Sulfate is a surfactant in shampoo that tends to lather more than a normal product. The trouble is, it strips natural oils from the scalp and hair. The solution? Go for sulfate-free shampoos! To find the best sulfate-free shampoo, here's a buying guide we've written for you.
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Our selection
"This is a duo pack of hair care with Argan oil as the main ingredient that is perfect for dry and damaged hair. It is…"
"Osmo No Yellow Shampoo is formulated with extreme ultra-violet pigments to guard against unwanted brassy tones. Treated without sulfates, this shampoo is designed for super-light,…"
"It is a duo pack with a shampoo and a conditioner for all hair types. Sulfate-free, silicone-free and paraben-free, the NYK1 provides shine and softness…"
"Urban Keratin kit duo is a shampoo pack conditioner without sulfate, paraben or silicone. Its formula, rich in keratin and provitamin B5, is ideal for…"
This is a duo pack of hair care with Argan oil as the main ingredient that is perfect for dry and damaged hair. It is a shampoo with a natural formula for a healthy and fast growth of your strands.
43,19 £ on CdiscountThis Magiforet shampoo-conditioner duo is suitable for dry, curly and colored hair. Ideal for men and women, it has great nutritive and revitalizing qualities in a natural-based formula. Correcting dry and damaged hair, it strengthens the hair making it soft, smooth, shiny for a free and manageable tangle.
With a very pleasant smell, this product is free of grease. At this level, Magiforet adopts a natural-based formula combining argan oil with avocado oil, jojoba, camellia seed and botanical keratin. Each natural ingredient used is the result of detailed research and careful design.
Osmo No Yellow Shampoo is formulated with extreme ultra-violet pigments to guard against unwanted brassy tones. Treated without sulfates, this shampoo is designed for super-light, gray or bleached hair.
10,72 £ on AmazonOsmo No Yellow Shampoo with Silver Tube is a sulfate-free shampoo specially formulated for use on super-light, gray or bleached hair. Made with ultra-resistant purple pigments, it helps eliminate unwanted yellow tones.
Its 100% sulfate-free nature makes it softer and more gentle on hair and therefore ideal for use on extensions. It transforms color with restored shine. This type of shampoo is suitable for use on natural and synthetic hair types. To use, apply it to wet hair, massage well and let dry for about 1-5 minutes before rinsing.
It is a duo pack with a shampoo and a conditioner for all hair types. Sulfate-free, silicone-free and paraben-free, the NYK1 provides shine and softness to hair thanks to castor oil and coconut oil.
31,96 £ on AmazonNYK1's Conditioner Shampoo and Conditioner Pack is sulfate, sodium chloride and paraben free. It protects you from the risk of scalp irritation and itching while excluding the stripping effects of ordinary shampoos. Treated with keratin, it is composed of coconut oil and castor oil to protect your hair and moisturize it to the core of its fibers.
The NYK1 pack is mainly for dry hair. It is also perfect for treating Brazilian straightening, colored hair and hair extensions. It includes 2 x 500ml bottles, including a shampoo and conditioner with natural castor and coconut oil formulas to last you for months of use.
Urban Keratin kit duo is a shampoo pack conditioner without sulfate, paraben or silicone. Its formula, rich in keratin and provitamin B5, is ideal for hair care from the roots to the ends.
30,32 £ on AmazonAny specific needs?
The best entry-level sulfate-free shampoo
The best high-end sulfate-free shampoo
Your guide :
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| TOP OF THE TOP | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
9/10 |
7/10 |
9/10 |
8/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner Set 2 - MagiForet Organic
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Osmo Super Silver No Yellow 1000 ml
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NYK1 Shampoo & Conditioner - Shampoo and Conditioner for Dry and Colored Hair
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Urban Keratin Kit Duo - Shampoing Sans Sulfate
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This is a duo pack of hair care with Argan oil as the main ingredient that is perfect for dry and damaged hair. It is a shampoo with a natural formula for a healthy and fast growth of your strands.
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Osmo No Yellow Shampoo is formulated with extreme ultra-violet pigments to guard against unwanted brassy tones. Treated without sulfates, this shampoo is designed for super-light, gray or bleached hair.
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It is a duo pack with a shampoo and a conditioner for all hair types. Sulfate-free, silicone-free and paraben-free, the NYK1 provides shine and softness to hair thanks to castor oil and coconut oil.
