17 Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos For Every Hair Type – 2024
Time to get your hair the goodness of sulfate-free cleansing regardless of its type.
Lindsay Loo is a cosmetologist who has spent 10 years behind the chair in a storied salon in Chelsea. She is a certified Wella Master Color Expert and also has experience backstage at New York Fashion Week. She has a private studio and loves to make her clients feel amazing and welcomed.
Read full bio of Lindsay Loo
Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Experience: 3 yearsKrati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches.
Read full bio of Krati Darak
Experience: 5 yearsMedha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.
Read full bio of Medha Deb
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
If you love coloring and styling your hair often, well, you need the best sulfate-free shampoos to protect your hair and preserve the color for longer.
Sulfates are good for removing oil, grease, dirt from the hair. But, they are also bad as they may irritate rosacea-prone or sensitive skin types. If you want to start using sulfate-free formulas and don’t know how to choose the best for your hair or where to begin, worry not! We have listed the 17 best sulfate-free shampoo brands for you. Have a look!
In This Article
17 Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos Of 2024 – Reviews
1. Best For Color-Treated Hair:Bold Uniq Purple Shampoo
The BOLD UNIQ Purple Shampoo is a blonding shampoo that enhances the natural blonde hair color and gives a silver-ash tone to light hair. It minimizes brassy discoloration in naturally blonde hair and counterbalances the yellow shades.
This shampoo contains Pro-Vitamin B5 that softens the hair and makes it shiny. Its no-foam formula also contains UV filters to prevent color fading. The shampoo comes in recyclable packaging and is safe for naturally blonde and color-treated hair. Here’s an honest review featuring a tester’s experience with the product.
How To Apply: Use directly on wet hair and leave it on for at least five minutes before washing it off. Follow up with a moisturizing conditioner. Increase the leave-on time with each wash to a maximum limit of 10-15 minutes for ash-gray or silver hair.
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Reduces breakage and split ends
- Tames frizz
- Vegan-friendly
- Recyclable packaging
- Makes hair dry
- May cause hair fall
Quick Tip2. Best For Coarse Hair:Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Shampoo
The Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Shampoo is curated artistically with special ingredients selected from the tropical island of Maui. This gentle cleansing shampoo contains a blend of coconut water, aloe vera juice, macadamia oil, and shea butter to revitalize and moisturize dehydrated hair and is gentle enough for daily use. The shampoo makes the hair light and soft, adds shine to it, and is perfect for coily, curly, color-treated, and coarse hair. Here’s a video detailing the reviewer’s experience with the product.
How To Apply: Use this shampoo as a hair mask. Apply and keep it on for 10-15 minutes before washing off.
- Paraben-free
- Silicone free
- Gluten-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Synthetic dye-free
- Vegan
- May cause allergic reactions
3. Best Vegan:Pureology Serious Colour Care Hydrate Shampoo
Pureology’s Serious Colour Care Hydrate Shampoo is for color-treated hair. It cleanses each strand with a rich gentle lather without causing dryness. The advanced hydrating Micro-Emulsion Technology re-energizes dry hair and accentuates the color.
This mild cleansing shampoo contains conditioning and nourishing ingredients like sage, jojoba, and green tea extracts. It also contains wheat, oat, and soy proteins to repair damaged hair and strengthen it. The unique Anti Fade Complex protects color-treated hair, and its delightful signature fragrance combining bergamot, ylang-ylang, and patchouli gives you sensorial pleasure. The shampoo is surely a people’s favorite as it has a long list of reviews praising visible results in improving the hair texture.
How To Apply: Massage a quarter-sized amount onto wet hair and create lather. Rinse it with normal water.
- 100% vegan formula
- Color-safe
- Hydrates the hair
- Pleasant fragrance
- Contain PEG and phenoxyethanol
4. Best pH-Balanced:Free & Clear Shampoo
The Free & Clear Shampoo is suitable for sensitive skin and is devoid of any chemical irritants. This pH-balanced shampoo gently cleanses dry and damaged hair while locking in moisture, protecting the hair cuticles, and preventing breakage. It is approved by dermatologists and helps reduce dandruff.
This hypoallergenic shampoo without sulfates is protein-free and non-alkaline and is suitable for all types of hair. It can be used daily and may help prevent hair fall with regular use.
