For about 60 years, mankind has been using sulfate shampoos to wash their hair. But in the last decade, they started talking about the fact that sulfates in shampoos harm the body. Advanced consumers frantically began to look for the coveted inscription Sulfat Free on the bottle. But is it really worth it? Or are sulfate shampoos just not for everyone? To understand, you need to understand in detail.
What are sulfates?
If you call them scientifically and completely, then these are lauryl sulfonic acids, but if it is simpler, then these are the very sodium s alts from the school curriculum. They are surfactants and are widely used in many chemical and technological processes, including pharmaceutical, cosmetic and household chemicals. In cosmetology, they are used to cleanse the skin and hair from fat and dirt. Basically, the following sulfate compounds are used in shampoos:
- ammonium lauryl sulfate - ALS;
- ammonium laureth sulfate - ALES
- lauretsodium sulfate (sodium laureth sulfate) - SLES;
- sodium lauryl sulfate (sodium lauryl sulfate) – SLS;
- sodium world sulfate – SMS.
This is not the whole list, manufacturers use many other sodium s alts in the production of shampoos. Sulfates are easy to detect in the composition, which the manufacturer is required to indicate, their distinguishing feature is the word "sulfate" in the name.
Because people call them simply "sulfates". They are cheap, foam well and clean quickly, which has an excellent effect on the buyer. Most shampoos on the shelves of shops and beauty salons are sulfate.
Why sulfates are bad in shampoos&
It should be alarming that they are simultaneously used in household chemicals and cosmetology, they are so aggressive. Yes, shampoos have a milder formula, but the essence of splitting fat and dirt is the same. And people use shampoo almost every day.
So what's the proven harm? Sulfates are one of the most aggressive chemicals for dissolving and washing away grease and dirt. After using them, the hair is so degreased that it squeaks. Constant cleansing of the scalp and hair with such a tool gradually destroys the natural protective barrier of the skin. If it is completely destroyed, the following troubles may happen:
- drying and cracking of the skin;
- damage to hair follicles;
- the skin will become poorly protected from the effects of microorganisms;
- appearance of new and aggravation of old allergic reactions;
- skin peeling and dandruff;
- dryness and splitting of hair.
In addition to these proven troubles, there may be others that have not yet been scientifically proven. The impact of sulfates on a living organism is under the close supervision of scientists. For example, there is a lot of research on the fact that sulfates cause cancer and accumulate in the body, poisoning it. In addition, getting into the sewer, and then into the environment, sulfates adversely affect the world of wildlife. It is definitely clear that you should not use sulfate cosmetics so zealously on your skin every day, because it is not known where this will lead in a couple of decades.
When needed?
Choosing a sulfate-free shampoo will have a positive effect in any case. But there are those in which their use is necessary. For example, after keratin straightening, lamination and other similar procedures. The fact is that during such manipulations, a special composition is sealed under the scales of the hair, which makes the hair heavier and thicker. And when using a shampoo with sulfates, the composition will wash out much faster. Therefore, keratin masters strongly recommend using only sulfate-free shampoo. If, when using the recommended hair washing products, the effect after keratin straightening lasts from a month to three, then when using shampoo with sulfates, it will last a maximum of two weeks.
Sulfate-free shampoos are highly desirable afterdyeing in bright colors. The same principle will apply, the pigment will linger longer in the hair scales.
Keratin Sulfate Free Shampoo
Keratin straightening is done like this:
- Hair scales rise as much as possible.
- Empty scales are filled with keratin composition, the hair is dried.
- Seal the flakes with the composition using high temperature.
To prevent this composition from washing out, it is necessary to use very gentle shampoos, that is, sulfate-free ones. Especially for these purposes, even a keratin sulfate-free shampoo was invented. In addition to the fact that it washes out the composition longer, it also enhances the effect of the procedure.
They are mainly included in the line for products that hairdressers use for keratin straightening. Here are some of them:
- Cocochoco;
- Honma Tokyo;
- Brasil Cacau.
