What Are Sulfates?

Sulfates are harsh chemicals found in most shampoos. They are used as cleaning agents that help in producing lather or foam. They are undoubtedly the finest cleaning agents. However, they not only remove impurities and grease from your hair but also strip the natural oils from your scalp. Sulfates throw the moisture levels of your hair off balance and cause scalp irritation, damaged hair follicles, sebum buildup, and brittle hair strands.

Why Go Sulfate-free?

Sulfates are extremely harsh and can damage any hair type or texture, especially curly hair. They can make your hair dull and brittle and result in frizz, split ends, and limp curls. Hence, it is best to opt for sulfate-free shampoos to maintain your hair health. Scroll down for the best sulfate-free shampoos for curly hair.

17 Best Sulfate-free Shampoos For Curly Hair

1. Best Frizz Control: VERNON FRANÇOIS Curl Shampoo

The VERNON FRANÇOIS Curl Shampoo is a gentle shampoo that boosts moisture and tames frizz and dryness, especially for dry curly, coily, and wavy hair types. This sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair is enriched with shea butter, olive oil, grape seed oil, and tea tree oil. The natural botanicals aid in cleansing and conditioning your hair. Shea butter helps increase softness, olive oil gives a silky feel, seaweed extract smooths hair texture, and tea tree oil helps unclog follicles. The pure water base helps you to get manageable and naturally bouncy curls. Key Ingredients: Shea butter, Olive leaf oil, Grape seed oil, and Jojoba oil Pros

Lightweight Smells good Paraben-free Silicone-free Vegan

Cons None

2. Best Value For Money: tgin Moisture Rich Sulfate Free Shampoo

The tgin Moisture Rich Sulfate Free Shampoo contains a uniquely potent blend of amla oil and coconut oil to retain moisture and nourish and strengthen your hair strands. This gentle deep cleanser does not strip off the natural moisture and oil from the scalp and maintains your curls’ natural bounce. It also contains pro-vitamin B5, which hydrates and eliminates hair breakage to leave your hair strong and thoroughly nourished. Here’s a video featuring a detailed review of the product. Key Ingredients: Amla oil, Coconut oil, and Pro-vitamin B5 Pros

Mild fragrance Paraben-free Dye-free Petrolatum-free Lanolin-free Cruelty-free Value for money

Cons

Leaves behind a white residue

3. Best Cruelty-Free: ROYAL LOCKS Clean Curls Shampoo

Achieve enhanced and bouncy curls with the ROYAL LOCKS Clean Curls Shampoo. This sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair is blended with a unique formula that helps strengthen, hydrate, and replenish the hair fibers to make them shinier and softer. Get visible results right from the first wash with this shampoo that gently cleans your scalp while restoring its natural pH balance. It is infused with natural argan oil and macadamia oil that penetrate your scalp to tame frizz and give your curls definition and natural bounce. This video will help you understand the product better. Key Ingredients: Natural argan oil and Macadamia oil Pros

Suitable for color-treated hair Pleasant fragrance Paraben-free Cruelty-free

Cons

Not suitable for sensitive scalp

4. Best For Color-Treated Hair: MARC DANIELS PROFESSIONAL Curl Enhancing Shampoo

The MARC DANIELS Professional Shampoo transforms your dull and lifeless hair into naturally bouncy curls. This sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair reduces frizz and porosity and makes the hair manageable. It contains chamomile extract that soothes and nourishes the hair follicles. This shampoo is gentle on the scalp and hair and protects them from UV rays and free radicals. It deeply cleans and calms unruly strands without stripping their natural oils or disturbing the curls’ natural shape. This vegan product is suitable for all hair types, including color-treated, relaxed, chemically treated, and keratin-treated hair. Key Ingredient: Chamomile extract, Rosemary leaf extract, and Sage leaf extract Pros

Paraben-free Cruelty-free Vegan Suitable for chemically treated, keratin treated, and colored hair

