Byrdie / Kristin Kempa
You've probably come across the term "sulfate-free" when shopping for shampoos over the past several years. Sulfates—which are usually listed as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) on an ingredient list—are foaming agents. This is what gives shampoos that lathering effect. But while a good lather is undeniably luxurious, foam isn't necessary for cleaning your hair. So what's the harm, then? Sulfates can irritate some people's skin and eyes, and for some, it's about protecting brittle or chemically processed hair.
According to hairstylist Kat Savano, sulfate-free shampoos are recommended when you want to disrupt the hair's surface as little as possible. She explains that SLS and SLES contain salt, which can affect keratin treatments and potentially create friction that leads to frizz. According to hair expert Cataanda James, "Sulfate-free shampoo offers a gentler cleanse, ridding the scalp and hair of any debris and product buildup without stripping its natural oils."
We conducted hours of research on the best sulfate-free shampoos, evaluating each formula on key ingredients, targeted benefits, and overall results. After considering dozens of options and consulting with haircare experts, we landed on these best-in-show shampoos.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo
Lathers nicely despite not having sulfates
Suitable for all hair types
Provides a deep clean without stripping
Repairs damaged hair
The scent can be a bit abrasive
Key Ingredients: Keravis protein, astaxanthin | Scent: Floral, herbal | Size: 9 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Our favorite sulfate-free shampoo is this gem from Pureology. It has a creamy texture that lathers beautifully, creating a sensorial experience as you work it across your scalp. It does a nice job of removing oil and buildup without stripping the hair. Plus, it leaves all hair types looking and feeling soft. We're also giving it bonus points for containing keravis, a strengthening protein that can prevent hair breakage. It's worth noting that the floral scent may not be for everyone, but luckily, there are other fresh-smelling picks on this list.
Best Budget
OGX Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo
Affordable price and available at most drugstores
Supports healthy growth
Delicious tropical scent
Restores hydration
May not work as well on finer hair
Key Ingredients: Coconut milk, coconut oil, egg powder | Scent: Fresh, sweet | Size: 13 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Some of the best SLS-free hair washes are super affordable. Case in point: OGX. This drugstore gem is suitable for all hair types and textures—leaving just about all who use it with silky, healthy, beautiful hair after every wash. After washing, we noticed that the milky, creamy consistency lathers easily on wet hair, and even better, the formula doesn’t leave an icky residue. Instead, your hair feels hydrated and nourished. Some online reviewers with fine hair said that it weighed their hair down, but we didn’t have an issue with that.
Read Full Review: OGX Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo Review
Best Budget, Runner-Up
L'Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo
Budget-friendly and accessible
Restores hydration
Nice lather
Rosemary scent could be a bit strong for some
Key Ingredients: Natural surfactants, botanicals | Scent: Rosemary | Size: 11 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
L'Oréal was among the first drugstore brands to launch a sulfate-free haircare line. This shampoo promises to clarify your scalp with natural surfactants and restore moisture, all while offering an impressive lather sans sulfates. We love that it lathers beautifully, gives the scalp a deep clean, and doesn't dry out our ends. This product does have a strong rosemary scent, but we love the inclusion as it promotes hair growth and reduces hair loss.
Read Full Review: L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Moisture Shampoo Review
Top-quality strengthening ingredients
Pump bottle for easy distribution and less waste
Supports healthy growth with continued use
Takes longer to see hair growth results
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, caviar extract, rice protein, soy amino acid | Scent: Fresh | Size: 16.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
If you can spring for the steeper price, we highly recommend Alterna. This top-shelf shampoo calls on caviar extract (bougie, we know) to improve elasticity and prevent UV damage. What’s more, rice protein and soy-based amino acids strengthen each strand. You’ll have to stick with it to see hair growth, so keeping up with the cost can feel like an investment, but it’s one we believe is worth it.
