1. Beauty Glossary
  2. Sulfate Free

Sulfate Free Shampoo & Cosmetics

Navigating the beauty aisle can be overwhelming to say the least. Warning signs tell us to avoid ingredients such as parabens, phthalates and sulfates, often leaving us confused and full of questions. Is my toothpaste safe? What do all these fancy stamps mean? Why should I start using sulfate free shampoo? Fear not, as we fill you in with all that you need to know.

If you want to know more about sulfate free cosmetics and ingredients, read up on SLS and SLES free beauty products.

See our sulfate free guide to answer your questions like what is sulfate free and should I go sulfate free.

Sulfate Free Beauty Brands

  • First Aid Beauty
  • The Ordinary
  • Emma Hardie
  • REN
  • Paula's Choice
  • OUAI
  • Florence by Mills
  • Milk Makeup

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656 products found
Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Toner Oily Skin
Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Toner Oily Skin
$29.10
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash & Brow Serum
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash & Brow Serum
$16.14
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster
$62.58
-20%
L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Scalp Advanced Anti-Oiliness Dermo-Purifier Shampoo
L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Scalp Advanced Anti-Oiliness Dermo-Purifier Shampoo
$19.44 $24.30
Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30
Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30
$39.90
Emma Hardie Protect & Glow Kit
Emma Hardie Protect & Glow Kit
$32.34
Paula's Choice The UnScrub
Paula's Choice The UnScrub
$33.42
The Ordinary Coverage Foundation
The Ordinary Coverage Foundation
$7.00
Paula's Choice Calm Rescue & Repair Weightless Moisturizer
Paula's Choice Calm Rescue & Repair Weightless Moisturizer
$42.12
-2%
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
$6.43 $6.50
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
$13.98
-38%
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
$9.25 $14.85
Milk Makeup KUSH Waterproof Mascara
Milk Makeup KUSH Waterproof Mascara
$14.00
Olaplex No. 4 & 5 Shampoo & Conditioner Set
Olaplex No. 4 & 5 Shampoo & Conditioner Set
$56.00
-21%
The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10%
The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10%
$8.50 $10.75
-36%
Bondi Sands Body Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+
Bondi Sands Body Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+
$9.67 $15.00
-21%
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
$12.00 $15.06
Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
$14.00
-22%
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
$5.75 $7.29
-13%
Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector
Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector
$28.00 $31.86
-23%
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
$7.50 $9.67
-13%
Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother
Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother
$28.00 $31.86
-3%
The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA
The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA
$11.50 $11.83
-13%
Olaplex No.0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment
Olaplex No.0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment
$28.00 $31.86
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream
$60.00
-22%
The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%
The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%
$11.00 $13.98
K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
$74.51
-33%
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
$7.25 $10.75
-24%
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
$7.90 $10.26
-22%
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA Concentrated Serum
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA Concentrated Serum
$10.00 $12.69
-13%
Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
$28.00 $31.86
Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Brow Pencil
Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Brow Pencil
$29.10
First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub With 10% AHA
First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub With 10% AHA
$33.42
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Anhydrous Solution
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Anhydrous Solution
$8.10
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
$70.14
Emma Hardie Midas Touch Revitalizing Cream
Emma Hardie Midas Touch Revitalizing Cream
$52.86
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
$14.00
Bondi Sands Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+
Bondi Sands Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+
$8.59
-21%
The Ordinary High Spreadability Fluid Primer
The Ordinary High Spreadability Fluid Primer
$9.00 $11.34
-16%
The Ordinary Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 With Antioxidants
The Ordinary Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 With Antioxidants
$10.50 $12.42
-10%
The Ordinary No Brainer Set
The Ordinary No Brainer Set
$28.25 $31.26
Emma Hardie Protect & Prime Moisturizer SPF 30
Emma Hardie Protect & Prime Moisturizer SPF 30
$56.10
Emma Hardie Hydration On The Go Kit
Emma Hardie Hydration On The Go Kit
$12.90
-32%
TAN-LUXE New York Luxe Edit
TAN-LUXE New York Luxe Edit
$32.34 $47.46
-22%
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
$9.80 $12.42
-22%
The Ordinary B Oil
The Ordinary B Oil
$10.00 $12.69
-22%
The Ordinary Pycnogenol 5%
The Ordinary Pycnogenol 5%
$10.00 $12.69
-21%
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% In Silicone
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% In Silicone
$7.50 $9.45
-13%
Olaplex No.4p Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo
Olaplex No.4p Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo
$28.00 $31.86
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
$89.00
Alpha-H Liquid Gold
Alpha-H Liquid Gold
$51.78
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Replenishing Moisturizer
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Replenishing Moisturizer
$37.74
WE ARE PARADOXX Growth Accelerate Advanced Scalp Serum
WE ARE PARADOXX Growth Accelerate Advanced Scalp Serum
$36.66
Emma Hardie Amazing Travel Kit
Emma Hardie Amazing Travel Kit
$40.98
L.A. Pacific Gum Health Enzyme Whitening Toothpaste
L.A. Pacific Gum Health Enzyme Whitening Toothpaste
$11.83
Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster
Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster
$60.42
Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
$7.20
-27%
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
$7.50 $10.26
-22%
Paula's Choice Peptide Booster
Paula's Choice Peptide Booster
$16.14 $20.46
-21%
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo
$22.89 $28.62
Davines Energizing Superactive Serum
Davines Energizing Superactive Serum
$100.55
WE ARE PARADOXX Moisture Conditioner
WE ARE PARADOXX Moisture Conditioner
$24.30
Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum
Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum
$31.86
REN Keep Young & Beautiful Firm & Lift Eye Cream
REN Keep Young & Beautiful Firm & Lift Eye Cream
$44.22
WE ARE PARADOXX Moisture Heat Protect Spray
WE ARE PARADOXX Moisture Heat Protect Spray
$24.30
Paula's Choice Resist Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser
Paula's Choice Resist Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser
$30.18
Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster
Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster
$44.82
Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster
Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster
$43.14
Olaplex No.4d Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo
Olaplex No.4d Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo
$31.86
Paula's Choice Clear Skin Essentials Kit
Paula's Choice Clear Skin Essentials Kit
$36.66
-23%
The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5
The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5
$8.00 $10.26
-22%
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
$10.00 $12.69
-22%
The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% In Squalane
The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% In Squalane
$7.00 $8.91
-21%
The Ordinary Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution
The Ordinary Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution
$18.00 $22.62
-16%
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold Pressed Borage Seed Oil
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold Pressed Borage Seed Oil
$4.50 $5.35
-13%
Paula's Choice Resist Super Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30
Paula's Choice Resist Super Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30
$13.25 $15.06
-2%
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
$8.00 $8.10
REN Guerande Salt Exfoliating Body Balm
REN Guerande Salt Exfoliating Body Balm
$34.50
REN Neroli & Grapefruit Body Wash
REN Neroli & Grapefruit Body Wash
$26.94
Emma Hardie Amazing Lip Balm
Emma Hardie Amazing Lip Balm
$17.22
Alpha-H Essential Hydration Cream
Alpha-H Essential Hydration Cream
$51.78
Paula's Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser
Paula's Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser
$31.26
WE ARE PARADOXX Growth Thickening Shampoo
WE ARE PARADOXX Growth Thickening Shampoo
$24.30
Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm
Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm
$57.18
REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
$36.66
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Sulphate Free