How To Apply: Massage the shampoo onto wet hair and rinse with water.
- Paraben-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- Dye-free
- No lanolin or other derivatives
- PABA-free
- Betaine-free
- Gluten-free
- No masking fragrances
- Dermatologist-tested
None
5. Best Moisturizing:L’Oreal Paris EverPure Volume Shampoo
The L’Oreal Paris Ever Pure Volume Shampoo cleanses, volumizes, and revives flat and thin hair. It is infused with lotus flower extract that rejuvenates dull, limp hair and adds shine and vitality to hair without drying it out. The gentle formula is perfect for colored hair. The invigorating perfume instantly refreshes your senses and keeps your hair smelling great all day long. Reviewers are absolutely in awe of this shampoo and love its efficiency in managing the tresses well! This video will help you understand the product better as it features a tester’s experience of using it.
How To Apply: Massage it onto wet hair and rinse thoroughly with water.
- Replenishes moisture
- Paraben-free
- Vegan
- No harsh salts
- Dye-free
- Gluten-free
- Not pH-balanced
6. Best Silicone-Free:Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo
The Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo is specially developed for color-treated hair to maintain its vibrancy. It contains an exclusive PROTEIN FUSION BLEND that combines quinoa and elastin protein to nourish the hair, keep it healthy and replenished, and rebuild its natural proteins. This shampoo helps replenish the nutrients lost during the coloring process and offers proven efficacy in maintaining color vibrancy for up to 40 washes.
How To Apply: Massage the shampoo onto wet scalp and hair and rinse thoroughly with water.
- Color protection
- Silicone-free
- Softens the hair
- Pleasant fragrance
- May make hair oily
Pro Tip7. Best Nourishing:PUREnature Argan Oil Deep Hydra Nourishing Shampoo
If you have frizzy wild hair, PUREnature Argan Oil Shampoo is your savior. It contains nourishing ingredients like Moroccan argan oil that deeply nourishes and hydrates your hair, prevents split ends, improves hair health, and makes it soft and silky. It also provides UV and thermal protection to prevent damage caused by UV rays and extensive heat styling. The keratin and collagen protein in the formula strengthen and rejuvenate your hair, while vitamin E makes it thicker and prevents frizz.
How To Apply: Massage the shampoo on your scalp and hair. Rinse it off with normal water. Follow up with a conditioner.
- Paraben-free
- Deeply nourishes the hair
- Gluten-free
- Frizz control
- Phthalate-free
- Recommended for all hair types
- May make the hair greasy
8. Best For Curly And Kinky Hair:Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Luscious Moisture Shampoo
Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Luscious Moisture Shampoo is great for colored hair as it prevents color fading while gently cleansing and hydrating the hair. This shampoo contains aloe vera juice that makes your hair softer and manageable and sweet clover and rose extracts that impart shine. The black vanilla fragrance soothes your senses. This product is suitable for curly and kinky hair prone to damage, dryness, and frizz.
How To Apply: Massage the shampoo on wet hair and scalp. Rinse it off with warm water.
- Petroleum-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Paraben-free
- Maintains moisture balance
- Silicone-free
- Artificial color-free
None
9. Best For Long-Term Hair Treatment:Aveeno Pure Renewal Shampoo
The Aveeno Pure Renewal Shampoo is a sure bet for long-term hair treatment. It is formulated with NATRASURF Technology that contains seaweed extracts that renew hair health by restoring its natural balance and maintaining optimal moisture levels. This oil-free shampoo helps remove pollutants and chemical impurities from the strands without drying them. It is safe for colored hair and prevents premature color fading.
How To Apply: Massage the shampoo onto wet hair and scalp and rinse thoroughly. Follow up with a conditioner.
- Improves manageability
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Gentle
- Pleasant fragrance
- Contains phenoxyethanol
10. Best Keratin-Enhanced:Bingo Hair Care Argan Oil Shampoo
The Bingo Hair Care Argan Oil Shampoo is formulated with Nano Technology and infused with proteins, Moroccan argan oil, fatty acids, keratin, and other nutrients. The Moroccan argan oil revitalizes the hair, improves its elasticity, and adds shine to lifeless and dull hair. It also works as a UV protector and free radical neutralizer.
