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Byrdie / Kevin Liang
TL; DR
The best sulfate-free formula overall is the Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo. It contains strengthening protein, lathers beautifully without being stripping, and leaves all hair types looking and feeling soft. If you're on a budget, you can't go wrong with the OGX Nourishing + Coconut Milk Shampoo.
You've probably come across the term "sulfate-free" when shopping for shampoos over the past several years. Sulfates—which are usually listed as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) on an ingredient list—are foaming agents. This is what gives hair washes that lathering effect. But while a good lather is undeniably luxurious, foam isn't necessary for cleaning your hair. So what's the harm, then? Sulfates can irritate some people's skin and eyes, and for some, it's about protecting brittle or chemically-processed hair.
"Sulfate-free shampoos are recommended when you want to disrupt the surface of the hair as little as possible," hairstylist Kat Savano says. She explains that SLS and SLES contain salt, which can affect keratin treatments and potentially create friction that leads to frizz. "Most other sulfates come from plant sources and are fine to have in a product." According to hair expert Cataanda James, "Sulfate-free shampoo offers a gentler cleanse, ridding the scalp and hair of any debris and product buildup without stripping its natural oils."
We conducted hours of research on the best sulfate-free shampoos on the market, evaluating each formula on key ingredients, benefits targeted, and overall results. After considering dozens of options and consulting with hair-care experts, we landed on the following best in show.
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Lathers nicely
Suitable for all hair types
Provides a deep clean
Not stripping
Nothing
Key Ingredients: Keravis protein, astaxanthin | Scent: Fresh | Size: 9, 33.8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Our favorite sulfate-free shampoo is this gem from Pureology. It has a creamy texture that lathers beautifully, creating a sensorial experience as you work it across your scalp. It does a nice job of removing oil and build-up without stripping the hair, and it leaves all hair types looking and feeling soft. We're also giving it bonus points for containing keravis, a strengthening protein that can prevent hair breakage.
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Restores hydration
Supports healthy growth
Delicious tropical scent
Contains methylisothiazolinone
Key Ingredients: Coconut milk, coconut oil, egg powder | Scent: Fresh, sweet | Size: 13 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
Some of the best SLS-free hair washes are super affordable. Case in point: OGX. This drugstore gem is suitable for all hair types and textures—leaving just about all who use it with glowing, healthy, and beautiful hair after every wash.
After testing the product ourselves, we noticed that the milky, creamy consistency lathers easily on wet hair. And even better, the formula didn't weigh our hair down, nor did it leave a residue post-shower.
Read Full Review: OGX Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo Review
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BYRDIE / ASHLEY RUBELL
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Budget-friendly
Restores hydration
Decent lather
Rosemary scent could be a bit strong for some
Key Ingredients: Natural surfactants, botanicals | Scent: Rosemary | Size: 11 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
L'Oréal was among the first drugstore brands to launch a sulfate-free haircare line. This shampoo promises to clarify your scalp with natural surfactants and restore moisture, all while offering an impressive lather sans sulfates. We love that it lathers beautifully, gives the scalp a deep clean, and doesn't dry out our ends.
Read Full Review: L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Moisture Shampoo Review
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BYRDIE / ASHLEY RUBELL
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Pump bottle
Strengthening
Supports healthy growth
Not vegan-friendly
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, caviar extract, rice protein, soy amino acid | Scent: Fresh | Size: 16.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
If you can spring for the steeper price, we highly recommend Alterna. This top-shelf shampoo calls on caviar extract to improve elasticity and prevent UV damage, while rice protein and soy amino acids strengthen each strand.
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Adds body
Strengthening
Supports healthy growth
Cherry blossom scent could be a bit strong for some
Key Ingredients: Rice protein, soy protein, stem cells | Scent: Japanese cherry blossom | Size: 11.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If it's volume that you're after, this chemistry lab-inspired container has your name on it. In addition to adding body and strengthening with plant-based proteins, it contains stem cells to prevent shedding and encourage healthy hair growth.