Cons

Overpowering fragrance

5. Best Silicone-Free: MAPLE HOLISTICS POMEGRANATE Shampoo

The MAPLE HOLISTICS POMEGRANATE Shampoo has a divine fruity fragrance, thanks to its key ingredient – pomegranate. It rejuvenates, nourishes, and hydrates your hair to give you soft and bouncy curls. The pomegranate extract hydrates your curls and scalp to strengthen them with plush vitamins. This sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair reduces dryness, smooths split ends, and eliminates frizz. It also improves manageability and helps in keeping your hair healthy. This nourishing formula also contains jojoba, sunflower seed, lavender, and sea buckthorn oils. While jojoba oil plumps the hair strands with moisture, sunflower seed oil strengthens and moisturizes the hair to prevent frizz and hair loss. Lavender oil stimulates the hair follicles and reduces dandruff, and sea buckthorn oil promotes hair growth. This cruelty-free shampoo does not contain parabens, silicones, and other unnecessary additives. Key Ingredients: Pomegranate, Lavender oil, Jojoba oil, and Camellia seed oil Pros

Value for money Paraben-free Silicone-free Cruelty-free Suitable for color-treated hair

Cons

Overpowering fragrance

6. Best Curl-Defining: L’OREAL PARIS Ever Curl Sulfate/Free Hydracharge Shampoo

The L’OREAL PARIS Ever Curl Hydracharge Shampoo cleanses your hair and scalp without stripping their natural oils. The gentle, sulfate-free formula hydrates your hair without weighing it down, leaving your curls soft, manageable, and bouncy. This sulfate-free shampoo is enriched with coconut oil that controls frizz and provides deep moisturization for 48-hour curl definition. The lightweight and anti-frizz formula is suitable for color-treated or chemically processed hair. Check out the detailed review of the product in this video. Key Ingredients: Coconut oil Pros

Salt-free Paraben-free Lightweight Gentle Suitable for color-treated and chemically processed hair

Cons

Unpleasant smell Tangles hair

7. Best Long-Lasting Effect: KERANIQUE Scalp Nourishing Shampoo

Give your curls a natural definition with the KERANIQUE Scalp Nourishing Shampoo. It is formulated with Keratin Amino Complex that fortifies your hair, boosts moisture and shine, and reduces damage by gently cleansing it. The unique and mild formula strengthens your hair and improves curl definition. It works on all textured hair types – from loosest curls to the tightest coils. The Curl Preserve formula protects the hair fibers and eliminates the possibility of hair loss due to breakage. This shampoo reduces the effect of humidity, making your hair manageable. It revitalizes curls, controls frizz, and repairs split ends to make your hair healthy. Key Ingredients: Keratin Amino Complex, Curcumin(Turmeric), Ginseng, and Bisabolol Pros

Paraben-free Cruelty-free Dye-free A little goes a long way

Cons

Expensive

8. Best Paraben-Free: GARNIER FRUCTIS Curl Nourish Forifying Shampoo

Strengthen your hair with proteins from the GARNIER FRUCTIS Curl Nourish Fortifying Shampoo. This sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair is infused with coconut oil and glycerin that provide ultimate nourishment, along with 24-hour frizz resistant curls. It is loaded with citrus proteins, vitamins B3 and B6, and plant and fruit extracts that ensure healthier and stronger tresses. If you heat style your hair often, this product will help protect your hair up to 446°C. This shampoo also contains jojoba and macadamia oils that gently cleanse your curls without stripping its natural moisture to deliver smooth, well-defined, and bouncy curls. Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, Glycerin, Jojoba oil, and Macadamia oil Pros

24-hour frizz-resistant curls Weightless formula Paraben-free Silicone-free Value for money

Cons

Might cause itchy scalp

9. Best For Adding Bounce: CURLY Girl Shampoo

The CURLY Girl Shampoo offers Curl Defining Protection and is infused with citrus essence that gently removes impurities and boosts your hair health for a natural bounce. This shampoo protects the color from fading away and hydrates your hair for visibly vibrant and frizz-free curls. Key Ingredients: Citrus essence, Glycerin, Cucumber fruit extract, Limonene, and Linalool Pros

Paraben-free Formaldehyde-free DEA-free MEA-free Suitable for color-treated hair Value for money

