The use of shampoos without sulfates has gained popularity in the hair care industry. Some claim they’re necessary to maintain healthy hair, while others think they’re just a fad. But what is the true history of these goods?
Sulfate-free shampoos are popular because they are supposed to be kinder to the hair and scalp. They frequently make the claim to lessen color fading, dryness, and irritation. However, how much of this is accurate, and do they actually provide superior outcomes?
This post will examine whether or not sulfate-free shampoos are actually necessary or if they are just another catchphrase in marketing. Making the best decision for your hair will be made easier if you are aware of the advantages and disadvantages.
- Sulfate-free shampoo and how it works
- Differences between sulfate and sulfate-free shampoos: what is the difference?
- List of the best sulfate-free shampoos for hair
- Color Extend Magnetics, Redken
- Unbreak My Blonde, Matrix
- Fluidealiste, Kérastase
- Curvaceus High Foam, Redken
- Hydratation Douceur, Kérastase
- Keep Me Vivid, Matrix
- Frizz Dismiss, Redken
- KeratinDose, Biolage
- When to use sulfate-free shampoo?
- Keratin straightening
- Botox for hair
- Sensitive scalp, allergies
- Colored hair
- Damaged, dry or porous hair
- Is sulfate-free shampoo effective for oily hair?
- Pros and cons of sulfate-free shampoos on different scales
- How to use sulfate-free shampoo correctly and how not to harm?
- Video on the topic
- HAIR SHAMPOO. SULFATE-FREE
- Sulfate or sulfate-free shampoo? Which is better for hair?
- 🔥 THE WHOLE TRUTH about ELSEVE low shampoo! SULFATE-FREE shampoo
- TESTING DRY SHAMPOO💥NEW PRODUCTS💥#7days #dryshampoo
- The mildest shampoos for hair | Sulfate-free shampoos
- THE BEST SULFATE-FREE SHAMPOOS UP TO 300 UAH 😍
Sulfate-free shampoo and how it works
- Decyl Glucoside
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine
- Lauramidopropyl Betaine
- Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
- Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
- Coco Glucoside
Sulfate-free shampoo is gentle on the scalp and hair, yet it effectively removes excess sebum and dirt due to the softness of the washing base. Due to its ability to prevent color fading and wash off too quickly, it is an invaluable tool after many salon procedures, including coloring.
The sulfate-free products’ manufacturers assert that they can strengthen, hydrate, and nourish hair. This degree of adaptability, albeit subtle, is achievable because a mild shampoo is typically not restricted to a gentle washing base. It is hard to imagine its composition without glycerin, oils, and other compounds that keep the hydrobalance of the hair shaft intact. And the formulas keep getting better.
These days, it’s simple to locate shampoos that are free of alkali (soap), phosphates (a common foaming agent), dyes, heavy metal salts, alcohol, and fragrances. Whether any of the aforementioned actually damages hair is a different matter, but every person has different needs in terms of maintenance.
This is the reason behind the increasing number of new sulfate-free shampoo varieties that are available: moisturizing, calming, preventing hair loss, boosting volume, fortifying, and suitable for dry and thin hair, among others. Most likely, you can already find a list of the best to worst shampoos without silicones, parabens, or sulfates online. Generally speaking, with so many options available, it will be simple to give up sulfates entirely if circumstances demand it.
Differences between sulfate and sulfate-free shampoos: what is the difference?
It is important to remember that shampoos cannot wash anything off if they contain surfactants. Thanks to surfactants, even solid shampoo can be cleaned. What surfactants are included in a given formula is another question.
Sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLES) are two examples of intensive surfactants that eliminate all possibility of dirt, including styling residue and excess sebum. Although all dirt is unlikely to be removed with an extremely gentle washing base of sulfate-free shampoo, the hair shaft is smoother and the scalp’s lipid layer is left intact after washing.