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Urban Keratin kit duo is a shampoo pack conditioner without sulfate, paraben or silicone. Its formula, rich in keratin and provitamin B5, is ideal for hair care from the roots to the ends.
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Brand
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Magiforet
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Osmo
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NYK1
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Urban Keratin
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Pack
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Shampoo & Conditioner
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Shampoo
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Shampoo & Conditioner
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Shampoo & Conditioner
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Formula
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Argan oil, avocado, jojoba, camellia seed, botanical keratin
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Super-violet pigments
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Coconut & Castor Oil
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Keratin and Provitamin B5
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Hair types
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Detangler/All types
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Faded and gray hair
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Brazilian Straightening/Colored Hair/Hair Extensions
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Brazilian Smoothing/All Types
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Quantity
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2 x 500 ml
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1000 ml
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2 x 500 mL
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2 x 400 ml
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Before buying a sulfate-free shampoo, consider these few criteria, as the effectiveness of your shampoo will depend on it:
Some hair types are more prone to dryness. For example, frizzy hair and very curly hair tend to be drier and more fragile, so they need more oil/serum or cream to nourish and moisturize them.
If you have this type of hair, opting for a sulfate-free shampoo will be beneficial, as it will be less harsh on your hair, making it easier to moisturize. It will also be easier to manage because sulfate actually lifts the hair cuticle; frizz can occur when the hair cuticle is lifted, as it leaves room for moisture to swell the strands.
On the other hand, if your hair is fine, straight, and oily, a shampoo with sulfates can work to give you volume.
There are several reasons why you should choose a sulfate-free shampoo if your hair is dyed: dyeing dehydrates the hair, so it's drier, especially if you had to strip your hair before re-dyeing it.
A sulfate-free shampoo will allow you to be a little more gentle on your hair after such a heavy operation. It will also help you preserve your new color, as sulfate can cause hair color to fade faster, sending you back to the salon sooner than you'd like.
If your hair is oily and you're used to washing it fairly regularly to get rid of oil build-up. In this case, a sulfate-free shampoo won't work for you.
That's because you'll probably need the foaming action of sulfate shampoos to clean out excess oil. If you wash your hair every few days or on a weekly basis, a milder shampoo should be just right for your hair.
The benefits of each individual brand and formula are usually listed on the bottle. To find the perfect match for your hair's needs, read these instructions carefully.
They are mainly surfactants (surface active agents that attract both water and oil). Generally speaking, sulfates are the first ingredients listed on the label, identified by the acronyms SLES, SLS and ALS (Laureth Sodium Sulfate, Lauryl Sodium Sulfate or Laureth Ammonium Sulfate respectively). These are very inexpensive ingredients, they work well as detergents, but they can be very harsh on the delicate scalp, hair and hair follicles are not able to handle these chemicals, especially as they age.
In shampoo, sulfates help break down oil, dirt and build-up left behind by hair products. But they can also remove the natural oils and proteins that keep your hair and scalp healthy (good moisture, shine, etc.).
For this reason, sulfate shampoos will not work for people with sensitive or fragile hair and scalp. They are also not suitable for children and infants.
Sulfate-free shampoos may not be as convincing: since they don't lather as much as sulfate shampoos, you might get the impression that they don't clean as well. But that's not true. You'll probably have to use a little more shampoo volume than usual, but the clean feeling will be the same.
That's because sulfate-free shampoos use other, more natural and less harsh foaming agents: fruit and vegetable-based cleansers like coconut, corn and sugar. Ingredients that also create lather without stripping your hair of its good oils or causing discoloration (dyed hair).
In the end, you'll get more results with a sulfate-free shampoo than with traditional shampoos:
To preserve your hair as much as possible, along with sulfate-free shampoos, use natural protein-based conditioners. They are also less aggressive and are essential for giving your hair volume. Brands normally provide ranges composed of shampoo and conditioner, but if this is not the case with yours do not neglect this detail.
In conventional shampoos, you can see aggressive ingredients like lauryl alcohol, sulfur and petroleum jelly. Without the use of these harmful ingredients, your hair becomes shiny and silky. Sulfate-free shampoos offer many benefits, namely moisture retention of hair, healthy sebum production, improvement of hair structure.
