5 Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos For Natural Hair – 2024
Retain your hair’s natural moisture with the most suitable formulations for your hair type.
Alexandro Vasquez has been a hairdresser since 1997 and has worked in various countries, including Brazil, Spain, Ireland, Indonesia, Singapore, and UAE. His experience spans salon brands such as Toni&Guy, Aveda, and Leekaja. He specializes in traveling and training hair salon staff around the world.
Read full bio of Alexandro Vasquez
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: 5 yearsAditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She is an associate commerce editor with 5 years of experience and specializes in reviewing fitness and health products.
Read full bio of Aditi Naskar
Experience: 8 yearsArshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.
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The best sulfate-free shampoo for natural hair is something that you should be looking for to maintain your gorgeous African-American hair.. While most shampoos use sulfate as a cleaning and foaming agent, the negative effects of sulfate include killing the natural oils and moisture in your hair among others. If you’ve been looking long and hard for a good sulfate-free shampoo for your hair, look no further than our list. Scroll down to know more!
In This Article
5 Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos For African American Hair
1. Best Moisturizing Formula:Cantu Cleansing Cream Shampoo
The Cantu Cleansing Cream Shampoo is made of pure shea butter and freshwater that moisturizes the scalp and hair. It reduces the drying effect of a hair wash and reduces the accumulation of dry skin on the scalp. This gentle shampoo also reduces hair fall that occurs during a regular hair wash. It can be used for daily hair cleansing as it is delicate on the scalp. The shea butter has vitamins A and E that add a natural shine to your hair strands. Reviewers are impressed by its non-greasy formula that helps in repairing split ends and gives soft, bouncy natural curls. It is free of parabens, sulfates, silicones, and mineral oil, and is suitable for textured hair.
Key Ingredient: Shea butter
Pros
- Silicone-free
- Paraben-free
- Mineral oil-free
- No animal testing
- Boosts hair shine
Cons
- Consistency could be too thick
Quick Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has garnered over 565 positive reviews on Amazon, and the number continues to grow.
2. Best Dandruff Treatment:tgin Moisture Rich Shampoo
The tgin Moisture Rich Shampoo contains pure coconut and amla extracts, pro-vitamin B5, and other fruit extracts. The essential oils help moisturize hair and scalp while its anti-inflammatory properties rectify scalp conditions and dandruff. The shampoo also prevents excessive hair loss during hair wash. The pro-vitamin B5 helps make the hair smooth and silky.
This shampoo prevents premature hair graying, hair loss, and scalp infections. Several reviewers love this balancing formula that smoothes the surface of the cuticles and cleanses the hair without washing away the natural oils. The shampoo contains natural extracts and is free of sulfates, parabens, petrolatum, lanolin, and artificial colors. It also is cruelty-free.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, amla oil, and pro-vitamin B5
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Petrolatum-free
- Lanolin-free
- No artificial colors
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- None
Did You Know?3. Best UV Damage Protection:Original Sprout Classic Shampoo
The Original Sprout Classic Shampoo contains calendula, rosemary, and arnica that hydrate a dry scalp, reduce dandruff, and improve scalp health. The shampoo’s regenerative properties thicken hair and its antioxidants protect hair from cell-damaging elements. It prevents premature hair graying and helps clear out the blocked hair follicles.
The shampoo detangles and conditions the hair and prevents hair loss. It also protects the hair against UV damage. This gentle formula cleanser also protects chemically-treated hair and can be used for babies. It is free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and gluten. It also is vegan and hypoallergenic, making it suitable for sensitive scalps.
Key Ingredients: Rosemary, calendula, and arnica
Pros
- Vegan
- Hypoallergenic
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Gluten-free
- No honey
- No peanut
- No dairy
- Pediatrician tested
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- None
"I love how swiftly this shampoo lathers on my hair. It soothes my scalp and eliminates dirt and sebum from my follicles. The best thing about this shampoo is that it never fades my hair color. It leaves my hair soft and nourished."
| Cantu Cleansing Cream Shampoo Best Moisturizing Formula | tgin Moisture Rich Shampoo Best Dandruff Treatment | Original Sprout Classic Shampoo Best UV Damage Protection | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Type | Wavy, Curly, Coily | Curly Hair,Dry Hair | All |
| Dimensions | 3 x 1.75 x 8.5 inches | 2.5 x 2.5 x 6 inches | 3 x 3 x 10.5 inches |
| Weight | 14.11 Ounces | 13.02 Ounces | 1.1 Pounds |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 565 | 176 | 1,005 |
| Price | $5.38 | $14.97 | $26.49 |
4. Best Hair Strengthening:Alikay Naturals Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo
The Alikay Naturals Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo helps retain the natural moisture content of your hair. The formula is made with cocoa seed powder that provides protein and antioxidants for strong, healthy hair. This gentle hair product cleanses hair from the roots and helps repair damaged hair follicles.
Key Ingredients: Cocoa seed powder, plantain skins, and tea tree oil
Pros
- Safe for color-treated hair
Cons
- Suits mostly a dry scalp only
Pro Tip5. Best Color-Safe Option:Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Luscious Moisture Shampoo
The Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Luscious Moisture Shampoo contains aloe leaf juices that help make hair soft and silky. The growth promoting formula is laden with vitamins A, C, and E to help improve scalp health. Vitamin B12 and folic acid prevent hair fall and repair hair damage caused due to sun, heat, and other natural aggressors. Several reviewers are highly impressed by this lightweight formula and the shampoo’s ability to moisturize hair and protect it from dehydration and dullness. It also helps in enhancing hair manageability. It is free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petroleum, and artificial colors. It is color-safe too.