Organic hair shampoos without sulfates can frequently claim to contain an almost entirely natural blend of ingredients, including plant extracts, bioavailable oils, and other eco-friendly substances. They most likely don’t contain parabens, but this is probably just a reassurance because it’s never been demonstrated that these preservatives are harmful. However, shampoo that is free of sulfates and parabens and contains a high percentage of plant-based ingredients is typically suggested as a kind of magic for skin that is sensitive. Conversely, essential oils and extracts have the potential to cause allergies, particularly when administered in high concentrations.
An effective sulfate-free cleaning solution lowers the possibility of allergies and won’t irritate skin. There is just one flaw with it.
Shampoos without sulfates aren’t good for everyone. I advise switching back to a traditional sulfate shampoo at least once a week for a thorough cleaning of the scalp. It will eliminate excess sebum, styling products, and road grime more completely, all of which can irritate skin.
L "Technologist Professional Oréal
It turns out that within the confines of a single beauty routine, sulfate and sulfate-free shampoos get along well, despite all of their differences. It’s still to find gentle goods that suit your preferences. SalonSecret has selected the top sulfate-free shampoos for you.
List of the best sulfate-free shampoos for hair
There are good reasons why SalonSecret’s editors and stylists both think highly of them. Only top-notch products that merit your consideration are featured on our list of the top sulfate-free hair shampoos. Fascinating fact: men’s shampoo is not available here. No, those who represent the strong half of humanity are not left out; rather, the goods in this rating are appropriate for all users.
Color Extend Magnetics, Redken
The first product on the list of sulfate-free hair shampoos is an incredibly mild cleanser made especially for colored hair, color stabilization, and saturation maintenance. The acidic pH of the shampoo formula eliminates excess sebum, styling residue, and other impurities while also closing the pigment in the cuticle. A unique RCT protein complex is added to the composition to strengthen hair that has been damaged. Take notice of the chic bottle—made of recycled plastic and made with consideration for the environment. Please place the empty shampoo package in the bag with the plastic bottles when you sort your trash.
What should I pair with? You most likely have colored hair if Color Extend Magnetics is your choice. Color Extend Magnetics conditioner is an additional piece of care you can use. It will greatly ease combing and extend the color’s brightness for up to four weeks.
Unbreak My Blonde, Matrix
Citric acid-containing shampoo works in a subtle and elegant way by strengthening broken connections within the hair shaft’s structure. As one might anticipate from a sulfate-free product, it cleanses tenderly, lovingly, and gently. The aroma pyramid is competitive with niche perfumes, and the bottle—save for the lid—is composed of recycled plastic. Imagine the passionate dance of Italian lime notes blending with verbena and red berries to create a unique atmosphere perfect for a spa treatment. Since going blonde, this may be my favorite sulfate-free professional shampoo.
What should I pair with? Use conditioner and leave-in cream named Unbreak My Blonde to enhance the care after the lightening procedure. Together, the range’s products lessen hair breakage and strengthen hair strands three times.
Fluidealiste, Kérastase
Kérastase Fluidealiste bath shampoo
Sulfate-free bath shampoo gives damaged and colored hair that is prone to thinning back its luster, smoothness, and elasticity. The resistance to tangling will appeal to Fluidealiste owners with thin, dry strands. It’s my opinion that the best sulfate-free shampoos would be incomplete without it, as it flawlessly smooths hair while preserving the results of salon treatments like glazing, lamination, and keratinization.
Tatiana Kostikova, Kérastase’s creative partner: "The shampoo foams incredibly well even though it doesn’t contain sulfates. facilitates working with curly and unruly hair."
What should I pair with? Hair is quickly smoothed and given lightness, shine, and moisture protection with Mask Kérastase Maskératine.
Curvaceus High Foam, Redken
This cream shampoo is good for directly damaged hair, even though it was created especially for curls, which frequently lack elasticity and natural shine. Indeed, it smoothes and softens his hair without removing any of it, nor does it "nullify" the style, keeping the volume. Bonus: a decrease in brittleness and radiance.
