ICYMI, certain cleansing agents like sulfates can be pretty damaging to your hair. Although there are so many fabulous products out there that can help prevent hair breakage and keep dryness at bay, the best way to truly avoid strand casualties is to switch to sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.
"Sulfates tend to be overly harsh," says Iris Rubin, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Seen. "They can strip away natural oils and be overly drying for the hair. If you suffer from a sensitive, dry scalp or have curly hair, you should stay away from them. They can also cause color-treated hair to fade more quickly."
If that's not enough to convince you, celebrity hairstylist Ben Talbott also has a bit more bad news when it comes to sulfates: They can affect your skin. "Exposure to sulfates in high concentrations or for a prolonged period of time can irritate the skin's natural barrier, especially if your skin is on the sensitive side," he says. "They're often contained in products used to clean car engines when they get greased up or to get our dishes squeaky clean, so it's easy to imagine why they can be too harsh for your hair."
Yikes. As I'm sure most of us would not like ingredients used to clean car engines in our hair, there are (luckily) plenty of other options out there that are sulfate-free. Below, find both Rubin's and Talbott's recommendations for the best sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners.
Herbal Essences Honey and Vitamin B Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner
Key specs: 20.2 oz. each, vitamin B, honey, sulfate-free
Talbott loves this budget-conscious set because it's infused with highly moisturizing ingredients like aloe and honey. It also smells divine, featuring a mixture of jasmine and vanilla.
Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner
Key specs: 8 oz., humidity protection, amino cleansing complex cleanses hair without stripping
According to Talbott, this set is one of the best options for those who would like to smooth any excess frizz. Having won several industry awards, it blocks humidity, balances moisture levels, and repels dirt and oil oh so well.
Key specs: Jojoba esters, hemisqualane, marine algae polysaccharides, phytantriol
Seen Skin-Caring Shampoo and Conditioner
Key specs: 8.6 oz., hemisqualane, bisabolol
Rubin formulated these products without harsh agents—they're even gentle enough for daily use. "Although these products are sulfate-free, the [shampoo] still has amazing foam. All Seen products have color-safe formulations and provide peace of mind since our products are formulated without sulfates, silicones, phthalates, parabens, dyes, and gluten," she says.
Key specs: Hemisqualane, bisabolol
Pureology Strength Cure Blonde Purple Shampoo and Conditioner
Key specs: 9 oz., purple shampoo, keravis, astaxanthin, purple orchid
If you color your hair blonde, this set contains the best sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner you can use. "I love this shampoo," Talbott shares. "It has an incredible smell and is totally vegan. It will keep those blonde tones bright and remove any brassiness. It also helps keep your hair strong. Pureology has a full range for any chemically treated and colored hair types."
Key specs: Keravis, astaxanthin, purple orchid
Bread Beauty Supply Gentle Milky Hair Cleanser and Creamy Deep Conditioner
Key specs: 8.4 oz., argan oil, aloe vera juice, lemon tea tree oil
I really can't say enough good things about this sulfate-free set from Bread Beauty Supply. I've used plenty of shampoos and conditioners in my time, but I always seem to gravitate to these two. They're designed specifically for those with thick, curly hair (right up my alley) and contain soothing ingredients like aloe vera juice and lemon tea tree oil. The Milky Hair Cleanser is incredibly gentle and hydrating yet still always manages to detangle my curls quickly.
Key specs: Kakadu plum seed oil, starflower oil, hydrolyzed wheat protein
Olaplex No. 4 and No. 5 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and Conditioner
Key specs: 8.5 oz., coconut oil-derived surfactants, glycerin
For chemically treated, heat-damaged, and processed hair, Talbott always recommends Olaplex—the holy grail. It repairs, hydrates, and helps protect against future damage by relinking broken hair bonds.
Key specs: 8.5 oz., panthenol, glycerin
Qhemet Biologics Egyptian Wheat Grass Cleansing Tea and Moringa Tree Conditioning Ghee
To be honest, all Qhemet Biologics products are great, especially for those with curls and coils. The Cleansing Tea and Conditioning Ghee really put this brand ahead of the pack. These products are lightweight yet deeply moisturizing and are completely SLS-free. The Cleansing Tea even helps alleviate dandruff and scalp flakes.
