16 Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos to Gently Cleanse Without Stripping Hair, According to Experts
Throw these BBs into your wash day mix.
Seventeen picks products that we think you'll love the most. We may earn commission from the links on this page.
Bestie, idk if you knew this, but not all shampoos are created equally. There are different cleansers to meet all your hair care needs. If you've been noticing excess dandruff and product buildup, then look to a clarifying shampoo to remove the gunk. Have you colored your hair recently? Toning shampoos preserve the vibrancy of newly-dyed strands. And then there are shampoos with hydrating ingredients like shea butter to seal in your hair's natural oils. When your hair feels dry and brittle, get your hands on the nearest sulfate-free shampoo. The best sulfate-free shampoos gently remove dirt and debris without stripping the hair or irritating the scalp, skin, or eyes.
You've probably noticed tons of sulfate-free shampoos while shopping at your local drugstore or your most trusted e-tailer online and wondered what sulfates are and why they've been removed from shampoos. Seventeen chatted with four experts to break down what sulfates are and share their product recs for the best sulfate-free shampoos to gently cleanse your hair. See what they had to say below.
Our Top Picks
What are sulfates?
To keep it short and sweet, sulfates are the cleansing agents that help your favorite shampoos lather into a soapy, sudsy form. "Sulfates serve as a surfactant to reduce the surface tension between the shampoo and the skin, helping to eliminate buildup, dirt, oil, and debris off the hair and scalp, while also contributing to the foamy lather that occurs when shampooing or cleansing," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick tells Seventeen.
While we all stan a good deep cleaning shampoo, "sulfates remove oil and debris from the hair shaft," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp adds. If too much oil is removed from the hair, Dr. Camp says, "it may be at risk of dryness," which often results in fragile hair that’s more prone to frizz and dullness. According to Dr. Camp, sulfates, like SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and SLES (sodium laureth sulfate), "represent a group of synthetic chemicals found in many skincare ingredients." These agents break down excess product, dirt, and oil in hair —but they can be harsh and unnecessary. "The greater the concentration of sulfates and the longer the duration of exposure may be more likely to lead to irritation," Dr. Garshick explains.
Why are sulfates bad for hair?
So why do sulfates get such a bad rep? Along with stripping the hair and leading to dryness on the hair, scalp, and skin, it's also about how sulfates are manufactured. According to Dr. Camp, some of the manufacturing processes use petroleum-based products that have been proven to irritate the eyes and scalp. If someone has an extreme sensitivity to sulfates, Dr. Camp says they may experience dryness, itching, or even acne. Sulfates have also been "linked to climate change, pollution, and greenhouse gasses," according to Dr. Camp.
Why are sulfate-free shampoos good for hair?
Along with gently cleansing, sulfate-free shampoos prevent irritation. Hair artist Laureabeth Cabott recommends sulfate-free for all of her clients, but especially for those who are contemplating color. The ArtistryByLB founder says that sulfates strip and dull hair color, affecting how long the hair dye will last. Dr. Garshick agrees. She says sulfate-free shampoos "preserve hair coloring longer" because they are "less likely to strip moisture or remove color from the hair." Maxine Salon stylist Raven Hurtado says that "the scalp doesn't feel or look greasy" when her clients use sulfate-free shampoo. She also notices that her client's hair feels softer and free of a "waxy residue" on the hair after washing with a sulfate-free shampoo. Dr. Camp adds that sulfate-free shampoos are gentle enough for everyday use.
Few things feel better than running your hands through your freshly-washed hair. Using sulfate-free shampoos gently cleanses your hair and scalp without running the risk of irritation and excess dryness. Scroll ahead to check out the best sulfate-free shampoos, according to experts.
Jasmine Washington is an Assistant Editor at Seventeen, where she covers celebrity news, beauty, lifestyle, and more. For the past decade, she has worked for media outlets, including BET, MadameNoire, VH1, and many others, where she used her voice to tell stories across various verticals. Follow her on Instagram.
Watch Next
Sadie Sink on Cutting Her Iconic Red Hair
7 Easy Ways to Curl Your Hair Without Any Heat
Selena Gomez Shocks the Internet by Going Blonde
*The* Dyson Straighter is on Sale for Prime Day