Cons

Strong citrus fragrance

10. Best Unisex: Bellisso Argan Oil Shampoo

The BELLISSO Argan Oil Shampoo is infused with a blend of Moroccan argan oil, vitamin E, and essential oils. These ingredients nourish your hair, eliminate frizz and split ends, and impart shine. The sebamed agent works as an antiseptic and helps in treating oily scalps that have bacteria or scales. The Homocysteine Therapeutic Aromatherapy helps in restoring, restructuring, and repairing the hair, while the Super Micro Magnesium Grains strengthen the hair and boost its elasticity. The Ceramide Silk Peptide moisturizes and adds vibrancy to color-treated hair, while the Nuclear Hydrolyzed Protein Technology penetrates damaged hair to repair and nourish it. This shampoo is unisex and works on all hair types, including colored, damaged, and frizzy hair. Key Ingredients: Argan oil, Glycerin, Jojoba oil, and Kernel oil Pros

Unisex Gluten-free Paraben-free Cruelty-free Color-safe

Cons

Does not lather well

11. Best Heat Protection: PUREnature Argan Oil Deep Hydra Nourishing Shampoo

The PUREnature Deep Hydra Nourishing Shampoo gives your curls a luxurious feel by deeply nourishing and strengthening them. This sulfate-free shampoo is infused with botanicals that refresh and deeply cleanse your hair from root to tip. The moisturizing agents hydrate and restore the moisture levels even in color-treated and keratin-treated hair. This shampoo contains a UV and thermal protectant, along with vitamins and antioxidants, that protects your hair from everyday heat styling tools. The vitamin E from argan oil penetrates your cuticles, making your hair strong and silky with well-defined curls that are frizz-free and manageable. Key Ingredients: Argan oil, Hydrolyzed collagen, and Citric acid Pros

Paraben-free Cruelty-free Heat protection Gluten-free Phthalate-free Value for money

Cons

Overpowering smell Might make the hair brittle

12. Best Lather: mixtina Sulfate Free Shampoo

The mixtina Sulfate Free Shampoo is specially formulated for mixed, multi-ethnic, and multi-cultural hair. It lathers up wonderfully to deep cleanse your scalp and curls without leaving any buildup. This shampoo does not strip the moisture and natural oils of your hair or dry it out. It is infused with coconut oil that has moisturizing and repairing properties to hydrate dry and damaged hair. This vegan and cruelty-free product is best suited for damaged, weak, and over-processed hair. Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, Orchid, and Essential oils Pros

Lathers well Does not leave residue Protects hair color Smells good Cruelty-free Paraben-free Vegan

Cons

Not suitable for thick or coarse hair

13. Best Gentle: Kinky Curly Come Clean Natural Moisturizing Shampoo

The Kinky Curly Come Clean Shampoo is formulated with Mandarin orange extract and sea kelp that gently cleanse your hair and scalp of buildup and maintain proper moisture balance. It also contains phytic acid that removes the buildup of hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium and corn that prevents hard water buildup on your hair. This gentle shampoo imparts shine and a lingering fragrance to your hair. Key Ingredients: Mandarin orange extract, Sea kelp, and Phytic acid Pros

Gentle Suitable for daily use Ethyl alcohol-free Paraben-free Cruelty-free

Cons

Not suitable for sensitive scalp May dry out the hair

14. Best 100% Natural: HONEYDEW Natural Daily Shampoo

The HONEYDEW Natural Daily Shampoo for thick and curly hair is an ultra-rich, creamy, and highly moisturizing shampoo. This sulfate-free shampoo is made with 100% natural and plant-derived ingredients. It is best suited for African American hair, natural black hair, including other ethnicities and hair types like 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, and 4C. It is formulated with avocado oil that has conditioning, moisturizing, and cleansing properties. The creamy-textured and concentrated pearlescent base of this shampoo contains natural cleansing ingredients and conditioning agents that nourish and enhance thick and curly hair. This shampoo gently cleans your hair without disturbing scalp pH levels and is suitable for men, women, and children of all age groups. Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, Jojoba oil, and Glycerin Pros

