Yahoo Lifestyle This may be the reason why your hair colour fades so quickly
If you're going to branch into the world of hair colour, you've got to be prepared for the aftercare. Switching out your current shampoo for a sulphate-free formula is a must for giving your colour the TLC it deserves.
Why? While sulphates are famous for stripping your roots of excess grease, they can also do the same to your colour (more on that later). And considering how pricy a salon appointment can be nowadays, you want that colour staying in your strands for as long as possible.
There have been a few key moments in the beauty world that may have you questioning whether this tabooed ingredient is all that bad (hi, The Ordinary's release of sulphate-containing haircare). As scaremongering abounds in the beauty world, we set out to set the record straight about sulphates and help you decide which shampoo formula is right for you.
If you find yourself ready to ditch the sulphates, we’ve also rounded up the best sulphate-free shampoos, all tested by our expert Cosmo Beauty Team.
What are sulphates?
Sulphates are responsible for that creamy lather you create by rubbing shampoo into your hair. Zoe Irwin, Creative Director at John Frieda Salons, explains how they get to work:
"Sulphates are chemicals that are used as cleansing agents. They are great surfactants, meaning they can bind to both oil and water, allowing you to rinse grease and grime away more easily. They create a lather to help lift dirt, as opposed to sulphate-free shampoos which usually generate little to no foam."
If you can't go a day without spritzing some dry shampoo, perhaps because you struggle with product build-up or have an oily scalp, sulphates are a ride or die ingredient for the intense clean that they offer.
Are sulphate-free shampoos good for your hair?
Sulphate-free shampoos can offer plenty of benefits depending on your hair type, but sulphates aren't necessarily "bad". For example, many clarifying shampoos contain sulphates to properly cleanse the hair – it's just a good idea to follow-up with a sulphate-free formula to put moisture pack in your strands. Because sulphates can strip the natural oils from your hair, which may leave your scalp dry and potentially irritated, sulphate-free shampoos are often gentler on your scalp and hair.
Zoe explains: "Those with coarse and naturally curly hair will find their hair is over-cleaned by regular shampoos, which is why they are attracted to sulphate-free options. Curly, coily and textured hair and those with rosacea, eczema or a sore, sensitive scalp can find sulphates to be aggravating."
She also advises anyone who has keratin or straightening treatment to ditch the sulphates, as they can mess with its effects. As less lather is created, a sulphate-free option provides a gentler clean that is kinder to colour-treated or dry hair too, as some of your hair’s natural oils are left behind to nourish.
Zoe believes that sulphates aren't the devil they’re made out to be. "In a world where we have become ingredient savvy, it’s for people to choose based on their personal taste and the needs of the hair," she says. "Ultimately, both sulphate and sulphate-free shampoos have their place in the bathroom and can be efficient in different ways. I like to do two washes, the first wash in sulphate shampoo and second sulphate-free."
The best sulphate-free shampoos to try...
Discipline Bain Fluidealiste
Say goodbye to frizz as this pro-keratin formula aims to restore your locks to their former glory for up to 72 hours. We found it a great all-rounder, effectively smoothing frazzled ends and promoting shine.
The conditioner makes hair softer, and more manageable and even leaves hair feeling smoother for days after washing – no need to pick up those heated hair tools.
Conditioner: Kérastase Discipline Fondant Fluidealiste
Hydrate Shampoo
Anyone with colour-treated hair knows it's about as high maintenance as a puppy. This gives a bit of a breather in between salon appointments with a boost in hair vibrancy.
It improves the condition of stands, too, thanks to a boost in moisture. Once dry, you'll see a reduction in flyaways and enjoy silky-smooth results.
Conditioner: Pureology Hydrate Conditioner
No Frizz Shampoo
Calling out to anyone who is prone to frizz! Living Proof's No Frizz Shampoo is here to help if you're loosing your battle.
The creamy formula coats your strands in emollient jojoba esters and OFPMA – the proprietary technology in Living Proof’s No Frizz products –helping to hydrate and tame flyaways. And it does so without relying on silicones.
Conditioner: Living Proof No Frizz Conditioner
Growth Booster Anti-Fall Shampoo
If you're noticing more shedding than usual (btw, we're meant to lose between 50 - 100 strands of hair a day), you may want to get yourself to a trichologist.
In the meantime, the new L'Oréal Paris Growth Booster Anti-Fall Shampoo will help clarify your scalp and promote healthier hair growth – plus it'll play a part in strengthening your frail strands.
A few uses of this won't solve all your hair-loss problems (once again, trichologist) but it's a good thing to use while on your growth journey.
Conditioner: L'Oreal Paris Elvive Growth Booster Conditioner
Technician Colour Shampoo
The millennial pink packaging goes with our aesthetic, but style aside, this is a great shampoo. The peach-scented formula works by creating a shield around your colour that keeps environmental aggressors and free radicals from dimming your shade.
It revives lacklustre hair, improving softness, smoothness and hydration. Plus frizz is vanished and is replaced with healthy shine.
Conditioner: Fekkai Technician Color Conditioner
Colour Protect Shampoo
We've never been able to keep an orchid alive for more than a week, but it turns out their oil is a moisturising treat for your hair. Did it work in this shampoo?
Happily, yes! And it's gentle on both colour and scalps. It does a great job at cleaning hair, too, scoring top marks with the team. The scent is a bonus and can be described as subtle and fresh.
Conditioner: OGX Colour Care Conditioner
Keep Me Vivid Colour Enhancing Shampoo for Coloured Hair
This hot pink number improves softness so much so that we've kept it on our bathroom shelves – even after testing.
Think: An improvement in hydration and fuller-looking strands after a few washes. The scent is pretty sweet – we're talking cotton candy vibes – but not one tester didn't love this shampoo! Impressive, much?
Conditioner: Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid Colour Enhancing Conditioner
Frizz Dismiss Shampoo
This frizz-fighting formula aims to tame rebellious flyaways using babassu oil combined with Redken's unique smoothing complex.
With every one of our testers seeing a reduction in frazzled strands, we'd say it succeeded. It lathered generously for a sulphate-free option and created a diamond-like shine.
Conditioner: Redken Frizz Dismiss Conditioner
Colour Shield Shampoo
If you're craving a new szn look and have booked in for a fresh bleach and tone for winter, this is our top pick for you. The shampoo improves the overall texture of hair and adds a boost in shine while still retaining colour.
Conditioner: Christophe Robin Color Shield Mask With Camu-Camu Berries
Color Security Shampoo
Fine hair texture and coloured strands usually go hand in hand, which is what this shampoo is trying to counteract. The formula claims to prevent the blocking of hair follicles, which can cause thinning, while protecting your colour.
It doesn't weigh down fine hair and freshness lasts longer between shampoos. It improves vibrancy, too; my red-shaded locks now look bolder for longer!
Conditioner: Color WOW Color Security Conditioner
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