If you use all the products from one line, the result will be as long as possible, so it's better to check with the master what brand he uses. But they are much more expensive than products from the mass market. And if funds do not allow, then you can use any sulfate-free shampoo. Much still depends on how accurately the recommendations of the master will be carried out. After keratin straightening, they are usually as follows:
- 72 hours do not wash or wet hair at all;
- do not visit the sauna and do not use irons and curling irons;
- protect hair from chlorinated water;
- use only sulfate-free shampoos.
Good masterhe will definitely tell and explain how to care for the hair after the procedure, and most often he will start the story himself without questions.
Estel
One of the best in terms of price to quality ratio is Estel's professional sulfate-free shampoo. The brand has three lines of such products:
- Aqua Otium MILD. This line is aimed at improving the water balance of the hair and scalp. So they will be less prone to peeling and brittleness.
- Otium iNeo-Crystal – prolongs the effect of lamination and keratin straightening.
- Curex is a versatile shampoo suitable for daily use.
You can only buy them in hairdressers, beauty salons and hairdressing stores, as these products are made for professional use.
Kapous
Kapous Professional has a huge range of hair care and coloring products for every taste. This is the first Russian-made professional cosmetics. The brand was founded in 2001 and allegedly gravitates towards natural formulations. Of course, they also have such shampoos, reading the label of which you might think that they are sulfate-free.
But if you look closely at the inscription in English: no sodium laureth sulfate, no parabens, then it does not say that there are no sulfates at all. And it is written there only that there is no sodium laureth sulfate. As mentioned above, this is just one of the sulfates, but far from the only one. And indeed, atstudying the composition, you can see ammonium lauryl sulfate. That is, Kapus shampoos are not sulfate-free, this is just a trick. It will be especially unpleasant to fall for this trick after the keratin straightening procedure and purchase Kapous Magic Keratin.
L'Oreal Professionnel
The most popular of this brand's sulfate-free shampoos is Delicat Color. Developed specifically to protect color-treated hair. Covers the hair with a special film that does not allow moisture and paint to wash out. Vitamin E, taurine and magnesium in the composition improve the condition of the hair from the inside. The shampoo contains protection against the harmful factor of solar radiation, which will additionally preserve the color. This is perhaps the best sulfate-free shampoo among professional care for colored hair (according to reviews). The only thing that can push you away is the price. For a bottle of 200 ml you will have to pay about 800 rubles.
Recently, L'Oreal Professional has a new line of sulfate-free shampoos: Vitamino Color and more gentle Vitamino Color Soft Cleanser.
Schwarzkopf
Another brand of professional hair care products. There are three sulfate-free shampoos in the Schwarzkopf line:
- Essensity Color & Moisture, protects the color and restores the scalp after coloring.
- Bonacure Color Freeze Sulfate-Free, aimed at restoring damaged hair structure after various types of straightening.
- Bonacure Color Save. It is aimed at protecting against washing out of paint from the hair structure, protection againstsun with UV filters and filling voids in the structure with amino acids.
- Essensity Color & Repair, aims to restore color damaged hair.
Natura Siberica
Sulfate-free shampoo "Natura Siberica" appeared on the shelves of Russian stores one of the first. Its main feature is the use of plant extracts and recipes from Siberia. In the description of the brand's shampoos, there are such names and combinations of components that are completely out of the ordinary for a resident of the central region of Russia. Depending on the promised impact, the following components are contained:
- for dyed and damaged is Rhodiola rosea and white beeswax;
- for shine and volume - these are juniper, wormwood and mint;
- for a deep recovery it's sage, cloudberry and rosehip or arctic cranberry, golden cloudberry and northern sea buckthorn;
- to prevent falling out - this is wild reindeer moss and cedar elfin;
- for hair length - this is linden and hops;
- for standard care - this is cedar elfin and lungwort;
- for the fight against dandruff - this is a wild Tuvan artysh and rosemary;
- for nutrition - Tuvan yak milk and Mongolian tea;
- to give strength to hair - it's Nanai lemongrass and organic pine nut oil;
- deep cleansing with Faroe Islands vervain and seaweed;
- Siberian sea buckthorn and amaranth oil to protect against UV rays.
