“Here is how to have great hair; you can use this shampoo. It even has Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in it!” This is something that goes around trending quite a lot. But what exactly is sodium lauryl sulfate, and does it really help your hair?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a commonly found ingredient in many shampoos and other body care products as it is a good foaming agent and breaks down dirt, oil, grease, etc. easily by creating a lather to remove them.
As much as this property makes you want to go ahead with it, let me tell you that it does have some concerns, too! To look further at the properties, benefits, and drawbacks of SLS, let’s dive deeper to understand better.
What Is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, And Why Should It Be Avoided?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is an ingredient found in many cleaning products like shampoos, toothpaste, body washes, etc., as it can bind oil and water molecules together and clean them out. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate can be naturally derived or be made in the laboratory.
Making Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is easy and does not cost much. As it is a foaming agent, it works well in cleaning your hair, washing clothes, washing your body, etc. Having these properties would make you want to keep using products with SLS in them, but now, let us also see why you shouldn’t be using them.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate In Your Daily Life
People use Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in their daily cleaning products for several reasons. It has a cleaning property that is quite effective and makes everyone want to keep using it. Also, it has good foaming properties that allow the dirt to be captured and cleaned. It is used in:
- Shampoos and Conditioners.
- Toothpaste.
- Dishwashing Liquids.
- Bathroom Cleaners.
- Handwashes and Hand Soaps.
- Shower Gels.
- Face Cleansers.
- Makeup Removers.
- Face Cleaning Wipes.
- Deodorants.
Is It Safe To Use Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Looking at the science behind the making of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate shows us that it is not a safe product. People with sensitive skin have had experiences where they faced skin irritation or allergies, claiming that it was harsh on their skin. Though it has versatility across different types of products and is very effective in removing dirt, it does not really support a natural way; rather, it causes skin irritation and damage.
Why Should You Avoid Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?
As listed above, sodium lauryl sulfate is an effective cleaning agent but has many disadvantages for human skin. It may cause the following after using it for a while regularly:
- Scalp Dryness: When used as a shampoo, it may clean your hair but make your scalp itchy and dry.
- Skin Irritation: It may give you itchy skin when used on the body or hands.
- Hair Damage: Your natural oils are stripped off from your scalp upon regular use.
- Thinning of Hair:
- Allergic Reactions:
- Unsustainability:
- Not safe for people with sensitive skin: People with sensitive skin are more prone to having effects on their skin and hair.
Safe Shampoos Without Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Anyone looking for real hair care with no damage and long-term good effects is most welcome to continue reading this article and learn about the shampoos that do not use SLS and still give you good results and clean while being gentle on your scalp and hair.
Majestic Pure Biotin Shampoo for Hair Growth
Starting with Majestic Pure Biotin Shampoo, this is a Biotin Shampoo with DHT 3 Blocker Complex that fully supports thick hair growth. It is a powerful shampoo expertly created to smooth your hair and enhance its structure. It is also very gentle yet effective. Just be careful and test a small sample to know of any allergies, and keep away from eyes to avoid any eye contact.
This is a high-quality and cruelty-free shampoo that is made up of Sodium C14-16 Alpha Olefin Sulfonate, Rosemary, Potassium Sorbate, Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, etc., which, when combined, nurture your hair, promote good hair growth, and give a natural glow and shine to your hair. It is free from parabens and sulfates.
Ginger Lily Farms Club & Fitness Moisturizing Hair Shampoo
Ginger Lily Farms Club & Fitness Aloe Vera Moisturizing Shampoo is a 100% Vegan formula. This moisturizing hair shampoo smoothes your hair and revitalizes it. It is aloe vera-scented and gives your hair a fresh look.
This shampoo is formulated with Aloe Vera, Flaxseed, and Vitamin B5 moisturizes your hair and scalp, smoothing and revitalizing it. It has a creamy consistency that lathers easily, cleaning your hair and giving it a fresh and manageable look.
Castor Oil Shampoo and Conditioner – Anti Hair Loss Set
A shampoo that gives you healthy hair? Why not try a shampoo with Castor Oil in it, as we all know how beneficial it is for your hair? This anti-hairloss set from Castor Care Hair Set has an Organic Castor Oil Shampoo and a conditioner to help reduce hair fall.
