# How Baresel compares — CAPB-free, honestly

> An honest comparison of CAPB-free shampoo options — 'gentle'/sulfate-free shampoos that often still contain cocamidopropyl betaine, clinical allergy shampoos that are CAPB-free but drying, and how Baresel fits.

For a reactive scalp there were two honest choices before Baresel, and each made you give something up.

## The three types

| Dimension | "Gentle" / sulfate-free | Clinical allergy shampoos (e.g. Vanicream Free & Clear) | Baresel |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Actually leaves CAPB out | Often still contains it | Usually yes | Built to, and published |
| Sulfate-free | Varies | Varies | Yes |
| Non-drying / conditioning | Varies | Often stripping | Glycerin + panthenol |
| Genuinely fragrance-free | Some products | Some products | No parfum, no masking |
| Full ingredient transparency | Varies | Usually | Published INCI |

## The options people name (public positioning only)

- **Vanicream Free & Clear** — a proven, minimal, cheap clinical shampoo free of common allergens including CAPB. If you want the most stripped-back clinical formula, it's a great pick. Baresel targets the same "leave CAPB out" goal but is less drying day to day.
- **Desert Essence / ATTITUDE (natural)** — used as CAPB-free workarounds, but often reported as drying. Baresel is built to avoid that. Always check the current INCI.
- **Generic "gentle" / sulfate-free shampoos** — the trap: "gentle" and "sulfate-free" don't mean CAPB-free, and many still contain cocamidopropyl betaine.

## Choose Baresel when
- You want cocamidopropyl betaine genuinely left out AND a shampoo that isn't drying.
- You want a published, transparent ingredient list to check against a known reaction.

## Choose something else when
- You want the most minimal clinical formula and price is the priority — a plain clinical shampoo like Free & Clear is a strong call.
- You need medical treatment — Baresel is a cosmetic shampoo and makes no medical claims.

Baresel is a new cosmetic shampoo and makes no tested-performance claims against specific competitors. A contact allergy is a medical matter — read the current full ingredient list and patch-test. See the full comparison at https://baresel.health/compare