Why switch to sulfate free shampoo?
Last week we spoke about what sodium lauryl sulfate is and why it's not only bad for our hair, but bad for our health. It's connected to hair thinning, dryness, and it strips our natural and essential oils off of our hair - these are the oils that our body naturally produces to keep moisture in our hair and to keep it healthy. So, with that said, I've compiled a list of sulfate free shampoo. You may be thinking that these shampoos will all be expensive, but actually, many of them are similarly priced to the regular shampoos you are buying at your local drugstore.
One thing to remember in using sulfate free shampoo is not to expect results overnight. If you have dry, frizzy, and thinning hair, this will not be cured within a week or two. Growing new, healthy hair is a lot easier than repairing damaged hair. Think about it this way. Hair is predominantly made out of a protein called keratin covered in dead cells. Nails are comprised of mostly the same thing. When a nail splits, you do not attempt to "repair" it. You file it down, and wait for it to grow. Hair acts the same way. The best thing to do is to chop off your damaged hair, and wait for new and healthy hair to grow in. So as you can see, repairing your hair will take time. It could take up to a year for you to see any real improvement. Be patient!
Without further adieu, here is a list of some of the top sulfate free shampoo on the market:
Burt's Bees - this is one of my favorite sulfate free shampoos to recommend to people. At $8, it won't break the bank, and Burt's Bees actually doesn't use sulfate in any of their products.
TIGI Bedhead Superstar Shampoo - this shampoo is actually meant to protect colored hair, but it works with un-dyed, natural hair, too. $16
Moroccan Oil Shampoo - All Moroccan Oil products are sulfate free. I love the shampoo, however it is on the pricier side and generally ranges from $15-$30.
L'Oreal Paris EverStrong Hydrate Shampoo - This sulfate free shampoo strengthens hair and prevents breakage and split ends. Best of all, you can pick up a bottle for $6, making it our least expensive option on the list.
Avalon Organics - All of their products are sulfate free, and they have a huge line with many options to choose from. You can usually find their products in any drugstore or supermarket, and they're affordable, ranging from $8-$15.
There you go - my top picks for sulfate free shampoos. There are many other brands, and what works for one person may not work for someone else. I chose not include anything too pricey, because those shampoos I tend to find work on the same level as the less expensive ones.
In addition to buying sulfate free shampoo, you can easily make some yourself in the comfort of your own kitchen using basic ingredients that you probably already have. We'll talk about that next time. For now, enjoy your new sulfate free shampoo! Your hair is on the road to recovery!
