Hair Care

12 Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos

Don't you deserve a more gentle cleanse?

by Leah Prinzivalli | COMMENT

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Sulfates: They're something you might not want in your shampoo. Until recently, that was all we knew about sulfates -- more and more brands started avoiding them, but we didn't know why, or if we should avoid them, too. The personal care industry is filled with complicated chemical names and lots of "rules" about what you should and shouldn't be putting on your body. Today, we're shedding some light on the sulfate debate: Should they stay or should they go?.

Sulfates are strong detergents that cleanse the hair and scalp. "These are very efficient cleansers used in shampoos, body washes and toothpastes," says Eric Spengler, SVP of Research and Development at Living Proof. "Sulfates tend to get a bad rap because of how they function in shampoos -- they can strip your hair of its natural oils, making your hair feel rough, dry and brittle," says Spengler. "It's also possible for your scalp to become dry and irritated with over-cleansing," he adds. Spengler also points out that studies haven't yet proven some of the more serious claims leveled against sulfates, like if they cause cancer.

Since sulfates are so strong, they often scrub hair color away along with dirt. If you have color-treated hair, stick to sulfate-free hair products. If you have coarse or dry hair, opting for a sulfate-free shampoo can be easier on your scalp. And if you have curly hair, a shampoo without sulfate will preserve the oils that keep your coils springy and soft.

Sulfate-free shampoos are overall gentler on your hair's natural oils, which means those promises to make your hair bouncier, sleeker, softer, etc., have a far better chance of coming true. Here, a few of our favorite shampoos without sulfates that will treat your hair right.

Image via Imaxtree

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