What makes using sulfate-free products for healthier hair beneficial?
WHAT ARE SULFATES?
Sulfates are essentially detergents, or cleaning agents, that dissolve grease and debris. They are also surfactants, which give our shampoos and body washes the beloved thick, frothy texture that most of us prefer. The most often occurring sulfates in store-purchased shampoos are ammonium laureth sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, and sodium lauryl sulfate.
ARE SULFATES BAD FOR HAIR?
Well, not quite. Sulfates don't always cause harm, but they
might be overly effective at what they do—removing natural oils from the skin, hair, and scalp and leaving the area feeling brittle and dry. For this reason, some people may find it advantageous to stay away from sulfates in their self-care products.
You will benefit from using sulfate-free hair care products if,
1.You have sensitive skin or a sensitive scalp
If you have eczema or psoriasis, sulfates can make your skin dry, itchy and red. So it is 10/10 recommend a sulfate-free shampoo for hair care.
2.You have dry skin or hair
This goes without saying - if you already struggle with dryness, why use something that’s going to dry you out even more?
For people with dry skin and hair, sulfates will definitely dry scalp out even more, resulting in that uncomfortable itchiness days after washing.
3. Your hair is fine
People with finer hair types will know that you have to be extra gentle with your hair to avoid breakage. Shampoos with sulfates can be far too harsh for more fragile hair types, leaving them more prone to dryness and damage.
4.Your hair is frizzy
Those who struggle with frizz will do anything to win this ongoing battle with the elements. You’re probably wishing someone told you this sooner, but sulfates lift the hair’s cuticle, making your hair more likely to frizz. If frizz is one of your main struggles, cut the sulfates!
5.Your hair has been dyed or chemically-treated
Your hair needs a little extra love after putting it through these processes, and a good sulfate-free shampoo is the best basis for a hair care routine that will nourish the hair and protect your color. Not to mention the fact that sulfate-free shampoo can also keep brassiness at bay.
WHEN ARE SULFATES OKAY?
It doesn’t make sense if said, sulfates out to be all bad. Sometimes they can be beneficial. For example, if you have heavy product build-up or if you have a very oily hair type, a shampoo with sulfates might be your thing. Those who love a super foamy shampoo are also drawn to products containing sulfates, as you won’t get the same sudsy action from sulfatefree products.
While sulfates such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) might not be as bad as some make them out to be, you might benefit from avoiding them. If you have dry hair or a dry scalp, if your skin or scalp is sensitive, if your hair is fine or frizzy or if you have chemically treated or colored hair, you might want to look for sulfate-free alternatives and all sulfate-free hair care products are a great place to start if you take that extra responsibility to love your hair!