12 Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos For Colored Hair

1. Best Color-Treated Hair:NEXXUSColor AssureLong Lasting Vibrancy Shampoo

If you want to protect the beauty and vibrancy of your freshly colored hair, try the NEXXUS Color Assure Long Lasting Vibrancy Shampoo. It ensures that your hair color remains vibrant for up to 40 washes and replenishes it with nutrients that are usually lost during the coloring process. This sulfate-free shampoo for color-treated hair is formulated with a PROTEINFUSION blend of quinoa and elastin protein to boost life into your colored hair. Pros

Silicone-free Pleasant fragrance No residue

Cons

Causes tangles and knots

2. Best UV Protection:LUXEORGANIX Rejuvenating Argan Oil Shampoo

Rejuvenate your hair and experience luxury with the LUXEORGANIX Rejuvenating Argan Oil Shampoo. This sulfate-free shampoo for color-treated hair not only protects your hair color from fading away but also helps in taming frizz and enhancing your curls. It is ideal for keratin-treated hair and works wonders for curly, straight, fine, and coarse hair types. The shampoo is infused with Moroccan argan oil, UV absorbers, and thermal protectants to protect your hair from damage, hydrate and strengthen it, and make it more manageable. It has a fresh citrus scent with notes of orange and vanilla. Pros

UV protection Mild citrus fragrance Sodium chloride-free Gluten-free Alcohol-free Paraben-free Phthalate-free Mineral oil-free Petrolatum-free Formaldehyde-free Cruelty-free Vegan

Cons

Not suitable for sensitive scalp

3. Best Gentle:PUREOLOGY PROFESSIONAL COLOR CARE Strength Cure Shampoo

The PUREOLOGY PROFESSIONAL COLOR CARE Strength Cure Shampoo is a gentle and sulfate-free shampoo that helps repair damaged and dry hair. It strengthens and heals the hair while protecting the color and adding velvety softness. This shampoo is infused with keravis and astaxanthin and a signature aromatherapy blend of peach, raspberry, and water flowers to give your hair visible transformation. It also contains the brand’s patent Antifade Complex, which protects the hair color’s vibrancy and makes sure it does not fade away. The UV filters from sunflower seeds and vitamin E fight environmental aggressors that cause the hair color to fade. This video will give you a better insight into the product. Pros

Gentle Vegan Mineral oil-free Paraben-free Cruelty-free

Cons

Overpowering smell

4. Best Vegan:MAPLE HOLISTICS Tea Tree Shampoo

This shampoo revitalizes your scalp and makes your hair feel naturally bouncy and lustrous. It is infused with tea tree oil that balances the natural oils of the scalp and hair, fights dandruff, and soothes dry and itchy scalps. The shampoo is also loaded with botanical keratin and rosemary oil that strengthen the hair and promote hair growth. Lavender essential oil soothes your scalp and stimulates the hair follicles, aloe vera conditions the hair and scalp to prevent dandruff, and argan oil strengthens, repairs, hydrates, and imparts shine to dull and damaged hair. Watch this video for a thorough understanding of the product. Pros

Pleasant fragrance Silicone-free Paraben-free Cruelty-free Vegan Natural ingredients

Cons

Might cause flakes

5. Best Strengthening : Aveeno Blackberry Quinoa Protein Blend Shampoo

The Aveeno Blackberry Quinoa Protein Blend Shampoo has a wholesome balance of ingredients for calming your scalp and nourishing hair strands. It is formulated with oats to keep your scalp free from any irritation. Also, the rich mixture of blackberry and quinoa helps prevent your chemically treated hair color from fading. The lightweight gel-based shampoo helps reduce any damage or remove any residue buildup from the color treatment and adds a healthy and natural shine to your hair. Pros

Dye-free Paraben-free Sulfate-free Phthalate-free 100% farm-based

Cons

Some might find the fragrance an irritant.