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Natural formula
Prevents breakage
Leaves hair shiny
May be too heavy for fine hair
Key Ingredients: Plant extracts, plant oils | Scent: Herbal | Size: 8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Split ends got you down? This natural cleanser is filled with nourishing plant oils like avocado and olive to smooth brittle hair, prevent breakage, and restore shine.
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Restores hydration
Natural formula
Contains organic ingredients
May be too heavy for fine hair
Key Ingredients: Aloe, fruit extracts, plant oils | Scent: Minty, sweet | Size: 8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This sulfate-free shampoo was formulated specifically with curly and coily hair in mind. It contains a bunch of natural butters and plant oils to moisturize and add bouncy luster. We also love that it has a nozzle tip so you can get right to your roots with the formula.
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Smoothing
Enhances vibrancy
Prevents fading
Could provide a deeper clean
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, amino acids, sea buckthorn | Scent: Sweet, citrus | Size: 10 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
"If your hair is color-treated, a sulfate-free shampoo is recommended in your wash day routine to help preserve your color," James says. We like Amika Vault, which is formulated to enhance vibrancy, prevent fading, and deliver all-around healthier hair.
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Award-winning formula
Repairs broken bonds
Strengthening
Small bottle for the price
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, vitamin B5, bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate | Scent: Fresh | Size: 8.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Damaged hair? Olaplex won't let you down. After testing, we found that it saved bleached, brittle hair, helped prevent breakage, and made our hair feel stronger and healthier. It also has a nice lather and does leave a residue on fine strands.
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BYRDIE / ASHLEY RUBELL
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Budget-friendly
Strengthening
Pump bottle
Contains fragrance
Key Ingredients: Biotin, sea minerals, glycerin | Scent: Fresh, herbal | Size: 8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
"This shampoo is sulfate-free and provides a deep yet gentle cleanse to remove excess oil, dirt, and pollution," James says. The strengthening formula contains a blend of detoxifying properties, she adds. This includes red and brown seaweed and kelp extract "to enhance hair's natural shine and improve manageability."
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Budget-friendly
Gentle formula
Soothes irritation
Could provide a deeper clean
Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal | Scent: Sweet | Size: 12 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
If you've got a particularly sensitive scalp, this pick from Aveeno is your best bet. This shampoo leans on colloidal oatmeal to soothe irritation while gently cleansing without any sulfates.
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Nourishing
Restores hydration
Gently cleanses
Makes hair look shiny
Several people received damaged packages
Key Ingredients: Mirsalehi honey, argan oil, vitamin B5 | Scent: Sweet, floral | Size: 11.1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Gisou's Honey Infused Hair Wash promises to nourish brittle hair, smooth flyaways, add shine, and gently cleanse without stripping your hair. The creamy texture lathers well and leaves the hair with a luster. We also love that it comes in a convenient pump bottle.
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Great for all hair types
Made from 96% naturally-derived ingredients
Color-safe
Could provide a deeper clean for those with oily hair
Key ingredients: Ceramides, niacinamide biotin | Scent: Floral | Size: 8.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
There are few celebs more well-known for good hair than Jennifer Aniston, so it makes sense that she launched a haircare line. While the shampoo is great for all hair types, we find it works especially well on straight strands, leaving them softer, smoother, and sans tangles. It’s free of sulfates, as well as silicones, parabens, and phthalates, and made from 96% naturally-derived ingredients. The clean, floral scent is just the icing on the cake.
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Excellent value
Adds moisture and shine
Can sometimes be hard to squeeze out of the bottle
Key ingredients: Glycerin, aloe, rice protein | Scent: Clean | Size: 13 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This brand offers a unique (and hard-to-come-by) combination of clean, effective formulas, chic packaging, and affordable prices. The smoothing sudser is choice for those with thicker, wavier hair, helping to smooth the texture and combat frizz while still letting your natural waves show. It imparts plenty of shine, too, and touts a fresh fragrance.
