As someone who has struggled with dry and damaged hair, I’ve always been on the lookout for ways to improve its health and appearance. One trend that has caught my attention in recent years is the use of sulphate-free shampoo. Many beauty bloggers and hairstylists claim that switching to a sulphate-free formula can do wonders for your hair, but is it really true?
Sulphates are a type of detergent commonly found in shampoos, body washes, and other personal care products. They create a lather that helps to remove dirt and oil from your hair and scalp. However, some people believe that sulphates can be harsh and drying, stripping your hair of its natural oils and causing damage over time. This has led to the rise of sulphate-free shampoos, which use alternative cleansing agents that are said to be gentler on your hair.
Is sulphate-free shampoo GOOD for your hair?
As a hair specialist, I have come across many clients who swear by sulphate-free shampoos. These shampoos are becoming increasingly popular as people become more conscious of the ingredients they put on their hair and scalp. In this section, I will discuss the benefits and possible drawbacks of using sulphate-free shampoos.
Benefits for Hair Health
Sulphate-free shampoos are gentle on the hair and scalp. They do not contain harsh detergents like sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES), which are known to strip the hair of its natural oils. This means that sulphate-free shampoos are less likely to cause dryness, frizz, and breakage. They are also less likely to irritate the scalp, making them a good choice for people with sensitive skin.
Moreover, sulphate-free shampoos are less likely to cause colour fading. If you have coloured hair, using a sulphate-free shampoo can help preserve your hair colour for longer. Sulphates can strip the colour molecules from your hair, causing your hair colour to fade faster than it should.
Possible Drawbacks
While sulphate-free shampoos are gentle on the hair and scalp, they may not lather as much as regular shampoos. This is because they do not contain the same type of foaming agents as regular shampoos. As a result, it can be difficult to distribute the shampoo evenly throughout the hair. However, this can be easily remedied by adding more water to your hair while shampooing.
Another possible drawback of sulphate-free shampoos is that they may not be as effective at removing product buildup from the hair. This is because they do not contain the same type of cleansing agents as regular shampoos. If you use a lot of hair styling products, you may need to use a clarifying shampoo occasionally to remove buildup.
In conclusion, sulphate-free shampoos can be a great choice for people who want to be gentle on their hair and scalp. They offer many benefits, including less dryness, frizz, and breakage, as well as less colour fading. However, they may not lather as much as regular shampoos and may not be as effective at removing product buildup from the hair.
Understanding Sulphates in Shampoos
Role of Sulphates
Sulphates are a type of surfactant that are commonly found in shampoos. Their primary function is to create lather and remove dirt, oil, and other impurities from the hair and scalp. Sulphates are effective at their job because they are highly soluble in water and can easily penetrate the hair shaft to remove build-up.
However, sulphates can also strip the hair of its natural oils, which can lead to dryness and damage. This is why many people are turning to sulphate-free shampoos as a gentler alternative.
Common Types of Sulphates
There are several types of sulphates that are commonly used in shampoo formulations. The most common are sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES). SLS is a harsher sulphate that is often used in industrial cleaning products, while SLES is a milder version that is commonly found in personal care products.
Other types of sulphates that may be found in shampoos include ammonium lauryl sulphate (ALS) and ammonium laureth sulphate (ALES). These sulphates are similar to SLS and SLES and can have similar effects on the hair.
It’s important to note that not all sulphates are harmful to the hair. Some sulphates, such as sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (SLSA), are derived from natural sources and are considered to be gentler alternatives to traditional sulphates.
Overall, understanding the role of sulphates and the common types that are used in shampoos can help you make an informed decision about the products you use on your hair.
4 Fabulous Shampoos Without Sulfate I liked
Understanding sulfates can help you choose the right moisturizing shampoo. Sulfates get included in most soaps and detergents because they create a nice, rich lather. This substance isn’t dangerous, but it does dry out skin and hair, contributing to split ends, frizz, dry scalp, scalp irritations and breakouts, brittle hair, hair loss, and dull, unruly hair.
Sulfates appear on ingredient labels as sodium laurel sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, or sodium lauryl sulfate and may be abbreviated as SLS. Thankfully, many companies make sulfate-free shampoo, and the list below can take the headache out of choosing the right one.
The 4 Inexpensive Shampoos Without Sulfate
1. Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Vegan Shampoo
Pureology offers a hydrating shampoo without sulfate that also guarantees your hair color will last. They promise the highest quality shampoo available and have garnered almost exclusively 5 star Amazon reviews. This brand also makes similar shampoos that smooth, add volume, and repair.
A single bottle of Pureology shampoo costs $30, but the concentrated formula and hair-coloring savings should make up for the high price. Buying this shampoo is also guilt-free because Pureology does not test its products on animals.
2. Burt’s Bees Baobab Oil More Moisture Shampoo
Burt’s Bees moisturizes and rinses clean. This shampoo is natural, not tested on animals, and contains no sulfates. The writer and other reviewers agree that this product smells amazing and leaves hair soft and voluminous. The only person to leave a bad review said that it made their hair dry and oily, but they used it as an excellent body wash.
