In this age of organic and environmental concerns, right down to our bathrooms, should we be in favor of sulfate-free shampoos? And if so, why?
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| What are the advantages and disadvantages of a sulfate-free shampoo? |
Sulfate-free shampoo: what is it? To understand the (des)interest in sulfate-free shampoo, it is important to understand what this component is. It is in fact a synthetic ingredient derived from sulfur, lauryl alcohol and vaseline. There are dozens and dozens of more or less mild variations of sulfate on the market. Those found in our classic shampoos are the most aggressive. These are sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).
Sulfate-free shampoo: the disadvantages. Sulfate has the advantage of making the shampoo foam and giving an impression of cleanliness once rinsed. So we tend to think that the more a product foams, the better our hair is washed. Finally, the sulfate added in our shampoos allows us to buy them at the best price and to feel that they do their job: cleaning. The presence of sulfate also makes hair shiny and healthy looking. In the short term only...
The advantages of sulfate-free shampoo
And yet, foam is often not a guarantee of cleanliness and even less of quality. The sodium laureth sulfate and SLS mentioned above should be leaked as much as possible. In the long term, these two molecules weaken the scalp by reducing the hair's natural keratin. Studies are now underway to prove the causal link between alopecia and sulfate. Moreover, sulfates are absorbed by our body, causing often irreversible damage to certain organs, such as the liver. It is easy to understand that by removing the sulfate from our hair, we are making a health and beauty gesture.
More specifically, using a sulfate-free organic shampoo will be beneficial to those with dry hair. Sulfate has the bad habit of absorbing sebum from the scalp and therefore drying it out. A process that, in some cases, even leads to the formation of unsightly dandruff.
sulfate-free shampoo: where to buy it
A booming market, organic, natural and sulfate-free shampoos are invading all beauty departments. It is therefore very easy to get them. Pharmacies and Parapharmacies will be able to advise you on the best shampoos to adopt. To switch to sulfate-free shampoo without ruining yourself (natural is often more expensive than synthetic), you can decipher the labels of supermarket products. The Internet and its thousands of sites specializing in natural beauty are also a good opportunity for you to get sulfate-free shampoos. Afterwards, all you have to do is follow our advice to wash your hair well.
