English: Bottles of shampoo and lotions manufactured by the C.L. Hamilton Co. of Washington, D.C. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Are Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Free Shampoos Really Better?
Most busy Mums do not have a lot of time on an everyday basis to do a lot to their hair but keeping your locks in the best condition possible is something that not only helps your hair look better overall but can make it easier and quicker to style as well. One of the main things that an increasing number of hair experts feel can really help you to do this is switching to a Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – SLS for short – free shampoo.
Why Are There Sulfates in Shampoos?
The Soduim Lauryl sulfate that about 98% of the shampoos you will find at the chemists contain is there not only because it is a cheap cleansing agent but because it produces all of those lovely bubbles we all expect to see when we wash our hair.
There are a few problems with SLS though that have turned a lot of people off using any products on their hair and bodies that contains it. The first is the creepy factor. Not only is SLS in your shampoo but its also in a lot of washing up liquids and the stuff you use to wash your car as well as the stuff you use to clean the toilet. Would you ever really consider putting car shampoo or toilet cleaner on your head? Probably not.
The second issue is that in chemical terms SLS is classified as a skin irritant. That includes the skin on your scalp. SLS is also the reason it is so painful if you happen to get shampoo in your eyes, the sting is from the sulfates, not from the shampoo itself.
Do Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Free Shampoos Really Work?
Alongside all those SLS filled shampoos at the chemists you should be able to find at least one or two shampoos that are labeled SLS free. You can find even more of them if you go to a natural products store or shop online. SLS free shampoos used to be harder to find but as more people realize that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is not the only ingredient that can be used to cleanse their hair more companies are catering to that demand.
The one thing that some people find a little strange – at first anyway – about SLS free shampoos is the fact that there is generally less lather. These shampoos contain other cleaning agents to actually cleanse the hair but nothing that creates an excessive amount of bubbles!
The Best of the SLS Free Shampoos
One of the best of the SLS free shampoos that you can find right now is made by a company we are all familiar with, L’Oreal and you should be able to find it at Boots or Superdrug. The L’Oreal Paris Everpure line comes as both a shampoo and a conditioner and contains rosemary, juniper and mint, which is probably why they smell so nice as well as do a wonderful job. And at under £6 its a lot cheaper than many of the other options.
Other SLS free shampoos that seem to be worth giving a try include a line by Bumble and Bumble called Colour Minded that is designed for coloured hair and the Ojon Super Sleek Shampoo line. These are both pricier but fans of both brands seem to feel like the extra money id worth paying.
Bio: Elena is a hair care expert with a special interest in hair colours and natural hair care.
