Are Sulfates Actually Bad For Your Hair?
Do you really need to avoid sulfates in order to achieve healthy hair? If you’ve been shopping for a new shampoo, this question might have crossed your mind. And a LOT of people are wondering the same thing…
It’s not as simple as a “yes” or “no” answer, so let’s dive a little deeper into who should be avoiding sulfates, and who they may be beneficial for.
What Are Sulfates?
To get granular, sulfates are “a salt that is formed when sulfuric acid reacts with another chemical element” (britannica.com). From a hair care perspective, they are chemical compounds that act as cleansing agents or detergents in shampoos.
The most common way that sulfates will appear on ingredient labels is as sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, or sodium saureth sulfate. These sulfates create the lather that most experience when using a shampoo, and allow shampoos to give a deep clean to the hair and scalp.
Should I avoid Sulfates?
Not all sulfates are created equal, and not all hair types need to avoid sulfates in general. But, if you’ve been using a shampoo that includes sulfates and your hair is feeling dry, it may be best to avoid them.
If you have a drier hair type or curly/ coily hair, sulfates are fine to use on occasion but should be avoided on a daily basis. These hair types have a harder time retaining moisture, so sulfates used too often may strip your hair and create dryness and frizz. You can still get a deep clean that’s gentle on the hair and scalp by using products that avoid sulfates, but your hair might not stay clean for as long if you tend to produce oil quickly.
On the other hand, if you have oilier hair, or a straighter texture, using sulfates may be beneficial to you. They are excellent for getting a deep clean on the scalp and hair, leaving you with fresh locks after the shower. If you choose to use sulfates, watch out for excessive oil on the hair or scalp, as this may be a sign you’re stripping away your hair’s natural oils. This will cause your scalp to overproduce oil and cause an even bigger problem.
What’s Our Verdict?
Sulfates have a time and place. For some hair types, sulfates can be drying and cause brittle, frizzy hair. For others that need a bit of a deeper cleanse to keep excess oils away, sulfates probably won’t cause much harm and could be a good option.
At the end of the day, each one of us has different hair and it’s good to experiment with different products to find your perfect fit. Shirley Jane’s The Shampoo, was formulated to be sulfate-free, as our products are tailored for curly hair and focused on hydration. Try out The Shampoo to find out if it’s right for you!