ComScore

The 25 Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos, Vetted by Editors and Experts

A list to moisturize the hell out of your locks

PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.

a collage of sulfate-free shampoos in a pink background
Paula Boudes/PureWow

A trusty shampoo can make all the difference between a good hair day and a bad one. But while most cleansers promote a healthy, balanced scalp, there is one popular ingredient that has become a bit controversial: sulfates. "Sulfates are cleansing agents that make it easier to cleanse away oils and buildup," explains Justin Toves-Vincilione, a hairstylist based in Los Angeles. They're also responsible for the "rich lather that we’re so used to experiencing when washing our hair," he says.

However, many hair types find the ingredient does the job too well, leading to drier strands. (Sulfates are found in shampoos, but also body washes, detergents and toothpaste to keep things squeaky clean.) All this to say, sulfate-free shampoos have become more popular in recent years for cleansing without stripping away natural oils. If you're interested in adding one to your routine, keep reading for our hand-selected picks.

The Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos at a Glance

1

Best Overall

Olaplex No4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

read more

2

Most Volumizing

Odele Volumizing Shampoo

read more

3

Best for Damaged Hair

Kérastase Repairing Shampoo

read more

4

Best for Thin Hair

Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo

read more

5

Editor Pick

Bread Hair Wash Shampoo

read more

Show More

Meet the Experts:

  • Justin Toves-Vincilione is a Los Angeles-based hairstylist and a design team elite stylist at Ulta Beauty. He has a decade of experience, specializing in hair styling, coloring and cutting. He spends his time educating aspiring stylists on the latest hair trends, haircut transformations and helpful tutorials. 
  • Dr. Elyse Love is a NYC-based board-certified dermatologist at Glamderm, a dermatologist adviser for Bluemercury and a contributing writer for Byrdie. She specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology such as acne treatments, injections, laser treatments and more.

How We Chose the Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos

We asked our editors and experts for their go-to sulfate-free shampoos. From there, we did researched the top sellers from Amazon, Target, Sephora and Ulta Beauty to bring you this comprehensive list of the 25 best sulfate-free shampoos for every hair type, so you’re guaranteed to find at least one that works for you.

Want more beauty tips sent right to your inbox? Subscribe here.

Best Overall

1. Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

What We Like

  • safe for color-treated hair
  • reportedly supports bond repair

What We Don't Like

  • pricey
  • might be drying for some hair types

Olaplex

Between the heat, dye and stress our hair is subjected to on a regular basis, we ask a whole lot of it everyday. Give it a break with Olaplex's sulfate-free No. 4 formula, which is meant to reduce breakage and frizz while leaving your tresses with a healthy shine. Its secret weapon lies in the brand’s patented "bond-building" technology, which supposedly repairs broken bonds in your hair.

For one editor, it's a must-have for her dry, damaged hair. “I'm a fan of the Olaplex shampoo, especially when I use it alongside the No.5 conditioner. It makes my hair feel squeaky clean, and just healthier overall. Plus, it doesn't have a super noticeable fragrance either," says Destinee Scott, assistant sales and deals editor at PureWow.

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate
  • Scent: fresh
  • Cruelty-Free?: yes

Most Volumizing

2. Odele Volumizing Shampoo

What We Like

  • reportedly adds volume and thickness
  • great for wavy and fine hair

What We Don't Like

  • strong scent
  • doesn't lather well

Odele

More voluminous locks? Sign us up. We love this shampoo by Odele because it adds shine and fullness back to our strands with every wash. Formulated with amino acids, rice protein and citric acid, the blend claims to strengthen and nourish the roots without weighing down your locks in the process. The scent is also noteworthy, as it has a refreshing fragrance of cucumber, oakmoss and ylang-ylang. “I’ve become a big fan of Odele shampoo! It always makes my hair feel so refreshed and healthy! Plus, you can’t beat that price tag," says Joel Calfree, former associate news and entertainment editor at PureWow.

