You wouldn't wash your hair with dish or laundry detergent, right? Then you might want to know about sulfates. This ingredient that lathers up your go-to shampoo is actually an aggressive foaming agent — aka detergent — which can be extremely harmful to your hair, and even the environment. We spoke to the experts and got the scoop on why it’s best to stay in a sulfate-free zone when it comes to shampoo.
What Are Sulfates?
For one, sulfates derived from petroleum “are associated with climate change, pollution, and greenhouse gases,” while sulfates derived from palm or coconut oils “are a concern because of the destruction to the rainforest and tree plantations,” according to Kérastase consulting hairstylist Ryan Richman. Also, Richman notes that "sulfates being washed down the drain by millions of users can negatively affect aquatic animals and pollute the environment.”
"Sulfates are used to create a lather in the hair to remove oil and dirt, but they can also cause colored hair to fade," adds Dhiran Mistry, hairstylist at the David Mallett salon in New York City. Richman and Mistry also note that sulfates can actually lead to frizz, causing more hairy situations in your future. Who knew washing your hair could cause so much damage?
Another reason to avoid this ingredient is the irritation it can cause to your skin, and your overall hair health. Richman says this is especially true for those with rosacea, eczema, and contact dermatitis, because “when you rinse the shampoo from your hair, it runs down your body and can cause redness, itchiness, or hives.”
“Sulfates can also cause irritation due to the chemicals used to make them, so using a sulfate-free shampoo can help prevent a dry itchy scalp,” adds Mistry.
So, it’s pretty safe to say that washing up with sulfates isn't doing you any favors! Instead, listen to the pros and make the switch to a safer, sulfate-free shampoo alternative.
Through talking to experts, extensive research, reading user reviews, and using our own experience with sulfate-free shampoo, we've pulled together a list of the best picks you can buy for your healthiest hair yet.
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1
Best Overall
Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Moisturizing Lather Shampoo
This sulfate-free shampoo won't strip away essential oils or fade pigmentation! Featuring organic awapuhi extract to balance moisture levels and create natural luster, this rich wash also repairs dry, brittle strands.
The exclusive KeraTriplex blend in Paul Mitchell's gentle shampoo replenishes moisture and packs some serious shine into your strands. Plus, beyond the incredible benefits of this sulfate-free pick, it smells absolutely amazing.
If you want a gentle shampoo and a full boost of volume, reach for Moroccanoil's Extra Volume Shampoo. Infused with antioxidant-rich argan oil and revitalizing nutrients like linden bud extract, it livens up limp strands the natural way.
This sulfate-free miracle shampoo is also completely color-safe, phosphate-free, and paraben-free. What's not to love?
3
Best Budget Buy
L’Oréal Paris Hair Care Ever Pure Moisture Shampoo
This sulfate-free drugstore buy puts moisture back into dehydrated strands while simultaneously protecting color. Because color-treated hair needs a particular type of tender loving care, L’Oréal created a gentle formula that contains no harsh sulfates or surfactants that can strip and damage hair.
A certified-vegan formula, it's also infused with refreshing rosemary and juniper to provide luminous shine and softness. All that for less than $10? Sign us up!
Living Proof's No Frizz shampoo is free of both sulfates and silicone. If you've got a full head of relentless frizzies, this gentle formula will smooth them right out.
Enhanced by the brand's patented Healthy Hair Molecule (otherwise referred to as OFPMA), it gives you an ultra rich lather that absorbs deep into the roots, eliminating friction and improving texture. Locks are left feeling weightlessly sleek and moisturized.
Whether you're addicted to heat-styling or your hair is naturally unruly, Kérastase's Bain Fluidealiste has you covered. It provides fluidity and anti-frizz benefits, leaving strands sleek and shiny.
It also features an optimized base to create the abundant lather you crave in a shampoo. Delivering a synergy of beneficial ingredients, this luxurious pick is well worth the cost. It's Ryan Richman's pick, too!
6
Best for Moisture
Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Shampoo
Can't make it to the hairdresser for a quick touch-up? Bumble and bumble products are made by professionals, for professionals, but also for those of us faking it at home. A little goes a long way, so work one pump into strands, adding extra product accordingly.
The sulfate-free product has been infused with six feather-light essential oils that won't weigh hair down. Instead, strands dry softer, smoother, shinier, and without breakage. This one is also a great pick for both chemically treated and colored hair.
Did you know that washing your hair too much with certain shampoos could cause stripping of natural oils? With Briogeo's sulfate-free shampoo, you need not worry.
Made from an all-natural blend of ginseng, ginger root, and biotin (and sweetened with coconut, orange peel, and tangerine oils), the organic formula is safe to lather, rinse, and repeat for hair with excessive buildup.
8
Best for Chemically-Treated Hair
SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo
Between color treatments, hot tools, environmental stressors, and more, our hair gets worn and torn, and the first thing to go is its ability to retain moisture. SheaMoisture's sulfate-free shampoo aids strands in absorbing moisture, while raw shea butter, argan oil, and sea kelp repair breakage.
It's safe for all types of hair, but it's especially great for those transitioning from chemically treated to natural hair.
To rid yourself of an itchy scalp, Maple Holistics formulated an all-natural, sulfate-free shampoo by combining pure, essential oils like sage, tea tree, rosemary, and botanical keratin with verbenone, an organic compound that organically stimulates the renewal of the hair follicles and encourages circulation.
This Sage Shampoo gets to the literal root of your dandruff dilemma.
If you're not letting go of your hair dye anytime soon, then Mistry recommends using this sulfate-free shampoo to make your hue last longer.
"Unlike many color shampoos, it does not weigh down the hair," he says. "It delivers firmness and structure to the hair fiber, while nourishing hair after it has been treated with hair dye, leaving it shiny and beautifully soft. It is lightly perfumed with rhubarb, and it's made with 95% ingredients from natural origin."
Looking to smooth out some issues with your strands? Then this sulfate-free pick will do just the trick, thanks to its vegan keratin formula that helps seal, reinforce, and smooth the hair cuticle.
Neroli Oil and Murumuru Butter work hand in hand to give your hair the ultimate gloss, shine, and softening treatment to have better, more manageable hair the minute you step out of the shower.
If your hair is screaming S.O.S, then it may be time to pull out the stronger stuff. For major damage control, opt for this sulfate-free shampoo, which works to nourish your hair with moisture, strength, and manageability in every wash.
If you're able to shell out a few extra dollars for your haircare, then try this luxurious (and clean!) shampoo. Not only is it sulfate-free, but it's safe enough for use on color treated hair, is vegan, cruelty-free, and hypoallergenic.
Plus, it has a relaxing French Riviera scent that will make you feel like you’re on the finest beachside vacation (even if you're just in your bathroom).
A must-have for coily, kinky, and tight curls, this moisturizing shampoo creates the perfect lather so you can gently reactivate your natural curl pattern and texture – without any harsh surfactants, of course.
Not only are your ringlets left soft and squeaky clean, but they're also delicately scented with a flowery blend of jasmine, bergamot, and sweet sandalwood as well.
If you can’t remember the last time you treated your hair to a really deep cleanse, this buildup-erasing shampoo from Virtue has got you covered. It’s designed to rebuild hair that’s been damaged by intense heat styling by depositing a special keratin complex into the areas that need repair, helping your strands retain moisture better while also boosting shine, softness, and vibrancy.
Emily BelfioreContributorEmily is a contributor for BestProducts.com, where she’s searching the web for the greatest finds in fashion, beauty, and wellness.
Jennifer HusseinBeauty EditorJennifer is the Beauty Editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse.
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