Everything you need to know about sulfates!
- 12 min reading time
Sulfate-free hair products: is it a hype or a must-have in your hair routine? More and more people and brands are making conscious choices like vegan formulas, natural ingredients, and sustainable packaging. You’ve probably seen the term sulfates on a shampoo bottle or on TikTok. But what exactly are sulfates and why are we all searching for sulfate-free products?
In this blog, we dive together into the world of sulfates, or rather sulfate-free products, and after reading you’ll know exactly whether it’s something to include in your routine.
What are sulfates and what do sulfates do?
Sulfates are cleansing agents commonly found in shampoos (and other care products). They create that nice foamy layer and remove dirt, sebum, and product residues from your hair. The most well-known are SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) and SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate).
Sounds pretty handy, right? Yes, but there is a downside to the story…
Why are more and more people choosing sulfate-free?
Although sulfates clean your hair well, they can also be quite harsh. They strip not only dirt but also natural oils from your scalp and hair. This can result in:
- A dry, tight scalp
- Brittle and dull hair
- Quickly fading hair color
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Extra frizz (especially with curls!)
That’s why more and more people are switching to sulfate-free shampoos – especially if they have curls, color their hair, or simply have a sensitive scalp. A sulfate-free formula cleanses more gently, helping your hair maintain its natural balance better.
Is sulfate-free always better?
Not necessarily. It depends on your hair type, styling habits, and what your hair needs at that moment. Here’s a small checklist to see if a sulfate-free shampoo is right for you:
- You have curly or dry hair
- You have recently dyed your hair
- Your scalp is sensitive or easily irritated
- You prefer mild, natural formulas
Do you fall into one (or more) of these categories? Then chances are that a sulfate-free shampoo is best for your hair.
When is it better to choose a shampoo with sulfates?
Sulfates are not the enemy, but you need to use them wisely. Think of it as a detox for your hair; occasionally it can really make a difference. Especially if you then switch back to milder care. In the following cases, it’s best to choose a shampoo with sulfates:
- You use daily styling products that contain silicones. Sulfates help cleanse the hair of silicones and built-up layers. A sulfate-free shampoo is much milder and may struggle with this, which can lead to buildup.
- An oily scalp: sulfates effectively remove excess sebum and dirt.
- With a Reset-wash: this is how you start again with a clean base.
- Thick, oily, straight hair that doesn’t dry out quickly: there’s a good chance your hair works fine with a shampoo containing sulfates.
What does a sulfate-free shampoo do then?
A good sulfate-free shampoo gently cleans your hair without stripping the natural oils. You might notice it foams less – but don’t be fooled, it definitely works. The foam is not the cleansing ingredient, but more of a sensory effect.
Tip from us: give it some time. Your hair often needs to get used to a new, gentler way of cleansing. But after a few washes, you will see (and feel!) the difference.
How do you recognize sulfates in hair products?
You mainly recognize sulfates by the foaming effect. A sulfate-free shampoo hardly foams at all. This may feel a bit strange the first time because we are used to the foaming effect, but it does not clean any less well. You can also find it on the packaging, in the ingredients list.
What types of sulfates are there?
There are all kinds of different sulfates, some more aggressive than others. But there are also very mild sulfates. The more aggressive the sulfate, the more it degreases and cleanses. The chance of skin irritation is greatest here. Do you want to know if a hair product contains sulfates? Then watch out for the following ingredients, which are conveniently listed from aggressive to mild:
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate - ALS
- Ammonium Laureth Sulfate - ALES
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - SLS
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate - SLES
- Sodium Myreth Sulfate - SMES
- TEA Lauryl Sulfate - TLS
- TEA Laureth Sulfate - TLES
- Sodium Coco-Sulfate - SCS
What is the difference between Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)?
Ingredients with ‘Laureth’ are milder than the ‘Lauryls’. Because it is a milder variant with a much lower chance of skin irritation, this can be a nice alternative for people who want the foaming effect. SLS is a stronger cleanser than SLES. If you have normal to oily hair and also like the foaming effect, then SLES is a good addition – a good balance between cleansing and care.
Are sulfates bad for your hair, or is it not that bad?
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Sulfates: you either love them or prefer to avoid them. But are they really bad for your hair and scalp? The answer lies in balance. Sulfates thoroughly cleanse your scalp, which is great if you use a lot of styling products or want to ‘reset’ once in a while. At the same time, they also strip away the natural oils (sebum) that your scalp needs to stay supple and healthy. If you use a shampoo with sulfates daily, your scalp hardly gets a chance to restore that protective layer. The result: overproduction of sebum, greasy hair, and you washing again. Over time, this can make your hair dry, dull, and out of balance. Do you have colored hair? Then sulfates even wash out your color faster. Still, when used properly, they can help remove build-up from styling residues. Therefore, preferably use a mild sulfate-free shampoo in your daily routine, and alternate this with a sulfate shampoo when you want to cleanse your hair extra well (for example, once a week or every two weeks). Avoid aggressive sulfates like ALS and ALES, and stick to milder variants like SLS or SLES if you use them. This way, you stay in control of your scalp and your shine. |
What does a sulfate-free shampoo do for my hair?