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: amino acids 
  • Scent: cucumber, oakmoss, ylang-ylang
  • Cruelty-Free?: yes 

Best for Damaged Hair

3. Kérastase Repairing Shampoo

What We Like

  • great for dry and damaged hair
  • safe for color-treated hair

What We Don't Like

  • pricey

Kerastase

Formulated with citric acid and glycine, this shampoo aims to restore and repair damaged locks. The formula also removes build up, while improving shine and strengthening strands. "I’ve been using this Kérastase shampoo for awhile now, and it’s my absolute favorite formula from the brand to date. It claims to remove calcium build-up, which I need since I live in California where I’m exposed to hard water daily. Seriously, my hair has never felt so clean, soft and healthy—plus, I can see a difference in how my hair styles," says Stephanie Meraz, associate fashion commerce editor at PureWow.

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: citric acid, glycine
  • Scent: mandarin, citrus, floral, woody
  • Cruelty-Free?: no

Best for Thin Hair

4. Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo

What We Like

  • contains clean ingredients
  • safe for color-treated hair

What We Don't Like

  • not great for thick hair

Vegamour

If you're dealing with hair loss, Vegamour GRO may be the sulfate-free shampoo for you. It's chock-full of karmatin, which is a vegan silk keratin that strengthens hair follicles, enhances shine and absorbs moisture. It also has red clover and mung bean, which aims to prevent hair loss and promote hair growth, and a moisturizing blend of butters (marula, baobab and murumuru) that adds intense hydration to dry strands. The company claims it's capable of making your hair look more than 50 percent denser based on a double-blind, in-vivo clinical study of 40 subjects over 150 days.

It’s also beloved by many of our editors, as one tells us, “I've been using Vegamour for almost a full year now and it has made such a difference for my hair. The smell is incredible (and doesn't linger, which Iprefer as someone who is very sensitive to scents) and it suds up in such a satisfying way, I can really tell it's getting in deep. My hair feels softer and shinier than before. As for the growth components, I do feel it has made my hair thicker and healthier, but it took at least 3 months for me to see a noticeable difference," says Abby Hepworth, fashion editor at PureWow.

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: phytoactives, karamtin, b-silk protein
  • Scent: natural citrus
  • Cruelty-Free?: yes 

Editor Pick

5. Bread Hair Wash Shampoo

What We Like

  • can act as a shampoo and co-wash
  • gentle formula
  • Black-owned

What We Don't Like

  • has a strong scent

Bread

Natural hair requires special care, and if the reviews are any indicator, this sulfate-free cleanser delivers on that. With an emphasis on retaining moisture, its milky formula cleanses, detangles and softens curls. Key ingredients include argan oil, a rich emollient for moisturizing strands, and aloe vera juice to hydrate the scalp and hair—plus, a dash of lemon tea tree oil to soothe the scalp.

[Ed note: While the fruity scent takes some getting used to at first, this sulfate-free shampoo is a game changer for my curls. It offers a gentle lather without stripping away my natural oils or weighing down my hair. I can also work it through my scalp easily and find it helps detangle my hair after I rinse it out.]

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: aloe vera, argan oil, lemon tea tree oil
  • Scent: fruity, cereal-like
  • Cruelty-Free?: yes

Best Purple Shampoo

6. L’Oréal Paris Everpure Shampoo

L'Oréal

This L’Oréal Paris purple shampoo is tinged with hibiscus and purple pigments to clean your blonde or color-treated hair without stripping it of dye. It also neutralizes brassy tones (we're looking at you, bleach lovers) and nourishes strands at the same time. Shoppers, hair colorists and our very own EIC swear by it. “It's way harder to find a purple shampoo that actually tones down my brassiness but [this one] is sulfate-free, which protects my color. This stuff is like magic, and I love the low price point. I use it twice a month to keep my highlights from getting too warm,” says Jillian Quint, editor-in-chief of PureWow.

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: fatty alcohols, glycerin
  • Scent: violet, fig, thyme, coconut 
  • Cruelty-Free?: yes

Best 2-in-1

7. Hairstory New Wash

What We Like

  • gentle formula
  • safe for color-treated hair

What We Don't Like

  • pricey
  • not great for oily hair

Hairstory

You can declutter your shower with this cleansing cream because it doubles as a shampoo and a conditioner. Formulated with moisturizing ingredients like sunflower seed oil, jojoba oil and aloe vera juice, it gently cleanses and conditions from root to tip. The hybrid also promises to rebalance your scalp, add volume, fight frizz and prevent flakes—just take a look at the reviews. “New Wash by Hairstory is the bomb for my fine hair and you don’t have to use conditioner with it. The lack of lather and thick texture takes a bit of getting used to, but the fluffy, healthy-looking results make me forget ever caring about suds,” says Dana Dickey, senior editor at PureWow.