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Comes in four different sizes
Great for removing excess build-up
Strengthens
Some reviewers noted it left their hair dry
Key ingredients: Chelating agents, hydrolyzed keratin, apple cider vinegar | Scent: Rose & citrus | Size: 10 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
As the name suggests, this formula is ideal for deeply cleaning both the hair and scalp, removing excess oil, as well as mineral build-up from hard water. Still, unlike many other detoxifying or clarifying shampoos for oily hair, this is still gentle enough that it can be used daily, without overstripping your scalp or stands.
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Great for smoothing
Effective for all hair types and textures
Helps fight humidity
Not clean or cruelty-free
Key ingredients: Morpho-keratine complex | Scent: Floral | Size: 8.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
Consider this shampoo a little extra add-on to your in-salon keratin treatment. Yes, it’s sulfate-free and safe for keratin-treated hair, but it’s also smoothing and humidity-fighting in and of itself, further helping to amplify the effects of that in-salon service.
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Restores hydration
Works for those with scalp dermatitis
Natural coconut and vanilla scents
May feel greasy to some
Key Ingredients: Coconut, vanilla | Scent: Coconut, vanilla | Size: 16.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Sulfate-free shampoos are generally milder and less likely to cause irritation or dryness on the scalp. This Native shampoo is great at gently cleansing, replenishing moisture, and providing a healthy shine. Those with dry scalps will appreciate this gentle, non-stripping formula.
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Budget-friendly
Gentle cleanse
Sustainable packaging
Could be better at removing build-up
Key Ingredients: Shea butter | Scent: Clean | Size: 32 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Love Beauty And Planet's creamy, sulfate-free shampoo is a must-have if you want to maintain the health and hydration of your curls and coils. It encourages a beautiful bounce and leaves fine hair feeling strong and voluminous.
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Deeply nourishing
Safe for colored hair
Balances scalp's pH
Rose fragrance could be too potent for some people
Key Ingredients: Argan oil, zinc, Manuka honey | Scent: Rose | Size: 11.8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
You can combat dandruff without risking irritation by using Head & Shoulders' dandruff-fighting and sulfate-free shampoo. The formula's advanced technology deeply moisturizes the scalp and hair from root to tip while controlling dryness and itchiness. And—just as the name suggests—this shampoo is great at protecting colored hair.
What to Look for in a Sulfate-Free Shampoo
- Free of all Sulfates: Make sure that your product of choice is totally sulfate-free. Some formulas will be free of common ones like SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), but you also want to make sure that there aren't any others in the mix.
- Hydrating Ingredients: Choosing a sulfate-free shampoo may help preserve your hair’s moisture in and of itself, but it's an added bonus if the shampoo you pick contains extra hydrating or conditioning ingredients.
Why Trust Byrdie
Theresa Holland is a commerce writer specializing in beauty. She has been contributing to Byrdie since 2020, where she covers haircare, skincare, and wellness products. For this story, she interviewed a hairstylist and a multiracial haircare expert for their product suggestions and expertise on sulfates. From the above list, Theresa has personally tried OGX, Alterna, L'Oreal, Olaplex, and NatureLab.
Ashley Jimenez is an expert in identifying shopping trends, highlighting multicultural content, and exploring conversations within the influential beauty segment. She has remarkable conversations with celebrities and experts on trends around representation, culture, and the ever-evolving industry. Her previous roles include global editorial manager, social media manager, and senior editor, where she created beauty, wellness, and lifestyle content specifically for women of color.
Contributors also spoke with two experts to learn more about what to keep in mind when buying sulfate-free shampoo. Those experts included:
- Kat Savano, a professional hairstylist and educator for Leonor Greyl.
- Cataanda James, a beauty expert specializing in multiracial haircare. She is also a Brand Educator for The Mane Choice.
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