This moisturizing and healing shampoo soothes dry scalp and reduces flaking to keep your hair smooth, soft, and lustrous. It is gentle enough for daily use, and safe for both chemically treated hair and color treated hair.
How To Apply: Massage the shampoo onto wet hair and scalp and rinse with water. Repeat the process if needed. Follow up with argan oil conditioners for the best results.
- Keratin-enhanced
- Contains UV protector
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- Soft herbal fragrance
- Not suitable for oily scalp
11. Hair Food Tea Tree & Lavender Water Purifying Shampoo
The Hair Food Tea Tree & Lavender Water Purifying Shampoo is best for damaged locks that need extra care. The refreshing blend of lavender and tea tree oils cleanses the scalp, leaving the hair smooth, soft, and refreshed. The refreshing fragrance of tea tree and lavender essences lifts your mood. The shampoo does not contain any harmful chemicals and is safe for color-treated hair.
How To Apply: Massage the shampoo onto wet hair and scalp and rinse it off with water. Follow up with a conditioner.
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Dye-free
- Color-safe
- May dry the hair
12. Matrix BIOLAGE 3 Butter Control System Shampoo
If your hair is unruly and unmanageable, you need Matrix BIOLAGE 3 Butter Control System Shampoo. It has a 3-Butter Control System combining capuacu, murumuru, and shea butter to revitalize, nourish, and hydrate dry hair and de-volumize out-of-control strands. The shampoo locks in essential moisture, prevents frizz, and keeps your hair smooth and healthy.
How To Apply: Massage your hair and scalp with a moderate quantity of the shampoo and wash it off.
- Paraben-free
- Frizz-control
- Locks in moisture
- Artificial color-free
- May cause product buildup
13. Natures Craft Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
The Natures Craft Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo is perfect for limp, dull, lackluster, and fine hair. It contains jojoba oil that hydrates and moisturizes the hair, patchouli oil to strengthen the hair follicles, botanical keratin to nourish and strengthen the hair strands, and raw apple cider vinegar to maintain the scalp pH.
This shampoo revitalizes your hair from root to tip, protects the hair from environmental aggressors, and improves its volume and health to keep it nourished and healthy. It is perfect for chemically and color-treated, dry, and damaged hair.
How To Apply: Massage your scalp and hair with a moderate amount of the shampoo and rinse thoroughly.
- Vegan
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- Silicone-free
- Safe for color-treated hair
None
14. ORS Curls Unleashed Rosemary & Coconut Sulfate-Free Shampoo
The ORS Curls Unleashed Rosemary & Coconut Sulfate-Free Shampoo cleanses without stripping the natural oils from curly and kinky hair. This shampoo contains lemon balm, rosemary, and coconut extracts that cleanse and nourish your hair, untangling curls and making them manageable. It hydrates and softens the coils, removing pollutant buildup in each strand, and nourishes the scalp further and promotes healthy hair growth.
How To Apply: Massage the scalp and hair with a moderate amount of the shampoo. Wash thoroughly and finish off with a conditioner.
- Frizz control
- Unisex
- Best for curly hair and wavy hair
- Amazing fragrance
- Not tested on animals
- May not lather well
15. Amazon Beauty Rahua Classic Shampoo
The Amazon Beauty Rahua Classic Shampoo contains a unique blend of rare herbs from the Amazon rainforest that soothe the scalp and leave your hair silky and lustrous. It contains rainforest-grown rahua oil to fortify weak strands and extend hair color endurance.
Palo santo oil has purifying properties, while quinoa promotes scalp and hair healing. The coconut betaines to remove dirt and excess oil. The shampoo also contains organic aloe vera to renew hair vibrancy, green tea to prevent UV damage, and raspberry leaf extract to repair damaged hair. This product helps maintain scalp balance.
How To Apply: Massage an adequate amount of the shampoo onto wet hair and rinse thoroughly. Apply conditioner for best results.
- Plant-based ingredients
- Suits all hair types
- Paraben-free
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Cruelty-free
- Does not lather
16. Briogeo Rosarco Repair Shampoo
If you are struggling with brittle and dry curls, try the Briogeo Rosarco Repair Shampoo. It is infused with a signature combination of argan, coconut, and ultra-nourishing rosehip oils that rejuvenates dry hair.