6. Best pH Balanced:MIXED CHICKSSulfate-Free Shampoo

The MIXED CHICKS Sulfate-Free Shampoo cleanses colored hair without stripping the natural oils. It helps in deep cleansing, refreshing, and revitalizing your scalp and hair with its mild and gentle formulation.This shampooadds shine and softness to your hair and increases manageability without weighing your hair down or leaving any residue buildup to clog your scalp. This sulfate-free shampoo containsavocado oil, sweet almond oil, and aloevera to promote healthy hair growth. Avocado oil moisturizes and nourishes dry, brittle, and damaged hair, and sweet almond oil imparts shine and strengthens the hair. Aloe vera soothes dry and itchy scalps, reduces dandruff, and restores the natural pH balance of the scalp and hair. Other ingredients like panthenol, sesame seed oil, and olive oil nourish and strengthen the hair and impart shine, softness, and body. Pros

Mild formula Vegan Cruelty-free Smells amazing

Cons

Not suitable for sensitive scalp May dry out the hair

7. Best Moisturizing:Arvazallia Advanced Color Care System Moisturizing Shampoo

The Advanced Color Care Moisturizing Shampoo by Arvazallia is infused with argan and macadamia oils to promote hair growth and impart luminous shine.Itextends the life of your hair color and provides gentle care to your tresses by restoring their natural oils and bounce. The potent and advanced formula contains color-locking and restorative technologies to lock in the color for a long time and moisturize and strengthen your hair. Pros

Paraben-free Smells good No residue

Cons

Does not lather well Leaves the hair greasy

8. Best With Amino Acids:Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo

The Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo is a pH-balanced, gentle cleansing formula enriched with amino acids. It helps to neutralize yellow shades and maintain the tone and vibrancy of your colored hair. The shampoo is designed with an RTC Protein complex that works to protect and nourish all three layers of your hair from the roots to the tip. The absence of sulfate in this shampoo helps to maintain your hair color for up to 6 weeks without fading. Pros

Paraben-free Suitable for all hair types Tones blonde hair Neutralizes yellow shades

Cons

May make your hair greasy Thin consistency

9. Best Nourishing:LOVEbeauty ANDplanet Murumuru Butter & Rose Blooming Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo

This sulfate-free shampoo for color-treated hair is infused with murumuru butter that nourishes, softens, and protects the hair. It also contains ethically sourced rose petals from the Rose Valley of Bulgaria to revive your senses and coconut oil to lock in moisture and repair hair damage, dryness, and split ends. This shampoo delivers healthy shine while protecting your hair color. The vibrant rose notes and juicy freshness of red berries impart a refreshing scent to the product. Pros

Silicone-free Paraben-free Dye-free Cruelty-free Vegan

Cons

Makes scalp itchy Leaves residue

10. Best Plant-Based:Framesi Color Lover Moisture Rich Shampoo

The Framesi Color Lover Moisture Rich Shampoo is a moisturizing hair cleanser with an elegant floral smell that will leave your hair fresh and nourished all day long. The shampoo is plant-based and formulated with the goodness of quinoa, shea butter, aloe vera, meadowfoam seed oil, and vitamins B5, E, and C that can instantly revive dull and dry hair and give your hair a vibrant appearance. The no-sulfate formula of the shampoo can retain your color 95% longer. Pros

Natural ingredients Vegan Gluten-free Paraben-free Salt-free Hydrating formula

Cons

Can have an overpowering smell

11. Best Vibrant-Colored:Mai Hair Brazilian Keratin Treatment Sulfate-Free Moisturizing Shampoo

The Mai Hair Moisturizing Shampoo helps maintain, restore, and preserve your hair color. It is moisturizes and conditions hair that often tends to dry out post coloring treatments. This shampoo adds shine, boosts vitality, and reduces split ends, dryness, flaking, and breakage. It is lightweight and designed for everyday use and is sure to give you well-nourished, moisturized, healthy-looking, vibrant-colored, and manageable hair. Pros

