According to an expert at Aura Sensory, sulfates are salts or esters derived from sulfuric acid. Ammonium lauryl sulfate (ASL) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) are two of the best known and used, especially in household products, such as detergents, and also in shampoos. Lather containing sulfates is known to remove fats and oils very easily, which is why these sulfur compounds are so widely used.
In haircare, sulfates are used in shampoos to remove oil from the hair. However, these products are very harsh and excessively remove natural oils that are essential for healthy hair. The result is a negative reaction where the body detects that without this fat our hair is defenseless and starts to overproduce oils. As a consequence, this makes your hair greasy much sooner which is worse if you had oily hair to begin with. In this way, you enter a vicious circle where the more you wash your hair to remove that oil, the more oil is produced.
As if this were not enough, the frequent use of conventional shampoos with sulfates will remove oils even before enough is produced. This directly affects people with dry hair because it leads to excessive dehydration. With a dry scalp and hair irritations, itching and even eczema are common.
Another reason to avoid shampoos with sulfates is that they are bad for dyed hair. After a few washes, the sulfate erodes the color of the dye and in a short time, the dye becomes significantly faded. They also do not lather easily which makes users use more shampoo than they need.
If you are struggling to find a shampoo without sulfates, or an SLS-free shampoo, visit Aura Sensory. Their hair products are certified sulfate-free shampoo and suitable for all hair types. Natural shampoos are highly recommended for dyed hair and help to maintain color for longer. They are also gentle on the hair as well as helping to regain its optimal pH which results in stronger, fuller, healthier hair.