In recent years, the hair care industry has experienced negative energy regarding sulfate use. The change of events has left many people confused about whether they should use shampoo with sulfates or not. Some people understand that they should not be using sulfate in their hair care products even though they might not fully understand the reasons yet.

Walking down the beauty industry aisle, you will notice a saturation of products labeled “sulfate free.” These products are marketed as being clean and healthy for your hair. Even if you haven't subscribed to the idea, it's natural to find yourself considering purchasing one of the best sulfate free shampoos of 2020 to see what the hype is all about.

You need to understand what sulfates can do to your hair if the shampoo you choose contains them in its formula. Are there any benefits or harm to your hair? How do you spot sulfate in a shampoo? To answer these questions, we’ve prepared an extensive review of the best sulfate free shampoos of 2020.

If you are looking for a sulfate free shampoo designed to replenish moisture in your hair, the Shea Moisture Manuka Honey and Yogurt Hydrate and Repair Shampoo is the product for you. This top-rate shampoo provides a gentle but effective cleanse and then works to restore intensive moisture with superior ingredients.

The shampoo is formulated with certified organic Fair Trade shea butter, yogurt extract, Mafura oil, and ultra-moisturizing Manuka honey. These components restore moisture, improve texture, and transform coarse hair.

The Shea Moisture Manuka Honey and Yogurt Hydrate and Repair Shampoo leaves your hair strands fully restored in their healthy state and looking great. The shampoo also contains Baobab seed oil and coconut oil, which work together to further soften and detangle strands.

It instantly infuses dull hair with moisture and is best used in conjunction with the accompanying conditioner, which is meant to encourage hair strength. Alone or together, this product from Shea Moisture will leave your hair feeling and looking healthy and more resilient with each wash.

The shampoo is excellent for all hair types. It is free of parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, and petroleum. As an added bonus, this silky shampoo is color safe and is made without any animal testing.

Key Features
  • Contains organic shea butter
  • Ultra-moisturizing Manuka honey
  • Contains Mafura and Baobab Oils
Specifications
  • Package Size: 13 fl oz
  • Notable Ingredients: Organic shea butter, Yogurt, Manuka honey, and Baobab Oils
  • Paraben Free?: Yes
  • Brand: Shea Moisture
Pros
  • Hydrates and repairs dull hair
  • Replenishes moisture to dry and brittle hair strands
  • Made with Fair Trade Shea Butter
  • Improves smoothness and texture
  • Has no mineral oil
Cons
  • Some users complain about the scent

If you're dealing with dry hair that is breaking off, you might want to consider using Joico Moisture Recovery Shampoo and Conditioner. Sold as a set, this product is great for restoring your hair back to health, even from the depths of damage. Accordingly, it will care for your over-processed or color-treated hair, as well.

The Moisture Recovery Shampoo and Conditioner are gentle on the scalp and the hair. This product doesn't cause any dryness, and it maintains the good oils that your hair still needs. It is a perfect product for achieving that soft, shiny, and thick hair you've desired for a long time.

Joico has infused their Moisture Recovery hair care line with bio-mimetic peptides, marine botanicals, and seawater nutrients. What does this mean? Well, bio-mimetic peptides are synthetically crafted to be bioidentical (exactly the same) as amino acids our body naturally creates; the application of these compounds can provide antiaging effects. Similarly, the marine botanicals and seawater nutrients are meant to infuse further moisture into the hair via naturally sourced additives.

Finally, you will also love the sweet fragrance that comes with this shampoo. The shampoo gives your hair a gentle and smooth feel while the conditioner restores it back to health without weighing your ‘do down.

