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Take a look at the ingredient list of your shampoo, body wash, soap, facial cleanser or even toothpaste, and chances are, you’ll find sulfate—in the form of sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate—high on the list.
What is sulfate exactly? In a nutshell, sulfates are great cleansers that cut through oil and dirt. They’re commonly found in hair and skin cleansing products because they have the ability to attract water and oil. Due to this quality, they can efficiently lift dirt and oil from the body and rinse down the drain when mixed with water. Oh, and they’re also responsible for that lovely foam you associate with feeling so fresh, so clean.
Since sulfates are safe, efficient and effective, you may find the sulfate-free movement in haircare products confusing. Well, the issue seems to boil down to one thing: shampoos containing sulfate can be a bit too good at doing their job. While theses shampoos wash away dirt and grime, they may also wash away important stuff our scalp creates and needs, leading to a loss of moisture. Thus, sulfate-free products are considered milder, less drying and less frothy alternatives to their sulfate-containing counterparts
So is sulfate or sulfate-free right for your hair type? To help you determine if your hair could benefit from sulfate-free shampoo, ask yourself these five questions:
DISCOVER OUR SULFATE-FREE SHAMPOOS
FRIZZ DISMISS SHAMPOO
Frizz control shampoo that smooths and moisturizes hair
COLOR EXTEND MAGNETICS SULFATE-FREE SHAMPOO
Sulfate-free color care shampoo for color-treated hair
ALL SOFT MEGA CURLS SHAMPOO
Intense hydrating shampoo for curly and coily hair
ACIDIC BONDING CONCENTRATE SHAMPOO
Sulfate-free, bonding shampoo that provides ultimate strength repair, intense conditioning and hair color fade protection to damaged hair.
1. IS YOUR HAIR CURLY AND FRIZZ-PRONE?
If you answered yes, sulfate-free is likely the way to go.
If you introduce sulfate shampoo into the curly-picture, you may be making the situation worse, since sulfate lifts the hair cuticle, making it more likely to frizz. In this scenario, a shampoo without sulfate is best since it won’t strip hair of as much moisture as a regular shampoo would.
The Redken Curvaceous line features three sulfate-free cleansing haircare products for different curl types. Redken Curvaceous Anti-Frizz Perfecting Lotion and Redken Curvaceous No Foam Highly Conditioning Cleanser both offer rich hydration and frizz control, making them ideal for curly hair or spiral hair.
Wavy hair, which requires a product that’s moisturizing but not as heavy, pairs well with Redken Curvaceous High Foam Lightweight Cleanser. After shampooing with any of the cleansers, use Redken Curvaceous Conditioner for Curly & Wavy Hair to give your hair even more hydration.
For those of us with frizz, but not a curl, Frizz Dismiss Sulfate-Free Shampoo for Humidity Protection and Smoothing is another great option to reduce frizz.
FULL SWIRL CREAM SERUM
2-in-1 Moisturizing Anti-Frizz Hair Serum
RINGLET ANTI FRIZZ PERFECTING LOTION
Anti-frizz primer for curl control and definition
FRIZZ DISMISS SHAMPOO
Frizz control shampoo that smooths and moisturizes hair
2. IS YOUR HAIR DYED?
If yes, keep your new haircolor intact with a no-sulfate shampoo.
If you come across a shampoo for color-treated hair, chances are, it will be sulfate-free. Color-treated hair is BFFs with sulfate free shampoo for two main reasons:
1. After a haircoloring service your hair may be drier than usual. A sulfate-free shampoo, however, won’t dry your hair out as much as a sulfate shampoo would.
2. Since sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners are so gentle, they’re less likely to wash away your hair dye.
Looking for the best sulfate free shampoo for color treated hair? Redken has its Color Extend Magnetics Sulfate-Free Shampoo, which is designed not to fade haircolor.
