Your regular shampoos, which are packed with sulphates, often contribute to dry, damaged hair or an itchy, dandruff-prone scalp. However, you can resolve this issue by incorporating sulphate-free shampoos into your haircare routine. Here’s your guide to learning everything there is to know about sulphate-free shampoos and how they can benefit your hair.
We also share our 20 most favourite sulphate-free shampoos available in India to help you choose the best one. The article will also underline a few relevant things you must consider while buying such shampoos.
Table of Contents
Why are sulphate-free shampoos better than regular shampoos?
© iStock
Regular shampoos contain sulphates, which are harsh cleansers that suck out all the greasiness, impurities, gunk and build-ups to give you a squeaky clean scalp. But in this process, they also strip away the natural oils from your scalp, which leads to dry, brittle, and breakage-prone hair. People with sensitive scalps or dry, frizzy, and curly hair get affected the most by sulphate shampoos.
This problem led to the birth of sulphate-free shampoos, which use natural cleansing agents or other cleansers that are milder than sulphates. In addition, sulphate-free shampoos don’t lather as much, making them a great option for dry, curly hair. These shampoos effectively cleanse your scalp without absorbing its natural oils.
20 Best sulphate-free shampoos available in India for every hair type
1. St. Botanica Biotin & Collagen Volumizing Shampoo, Rs 799
© St. Botanica
Enriched with biotin and collagen, this natural, sulphate-free shampoo repairs hair damage and boosts hair growth, making it ideal for those struggling with damaged, thin hair. It also deep cleanses the scalp and gets rid of greasiness, dirt, and impurities without stripping away the scalp’s natural oils.
Buy it here
2. Mamaearth Almond Shampoo, Rs 349
© Mamaearth
This gentle and nutritious shampoo from Mamaearth is packed with the goodness of nourishing ingredients like almond oil, which protects against sun damage and weak strands. It also contains Vitamin E that boosts blood circulation and prevents hair loss.
Buy it here
3. Dove Hair Therapy Breakage Repair Sulphate-Free Shampoo, Rs 450
© Dove
Weak, breakage-prone hair is one of the leading causes of hair loss. To address this issue, you must repair and strengthen your hair at its cellular level, and this sulphate-free shampoo does exactly that. Its gentle formula is suitable for all hair types, including coloured and chemically-treated hair.
Buy it here
4. Plum Ginseng Gentle Rinse Shampoo, Rs 550
© Plum
The famous K-beauty ingredient rich in antioxidants, ginseng has proven its ability to boost hair growth. This sulphate-free shampoo from Plum is loaded with it to reduce severe hair loss and promote hair growth. It is also formulated with other hair-loving ingredients like hibiscus extract, watercress and Indian cress for long, shiny, and smooth hair.
Buy it here
5. Love Beauty & Planet Onion, Black Seed & Patchouli Hairfall Control Sulfate Free Shampoo, Rs 350
© Love Beauty & Planet
Enriched with natural and plant-based ingredients like onion and black seed, this sulphate- and paraben-free shampoo gently cleanses your scalp while also nourishing it for healthy hair growth. It also has patchouli oil for a sweet and mood-boosting fragrance.
Buy it here
6. BBlunt Intense Moisture Shampoo, Rs 399
© BBlunt
If dehydration, dullness, and dryness are your main haircare concerns, you’ll love this sulphate-free shampoo from BBlunt. Infused with moisture-restoring ingredients like jojoba and Vitamin E, it moisturises and nourishes your hair without weighing it down. It also adds shine, softness and lustre to your mane.
Buy it here
7. Pilgrim Sulfate Free Shampoo, Rs 400
© Pilgrim
Deeply nourish your scalp while removing build-ups, gunk, and greasiness with this shampoo from Pilgrim. It’s a blend of powerful ingredients like moisturising argan oil, collagen-boosting camellia, and antioxidant-rich white lotus.
Buy it here
8. mCaffeine Cappuccino Coffee Shampoo, Rs 499
© mCaffeine
This coffee shampoo from mCaffeine comes with a creamy formula that gently clears away dandruff, dry flakes, and build-ups. It’s packed with anti-inflammatory coffee and antifungal cinnamon to give you a healthy and clear scalp. Moreover, this product is FDA-approved, meaning it is free from sulphates, parabens, and silicones.
Buy it here.
9. Nykaa Naturals Amla & Curry Leaves Shampoo, Rs 399
© Nykaa Naturals
This anti-hair fall shampoo cleanses the scalp without disturbing its pH level, which is crucial for maintaining healthy hair. It’s made with curry leaves and amla, both of which are known to prevent hair fall. Free from sulphates, parabens, and dyes, it’s a great option for thinning hair.
Buy it here
10. Kama Ayurveda Bringadi Hair Cleanser, Rs 1,495
© Kama Ayurveda
Love ayurveda-formulated shampoos? You must get your hands on this volumising shampoo from Kama Ayurveda. It contains bhringraj that helps balance the pH level of the scalp and control hair fall. It also has liquorice extracts in its formulation that help prevent scalp infections.