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: peppermint oil, sunflower seed oil, jojoba oil, rose water 
  • Scent: fresh
  • Cruelty-Free?: yes

Best for Color-Treated Hair

8. Matrix Unbreak My Blonde Strengthening Shampoo

What We Like

  • contains clean ingredients
  • uses sustainable packaging

What We Don't Like

  • might be drying for some hair types

Matrix

Blondes do have more fun and this bond strengthening shampoo is proof. It vows to revive lightened hair and strengthen strands, so you can show off your bright hue without worrying about it getting dull every time you wash. Key ingredient, citric acid, works to strengthen and soften your hair while packing on all the shine. “I've been using this sulfate-free shampoo from Matrix ever since I first took the plunge to go blonde a few years ago. It's formulated specifically for lightened hair and, IMO, it keeps my highlights looking as golden and glossy as ever between visits to the salon, while preventing my locks from looking (and feeling) over-processed," says Stephanie Maida, senior commerce editor at PureWow.

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: citric acid, panthenol, glycerin
  • Scent: fruity
  • Cruelty-Free?: yes

Most Customizable

9. Prose Custom Shampoo

What We Like

  • customizable to fit your hair type
  • contains clean ingredients safe for color-treated hair

What We Don't Like

  • small bottle

Prose

This customizable haircare brand has been tried and tested by multiple PureWow editors and it gets a huge thumbs up from all of us. Prose gives you the ability to formulate a shampoo based on your hair needs and preferences—right down to the type of ingredients you want and the scent. The brand only uses naturally derived ingredients such as green tea water, honey, rice water and apple cider vinegar, to name a few. While you can build a whole custom haircare routine, the shampoo stood out to us the most because it gave us a gentle cleanse that left our hair feeling silky smooth. 

“The scent was definitely my favorite. It felt unique and special since it was crafted just for me. I felt like I was getting a spa experience at home every time I washed my hair. The shampoo and conditioner felt so luxurious, and I loved how clean and smooth my hair felt after each wash,” says Catrina Yohay, executive managing editor at PureWow.

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: varies
  • Scent: varies 
  • Cruelty-Free?: Yes

Best New Launch

10. GrandeHAIR Full Boost Shampoo

What We Like

  • safe for color- and chemically-treated hair
  • offers rich lather
  • cute bottle

What We Don't Like

  • might feel heavy for some hair types

Grande Cosmetics

While Grande Cosmetics is already known for their lash serum, the beauty brand has since jumped into the haircare game. This sulfate-shampoo cleanses and exfoliates the scalp, while improving shine and manageability. "I just started using GrandeHair shampoo and I love that it leaves my scalp feeling super clean without drying it out. I have a very dry scalp and it doesn't weigh my hair down at all. I'm also interested to see how it affects my hair over time since it has lots of nourishing ingredients like niacinamide, microgreens and ginseng," says Natalie LaBarbera, assistant commerce editor at PureWow.

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: niacinamide, ginseng, microgreens, proteins
  • Scent: violet, iris, sandalwood
  • Cruelty-Free?: yes

Stylist Pick

11. Authentic Beauty Concept Hydrate Cleanser

What We Like

  • promotes shiny locks
  • great for dry and curly hair

What We Don't Like

  • strong scent
  • not great for fine and thin hair

Authentic Beauty Concept

Toves-Vincilione loves this sulfate-free shampoo from Authentic Beauty Concept, specifically calling out its effectiveness on dry, damaged, color-treated and curly hair. Its key ingredients are antioxidant-rich mango and soothing basil extract, which is known for its moisturizing properties, while improving elasticity and boosting shine to dull locks. Aside from being free of sulfates, the shampoo is also free from mineral oil, parabens and silicones. Plus, it’s vegan and cruelty-free.