Good foaming shampoo, which is uncommon for these kinds of products. However, even the most problematic hair is very gently cleaned by it. Since this product is porous by nature and was originally designed for curly hair, it applies behind blondes’ hair flawlessly and without overdoing it.
Designer
With what mix? A drop of omega-6-enriched argan oil in a comprehensive care package Redden Every Soft Give the hair a beautiful sheen and incredible softness, which is precisely what we would anticipate from a professional level.
Hydratation Douceur, Kérastase
Kérastase Hydratation Douceur Shampoo-Bath
The Gamma Curl Manifesto calls for accepting and loving your hair if it is frizzy, wavy, or curly. It is a manifesto in and of itself. Additionally, the shampoo’s manuka honey and ceramide-based formula cleanses without feeling heavy or drying out, giving the foundation for respect and love. Following a wash, the moisture content, sheen, and curl pattern of the hair all improve. Yes, the more skillfully we manage our wayward curls, the more attractive they appear.
What should I pair with? Use milk Hydratation Essentielle after every wash to give curls extra hydration and elasticity. Next, use your hands, fingers, or a diffuser to create tidy curls with one of these products: gel-cream Gelée Curl Contour (which produces delightfully clear and elastic curls) or cream De Jour Fondamentale (which moisturizes, does not weigh down, controls the shape of strands, and protects them from humidity for 24 hours).
Keep Me Vivid, Matrix
Amazing scent, pleasing feel, and smooth, silky hair after washing. Keep Me Vivid, a sulfate-free shampoo for colored hair, functions like this. It is interesting to note that girls who have not had their hair dyed also like to use it because it is so good and hard to find a worthy substitute.
What should I pair with? To your care moisturizer, add leave-in cream that has a dizzying shine effect and UV filters. When combined, these two completely change hair, leaving salon procedures in the background.
Frizz Dismiss, Redken
The shampoo’s high-tech formula is solely focused on controlling frizzed-out and errant curls. This contains babassu oil and a 1% concentration of smoothing complex. Sulfates and sodium chloride (salt) are not present here. In theory, hair that is frizz-prone or damaged doesn’t require the final ingredient. I learned more about this range from my colleague here.
What should I pair with? Leave-in serum with oil base Frizz Dismiss Anti-Static Oil and Fast Deflate Frizz Dismiss will complete the task that the shampoo began, transforming unmanageable hair into an extremely well-groomed hairstyle.
KeratinDose, Biolage
Any sulfate-free hair shampoo that has earned a SalonSecret rating can be used to treat damaged hair. KeratinDose is designed for this, not just appropriate. Pro-keratin and silk extract, the product’s active ingredients, fortify damaged areas pointwise and restore up to 90% of the structure after just one application. The shampoo preserves the proper ratio of hydration and nourishment while giving hair its natural sheen, elasticity, and silkiness back.
What should I pair with? The conditioner has an even higher concentration of restorative active ingredients (Biolage KeratinDose).
When to use sulfate-free shampoo?
The primary justifications for converting from a conventional cleanser to one without sulfates are common. The demands of the scalp and the state of the hair take precedence over the type of hair. And what do the experts at SalonSecret think is a sign that sulfate-free shampoos should be used?
Keratin straightening
A composition with keratin fibers that resembles the structure of the hair shaft penetrates the cuticle during the keratinization process. Its job is to reinforce the strands, fill in damaged areas, and straighten them. By using an iron to seal the cuticle, the process slows down the keratin’s degradation and washing out. Nevertheless, the cuticle gradually starts to lose it once more. Your master will most likely give you a list of sulfate-free shampoos to use for after keratin straightening. And he will act appropriately: the less likely the shampoo is to fluff the cuticle and undo the benefits of the treatment, the softer it is.
