We’ve all heard products boast that they are paraben-free, organic, all natural, etc., but what the heck are they talking about when they say they are sulfate-free and is it really all that important?
You bet it is! Let’s start from the beginning….
Sulfates are extremely common and are found in most products that you rinse off – like your shampoo. Sulfates are a type of detergent and are found in your shampoo and conditioner, cleaning products, and cosmetics. Sulfates work together with water to break down grease, allowing it to be washed away. These same sulfates work to cut through the grease on your hair and scalp and allow it to be washed away. That might sound like a good thing, and they can be safely used if you have minimum exposure and if the product is thoroughly rinsed off. However, there are those who have a reaction to it. You may be one of those people and not even know it!
If you suffer from any of these symptoms, you may want to consider going sulfate-free:
- Hair Shedding. Some studies have shown that sulfates can contribute to hair loss. Better safe than sorry on this one. If you notice you are shedding an excessive amount of hair or are noticing thinning of the hair, try switching your products to those that are sulfate-free. The sulfate could be irritating your scalp, leading to hair loss.
- Scalp Irritation. As we mentioned, sulfates are designed to remove oil and grease from your hair and scalp. When that protective layer is removed, your scalp is easily accessible for harmful bacteria to makes itself comfortable, causing irritation. Your scalp could be left feeling dry, scaly, and itchy. If you notice any of these symptoms, or if your scalp seems extra sensitive, consider the fact that sulfates may be the cause.
- Dry Hair. Is your hair dry and dull? Sulfates could be to blame. If you’ve noticed that your hair has become lackluster and you want to bring back the shine, try going sulfate-free. Sulfates can remove too much of the oil on your hair, leaving it dull and lifeless in appearance.
In addition to what we mentioned above, if you have curly hair, avoid products with sulfates. Curly hair needs the natural oils to stay healthy and you wouldn’t want to strip those by using a harsh product. Sulfates have also proven to fade color from hair so if you color or highlight your hair, avoid sulfates as well.
At Authentically Branded, we know how important and beneficial it is to use products that are paraben- and sulfate-free so we pride ourselves in only offering you the best sulfate-free products on the market. The biggest difference you may notice is that you won’t have the intense lather like you did with products you previously used but the results will be well worth the lack of lather!