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: violet rice extract, mango extract, basil extract
  • Scent: mango, basil
  • Cruelty-Free?: yes

Best for Oily Hair

12. Ouai Detox Shampoo

What Like

  • great for oily scalps
  • promotes shiny locks

What We Don't Like

  • might be drying for some hair types

Ouai

This gentle cleanser is formulated to really get in there to remove product buildup, dirt and oil without using any sulfates. The star ingredient is apple cider vinegar, which is known for its clarifying properties. It also helps exfoliate the scalp while keeping your locks shiny. Oh, and it has color-safe keratin, which smooths down frizz and softens strands.

Another thing we love about the shampoo is its pleasant scent—especially “Melrose.” It's one of the brand’s signature blends that features hints of bergamot, white musk, lychee and cedarwood that smell wonderful in (and out of) the shower. As Hepworth tells us, "Ouai smells amazing, like I wish I can buy it in a matching perfume. The Detox formula is also great for summer, especially when my hair gets greasy faster."

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: apple cider vinegar, hydrolyzed keratin
  • Scent: melrose
  • Cruelty-Free?: yes

Best for Curly Hair

13. Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Bond Building Shampoo

What We Like

  • contains clean ingredients
  • great for wavy and curly hair

What We Don't Like

  • strong scent
  • might be drying for some hair types

Not Your Mother's

Curly girls are singing the praises of this rice curl complex formula, which has a blend of rice, keratin amino acids and enzymes to cleanse and protect your hair. As you lather up your curls, the product works to add protein back into dry strands—something that's crucial for keeping the integrity of your ringlets intact. [Ed note: This shampoo really helped with softness, frizz and clearing away any of my product build up. I highly recommend it as the perfect prep for your conditioner.]

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: rice extract, keratin amino acids, jojoba oil
  • Scent: citrus, jasmine
  • Cruelty-Free?: yes

Best for Natural Hair

14. Pattern Hydration Shampoo 

What We Like

  • hydrating ingredients
  • pleasant scent
  • Black-owned

What We Don't Like

  • might feel heavy on some hair types

Pattern

This Pattern shampoo is worth a look, especially if you have natural hair. Its creamy formula has aloe leaf juice, honey and coconut oil to remove any build up and dirt, while locking in some much-needed moisture. You'll also find biotin to strengthen swirls and encourage healthy hair growth. Plus, the notes of jasmine, bergamot and sweet sandalwood truly enhance your wash day.

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: aloe vera, biotin, jojoba oil, coconut oil, honey
  • Scent: jasmine, bergamot, sweet sandalwood 
  • Cruelty-Free?: yes

Best Scalp Shampoo

15. Briogeo Scalp Revival Scalp Scrub Shampoo

What We Like

  • great for irritated scalps
  • contains clean ingredients
  • Black-owned

What We Don't Like

  • not great for sensitive scalps

Briogeo

For those days when you need a deeper clean, consider this Briogeo scrub. Formulated with spearmint, peppermint and tea tree oil, it soothes your scalp, while binchotan charcoal aims to draw out impurities that may be clogging your hair follicles. Add in a dash of coconut oil for moisture, and it's sure to become your hair BFF. I (Chelsea) use this scrub as a pre-shampoo to make it easier to thoroughly cleanse my scalp and prep it for the rest of my routine. My hair loves it so much and it's definitely minimized any irritation I used to experience.

Fast Facts

  • Formula: binchotan charcoal, coconut oil, peppermint, spearmint, tea tree oil
  • Scent: minty
  • Cruelty-Free?: yes

PureWow Readers' Favorite

16. Augustinus Bader The Shampoo

What We Like

  • lightweight formula
  • buyers say it helps with hair loss

What We Don't Like

  • pricey

Augustinus Bader

Leave it to Augustinus Bader to create a luxe lightweight and vegan shampoo that does more than just gently cleanse. The watercress shikakai and maca root blend creates a strengthening formula that helps reduce breakage all while boosting thickness and shine, as supported by the brand's clinical studies. Meanwhile, the brand’s Trigger Factor Complex (aka TFC8) purports to tackle everything from frizz to shedding to nourishing your locks with amino acids, vitamins and peptides. It's made without irritants like sulfates and parabens, too. "[It's] very light and leaves your hair bouncy and shiny. You do not need to use a lot each time you wash your hair, so one bottle goes a long way," says one reviewer.

