Over the past few years, I’m sure you’ve heard “sulfate free” and there has been a war in the hair-care industry against sulfates and the suds they create. Just walk down any beauty aisle and you’re bombarded with labels that boast “sulfate-free” products.Just walk down any beauty aisle and you’re bombarded with labels that boast “sulfate-free” products. And look at the ingredient list of your shampoo, body wash, soap, facial cleanser or even toothpaste, and chances are, you’ll find sulfate—in the form of sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate—high on the list.
What are sulfates—and why should you avoid them?
What is sulfate exactly? Sulfates are great cleansers that cut through oil and dirt. Sulfates are foaming agents added that can help clean the hair and scalp..
They’re commonly found in hair and skin cleansing products because they have the ability to attract water and oil. Due to this quality, they can efficiently lift dirt and oil from the body, trap them in the suds and rinse down the drain when mixed with water.
Since sulfates are safe, efficient and effective, you may find the sulfate-free movement in haircare products confusing. The issue boils down to one thing: shampoos containing sulfates can be a bit too good at doing their job. They can strip natural oils from the scalp and hair, therefore making hair dry and brittle. And if your scalp is sensitive, sulfates can cause irritation like redness, dryness, and itching. That’s where the bad reputation comes in. Thus, sulfate-free products are considered milder, less drying and less frothy alternatives to their sulfate-containing counterparts.
So is sulfate or sulfate-free right for your hair type? To help you determine if your hair could benefit from sulfate-free shampoo, ask yourself these five questions:
1. Do you color your hair?
If yes, keep your new hair color vibrant with a sulfate free shampoo.
If you come across a shampoo for color-treated hair, chances are, it will be sulfate-free. Color-treated hair is BFFs with sulfate free shampoo for two main reasons:
-After a haircoloring service your hair also may be drier than usual. A sulfate-free shampoo won’t dry your hair out as much as a sulfate shampoo would.
-Since sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners are so gentle, they’re less likely to wash away your hair dye down the drain.
2. Is your hair curly and prone to frizz?
If you answered yes, sulfate-free is likely the way to go.
In addition to drying out hair and causing irritation for some, shampoos containing sulfates can also cause the hair to become frizzy. Lack of natural oil in the hair makes each hair strand separate and bend away from the strand next to it, resulting in a wild and untamed look
A shampoo without sulfates is best since it won’t strip hair of as much moisture as a regular shampoo would.
3. Is your hair coarse?
If it is, you may want to skip the sulfates!
If you have hair that feels dry and rough, as opposed to smooth and soft, when you run your fingers down the length of the hair, then you probably have coarse hair. This type of hair can also benefit from shampoo free of sulfates since it won’t rid your hair of all its moisture. The natural oils on your head can travel down your hair to provide hydration.
4. Is your hair damaged?
If so, say no to shampoos with sulfates.
If your hair is brittle and prone to breaking, it’s probably best to use a sulfate-free shampoo to keep your mane in prime condition. Hair breakage can result in loss of volume, and you’ll have to wait for your hair to replace the breakage with healthy strands. Split ends can also lead to loss of shine, and once you have them, you’ll probably need to have your hair cut to get rid of them completely. The best action is prevention.
If your hair is fragile or damaged, a sulfate free shampoo will be gentle enough to not make the situation worse, so whatever moisture you have left on your hair, you get to keep.
5. Do YOU HAVE A SENSITIVE SCALP?
If you answered yes, you may want to consider avoiding sulfates.
If you have sensitive skin, you may notice irritation around your hairline and on your scalp when you use shampoos containing sulfates. If you notice itching, a flaking scalp or red patches, think about switching to a sulfate-free shampoo.
6. Can you get away with NOT washing your hair every day?
If yes, opt for a sulfate-free shampoo.
You may be able to skip daily shampoos because your hair doesn’t make a lot of natural oil; thus, you can get by with a milder shampoo.
Now that we have that settled, here are my favorites. Fixx Colorshield Sulfate Free Shampoo & Conditioner. This duo protects color form fading, maintains luminosity and vibrancy for shiny, healthy looking hair, conditions for smoother, softer looking hair, without compromising volume.
Remember earlier when I talked about the lather sulfates create? With the lather from a sulfate, you don’t have to work as hard to cleanse your scalp. With a product that does not contain sulfates, you will need to do more of a rigorous massage on the scalp in order to get it clean. I also recommend emulsifying in your hands to get some lather before applying to your hair.
But if you answered “no” to many of the above questions then a regular sulfate-containing shampoo may be best. Just pick your shampoo and conditioner based on your biggest hair concern.
For instance, if you can’t wrap your head around the idea of skipping shampoo day because your roots get greasy way too fast, you may have a problem with oil. While those of us with oily hair can use a no sulfate shampoo, you might find that a product with sulfate does a better job at thoroughly cleansing and de-greasing your hair.
Fixx Argan Shampoo & Fixx Thick Hair Shampoo & Conditioner are shampoos that contain sulfates but target specific hair concerns from lift, to dryness to volume.
It is recommended that you use a shampoo with sulfates at least once a month, as sulfate-free products could lead to build up, and could plug up follicles, prohibiting new hair growth.
Also consider exfoliating your scalp with Royal Spa Scalp Revival Scrub
Give your shampoo a break and let this unique scrub cleanse and balance your scalp. Formulated with salt granules, this exfoliating formula soothes the scalp by helping to eliminate product buildup and dead skin. Revitalize your scalp with Royal Spa Scalp Revival Scrub.
While you can use sulfate-free shampoos as often as you want without other problems, a quick blast with a shampoo containing sulfates every now and again will ensure your hair is able to restore its strength and natural vitality.