3. Desert Essence Coconut Shampoo, Nourishing for Dry Hair, Pack of 3
Desert Essence Shampoo provides a shampoo in coconut, Italian red grape, raspberry, lemon, and green apple scents that promises moisturized, shiny, and rejuvenated hair, even if it is over-processed. They also offer replenishing tea tree oil and fragrance-free shampoos without sulfates.
For a pack of three, these shampoos cost less than $25 on Amazon. They use organic ingredients and do not test on animals. According to reviews, this product may not be best for people with oily hair, but most say that it leaves their hair with bounce and a lasting clean.
4. OGX Shampoo, Nourishing Coconut Milk
Organix Nourishing Coconut Oil Shampoo gives hair strength and bounce. Organix shampoos contain no sulfates or parabens, and they are safe for color-treated hair.
This company also offers luxurious sulfate-free shampoos made from Moroccan argan oil, Brazilian keratin, biotin and collagen, coconut oil, lemon extract, tea tree oil, and more. These shampoos cost $5 and are not tested on animals.
People stated in the reviews that this shampoo gave them just the right amount of moisture at the bottom and lack of oil at the scalp. Desert Essence and Organix had considerably more reviews on Amazon. This is probably due to a combination of price and availability. That may very well account for a higher percentage of negative reviews.
Each of these shampoos provides unique benefits for you to choose from. Haircare companies have ensured that shampoo without sulfate is available for all hair types so that the choice to go sulfate-free costs nothing and offers the healthiest, prettiest hair.
To find more sulfate-free shampoo, click here!
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[…] To get shampoo that will replenish lost oils in your hair, check for sulfates. Sulfates will help in removing gunk from hair especially when they are in plenty. Some sulfates in shampoos include ammonium laureth sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate. Though sulfates are good in hair cleaning, the more they add up, the lower the moisturizing power. Multiple sulfates in your shampoo will clean your hair good but rip out the oils, leaving your hair with a poor moisture balance. To be on the safe side with shampoo for hair moisturizing, pick one with a “laureth” base rather than “lauryl.” Hair shampoo with laureth provide more than a substantial amount for moisturizing. Gentler sulfates to look out for would include tricedeth sulfates and Sodium myreth if they are present in the ingredients. Here are the best shampoos without sulfates! […]
[…] These same ingredients also act as a degreaser in dish washing soap! Maybe what is best for your dishes isn’t best for your hair. Check out our list of sulfate-free shampoos! […]
[…] passed the “no shampoo” time period (usually 3 days), then you should shampoo with a sulfate free shampoo. Sulfates strip the hair of pretty much everything, so make sure you use a sulfate free shampoo so […]
[…] Can you shampoo? Yes. However, avoid clarifying shampoos and focus on shampoos without sulfates. […]
What about Pro Naturals?
The best I’ve used is Pro Naturals. 🙂
[…] 4 Fabulous Shampoos Without Sulfate […]
[…] shampoo does not contain sodium laureth sulfate. Sulfate-free shampoos don’t give you that sudsy experience a lot of people like from their shampoo. However, […]
OGX may be sulfate free, but their shampoos have Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate which is just as harsh on your hair and skin as SLS (Sodium Laurel Sulfate). Their conditioners have isopropyl alcohol and I used their product for three weeks before throwing it out after I broke out in terrible sores. They have many ingredients that are very common allergens in both their shampoo and conditioner. I have a very sensitive scalp that has an allergic reaction to many chemicals and when I used the conditioner the reaction was like I had left bleach on my scalp for too long. I don’t understand why they would put a drying agent in a conditioner. I’m currently speaking with their customer service about refunds since I can’t use the products I bought at all now.
[…] When you choose chemical free shampoo over their chemical laden counterparts, you’re not only looking after yourself, you’re also looking after the environment and the animals within it. Chemical free shampoos are often not tested on animals and don’t affect critters when they’ve washed away into bodies of water. For those of us with sensitive skin, or damaged hair, chemical free shampoos are far more gentle, and therefore safer to use than shampoos with parabens and other harsh chemicals. When choosing, or making, your chemical free shampoo, read the ingredients and ensure that it’s petrolatum, paraben, and sulfate free. […]
OGX Shampoo, Nourishing Coconut Milk. The ingredients on the back say they do have Sulfates in it! Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Laureth-4 |Laureth-23 can you explain these, as i have dermatitis so I need to make sure I will not use anything to set it off
[…] (See our list of sulfate free shampoos). […]
[…] often harping on about Shea Moisture whenever we discuss natural, sulfate-free hair products. Shea Moisture uses ancient herbal recipes to produce some incredibly nurturing, fantastically […]
[…] it can feel like the whole haircare industry is marketed towards fighting dryness. Hydrating shampoos, moisturizing conditioners, and intensely creamy hair masks litter our cosmetic shelves – but […]
[…] hair to keep curly tresses from looking limp and lifeless throughout the day. Come Clean is also sulfate-free, which makes it the best shampoo for curly hair to use every day to maintain beautiful, fragrant […]
[…] The key is to watch how much you are using the shampoo. Daily shampooing is rarely recommended as natural oils are good for your hair and over washing your hair can strip you of those good oils! Instead, opt for washing every other day or even once a week. Or, consider a sulfate free shampoo. […]
[…] only thing to watch out for in this shampoo is that it does contain sulfates. Sulfates are common, but harsh cleansing agents, which can dry out your hair if not used sparingly. Remember to apply […]