test prior to use.

Have a question?

Submit your query to us. We're keen to support you. Answered directly by the Olsson Haircare team and our network of professional Stylists and Chemists.