Key Features
  • Restores moisture to dry hair
  • Recovers hairs smoothness and elasticity
  • Treats dehydrated hair
  • Gently cleanses
  • Doesn't strip hair of vital moisture and oil
Specifications
  • Package Size: 33.8 fl oz
  • Notable Ingredients: Bio-Mimemtic Peptides, Marine Botanicals, and Seawater
  • Paraben Free?: Yes
  • Brand: Joico
Pros
  • Features both shampoo and hair conditioner in one bottle
  • Good for color-treated hair
  • Smells great
  • Makes hair soft and manageable
Cons
  • Doesn't feature a pump dispenser
  • The smell doesn't appeal to everyone

Sensitive skin isn’t only an issue that can affect our face, neck, hands and other visible areas; the scalp can be just as tender and need just as much special treatment. If you are looking for the right hair care product for your sensitive skin, this this may be exactly the product you’ve been looking for due to its complete lack of sulfates, salts, and surfactants—all of which can cause havoc to a sensitive scalp.

The L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Moisture Shampoo is a high-quality hair product that guarantees protection for your hair. Formulated specially for color protection and moisture, this shampoo cleanses your dry hair and gives you twice the softness and brilliant shine with each wash.

The L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Moisture Shampoo is formulated with rosemary extract that profoundly replenishes dry hair with moisture. This product is advertised to keep your hair color pure for close to four weeks after dyeing it. The aforementioned lack of harsh sulfates, surfactants, and salts will ensure that color stays locked in place, where a traditional shampoo would strip it away. For the best results, L'Oréal recommends that you use Everpure Moisture shampoo and conditioner together.

If you are vegan, this is also a highly suitable product for you. Absolutely zero of the ingredients are in any way animal derived. As an added bonus, this shampoo provides protection against UV rays which are well-known for fading color quickly.

Key Features
  • No harsh sulfates, salts, or surfactants
  • Vegan-friendly formula
  • Contains rosemary botanicals
Specifications
  • Package Size: 8.5 fl oz
  • Notable Ingredients: Rosemary leaf oil, citric acid
  • Paraben Free?: Yes
  • Brand: L’Oreal Paris
Pros
  • Protects your natural hair color
  • Gently cleanses dry hair
  • Makes your hair soft and have a luminous shine
  • Lathers easily
  • Keeps hair color for up to 4 weeks
  • Has no animal-derived ingredients
Cons
  • Doesn’t always remove all the greasiness from your hair

A truly above-and-beyond shampoo will help tackle most of the common problems associated with hair—dandruff, damaged hair, and dry hair. Faith in Nature’s Tea Tree and Lemon Anti-Dandruff Shampoo achieves all of this and much more when it comes to caring for your hair. It has a number of ingredients that will have your hair looking like something from a magazine.

First, this shampoo is great for cleansing and nourishing all kinds of hair, including damaged, dry, treated, and fine hair, for both men and women. The moisturizing properties in this shampoo will leave your hair and scalp feeling fresh, smooth, and clean. To get the best results, always apply shampoo on wet hair, massage it into the scalp, and let it sit for 5 minutes before rinsing and applying a conditioner.

Faith in Nature’s Tea Tree and Lemon Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is created with ingredients that have amazing qualities. For instance, it contains certified organic lemon and tea tree oil, which possess antiseptic qualities that help put a damper on unwanted dandruff. Other ingredients include camphor or eucalyptus oil, along with orange peel and ginger root, which makes the shampoo smell amazing.

Most importantly to many consumers, this product is created without any animal testing and is manufactured with the most environmentally friendly practices possible. The Tea Tree and Lemon Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is paraben free, phthalate free, GMO free, and contains zero synthetically made colors or fragrances and no artificial preservatives.

Key Features
  • 100 percent naturally scented
  • Highest grade ingredients
  • Scent is appropriate for men and women
  • Contains camphor or eucalyptus oil
Specifications
  • Package Size: 13.5 fl oz
  • Notable Ingredients: Tea tree leaf oil, dead sea salt
  • Paraben Free?: Yes
  • Brand: Faith in Nature
Pros
  • Has a wonderful smell from the numerous scents
  • Does well to cleanse and nourish all types of hair
  • Safe to use
  • The scent in this shampoo is long-lasting
Cons
  • Takes a while to foam

The LIVING PROOF No Frizz Shampoo is a revolutionary shampoo with new anti-frizz technology. This hair care product has a weightless, hydrating formula that cleanses your hair delicately enough to allow your natural oils to thrive and blocks humidity for satiny smooth locks.