This amazing combination of shampoo and conditioner made with Castor oil nourishes your hair, protects it from breakage and dryness, and promotes hair growth. The shampoo cleans your hair by repairing damaged hair and preventing hair fall. Next up, the conditioner gives a deep hydration and repairs your hair by reducing hair breakage and dryness. Together, they give your hair a natural shine and a healthy look.
SheaMoisture Moisture Retention Shampoo for Dry, Damaged, or Transitioning Hair
A shampoo to revitalize your hair and restore its volume? You have the SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo for it. A cruelty-free product that is free of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and still gives a good cleaning with gentle massaging, forming a thick lather that removes the dirt and cleans your hair.
A mix of Argan Oil, Sea Kelp, and Shea Butter, this shampoo targets your hair’s health by cleaning it richly, hydrating, and then nourishing it. Suitable for all hair types, specifically dry and damaged hair, natural hair, or transitioning hair.
Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner Set
A shampoo that moisturizes and heals your hair and helps prevent hair damage even without the presence of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. This shampoo and conditioner set from the brand Pure Naturals Lux Spa gives you smooth, silky, much-desired hair without any disappointment.
This is suitable for all hair types and helps upgrade your hair. Hair care experts develop this Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner. It is completely sulfate-free and helps restore your hair growth and shine.
Aveeno Fresh Greens Blend Natural Volumizing Shampoo
Fresh and Green, of course, are good for your health when you consume them, but are they good for your hair when applied? The answer is YES! Aveeno Fresh Greens Blend Natural Volumizing Shampoo proves this
This heavenly blend of all greens and wholesome ingredients like Rosemary, Peppermint, Cucumber, and Natural Oats is clinically proven to help clean your hair and scalp and volumize your hair. It also soothes your scalp and provides nourishment and hydration, reviving your hair from its roots to the tips.
Virtue Flourish Sulfate Free Shampoo for Thinning Hair and Volumizing Hair Growth
Virtue Flourish Shampoo for Thinning Hair and Volumizing Hair Growth is something that you will not regret buying! This shampoo nourishes your scalp, stimulating it and cleaning it. It cleans the hair deeply by removing the debris from the hair follicles and creates a clean, healthy environment for growth. It also has a good fragrance, including herbs, clean flowers, etc.
This Shampoo is formulated with Keratins – Alpha and gamma Keratin Proteins combined with rice-based humectants and natural plant extracts. This combination helps clear the scalp, provides good and healthy hair growth, and reduces hair breakage. It so does all in a healthy way as this is completely paraben and sulfate-free and free from Synthetic colors and Gluten.
Buying Guide – What To Look For While Buying A Good Shampoo?
- Ingredients: When looking for a good shampoo, check the ingredients as you need to be alert for any sulfates, specifically sodium lauryl sulfate’s presence.
- Know your hair types: Knowing your hair type and whether or not the shampoo is suitable for it is important as this could damage your hair if not well-checked.
- Check the Reviews and Feedback: Reviews and feedback from the customers who purchased the products are always important to know how good and effective the product is for your hair.
- Go with a good, well-known brand: Going with a known brand, though less well-known, is always a safer option regarding products and scams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Following are a few questions that you might also have:
What are the ingredients in a shampoo that are best for hair fall?
Knowing the type of hair fall or the cause of hair fall is important to determine the best ingredient. Usually, it would be all-natural stuff like argan oil, castor oil, biotin, caffeine, etc.
Is castor oil good and helpful for hair regrowth?
There is no scientific evidence for this, but yes. Castor oil is popular amongst the few oils that boost your hair growth. We also have Argan Oil, Rosemary Oil, etc., that work for the same.
Does Castor Oil have any disadvantages?
Castor Oil generally does not have any disadvantages, but directly using the essential oil can have a negative effect on your hair. Also, if you have very sensitive skin, you may have allergic reactions to it.
Closing Statement
Overall, we can firmly conclude that we have shampoos without sodium lauryl sulfate that work equally well in cleaning and giving your hair the required help it needs.