For about 60 years, mankind has been using sulfate shampoos to wash hair. But in the last decade it has been talked about that sulfates in shampoos harm the body. Advanced consumers frantically began to search for the cherished inscription Sulfat Free on the bottle. But is it appropriate? Or just sulfate shampoos do not suit everyone? To understand, you need to understand in detail.
What are sulfates?
If you call them scientifically and completely, then these are lauryl sulfonic acids, but if it's easier, then these are the same sodium salts from the school curriculum. They are surface active substances and are widely used in many chemical and technological processes, including pharmaceutical, cosmetology and in the manufacture of household chemicals. In cosmetology, they are used to cleanse skin and hair from fat and dirt. Basically, the following sulfate compounds are used in shampoos:
- ammonium lauryl sulfate - ALS;
- ammonium laureth sulfate - ALES
- sodium laureth sulfate (sodium laureth sulfate) - SLES;
- sodium lauryl sulfate (Sodium lauryl sulfate) - SLS;
- sodium world sulfate - SMS.
This is not the whole list; manufacturers use many other sodium salts in the production of shampoos. Sulphates are easily found in the composition, which the manufacturer must indicate, their distinctive feature is the word "sulfate" in the name.
Therefore, the people simply call them “sulfates”. They are cheap, foam well and clean quickly, it produces a great effect on the buyer. Most shampoos on the shelves of shops and beauty salons are sulfate.
Why sulfates are harmful in shampoos &
It should be alarming already that they are simultaneously used in household chemicals and cosmetology, they are so aggressive. Yes, shampoos have a milder formula, but the essence of splitting fat and dirt is the same. And people use shampoo almost every day.
So what is the proven harm? Sulphates are one of the most aggressive chemicals for dissolving and leaching grease and dirt. After using them, the hair is so fat free that it creaks. Constant cleansing of the scalp and hair with such a tool gradually destroys the skin's natural protective barrier. If it is completely destroyed, then the following troubles can happen:
- draining and cracking of the skin;
- damage to hair follicles;
- the skin will be poorly protected from exposure to microorganisms;
- the appearance of new and exacerbation of old allergic reactions;
- peeling of the skin and dandruff;
- dryness and cross section of hair.
In addition to these proven troubles, there are others that are not yet scientifically proven. The impact of sulfates on a living organism is closely monitored by scientists. For example, a lot of research is being done on the fact that sulfates cause cancer and accumulate in the body, poisoning it. In addition, falling into the sewers, and then into the environment, sulfates adversely affect the world of wildlife. It’s clear that it’s not worth it to use sulfate cosmetics on your skin so eagerly every day, because it is not known what this will lead to in a couple of decades.
In what cases are necessary?
The choice of sulfate-free shampoo will have a positive effect in any case. But there are those in which their application is necessary. For example, after keratin straightening, lamination and other similar procedures. The fact is that during such manipulations, a special composition is sealed under the scales of the hair, which makes the hair heavier and thicker. And when using a shampoo with sulfates, the composition will be washed much faster. Therefore, keratin masters strongly recommend using only sulfate-free shampoo. If, when using the recommended means for washing hair, the effect after keratin straightening lasts from a month to three, then when using shampoo with sulfates it will last a maximum of two weeks.
Sulfate-free shampoos are also highly desirable after staining in bright colors. The same principle will apply, the pigment will stay longer in the hair scales.
Keratin sulfate-free shampoo
Keratin straightening is done like this:
- The hair flakes are raised as much as possible.
- Empty scales are filled with keratin composition, the hair is dried.
- Seal the composition flakes with heat.
To prevent this composition from being washed, it is necessary to use very gentle shampoos, that is, sulfate-free. Especially for these purposes even keratin sulfate-free shampoo was invented. In addition to washing the composition longer, it also enhances the effect of the procedure.
Basically, they are part of the line for products that hairdressers use for keratin straightening. Here is some of them:
- Cocochoco;
- Honma Tokyo;
- Brasil Cacau.
