Get the Best Sulfate Free Shampoo for Curly Hair

When shopping for shampoo, there are lots of buzzy words on bottles that are vying for your attention. One of those key phrases is “sulfate-free.” Those with curly hair have probably seen these words often on the brands meant to support curl health, elasticity, and vibrancy. If you have yet to notice, it’s time to look at those labels again. Why is this so important? It’s not just about the sulfates, so let’s take a look at the multi-faceted reasons for finding the best sulfate free shampoo for curly hair.

Why Search for the Best Sulfate Free Shampoo for Curly Hair?

Sulfates are found everywhere, whether it’s in nature or made in a lab. But the specific types found in haircare products are known as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES).

Sulfates tend to get a bad reputation, but since they’re incredibly effective at cleaning grime, they still have their uses. For example, let’s say you’re a ballerina that has to goop tons of products to keep every strand in place during performances. Sulfates create the bubbly cleansing power necessary to get all that built-up junk out of your hair.

A good clarifying shampoo can be beneficial on occasion. But here’s the bad news: all that powerful action can lead to having dry, dull hair and a dry, flaky scalp. The risk of drying out your mane is especially high for those blessed with beautiful curls. This dryness can lead to:

• Breakage
• Loss of elasticity/bounce
• Split ends
• Frizz
• Difficulty styling
• Irritated scalp (if sensitive)
• For color-treated curls – premature color fading and more trips to the salon.

Curls tend to be on the drier side because their natural structure allows for moisture to escape. Also, the moisturizing sebum that comes from the scalp rarely makes its way down the entire hair shaft. After all, hair brushing (the process that moves softening sebum throughout your inches) on curls that aren’t wet is a big no-no.

The ideal road to your curl’s health and bounce is to get the best sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair. Not only will it effectively cleanse your scalp and hair, but our favorites are also formulated with ingredients that replenish and preserve moisture and protect hair. Here’s our list of the best sulfate free shampoo for curly hair.

An All-Purpose Classic – If you’re unsure where to start, go for a great all-purpose line that covers all the curly-haired bases, like Davines LOVE Curl Enhancing Shampoo. This eco-friendly shampoo is formulated to gently cleanse your scalp and preserve hair’s elasticity.

Hair elasticity refers to its flexibility, which means curls will bounce back into tip-top shape after everything they’re put through. Davines achieves this in part with responsibly-sourced almond extract, which has protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals to supply hair with all it needs to achieve hydrated, bouncy, shiny curls. Choose this creamy sulfate-free shampoo to unlock all your desired hair goals.

Powered by Cocoa Butter – An alternative in the all-purpose department is Surface’s Curls Shampoo. The greatness of the power of plants is the wide variety available to supply nourishing ingredients to our hair and skin. And if you love cocoa butter, this is your best sulfate free shampoo for curly hair that will be defined, moisturized, and healthy.

Cocoa butter and the additional babassu seed oil are both rich in nutrients and fatty acids. Fatty acids are a crucial component of healthy hair and can be lost through chemical treatments and sun exposure. Start replenishing your curls while shampooing for maximum benefits. 

For Daily Use  – As much as it makes curly-haired folks collectively cringe, some kin need to shampoo more often than not. In this case, it’s vital to use a sulfate-free shampoo that replenishes moisture and protects it from damage, like Eufora’s Curl’n Enhancing Shampoo. It’s uniquely formulated with a base of aloe vera instead of the usual water-based shampoos.

Aloe vera is an excellent cleansing facilitator and pulls double duty by supplying nutrients and antioxidants to the hair. Antioxidants protect hair against damaging elements that cause dryness, like ultraviolet light or environmental pollution. Made for looser curls and waves, this lightweight formula is your best support for a more vigorous hair-washing routine.

For Lively Curly to Coily Hair – UNITE’s Hair Boing Curl Shampoo kind of says it all with its fun-to-say name. This sulfate and paraben-free shampoo is also formulated without sodium chloride, another common ingredient that can dry out highly prone curls.

Powered with nutrient-dense coconut, you don’t have to worry about losing any bounce (or moisture) in your step. Boing Curl Shampoo is safe to use regularly on color-treated hair and contains only vegan and cruelty-free ingredients.

Affordable Curls – Who says you can’t get affordable salon-quality curls? Not when you go with Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo. This is another brand that wins our praises for being the best sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair that’s on the tighter side.

This curly hair shampoo is from the makers who understand that curls need moisture in every step of the haircare process. It checks all the boxes by having vitamins for nourishment, proteins to fortify, and plant oils to seal it all in. Check one more bonus box for a refreshing, light cucumber scent that will leave you feeling as good as your hair does.

A Worthy Splurge – We’ve talked about how certain ingredients benefit curl health, and the vegan and gluten-free R+CO Cassette Curl Shampoo has it all and then some. Your hair will withstand the world with the fortifying and protective qualities of superfoods flax seed, chia seed, and red algae. They all deliver unmatched vitamin, mineral, and fatty acid content.

You get so much hair goodness plus essentials like aloe vera, amino acids, castor oil, and a scent that will uplift your senses. An abundance of quality ingredients equals hair-growing strength, defined curls, sleek shine, deep moisture, and, let’s not forget, a clean scalp (oh yeah!). Sometimes treating yourself means pampering your hair while it’s getting clean.

Want to make the most out of using the best sulfate free shampoo for curly hair? Then pair your choice with their corresponding conditioners to get the silkiest, most vibrant curls, coils, and waves. Then click over to our Beauty Resource Center to learn about what else you can do for your hairstyle outside of the shower!