Argan oil conditions the hair, coconut oil locks in the moisture, while rosehip oil prevents free radical damage. The sulfate-free shampoo ingredients penetrate the hair shaft to keep it replenished and prevent any future damage. This shampoo helps control frizzy hair and makes it soft and manageable.
How To Apply: Wet your hair and apply a generous amount of this shampoo. Massage to generate lather and then wash off. Repeat if necessary.
- Paraben-free
- DEA-free
- Artificial dye-free
- Cruelty-free
- Silicone-free
- Vegan
- Phthalate-free
- Gluten-free
- 98% natural
- Expensive
17. Botanic Hearth Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
The Botanic Hearth Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo offers restorative care to dry and unhealthy hair. This shampoo contains clarifying and nourishing ingredients like coconut and argan oils, apple extract, and 100% pure apple cider vinegar to thoroughly cleanse and nourish the hair. It also helps strengthen and rejuvenate dry and dull hair and also removes product buildup. This shampoo is safe for colored hair and gentle enough for daily use.
How To Apply: Massage the shampoo onto wet hair and scalp. Rinse with normal water thoroughly.
- Suits all hair types and textures
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- Unisex
None
Infographic: How To Know If Your Shampoo Is Sulfate-Free
Sulfates are harsh chemicals that can strip your hair of its natural oils and damage color-treated locks. But there are not just one or two but dozens of sulfate variants, so it can get tricky when selecting the right natural shampoo without sulfate. Check out the infographic below to find out how to know if your shampoo is sulfate-free.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Shampoos that contain chemical ingredients like sulfates can be harsh on the scalp and may aggravate sensitive scalp conditions. Coloring and styling products can also make the hair dull and lifeless. To address all those hair problems, you need sulfate-free shampoo to preserve your hair color, moisturize your brittle hair, and restore its natural shine. For example, the Bold Uniq Purple Shampoo is suitable for blonde hair, the Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Shampoo is ideal for curly and coily hair, and the Botanic Hearth Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo is a good choice for dry and damaged hair. These products are paraben-free and soften and maintain the moisture balance of your strands. However, you may want to avoid products that make the hair greasy or leave a residue. In such cases, picking a professional-grade product would be the best choice for long-term benefits.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Our author, Shiboli Chakraborti, is passionate about hair care and has curated this list of the best sulfate-free shampoos to keep your hair shiny, sleek, and healthy. She has browsed through reviews from customers on several e-commerce websites online to create this list for her readers. These shampoos have a pleasant fragrance, hydrate your hair, and do not contain harsh salts. They are also useful for color-treated hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a sulfate-free shampoo do for your hair?
Sulfate-free shampoos are best for low-porosity hair as they help maintain moisture levels and prevent frizz.
Does sulfate-free shampoo help hair growth?
It depends on the ingredients and formulation of the shampoo.
Do sulfates cause hair loss?
There is no evidence to prove the effect of sulfates on scalp DHT levels. However, they might cause scalp irritation, which may lead to hair fall.
How do I know if my shampoo is sulfate-free?
Check the ingredients. If the shampoo does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate, it is sulfate-free. These are the two types of sulfates mainly used in shampoos.
Does sulfate fade hair color?
Yes, sulfate can fade hair color.
Are shampoo bars sulfate-free?
Check the ingredients list to confirm as not all shampoo bars are sulfate-free.
Who should use sulfate-free shampoos?
Sulfate-free shampoos are the best for colored hair. People who have hair extensions and people with rosacea, eczema, and contact dermatitis will most benefit from using a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo. These shampoos are in general better for all hair types.
Can you use sulfate-free shampoo every day?
Sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner can be used every day without damaging your hair as it won’t make your hair rough and brittle and won’t cause irritation. However, washing your hair every day, in general, is not recommended. It can strip natural oils away from your strands.
How long does it take to see results from sulfate-free shampoo?
It takes 2-4 weeks for your scalp and hair to adjust to the new shampoo. After that you can see your hair gradually becoming smoother and healthier.
Read full bio of Lindsay Loo
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Read full bio of Krati Darak
Read full bio of Medha Deb
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our empowering community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with other beauty, lifestyle, and health enthusiasts.