The main ingredient that makes this No Frizz Shampoo so magical is called polyfluoroester. In essence, this ingredient acts as a barrier around each of your hairs, keeping smoothness in and washing unwanted debris and oil out. There is a complete regimen to accompany this shampoo, which will help attain desired results; LIVING PROOF also states that the longer this product is used, the more effective it will be.

This No Frizz Shampoo is formulated to be gentle enough for use on color-treated coifs, as well. It is developed for all hair types and works best with No Frizz conditioners and stylers. The shampoo makes your hair highly resistant to frizz-causing humidity and creates a manageable mane, even for heads of curly hair. Although the product is a bit pricey, a little bit goes a long way and the results are worth the investment.

Key Features
  • Contains polyfluoroester
  • Cleans scalp in one wash
  • Provides moisture-proof smoothness
  • Gluten free
Specifications
  • Package Size: 8 fl oz
  • Notable Ingredients: Polyfluoroester
  • Paraben Free?: Yes
  • Brand: Living Proof
Pros
  • Results seen after two washes
  • Does not cause any dandruff
  • Creates an incredible shield on the hair
  • Suitable for those with thin baby hair
Cons
  • Low-quality packaging

One of the most talked-about features of sulfate free shampoos is that they don’t lather like a traditional shampoo. Many people assume that suds are necessary to produce a clean head of hair; however, this is a full-on myth. Although suds help work product through the hair, as long as you are thoroughly washing your scalp, your hair will end up just as clean, regardless of which type of product you’re using.

Olaplex now provides you one of the healthiest, zero sulfate shampoos which provides a thorough wash of your hair and scalp, leaving you feeling clean and fresh. This shampoo is perfect for any hair type, including bleached and damaged hair. It not only cleanses but restores your hair back to health in just a few washes.

You don't have to go to the salon every time you want a stunning, fresh hair look because you can use Olaplex’s No. 4 Shampoo at home and still get the desired results. This sulfate free shampoo is proven to be color safe, to reduce hair breakages, and to be suitable for all hair types due to its lack of drying surfactants. It protects your hair from all kinds of stress that are likely to cause frizz, damage, and split ends.

In just a single use, you will notice completely moisturized hair, an overall repair to the state of your strands, and ultimately easy to manage hair. You will also get that beautiful, healthy, and shiny glow after every use.

Key Features
  • Eliminates frizz
  • Repairs and maintains bonds
  • Reduces hair breakage
  • Moisturizing shampoo
  • Paraben free
Specifications
  • Package Size: 8.5 fl oz
  • Notable Ingredients: Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, water
  • Paraben Free?: Yes
  • Brand: Olaplex
Pros
  • Improves hair luster and shine
  • Suitable for home use
  • Suitable for all hair types
  • Features both shampoo and conditioner
  • Only a tiny bit is enough
Cons
  • Too much lather
  • Hair becomes greasy after washing

Taking care of your hair calls for a routine, and as tedious as it might seem, it is worth it. However, you probably engage in regimens that hurt your hair more than caring for it—without even knowing it. For this reason, it’s a good idea to actively find beauty products that will restore your hair to its former glory.

Moroccanoil Moisture Shampoo contains argan oil, and is infused with antioxidants and essential fatty acids, which are important in beauty regimens. This product also contains keratin, which is known to smooth hair and make it look shinier, fuller, and healthier. When applied to the hair, this moisturizing shampoo boosts its elasticity and nourishes the hair.

Additionally, Moroccanoil has a rich scent, which is both memorable and addictive. The exotic scent is a combination of spicy amber and sweet florals, which create a fresh fragrance that most people find quite pleasing.

This shampoo will help undo any damage that may have been brought about by harsh chemicals, and it is formulated to be color safe. Moroccanoil Moisture Shampoo will restore any weakened hair or hair that might have been damaged by heat styling, chemical processing, or coloring. Its strengthening formula fortifies every strand while the argan oil restores moisture.

