While we hear many tell us that shampoo is the devil (me included), they do offer what our strands need…proper So, what’s a natural to do? Enlist in sulfate-free shampoo. Before we dive right into what are the best of the best let’s take a look at sulfates, sulfate-free shampoos and why they are attractive to naturals.cleansing. Shampoo can be harsh on our delicate natural strands. We need the natural oils to keep our hair from becoming hard and brittle and shampoo strips our strands with a vengeance. Let’s check out, not just one amazing sulfate free shampoo, but 10 that you need in your bathroom!
Why Using A Shampoo Bar On Natural Hair Is A Good Thing
What are sulfates?
Sulfates are detergents or primary surfactants and the most common ones in shampoo are Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, or Ammonium Laureth Sulfate. They are safe but can be irritating, very drying and can also strip strands of color. Sulfates are very harsh on natural strands and are what tangles and dries out our hair when we wash them with regular shampoo. You probably didn’t even notice the dryness or tangles when relaxed but natural hair does not handle them well as the hair is unaltered, unprocessed and needs the oils our hair naturally has in it.
Favorite sulfate free shampoos
What is a sulfate free shampoo?
Simply put, a sulfate-free shampoo is free of sulfates or primary surfactants but they do cleanse the hair. Sulfate-free shampoos are just milder detergents that don’t completely wash away hair’s much needed moisture. Most do not lather (but still clean) and are great for 3 & 4 hair textures or color-treated hair. Now, that we know what they are, let’s get the good part…the list of the best!
Alikay Naturals Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo
A brand gaining much popularity in the natural hair world, this sulfate free shampoo cleans and moisturizes at the same time. Made from natural Raw Black Soap it gets down deep into the scalp to remove gunk and buildup. The tropically scented blend contains a natural mix of Coco Seed Powder, Plantain skins, and Tea Tree oil that protects and moisturizes the hair from the scalp to the root. This sulfate-free shampoo is different — it cleans and moisturizes at the same time. Made from natural raw black soap, it gets down deep into the scalp to remove buildup. The tropically scented blend contains a natural mix of plantain skins and tea tree oil that protects and moisturizes the hair from scalp to end.
BRIOGEO Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Shampoo
This unique shampoo infuses binchotan charcoal to draw impurities from the scalp and hair follicle, providing the foundation for optimal scalp health. Vegetable-derived micro-exfoliators remove dead skin cells and product buildup to support a clean, balanced, and healthy scalp, as a cooling blend of peppermint and spearmint oils reduces scalp itchiness. Tea tree oil features anti-septic and healing properties to reduce scalp irritation, while coconut oil delivers superior moisturization to the scalp to combat and prevent dryness and flakiness. Super-vitamin panthenol provides essential nutrients to strengthen the hair roots and shaft.
Carols Daughter Black Vanilla Sulfate Free Shampoo
An amazing line that continues to be a favorite among naturals, Carol’s Daughter has a great sulfate-free shampoo that won’t disappoint! It’s a color-safe shampoo that cleanses and restores your natural moisture without adding weight to your hair. Aloe Leaf Juice hydrates your hair, while Sweet Clover and Rose Extract give hair healthy shine. When your hair has the right balance of moisture the rest just falls into place – manageability, shine, softness – no matter how dry, dull or brittle the hair. So, fix it in an instant with help from the Black Vanilla Moisture & Shine Sulfate-Free Shampoo by Carol’s Daughter.
DevaCurl Low-Poo Original Mild Lather Cleanser
DevaCurl Low-Poo Original Mild Lather Cleanser is a mild lather cleanser that gives curls a dose of essential moisture and is ideal for fine hair that needs a thorough, yet gentle cleanse. The tropical scent of Starfruit & Mango is sunny and succulent. This mild-lathering cleanser, made with gentle hops and soothing chamomile, cleans and hydrates the scalp and hair without stripping away the natural oils your curls need. Low-Poo leaves you with healthy-looking shine and bounce. Great for wavy and curly hair. This is a fave among curly girls!