Fast Facts

  • Formula: amino acids, vitamins, peptides
  • Scent: none
  • Cruelty-Free?: yes

Best Budget

17. OGX Thick & Full Shampoo

What We Like

  • safe for color-treated hair
  • promotes healthy hair growth

What We Don't Like

  • might be drying for some hair types

OGX

Are you dealing with flat, lifeless locks? This shampoo is filled with collagen to revive limp hair. The thickening formula includes biotin, which works to strengthen strands, encourage hair growth and add volume. Meanwhile, vitamin B7 and wheat proteins nourish your ‘do. Another reason to add this to your cart: the deliciously lush scent of bergamot, jasmine and vanilla.

As one shopper shares, “I recently tried [this] shampoo [and] I highly recommend [it] for its great scent and ability to make hair soft and full. The fragrance is a refreshing blend of floral and fruity notes that lingers in the hair. After using it, my hair felt silky smooth, voluminous and healthy. It's gentle on hair and contains natural ingredients. I believe it's an excellent choice for daily use.”

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: biotin, vitamin b7, collagen
  • Scent: bergamot, jasmine, vanilla 
  • Cruelty-Free?: no

Best Vegan Formula

18. Pureology Hydrate Shampoo

What We Like

  • creamy formula
  • uses sustainable packaging
  • great for dry and color-treated hair

What We Don't Like

  • strong scent

Pureology

If you want your cleanser to be free of sulfates, this vegan formula checks all the boxes. It relies on jojoba oil, which moisturizes hair, reduces frizz and encourages thickness and regrowth. There’s also green tea and sage, which have both been shown to prevent hair loss and support hair growth. It also has an anti-fade complex with UV filters, making it a good choice for those looking to maintain their hair color between salon visits.

Customers say it cleans quite well without sulfates, but several noted that it has a strong natural scent, so if that's not your bag, move along. “I've always had thick hair, but the past couple of years it has been pretty damaged. I've been using this shampoo and its matching conditioner for two months and my hair is now super strong and is back to growing super fast like it always used to! I'm so amazed,” shares one Ulta shopper.

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: jojoba oil, sage oil, green tea oil
  • Scent: lavender, patchouli, bergamot 
  • Cruelty-Free?: Yes

Best Shampoo Bar

19. superzero Strengthening and Scalp Stimulating Shampoo Bar

What We Like

  • contains clean ingredients
  • great for thin hair
  • eco-friendly

What We Don't Like

  • small bar
  • pricey

superzero

Need a shampoo that won’t leak all over your suitcase or gym bag? This solid cleanser from superzero will do just the trick. It has a blend of caffeine, menthol and rosemary oil, which stimulates and balances the scalp. The sulfate-free formula also contains vegan keratin to repair strands and amla (Indian gooseberry) extract to improve overall hair health. "I travel a lot, so I was so excited to try this out. The scent is very nice, and the product leaves my hair feel[ing] clean and smooth. I love how this [shampoo bar is] environmentally friendly as well," says one Sephora customer.

Fast Facts

  • Formula: caffeine, menthol, rosemary oil, vegan keratin, amla extract
  • Scent: fresh
  • Cruelty-Free?: yes 

Best for Men

20. Kick Mens Active Shampoo

What We Like

  • reportedly treats dandruff
  • great for thin hair
  • offers rich lather

What We Don't Like

  • pricey

Bevel

If any of the men in your life are prone to dandruff, an itchy scalp and/or thinning hair, this hydrating shampoo by Kick should be on their radar—and more than 4,800 5-star reviews attest to its magic. Users say the gentle formula soothes the scalp and delivers a tingly sensation without being too overpowering in the shower. Made with 11 herbal essences, including tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, aloe vera and rosemary, the blend encourages hair growth, fights flakes and promotes stronger, fuller hair overall. Trust us, they’ll be thanking you later. 

One Amazon review shares, “I recently tried Kick Active Shampoo and was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. The refreshing feeling it gave me was amazing, thanks to the combination of tea tree oil and peppermint in the formula. The shampoo also proved effective in addressing my dandruff issue; after just one use, I noticed that my dandruff had disappeared. Also, no more itchy scalp.”

