Sulfate-free hair shampoos

Today, the topic of choosing a shampoo is very relevant, or rather, which shampoo to choose, with sulfates or sulfate-free. I will say right away that softer derivatives of sulfates are used in a sulfate-free shampoo, or, as they are also called, surfactants (surfactants), most often on a plant basis, today we will understand them.

The article How to choose a shampoo for normal, dry and oily hair, you can find out a lot of useful information about choosing a shampoo.

What are sulfates in shampoo for?

Before we deal with the features and disadvantages of sulfate-free shampoos, let's first find out what sulfates are and why they are needed in shampoos.

Sulfates are surfactants (surfactants), that is, they are special cleaning components, similar to petrochemical ones, in shampoo they are needed to form foam and cleanse hair from impurities even in cold water.

The concentration of sulfates in shampoos is in very small quantities, so the likelihood of a harmful effect on the body is too exaggerated, especially since the shampoo contacts the skin and hair for no more than two to three minutes. Although many say that sulfates negatively affect the protective properties of the epidermis, destroying it, and also have a negative effect on the scalp, it is therefore important to thoroughly rinse the shampoo from the hair.

The most popular sulfates that are part of the shampoo, we have divided them from the most dangerous and toxic to the least dangerous.

Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) - It foams a lot and can itch and irritate the scalp if the shampoo is not rinsed well.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) - it forms a good lather, but if it is not well washed off it can dry the scalp.

Ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES) - an aggressive surfactant, but not as toxic as the two previous ones.

Sodium myreth sulfate SMES - also an aggressive surfactant, often included in shampoos, very rarely, but can still cause dry scalp.

Disodium cocoamphodiacetate - mild surfactant for cleansing hair and scalp.

Sodium laurel sulfoacetate - mild surfactant made from palm and coconut oil.

Polyglyceryl-3 palmitate - mild surfactant derived from glycerin and palm oil.

Sucrose laurate - sucrose laurate, has mild cleansing properties.

Sodium cocoyl glutamate - a mild detergent with antioxidant properties.

Decyl glucoside - mild cleansing surfactant based on coconut fatty acid and corn starch.

Lauryl glucoside - mild surfactant from coconut oil sugar.

Сocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine - mild surfactant based on coconut oil fatty acid, cleanses and moisturizes at the same time.

Сocamidopropyl betaine - has conditioning properties, prevents hair static.

All mild surfactants are part of sulfate-free shampoos!

If you notice that your hair is oily more often than usual, or if you have an itchy scalp or dandruff, then it's time to change your shampoo to a less aggressive one.

If you look at the composition of the shampoo, then sulfates are in second place after water.

The most aggressive surfactants are found in mass market shampoos.

Who is sulfate-free shampoos suitable for?

1. Colored hair - ordinary shampoos very quickly wash out the dye from the hair, and sulfate-free softer and accordingly saturated hair color remains for longer. Therefore, in general, all shampoos (especially professional) for colored hair are sulfate-free.
2. After keratin hair straightening - after this procedure, you are immediately offered a special shampoo in the salon or it is recommended to use only a mild sulfate-free shampoo for shampooing, since a regular shampoo will nullify keratin straightening in just a few headwashes.
3. Sensitive Scalp - If you find it difficult to find a shampoo because your scalp often gets dry or irritated, you can try sulfate-free shampoos, they are well proven for sensitive scalp.
4. For anyone looking for a more natural hair care product. Sulfate-free shampoos, natural oils, essential oils, rinsing hair with herbs, homemade natural masks for hair can be an excellent and reliable arsenal in hair care.

Pros and cons of sulfate-free shampoos

The first thing that should be clarified is that sulfate-free shampoos are far from natural shampoos (and in general there are no natural industrial shampoos), they simply replace aggressive components with softer ones. Because some write that there are no preservatives in such shampoos, they are completely natural emulsifiers, do not believe this, if they did not contain preservatives, their shelf life would not be more than a week, not three years.

Pros of sulfate-free shampoos:

• The shampoo contains mild surfactants that do not dry out or irritate the scalp.
• Sulfate-free shampoos do not destroy the skin's natural protective barrier and hair structure.
• They do not wash out the dye from the hair, the hair retains the color pigment longer due to the soft structure of the shampoo components.
• These shampoos are ideal after keratin hair straightening. Because the sulfates from shampoos corrode keratin and help to quickly wash out particles from the hair.
• Sulfate-free shampoos do not dry out the scalp, as a result, the lipid-fat balance does not change and the feeling of cleanliness remains longer.
• When used regularly, sulfate-free shampoos can heal your hair in general.

Sulfate-free shampoos contain more natural ingredients that are equally effective in cleansing and filling the hair and scalp with all the necessary components.

Cons of sulfate-free shampoos:

• Large consumption of shampoo, due to the fact that it foams poorly and needs to be washed with shampoo two, and sometimes three times.
• Quite high price, sulfate-free shampoo will cost more than regular mass-market shampoo.
• Sulfate-free shampoos do not wash hair styling products (foam, varnish, gel ...), as well as silicones, therefore deep cleansing shampoo must be used.
• After such a shampoo, it is imperative to apply a mask or conditioner, otherwise the hair will not be combed.

