If you have curly hair shampoo using a sulphate-free shampoo will make a noticeable difference to the look and feel of your curls. That’s why sulfate-free shampoo has become a staple in many curly haircare routines. Many traditional shampoos can be harsh, stripping the natural oils from the curly hair leaving it feeling dry and brittle. As more people look for gentle cleansing options, sulfate-free shampoos have gained more popularity. In this guide we will explore the benefits of choosing sulphate free shampoo, and why it’s the best choice for your curls.
Table of Contents:
- What Is Sulphate Free Shampoo?
- Why Are Sulphates Bad for Curly Hair?
- How Do Sulphates Affect Your Hair Type?
- 5 Benefits Of Sulphate Free Shampoo
- How to Switch to Sulphate Free Shampoo?
What Is Sulphate Free Shampoo?
Sulphate free shampoo is a type of shampoo for curly hair which doesn’t contain chemicals known as sulphates. Sulphates can be too harsh on curly hair types, which is why it may benefit your tresses if you make the switch.
Sulphates are the active ingredients in lots of everyday care essentials, such as shampoo, detergents, washing up liquid, and toothpaste. The sulphates are responsible for the cleansing action and allow the product to foam.
The most common types of sulphates include:
- Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)
- Sodium Laureth Ether Sulphate (SLES)
- Ammonium Laureth Sulphate (ALS)
A sulphate free shampoo is made without using these chemicals. Despite sulphates being useful for the lathering effect and cleaning qualities, the best sulphate free shampoos will still be able to cleanse your curly hair without causing damage.
Why Are Sulphates Bad for Curly Hair?
Sulphate itself is not harmful and is safe to use. It is already being used in a wide variety of personal care items that we use on a daily basis such as body wash, as well as household staples. When it comes down to caring for our curls and maintaining our natural hair texture, we may wish to shy away from certain chemicals.
Whilst sulphates are an ally for deep cleansing, they can turn foe when applied to curls. The chemicals can be incredibly drying, being a cause of dry hair, as they have such strong cleansing power.
The chemicals can strip the hair of its natural oils and protein, leaving it unprotected and vulnerable to damage. The result is lifeless, brittle hair which could be extremely prone to hair breakage. As curly hair is already prone to dryness, avoiding ingredients that could make the hair even more dry is vital.
How Do Sulphates Affect Your Hair Type?
Sulphate-free shampoo might not be necessary for everyone, but we are here to break down whether your hair type may benefit from a swap.
Curly Hair
Curly hair tends to have a corkscrew pattern, or ‘O’ shaped curls. The formation of the curls makes it difficult for natural oils to travel down the shaft of the hair. Without the correct curly hair products, this can lead to hair becoming dry and brittle.
People with type 3 hair could benefit from using a sulphate free shampoo, around 2-3 times per week. Washing less often can help to contain as much of the natural oils as possible
Coily Hair
As the most voluminous of the three, coily hair is defined by ‘Z’ shaped curls, or tight coils at the roots. Due to these tight coils, coily or type 4 hair is often the driest hair type. Similarly to curly hair, the natural oils find it very difficult to make their way down the hair and may need coily hair products.
This is why those with coily hair could benefit from switching to a sulphate free shampoo, or even a co-wash, as you don’t want to excessively remove those precious oils. When considering how often to wash your hair, you should really only be washing between 1-2 times per week.
Wavy Hair
Wavy hair sits between straight and curly hair. Due to the curl pattern of wavy hair, the natural oils find it far easier to move down the hair shaft. For this reason, wavy hair is often the least dry out of the three main curly types.
If you have wavy hair, you can still benefit from switching to a sulphate-free shampoo as part of your wavy hair products. By promoting moisture in your locks, and not removing it unnecessarily, you could help to get rid of frizz. Just make sure to clarify every 4-5 washes, to thoroughly remove all dirt and build up.
5 Benefits Of Sulphate Free Shampoo
If you are debating changing to a sulphate free shampoo, you’ll want to understand what the benefits are before you take the plunge. As a premium haircare brand that focuses on curl-friendly ingredients, and producing sulphate free essentials, we explain all.
The benefits found by introducing sulphate-free shampoo into your curly haircare routine include:
1. Reduces the Appearance of Frizz
When curls are properly hydrated, they are less likely to appear dry, frizzy, and brittle. By helping to maintain the hair’s moisture balance, sulphate-free shampoo can contribute to smoother, more defined curls. If frizz is your main concern, incorporating frizz control products into your routine helps to keep that unwanted frizz at bay.
2. Helps Retain Moisture
Sulphate-free shampoo cleanses the hair gently without stripping away too much of its natural moisture. By helping curls retain their natural oils, these formulas support softer, healthier-looking hair and can improve overall manageability. Maintaining moisture is especially important for curly hair, which is naturally more prone to dryness, so using targeted hair hydration products can help keep curls nourished, hydrated, and looking their best.
3. Protects Colour Treated Hair
If you have colour treated hair, a sulphate-free shampoo can be a gentle cleansing option. These formulas are designed to effectively remove dirt, oil, and product build up while helping to preserve your hair colour. As they cleanse without the harsher detergents found in some traditional shampoo’s, sulphate-free formulas can help reduce colour fading, allowing your shade to stay vibrant for longer.
4. Soothes Sensitive Scalps
If you have a sensitive scalp, a milder product, like a sulphate-free shampoo, can help to reduce scalp irritation as it’s not stripping too much of the scalp’s natural moisture. This can help reduce feelings of dryness, tightness, and irritation that some people experience with harsher cleansers. By supporting the scalp natural moisture balance, sulphate-free shampoos can contribute to maintaining a healthy scalp.
5. Made with Plant-Based Ingredients
All Curlsmith sulphate-free shampoos are made with plant-based, food inspired ingredients carefully selected to support health-looking hair and scalp. Combining curl-loving ingredients with science, each formula gently cleanses while helping to keep curls soft, hydrated, and healthy-looking.
How to Switch to Sulphate Free Shampoo?
Before opting for a sulphate free shampoo we recommend identifying your hair porosity. Different porosity types respond differently to different products, so understanding your own will ensure you make the best decision.
- Those with low porosity hair, may find the transition to sulphate free slightly trickier than those with medium porosity and high porosity.
- This is because the cuticles in low porosity hair are more tightly packed together and so more sensitive to product build up.
- However, there are many effective sulphate free, clarifying shampoos, so as long as you remember to clarify every 4-5 washes, you can make the switch even if you have low porosity.
For more help identifying what your hair needs, and what you need to care for it, take our curl quiz.
By now, you should have a clear understanding of the benefits of using a sulphate-free shampoo. Whether your goal is to reduce frizz, protect your colour, soothing sensitive scalp, or simply support overall curl health, a sulphate free formula is definitely worth adding to your hair routine. By gently cleansing without stripping away essential moisture, it helps create the ideal foundation for healthy looking, hydrated curls. Whatever your curl type Curlsmith’s sulphate-free shampoos deliver an effective cleanse while helping to keep your curl nourished, soft, and full of life.
