For healthy and strong hair, the first step is a regular wash with a good shampoo. Forming lather while washing your hair may make you believe that you have deeply cleansed your hair, but it only indicates that your shampoo contains sulfate.
It's been a discussion for a long now whether sulfates damage hair? Should we really switch to sulfate-free shampoos?
The truth is sulfates strip away the natural moisture from hair and scalp. This also causes dryness and itching on the scalp.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. “ Using sulfate-free shampoos reduces the chances of harm to your hair. We have made a list of the best sulfate-free shampoos in India for all hair concerns:
This shampoo works wonders for dry strands. It is a gel-based shampoo rich in essential oils and free of harsh chemicals. It is an ideal choice for normal to dry hair types. Rich in Ethiopian honey and Peruvian sugarcane, it adds moisture and lustre to hair locks. It cleanses the scalp and locks in moisture leaving strands hydrated, stronger, and shinier.
Ingredients
Aqua, Pracaxi Oil, Manketti Nut Oil, Glycerin, Parfum, Chinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Community Trade Honey and Sugar
Pros
Ideal for dry strands
Suits normal to dry hair types
Restores moisture into the hair
Fragrance-free
Travel-friendly packaging
Cons
None
This shampoo is the perfect choice for rebellious curly and frizzy hair. With keratin as its principal ingredient, it infuses hair with natural protein and tames the unruly strands. The formula uses morpho-keratin technology that makes it a perfect choice to protect your hair even against the hottest and stickiest of days. A little amount of product goes a long way in making hair softer, smoother, and shinier. The shampoo also eliminates breakage and split ends.
Ingredients
Aqua, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-6, Salicylic Acid, Carbomer, Arginine, Glutamic Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, Trideceth-6, Serine, Benzyl Alcohol, 3-octadecanediol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Linalool, Alpha-isomethyl Ionone, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, 2-oleamido-1, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Fragrance
Pros
Ideal for unruly and curly hair
Reduces damage
Paraben-free
Lasts long
Protects against humidity
Cons
Expensive
Packed with botanical extracts and Nutree complex, Wella Professional shampoo is extremely gentle on hair and is ideal for everyday use. Its formulation is focused on offering maximum keratin protection and nourishment to hair locks. Within a few washes, you will see your dry and brittle hair revive to its healthy state. It is suited for damaged hair.
Ingredients
Aqua, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Fraxinus Excelsior Wood Extract, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Polyquadernium-10, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid.
Pros
Rich in natural Ingredients
Ideal for everyday wash
Paraben-Free
Repairs damaged hair
Cons
It is not easily available
Schwarzkopf Bonacure Color Freeze Shampoo is exclusively formulated to cleanse and hydrate har that’s been dyed too often. It prevents colour from fading away and makes it even more vibrant. It locks in the moisture and protects against breakage. With every use, you will find your hair shinier and smoother. It contains UV filters that protect your hair from any damage due to sun exposure.
Ingredients
Aqua, Steardimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Cocamide MEA, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Glycol Distearate, Lactic Acid, Parfum (Fragrance), Sodium Benzoate, Laureth-4, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin.
Pros
Ideal for dyed hair
Ensure colour retention
Locks in moisture
Protects against UV rays
Adds lustre
Cons
It might leave your scalp dry after the first few washes.
Infused with seaweed extracts and other natural cleansers, Aveeno Active Naturals Pure Renewal Shampoo gently draws out impurities from your hair without stripping away colour or essential oils leaving a clean and dirt-free scalp. It prevents dandruff. This sulfate-free shampoo controls moisture in hair and restores them to a healthy and vibrant state.
Ingredients
Water, sodium hydrolyzed potato starch dodecenylsuccinate, fragrance, phenoxyethanol, sodium hydroxide, citric acid, caprylyl glycol, propylene glycol, glycerin, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, laminaria saccharina extract, dimethicone, sodium cocyl isethionate, cocamide MEA, polyquaternium-7, methylisothiazolinone, titanium dioxide, mica.
Pros
Rich in natural cleansers
Safe for dyed hair
Gentle cleanser
Adds shine
Cons
Expensive
One of the most popular formulas, OGX shampoo is a unique blend of ingredients that works like a charm for hair that is dyed or exposed to heating tools and chemicals too often. With argan oil as its key ingredient, it coddles the scalp and draws out impurities without over-stripping the nutrients from hair. It cleanses, nourishes, and hydrates hair reviving the most damaged hair. With every use, you will see a significant improvement in your hair strands.