There are also a few disadvantages to consider with this type of shampoo. For example, it can make the hair even greasier. Furthermore, it does not thoroughly remove the dirt that accumulates, and it also takes longer to lather properly.
No poo" is very fashionable. It is a technique that consists in replacing shampoos with natural substances. Even sulphate-free shampoos can contain substances that the skin cannot tolerate. To make "No poo", you can use 3 tablespoons of "shikakai" powder mixed with 6 tablespoons of warm water or 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Spread all these mixtures on your hair and rinse it with clear water.
The "No Poo" method has a real advantage in rebalancing your hair's sebum production. It produces less grease and you won't need to wash your hair more than once a week. The disadvantages of this method are that it can cause your hair to dry out. Also, you may get more dandruff. However, it should be noted that these bad results are temporary (1 to 3 months).
Sulfate-free shampoo and no poo all have benefits for your hair. It's up to you to choose what works for you. If you want to give your hair a new texture, choose the no poo method. If you have weakened hair fibers, use sulfate-free washes.
To adapt the care after a Brazilian straightening
Brazilian straightening forms a protective layer of keratin around your hair. However, if you wash your hair with a shampoo that contains sulfate, the keratin obtained by the Brazilian straightening will gradually degrade. So, in order to preserve the nourishing film of your hair, it is better to turn to a shampoo without sulfate.
To take care of your scalp
Red patches and flaking on your scalp means it's sensitive and fragile. These symptoms can be made worse by sulfate, as it has an irritating detergent effect. With a sulfate-free shampoo, your scalp is gently washed and your hair is better nourished. It will gradually restore the nutrients present in your hair and make it silkier.
To avoid weakening your hair
Sulphates are very harmful. In fact, they dehydrate your hair and encourage the appearance of split ends. In addition, sulfates prevent your hair from growing properly. By choosing a shampoo without sulphates, you can avoid these problems.
To wash your hair frequently
It is not advisable to wash your hair too often. This encourages the development of dandruff and damages the ends. You can avoid these effects by using a sulfate-free shampoo. This product is therefore more suitable for frequent use. Moreover, this type of product is not aggressive to the hair and will have a repairing effect on your scalp.
To keep you in shape
Sulfate is not only harmful to your hair and scalp. It can also cause damage to your internal organs as it is absorbed by your body. Thus, sulfate-free shampoo is both beneficial for your beauty and health. It is highly recommended to use this type of shampoo, rather than any other, if you are an avid sportsman.
In our opinion, the best brands of sulfate-free shampoos in 2022 are :
The MagiForet brand is the one that favours 100% natural, without sulphate or phosphate. It offers quality products that are safe for your health. Magiforet uses argan oil to care for the scalp. This has earned it a place among the best brands.
This not yet well known brand offers incredible quality. The brand produces sulphate-free products that are perfect for the hair. Soft, with a lot of foam and a good smell are the key words of this brand. Of course it is reliable.
This brand has a reputation for quality in the world of sulfate-free shampoo. It offers an incredibly gentle product with a nose-pleasing scent. Among the reviews, this shampoo deserves the 5 out of 5 stars as it repairs the hair damaged by coloring and makes it become stronger and not brittle. We can say that the brand has its potential.
From the innovators in the straightening industry. Keratin helps you achieve stronger, healthier hair with its line of keratin treatments, professional hair color and professional quality hair care products are perfect. Reputedly sulfate-free, Keratin products ensure your safety and comfort.
This French brand has an international reputation. It has branches all over the world. This complete beauty care company is the most sought after in the world, combining the latest technology with the highest quality for the ultimate in luxury mass beauty without losing its value and always putting luxury first.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
In our opinion, the best sulfate-free shampoo for most people is Lissara Professional's Liss Extreme (Duo Care). To learn more, read our buying guide.
Sulfate-free shampoo will not make your hair greasy. However, this type of shampoo does not produce as much lather as usual, so you will have to put in more effort than usual to wash your hair. Make sure your hair is already thoroughly damp before applying the shampoo. Don't be afraid of a second or third wash either.
Sulfate shampoos are known to cause dryness and breakage in some hair types. If you have the same problem with your hair, trying a sulfate-free shampoo can help maintain length.
No, but you may have to work very hard to get rid of your dandruff, as these shampoos do not contain harsh stripping agents. For people whose dandruff is caused by dryness or irritation of the scalp, a sulfate-free shampoo can be quite helpful.
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