- Hair
- Best Sulphate-Free Shampoos
15 of the Best Sulphate-Free Shampoos
There was once a time when we shopped for beauty products without thinking twice about what was inside the bottle. Now, as many of us strive to make our beauty routines ‘cleaner’, we find ourselves scanning the labels for the good, the bad and the ugly ingredients.
When it comes to hair care, there are a couple of not-so-nice ingredients to avoid if you’re looking to cleanse, nourish and protect strands properly. Sulphates are one of them.
A powerful detergent, sulphates are used in shampoos to create an indulgent lather that lifts dirt and oils from strands. Although it feels like you’re giving both the hair and scalp a good and thorough clean, the bubbles can actually cause all kinds of chaos, including skin irritation, frizz and dryness, and strands that are stripped of colour and essential moisture.
The good news is there’s an abundance of sulphate-free shampoos on the market that clarify the hair and scalp just as well as the regulars. We’ve rounded up the best so that you can shop for shampoos without having to dissect the small print.
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo
£15.64 £24.70 (37% off)On the hunt for a sulphate-free shampoo that can tackle your thick, dry and colour-treated hair? Allow us to introduce you to Pureology Hydrate Shampoo. Made with hydrating ingredients such as jojoba, green tea and sage, this thirst-quenching formula delivers intense moisture, touchable softness and superior colour protection. Not to mention, it leaves locks laced with a delicate lavender, bergamot and patchouli scent.
Moroccanoil Extra Volume Shampoo
£19.94 £21.90 (9% off)Switch your favourite volumising shampoo for this sulphate-free formula and be amazed by the lift and body it gives locks. Argan oil, coconut oil, glycerin and linden bud extract work together to gently cleanse hair and naturally plump fine strands for an all-over voluminous look.
Philip Kingsley No Scent No Colour Gentle Shampoo
£27.00Originally inspired by Phillip’s wife’s battle with breast cancer, this shampoo has been expertly designed to be gentle enough for those undergoing chemotherapy. Fragrance-free, colour-free, paraben-free and SLS-free, it provides extra care when cleansing and can be used on sensitive and reactive scalps daily.
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
£11.00 £14.00 (22% off)You don't have to bin this one just yet! Who would have thought that the legendary Olaplex shampoo is sulphate-free (nut-free and gluten-free and paraben-free and phthalate-free and phosphate-free)? The Olaplex No.4 is a fan-favourite as it repairs and protects hair by re-linking broken bonds.
Answr Shampoo
£26.00Bringing salon-grade treatments to your bathroom, this shampoo is all you need to achieve soft and silky strands that are loaded with shine. The at-home keratin treatment is three times thicker than a regular shampoo, giving you a deep cleanse with mask-like nourishment. Hair is left protected, repaired and smoothed, all without sulphates.
Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Shampoo
£21.00 £30.93 (33% off)This Bumble and bumble shampoo ticks all the boxes as it utilises featherweight oils to hydrate, de-frizz, soften, repair, tame, detangle and protect strands. Formulated without sulphates, the moisturising shampoo transforms dry, coarse and brittle hair.
Kevin.Murphy Balancing.Wash
£4.99Fed up with your hair turning greasy after just a few days? Don’t worry, as Kevin Murphy serves up a daily strengthening shampoo that revitalises and cleanses even the oiliest strands. A blend of botanicals effectively balances sebum and invigorates tresses for healthy-looking hair, plus protects against damage caused by heat and over-styling.
KeraCare Curlessence Moisturising Shampoo
£6.95 £9.95 (31% off)Ensure that curls, coils, waves and ringlets are thriving with this sulphate-free shampoo from KeraCare. Jamaican black castor oil and coconut oil hydrate, protect and strengthen curls without stripping away natural moisture, all while refreshing your curl structure and putting the bounce back into strands.
Noughty Tough Cookie Shampoo
£5.49 £8.95 (39% off)Weak and brittle hair will love this strengthening shampoo from Noughty. Boasting a 97% natural formula, it utilises rich bilberry, sea buckthorn and cloudberry to prevent breakage and boost hair survival. Anti-pollution technology also protects against urban aggressors, helping strands grow stronger and longer.
Color Wow Colour Security Shampoo
£10.00 £11.00 (10% off)Sulphate-free shampoos for coloured hair are a must. Snap up this one from Color Wow to keep your locks looking fresh and vibrant between salon visits. It’s the only 100% clean shampoo that prevents dullness and breakage without weighing the hair down or leaving behind residue.
Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
£10.99Another great shampoo without sulphates is this option from Shea Moisture. Catering to all curl types, the rich, creamy shampoo is loaded with all the nutrients, oils, proteins and botanicals you need to tame wavy, curly, kinky and coily hair.
Innersense Hydrating Cream Hairbath
£28.00Thick and thirsty hair can soak up the hydrating benefits of Innersense’s Hairbath. This nourishing shampoo offers sulphate-free cleansing and is packed with conditioning essential oils that not only balance the scalp but soften and smooth the hair cuticle.
Grow Gorgeous Defence Anti-Pollution Shampoo
£5.60 £14.00 (60% off)Combining skincare with haircare, this sulphate-free formula from Grow Gorgeous gives your locks a second line of defence. Green tea extract stimulates the scalp; caffeine wakes up roots and allantoin soothes, moisturises and conditions. Tresses are given a barrier against atmospheric pollution and urban pollution too, thanks to advanced haircare complexes.
Aveda Damage Remedy Restructuring Shampoo
£30.39 £31.86 (5% off)Our roundup of best sulphate-free shampoos wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Aveda. Restructuring broken strands with quinoa protein, this gentle daily formula repairs and strengthens the look of damaged hair, while naturally derived conditioners leave it smooth, soft and manageable.
R+Co Atlantis Moisturising B5 Shampoo
£13.05 £14.50 (10% off)Inject life back into lacklustre locks with this Moisturising B5 Shampoo from R+Co. If sun exposure, colouring and heat styling have left your hair looking a little worse for wear, this vitamin-enriched shampoo can nourish dry, dull and damaged strands back to good health.
Hair wash day has never been more satisfying as these sulphate-free shampoos give your hair and scalp are good but gentle cleanse, minus all the nasties. Take your pick of the bunch and reveal your freshest tresses yet.
If you're looking to really overhaul your haircare routine with 'cleaner' products, then check out the Top 10 Cruelty-Free Haircare Products.
Written by Carly Cochrane
As the Senior Content Editor for Cosmetify, Carly is the go-to for all the latest (and greatest) beauty tips, tricks and trends. With over six years of experience in the industry, she knows all the ins-and-outs when it comes to health, beauty and wellbeing.