Botox for hair
It is believed that
botox — a fairly tough procedure that requires very gentle care for at least the next two weeks after visiting the salon. In fact, everything is a little simpler. The main heroine of this service is a serum with a kaleidoscope of useful substances. There are amino acids, and moisturizing compounds, and collagen, and plant extracts. This cocktail is also sealed in the cuticle for temporary restoration of the hair shaft. Alkaline and sulfate shampoos raise the cuticle scales, so very soon the hair will return to its original state. Choose sulfate-free shampoos – they significantly prolong the effect of Botox. After bixiplasty (bixiplasty) sulfate-free cleansing will also not be superfluous.
Sensitive scalp, allergies
Reactive or sensitive scalp does not like sulfates, and the response to contact with powerful care components will not take long to come. This manifests itself in itching and local peeling, redness, a general feeling of discomfort and tightness. Dermatologists note that sensitive scalp is characterized by a weakening of the natural barrier protection of the epidermis, so that everyone"s favorite products can cause an unexpected reaction in you. This feature can be compared to a weak immune system: when others are happy about spring, you sneeze at pollen. Regular hair detergents will not work in this case, even the best ones. Stop at sulfate-free shampoos, and essential oils and plant extracts in them are undesirable – these substances are classified as quite strong allergens.
Colored hair
How you want to preserve the unique shade created by your colorist for many months! But the world is harsh: the sun destroys artificial pigment, hot styling does the same, but even faster. And shampoos and tap water wash out the color in a matter of weeks. The reason is in the same feature of sulfates: they clean so well that they simultaneously open the hair cuticle. Nothing holds the pigment, and after a couple of weeks we get a pale shade and various unwanted undertones: yellowness, red hair or, in the case of brown-haired and brunettes, a red or copper undertone. The sulfate-free formula is gentle on the cuticle and does not cause color to fade quickly.
A sulfate-free shampoo with strengthening ingredients is a must for artificial blondes. It doesn’t make the usual dryness that comes with bleached hair worse. Thus, use a sulfate-free shampoo if the hairdresser used bleaching powder or lightening dye. The strands’ structure is not harmed by ammonia-free dye, and sulfate-free maintenance is optional afterward.
Damaged, dry or porous hair
As the hair’s natural structure is compromised, the cuticle struggles to hold onto moisture, causing the damage to worsen over time. This is likely why split ends eventually, if they are not stopped, rise upward. Frequent cleaning expedites these procedures. In contrast, the best sulfate-free shampoos remove impurities gently and don’t overdry the hair. It’s ideal for porous hair and won’t hurt normal hair either. When the proper conditioner is added, the strands will once more become manageable, hydrated, and well-groomed. The same is true for curls (both natural and carved); only nourishing shampoos free of sulfates can bring out the curl and enhance the condition of the hair.
Is sulfate-free shampoo effective for oily hair?
Which sulfate-free shampoos are appropriate for overactive sebaceous glands is still a mystery. And is it really worth it to screw with them? It is well known that mild cleaning is not the ideal treatment for oily scalps, particularly in cases where the hair is healthy-looking and free of split ends or damage. However, thorough cleansing may cause the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum in response. And what ought to be done?
The truth is balanced and lies somewhere in the middle. As someone with an oily scalp, I found a solution in this way: I use a gentle cleanser every day and occasionally add dry shampoo to it. A traditional sulfate shampoo is also used twice a week. For the previous three years, this system has not caused any irritations, and the root volume continues to hold up well.
However, three things are crucially important:
- You need to choose good sulfate-free shampoos for hair. In my case, with dermatologically safe formulations. And not necessarily environmentally friendly. Salicylic acid or a complex of fruit acids can act as an assistant to soft surfactants in the formula.
- Sulfates in the formulas of intensively cleansing shampoos should be softened by more delicate surfactants and moisturizing components.
- Scalp with symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff are a reason to refuse sulfate-free shampoos. At least before consulting a trichologist or dermatologist.
Shampoos without sulfates have gained popularity as a kinder substitute for conventional hair products, but do you really need them? Avoiding sulfates, according to some, helps preserve moisture, lessen irritation, and preserve hair color—especially for people with dry or sensitive scalps. Some think it’s just a fad that won’t have much of an impact. Determining whether to switch to sulfate-free shampoo can be made easier if you are aware of what sulfates do and how they impact various hair types.