Best Volumizing
NatureLab Tokyo Perfect Volume Shampoo
Adds body and volume to flat hair
Strengthens strands with plant-based proteins
Supports growth over time
We wish it was more hydrating
Key Ingredients: Rice protein, soy protein, stem cells | Scent: Japanese cherry blossom | Size: 11.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If it's volume you're after, this chemistry lab-inspired bottle has your name all over it. In addition to adding body and strengthening strands with plant-based proteins, it contains stem cells to prevent shedding and encourage healthy hair growth. While we love the va-va-voom volume it gives our strands, we do wish it was a bit more hydrating for dryer hair types.
Best for Split Ends
Rucker Roots Smoothing Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Prevents breakage and split ends
Natural formula that leans on plant extracts and oils
Leaves hair shiny and silky smooth
Safe for chemically-treated hair
May be too heavy for fine hair
Key Ingredients: Plant extracts, plant oils | Scent: Herbal | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Split ends got you down? This natural cleanser is filled with nourishing vitamins and plant oils from ginger, turnip, and carrot roots to smooth brittle hair, prevent breakage, and restore shine. Best of all, it’s safe for keratin and color-treated locks. With so much plant oil in the formula, it can be slightly heavy, so those with very fine hair may want to opt for a lighter option or grab a dry shampoo or texturizing spray to amp up the volume.
Best for Curly Hair
Curls Dynasty Moisture Rich Shampoo
Restores hydration in curls and coils
Natural formula made with organic ingredients
Calming and nourishing from root to tip
Not for straight or fine hair
Key Ingredients: Aloe, fruit extracts, plant oils | Scent: Minty, sweet | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This sulfate-free shampoo was formulated specifically with curly and coily hair in mind. It contains a bunch of natural butters and plant oils to moisturize and add bouncy luster. We also love that it has a nozzle tip so you can get right to your roots with the formula. Given that it's intended for hair types two through four, straight and fine hair types may be weighted down, so we recommend opting for a different shampoo on this list.
Best for Color-Treated Hair
Rita Hazan True Color Shampoo
Fruit extracts protect against color depletion
Built-in UV protection complex
Humectants moisturize and add shine
Only comes in a travel size
Key Ingredients: Botanical Surfactants, rice protein, moringa seed extract | Scent: Coconut | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
“I love this shampoo because it’s specifically designed for color-treated hair,” explains celebrity extensionist and stylist Priscilla Valles, who works with Dua Lipa, Hailey Bieber, and Bella Hadid. Valles cites the shampoo’s rich lather as one of her favorite elements, as it cleans and removes product buildup without stripping color via botanical surfactants. “Hair feels weightless after use,” she adds. Sadly, this baby is only available in a travel size option. But rest assured, your hair will get the TLC it deserves on your next getaway.
Best for Damaged Hair
Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Repairs broken bonds and ends
Award-winning, innovative hair-bonding formula
Strengthens and improves hair
Works best as part of a three-part system (which means buying two more products)
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, vitamin B5, bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate | Scent: Fresh | Size: 8.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Damaged hair? Olaplex won't let you down. This shampoo saved bleached, brittle hair, helped prevent breakage, and made our hair feel stronger and healthier. It also has a nice lather and doesn't leave a residue on fine strands. You may want to keep in mind that it works best when used as the middle step of a three-part system that also includes the No.3 Hair Perfector and the No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner.
Read Full Review: Olaplex’s Bond Maintenance Shampoo Is Like a Reset Button for Your Hair
BYRDIE / ASHLEY RUBELL
Best for Sensitive Scalps
Aveeno Oat Milk Blend Shampoo
Colloidal oatmeal soothes irritation
Gentle formula can be used daily
Large size ensures it’ll last a long time
Cap can get messy
Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal | Scent: Sweet | Size: 12 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
If you've got a particularly sensitive scalp, this pick from Aveeno is your best bet. This shampoo leans on colloidal oatmeal to soothe irritation (an ingredient sensitive skin folks know all too well), while also gently cleansing without any sulfates. Since it’s safe for sensitive scalps, it can be used as often as you need to, and we appreciate that the bottle is large enough to last a long time.