EDEN BodyWorks Peppermint Tea Tree Shampoo
We all love the power of peppermint and this hard-working shampoo from EDEN BodyWorks does all that it claims! You get a clarifying cleansing shampoo that refreshes the scalp and stimulates the hair follicles while removing dirt and oil build up. Its formulated with pure peppermint botanicals to help alleviate dry, itchy scalp.
Kinky-Curly Come Clean Moisturizing Shampoo
Love, love, LOVE this line and this shampoo gets your hair clean with no issues! It has a specially designed formula with Phytic acid to cleanse your hair of hard-water minerals, Mandarin orange extract to cleanses your hair and scalp while the Sea kelp preserves the moisture balance. Kinky-Curly’s Come Clean Shampoo is specially designed to remove hard-water materials, leaving your hair and scalp feeling clean and moisturized. Formulated with phytic acid, this shampoo is free of alcohol, sodium-lauryl-sulfate and parabens to make it gentle enough to use every day.
OUIDAD Advanced Climate Control® Defrizzing Shampoo
A unique conditioner that helps prevent frizz, flyaways, and unwanted volume, creating the perfect frizz-free foundation. Get frizz-free curls with Advanced Climate Control® Defrizzing Shampoo. An advanced blend of emollients (shea butter, murumuru butter, and ceramides) helps repair the cuticle and smooth its surface. High-performance Anti-Frizz Nano Technology with sericin, a protein derived from silk, seals the cuticle to form a barrier that locks in moisture and locks out humidity. A dedicated UV filter helps protect against damage from environmental aggressors. The result: defined, shiny, and controlled curls—in any climate.
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Shampoo
This shampoo is in my bathroom right now as it is remarkable cleanser for natural hair. It removes product build-up, while infusing hair with moisture, and promotes growth by nourishing and strengthening damaged or chemically processed hair. Lastly, the Apple Cider Vinegar aids in regulating and balancing pH levels on the scalp, while softening hair to promote enhanced growth.
Favorite sulfate free shampoos
Nourishes & Promoted Hair Growth: Certified Organic Raw Shea Butter rich in fatty acids and vitamins delivers intense hydration which keeps hair healthy and promotes hair growth
Natural Cleanser : An all-natural hair cleanser that gently washes daily accumulation of dirt and grime without stripping hair of its natural oils
Repairs Damaged Hair: Jamaican Black Castor Oil has reparative properties which deliver nourishment to hair follicles and repair dry, damaged hair from root top tip
Invigorate Scalp & Prevents Breakage: Peppermint and Coconut Oil used in this shampoo invigorate hair scalp and prevent hair breakage
Thickens & Smooths: Rice proteins used in this formulation help add volume to lip curls by thickening individual hair strands and smoothing frizzy curls
MOROCCANOIL Curl Enhancing Shampoo
A curl-boosting shampoo with nourishing argan oil to restore elasticity, shine and manageability. Moroccanoil® Curl Enhancing Shampoo gently cleanses to reveal noticeably soft and smooth curls that are full of definition and free of unwanted frizz. A blend of hydrolyzed vegetable protein and Abyssinian oil strengthens and protects, for weightless curls that look and feel healthy with bounce and movement. Nourish the hair while achieving beautiful, natural and healthy looking curls with Moroccanoil’s Curl Enhancing Shampoo with argan oil.
Tgin Moisture Rich Sulfate Free Shampoo
Another brand gaining in popularity, TGIN’s sulfate free shampoo smoothes the cuticle surface and leaves hair feeling soft and smooth. Infused with Pro Vitamin B5 for reduced breakage and increased moisture.
This is by no means the only great sulfate free shampoos out there for naturals but definitely a list worth checking out. Do you have a favorite sulfate free shampoo? Share below!
Sabrina