100% natural Safe for color-treated hair Paraben-free Cruelty-free

Cons

Might cause tangles and knots

15. Best Fragrance: ORS Curls Unleashed Sulfate-Free Shampoo

The ORS Curls Unleashed Sulfate-Free Shampoo is a lavish formula that gently cleanses, moisturizes, and detangles your curls. It contains a potent blend of rosemary, coconut, and other ingredients that nourish your lifeless curls and impart moisture and natural bounce. This sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair helps in removing buildup and makes your curls manageable and ultra-soft. It does not strip the hair of its natural oils and lathers up well. Key Ingredients: Rosemary and Coconut Pros

Smells good Suitable for everyday use Value for money

Cons

Not suitable for oily scalp

16. : Bumble and bumble Bb Curl (Care) Shampoo

The Bumble and bumble Bb Curl Shampoo has a gentle sulfate-free formula that hydrates your hair while deeply cleansing it. It is designed to give you well-defined curls every single time. The moisture-rich shampoo is infused with HydraSculpt blend that consists of crosslinking polymers that moisturize and control each curl to ease styling. It also contains babassu oil, pracaxi oil, cupuacu butter, and humectants that deeply nourish and moisturize your hair and make it frizz-free. The UV inhibitors protect your hair from the damaging sun rays. This shampoo is perfect for everyday use as it provides a refreshing and cleansing experience and helps to detangle your curls, no matter what hair type. Key Ingredients: HydraSculpt blend, Babassu oil, Pracaxi oil, and Cupuacu butter Pros

Paraben-free Phthalate-free Cruelty-free Formaldehyde-free Mineral oil-free

Cons

May weigh the hair down

17. : MIXED CHICKS Sulfate-Free Shampoo

The MIXED CHICKS Sulfate-Free Shampoo deeply cleanses and rejuvenates your scalp and hair without stripping the natural oils. It is infused with a delightful blend of ultra-moisturizing oils of olives, avocados, sweet almonds, and aloe vera. These oils nourish and cleanse your scalp without disturbing the natural moisture balance or drying out your hair. This shampoo imparts shine and makes your hair more manageable without weighing it down or causing buildup. It is ideal for various types of curls, textured, color-treated, and chemically treated hair. Key Ingredients: Olive oil, Avocado oil, Sweet almond oil, and Aloe vera Pros

Ideal for everyday use Mild formula Suitable for colored and chemically treated hair Value for money Pleasant fragrance

Cons

May cause itching in the scalp

If you are wondering how to choose the best option from the above list, don’t worry, we have got your back! Read ahead to learn more.

How To Choose The Best Sulfate-free Shampoo

Ingredients

It is always recommended to stick to a sulfate-free shampoo with all-natural or plant-derived ingredients as they do not have any adverse side effects. Make sure that the shampoo does not have any other harsh chemicals like parabens, phthalates, alcohol, etc., which may result in further hair damage. These products make your hair brittle and strip away the essential moisture and oils.

Quality

Pick a sulfate-free shampoo that is hypoallergenic, clinically tested, and has great customer reviews.

Why Trust Stylecraze?

Shiboli Chakraborti is a certified skin care coach and hair care aficionado who prefers using sulfate-free shampoos for her curly hair. She uses these mild formulas because they are not harsh on the curls. She has conducted thorough and in-depth research of user feedback to find the best ones for her readers. According to her, the best part about sulfate-free shampoos for curly hair is that it does not leave your curls frizzy. Why do people with curly hair have to use sulfate-free shampoo? Sulfate-free shampoos help in moisture retention which is extremely crucial for the dry nature of curly hair. Can you use sulfate-free shampoo every day on curly hair? No, use them once or twice a week for the best results. Does sulfate-free shampoo cause buildup? No, if you wash out your shampoo thoroughly, sulfate-free shampoos won’t cause any buildup. What ingredients in shampoos should a curly girl avoid? •  Alcohol •  Sulfates •  Wax •  Mineral Oil •  Silicones Who should not use sulfate-free shampoo? Sulfate-free shampoos are safe for every skin or hair type. Does sulfate-free shampoo treat itchy scalp? Yes, sulfate-free shampoos don’t cause irritation or dryness and prevent itchiness in the scalp.

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