When browsing the hair care aisle at any store, you've probably noticed the term "sulfate-free" plastered across many of the bottles lining the shelves. Much like parabens or phthalates, sulfates have become somewhat of a dirty word in the beauty and cleaning industry in the last handful of years. (Mostly due to misinformation and brands pushing toward marketing products as "clean.")
That's why when the cult-favorite beauty brand The Ordinary dropped a line of hair care products a few years ago, it was surprising to see a new Sulphate Shampoo in its lineup. And that got us thinking more about the ingredient. So we tapped Dr. Brendan Camp, a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City, to learn more about sulfates and if they are bad for your hair and skin.
What are sulfates?
Sulfates are the salts that are formed when sulfuric acid reacts with other chemicals, Camp says. Variations, typically sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), are found in many skin and hair products, from shampoos to body washes.
They're a popular choice in the beauty world because they act as surfactants, Camp says. "This means they aid in the process of lifting oil, debris and dirt from hair shafts and allowing them to be rinsed out easily without leaving a residue." They also help produce that satisfying lather that you get when you scrub in your shampoo.
Are sulfates dangerous?
There have been claims that sodium lauryl sulfate, which is used in cleaners, is a carcinogen and can lead to serious health issues like cancer or infertility. However, both Camp and a study published in Environmental Health Insights journal and listed in the US National Library of Medicine have debunked this claim as a myth.
"The most egregious claim by far is that SLS is carcinogenic [16,32]. The origin of this claim is uncertain, but it is likely to have derived from multiple misinterpretations of the scientific literature. There is no scientific evidence supporting that SLS is a carcinogen," the study read.
Camp echoes the journal publication, saying that there's no evidence linking sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate to serious health issues like cancer or infertility.
Are sulfates bad for your hair and scalp?
The truth is, it depends. A little bit of oil is actually good for your hair, Camp says. It coats your strands and helps make them soft and pliable. Of course, if you have too much, your hair starts to look slick and greasy — and nobody wants that. Sulfates can be an effective tool for helping to remove this excess oil. However, they can also sometimes strip too much from your strands, putting your hair at risk of dryness, potentially making it more fragile and causing it to appear frizzy or dull, he says.
There's also some risk for irritation. While they help to get you hari clean, Dr. Zakia Rahman, clinical professor of dermatology at Stanford Medicine, previously told TODAY.com,“if they’re left on the surface of our scalp, that’s when they cause irritation,” she says.
Who should avoid sulfates?
Given its powerful cleansing abilities, people whose hair tends to be on the drier end may want to consider using sulfate-free products. And those with sensitive skin might want to do the same, Camp adds.
When it comes to skin dryness or irritation, there's a particular risk for those who have a history of dry skin, he says.
If you fall into either of those categories, you might want to consider a sulfate-free shampoo. While you'll likely notice that sulfate-free products won't lather as much as those that contain the ingredient, they'll still be effective at cleaning, Camp says.
Below, we've rounded up six editor-loved sulfate-free shampoos to try.
Best sulfate-free shampoos, according to editors
Pantene Miracle Moisture Boost Rose Water Shampoo
- Smells great
- Makes hair soft
- Best for dry hair
Size: 9.6 oz. | Key ingredients: Vitamin B5, rose water
Pantene has always been a shopper-favorite hair care brand, thanks to its affordable formulas. But now, it's gone viral, with interest in the brand rising on TikTok and Google. And this sulfate-free shampoo from the brand is editor-approved.
"When shopping for travel-size shampoos, I stumbled across the mini version of this Miracle Moisture Boost shampoo," says associate editor Shannon Garlin. "I have color-treated hair and was impressed to see it had a sulfate-free formula. After using, my hair felt so soft and smelled so good. While I often use bonding and detox shampoos as part of my routine, too, this option has been one of my go-to picks for traveling or when I’m on a budget."
V&Co. Beauty Curly Hair Shampoo with Peptide Technology
- Nice smell
- Lathers well
- Hair may still be dry
Size: 12 oz. | Key ingredients: Jojoba oil, peptide technology
Made for curly hair, this shampoo promises to give definition to your curls while taming frizz and enhancing texture. “I’ve used it in conjunction with their conditioner and really like how soft it leaves my hair.” says associate editor Kamari Stewart. “My boyfriend has really tight 4C curls and he says it leaves his hair feeling really soft as well.”
Luseta Biotin and Collagen Shampoo Hair Growth Shampoo
- Boosts volume
- Sulfate-free
- Some say not moisturizing
Size: 16.9 oz. | Key ingredients: Argan oil, biotin
Editor and producer Julie Ricevuto says that after using this shampoo (along with the brand's conditioner), her hair immediately looks healthier — and her hair is both more voluminous and frizz-free.
"Not only do I get that instant oomph, but I also have smoother strands," she shares. "My hair feels silky sliding through my fingers, and even when I wore my hair up in a clip, my hair was so soft that it didn’t have much grip within the hair accessory."
Matrix Instacure Build-A-Bond Mighty Bonds Shampoo
- Smells good
- Softens hair
- Have to use a decent amount
Size: 10.1 oz. | Key ingredients: Citric acid, squalane
"I'm not sure what my hair is supposed to feel like after using a bond-repairing shampoo, but if it's to make my hair feel super soft, then this worked very well," shares writer Danielle Murphy. She thinks that the squalane in the formula is to thank for that. "My hair also felt super smooth after using it."
Redken Frizz Dismiss Shampoo
- Sulfate-free; lathers well
- Cleanses thorougly
- Great for fine waves/curls
- Some still noticed frizz
Size: 10.1 oz. | Key ingredients: Babassu oil
Say goodbye to frizz with this award-winning shampoo from Redken. SEO editor Amanda Fama, says she's been a fan of the brand for years and this shampoo did not disappoint. “I have very frizzy hair, but after using this shampoo and blow-drying, I experienced way less frizz. My hair was softer than usual, too, and it smells wonderful!”
Ouai Anti Dandruff Shampoo
- Reviewers saw instant results
- Truly helps with flakes
- Has a slight scent to it
- Small size for price
Size: 10 oz. | Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, propanediol caprylate
Dealing with flaking? This shampoo from Ouai was named the best overall shampoo for dandruff and dry scalps during the 2024 Shop TODAY Beauty Awards. Social media video producer Peyton Young calls it "so so good," adding “I’ve tried other anti-dandruff shampoos but this is by far my favorite. I love the clean scent, reminds me of a spa or fancy hotel products. It doesn’t feel medicinal like other dandruff shampoos can feel. Ouai’s just feels like a really nice shampoo that happens to have anti-dandruff properties, and I really love that."
How we choose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with products and brands to make shopping easier for our readers. We selected the above products because they are all free of sulfates and are editor favorites.
Meet our experts
- Dr. Brendan Camp, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City. He specializes in managing acne, rosacea, eczema, warts, psoriasis, moles, and skin cancer.
- Dr. Zakia Rahman, MD, is a clinical professor of dermatology at Stanford Medicine. Her clinical interests include geriatric dermatology, surgical dermatology and ethnic skin along with fillers and neurotoxins for both medical and aesthetic uses.