Buy it here
11. Kerastase Discipline Bain Fluidealiste Gentle Shampoo, Rs 2,450
© Kerastase
The ultra-gentle formula of this shampoo will transform your frizzy, unruly hair into smooth, nourished and soft strands. Think of this product as a smoothing treatment in a bottle. It nourishes each hair fibre, making it perfect for over-processed, fried hair caused by chemical treatments and hot tools.
Buy it here
12. Wella Professionals Elements Renewing Shampoo, Rs 1,100
© Wella Professionals
This salon-grade shampoo repairs and nourishes the scalp without the use of harsh chemicals like sulphates and parabens. Thanks to the ‘NuTREE complex’ in its formulation, the product gives maximum keratin protection, which is a key ingredient to ensure thick, healthy, and strong hair.
Buy it here
13. Forest Essentials Hair Cleanser Japapatti & Brahmi, Rs 1,575
© Forest Essentials
The ayurvedic formulation of this shampoo replaces the harsh cleansing agent–sulphate–with the natural cleansing herb, reetha. Thus, it effectively cleanses your hair without drying out the scalp. It’s also infused with hibiscus and brahmi, which improve your scalp health.
Buy it here
14. Juicy Chemistry Baobab, Rosemary and Tea Tree Shampoo, Rs 850
© Juicy Chemistry
Treating itchy and dandruff-prone scalp can be frustrating and annoying. But not anymore, thanks to this organic shampoo from Juicy Chemistry, which effectively fights against stubborn dandruff. Powered with baobab, rosemary, and tea tree, it soothes flakiness, gently cleanses the scalp and strengthens the hair.
Buy it here
15. Schwarzkopf Professional Bonacure pH 4.5 Color Freeze Sulfate Free Micellar Shampoo, Rs 1,000
© Schwarzkopf Professional
This sulphate-free shampoo is not only gentle on the scalp, but it also helps maintain vibrant, long-lasting hair colour by bringing your hair’s pH to an optimal 4.5 level. It’s also formulated with UV filters to protect your hair colour from fading by UV radiations.
Buy it here
16. Wow Skin Science Active 10-In-1 Shampoo, Rs 499
© Wow Skin Science
This shampoo from Wow Skin Science promises to provide 10 hair benefits, including boosting volume, cleansing the scalp, treating dandruff, deeply moisturising each strand, and more. Its natural formula is packed with bioactives like rosemary extract, tea tree oil and argan oil.
Buy it here
17. Herbal Essence Sulfate Free Eucalyptus + Potent Aloe Shampoo, Rs 750
© Herbal Essence
A soft, shiny and smooth mane is one of the most sought-after goals for all hair types. This sulphate-free formula is especially designed to help you achieve this goal. With moisturising aloe vera and bamboo extracts as its hero ingredients, this shampoo deeply nourishes your hair while giving you a clean scalp.
Buy it here
18. Khadi Natural Amla And Bhringraj Hair Cleanser SLS Free Shampoo, Rs 299
© Khadi Natural
Plagued by an oily and greasy scalp? Allow this ayurvedic shampoo to gently remove all the gunk, excess oil, and build-up with its natural cleansing herbs like amla, bhringraj, and reetha. It will also leave your hair feeling soft, shiny, and bouncy.
Buy it here
19. SoulTree Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, Rs 1,225
© SoulTree
Most anti-dandruff shampoos come with strong formulas in order to remove all the flakes and dandruff, but those are too harsh and drying for our scalp. However, this pick from SoulTree not only treats stubborn dandruff, but also nourishes the scalp.
Buy it here
20. Kiehl’s Amino Acid Shampoo, Rs 1,800
© Kiehl’s
This mild, sulphate-free shampoo is enriched with coconut oil and amino acids, making it perfect for dry, dehydrated scalp. It efficiently cleanses your scalp and leaves your hair feeling soft, shiny, and hydrated.
Buy it here
Important things to look for when purchasing a sulphate-free shampoo
© Shutterstock
1. Read the ingredients list
Checking the ingredients list of your sulphate-free shampoo is the best way to ensure that it is exactly what it claims to be. There are three most common sulphate compounds that are used in shampoos — sodium laureth sulphate, sodium lauryl sulphate, and ammonium laureth sulphate. Ensure that the shampoo doesn’t contain any of them. Also avoid ingredients like parabens, alcohols, and phthalates.
2. Look for nourishing ingredients
Look for sulphate-free shampoos that contain nourishing ingredients like argan oil, keratin, tea tree oil, and others for added benefits. These will help to keep your hair hydrated, frizz-free, and smooth.
3. Understand your hair type
Know that not all sulphate-free shampoos are suitable for your hair type. Read the labels and the ingredients carefully to determine which one is most suitable for your hair. Choosing one that isn’t appropriate for your hair type will not provide effective results.
Social and lead image credit: Instagram/mira.kapoor, Instagram/kareenakapoorkhan
Read iDiva for the latest in Bollywood, fashion looks, beauty and lifestyle news.