If you use all the tools from one line, the result will be as long as possible, so it’s better to check with the master what brand he uses. But they cost significantly more than products from the mass market. And if the funds do not allow, then you can use any sulfate-free shampoo. Much more depends on how accurately the recommendations of the wizard are implemented. After keratin straightening, they are usually as follows:
- 72 hours do not wash or wet your hair at all;
- Do not visit the sauna or use irons and curling irons;
- protect hair from chlorinated water;
- use only sulfate-free shampoos.
A good master will certainly tell and explain how to care for hair after the procedure, and most often the story itself will start without question.
Estel
One of the best in terms of price to quality ratio is Estelle professional sulfate-free shampoo. The brand has three lines of such tools:
- Aqua Otium MILD. This line is aimed at improving the water balance of hair and scalp. So they will be less prone to peeling and brittleness.
- Otium iNeo-Crystal - prolongs the effect of lamination and keratin straightening.
- Curex is a universal shampoo, suitable for daily use.
You can buy them exclusively in hairdressing salons, beauty salons and shops for hairdressers, as these products are made for professional use.
Kapous
Kapous Professional has a huge range of hair care and coloring products for every taste. This is the first professional cosmetics produced in Russia. The brand was founded in 2001 and supposedly gravitates to natural compounds. Of course, they also have such shampoos, after reading the label where you might think that they are sulfate-free.
But if you look closely at the inscription in English: no sodium laureth sulfate, no parabens, then it does not say that there are no sulfates at all. And it only says that there is no sodium laureth sulfate. As mentioned above, this is just one of the sulfates, but not the only one. Indeed, when studying the composition, you can see ammonium lauryl sulfate. That is, at “Kapus” shampoos are not sulfate-free, this is just a trick. It will be especially unpleasant to fall for this trick after the keratin straightening procedure and acquire Kapous Magic Keratin.
L'Oreal Professionnel
The most popular of the sulfate-free shampoos of this brand is Delicat Color. Designed specifically to protect dyed hair. Covers hair with a special film that prevents moisture and paint from being washed. Vitamin E, taurine and magnesium in the composition improve the condition of the hair from the inside. Shampoo contains protection from the harmful factor of solar radiation, which will additionally preserve color. This is perhaps the best among professional care for colored hair sulfate-free shampoo (reviews). The only thing that can push away is the price. For a bottle of 200 ml will have to lay out about 800 p.
L'Oreal Professional recently introduced a new line of sulfate-free shampoos: Vitamino Color and the more sparing Vitamino Color Soft Cleanser.
Schwarzkopf
Another brand of professional hair care products. There are three sulfate-free shampoos in the Schwarzkopf line:
- Essensity Color & Moisture, protects the color and restores the scalp after staining.
- Bonacure Color Freeze Sulfate-Free, is aimed at restoring damaged hair structure after various types of straightening.
- Bonacure Color Save. It is aimed at protection against leaching of paint from the hair structure, protection from the sun with UV filters and filling voids in the structure with amino acids.
- Essensity Color & Repair, aims to restore damaged hair color.
Natura Siberica
On the shelves of Russian stores, sulfate-free shampoo "Natura Siberika" appeared one of the first. Its main “trick” is the use of plant extracts and recipes from Siberia. In the description for brand shampoos, there are such names and combinations of components that are completely out of the ordinary for a resident of the central region of Russia. Depending on the promised impact, the following components are contained:
- for stained and damaged - this is Rhodiola pink and white beeswax;
- for shine and volume - this is juniper, wormwood and mint;
- for deep recovery - this is sage, cloudberry and rosehip or Arctic cranberries, cloudberries and northern sea buckthorn;
- to prevent loss - this is wild deer moss and cedar elfin;
- for hair length it is linden and hops;
- for standard care - a cedar elfin and a medunica;
- for the fight against dandruff - this is a wild Tuvan artysh and ledum;
- for nutrition - this is Tuvan yak milk and Mongolian tea;
- to give strength to the hair - this is Nanai lemongrass and organic pine nut oil;
- for deep cleansing - this is verbena and algae of the Faroe Islands;
- for protection against UV rays - this is Siberian sea buckthorn and amaranth oil.