A good sulfate-free shampoo gently cleans your hair without stripping the natural oils. You might notice it foams less – but don’t be fooled, it definitely works. The foam is not the cleansing ingredient, but more of a sensory effect.
Tip from us: give it some time. Your hair often needs to get used to a new, gentler way of cleansing. But after a few washes, you will see (and feel!) the difference.
Can I use a mild shampoo when using a lot of styling products?
Do you use a lot of styling products but still want to use a mild, sulfate-free shampoo? That’s definitely possible, but it’s smart to adjust a few things in your routine. Styling products – from mousse to hairspray – can make your hair look beautiful, but at the end of the day they need to be washed out properly. Sulfates help with this because they clean powerfully and effectively remove product residues. If you use a mild or sulfate-free shampoo, it may not rinse out all residues, which can cause build-up over time. This makes your hair heavy, lifeless, and less manageable. The solution? Choose styling products without silicones or with water-soluble ingredients that are easier to remove, even with a mild shampoo. And schedule a wash once a week with a shampoo containing sulfates. Think of it as a fresh reset: your hair completely clean, airy, and ready for a new round of styling!
What are substitutes for sulfates?
There are a number of alternatives to sulfates:
- Cocamidopropyl betaine
- Sodium coco sulfate
- Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
- Propylene glycol
- Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
Can you be allergic to sulfates?
Are you experiencing:
- Flakes
- Dry scalp
- Red scalp
- Irritated scalp
- Itchy scalp
- Dull hair
- Dry hair
- Colored hair that quickly becomes dull
… then you know what to do - time for sulfate-free hair products! Try a sulfate-free shampoo. It won’t hurt to give it a chance. This can actually help resolve your built-up complaints and restore the natural shine in your locks. Because you know what they say: as long as your hair looks good!
Can sulfates cause hair loss?
In small concentrations, the use of SLES is not harmful. But due to the aggressive cleansing, which is the purpose of sulfates, it can disrupt the balance between scalp and hair. The scalp is cleansed but also dries out because the natural oils are washed out of the hair. In addition, sulfate residue remains on the hair follicles, which may disrupt hair growth.
Are there also silver shampoos without sulfates?
Haarspullen wouldn’t be Haarspullen without sulfate-free shampoos in the range! One of the best-selling silver shampoos is sulfate-free. So it is possible to create a beautiful cool blonde look without causing unnecessary potential damage to your scalp and hair. That’s certainly nice after a big dye job! These are the sulfate-free silver shampoos:
- Schwarzkopf Goodbye Yellow Silver Shampoo
- Fudge Clean Blonde Damage Rewind Violet Shampoo
- Maria Nila Sheer Silver Shampoo
- REF Cool Silver Shampoo
What is the Haarspullen top 10 sulfate-free shampoos?
We have made a small selection of our sulfate-free shampoos:
- FFudge Clean Blonde Damage Rewind Violet Shampoo
- Maria Nila Sheer Silver Shampoo
- Fudge Cool Brunette Shampoo
- Fudge Luminizer Shampoo
- Schwarzkopf Goodbye Yellow Shampoo
- Schwarzkopf Fibre Force Fortifying Shampoo
- Biosilk Volumizing Shampoo
- REF Hydrate Shampoo
- Affinage Cool Blonde Shampoo
Curious about even more sulfate-free hair products? Then check out this article: Haarspullen’s top 15 sulfate-free hair products!
Which brands are sulfate-free?
The brands and lines that are completely free of sulfates are:
- Maria Nila
- REF Stockholm
- Fudge
- L'Oreal Professional - Source Essentielle
- Shampoobars
- Wella Elements
- Redken Acidic Bonding Curls
- Redken Acidic Color Gloss
Which hair products without sulfates can I use?
We understand that it is a lot of information. You now know what a sulfate is and what it does and can do. However, not all sulfate-free shampoos are the same. If you’re not quite sure, feel free to send an email to our team via info@haarspullen.nl info@haarspullen.nl.
Hopefully we have given you a little more insight into the world of prejudices about sulfates. We have taken a closer look at sulfate-free shampoo and regular shampoos. And added some useful tips & tricks. As we mentioned earlier: as long as your hair looks good (;
