Why you should switch to a sulphate-free shampoo

Sulphate-free shampoos have been around for a while now.

But do you really understand the difference between shampoos with sulphates and those without?

You may be wondering if you can still get the same level of cleansing without sulphates?

This blog breaks down what sulphates are and how they can cause damage to your wavy hair.

What are sulphates?

A sulphate is a name given to a chemical that reacts with sulphuric acid to form salt.

In haircare, the most commonly used sulphates are sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES), which are produced from petroleum and plant oils.

Sulphates give shampoo a thick lather that we traditionally associate with cleansing.

They are surfactants, meaning they attract both oil and water.

The lather rinses away the grease by attracting the oil and clinging to the water.

Why avoid sulphates?

Sulphates are chemicals used as cleansing agents in shampoo.

These harsh cleansing agents may lead to skin irritation, skin dryness and inflammation.

But that’s your skin, what about your hair?

Sulphates are drying, so they strip your hair of natural oils.

This will lead to it feeling dry and disturbing the natural sebum production.

Wavy hair thrives on moisture (it needs it to avoid frizz), so you need to avoid drying it out at all costs.

Will I notice a difference in using a sulphate-free shampoo?

If you have been using a shampoo with sulphates, you may notice that a sulphate-free shampoo doesn’t lather in the same way.

This doesn’t mean it’s not cleaning your hair, so don’t panic and add more.

Rather than adding more shampoo, use a silicone scalp massager.

This will give you a thorough clean and allow your hair to become accustomed to the new product.