Later, the main line was supplemented with Siberian Sea Buckthorn sulfate-free shampoos, which promises the effect of laminated hair. Then it replenished with the series “Siberica of Kamchatka”, the composition of which included recipes and useful ingredients typical of the Kamchatka region. The following series were later released:
- Sakhalin;
- Tuva Siberica;
- GZEl for Natura Siberica;
- Flora Siberica;
- Wild Siberica.
Now such series are constantly replenishing the permanent range of Natura Siberica, both on a permanent and temporary basis. There are series especially for children and especially for men. In general, all the products of this brand are extremely popular in Russia and the countries of the former CIS. This is largely due to such a variety of shampoos and an amazing ratio of price and quality.
Cheap domestic brands
The list of sulfate-free shampoos of the domestic manufacturer is quite long, especially if you take into account private production, such popular among fashionistas. But the most common and common in the Russian market are the following:
- "Recipes of grandmother Agafia";
- Organic Shop;
- Belita
- "The kingdom of aromas";
- Nano Organic;
- “Lingonberry”;
- “From Alexei Aromov”;
- Avicenna
- "Yak";
- Family de olive.
All of these brands have shampoos with and without sulfates. Therefore, before buying, you need to study the composition in order to understand whether the right tool is purchased.
Baby shampoos
There is a common myth that all baby shampoos are sulfate-free, but this is not so. For example, the most popular baby shampoos in Russia, Bubchen and Johnson's Baby, like many others, contain these components. Yes, Bubchen has a sulfate-free series, but it only goes as an addition to the main line. If there is a desire of the baby to protect against sulfates, then here are the brands that, in addition to Bubchen, make shampoos for children without sulfates:
- Mulsan Cosmetic;
- Mustela;
- Wakodo;
- Baby Teva;
- Veleda;
- Mommy Care.
For adults, these shampoos may seem weak, they can not cope with leaching of sebum. But for babies, they fit perfectly, keeping their skin as delicate as at birth.
Application Features
Before using sulfate-free shampoo, users should be aware of the following features:
- The first time he does not wash his hair and scalp. You need to apply it, rinse, apply again and rinse again. In the case of long and thick hair, you may have to repeat the procedure a third time.
- Hair will lose in volume, but for someone it is even a plus.
- At first, the hair will become more dirty, it takes time to adapt.
- It practically does not foam. But the lack of foaming is not an indicator that the product does not clean.
- You need to lather for at least 2 minutes so that the shampoo has time to dissolve the impurities.
- If you store it in the bathroom, it will quickly deteriorate and start to smell unpleasantly. Store on the shelf of the refrigerator door.
- But before application, warm in hands, and rinse with very warm water.
After sulfate-free shampoo is rare, but there is an allergic reaction and irritation. The fact is that their composition is most often natural, they contain oils. And natural components can cause individual intolerance.
Minuses
Firstly, sulfate-free products have an unusual liquid consistency for sulfate thick shampoos. Secondly, they almost do not foam. Thirdly, according to reviews, sulfate-free shampoo will require much more. But the above is all a matter of habit.
Fourthly, they cannot rinse hair completely even before squeaking, as sulfate shampoos do. But this may already be a problem for those who live in megacities and use a lot of styling products, dry oils with silicones in the composition. Sulfate-free hair shampoo will not completely wash it. In such cases, sulfate shampoos should be used periodically.
Do not be afraid of shampoos with sulfates like fire, it is just advisable to try to limit their use. The remnants of styling products, city exhaust and silicones accumulated on the scalp and hair will do more harm. And you also need to understand that the concentration and quality of sulfates varies. Ammonium sulfates are the cheapest and most unsafe. And their concentration will be less in shampoos for dry and damaged hair.