Fast Facts

  • Formula: peppermint, rosemary, aloe vera, tea tree
  • Scent: peppermint, rosemary
  • Cruelty-Free?: Yes

Best Splurge

21. Shu Uemura Color Lustre Shampoo

What We Like

  • promotes shiny locks
  • safe for color-treated hair
  • pleasant scent

What We Don't Like

  • pricey

$55

Japanese brand Shu Uemura has infused the oxidation-preventing power of goji berry with fatty acid-enriched musk rose oil to create a gentle sulfate-free shampoo that will keep your color from fading while increasing the shine, so your strands maintain their vibrancy in-between appointments. The scent description also reads like a trip to the farmer’s market, with mandarin, grapefruit, black-currant, cardamom essence, rose, freesia, violet, sandalwood, musk and vanilla—mmm! As one hairstylist previously shared with us, "I recommend it because it's very gentle and doesn't strip away any of those hair color molecules."

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: goji berry, sweet musk rose oil
  • Scent: sweet
  • Cruelty-Free?: no

Best for Fine Hair

22. Gisou Hair Wash Shampoo

What We Like

  • contains clean ingredients
  • safe for color-treated hair

What We Don't Like

  • scent doesn't last
  • might be drying for some hair types

Gisou

Don’t let the packaging fool you: Gisou is more than just a pretty bottle. The brand is known for its honey-based products, including this shampoo, which uses the natural humectant to keep fine hair moisturized without weighing it down. You’ll also find keramatch, a pea protein to boost hydration and prevent damage, as well as argan oil, which has been proven to strengthen and protect strands. While you may need to stick with it for a few washes to get your desired results, per the reviews, its benefits are said to include volume, oil reduction and a fantastic floral fragrance.

One Sephora reviewer say, “This shampoo is such a perfect product because it cleanses my hair and oily scalp beautifully without leaving any buildup! It also feels very nourishing to the hair, and my hair feels very manageable and soft while looking voluminous! I’ve also noticed how shiny and healthy my hair looks! My daughter has coarser, wavy hair and it made her hair soooo soft and shiny as well!”

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: honey, keramatch, argan oil 
  • Scent: honey, apricot, mandarin
  • Cruelty-Free?: yes

Best for Sun Protection

23. Verb Hydrating Shampoo

What We Like

  • safe for color-treated hair
  • gluten-free

What We Don't Like

  • not great for fine or thin hair

Verb

The sun's harsh rays can do a number on your skin—and on your hair. This hydrating pick can help with its inclusion of sunflower seed extract, which acts as a natural UV protectant. Beyond that, this sulfate- and cruelty-free formula uses argan oil to condition and add shine, keratin protein to strengthen strands and pro vitamin B5 to moisturize your hair. “It lathers beautifully (once it has actually broken down the build up on my scalp so may take one to two times), [it] smells great, and did an awesome job of cleaning my hair without drying out. I used it for my wedding day because I knew it was going to give me a great hair day. [The] smell isn't strong, but it’s really pleasant,” says one Sephora reviewer.

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: argan oil, provitamin B5
  • Scent: grapefruit, oatmeal
  • Cruelty-Free?: yes

Best for Dry Hair

24. Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo 

What We Like

  • safe for color-treated hair
  • great for dry hair

What We Don't Like

  • strong scent

Moroccanoil

There’s a reason the Moroccanoil brand is beloved. This fan favorite seemingly does it all. It offers hydration with red algae, a fatty acid that controls oil production and rebalances the scalp, as well as, vitamins A and E, which reportedly encourages hair growth. Let’s not forget the argan oil in the formula, which restores elasticity and adds shine to dry, brittle hair. 

One Sephora customer shares, “The Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo is a must-have for dry and damaged hair. This shampoo's rich and creamy formula provides deep hydration, leaving my hair feeling soft and manageable. I love how it restores moisture to my hair without weighing it down, and the signature Moroccanoil scent is simply divine. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a hydrating and nourishing shampoo that works wonders for dry hair.”

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: argan oil, algae, vitamin a 
  • Scent: fresh
  • Cruelty-Free?: Yes

Best for Sensitive Scalps

25. Aveeno Oat Milk Blend Shampoo 

What We Like

  • locks in moisture
  • great for dry and damaged hair

What We Don't Like

  • might feel drying for some hair types

Aveeno

Many reviewers with sensitive scalps vouch that this shampoo is actually extra gentle on your skin and hair. Made by the same company that provides relief to those with eczema, it uses natural oats, which have been clinically proven to be soothing. The blend is also infused with almond milk to improve hair texture and strengthen strands. A number of the 5,200 5-star reviews cite that it makes their locks look nice and shiny. “I love this shampoo for my girls. Both my girls have eczema, and this shampoo has worked wonderfully for them. I love the ingredients and I’m very happy with it," says one Amazon shopper.

