Welcome to LovelySkin.com.
From the iciest platinum blonde to the deepest shade of auburn, once you’ve made the effort to have your hair professionally color-treated at the salon, that’s an investment you’ll want to protect for as long as possible in between appointments. You may have heard you should stay away from sulfates in your shampoo if you have colored hair, but does the shampoo you use to wash color-treated hair really make a difference?
Sulfates are an active ingredient in shampoo that acts as a cleaning agent. They give shampoos their foamy, sudsy texture and they function by cleansing away dirt, oil and built-up styling products on your scalp and in your hair. Sodium laurel sulfate (SLS) is one sulfate you’ll often see included in formulas for shampoos and other hair and skin care products.
The hairstyling industry has continued to recommend sulfate-free shampoos for color-treated hair because sulfates cleanse away the oil and dirt in your hair, they can also fade your color over time. “When you use a shampoo with sulfates such as SLS, your hair may feel clean, but sulfates may strip away too much moisture from your hair and scalp,” says board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “Hair that’s lacking moisture is more prone to breakage as well, which is why I do prefer products to be SLS-free.”
Looking for the best sulfate-free shampoo for colored hair? We’ve pulled together a few of our favorites. In addition to being free of sulfates, these shampoos offer a variety of other benefits for your hair, from boosting moisture to helping repair split ends. Here are six of the best sulfate-free shampoos for color-treated hair:
The entire OLAPLEX hair care line is sulfate-free, including its signature shampoo. What makes OLAPLEX products so unique is the brand’s signature patented active ingredient, bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, which repairs and strengthens the broken disulfide bonds in hair that result in frizz, dryness and breakage. By using this shampoo as part of your hair care routine, you can help keep your color fresh and reduce frizz and split ends for smoother, softer-looking hair.
Professional hair care maker Redken created this shampoo specifically to gently cleanse and support professionally colored hair. This is one of the best sulfate-free shampoos for colored hair because it contains a Color Extend Magnetics System, which helps support tone and vibrancy of color-treated hair. It also features Redken’s RCT Protein Complex, which helps enhance shine and strengthen hair from root to tip.
Prevent color fade and fight frizz at the same time with this smoothing sulfate-free shampoo from Pureology. The starring ingredient is the brand’s proprietary AntiFade Complex, which contains vitamin E and xylose sugar to keep hair color looking vibrant in between salon appointments. Natural oils such as shea butter and camellia seed oil work together to help combat frizz, while a pleasant scent of violet, musk and clove leave your locks smelling lovely.
Missing the luxurious lather of your regular shampoo? This gentle shampoo relies on gugo tree bark instead of sulfates to provide lather, so you can still enjoy a sudsy experience without risking color fade. It also contains keratin to help condition and nourish your hair, leaving your locks softer, smoother and protected from the damage of heat tools during styling.
Salon hair care company Surface created the Trinity Color Care line to support healthy hair and long-lasting hair color. The three powerhouse ingredients featured in this product include moringa oil, amaranth protein and babassu oil, all of which work together to help strengthen strands, protect the scalp and nourish hair with protective lipids to keep color looking vibrant and fresh. The Trinity Color Care line also includes a number of complementary products, including a protein cream for heat styling and a bonding mask for intense conditioning.
ColorProof prides itself in creating concentrated and effective hair care products that are entirely safe for color-treated hair. This is one of the best sulfate-free shampoos for color-treated hair thanks to the Advanced Color Last System, a proprietary blend of proteins and antioxidants that all work in tandem to preserve color and prevent fading.
Hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 help retain moisture levels in the hair and scalp for softer, smoother-looking strands. As an added bonus, the minty mojito-inspired fragrance will have you stepping out of the shower feeling refreshed.
Looking to learn more about OLAPLEX? Check out the best OLAPLEX products for dry, damaged hair and split ends.
Aaron serves as Editor at LovelySkin. Since graduating from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2016 with degrees in Creative Writing and English, he has immersed himself in the beauty industry. When he’s not writing about the latest beauty trends, he spends time cuddling his dogs, scouring antique stores, playing tennis and hiking.
Other Posts by AaronFollow us on social networks and be one of the first to learn about sales, giveaways, and free samples
| Mon - Fri | 9 - 5 p.m. CT |
|---|---|
| Sat (chat only) | 9 - 3 p.m. CT |
| Sun / Holidays | Closed |
| Call or Text: | 402-697-1100 |
|---|
