Sulfate-free shampoos have long been a hot topic among hair enthusiasts and hairdressers. Why are sulfates used so widely in the hair industry if they are bad for hair? In this blog post, we explain what sulfates do to our hair and the benefits of a sulfate-free shampoo.
What are sulfates?
Sulfates are soap agents found in everything from toothpaste to detergents. They foam a lot and are very effective at dissolving oils. Common sulfates in your shampoo are sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), and ammonium laureth sulfate (ALS). There are more sulfate variants that usually end with sulfate and sulfonate.
Why are sulfates popular in shampoos?
Sulfates reduce surface tension and make it easier for a shampoo to foam when in contact with water. The more sulfates, the easier your shampoo spreads over the hair and creates a rich lather. The shampoo becomes incredibly economical. A small amount is enough to wash the hair thoroughly. That's where all the benefits end, as they are a bit too good at washing away oils.
Why you should use sulfate-free shampoo
A shampoo that cleans too strongly irritates the scalp and damages the hair over time. A shampoo that strips oils too aggressively also makes it harder for the hair's cuticle to "close." Hair problems start when the cuticles are open. Then a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner can restore hair quality. These are common signs that you need a sulfate-free shampoo:
- frizzy hair
- sensitive and irritated scalp
- dry hair and scalp
- damaged hair
- split ends
- dull and lifeless hair
1. Restore shine to your hair
Do you use a lot of conditioner, hair oil, and hair masks? That's because the cuticle needs fat and moisture to close properly. In the final state, the hair is protected from external stress. When hair is completely stripped of oils, nourishing and moisturizing products become essential to restore smooth strands and shiny hair. Try switching to a sulfate-free shampoo that doesn't wash away all the oils and moisture.
2. Get stronger hair
When the hair's cuticle is open, the hair not only becomes dry and rough. It becomes more hollow, and the cuticle no longer protects the inner core of the strands (cortex). The cortex plays a major role in hair strength and is where the hair's natural color pigment is found. Without protection, hair is directly damaged by sunlight, heat styling, chemicals, and friction. Hair becomes frizzy, damaged, and breaks easily. Prevent this by washing your hair without sulfates.
3. Preserve moisture and proteins
Are you investing in moisturizing and protein-rich hair products? That's exactly right to maintain stronger and more beautiful hair. The next step is to start washing with a sulfate-free shampoo. Otherwise, both moisture and proteins are washed out of the hair without any positive effect.
4. Enhance curls and natural hair fall
Do you have trouble enhancing your natural curls or has the natural fall disappeared? A shampoo that cleans too strongly removes moisture from the hair. Without moisture, hair becomes stiff, straighter, and hard to manage. Get your curls and natural fall back by completely excluding sulfates from your hair care routine.
5. Get rid of stubborn acne
If you have tried everything and still have acne problems, it might be a good idea to review your shampoo. This is especially true if you have acne or blemishes:
- around the hairline
- on the neck and back
- on the shoulders and chest
Sulfates damage not only the hair. The skin becomes disturbed and the skin barrier weakens. Many experience that acne problems worsen due to sulfates. Review all your hair and skin products with cleansing properties.
6. Make your hair color last longer
Sulfates do not wash away your natural hair color. However, color on dyed hair fades faster. The stronger the shampoo, the more color is washed out. This especially applies to organic herbal hair dyes and toners. Even permanent chemical dyes fade if washed shortly after coloring. An easy way to preserve color is to try a mild sulfate-free shampoo.
7. Get rid of scalp problems
Sulfates affect not only the hair but also the scalp. A scalp without its natural oils can itch, develop dry flakes, have disturbed pH levels, and trigger overproduction of oil. A healthy scalp is a prerequisite for healthy hair. Get rid of or at least reduce your scalp problems by choosing a gentler shampoo.
8. Prevent hair loss
Sulfates do not cause hair loss but can indirectly trigger and worsen the condition. If hair loss is already a problem, it won't improve with dry and damaged hair follicles. A dry scalp also increases sebum production. Too much sebum (natural skin oil) can definitely clog hair follicles and create a favorable environment for bacteria and fungi. This in turn can cause hair loss. Therefore, try sulfate-free shampoo for a longer period for a scalp in better balance.
This is how sulfate-free shampoos work
Sulfate-free shampoos instead clean with other gentler cleansing agents. They produce a softer foam and:
- clean hair without washing away natural oils and moisture
- foam less
- are less irritating to scalp and skin
Because of these properties, they may initially feel less economical, that the hair doesn't get clean and gets dirty again faster. The transition to a sulfate-free shampoo may require an adjustment period. Keep in mind that:
- stop feeding hair and scalp with hard-to-dissolve chemicals and substances like silicones
- initially, two shampoos may be needed
- It takes a bit more effort to distribute the shampoo and massage it into the scalp. Give the shampoo time to dissolve oils and dead skin cells. Help clean by massaging hair and scalp.
- Rinse thoroughly and help by massaging with your fingers so dust and dead skin cells rinse off more easily.
- You may need more frequent hair washes before sebum production is regulated. The scalp may need several sulfate-free weeks to balance. So be patient!
When hair and scalp have adjusted to gentler shampoos, your sulfate-free shampoo will feel more concentrated, easier to distribute, and clean well. The hair will also stay clean for several days. Last but not least, both hair and scalp will feel so much better.
Which sulfate-free shampoos are best?
The easiest way is to buy an organic (certified) shampoo. Then you get a sulfate-free, paraben-free, silicone-free shampoo. Which one is best depends on factors like hair type, hair quality, and washing frequency. Here we give our best tips on really good sulfate-free shampoos to start with.
The best transition shampoo
If you want to switch from a strong foaming shampoo with sulfates, it’s best to choose one that is sulfate-free but still foams well. This is so the difference isn’t too big and the transition feels smooth. You can also continue using your so-called transition shampoo. You can gradually switch to an even milder shampoo for gentler washes.
Eco Cosmetics Repair Shampoo is the most popular organic transition shampoo for those who want sulfate-free hair care.
Repair Shampoo with Myrtle, Ginkgo & Jojoba, 200 ml from Eco Cosmetics
The best shampoo for daily washing
Choose a mild shampoo if you wash your hair every day. A nettle shampoo suits the whole family and is gentle on both hair and scalp.
Logona – Essential Care Organic Nettle Shampoo, 250 ml
The best shampoo to tone down yellow tones in hair
Whether you have bleached hair or are naturally blonde, you can tone down yellow hues with a completely paraben- and sulfate-free shampoo. Bruns Shampoo No. 24 contains, among other things, the plant extract Campeche, which gives cool tones to the hair. The natural ingredients in the shampoo also add volume and a “more hair” feeling.
Bruns Products – Shampoo No. 24 Blonde Beauty for All Hair Types / Blonde, Gray, or Bleached Hair
The best shampoo for those with scalp issues
Odylique Gentle Herb Shampoo is a very gentle shampoo designed specifically for sensitive scalps. It contains moisturizing aloe vera and has a very mild herbal scent.
Odylique – Gentle Herb Shampoo
If it’s really dry, it might also be a good idea to try the conditioner method!
For those who want to read more, we recommend tips on how to care for dry hair or how to prevent an itchy scalp.