Fast Facts

  • Key Ingredients: natural oat, almond milk
  • Scent: natural oat
  • Cruelty-Free?: yes

What to Consider When Buying a Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Ready to join the sulfate-free squad? Take these factors into consideration, because making the switch means more than just grabbing anything that says ‘sulfate-free’ on the bottle.

  • Scan the labels carefully. According to Toves-Vincilione, you should look for a shampoo without sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate. "It’s also very beneficial if you find natural ingredients higher up on the ingredients list," he shares, adding, "The higher the better! This means there is a higher content of that ingredient."
  • Find sulfate alternatives. A few common sulfate alternatives to look for include glucosides (more commonly known as vegetable oils and starch), taurates and fatty acid isethionates, which are derived from coconut fatty acids, glutamates (these amino acid surfactants are among the gentlest around), and amino acid sulfosuccinates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Sulfate-Free Shampoo?

A sulfate-free shampoo is one that's formulated without sulfates. Instead, it uses other cleansing agents such as plant extracts (i.e., usually palm or coconut oil) to clean your hair.

Why Should I Use a Sulfate-Free Shampoo?

According to our expert, it's simple: "Using a sulfate-free shampoo can ensure that your hair and scalp retain a healthy amount of natural oils, while still cleansing away build-up that’s accumulated in between washes," explains Toves-Vincilione. 

Are Sulfates Bad for Your Hair?

Some of the same sulfate-based cleansing agents that leave your locks feeling squeaky-clean can also leave you with irritated eyes and skin—particularly if you're prone to sensitivities. (Womp, womp.) To give you an idea of how strong some of these chemicals can be, "the same sulfates found in some shampoos can also be found in household cleaners and detergents," explains Toves-Vincilione. As a result, they can strip away natural oils that serve to moisturize your hair (and potentially cause redness and acne with prolonged use), which is the complete opposite of what we want our shampoo to do.

Who Should Use a Sulfate-Free Shampoo?

"Sulfate-free shampoos can benefit all hair types and textures, but especially hair that is dry, damaged or chemically treated," says Toves-Vincilione. What about color-treated hair? A sulfate-free shampoo might be your best bet, too. As Toves-Vincilione explains, the gentle cleansing "is known to preserve the longevity of your hair color."

For those with greasy locks that tend to fall limp quickly, you may find that having some level of sulfates in your shampoo is helpful, if not necessary. “For those with fine, oily hair, [sulfates] can be helpful to use on a routine basis to control oil buildup and allow styles to hold longer," Dr. Love previously told PureWow. 

How Do You Use a Sulfate-Free Shampoo?

1. For a gentler shampoo experience, Toves-Vincilione recommends that you wet your hair completely and apply a moderate amount of sulfate-free shampoo to your entire scalp. "Try not to put a large amount on just one area," he adds. From there, massage the product throughout your scalp and make your way down your hair. "Avoid putting too much shampoo directly on your ends," Toves-Vincilione warns. "This area tends to be drier and requires less cleansing." Afterward, use a conditioner that's suited for your hair type.
2. For a deeper clean, do a second wash and spread the shampoo across your scalp evenly. "You’ll notice a more intense lather the second time around," Toves-Vincilione says. "Massage the scalp and work your way down to the ends." When you're finished, nurture your strands with a deep conditioner or hair mask


purewow author

Freelance Writer

Erica Gerald Mason is a freelance writer who loves shopping for the new, the next and the not-to-be-missed. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Byrdie, Reviewed, Vanity Fair, and many more. You can find her on Instagram @erica.pretzel, where she posts about travel, snacks, and tv (not necessarily in that order).

about face matte fluid eye paint review chelsea candelario

Beauty and Cultures Editor

  • Writes trend stories, product reviews and how-tos across beauty, cultures, fashion and entertainment
  • Over 5 years of experience as a Beauty Editor
  • Studied journalism with a minor in creative writing at SUNY New Paltz

Why You Should Trust Us

PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.