Pros and cons of sulfate-free shampoos on different scales
It’s possible that in your situation the drawbacks will be so great that you’ll have to give up trendy shampoos. Let’s weigh all the benefits and drawbacks of mild, environmentally friendly cleaning.
We appreciate this:
- Sulfate-free shampoos are ideal for sensitive scalps.
- Prolong the salon effect after coloring and keratin hair restoration.
- Do not cause increased sebum secretion by the sebaceous glands of the scalp.
- Gently cleanse the skin, practically without damaging the protective lipid layer.
This is perplexing:
- Sulfate-free shampoos are notorious for high consumption due to their weak ability to foam. In a sense, this is a myth, since there are now gentle and safe surfactants that foam well. Professional care lines usually use them.
- If the scalp is prone to oiliness, completely abandoning sulfate surfactants will not help "retrain" the scalp. On the contrary, unkempt hair will become your calling card.
- Sulfate-free shampoos do not wash off silicones, natural oils and similar ingredients well. The task of such substances is to lock in moisture (hello elasticity and hydration!) and protect from external influences. But accumulating in the hair and on the skin, they interfere with hair growth, can lead to increased hair loss and fragility of the hair shaft.
How to use sulfate-free shampoo correctly and how not to harm?
When used properly, mild cleansers’ drawbacks are mitigated. Then, your hair will look strong, glossy, and genuinely healthy—all the results of eco-friendly cleaning.
What should you keep in mind when converting from SLES to SLS-free shampoos?
- If the scalp is prone to dryness, it is better to use sulfate-free shampoos with each wash, and if necessary, return to deep cleansing shampoos once. With increased oiliness at the roots, alternate sulfate-free cleansers with sulfate ones.
- The effectiveness of cleansing depends on the time the foaming product is kept on the head. It is for this reason that you can often hear the advice to wait two to five minutes before rinsing. This is acceptable, but still for reactive skin and dry hair along the length, it is safer to use shampoo twice in a row during one wash, without holding the foam.
- As you know, shampoo should be chosen depending on the type of scalp, and balm or conditioner – based on the type of hair. So after sulfate-free shampoo, feel free to apply any suitable rinse-off care.
- Different brands – different formulas and, therefore, requirements. Pay attention to the manufacturer"s recommendations provided on the packaging of the product.
| Feature | Description |
| Benefits | Gentler on the scalp, reduces irritation, and maintains natural oils. |
| Drawbacks | May not cleanse as thoroughly, especially for oily hair. |
| Who it"s for | Best for people with sensitive skin, colored hair, or those looking for a milder option. |
| Who it"s not for | Not ideal for those who need deep cleansing or have very oily hair. |
| Is it necessary? | Depends on your hair type and personal preference; it’s not essential for everyone. |
Because of their mild formula, sulfate-free shampoos have become more and more popular, and those with sensitive scalps or damaged hair tend to favor them. Many people discover that avoiding sulfates helps maintain moisture and lessens irritation, even though they may not need to switch.
Sulfate-free products can be especially helpful for people whose hair is curly or color-treated because they help maintain natural oils and color. But keep in mind that every person has different hair, so the best shampoo is the one that works for you.
Ultimately, your hair type and preferences will determine whether or not you select a sulfate-free shampoo. Trying a variety of products will help you determine which one is best for you.
Video on the topic
HAIR SHAMPOO. SULFATE-FREE
Sulfate or sulfate-free shampoo? Which is better for hair?
🔥 THE WHOLE TRUTH about ELSEVE low shampoo! SULFATE-FREE shampoo
TESTING DRY SHAMPOO💥NEW PRODUCTS💥#7days #dryshampoo
The mildest shampoos for hair | Sulfate-free shampoos
THE BEST SULFATE-FREE SHAMPOOS UP TO 300 UAH 😍