Best for Shine
Gisou Honey Infused Hair Wash Shampoo
Blend of oil, vitamin, and honey significantly improves shine
Restores hydration and gently cleanses
Nourishing thanks to honey in the formulation
Can leave greasy residue post-wash
Key Ingredients: Mirsalehi honey, argan oil, vitamin B5 | Scent: Sweet, floral | Size: 11.1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Gisou's Honey Infused Hair Wash promises to nourish brittle hair, smooth flyaways, add shine, and gently cleanse without stripping your hair. The creamy texture lathers well and leaves the hair with a luster. We also love that it comes in a convenient pump bottle. Just be sure to thoroughly rinse out the product, and you'll be left with lustrous, silky locks sans any grease.
Best for Straight Hair
LolaVie Restorative Shampoo
Great for straight and fine hair types
Made from 96% naturally derived ingredients
Color-safe
Could provide a deeper clean for those with oily hair
Key ingredients: Ceramides, niacinamide biotin | Scent: Floral | Size: 8.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
There are few celebs more idolized for good hair than Jennifer Aniston, so it makes perfect sense that she launched a haircare line. While LolaVie’s shampoo is great for all hair types, we find it works especially well on straight strands, leaving them softer, smoother, and without tangles. The fact that it’s great for color-treated hair is icing on the cake.
Best for Wavy Hair
Odele Smoothing Shampoo
Adds moisture and shine to waves
Excellent value for size and use
Boasts a clean ungendered fragrance
Can sometimes be hard to squeeze out of the bottle
Key ingredients: Glycerin, aloe, rice protein | Scent: Clean | Size: 13 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This brand offers a hard-to-come-by combination of clean, effective formulas, chic packaging, and affordable prices. The smoothing sudser is a top choice for those with thicker, wavy hair since it combats frizz and imparts plenty of shine, though it can be a welcome addition to anyone’s hair-washing routine. Just keep in mind that the (very cute) bottle can be sometimes hard to squeeze, so you may want to dry your hands off before grabbing the bottle.
Best for Oily Hair
Ouai Detox Shampoo
Great for removing grease and excess product buildup
Improves scalp health
Comes in four different sizes
Can leave ends dry if not followed by a nourishing conditioner
Key ingredients: Chelating agents, hydrolyzed keratin, apple cider vinegar | Scent: Rose, citrus | Size: 10 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
As the name suggests, this detox formula is ideal for deeply cleaning the hair and scalp, removing excess oil, and mineral buildup from hard water. Still, unlike many other detoxifying or clarifying shampoos for oily hair, it’s gentle enough to be used daily, without over-stripping. Associate Editor Caitlyn Martyn is a big fan of this formula and shares that it has worked wonders in removing product buildup (aka too much dry shampoo) from her scalp and she’s noticed an improvement in her overall scalp health since she’s started using it. “Just be sure to follow up with a nourishing conditioner or mask—it can make your ends a little dry,” she warns.
Best for Keratin-Treated Hair
Kerastase Discipline Smoothing Shampoo
Effective for chemical-treated hair
Great for smoothing
Helps fight humidity
May take a few washes to work its magic
Key ingredients: Morpho-keratine complex | Scent: Floral | Size: 8.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Consider this shampoo a little extra add-on to your in-salon keratin treatment. Yes, it’s sulfate-free and safe for keratin-treated hair, but it’s also humidity-fighting, further helping to amplify the effects of that pricey service. This smoothing shampoo takes a few washes to deliver its straightening impacts, but the results are definitely worth it.
Best Moisturizing
Native Moisturizing Shampoo
Restores hydration and moisturizes dry strands
Works for those with very sensitive skin
Minimal ingredients
May feel greasy for some
Key Ingredients: Coconut, vanilla | Scent: Coconut, vanilla | Size: 16.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Sulfate-free shampoos are generally milder and less likely to cause irritation or dryness on the scalp. This shampoo is great at gently cleansing, replenishing moisture, and providing healthy shine—without leaving an itchy scalp in its wake. We found that this hydrating wash works best on dryer hair types, so we would opt for a different pick from this list if you're on the oilier side.
