The best sulphate-free shampoos
Sulphates in shampoo can cause dryness and irritation. Our columnist shares her best natural alternatives.
Image credit: Getty Images/vadimguzhva
Sulphates in shampoo can cause dryness and irritation. Our columnist shares her best natural alternatives.
There are several poor life choices I’ve made over the years. But by far the worst was the one I made in the 1980s when I decided to get a perm. Personally, I think Jennifer Beals in Flashdance is to blame.
“Good God,” was my father’s reaction, a phrase usually reserved for the most heinous crimes, like being caught reading a Jackie Collins novel. “Well, if you must ruin your hair,” my mother said. “At least get it ruined somewhere decent.”
Cut to me, walking out of a posh salon looking like a feral miniature poodle. Don’t get me wrong, naturally curly hair is a truly divine blessing. But we straight hair types are generally better off staying in our lane because a perm can make you look like Kevin Keegan lining up for his 1971 debut for Liverpool FC.
It’s not just my shameful perm era that’s responsible for my hair’s dubious mid-life quality. It turns out that that shampoo, has been a co-conspirator.
For years, we’ve all been using shampoos made with cleaning agents called sulphates. They may be effective at removing dirt, but they’re also the same powerful chemical found in household cleaning products.
Which is precisely why they strip hair of its natural oils and cause long-term dryness and damage.
Fortunately, the world is gradually shifting towards sulphate-free shampoos, which use milder, naturally sourced cleaning ingredients. And there’s a host of reasonably priced offerings to buy.
Monday Haircare is on a mission to make naturally derived, high-end hair products more affordable – and they’ll have you at the divine baby pink packaging.
Monday Colour Protect Shampoo has ditched the harsh sulphates for keratin, vitamin E and jojoba oil, which all get to work adding shine and hydration to hair, while preventing colour fade.
It left my locks feeling mercifully frizz-free and I fell hard for the subtle gardenia scent.
Good old Percy & Reed has really delivered with its sulphate-free offering I Need A Hero! Wonder Shampoo.
It’s intensely creamy and produces a satisfyingly rich lather, but where it really impresses is on the hair health front – super nourishing to roots, it also does sterling work repairing split ends.
For voluminous, salon-worthy hair, this one’s an absolute winner.
Olaplex’s pleasingly scientific-looking bottles have taken the beauty world by storm with their patented haircare technology formulas. And if you’re happy to pay the extra, prepare to be wowed.
Sulphate-free and packed with vegetable protein to lock in moisture, Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo transforms even the most brittle hair into a glossy mane.
Tip: To get sulphate-free shampoo to lather, mix with water in your palms before applying.
One familiar high-street brand that’s come through on ditching the sulphates is OGX Renewing+ Argan Oil of Morocco pH Balanced Shampoo.
Ideal for damaged hair, it does a solid job on the softness and strength front and is super gentle, so great for frequent hair washers.
Bonus points for the citrus-fresh fragrance.
And if you fancy leaping into the hottest haircare trend, invest in a sulphate-free shampoo bar. Faith In Nature’s Coconut & Shea Butter Shampoo Bar looks like a posh hand soap but it cleans hair like an absolute boss.
Simply lather it up in your hands and you’ll almost feel the organic coconut oil drenching your hair in healthy hydration.
The handy solid shape also makes it a dream travel buddy.
So, enjoy investing in your hair. After all, it’s the crown you never take off.
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