What are the benefits of going sans sulphates?
Using the best sulphate free shampoo can change your life, and your hair, forever.
These shampoo formulas are gentle on the hair and don’t strip away its natural moisture, meaning they’re particularly good for those who struggle with dry hair.
So who are sulphate free shampoos best for? The good news is that switching to a formula with no sulphates or parabens is fine for just about any hair type, even greasy hair.
It’s also much better for the environment, so you can rest easy knowing your haircare isn’t damaging our planet. If you can’t bear to part with a good old cleanse, then try alternating between sulphate and sulphate-free formulas.
Find out which sulphate free formula is best for your hair type below.
What are sulphates?
‘Sulphates are chemicals used as cleansing agents,’ explains celebrity colourist and colour expert Rita Hazan. ‘They are used to deep clean, but even though they remove oil and dirt they can be too strong, and therefore strip your hair and scalp of all the natural oils and proteins that keep it healthy. When shampoo contains sulphates, it tends to create a lathering effect – this isn’t a good sign.’
Rita recommends that everyone avoids sulphates, but ‘especially if you suffer from eczema or have really sensitive skin, as they can be irritating to the scalp.’
Best sulphate free shampoo for curly hair
Bumble and Bumble Curl Shampoo, £24.50, Fabled
When it comes to taking care of curly hair, you want something that’s going to keep the bounce in your locks rather than leaving them limp and lifeless. A sulphate-free formula is a great choice, as it’s a gentle wash for your curls that are already prone to getting dry. Try Bumble and Bumble’s Curl Shampoo; at first glance you may think it’s a little pricey, but even if you have long and thick hair a little goes a long way, so it does last.
Best sulphate free shampoo for dry hair
Living Proof Repair Shampoo, £24, Lookfantastic
Sulphate free formulas are an ideal choice for dry hair, as they can be one a major culprit when it comes to drying out your locks. As well as being formulated sans sulphates and parabens, Living Proof’s Repair Shampoo is a big injection of hydration for your frazzled locks, so it’s a great choice if you have dry hair.
Best sulphate free shampoo for fine hair
OGX Weightless Hydration Coconut Water, £6.99, Boots
The big dilemma with fine hair is that you want to keep it hydrated, but many moisture replenishing formulas are just too heavy for your fine hair. Allow us to introduce you to OGX’s Weightless Hydration Coconut Water Shampoo for that injection of moisture that’s perfect for thinner hair. Plus it’s one of the cheaper options when it comes to sulphate-free formulas, weighing in at just £6.99 per bottle.
Best sulphate free shampoo for coloured hair
Maria Nila Luminous Colour Shampoo, £17.99, Sally Beauty
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If you colour your hair on the reg, then protecting that colour is naturally your first priority when it comes to haircare. Maria Nila Luminous Colour Shampoo not only intensifies your colour, but the formula is 100% vegan friendly too. Sustainable beauty lover Emma Watson is reportedly a huge fan of the brand’s silver shampoo, so, if it’s good enough for her.
Scroll through our round up to find your new favourite sulphate-free shampoo. Your hair will thank you for it.
Pantene Gold Series Sulfate Free Shampoo, £5.99, Superdrug
Specifically designed for natural or relaxed hair, Pantene’s Gold Series range is born out of a decade of research with 3,000 women. The Sulfate Free shampoo gently cleanses hair without stripping its natural oils, and contains hair hero argan oil to soften unhappy hair that’s dry and or damaged.
TRESemmé Colour ShinePlex Sulphate Free Shampoo, £4.99, Boots
Another bargain sulphate-free shampoo comes from TRESemmé, specially designed to help prolong the life of coloured hair, enriched with moisturising camellia oil.
Rahua Classic Shampoo, £32, Cult Beauty
If you like your shampoo completely natural and organic, then you've got to get to know Rahua. Formulated with ingredients sustainably grown in the Amazon, it nourishes and protects any kind of hair.
Grow Gorgeous Intense Thickening Shampoo, £16, Lookfantastic
If volume's an issue, this hero product from Grow Gorgeous will get you back to va-va-voom in no time, with no added nastiness.
Leonor Greyl Bain Vitalisant B Shampoo, £28.70, Cult Beauty
Ideal for thin, dry, colour-treated hair, Leonor Greyl's formula nourishes and cleanses simultaneously.
