What’s the deal with sulfate-free shampoo? Or should that be sulphate-free shampoo?
Sulfates (or sulphates) refers to ingredients normally found in shampoos, soaps and most foaming products. On the label, you’re looking for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate. They’re also called SLS or ALS for short.
To get science-y for just a moment, sulfates are primary surfactants. These molecules work to attract both oil and water so they are great at removing dirt.
To some people, however, sulfates are too effective and can dry their skin causing irritation. For example, my hair is naturally dry and so I find most shampoos containing sulfates make my scalp feel tight. Occasionally though I still use shampoos containing sulfates as I need to remove hair products completely from my hair.
If you experience any irritation from shampoos, it’s usually SLS that’s the problem. It’s also worth avoiding SLS if you colour your hair. SLS is so good at cleaning, it takes the colour with it, causing your hair colour to fade faster.
There are lots of sulfate-free shampoo options on the market now at every price point. They can take some getting used to as they’re not quite the same as a regular shampoo. You won’t get that real squeaky clean feeling but that’s not a bad thing. You can still get silky, clean hair if you make sure you know how to use sulfate free shampoo properly.
How to use sulfate free shampoo properly
- Thoroughly wet your hair before applying sulfate-free shampoo. This also goes for regular shampoo but it’s so necessary for sulfate-free shampoo. If your hair isn’t completely soaked, it’s hard to apply the product and distribute it through your hair.
- Use less product than you think. Most people expect shampoo to lather and when sulfate-free shampoo doesn’t they apply more product. Although it won’t foam up, it’s still working to clean your hair.
- Apply more water, instead of more product. If you’re struggling to get any lather to wash your hair with sulfate-free shampoo, apply more water instead of more product. The water will help activate the shampoo and spread it through your hair.
- Shampoo twice. Without the foaming action, it’s harder to remove the dirt and oil from your hair. The second shampoo really lifts it out and cleans your hair. Plus you’ll find the second shampoo lathers up more easily.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly. Make sure to really rinse your hair. Any residue from the sulfate-free shampoo will make your hair feel heavy.
- Follow up with your favourite conditioner. It makes me laugh to see conditioners labelled ‘sulfate-free’ as sulfates are not needed as an ingredient in conditioner. Almost 100% of conditioners will be free of sulfates already. Comb your conditioner through from midlengths to ends (no need to condition your scalp, especially if you have fine or oily hair) and then rinse well.
I hope this helps with the next time you use sulfate-free shampoo. Remember it’s not going to lather up like regular shampoo. Instead, add more water and you can build up a small lather to clean your hair.
Are you a fan of sulfate-free shampoos? What’s your favourite brand? And how often do you wash your hair?
I have been using SLS free shampoo for a while now, and really don’t want to go back to SMS shampoos. OGX is my favourite, to answer your question!
Since I made the switch I’ve been getting a weird residue build up on my hairbrush. My hair looks and feels super clean, but I keep getting clumps sticking around the bristles on my brush. The closest thing I can liken them to is very dense dust bunnies. Does anyone know why this is happening and how I can either stop it or clean my hairbrush well enough to get rid of them? I
Thank you!
I have started to use the Kérastase Resistance Bain Extentioniste, the shampoo is fine, i feel my hair is clean after it, even though it’s sulfate free, it feels the same as when I use a sulfate shampoo? the lather is definitely less. however when I use the conditioner my hair feels terrible around the back of my head literally every time, it’s thick and sticky, yet I am rinsing my hair for about 10 minutes and massaging it out of my scalp. I am going to not put the conditioner so close to my roots from now on, but even the end of my hair and main body feel awful after using the conditioner?
I’d love some guidance. A friend has been walking me through retraining my scalp, but I’m just so discouraged. I have always been sensitive to shampoos, sulfate-free or no, because they grease up my hair. It was to the point I rarely conditioned if ever. I thought Suave Professionals was a miracle for my hair–great clean, made it shinier, nice body, no issues with oil–but when my friend said this was in fact a duller shine (because of sulfates), I wanted to do something that’d be better for my hair. And I have tried to be patient, but so far I’m not fully convinced. I’ve now been using Alterna Bamboo Abundant Volume; it gives my hair a gorgeous shine, but no change in body and it’s sooooooo greasy for me, and I’m washing just as you (and my friend) instructed. I stopped using its companion conditioner and have instead been using a lighter leave-in from It’s a 10, and now the top of my hair gets less greasy, but my ends aren’t as lush as they were feeling with the Alterna conditioner. My hair type: thin strands, but lots of them so that it’s thick; mostly straight with the occasional wave; can be oily on the scalp and dry/frizzy at the ends if I’m not careful. I don’t blow-dry, straighten/curl, or dye/bleach my hair, just wash, leave-in, and air-dry. I’ve been looking up what sulfate-free brands might be best for oily hair, but when I started reading stuff like Pantene and Fructise, I immediately distrusted those sources lol. You sound like you’ know what you’re talking about, so I hope it’s okay I bounce this offf you. Currently I wash my hair every other day … any more or less often and the grease factor is even worse. This process has been going on for about a month now. Thank you so much!
hey i have been having the same problems unfortunately
Did anything work since?
