Everything You Need To Know About Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Learn why a sulfate-free shampoo might be for you and discover the best sulfate-free shampoo for your hair type
There’s been a ton of buzz lately around the word sulfate-free when it comes to choosing the best shampoo for your hair type. Whether you’ve been browsing the shampoo aisle at your favorite store or eyeing products at the salon, seeing the words “sulfate-free” everywhere can feel overwhelming. No worries, we’re here to demystify the sulfate ingredient trend. The truth is going sulfate-free can be a game-changer for your hair care routine, especially if you have color-treated hair since sulfates may damage hair color. Keep reading for our breakdown of everything you need to know about sulfate-free shampoo and discover the best sulfate-free shampoo for your hair type.
WHAT ARE SULFATES?
In a nutshell, sulfates (like sodium lauryl sulfates) are ingredients that are typically found in shampoo which help create a lather in your hair. On a deeper level, sulfates are surfactants which is a fancy term that means they attract dirt molecules and buildup. When water washes away these sulfates, it leaves hair feeling squeaky clean. Sounds great, right? The problem is that even though sulfates’ ability to attract dirt makes them ideal for cleansing, sometimes they can be too powerful and mess with your hair. That’s because as sulfates grab onto buildup in your hair, they also strip hair color and oils along with it.
WHY SWITCH TO SULFATE-FREE SHAMPOO
Making the move toward sulfate-free shampoo may feel a little scary and alarming. You may notice that sulfate-free products don’t lather as much as your average sulfate-packed shampoo but that doesn’t mean they aren’t cleaning your hair. On the contrary, you can still score that clean feeling without hurting your hair in the process. It all comes down using alternative cleansers.
That’s where the Pureology sulfate-free shampoo formulas come in-to-play giving hair color protection. Instead of using harsh, cleansing foaming agents in our ingredient lineup, our shampoos feature fruit and vegetable based cleansers like coconut, corn and sugar. These ingredients make up our sulfate-free shampoos and create a lather without stripping hair of its oils or causing hair color fade.
Another benefit of our shampoos without sulfates is that they are also formulated without any additional sodium chloride. This is a type of salt that’s typically found in a number of hair products and if enough of it is used, it can dry out hair and lead to a loss in hair color vibrancy. The good news is Pureology doesn’t add any additional sodium chloride salt to its formulas, so you’re in the clear.
HOW TO SWITCH TO SULFATE-FREE SHAMPOO
If you’ve been using sulfates in your hair care, there might be a few tell-tale signs that it’s time to make the switch to a sulfate-free shampoo. If you experience tightness in your scalp, feel hair looks dull or are finding your hair is dryer than usual, a sulfate-free formula can help move things in the right direction.
BEST SHAMPOO FOR DRY HAIR
If you have dry hair and re-establishing moisture that you lost to sulfates is a concern, Hydrate® Shampoo's sulfate-free formula can help. It uses jojoba oil to breathe moisture back into dry hair. Plus, with a sulfate-free formula, this concentrated moisturizing shampoo gently cleanses your dry hair with a rich lather without stripping your hair color. You can rest assured that your hair will be deeply moisturized with touchable softness.
BEST SHAMPOO FOR HAIR BREAKAGE AND DAMAGE
Grow your hair’s strength with Strength Cure, the best shampoo for damaged hair! This amazing, sulfate-free formula uses a blend of a plant-based protein called Keravis,an amino acid called arginine and powerful antioxidant astaxanthin. This special blend not only strengthens hair, but also repairs damage caused by chemical processes, heat and styling while also helping to prevent future breakage. Users will see 2x stronger hair and a 55% reduction in hair breakage.
FIND THE PERFECT PARTNER WITH OUR CONDITIONERS & SAVE 10%
Discover your dynamic duo with our creamy, concentrated conditioners! Each sulfate-free shampoo from Pureology has a related conditioner. You can shop all our formulas as duos on Pureology.com and save 10% when you bundle.
Your hair might go through an adjustment period when you begin using a sulfate-free shampoo, but it’s normal and worth it. Once your hair gets used to a sulfate-free shampoo life, you won’t want to look back. After all, when it comes to sulfates, who needs them anyway?
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