You need to get used to this shampoo, because it may immediately seem that it does not cleanse and rinses the hair well, there may not be enough volume, smoothness, like after ordinary shampoos.

How to apply?

If you adhere to several recommendations, then using sulfate-free shampoo will only benefit:

When choosing a shampoo, be sure to proceed from the condition of the scalp: it is prone to oily content, or vice versa, to dryness, or it can be sensitive. And based on this, buy the appropriate shampoo (moisturizing, for frequent (gentle) washing, for sensitive scalp, for volume).

Before applying the shampoo, the hair and scalp must be well moistened, and the water must be warmer, otherwise the shampoo will not lather and rinse well.

Apply the shampoo twice, the second time it will lather better, give a light massage and you can leave the shampoo on your hair for 2-3 minutes. If your hair is thick, long and heavy, you can apply shampoo a third time.

List of sulfate-free shampoos

The choice of sulfate-free shampoos is as great as sulfate ones, the price and quality also have a wide range. So you can easily find the right product for your hair.

Kerastase Discipline Bain Fluidealiste Smooth-in-Motion Shampoo Sans Sulfates

Kerastase Discipline contains a morpho-keratin complex, which includes serine, glutaming acid, arginine and wheat protein - components responsible for consolidating hair fibers and making them smooth and soft. The line includes a three-stage system that does not involve any chemical change in the hair.

Composition: Aqua / Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycol Distearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycereth-26, Decyl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Coconut Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Hydrogenated Coconut Acid, Coco-Glucoside Benzoate, Divinyldimethicone / Dimethicone Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-7, Amodimethicone, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Isethionate, Salicylic Acid, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Propylene Glycol, Carbomer, C11-15 Pareth-7, Arginium Glutamic Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, Laureth-9, Benzyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Serine, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Trideceth-12, C12-13 Pareth-23, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, C12-13 Pareth-3, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Parfum / Fragrance.

Thanks to the formula that does not contain dangerous parabens and sulfates, the described shampoo is completely safe for both colored and severely damaged strands. Thanks to the dense foam, which is created by unique plant substances, the shampoo delicately cleanses the strands from all types of dirt, giving them incredible lightness, freshness and softness. The formula is also enriched with the revolutionary KeraTriplex® keratin complex, fortified with avapui extract. Thanks to its effect, dry, brittle and vulnerable curls are thoroughly restored, they are saturated with moisture necessary for the elasticity and silkiness of the strands, as well as giving them an increased attractive shine and obedience.

Composition: Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Cococamphodiacetate, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, Laureth-4, Laureth-23, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-5, Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratinium-Corp. , Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Biovlavonoids, Citrus Aurantium Amara (bitter Orange) Peel Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Guar Hydroypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium / Limitic Nitrate, Fragylinate , Linalool.

Tigi Health Factor Shampoo Sulfate Free Daily Shampoo

Composition: Aqua (Water / Eau), Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide MEA, PEG-150 Distearate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycol Distearate, Limonene, Lquinalool, Parfternium Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Lauramine Oxide, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Yucca Schidigera Leaf / Root / Stem Extract (Rosmarinus Rosemarinus) Extract, Sodium PCA, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Chloride.

The shampoo formula is enriched with bamboo extract and argan oil, thanks to which it restores and strengthens the hair structure, prolongs the durability and brightness of the color. The special non-sulfate formula with a vitamin balance also takes good care of the scalp, deeply nourishes and gently cleanses. After applying the shampoo, the hair becomes silky and shiny, acquiring a beautiful natural volume.

Shampoo reviews

Rita, 24 years old

After reading about natural hair care, I decided to switch to a more natural shampoo and mask, and also made homemade masks to strengthen hair. Well, what can I say, the hair has strengthened, but the length is in a terrible state, after the Organic Shop sulfate-free shampoo I simply could not comb my hair, even after the mask, they tangle and were stiff.

Julia, 31 years old

I got hooked on sulfate-free shampoos after keratin hair straightening, the hairdresser advised SOSOCOSO and I am very pleased with it, after it ended I bought from Goldwell and it turned out to be very good too, probably now I will always look for sulfate-free shampoos, they suit me. But my point is that a $ 2 shampoo cannot be beneficial or even safe for hair, even if it says it is sulfate-free and natural.

Marina, 26 years old

My hair is good, thick, there are no problems with loss, but it is very tough and my friend advised me to try sulfate-free shampoo and the entire series of Avapuha from Paul Mitchell. I have not yet had such hair, they are dense and at the same time soft, smooth and shiny, although the price is really not small.

Inna, 19 years old

I have a sensitive scalp, so I'm always looking for a shampoo that can suit me, and so, sulfate-free shampoos are an order of magnitude better than regular shampoos. Indeed, they do not cause itching and discomfort, but I don’t take more than one bottle, because I immediately become addicted to shampoo.