Frequently Asked Questions about Sulfate Free products

What is sulfate free?

Sulfates, or sulfates, are powerful detergents made of sulfur-containing mineral salts and are often added to self-care products and shower products to create a lather or bubbles. Sulfate free is the label given to products that do not contain sulfates.

Should I go sulfate free?

Going sulfate free is all down to personal preference. If you're worried about skin irritation and are aware that sulfates are the cause, then it might be worth giving some alternatives a try.

If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, it might be worth scouting out sulfate free products too, as the compound can clog pores.

How do sulfates work?

Sulfates are a surfactant, or in simpler terms, a degreaser. It's a compound that works with both oil and water, with one end of the molecule attracted to oil and the other to water. They lift dirt and oil from your body before breaking them down so that they can be merrily washed away.

What are sulfate free alternatives?

Natural and organic products can be a great substitute as they often ditch the whole 'lathering up' aspect; however, you should always double check the labels for those 'sul-fakes' we mentioned.

Your best bet is to go for oil-based soaps and shampoos or switch back to solid formulas instead of liquid.

How do I know if a beauty product is sulfate free or not?

When it comes to scanning the ingredients label, the two biggies you should look out for are sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES).

It's also good to look out for 'sul-fake' ingredients, AKA compounds that are only one or two atoms away from being the real deal. The list includes:

  • Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate
  • Sodium lauroyl isethionate
  • Sodium lauroyl taurate
  • Sodium cocoyl isethionate
  • Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate
  • Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate
  • Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate

If you see any of these ingredients, the product is not sulfate free.

Why do we need sulfate free beauty products?

The fact is, sulfates are a little too good at cleaning. With constant use, they can strip the natural oil from your hair and skin, making them dry and irritable.

While many myths of cancer, infertility and development issues have surrounded sulfates in the past, the general scientific consensus is that they pose no major threat to your health. But it might be best to go sulfate free if you want to avoid minor irritants and loss of hair health.

Alex Bryson

Written by Alex Bryson, Beauty Editor

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