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Sulfates often get a bad rap for being harsh on the hair and scalp. Although there is no technical evidence that sulfate-free shampoo formulas are gentler and better for hair, the consumer demand for them remains strong among women with curly, natural, color-treated, and damaged hair.
Every shampoo formula contains at least one kind of cleansing ingredient to help lift and wash away dirt and sebum (the oily substance that keeps our skin soft and supple) from the scalp and hair. Sodium or aluminum lauryl sulfate (SLS or ALS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are common surfactants used in shampoo formulations, and are often listed near the top of a product's ingredient list. "Sulfate-free" in a shampoo formula means that cleansers with chemical names ending in "sulfate" have been replaced with alternate ones. While chemically different, these sulfate-free surfactants still clean hair on the same principle of micelle formation. Here are common ones to look for on labels if you're shopping sulfate-free:
GH Beauty Lab shampoo testing and haircare experts agree that shampoos both with and without sulfates can be safe for hair (and for use every day), as long as they are well-formulated. If you're interested in making the switch, look no further than our list of the best sulfate-free shampoos you can trust to perform for hair types from oily to curly, fine, colored, and more, including Good Housekeeping Seal holders, GH Beauty Lab test winners and editors' picks.
Reliable color protection is the core DNA of the L'Oréal Paris EverPure line: Use this GH Seal Star sulfate-free shampoo with the matching conditioner for gentle cleansing and proven moisturization. GH Beauty Lab chemists were impressed by this drugstore duo that nourishes dry strands and extends color at the fraction of a cost of salon products. Our experts find the white rose, jasmine, freesia, bergamot, and rosemary notes in these formulas delight the senses in the shower and beyond, as their "lush" scent lingers on strands for hours.
This formula by Olaplex (the brand behind the patented technology for repairing the disulfide bonds inside the hair strands) is a gentle yet effective clarifying shampoo, perfect for keeping oiliness at bay. Our beauty editor noticed an immediate increase in hair shine which speaks to its clarifying merits. In addition to being sulfate-free, it contains the brand's hero, patented ingredient bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, which is helps repair damaged bonds within the hair.
Formulated with the uplifting scent of rosemary and mint, use this Aveda sulfate-free shampoo for a refreshing and squeaky-clean feel. Its packaging was a winner in our first-fever Sustainable Packaging Awards and won accolades from our judges for its bottle is made of 100% recycled plastic and for not having any secondary packaging. We also like that you can recycle the press-caps at the curb and that the design lets it dispense the right amount of product so you won’t use too much (and possibly waste some).
Pattern's sulfate-free shampoo formulated specially for curly hair is a favorite of GH Seal & Consumer Services Manager Sakinah Ali for her natural texture. Designed for curl curl types 3B through 4C, this shampoo can be paired with different conditioners from the brand to really deliver on the needs of natural hair. The brainchild of actress and former GH cover star Tracee Ellis Ross, proceeds from their sales support organizations and programs that empower women and people of color.
This OGX sulfate-free shampoo and its matching conditioner scored high in GH Beauty Lab tests of color-safe shampoos for both preserving color and softening strands. Testers also rated it best for rinsing out well. In Lab assessments of hair samples, they came in near the top for fade prevention and conditioning effects. Fans remarked, “My highlights were more vibrant,” and “my color seemed to last longer.”
When used with its matching conditioner, Hair Food's sulfate- and silicone-free shampoo hit the sweet spot for heavy-duty hydration and color-saving benefits in GH Beauty Lab testing. The pump bottle design for the pair were the easiest to dispense and the formula was the least irritating. “After five weeks, my color still looks great — my hairdresser commented on it,” one user reported. “Dyeing my hair left it very dry, and I loved how moisturized it felt after just one use,” another said.
No water or plastic packaging means shampoo bars like this sulfate-free version from By Humankind have less environmental footprint and since they're liquid-free, they're spill-proof and travel-friendly, too. The bar lathers well and comes with a size-matched soap dish, which is free with your first purchase.We love both the citrus-lavender and the lemongrass scents, but it's also available in an unscented version for those who are sensitive.