Adds lift and bounce to hair without weighing down your hair
Gentle cleanse
Sustainable packaging
Could be better at removing buildup
Key Ingredients: Shea butter | Scent: Clean | Size: 32 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Love Beauty And Planet's creamy, sulfate-free shampoo is a must-have if you want to maintain the health and hydration of your curls and coils. It encourages a beautiful bounce and leaves fine hair feeling strong and voluminous. The weightless formula doesn't weigh down your hair and gives it a gorgeous, voluminous push.
Best for Dandruff
Head & Shoulders Color Protect Shampoo
Balances scalp’s pH
Deeply nourishing for scalp and hair
Safe for color-treated hair
Scent can be too overpowering for some
Key Ingredients: Argan oil, zinc, manuka honey | Scent: Rose | Size: 11.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Combat dandruff and flakes without risking irritation with this sulfate-free shampoo. The formula's advanced technology deeply moisturizes the scalp and hair from root to tip while controlling dryness and itchiness. And—just as the name suggests—this shampoo is great at protecting colored hair.
Best for Blondes
Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo
Corrects brassiness and yellow tones
Defends hair from oxidative stress
Safe for everyday use
Can be a bit drying
Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, fruit extracts, olive, jojoba oil | Scent: Floral, fruity | Size: 8.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Blondes have more fun—if they’re using purple shampoo. According to hairstylist Antonio Rende, Oribe’s formula was designed for bright blondes and silver foxes, with pure violet pigments to keep brassiness at bay. “Plus the smell is fantastic,” he says, thanks to a watermelon, lychee, and Edelweiss flower blend. While some users wish the product was more nourishing, we found that it worked great as long as we used a hydrating conditioner afterward.
Best for Hair Loss
Raw Sugar The Grow Pro Shampoo
Encourages healthy hair growth
Helps reduce breakage with biotin
Large bottle
Can leave a residue
Key Ingredients: Zinc, vegan biotin, fruit extracts | Scent: Fresh, fruity | Size: 18 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
For anyone suffering from hair loss, Valles can’t recommend Grow Pro enough. “It’s formulated with vegan biotin and zinc to strengthen weak hair shafts, helping to restore elasticity and minimize loss due to thinning,” she says, noting that it also improves scalp health and collagen production. The only con is that some online reviewers shared that their hair still felt greasy after use. If this happens to you, try rinsing and repeating.
What to Look for in a Sulfate-Free Shampoo
- Ingredient List: Some formulas will be free of common sulfates like SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), but you also want to make sure that there aren't any others in the mix, warns Rende. “Just because it says sulfate-free on the label doesn’t mean there aren’t sulfate substitutes lurking inside, so steer clear of anything ending in “-ate” and “-sodium,” he says.
- Hydrating Ingredients: Choosing a sulfate-free shampoo may help preserve your hair’s moisture in and of itself, but it's a bonus if the shampoo you pick contains extra hydrating or conditioning ingredients. Look for ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and glycerin to boost moisture.
- Color and Treatment Safe: If you color or treat your hair, look for a shampoo that won’t counteract your results. Some shampoos will fade color-treated hair, while others are too harsh for keratin or relaxers.
Meet Our Experts
We also spoke with the following experts to learn more about what to look for in the best sulfate-free shampoos.
- Kat Savano is a professional hairstylist and educator for Leonor Greyl.
- Cataanda James is a beauty expert specializing in multiracial haircare. She is also a Brand Educator for The Mane Choice.
- Priscilla Valles is a world-renowned celebrity extensionist who counts Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and Dua Lipa among her A-list clients.
- Antonio Rende is a Stamford, Connecticut-based master stylist and the owner of HBAR Salon.
Why Trust Byrdie
Theresa Holland is a writer specializing in beauty. She has been contributing to Byrdie since 2020, where she covers haircare, skincare, and wellness products. For this story, she interviewed a hairstylist and a multiracial haircare expert for their product suggestions and expertise on sulfates.
Kelli Acciardo covers all things hair care for Byrdie and spends an obscene amount of time researching how to make her hair stronger, shinier, and less susceptible to breakage—even with color-treated locks. She only uses sulfate-free shampoos and swears by Oribe, Kerastase, and Amika’s formulas in particular.