Later the main line was supplementedsulfate-free shampoos "Siberica Sea buckthorn", which promises the effect of laminated hair. Then it was replenished with the Siberica Kamchatka series, which included recipes and useful components typical of the Kamchatka region. The following episodes were later released:
- Sakhalin;
- Tuva Siberica;
- GZEl for Natura Siberica;
- Flora Siberica;
- Wild Siberica.
Now such series are constantly replenishing the permanent line of Natura Siberica both on a permanent and temporary basis. There are series especially for children and especially for men. In general, all products of this brand are wildly popular in Russia and the countries of the former CIS. This is largely due to such a variety of shampoos and amazing value for money.
Inexpensive domestic brands
The list of domestic sulfate-free shampoos is quite long, especially if you take into account private production, which is so popular among fashionistas. But the most common and common on the Russian market are as follows:
- "Grandma Agafya's Recipes";
- Organic Shop;
- "Belita";
- "The kingdom of aromas";
- Nano Organic;
- "Cowberry";
- “From Alexey Aromov”;
- "Avicenna";
- "Yaka";
- Family de olive.
All of these brands have shampoos with and without sulfates. Therefore, before buying, you need to study the composition in order to understand whether the remedy is right.purchased.
Baby shampoos
There is a common myth that all baby shampoos are sulfate-free, but this is not true. For example, the most popular baby shampoos in Russia Bubchen and Johnson’s Baby, like many others, contain these components. Yes, Bubchen has a sulfate-free range, but it only comes as an addition to the main line. If there is a desire to protect the baby from sulfates, then here are the brands that, in addition to Bubchen, make shampoos for children without sulfates:
- Mulsan Cosmetic;
- Mustela;
- Wakodo;
- Baby Teva;
- Veleda;
- Mommy Care.
For adults, these shampoos may seem weak, they will not cope with the washing out of sebum. But perfect for babies, keeping their skin as soft as when they were born.
Features in application
Before using a sulfate-free shampoo, users should be aware of the following features about it:
- The first time it will not wash the hair and scalp. You need to apply it, rinse, apply again and rinse again. In the case of long and thick hair, you may have to repeat the procedure a third time.
- Hair will lose volume, but for some this is even a plus.
- Hair will be more dirty at first, it will take time to adapt.
- He barely foams. But the lack of foam is not an indicator that the product does not clean.
- You need to lather for at least 2 minutes so that the shampoo has time to dissolve the impurities.
- If you store it in the bathroom, it will quickly deteriorate and start to smell bad. Keepneed on the refrigerator door shelf.
- But before applying, warm up in your hands, and rinse with very warm water.
After sulfate-free shampoo rarely, but there is an allergic reaction and irritation. The fact is that their composition is most often natural, contains oils. And natural ingredients can cause individual intolerance.
Cons
Firstly, sulfate-free products have a liquid consistency unusual for sulfate thick shampoos. Secondly, they almost do not foam. Thirdly, according to reviews, sulfate-free shampoo will take much more. But the above is all a matter of habit.
Fourthly, they can't rinse hair completely and squeaky like sulfate shampoos do. But this can already become a problem for those who live in megacities and use a lot of styling products, dry oils with silicones in their composition. Sulfate-free hair shampoo will not completely wash it out. In such cases, sulfate shampoos should also be used periodically.
Don't be afraid of shampoos with sulfates like fire, it's just advisable to try to limit their use. Styling residue, city exhaust, and silicones built up on your scalp and hair will do more damage. And you also need to understand that the concentration and quality of sulfates varies. Ammonium sulfates are the cheapest and most unsafe. And their concentration will be less in shampoos for dry and damaged hair.