Key Ingredients: Aloe leaf extract, calendula flower extract, rose extract, and sweet clover extract
Pros
- Paraben-free
- No artificial colors
- Silicone-free
- Petroleum-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Color-safe
Cons
- Overpowering fragrance
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product is so liked by shoppers that it has gained over 502 great reviews on Amazon.
With all the safe and conscious decisions that people are making these days in terms of lifestyle choices, it’s only fair that one steers away from harsh chemicals and toxins in their hair care products that affect the hair texture and quality. A natural shampoo, devoid of sulfates, toxins, and other chemicals may be tough to decide on, given that there are so many brands out there. But, here are some common factors to keep in mind while you make a choice from all those options.
Things To Consider While Choosing The Best Sulfate-Free Shampoo For Natural Hair
1. Purpose And Ingredients To Look For
The composition of the shampoo should include nourishing ingredients that not only cleanse the hair but also offer health and rejuvenation.
- Cleansing: The main job of a shampoo is to cleanse the hair and scalp, therefore, choose according to your dry, sensitive, and or oily scalp. Ingredients like charcoal and kaolin clay have magnetic powers that pull out dirt, sebum, and dead skin from deep within the cells.
- Hydration: A sulfate-free shampoo may preserve the natural moisture of the hair but it is advisable to pick a formula that offers extra hydration and conditioning. Look for ingredients like natural fruit extracts and pro-vitamin B5, which help in hydrating the scalp.
- Moisturization: Nourishing ingredients like coconut milk and oil, rice protein, amla, essential oils, and shea butter which provides vitamin A and E, offer shine to your natural locks. They also repair damaged hair strands and dryness and help in detangling the locks. Make sure the formula is non-greasy and lightweight.
- Strengthening: Look for a sulfate-free shampoo that is gentle on the hair but adds strength and vitality to it. Cocoa is rich in proteins and antioxidants, while vitamins A and C promote hair growth and vitamin B12 repairs damage.
2. Ingredients To Avoid
Not just sulfate-free, choose shampoos devoid of other toxins like paraben, SLS, SLES, phthalates, and TEA. Look for a formula that is also petroleum-free, silicone-free, mineral oil-free and has no artificial colors. A chemical-free shampoo prevents hair loss, minimizes graying and prevents scalp infections.
3. Additional Features
If you have colored natural hair, check the label for a color-safe shampoo. This will minimize color-fading and maintain the pigment for a long time. Also colored hair tends to become rough and dry. Rose extract, calendula, aloe, and sweet clover help to make the hair soft and luscious.
Choose a shampoo that offers restorative care and protects your natural hair from the damaging UV rays. Look for ingredients like rosemary and calendula which have antioxidant and scalp-soothing properties.
Infographic: Hair-Loving Ingredients In Sulfate-Free Shampoos
Sulfate-free shampoos are a great choice to protect your scalp and hair from drying out excessively. They are also usually packed with potent ingredients that nourish and strengthen the hair. Check out some of them in the infographic below.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
We all look for a chemical-free shampoo that keeps your hair shiny and bouncy. Maintaining African-American hair can be difficult as regular shampoos strip the natural oils from the hair. You need a sulfate-free shampoo that contains nourishing ingredients like shea butter and vitamins E and A to lock in moisture, reduce hair fall, offer a deep cleanse, and keep your hair flowing. The Cantu Cleansing Cream Shampoo is perfect for repairing split ends, while the tginMoisture Rich Shampoo helps tackle premature graying and scalp infections. Furthermore, the Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Luscious Moisture Shampoo is ideal for those with dry and dehydrated hair strands. These shampoos are also paraben-free, hypoallergenic, and vegan. Alexandro Vasquez, a renowned hairdresser, adds, “Sulfate-free shampoos are also good for after keratin treatment maintenance as it helps in holding the keratin effect for a longer period.” However, some products have a thick consistency and overpowering fragrance and you might want to avoid them. Opt for products that have received positive customer reviews and perform a patch test to check for an allergic reaction.
Why Trust Stylecraze
The author of this article, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a certified skin care coach with a love for all things hair care and styling. She has curated this well-researched list of the best sulfate-free shampoos for natural hair after sifting hundreds of user reviews on trusted online forums and websites. These products are from renowned brands and are formulated with ultra-nourishing ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a sulfate-free shampoo good for natural hair?
Yes, sulfate-free shampoos help retain and maintain natural hair moisture. They also boost hair shine and softness.
How long does a sulfate-free shampoo take to work?
A sulfate-free shampoo may take up to six washes to show results. It could take longer in some cases. The results depend on your hair type.
How often should you wash your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo?
Use a sulfate-free shampoo only once in two weeks. You may co-wash in-between.
Can a sulfate-free shampoo cause scalp irritation?
It does not cause scalp irritation, unless you are allergic to some ingredient, sulfate-shampoos do not lead to an irritated scalp. Sulfate-free shampoos retain natural oils and moisture in the hair. Hence, they usually do not cause dryness or an itchy scalp.
Is sulfate-free shampoo good for 4C hair?
Yes, sulfate-free shampoo is good for maintaining the natural oils and moisture of 4C hair.
Does sulfate-free shampoo help hair growth?
Yes, sulfate-free shampoo helps retain hair’s natural moisture and prevents hair damage due to dryness. This, in turn, supports hair growth.
What does sulfate do to natural hair?
Sulfate is very drying for natural hair as it strips the hair’s natural moisture and causes dryness.
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