Gentle Care: 10 Best sulfate-free shampoos that won’t dry your hair out

Sulfate-free: you’ve probably seen the term everywhere, whether on shampoo labels as you browse through the aisle in your local pharmacy, in magazines, and even in commercials. You might wonder: What exactly is a sulfate-free shampoo? And do I need to switch to it? Well, fret not; we’ve got the answers here for you.

But… What are SULFATES?

Sulfates are essentially detergents found in most shampoo formulas that are also used in dish soaps (crikey!), laundry cleansers and more.  The most common sulfates present in shampoos are sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS). Although they’re extremely competent at cleansing your hair and scalp, they can be be drying and strip your hair of its natural moisture. Sulfate-free shampoos, on the other hand, are milder and gentler. You’ll notice that they don’t froth as much, and also don’t completely wash away your hair’s moisture either.

Should I Switch to a Sulfate-Free Shampoo?

In other words, if dry hair, splits ends or damage from excessive chemical treatment or dyeing are your among hair concerns, you might want to switch to a sulfate-free shampoo. They’re far gentler on the hair, and leave it feeling softer, less dry and healthier after a rinse. After all, the vast majority of us can probably relate to that excessively dry feeling to our hair following a shampoo session, no?

But if you work out a lot, are physically active, or find that your hair gets greasy easily, you might find that a sulfate-free formula does not leave your hair feeling like it’s been sufficient cleansed. Either way, it’s still worth a try – healthy hair is always a plus in our books! Curious to see what our top favourite picks for sulfate-free shampoos are? Flick through our gallery above and take your pick! P.S. We’ve even included options you can use on your babies!

Sarah Khan

Read More:

Hair Tips: 8 Shampoo mistakes you didn’t know you were making

Shampoo Survival: 8 Dry shampoos to keep your hair sleek