I’ve been changing products and honestly I’m tired
Several months ago I found out I’m allergic to salicylates and other chemicals which are found in almost all shampoos and conditioners. I started using Shea Mousiture (because it’s the only shampoo Walmart carries that I’m not allergic to) and I love it! The hair detox has been a little rough but lately I noticed my hair was still greasy after right after I washed it. So this was amazingly helpful! Thank you! I generally only wash my hair 2-3 times a week now.
thanks Megan! That allergy must be so frustrating and glad to hear that SheaMoisture is still ok to use – I love their products x
So I just switched to shea moisture shampoo and conditioner, and I want so badly to like it, but it makes my hair almost unmanageable. It creates a wax like feeling on my roots resulting in me being unable to run my hands or a brush through easily. It’s almost matted down on the top. My sister in law suggested that it’s getting rid of all of the sulfates and it takes time. But after 2 weeks, it still feels the same. I do use dry shampoo once between washes, could that be it? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Jessica, it sounds like it could be too heavy for your hair. Which one in the range are you using? x
Jessica, In my personal experience and all my research, hair detox actually takes MONTHS. It is rough but it’s so worth it once it’s done. I also use Shea mousiture and had this problem. Once I started double shampoos, rinsing it better, and not using too much, it was great. But at 2 weeks it definitely sucked. It gets better!
I am 61 hv long fine blonde colored treated hair. Just this last few months I hv noticed dry scalp and its itchy and flaking. Although I though I had oily hair as when young and washed it daily but now 2 times a week. I hv never worried before about shampoos but silkience for fine hair use to b my favorite or pert. I read sulfate shampoos are bad and stripping my natural oils which i need while not washing as often is causing more flakes not less. My skin is also dry now and I use st. Ives for that which isn’t helping much so many additives how to know which to use..vitE avocado coconut, I am going nuts here lol. I always use conditioners for soft silky & to gc my fine hair volume & not weighed down as my top is feathered hair. I am now confused. I wash my hair 2 times a week but will using no sulfates and a moisturize shampoo or/& conditioner help with the flakes & dryness..I want my soft silky no flakes hair back. I live in ontario does walmart hv products that will help me? I thought washing less would help but websites say the flakes r from not washing enough..suggestions would help..I was using my nails to really scrub my scalp thinking the sulfate shampoos would clear out the dead cells or flakes but i think i am going about this all wrong..help…?
Hi Lee, I agree that it’s so confusing now! And frustrating when your regular routine stops working. It sounds like your scalp could be quite irritated. It might be a reaction to a product you’re using or it could be hormonal. When washing your hair, try using your finger pads or palms instead of your nails so as not to scratch or damage your scalp. Sometimes the change in seasons can have a big effect as well. I’d start by trying a product you’ve used before and liked and see how your hair reacts. Good luck x
I’ve just started using sulfate-free shampoo. Are there any dry shampoos that don’t contain silicone? Or is it inevitable that I’ll have to avoid dry shampoo in order to prevent buildup over time?
Hi Sara, I don’t know of any commercial brands but I know of people using cornflour or rice flour as a natural dry shampoo powder. It’s a bit messy for me but I’ve heard it works xx
What about someone with dry fine but a lot of it hair that is…. thats brunette color treated…….What would you recommend that wont break the bank??? As far as Shampoo and Conditioner as well as styling aids like styling creams and heat protectant sprays that are great for dyed hair and won’t weigh down my fine locks???
Conditioners do not have sulfates…but they do have silicones…which can only be washed out (Unless specifically water soluble) with sulfate shampoo. You will get horrible buildup if you use sulfate free but also silicones. I’m surprised you did not address this.
Great point, Jenn. That’s why I still use a regular shampoo from time to time. I am planning more on this topic in the new year x
Hello! Sulfate-free shampoos almost always irritate my scalp and make it very itchy, any ideas why? I tried Pureology Precious Oil, Desert Essence and a few more and they always make my scalp very itchy and redd-ish.
