Sulfates. They have been talked about for a long time now, and there has been a lot of confusion as to whether you should have them in your shampoo or not. To most people, ditching them seems illogical because they produce a lot of lather, most popular shampoo choices contain them, and they appear to be getting the job done. To top it all off, finding a good sulfate-free shampoo can be a tricky business.
Then, why should you go sulfate-free?
Sulfates are cheap detergents that are found in most commercial shampoos. This is why sulfate-free shampoos are often priced a little higher. The most common forms of these chemical detergents are Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate, which can be found in most household cleaning products. So you’re basically washing your hair with the same ingredient that cleans your clothes. Needless to say, sulfates are extremely harsh and strip away the natural oils in your hair along with the dirt and grime.
Here’s how your hair will benefit if you stop using sulfates:
- Decreased dryness and frizz
- Reduced splitting of hair
- Normalized production of oil in your scalp as there are no chemicals drying it out, pushing your sebaceous glands into overdrive
- Longer color retention if you dye your hair
- Reduced build-up of warm tones in highlighted or cool-toned hair
So, to make everyone’s life a little easier, and free of harsh chemicals, I’ve put together a list of the 10 best shampoos without sulfates that you can find in India.
10 Best Sulfate Free Shampoos
1. Biotique Bio Green Apple Fresh Daily Purifying Shampoo & Conditioner
If you have oily hair and have had a lot of trouble finding a good sulfate-free shampoo, this might be just the product for you. The herbal product is cruelty-free and easy on your budget. It contains natural ingredients like apple extracts, coconut oil, almond oil, Shikakai, Himalayan water, Indian pennywort, and agar-agar. Not only does this shampoo effectively cleanse oily hair, but it can also be used more often than you would a sulfate shampoo.
2. OGX Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo
If you love fragrances, you probably already love products from Organix. This shampoo, in particular, has a sweet coconut milk fragrance. It lathers well enough to get rid of grime and dirt, and can be used for most hair types. You should consider getting this shampoo if your hair is in need of nourishment because it contains hydrolyzed milk protein that will give your hair just what it needs. It also contains coconut oil and egg proteins that give your hair a protein and moisture boost. However, this might not be the best choice if you have extremely dry hair.
3. The Body Shop Rainforest Shine Shampoo
The Body Shop Rainforest Hair Care range was launched in 2010, and the shampoos have gained a lot of popularity since. Like most of their products, this one definitely lives up to the expectations and delivers results. It is not only free of sulfates but also of silicones, colorants, and parabens. It contains conditioning oils that add shine to your hair while keeping it moisturized. This gel-based shampoo efficiently cleans hair without drying it out and is highly recommended for people who have normal to dry hair types.
4. L’Oreal – EverSleek Intense Smoothing Shampoo
This Loreal sulfate free shampoo shampoo has gotten a lot of mixed reviews from customers because it only suits certain hair types. If you have dry or combination hair, this might be the product for you. However, it does not work for people with oily hair. When it comes to smoothing out waves and curls, this shampoo does an amazing job when used in combination with its conditioner. It nourishes and moisturizes your hair with its sunflower, olive, and argan oil content. The product also lathers extremely well despite not containing sulfates.
5. Organix Hydrating Macadamia Oil Shampoo
This is another brilliant shampoo from Organix for dry and damaged hair. It not only contains macadamia, coconut, and avocado oil, but also extracts from sugar cane, bamboo, and aloe. The shampoo lathers quickly even when you use it in small amounts. It keeps your hair moisturized, defines curls, and reduces frizz. If you have dry, frizzy, or curly hair, you should definitely give this product a shot.
6. Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo
I just can’t get enough of this brand. This shampoo is infused with argan oil, making it one of their best-selling shampoos. It restores moisture to dry hair and protects your hair from the damage caused by heat styling and the UV rays of the sun. The product is free of sulfates as well as parabens but that does not keep it from lathering up nicely. It does a lot for your hair, making it soft, and shiny, smoothing frizz, and making it more manageable.
7. Giovanni Root 66 Max Volume Shampoo
Giovanni Root 66 Max Volume Shampoo is one of the best SLS free shampoos out there. It contains up to 94% of organic ingredients and is free of parabens, mineral oil, artificial colors, phthalates, formaldehyde, and propylene glycol. It is not tested on animals and contains natural ingredients like mango extract, papaya extract, kiwi extract, aloe vera, and soybean protein. It does not lather much but is a great shampoo for those with limp, lifeless hair as it adds volume, shine, and bounce.
8. The Body Shop Rainforest Moisture Shampoo
This product is another gem from The Body Shop’s Rainforest range. The shampoo claims to improve softness without weighing your hair down, and it does just that. Like the other products in this range, this one is also free of sulfates, parabens, colorants, and silicones. The product is thick and doesn’t lather as well as most shampoos but works extremely well for dry hair, regardless of whether it is fine or thick.
9. Auravedic Hair Fall Control Shampoo
If you have a hair fall problem, this is the shampoo for you. It contains ayurvedic ingredients like Brahmi, Amla, Shikakai, and Bhringraj that nourish your hair and scalp, promoting healthy hair growth. The only issue you might have with this shampoo is that it doesn’t lather as well as most, and you might have to shampoo twice if you have oiled your hair. It contains grapeseed oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, and soy proteins. This is a good buy if you’re looking for a budget-friendly sulfate-free shampoo.
10. Soultree Triphala Hair Revitalizing Shampoo
If you like products that have an herbal smell, you are definitely going to love this one. It’s perfect for people with oily hair as it gets rid of all the grease and dirt in one go, unlike most sulfate-free shampoos. However, you will have to thoroughly wet your hair and take your time with lathering as the shampoo does not spread easily. The product is relatively cheaper than most sulfate-free shampoos and contains natural ingredients that nourish your hair.
Now that you have this list, there should be nothing stopping you from making the switch from sulfate to sulfate-free shampoos. Everyone’s hair goes through a transition period when they switch products, but the long-term result will be completely worth it.