Key specs: 8 oz., wheatgrass, aloe, lavender, alfalfa
All Qhemet Biologics products are great, especially for those with curls and coils. The Cleansing Tea and Conditioning Ghee really put this brand ahead of the pack. These products are lightweight yet deeply moisturizing and are completely SLS-free. The Cleansing Tea even helps alleviate dandruff and scalp flakes.
Key specs: Coconut oil, moringa oil, amla oil
Verb Ghost Shampoo and Conditioner
Key specs: 12 oz., moringa seed oil, quinoa protein, sunflower seed extract
This sulfate-free shampoo-and-conditioner set is cult loved for a reason. It's designed with all hair types in mind and contains moringa oil, quinoa protein, and sunflower-seed extract to prevent strand breakage. Bonus: It's color-safe.
Key Specs: 12 oz., moringa oil, quinoa protein, sunflower seed extract
Adwoa Beauty Baomint Moisturizing Shampoo and Deep Conditioning Treatment
Key specs: 14 oz., aloe leaf juice, baobab oil, wintergreen, spearmint, peppermint oil
Adwoa Beauty's sulfate-free shampoo is unique in the way that it deposits natural oils (similar to sebum) within your scalp that nourish and protect it without stripping it. The deep-conditioning treatment is perfect for dry, thirsty hair, as it penetrates deeply into the hair shaft after washing.
Key specs: 16 oz., shea butter, prickly pear oil, pumpkin seed oil
Love Beauty and Planet Soothe and Nourish Shampoo and Conditioner
Key specs: 13.5 oz., hemp seed oil, nana leaf
This vegan shampoo-and-conditioner set is one of the best drugstore options out there. It contains hempseed and coconut oil to gently hydrate and soothe the hair shaft. It's also color-safe and great for straight and wavy hair types.
Key specs: 13.5 oz., hemp seed, nana leaf
Botanic Hearth Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner
Key specs: 16 oz. each, silk protein, aloe vera orange fruit extract
If you tend to have a dry, itchy, or flaky scalp, this tea tree oil infused shampoo and conditioner are for you. They're invigorating, soothing, and gentle enough for daily use.
Hask Argan Oil Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner
Key specs: 12 oz., argan oil, pro-vitamin B5
Many consider argan somewhat of a miracle oil, as it softens hair, repairs split ends, and revives dry or damaged strands. Luckily, this shampoo and conditioner from Hask contain all that and are sulfate-free.
Key specs: 12 oz., argan oil, coconut oil, olive fruit oil
FAQs
Is sulfate-free shampoo really better for your hair?
It's important to note that sulfates aren't always "bad." Sulfates attract both oil and water and allow dirt and dead skin cells on the scalp to be washed away when paired with water. Because of this, they're usually best used in a clarifying shampoo formula, which is designed specifically to remove buildup in the hair. How often you use a clarifying shampoo will depend on your hair type, but if you do have dry or damaged hair, it's probably best to use sulfates very sparingly. They can strip the hair of its natural oils and can cause hair to become more brittle and dry if they're overused.
Who should not use sulfate-free shampoo?
If you have super-oily hair or dandruff, sulfate-free shampoo may not be best for you. Sulfates can help get rid of oils in the hair that can make dandruff worse. As for those with oily hair, sulfate-free shampoos may not break down oils as well as a shampoo with sulfates, so your hair may become oilier if using a sulfate-free formula.
Is it okay to wash your hair every day with sulfate-free shampoo?
Generally, it's not recommended to wash your hair every single day, even if using a sulfate-free shampoo, but this will also depend on your hair type. If your hair is oily or you have dandruff, washing every day might be beneficial as long as it doesn't dry out your hair. If you do find that you have a lot of buildup on your scalp, it might work best to wash your hair with a sulfate-free formula once or twice a week followed by a clarifying shampoo every other week. Those with curly and coily hair might want to stick to a co-wash or sulfate-free formula once a week and supplement with a clarifying shampoo once every four to five washes.
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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