The Truth Behind Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Should I Be Using a Sulfate-Free Shampoo?

There’s been a lot of hype about using sulfate-free shampoos, but do the majority of us even know why we don’t want sulfates in our shampoos? Sulfates are part of a surfactant system used in all sorts of beauty products (body wash, face wash, hand wash, etc.) designed to clean and lather. Derived from natural oils, sulfates are designed to cleanse (alongside with many other ingredients).

Ok, so what’s all the hype? Many believe sulfates can be harsh on your hair or skin. But what they don’t realize is that surfactants (reminder! sulfates are surfactants) are what actually clean your hair. In fact, sulfate-free shampoos are NOT surfactant-free shampoos—sulfates are just being replaced by a different type of surfactant. What’s important is to make sure that surfactant-containing formulas are gentle, working to remove dirt and oil on the surface of the hair fiber. That’s why we’ve decided to keep the sulfates in our shampoos—to make sure your shampoo is both effective and gentle. By using a shampoo that’s gentle enough and formulated for your hair type, you’ll be well on your way to getting that gorgeous, healthy base, perfect for whatever style you’re hoping to pull off.