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Julie Bollaart
Sulphates. What does it do and what exactly are sulphates? You often don't even realise that you are using shampoo or other cosmetics containing sulphates. Sulphates are in almost all normal shampoos. You will only find sulphate-free shampoo from brands that produce shampoos of higher quality.
Sulphates. They can be dangerous and dry out the scalp. Sulphates also disrupt hair growth. They strip away natural oils and are also bad for the environment. But what are sulphates, why are they so bad for you and what are the alternatives to them?
You know sulphates as the substance that makes your shampoo lather so nicely (foaming agents). One characteristic of sulphates is their cleansing function. For this reason, they are also used in detergents and toothpaste. This is why people find it hard to get used to shampoo without sulphates; these shampoos lather less and are much thicker, giving you the feeling that you are not cleaning your hair properly. Nothing could be further from the truth!
"Sulphates" is an umbrella term for four types of cleansers with ingredients like sodium lauryl sulphate or ammonium lauryl sulphate. The four cleaners are SLS, SLES, ALS AND ALES. SLS is the best known, which is why more and more people are looking for shampoo without SLS.
There are different types of sulphates The difference is in the compound they form. We list some sulphates for you below.
The cleansing function of sulphates is fierce for your scalp. Your hair gets clean, but actually too clean. A shampoo with sulphate also cleanses natural oils, also known as sebum or sebum. Sebum keeps the scalp and your hair supple. This natural oil also protects against external influences. Sulphates have an irritating effect on your scalp and can disrupt hair growth.
A by-product of sulphate is dioxane. Researchers suspect that this substance is strongly linked to cancer, but representative evidence has not yet been found for this.
The ingredients SLS and SLES are most commonly found in personal products and cleaning products such as:
The amount of SLS and SLES in a product depends on the manufacturer. It can vary from small amounts to almost 50 per cent of the product.
Some sulphates occur naturally and are found in water. Together with other salts and minerals, they help improve the taste of drinking water. Others are found in fertilisers, fungicides and pesticides.
How do you recognise sulphates? Sulphates are known for their foaming effect. A shampoo without sulphates does (almost) not foam. You probably wonder for the first time if the shampoo cleanses enough and does what it is supposed to do. Don't worry, before you know it, you'll be confident and the lack of lather won't matter to you.
Parabens are preservatives often found in cosmetics, such as creams, lotions, shampoos and make-up. Parabens help extend the shelf life of these products. Studies show that some parabens can be absorbed into the skin and also into the blood. There are concerns that these can cause breast cancer. There is no confirmed evidence yet that parabens are harmful to health. Nevertheless, many companies are moving towards producing paraben-free cosmetics. Some products use lower concentrations of parabens in their products as a result.
Want to use a sulphate-free shampoo and boost your hair growth at the same time? Then DS Laboratories Revita Shampoo against hair loss is a good choice. This is a professional shampoo with no chemicals, no sulphates, no silicones and several natural ingredients that stimulate hair growth.
For men and women who suffer from dry, frizzy and/or damaged hair, we have the DS Laboratories Nia Shampoo. This is another shampoo without SLS, parabens and silicones and contains a special restructuring formula to repair damaged hair and leave it looking radiant.
DS Laboratories Radia Shampoo is ideal for men and women who have sensitive scalps. The shampoo has a deep cleansing effect and ensures that no residue from styling products, for example, remains on the scalp. Go for this sulphate-free shampoo if you suffer from inflammation, eczema and psoriasis on the scalp.
OASE Hair Thickening Shampoo is the most effective shampoo that stimulates hair growth. Its 13 active hair growth stimulating ingredients nourish and calm the scalp. In addition, the shampoo is effective against dandruff and lays the foundation for healthy hair growth.OASE Hair Thickening Shampoo is suitable for every man and woman looking for an effective treatment against premature hair loss or simply because you want thicker and healthier hair.
Choosing the best sulphate-free shampoo for your curls is not easy. With the Meu Cacho Minha Vida shampoo from the Brazilian brand Lola Cosmetics, your search comes to an end. Defined frizz-free curls in no time. Also, check out the other sulphate-free hair care products in this range. That way you will be kind to your curls and the environment.
The OLAPLEX Bond Maintenance No. 4 shampoo from the well-known OLAPLEX brand protects and repairs damaged hair, split ends and frizz by reconnecting broken bonds. All this without sulphates. Also, check out OLAPLEX's other hair repair products in our range. So you can repair your damaged locks in no time.
Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo makes hair instantly smooth, supple and easy to comb. This silver shampoo from Moroccanoil has been specially developed to combat unwanted yellow and orange tones, after colouring the hair. Also, see the Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Conditioner.
The You're One in a Melon Shampoo Bar is a soothing and conditioning shampoo. A shampoo bar that is suitable if you have frizzy and/or curly hair. The shampoo bar gently cleanses your cut and lasts for 90 washes. Last but not least, the shampoo bar is 100% plastic-free, vegan, animal-free, palm oil-free, vegan, SLS and SLES-free.
For always clean hair without the harsh chemicals? A sulphate-free shampoo can also be better for people with coloured hair as it makes the colour less likely to fade. View our shampoo range and choose the sulphate-free shampoo that suits you best. That way, you too will always have a clean cut without any adverse side effects. Ordered before 23:59, shipped the next tomorrow.