Key Features
  • Increases hair softness
  • Phosphate free
  • Moroccanoil scent
  • Color safe
Specifications
  • Package Size: 8.5 fl oz
  • Notable Ingredients: Argan oil
  • Paraben Free?: Yes
  • Brand: MOROCCANOIL
Pros
  • Smells great from its combination of scents
  • Restores hair moisture which makes it great for dry hair
  • Is good for coarse hair as it is sulfate free and doesn't damage it
  • Is great for cleaning hair and keeps it smelling fresh for long
Cons
  • Some people might develop allergic reactions to this shampoo

Aveeno Pure Renewal Gentle shampoo is an incredible choice when it comes to finding the best sulfate free shampoos on the market. The first thing that is going to attract you to this shampoo is its clean and fresh smell, but it only gets better from there. A little drop on your hand goes a long way in giving you the satisfactory wash you’re looking for, even if you have that long and thick hair.

Aveeno has formulated this shampoo to be 100 percent natural. It is created with seaweed extract, plus cleansers which are all completely derived from nature. Its main ingredient is sodium cocoylisethionate, which is extracted from coconut oil. It doesn't contain any unfriendly ingredients such as sulfates or parabens, meaning it's completely safe for your hair.

The Pure Renewal Gentle shampoo incorporates Aveeno’s Natrasurf technology to remove dirt and debris from the hair without also washing away too much of your natural oils. Your scalp’s natural oils travel down your hair strands and keep them from drying, breaking, becoming frizzy, and producing split ends, so it’s important that this process is not stopped altogether by your shampoo. This is even more important for those with curly, wavy, or kinky hair, as it is easier for oils to travel in a straight line.

After just a single use, you'll be able to see the effects of everything Aveeno advertises on their Pure Renewal Gentle shampoo bottle. This shampoo is easy to clean from your scalp, and it completely purifies and renews your hair, giving it a beautiful shine and a healthy feel.

Key Features
  • Renews hair to its natural health
  • Made from naturally derived cleanser
  • Made from seaweed extract
  • NATRASURF technology to lift away impurities
  • Balances hair moisture levels
Specifications
  • Package Size: 10.5 fl oz
  • Notable Ingredients: Sodium cocoylisethionate
  • Paraben Free?: Yes
  • Brand: Aveeno
Pros
  • Easy to use
  • Safe for color-treated hair
  • Gentle on the skin
  • Sweet floral scent
  • Perfect for all hair types
Cons
  • The smell can be too strong

The first thing you're going to appreciate about OGX Weightless Hydration and Coconut Water Shampoo is that it is SLES/SLS free, of course, causing no hair loss or irritation. While some people think that shampoos with sulfates are difficult to use for cleaning the hair due to their lower lather, this shampoo is one that will help prove that you can attain a thorough clean without those harsh sulfates.

The shampoo focuses on weightless hydration and maintenance of natural oils to avoid drying your hair or scalp unnecessarily. It moisturizes and hydrates the hair with a coconut water and electrolyte-infused formula, leaving it looking healthy and shiny.

This shampoo also features a sweet and irresistible fragrance of sweet coconut caramel, which makes your shower experience feel like an island vacation. (Enjoy it!). However, the scent takes a backseat once your hair dries, so it won’t be overpowering or offensive to those around you.

OGX has accomplished their goal of perfect hydration for your hair without weighing it down; fine hair types can often have trouble finding a great shampoo—with or without sulfates—because most are far too heavy, leaving strands looking limp and lank. No matter what your hair type and texture, the sulfate free Weightless Hydration and Coconut Water Shampoo is a strong contender!

Key Features
  • SLS/SLES free
  • Sweet coconut fragrance
  • Boosts hydration and moisturizes the hair
  • Uses ingredients inspired by nature
  • Gives fuller and smoother hair
Specifications
  • Package Size: 14.4 fl oz
  • Notable Ingredients: Coconut water
  • Paraben Free?: Yes
  • Brand: OGX
Pros
  • Doesn't irritate or dry the scalp
  • Doesn't cause dandruff or hair loss
  • Rejuvenates the hair strands
  • Lathers well
Cons
  • You need to use a high quantity to eliminate oil
  • Too much perfume

Find a gentle way to cleanse your hair with the Pantene Pro-V Gold Series Deep Hydrating Co-Wash. For those who may not know, a co-wash is essentially a conditioner that can be used like a shampoo; this is particularly necessary for those with highly curly or kinky hair, as natural oils from the scalp have a harder time distributing throughout strands with twists and turns, as opposed to straight hair.

