Sulfate Free Shampoos

Creator and owner of All Things O’ Natural Dominique Goosby Harris wants the best for your hair (which is why we heart her so much) She’s dropping some more gems and is teaching us a thing or two. This time she’s helping us learn how to protect our hair from harsh sulfates that make our hair dry, harsh and wash away our hair’s natural oils. Okay ladies, sit back, take out a notepad because class is in session.

Sulfates..now that’s a term that we have heard over and over on many natural hair care forums and blogs. So, what exactly are sulfates? Sulfates are harsh foaming cleansing agents that are found in many traditional shampoos. Many naturals find sulfates extremely drying because they steal the moisture that our hair so desperately need. This is why most times, hair feels dry after it is dry when shampooing.
Now, let’s distinguish the difference between harsh sulfates and mild sulfates, if you choose to use a shampoo that do contain sulfates.
Harsh Sulfates to avoid in cleansers:

• Sodium Laureth, Myreth, Lauryl Sulfate

• Ammonium Lauryl and Laureth Sulfate

• Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate

• TEA Lauryl Sulfate

• TEA-dodecylbenzenesulfonate

• Sodium Alkylbenzene Sulfonate

• Ammonium or Sodium Xylenesulfonate

Mild Sulfates in cleansers:

• Sodium Cocyl Isethionate
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
• Sodium Socoyl (or lauryl/lauroyl) Sarcosinate
• Ethyl PEG-15 Cocamine Sulfate
• Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
• Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
• Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
• Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate/Disodium Sulfolaurate – (synonym) Sodium
• Methyl Cocoyl or Lauryl Taurate – mild, derived from coconut fatty acids
• Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate

Sulfate free shampoos under $10

• Giovanni Shampoos (Target, Whole Foods)
• Avalon Organics shampoos (Trader Joes, Health food stores, Sally’s Beauty Supply)
• Shea Moisture (Target or http://www.target.com/)
• Dr. Woods Castille Soaps (Dr. Woods, Health Food Stores, Amazon.com)
• Trader Joes Shampoos (Trader Joe Stores)
• Creme of Nature (Walgreens, Walmart)
• AfroVeda Carrot Shampoo Bar (www.afroveda.com)
• Jason shampoos (health food stores)
• L’Oreal Hair Expertise Everstrong (Walmart, Target)
• Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo (Sally’s Beauty Supply)