Sulfates are detergents that help to create suds and lather to cleanse the hair and scalp, but they can strip the hair shaft of all that’s good, be it dye, oils, and/or natural protectants. Sulfate-free shampoos are formulated with cleansers that do not contain sulfates, making them gentler on the skin and less damaging to the hair over time, especially if your hair is color-treated or curly. Here are some of the best sulfate-free shampoos according to experts:
- Blu Atlas Classic Shampoo Vegan
- 96-100% naturally derived
- Cruelty-free
- Standout ingredients: Aloe barbadensis leaf, saw palmetto, vegan biotin, jojoba oil
- Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color
- Unique blend of ingredients that work to rejuvenate and protect the hair
- Developed for colored-treated, chemically-treated, or dry hair
- Standout ingredients: Baobab Tree extract, Oribe signature complex, bioflavonoids
- Kerastase’s Curl Manifesto Hydration Shampoo
- Sulfate-free product primarily recommended for those with curly or coily hair
- Reduces build-up in the hair, preserves natural oils, and boosts the hair’s overall radiance
- Developed with shea butter, coconut oil, and other ingredients that gently cleanse the hair
- Pureologys Strength Cure Sulfate Free Shampoo
- Gives a fortifying boost to all hair types and textures, but its especially dreamy for color-treated hair
- Plant-based protein Keravis and antioxidant astaxanthin strengthen and revitalize hair thats been drained by bleaching or coloring
- Living Proof’s sulfate-free Full Shampoo
- Great for creating more volume
- Removes residue and product buildup on hair and scalp, leaving the roots fuller and less weighed down
When looking for sulfate-free shampoos, it is important to check the ingredients list to ensure that the product does not contain any sulfates or harsh chemicals. Some sulfate-free shampoos may still contain surfactants that act as a cousin to sulfates, so it is important to look for products that derive from gentler, plant-extracts and use amino acids, seed oils, such as palm or coconut oil.
