SULPHATE, SODIUM AND PARABEN FREE – WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

There are a number of traditional ingredients that have been used in hair products for years which research has shown can do more harm than good. Due to this, many hair products are now sulphate, sodium and paraben free. We will look at the role these ingredients play in products, their effect on hair, and the benefits of removing them.

What are sulphates?

Sulphates are a chemical foaming agent, and a common ingredient in cleaning products that require surfactants. They are excellent for creating foam in shampoo, and providing a ‘squeaky clean’ feeling in the hair. However, they achieve this by stripping natural oils out of the hair and generally behaving like an abrasive. Because of this, they can act as an irritant and cause redness, itchiness and even swelling of the scalp. Meanwhile they can also strip moisture, and colour, out of the hair shaft. This is also why you can’t use sulphate shampoos after Keratin-smoothing treatments, as they literally strip smoothing agents out of the hair. Using a sulphate-free shampoo will help remove these issues, by reducing irritation and preventing premature colour fade.