This co-wash is especially formulated for curly, coily hair types. Those with these hair types know that shampooing with a traditional shampoo on a daily or very regular basis will dry hair out drastically, making it prone to breakage, frizz, and split ends. This ultra-rich co-wash works well as a substitute in between cleansing wash days and can be used in conjunction with the Pantene Gold Series Moisture Boost Shampoo and Conditioner. The hydrating co-wash restores your hair strength and softness.

This co-wash is also gentle on new hair growth and provides the much-needed conditioning that these hairs need to continue their growth without becoming too damaged to thrive. It is formulated to moisturize each hair strand, leaving your hair soft and healthy. This haircare product is designed to reveal manageable hair strands and nourish your hair.

The Pantene Pro-V Gold Series Deep Hydrating Co-Wash protects your natural oils with a sulfate free, paraben free, and dye free formula combined with argan oil. For better results, use it in the shower on wet hair.

Key Features
  • Has natural hair essentials
  • Has low-lather formula
  • Dye-free formula
  • Contains argan oil
Specifications
  • Package Size: 15.2 fl oz
  • Notable Ingredients: Argan oil, cetyl alcohol
  • Paraben Free?: Yes
  • Brand: Pantene
Pros
  • Gently cleanses your hair
  • Enhances hair health
  • Effective between regular washes with shampoo
  • Restores strength and softness
  • Gentle on new hair growth
  • Used in place of shampoos and conditioners
Cons
  • Too heavy for finer hair types
  • Can leave a greasy residue

If you're joining the group of people who have decided not to use any sulfate in their hair care products, you should understand all the reasons so that you don't get tempted to try it anyway. Sulfate has the potential of damaging your scalp and posing irreversible dangers to dry hair. Many people have suffered from irritation and damage to the hair strands a few weeks after using hair products with sulfate chemicals.

Sulfates are the chemicals that aid in the removal of oil and dead skin from your scalp. They are the surfactants that attract water and oil, making them superior cleaning agents. They are powerful detergents that cut across any grease, so they are added to different shampoos. Their ability to build up a lather is great, so they are used extensively across a range of products. Now, you must be thinking that this is all you need to wash your hair clean, but in reality, sulfates are not necessary at all.

Apart from removing unwanted excess grease from your scalp, these powerful chemicals also strip your hair of all the good oils, causing it to dry out quickly. Those who have curly hair, or otherwise brittle or fragile strands, will be hit the hardest by this drying damage. For people with a sensitive scalp, sulfates can also result in irritation, itching, and redness of the scalp.

If you care about your mane, you should understand how you can detect sulfate and avoid buying shampoos that contain them. Sulfates come in three types. These include sodium lauryl, sodium laureth, and ammonium laureth. They are all different in intensity, but all harmful. You need to check your product labels so that you identify these chemicals; companies often slightly change the names to try and avoid key terms people now know to look for.

Sulfates are harsh and have harmful effects on kinky and dyed hair. They can strip the hair of any color treatment, as well. If you have frizzy and dry hair, you should definitely ditch sulfates because you badly need your natural oils to keep your scalp and hair healthy. People with eczema and sensitive skin can also get very bad irritation when they use shampoos with sulfate.

There are more than enough reasons to avoid using sulfates for cleaning your beautiful hair. There are several shampoos on the market that don't contain any sulfates. Just because they don't lather like a traditional shampoo doesn't mean they won't clean your hair perfectly. So, if you're joining those who've already decided to maintain their healthy hair by avoiding sulfate products, you can make great use of any of the best sulfate free shampoos of 2020, discussed in this guide.

Resources — Super Cuts, Self

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