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15 Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos for Super-Healthy Hair, Tested and Reviewed
Add these to your wash routine ASAP.
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Fact: When it comes to hair products, we all want the absolute best, regardless of our hair texture or curl pattern. While we're always on the hunt for a new hydrating styling cream or moisturizing hair mask, it might be time to reconsider the core staple of haircare: shampoo—or, more specifically, sulfate-free shampoo. ICYMI, your go-to everyday shampoo might be formulated with sulfates, i.e., sudsy surfactants that help break down scalp oils and product build-up on your hair. So, why is that bad, you may ask?
Well, even though sulfates help create that foamy lather you feel when shampooing, they can be rather damaging to your hair. While they're getting rid of the dirt and build-up, sulfates can also strip your hair of the good things it needs, like natural oils, moisture, and even hair dye if you have color-treated hair. As a result, sulfates can leave your hair feeling drier and more lackluster than before. The solution? Easy, sulfate-free shampoo. (And if you're wondering... Nope! Conditioners don't have sulfates, so you're already in the clear there.)
But we want to give you all the tea on sulfates, how they can affect your hair, and what the best sulfate-free shampoos are out there. So we sat down with a couple of the top celebrity hairstylists around—Monaé Everett and Bianca Hillier —to hear their verdict. But first, here's a sneak peek of what's to come...
✔️ P.S., This is new, up-to-date info, bb. We updated this article in December 2022 to add new sulfate-free shampoos the internet won't stop talking about, delete outdated oldies, and checked in with new experts for the latest in shampoos, just for you.
Our top picks for the best sulfate-free shampoo picks of 2022:
Alright, we think you're ready to take the plunge into a sulfate-free life. These shampoos will gently cleanse your hair (so no grease or oil), and restore shine and moisture too. Below, you'll find 15 of the best sulfate-free shampoos that are really, genuinely excellent, plus all the info you need to know about 'em.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
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Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces, as well as some fashion and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to achieve ridiculously glowing skin, a super bouncy blowout, or exactly how to use that viral face mask? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As NYC's newest resident, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini this city has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram where you'll see that her account is mostly dedicated to pics of her cute dog and that magazine life.
Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for nine years at Cosmopolitan and has contributed to Women’s Health and Seventeen magazines as well. Follow her on Instagram.
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