Hair Care News

Advantages of SLS-free Shampoo

Posted on December 29, 2009 with 1 Comment

“Green” is big now – not only in terms of our environment, but also in terms of what we eat, supplements, what we wear, and how we recycle.  So, it is no suprise that sls-free shampoo is getting a lot of attention.  So, what’s the big deal with sls-free cleansers and, oh BTW, what are they?

What is SLS-FREE?

For those not in the hair products industry or who are not formulators for a manufacturer, SLS is short for Sodium Laurel Sulphate…and is also often referred to as “sulfate-free shampoo”.  It is a surfactant – a cleanser – used in shampoos.  It is what creates the “bubbles” and the lather.

The Trend is not only for hair health, but the environment

Surfactants are used in many cleaning products…dish washing liquid, clothes detergent, carpet cleaner, car wash, etc.  And interestingly, your daily shampoo may have more in common with carpet cleaner than you might expect or like to know.

Why Should I Care?

Put simply, there are several options to make the foaming lather in shampoos.  The two most commonly used for hair cleansers are Sodium Laurel Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate.  Though they look and sound the same, they are not.  “Laurel” is considered harsh – being harmful to the biology of the follicles and scalp as well as stripping color, perms and chemical treatments, and creating splitting and general damage.

If you take a look at the ingredients on a bottle of shampoo (I know, who reads the labels on shampoos??!), you’ll notice the surfactant and liquid base one of the first ingredients on the list.

The trend, not only for hair health, but for the environment, is to use less harmful cleansing agents that biodegrade quicker and help protect the follicles and scalp while still providing adequate cleansing action.  The result of this trend is the advent and increasingly popularity of SLS-Free shampoo – or, essentially products that do not have Sodium LAUREL Sulfate; though some include its cousin Laureth in with definition when referring to sulfate-free.

What are the Advantages?

The benefits and advantages are easy to see.  Many users have noticed their hair is less dry and able to retain moisture and hydration.  Others have pointed out that damage is experienced less often – especially when using heated styling appliances. 

Other users of SLS-Free shampoos report improved volume, body and control; and, one of the most cited advatages is color treatments last longer.

While we don’t necessarily promote everyone start combing the back of their hair care products, it is useful to know that cheap(er) shampoos will generally use LAURETH, or worse.  Why?  Because the ingredient is less expensive – much less expensive.  As you might know be considering, there is some truth to “cheap supermarket” products being bad for your hair and the “professional salon” products being good.