COLOR EXTEND MAGNETICS SULFATE-FREE SHAMPOO
Sulfate-free color care shampoo for color-treated hair
COLOR EXTEND MAGNETICS SULFATE-FREE CONDITIONER
Sulfate-free color care conditioner for color-treated hair
BLONDAGE EXPRESS ANTI-BRASS MASK
Pigmented-hair express mask to tone brass in blonde hair
BLONDAGE COLOR DEPOSITING MASK FOR ICY BLONDE HAIR COLOR
Pigmented-hair mask to preserve and enhance cooler, platinum tones
BLONDAGE COLOR DEPOSITING MASK FOR HONEY BEIGE BLONDE HAIR COLOR
Pigmented-hair mask to preserve and enhance warmer golden tones
BLONDAGE COLOR DEPOSITING MASK FOR ROSE BLONDE
Pigmented-hair mask to preserve and enhance rose tones
BLONDAGE TRIO
Blondage Shampoo, Conditioner & Express Anti-Brass Mask
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3. IS YOUR HAIR COARSE?
If it is, you may want to skip the sulfate!
If you have hair that feels dry and rough, as opposed to smooth and soft, when you run your fingers down the length of the hair, then you probably have coarse hair. This type of hair can also benefit from shampoo without sulfate since a no sulfate shampoo won’t rid your hair of all its moisture. The natural oils on your head can travel down your hair to provide hydration.
Another alternative to using a shampooing without sulfate is co-washing, a technique where you use a conditioner with a shampoo to cleanse your hair.
You can also switch between your regular, traditional shampoo and a cleansing conditioner to get the best of both worlds—clean locks and moisturized hair. Cleansing conditioners gently cleanses while deeply conditioning the hair to fight frizz.
4. IS YOUR HAIR DAMAGED?
If so, say no to shampoos with sulfates.
On the other end of the spectrum, if your hair is fragile or damaged, a sulfate free shampoo will be gentle enough to not make the situation worse, so whatever moisture you have left on your hair, you get to keep. To strengthen hair after you shampoo, consider Redken's Extreme haircare range, which works to repair hair by bringing protein to hair’s core.
EXTREME SHAMPOO
Hair strengthening shampoo that fortifies while conditioning
EXTREME CONDITIONER
Hair strengthening conditioner that fortifies while conditioning
EXTREME MEGA MASK
Fortifying rinse-out mask for dry, damaged hair
EXTREME CAT
Protein reconstructing treatment for highly damaged or processed hair
EXTREME ANTI-SNAP ANTI-BREAKAGE LEAVE-IN TREATMENT
5-in-1 protecting leave-in treatment
EXTREME PLAY SAFE
Fortifying leave-in treatment with heat protection
5. CAN YOU GET AWAY WITH NOT WASHING YOUR HAIR EVERY DAY?
If yes, opt for a sulfate-free shampoo.
You may be able to skip daily shampoos because your hair doesn’t make a lot of natural oil; thus, you can get by with a milder shampoo. You may want to use a cleansing conditioner alongside your sulfate-free shampoo as it will give you the extra conditioning you may need to make up for the loss of oil.
Additionally, to battle the oiliness you may have between shampoos, go for a dry shampoo to soak up grease at the roots. Redken's Dry Shampoo Powder 02, features charcoal to absorb grease for a matte finish, it also adds volume and texture to hair. Redken Pillow Proof Blow Dry Two Day Extender Dry Shampoo also mattifies oily roots, and can even be used to make hair less slippery for updos.
If you answered “no” to many of these questions and a regular sulfate-containing shampoo is best for, pick your shampoo and conditioner based on your biggest hair concern.
For instance, if you can’t wrap your head around the idea of skipping shampoo day because your roots get greasy way too fast, you may have a problem with oil. While those of us with oily hair can use a no sulfate shampoo, you might find that a product with sulfate does a better job at thoroughly cleansing and de-greasing your hair.
INVISIBLE DRY SHAMPOO
Invisible, Residue-Free Dry Shampoo
DRY TEXTURE SPRAY
Oil Absorbing Hairspray for Instant Texture and Volume
