Sulfates get a bad reputation in shampoos, and for good reason. Sure, they give you that satisfying, foamy lather, but they also strip your hair of its natural oils faster than you can say “why is my hair so dry?” Now, as for how often you should actually wash your hair? That’s a whole other debate.
But washing your hair is basically a ‘know thy scalp’ kind of situation. If you’ve got oily hair, every other day is your sweet spot—unless, of course, you’re aiming for that freshly oiled frying pan look. Dry or curly hair? Two to three times a week, tops. Your strands are basically thirsty for moisture, so don’t go rinsing away the natural oils they desperately need. And if you’re somewhere in between? Just vibe with your scalp, it knows what’s up.
The real question when it comes to looking out for our hair: what’s the deal with sulfates in your shampoo? Are they really as bad as everyone says? And do you need to cut them out completely? Or maybe… keep scrolling to find out, because we need to know what our hair is dealing with here, especially when we’re treating our hair to shampoo frequently. I mean, this is what we do, we need to wash up and look clean for our day ahead. So we might as well lessen the damage we subject our hair to.
What are sulfates?
Think of them as the overachievers of the shampoo world that scrub away oil, dirt, and product buildup like a boss. The problem is that they don’t know when to stop. While they are at it, they also strip the natural oils off your hair. If your hair ever feels squeaky clean but also dry and parched, sulfates are probably the culprits.
If your shampoo label reads like a full-blown chemistry exam and is packed with sulfates, just know—this isn’t your everyday, casual-use shampoo. This is the deep clean, strip-everything kind of deal, and your hair might not be thrilled about it.
Most problematic sulphates are:
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – The aggressive cleanser that strips oil and your dreams of soft hair.
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) – SLS’s slightly kinder cousin, but still drying if your hair needs extra TLC.
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) – Strong, harsh, and not scalp-friendly if you’re on team sensitive skin.
- Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES) – A little gentler, but still not the best match for dry, curly, or color-treated hair.
Should you always avoid sulfates in shampoo?
Cutting down on sulfates is a good idea for everyone, unless your hair is drowning in product buildup or extra grease (think gel, pomades, oils, styling sprays). If you’ve got oily roots or love heavy styling products, sulfates can help deep-clean and hit reset. But if your hair is dry, curly, damaged, or color-treated, sulfates can be way too harsh, leaving your strands feeling rough.
The trick is balance. Sulfate-free shampoo for regular washes keeps your hair happy, but when your scalp starts feeling extra greasy or your hair feels weighed down, a clarifying wash (yes, with sulfates) once every 1-2 weeks can help refresh things. Think of it like a deep cleanse, not a daily thing—kind of like how you wouldn’t exfoliate your face every single day.
Now, that might sound a bit odd because, let’s be honest, we’ve all heard the mantra: sulfates are bad for your hair. And while I totally get it and even agree to it but here’s a thought: imagine trying to wash out pomade or oil with a shampoo that doesn’t lather well. You’d probably need to apply that sulfate-free shampoo three times just to get rid of all the greasiness. And honestly, that’s about equal to one wash with a sulfate shampoo.
Here’s what’s been working for me: whenever I use oil or heavy styling products, I reach for a clarifying shampoo to really get my hair clean. But for my regular routine? I stick to sulfate-free shampoo.
Do sulfate-free shampoos lather well?
Sulfate-free shampoos definitely lather, just not in that big, dramatic, “I’m in a slow-mo hair flip commercial” kind of way. No need to panic, though. Instead of those harsh, moisture absorbing sulfates, they use gentler cleansers like coco-glucoside or decyl glucoside, so your hair still gets clean without feeling like you just ran it through a desert. You might have to work it in a bit more (and if your scalp is extra greasy, a double wash might be the move).
Final verdict
Using a sulfate shampoo every day? Big nope. It’s like exfoliating your face daily—way too harsh, no matter your hair type. That stuff will strip your hair dry if you’re not careful. But if you’re into heavy styling products, an occasional sulfate wash can help hit reset. Otherwise, trying to remove all that buildup with a sulfate-free shampoo? Yeah, that’s a struggle. Think of it like trying to wash oil off with something that barely lathers—it’s just not gonna cut it.
For regular washes, stick to a sulfate-free shampoo. And before you grab any old bottle, check the ingredients list, if it’s packed with sulfates, it belongs nowhere near your regular routine, maybe in your deep-clean stash, but that’s it.
FAQs
What hair types should avoid sulfates?
If you’ve got dry hair or color-treated hair, sulfates are pretty much a no-go. They’re just not for you. Using a sulfate shampoo as your regular go-to can strip away your natural oils, leaving your hair dry, frizzy, and brittle, basically, the opposite of what you want. Trust me, your strands will thank you for skipping the sulfates and sticking to something more gentler.
Why do expensive shampoos have sulfates?
Sulfates are really good at cleaning, like, really good. They create that rich lather we associate with a thorough wash, and they’re especially effective at removing buildup, oil, and styling products. For some hair types (looking at you, oily scalps), that deep cleanse is exactly what’s needed.
But here’s the catch: not all sulfates are created equal. Some high-end shampoos use milder sulfates or combine them with nourishing ingredients to offset the drying effects. So, while they might still have sulfates, they’re formulated to be less harsh. That said, if your hair is dry, color-treated, or prone to damage, you might want to skip them altogether. It’s all about finding what works for your hair and not just the price tag.
Maleeka is an orthodontic resident with a passion for skincare and beauty. She decodes beauty products, breaks down ingredients, and spills the tea on marketing hypes. When she’s not perfecting smiles or geeking out over the latest formulations and trends, you’ll find her binge-watching Netflix.