Paraben-free Sodium-chloride-free Amazing smell

Cons

Dries out the scalp

12. Best For Red Hair:Bold Uniq Color Saviour Shampoo

The Bold Uniq Color Saviour Shampoo cleanses red and brunette locks with gentle care. The blend of goji fruit, acai, and pomegranate helps to retain the color and to fight external aggressors. It works wonderfully for all colors from reds to pinks and keeps them shiny and vibrant. The formula is enriched with sunflower, licorice, and coffee seed that keep your hair strands smooth and healthy. It has a neutral pH base. The shampoo also has a pleasant smell of berries and is packaged in consumer-recycled plastic. Pros

Pleasant smelling Mineral oil-free Paraben-free Neutral pH base Vegan and cruelty-free

Cons

Can make hair feel dry

We all love getting vibrant and eye-catching hair colors, whether mermaid hues or elegant streaks. However, the real challenge is protecting the hair and the color from all kinds of damage. To keep your hair color vibrant and maintain the lush color, it is crucial to use high-quality shampoo, preferably sulfate-free. Before choosing the best sulfate-free shampoo for colored hair, here is a list of things to consider.

How To Choose The Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos For Color-Treated Hair

Choose a Shampoo Designed For Color Treated Hair Only

Always check the shampoo’s label to see if it is specially formulated for color-treated hair. Color-treated hair needs extra care, and color-safe formulas ensure your hair and the color stay flawless even after months. Additionally, pick a damage repair shampoo if you find your hair heavily damaged due to coloring.

Look For Color Preserving Ingredients

Soy extracts, sunflower extracts, amino acids, and ceramides are some of the best-known ingredients to preserve hair color and minimize the risk of fading. They also help retain your hair color for extended periods.

Look For Nourishing Ingredients

The process of coloring your hair makes your hair go through various chemical treatments. This leaves your strands dry, brittle, and lifeless. Therefore, look for a hydrating shampoo formulated with plant oils and other ingredients that delivers intense nourishment and moisture.

Stay Away From Harsh Ingredients

Apart from sulfates, other harsh ingredients can also cause your hair color to fade quickly and further damage your hair. Drying alcohol, petroleum, and mineral oil are a few ingredients you should steer clear from. They can dry out your hair and make it brittle, resulting in dull hair.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author Shiboli Chakraborti is a certified skin care coach and has a keen interest in hair care. She has done thorough research and read many reviews to compile the list of best sulfate-free shampoos for colored hair. These shampoos lock the color and do not strip the hair’s natural oils. She says that sulfate-free shampoos are a must-have in a hair care routine for colored hair to maintain lustrous and flawless hair. Is any sulfate-free shampoo good for colored hair? Yes, sulfate-free shampoos are the best pick for colored hair. They help retain moisture in your hair and do not let the dye color fade quickly. What is the safest sulfate-free shampoo for color-treated hair? The NEXXUSColor AssureLong Lasting Vibrancy Shampoo is the best in the market and will help you maintain your hair color for an extended period and replenish your hair health. What happens if you wash dyed hair with sulfate shampoo? A sulfate shampoo easily breaks down the dyed colors and your natural hair color. Therefore, try to to use sulfate-free hair care products for color-treated hair. Do I need special shampoo for colored hair? Yes, you must use shampoos devoid of sulfate to maintain the longevity of your colored hair. What should you not use on colored hair? If you have colored hair, watch out for hair care products with sulfate, alcohol, parabens, and sodium chloride, as these ingredients damage your hair and wash out the dye. How do you moisturize color-treated hair? Use deep conditioners and hydrating hair masks to nourish your hair and retain its natural moisture. Also, avoid hot showers, as they can make your colored hair dry and frizzy.

Sulfate-Free Shampoos For Every Hair Type Color Safe Shampoos Protect The Color On Your Tresses Drugstore Sulfate-Free Shampoos Make Your Hair Dry Or Brittles