You may have noticed a trend in recent years that shampoos and other hair care products are being manufactured without sulfates. A cleansing agent often used in gels and shampoos, it creates a creamy lather that lifts dirt and oil.
For many hair types, sulfates pose no problems at all. However, it is a different story for those with sensitive scalps, damaged or colored hair. In this case, these foaming ingredients can prove drying and can also remove new color from dyed hair. It is also recommended not to use shampoo or conditioner. For these reasons, there are a growing number of alternative formulas available to gently cleanse and care for sulfate-free hair.
Read on for our guide to choosing the best sulfate-free shampoo for your hair type and texture. Then you can find your favorite sulfate-free shampoo on every budget.
The Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos: At a Glance
How to choose the best sulfate-free shampoo for you
What is Sulfate?
Sulfates are a group of chemicals known as surfactants – ingredients that bind to oil to help lift and lift off sticky, greasy dirt and sebum. up to create a unique foaming lather found in hair, body and household cleansers.
Sulfates are not necessarily the enemy. In fact, some hair and scalp types positively benefit from washing at least occasionally with a lathering sulfate-based shampoo to remove large amounts of grease, dirt, or product buildup. The effects of hair often result in stripping the hair of its natural moisture, a concern for those with already dehydrated hair. may cause the dye to float.
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How do sulfate-free shampoos cleanse hair?
Instead of using lathering surfactants, sulfate-free shampoos often use natural seed and vegetable oils (coconut oil is a common ingredient) and amino acids to remove moisture from the surface of the hair. Gently removes dirt.
Sulfate-free shampoos have very little lather, so if you are used to lathering shampoo in the shower, it may feel very different at first. , you need to let the product work a little more physically into your hair, taking your time and massaging the shampoo into your roots and mid-layers, then carefully rinsing it off. You may find that you need to apply two applications of a shampoo that does not contain toxins. Similar to double cleansing your skin, the first application removes dirt and product buildup, and the second application removes any remaining residue. wash off.
Even if you use a lot of styling products, you may find that you need to wash with your regular sulfate-containing shampoo from time to time to remove stubborn buildup.
Should you avoid sulfates in hair care?
Some hair types tend to be naturally dry. This is true not only for fine hair, but also for curly or coiled hair, where the helices in each hair shaft keep the hair cuticle open, allowing natural moisture to escape from the hair. recommends avoiding sulfates in shampoos and other hair care products altogether.
Hair that has been bleached and chemically straightened can also be blown dry after treatment. If using a shampoo that contains sulfates makes your hair dry and flaky, try switching to a milder, sulfate-free shampoo. Dyed or color-treated hair prefers to wash with a low-foaming, sulfate-free shampoo that doesn’t strip dye molecules from the hair, thus helping the color to last longer.
A delicate scalp can also benefit from a sulfate-free shampoo. Toddlers are less likely to need the intense cleansing of sulfate-based shampoos, so sulfate-free options are a good option for young, delicate skin.
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The Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos You Can Buy in 2023
1. OGX GX Damage Remedy+ Coconut Miracle Oil Shampoo: Best Sulfate-Free Shampoo for Curly Hair
price: £8.49 | Buy Now From Superdrugs
Coconut oil is a popular ingredient in products for curly hair because it provides both cleansing and vital moisture without weighing down delicate curls. It has a wonderful fresh coconut scent that leaves curly hair soft, silky and bouncy.
OGX shampoo is thick in the bottle, but it creates a rich and gentle lather to cleanse the hair and scalp. Sulfate and paraben free, Coconut Miracle is perfect for dry hair that needs extra care. Follow with a conditioner from the same range to nourish and hydrate.
Key Details – Bottle Size: 385ml
Buy Now From Superdrugs
2. Pureology Hydrate Shampoo: Best sulfate-free shampoo for dry hair
price: £21 | Buy now from Lookfantastic
If your hair is a little dry, Pureology’s Moisturizing Shampoo with calming sage, green tea and nourishing jojoba oil is perfect. The rich, creamy vegan formula is gentle enough to use several times a week to cleanse the scalp and moisturize hair. Work the deliciously lavender-scented shampoo from tip to tip to leave your hair moisturized, shiny, and vibrant.
The Hydrating Shampoo is also color safe and great for use on bleached or colored tresses that need extra moisture. Follow with a matching conditioner for more moisture and shine.
Key Details – Bottle Size: 266ml
Buy now from Lookfantastic
3. Kérastase Discipline Bain Fluidealiste Shampoo: Best sulfate-free shampoo for color-treated hair
price: 24 lbs | Buy now from Feelunique
Kérastase’s color-safe, nourishing shampoo hydrates and strengthens colored hair, sealing the hair cuticle to keep hair smooth, shiny and frizz-free even in humid weather. The shampoo has a light, floral scent and contains pro-keratin that strengthens your hair from within.
A gentle, creamy lather that leaves hair feeling soft, shiny and well-maintained. Great for color-treated hair or hair that needs a little more care. Bain Fluidealiste is also great for blow-drying your hair if you want to cut down on the number of days you wash your hair per week, as one wash will keep your hair clean for at least two days.
Key Details – Bottle Size: 250ml
Buy now from Feelunique
4. Child’s Farm Shampoo Strawberry & Organic Mint: Best Sulfate-Free Shampoo For Kids
price: £4.50 | Shop Now From Boots
Scented with strawberry and mint, this shampoo is suitable for all hair types, including delicate baby hair and scalp. Infused with natural corn and coconut oils, the gentle formula cleanses, softens and detangles hair. Suitable for even the most sensitive and eczema-prone skin, Child’s Farm shampoos are free of parabens, artificial colors and fragrances, and won’t tear when splashes get in your eyes. The hair is soft, clean and easy to brush and comb. Follow with a light conditioner for extra detangling power.
Key Details – Bottle Size: 250ml
Shop Now From Boots
5. Bouclème Curl Cleanser: Best Sulfate-Free Shampoo For Afro Textured Hair
price: £15 | Shop Now From Cult Beauty
Specially formulated for type 3 and type 4 coils, Bouclème’s all-natural hair cleanser is made with sea salt, nourishing coconut and argan oils, and hydrating aloe vera water to help your curls Gently cleanses without stripping hair of natural oils. The cleansing wash is silicone and sulfate free and suitable for curly girl hair care regimen.
Creamy and non-foaming like co-wash products, Bukrem’s hair cleanser refreshes the scalp and leaves hair soft, shiny, tangle-free and non-sticky. Followed by Bouclem Curl Conditioner and Curl Cream for maximum hydration and bouncy results.
Key Details – Bottle Size: 300ml
Shop Now From Cult Beauty
6. Ethique Sorbet Restoring Solid Shampoo Bar: Best Sulfate-Free Solid Shampoo
price: £12 | Buy now on Ethique
New Zealand-based beauty company Ethique has been carbon neutral since 2012, working to reduce plastic waste around the world. The company is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with this deliciously scented solid bar shampoo.
Sorbet Solid Shampoo Bar is formulated with nourishing mango butter, peach kernel oil, and fortified rice protein for normal to dry hair. Leaves hair soft and shiny with a pleasant fruity scent.
Key Details – Pack Size: 110g
Buy now from Ethique