Pureology's sulfate-free conditioning formula for very dry hair earned its splurge-worthy status by taking first place in the GH Beauty Lab's test of anti-aging shampoo formulas. Testers repeatedly commented on the shampoo’s "rich, thick lather," especially notable because it doesn't contain sulfate sudsing agents. "I had strangers telling me my hair was gorgeous!" one tester said. The color-protecting formula made it popular among panelists with colored strands. "It made my hair smooth and kept the color vibrant," a fan noted.
This Kérastase sulfate-free shampoo is designed to “discipline” unruly frizz-prone strands delivering manageability and smoothing benefits. Paired with the matching conditioner, the duo scored well all-around when tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab in the UK. Testers loved that the pair left their hair feeling smoother and looking shinier, while the shampoo's lather was creamy, thick, and "‘luxurious". Plus, it has the brand’s signature smell that can bring the pampering salon experience to your shower.
Oribe's luxurious nourishing shampoo is a “worth-it splurge for its incredible silkening effects," says GH Beauty Director April Franzino. The iconic fragrance of the Oribe brand leaves strands as if spritzed with “a rich, amber-y high-end fragrance," she raves.
It doesn’t have “shampoo” in the name, but this IGK formula is actually a 2-in-1 sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. GH Products & Reviews Editor Shanon Maglente loves it for her “thick, wavy, frizzy” hair. Since her hair is “so dry,” she used to skip the shampoo and only use a conditioner. Then she switched to sulfate-free shampoos, and this is the only one that made her hair “feel clean and look shinier and less frizzy." The product is foamy in consistency, lathers almost like shaving cream, and has a luscious but light coconut smell which “lingers even on dry strands," she says.
The judges of GH's Sustainability Awards were blown away by the 100% recycled cardboard exterior that reinforces the inner plastic bottle, which uses 60% less plastic than traditional options. Every bottle also comes with something extra for the planet — a packet of seeds hidden behind the cardboard cover! The moisturizing shampoo's formula is loaded with plant extracts, seed oils, and shea butter to generate a creamy, low-foam lather that leaves a dry scalp and parched strands soft and nourished. Bonus: The signature botanical scent of this product has the power to turn your daily shower into a soothing spa ritual.
Alaffia's sulfate-free shampoo is good for your hair, the earth, and humanity. The brand's mission-based business began in 2003 to improve the lives of people in West Africa, focusing on women’s empowerment, sustainable sourcing of indigenous ingredients, promoting gender equality, fair wages, and sustainable and transparent packaging, as well as safe and effective products. This heavy-duty moisturizing shampoo is packed with Fair Trade certified organic shea butter, ideal for thick, dry, and curly strands. Like all Alaffia products, this shampoo is Made Safe-certified, meaning that it’s been formulated without potentially harmful ingredients.
A little goes a long way to create a rich, creamy lather with this Alba Botanica sulfate-free shampoo pick, which has a fruity and floral scent reminiscent of summer in the tropics. The formula is designed for the color-treated strands and Leaping Bunny-certified to be cruelty-free.
If you're looking for the clean sudsing benefits of a sulfate shampoo in a sulfate-free version, this Pantene formula is worth a try. Purified surfactants are the reason "this formula lathers a lot,” says Jeni Thomas, Ph.D., Pantene's Principal Scientist. It was also tested with panelists who normally use sulfate-based shampoos to see if it met their expectations and it did, Thomas reports.
If you have fine, limp strands, look to this Keranique sulfate-free shampoo for a boost. “It claims to thicken strands and I feel it does that” Redmile says. The formula lathers well with a refreshing tingle on the scalp while you keep it on for a couple of minutes as per directions before rinsing out, thanks to menthol and peppermint oil. While the shampoo does not contain any hair growth ingredients, as it would be ineffective washing them down the drain during rinsing, the system’s treatment contains 2% Minoxidil, the only FDA approved over-the-counter active proven to promote hair growth.
At just 58 cents per ounce, this Aveeno sulfate-free shampoo is the best option for your buck. It packs the soothing power of oatmeal extract, brand’s hero ingredient, to calm the scalp. “My hair feels clean and cared-for after use” says GH Institute product analyst Lynn Redmile. It lathers well despite being sulfate-free and feels fresh on the scalp, likely due to the peppermint and rosemary oils in its formula, according to Redmile, and she also loves the fresh fragrance.
This Nexxus pick wins the praises of color pros thanks to its ability to remove product buildup without stripping color. "It prevents fading on any color-treated hair and maintains hair health," says New York City colorist Patrick Kyle.
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