Hi May, it sounds like there may be another ingredient you’re reacting to. Check through the list to see if there are any similar ingredients across the different products to help narrow down the issue. There’s a preservative called methylisothiazolinone which can often cause a reaction xx
I love this! Going sulfate free is definetly important to healthy hair.
Have you thought about going alcohol free?
Read my post on going alcohol free here:
http://www.carraincolorado.com/2016/10/14/how-to-have-your-best-hair-ever/
Thanks Carra, I’ll check it out!
I have tried moroccanoil and dav’roe sulfate free range and am finding it very drying to my already coloured and keratin treated hair. I went back to my normal delorenzo and my hair feels less parched – any ideas?
Hi Rachel, go with what your hair tells you. Delorenzo is a great brand and so I’d keep using them x
I tried the Moroccan Oil brand and it was a little drying. I like the moisture mask in the jar. To get a deeper conditioning treatment, I add a drop or two of the Moroccan Oil arfan oil. But the other products in this line are not for my hair type.
I recently had a keratin treatment and bought a sulfate free shampoo and conditioner which has made my hair oily. Can I use a normal conditioner instead of a sulfate free one?
Hi Erica, it depends on your keratin treatment. Ask the salon what they recommend. You can use a sulfate shampoo but it may shorten the life of your treatment (ie wash it out faster). I’d also add that keratin treatments often make your hair seem oily. Before, when your hair is wavy or curly, the oil from your scalp takes a long time to travel down your hair. Now that your hair is straight and smooth, the oil travels quickly down your hair shaft. Does that make sense? So it may be the treatment itself, not your shampoo. Your hair isn’t any oilier, but it seems that way as the oil can travel faster down straight hair. Chat to your stylist to see what they recommend. Christina xx
Check the ingredients in the shampoo and conditioner. There maybe emollients (oils) that could be too heavy for your hair. Check the first 5 ingredients to see what they are. Also, I color treat my hair and I used to use sulfate shampoos, but color treatment didn’t last that long. The cleansing agents are way too harsh and will strip the color and natural oils from your hair.
I’ve started using sulfate free shampoo very recently. I love how it makes my hair feel but I am reall struggling to get it completely rinsed from my scalp and the back of my hair. I have very thick hair and I don’t realize there is still shampoo in my hair until hours later when I feel the back of my head. Any tips?
Hi Ashley, I often rinse my hair in sections. It helps to lift up your hair and rinse in layers at the back of your head. A handheld shower is also so handy for rinsing your hair. Good luck! x
I always go sulfate-free. Love the Orbie line.
http://a-woman-of-a-certain-age.com/
thanks Susan, I’m a huge Oribe fan too 🙂
I feel my ha ir súper dry since I started using sulfate free shampoo.. I use the Loreal ever strong.
Try switching to a different conditioner Ale. Or is there another in the range that is more suited to your hair type?
That brand dried out my hair. I never use any of their products.
I must admit that the minimal lather in SLS free shampoo has discouraged me from using it. I do know that in the long run it is better for your hair. Now that I have your tips on how to use it properly I will give it another go!
It definitely takes a bit of getting used to, but it’s worth it if you colour your hair or have curls x
This is super helpful! I recently picked one up from Shea Moisture because I love their 10-in-1 hair mask so much. I knew it wouldn’t foam up as much but I felt like I was using way too much for my hair to get clean. 🙂
Thanks Trude! So glad this helped. Try the double shampoo and use less product and you should feel the difference 🙂
Love sulfate-free shampoos. Ever since I found them a couple of years ago, I never went back to regular shampoo, although, like you, I also do a deep-cleaning with a clarifying, sulfate shampoo. But the SLS free regimen really makes my curls happier. Favourite sls-free shampoos: redken for curls, everpure from L’oreal and the one I always go back to: the Body Shop. Their entire shampoo collection is free from sufates.
Some of the sulfate-free shampoos you mentioned are tested on animals. You should try to find others that don’t.
L’Oreal (and the companies they own, including Redken) doesn’t test on animals. They DO sell to China and the government there requires all foreign products to be put through their testing measures (on animals sadly) but the company itself does not so the testing. L’Oreal actually developed Epi-skin to test their products on (they grow human skin sells in petri dishes).
If you’re concerned about the testing in China then I don’t blame you, but I feel that there is a difference between a company testing on animals and a company selling in a country that tests on animals (and according to L’Oreal reps, trying to work with the Chinese government to change their practices).
Maam can i ask for a recipe. Im from the philippines.
I’m a big fan of sulfate free shampoo.
I’ve been using sulfate free shampoo for almost a year now.
My favourite brand at this moment is Palmer’s Coconut oil formula conditioning shampoo.
I’v also used Dr.Organics and Weleda Haver. I wash my hair 2 times a week.