Sulfate-Free Shampoo: Do You Need One?

Sulfate-free shampoos are cropping up more than ever. Women with dry, frizzy, coloured or natural hair may avoid sulfates to make hair look and feel healthier. 

Sulfates are the salts in most shampoos and conditioners that help create the foamy lather while washing your hair. The most common sulfates on the ingredient list are Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS).

Sulfate-free shampoos don’t include the harsh salts that strip your hair of the natural oils that keep hair soft and frizz-free. When the oils are gone is when hair reaches for extra moisture creating frizz. Sulfates have also been linked to causing thinning hair and hair loss. Switching to a sulfate-free shampoo may prevent hair from falling out.  

Ladies with coloured hair will also benefit to switching to a sulfate-free shampoo. Since the salts are not present to strip hair of the dye you can wait an extra few weeks between colouring your hair.

With summer just around the corner, try switching to one of these sulfate-free shampoos to prevent dry brittle, dry hair and frizz in the heat and humidity.

Aveeno Pure Renewal
This new line is made without sulfates, parabens, or synthetic dyes that would dry or strip the hair. The formula is naturally derived from potato starch and seaweed extract, for soft natural hair.

Structure by Joico
This shampoo and conditioner duo is 100 per cent vegan.  The formula is made without parabens, sulfates, silicons, glycols, gluten, and aartificial dyes.

Kerastase Chrome Sensitive Low-Foam Cleansing Balm
This shampoo is called a low-foam balm because without the sulfate, the shampoo will not lather as much as traditional shampoos. However, the sulfate, paraben and silicone-free formula leaves hair feeling shiny and touchable.

Organix Tea Tree Mint Shampoo and Conditioner
On top of being formulated without sulfates, Australian Teatree oil adds moisture and strength, and replenishing milk proteins and micro infused peppermint oils hydrate and protect the hair.

Ouidad Climate Control Defrizzing Shampoo
This sulfate-free shampoo is made with curly-haired girls in mind. It makescurls more manageable, with less frizz thanks to the humidity shield complex that moisturizes hair and acts as barrier between heat humidity and environment.