By Anupriya Jamuar
Sulphates are cleansing agents that are usually found in your shampoo, facewash and even in some common household products. They create the rich lather that we all love for that squeaky clean feeling, especially in shampoos. Read the label on the bottle closely and you’ll find it listed as sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES).
While we can’t do without the suds, the internet is abuzz with studies and experts who suggest skipping paraben and sulphates, especially in hair care. Sulphates can strip the natural oils from your hair and scalp—while this gives you that clean feel, it has a drying effect that’s not ideal, specifically for sensitive skin.
On the other hand; Dubai-based celebrity hairstylist Natalie Kasses explains, “Sulphate free shampoos help retain the natural moisture of your hair, so that it does not lose its natural shine and softness”.
“If you have coloured hair, sulphate-free shampoo is a blessing. Unlike their counterparts, these shampoos are gentle and won't strip your hair of its colour. Also, if you have curly hair, your hair won’t be as frizzy,” she elaborated.
These gentle formulas are great for your hair’s health, let’s take a deeper dive into the many benefits of sulphate free shampoo.
Sulphate-free shampoo: A bottle full of benefits
Known to be gentle, you'll love sulphate-free shampoos for several reasons
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Are you ready to commit to sulphate & paraben-free shampoos? Pick from our top choices for you:
Biotique Ocean Kelp Anti Hair Fall Shampoo
The pure kelp and natural proteins enriched formula of Biotique Ocean Kelp Anti Hair Fall Shampoo refreshes your hair and gives it salon-like shine. A great option if you’re looking to invigorate your scalp back to its healthy glory.
L'Oreal Paris Extraordinary Oil Paraben & Silicone Free Smooth Shampoo
Rejuvenate your hair at home with salon-like treatment with L’Oreal Paris’s Extraordinary Oil Paraben & Silicone Free Smooth Shampoo. The formula contains 100% French cedarwood oil to deeply condition and clear your scalp. It removes all that hair grease weighing your strands down leaving them 97% smoother.
Biotop Professional 911 Quinoa Shampoo
The restorative, colour protective formula of this sulphate-free shampoo helps strengthen your hair and boost shine. Packed with the deep conditioning powers of quinoa and vitamin E, this paraben-free shampoo is best for coloured hair.
Biotique Green Apple Shine & Gloss Shampoo with Conditioner
Purify and nourish your scalp with Biotique’s Green Apple Shine & Gloss Shampoo’s power-blend of pure green apple, sea algae and Centella. The pH-balanced formula provided your hair with gentle yet effective cleanse. A great choice if you wash your hair every other day.
Still stuck on suds?
It takes a little time to get used to sulphate-free shampoos—just because there is little to no lather doesn’t mean it’s not cleansing your scalp and hair. Sulphates can be harsh cleansing agents that strip off your natural oils and leading to a whole bottle of hair concerns like:
Why expose your hair to these when you have sulphate-free shampoos that effectively cleanse your hair without being harsh?
Here are some other sulphate free shampoos and conditioners for you to try:
Identify the right sulphate-free shampoo for yourself?
There is a plethora of SLS-free shampoos out there, and it can get confusing to pick the right one for your needs. The best and easiest way to choose the right SLS-free shampoo for yourself is by your hair type. Here’s what you need to know:
So, now you know how to keep your scalp clean and healthy with the gentle yet effective formulas of sulphate-free shampoos.
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Get your burning hair care queries answered
Q. Will my hair adjust to the sulphate-free formula?
- If you’ve been using a foaming shampoo then it will ideally take 2-4 weeks for your hair to adjust. However, this adjusting period is normal and your hair should be fine afterwards.
Q. Can I use sulphate-free shampoo every day?
- Sulphate-free or not, washing your hair everyday can be very damaging for your hair. If you suffer from extremely oily scalp, we recommend washing it every other day as well as looking for other alternatives like dry shampoos or diluting your shampoo in water first before putting it on.
Q. Will it clean my clean like a normal shampoo?
- Yes, even though sulphate-free formulas don’t lather too much, that doesn’t mean it’s not effectively cleansing your scalp, so don’t worry.