If you don’t know what a “sulfate” is by now, your hair is in serious trouble. Put simply, sulfates are the key ingredient to making a shampoo bubbly. The two kinds of sulfates you’re most likely to find in your hair care products are sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate. When used in shampoo, sulfates cleanse all kinds of dirt, oil, product build-up and dead skin cells from your scalp, and washes it away with water, taking away the nutrients your hair needs to thrive. It’s time to take a closer look at your favourite products in order to make the best choices for your hair, and switch to a sulfate free shampoo.
Gentle on Your Skin
Do you suffer from an irritated scalp after washing your hair? There is a good chance that the product you are using has a sulfate in it. Hair care products free of sulfates are much gentler on the skin and scalp, and less likely to cause irritation and itching, which is especially important for anyone suffering from dandruff and other scalp conditions.
Safe for Colour Treated Hair
If you’re someone who likes to colour your hair, sulfate shampoos are not for you! Having just put your hair through a damaging chemical changing process, that last thing you want to do is put a chemical cleaning agent on top. Sulfates will slowly but surely strip away your colour. Save money on trips to the salon and protect your colour by using a product that is sulfate free.
Balance Your Scalp
Your scalp naturally produces oil called sebum, that plays an important role in keeping your hair hydrated. When you wash with sulfate shampoos, you strip away these essential oils which makes your scalp work harder to produce them, leaving you with oily looking hair. A sulfate free shampoo will help you maintain and balance the oils on your scalp and lock in moisture.
Environmentally Friendly
Hair care products free of harsh chemical agents are not only good for your hair and skin, but for the environment too. A good example of a cruelty free shampoo is one without sulfates, so you know that every time you wash your hair, you’re doing your part to protect aquatic animals and the environment. That’s a win-win for everyone!
Stronger, Healthier Hair
Ultimately, using a sulfate free shampoo will leave you with stronger, softer and shinier hair. If the previous product you were using had sulfates in it, grab an all-natural argan oil shampoo. Gentle enough to use on all hair types, this shampoo is made with essential minerals and vitamins, and will help your hair recover from the damaging effects of sulfates. Argan oil is restorative, to protect and hydrate, while rehabilitating dry, damaged hair. Once you start using products free of sulfates, you’ll notice an immediate shine to your hair.
This article is penned by Ally for Aquableu Shampoo and Conditioners.