Ingredients
Water, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Panthenol, Glycol Stearate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Coco/Isostearamide, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-6, Polyquaternium-10, Laureth-4, Laureth-23, Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Red 40 (CI 16035).
Pros
Paraben-free
Safe for coloured hair
Intense hydration
Protects against UV rays
Cons
None
Enriched in natural botanicals and essential oils, this shampoo by L’Oréal gently cleanses and hydrates the scalp leaving no room for dryness, irritation, or dandruff. The shampoo prevents colour from fading away. It provides complete moisture to hair which results in glossy, shinier, and soft hair. Plus, it has a nice floral scent that enhances your overall experience.
Ingredients
Water, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Menthol, Glycol Distearate, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Chloride
Pros
Clinically proven anti-dandruff formula
Has natural ingredients
Safe for coloured hair
Paraben-free
Pleasant fragrance
Cons
It might not suit everyone.
This shampoo is a unique blend of activated charcoal and essential oils like olive oil and almond oil. It repairs and revives the damaged hair and boosts hair volume. It builds up satisfying foam and cleans down to the roots. It prevents hair from any damage and draws out buildup from pollution and other products. It balances the scalp’s pH levels as well.
Ingredients
Purified water, Glycerin, Coconut activated charcoal powder, Sweet almond (prunus dulcis) cold pressed oil, D Panthenol (pro-vitamin B-5), Silk protein, Organic extra virgin olive oil, Oat extract, Green Tea extracts, Aloe vera extract, eucalyptus oil, spearmint oil
Pros
Has essential oils
Nice herbal smell
Forms lather
Boosts hair growth
Repairs hair strands
Cons
None
This shampoo is ideal for all those who are extremely fond of using heating tools. This creamy formula provides intense nourishment to your hair by penetrating into hair strands and locking in the moisture. This can revive even the most damaged hair within a few washes. It also stimulates the scalp to boost hair growth.
Ingredients
Deionized Water, Decyl Glucoside(Coconut Oil), African Butyrospermum Parkii (shea Butter), Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Avacado Oil, Argan Oil, Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B-5), Vitamin E, Guar Gum, Rosemary Extract, Sea Kelp Extract, Lonicera Capifloium (Honeysuckle) Flower (and) Lonicera Japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) Flower Extract.
Pros
Suits all hair types
Silicone-free
Cruelty-free
Withstands intense treatments and heating tools
Intense hydration and nourishment
Cons
It has a runny consistency.
With apple cider vinegar as its key ingredient, this formula boosts hair growth. The shampoo cleanses your hair and replenishes moisture. It eradicates scalp problems like itchiness, dryness, irritation, and dandruff. It also controls pH levels and leads to healthy, shiny hair. It has a sweet refreshing fragrance.
Ingredients
Purified Water, Caprylyl / Capryl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Polyquaternium -10, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Natural Apple Cider Vinegar, Almond Oil, Argan Oil, Fragrance & Color Sunset Yellow FCF 15985.
Pros
SLS and Paraben-Free
Promotes hair growth
Deep cleansing
Adds shine
Repairs hair
Soothes irritation
Cons
Its smell is not pleasant for all.
We all have different hair types, textures, and hair concerns to deal with. Our unique problems require unique ingredients and formulations. Thus, find the one that best suits your hair type and deal with your hair concerns.
For instance, if you have frizzy and dry hair, a shampoo that offers extra hydration and nourishment would be a perfect choice.
Even though it is sulfate-free, make sure there are no other chemical irritants or substances that might damage your hair. Ensure that there is no ingredient in the product that might cause allergic reactions. It is always good to go for a product with plant-based ingredients.
Since these shampoos are free of sulfates, they form less lather. This, however, does not mean that they won’t cleanse properly.
Sulfate attaches with oil molecules and pulls them out when rinsed off. This is why these are used in detergents and washing powders. Sulfate-free shampoos are devoid of sulfates which means they remove less oils from your hair and scalp. Initially, it might feel different but you will get used to it, eventually.
Find the shampoo that is tailored to your hair needs. Switch to sulfate-free shampoos and lead the way to happy, voluminous, and healthy hair. Happy shopping!
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