If you’re looking for sulfate free shampoo recommendations, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to see our list of the best sulfate free shampoos for men.
Hair care is an integral part of any man’s daily routine, but it can be difficult to find an effective shampoo that works for your hair.
If you’ve shopped around for shampoos before, you’ve undoubtedly seen the term “sulfate-free.” Many consumers are choosing to avoid sulfates in their shampoos, but unless you have a Ph.D. in Lathering, you may not know why.
To understand why the sulfate-free movement is so big, you have to know about sulfates. Sulfates are cleansing chemicals that are often found in shampoo, and their purpose is to create a lather that works to remove dirt and oil from the hair.
Sulfates are so common in shampoos because they’re great at cleaning hair. Typically, you’ll see either sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate in shampoos.
The problem with sulfates is that they can be too hard on some people’s hair. As Healthline notes, sulfates are strong, so people with sensitive skin, allergies, skin conditions, or dry/fine hair can experience adverse reactions to them.
Sulfates can irritate sensitive skin, cause allergic reactions, and strip dry or fine hair of their natural oils.
If you fall into any of those categories, then consider getting a sulfate-free shampoo. It’ll be gentler on your hair and skin while still providing a deep clean.
In our search for the best sulfate-free shampoo for men, we found 12 great options for a range of hair types. Whether you have thin and dry hair or thick and kinky hair, there’s a sulfate-free shampoo for you on this list.
(Quick note: While many of these shampoos are marketed toward women, they’ll work on men’s hair just fine.)
Table of Contents
The Best Sulfate-Free Shampoo for Men
Here they are in no particular order…
Quick Take
Short on time? Here is our top pick for the best sulfate-free shampoo for men that you can buy right now.
This anti-thinning shampoo from PURA D’OR protects against thinning while gently rejuvenating the hair.
This sulfate-free shampoo for men uses coconut oil and witch hazel to hydrate and protect the hair.
Whether you have curly, kinky, or thick hair, Oribe's Moisture & Control shampoo will give you control over your locks once and for all.
Read on for more info and the complete list…
1: OGX Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo
Sulfate shampoos can strip too many oils from sensitive hair, removing its natural shine and bounce. OGX Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco shampoo combats this with its vitamin-rich formula that’s meant to repair and strengthen hair.
Argan oil is widely popular for its moisturizing and revitalizing effects on hair, so it’s an ideal match for a sulfate-free shampoo. This shampoo is creamy yet lightweight, so it won’t damage your hair.
It’s also an excellent sulfate-free shampoo for frizzy hair, as its ingredients fight off frizz while protecting the hair from heat and UV damage.
2: PURA D’OR Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Biotin Shampoo
If you have thinning hair, then it may be better to use a sulfate-free shampoo so that you don’t make the thinning worse with harsh sulfates. This anti-thinning shampoo from PURA D’OR protects against thinning while gently rejuvenating the hair.
This shampoo is made with biotin and other vitamins which can reduce thinning while promoting strength and thickness. It’s packed with natural ingredients like nettle extract and aloe vera that add moisture and reduce irritation.
These ingredients can also minimize breakage, reduce scalp dryness, and improve the overall health of your hair.
Currently, this shampoo has over 21,000 Amazon reviews with an average rating of 4.5 stars, which is pretty impressive. If you have thinning hair, this shampoo is absolutely worth a look.
3: Art of Sport Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner
As the name suggests, Art of Sport’s shampoos are made with athletes in mind, but you don’t need to be an olympian to enjoy the benefits that their 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner provides.
This sulfate-free shampoo for men uses coconut oil and witch hazel to hydrate and protect the hair. It’s free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, alcohol, and other irritants that can harm your hair and skin.
As a nice bonus, it comes in three invigorating scents: Energizing Citrus, Extra Fresh, and Cool Eucalyptus.
Since it’s designed for athletes, this shampoo is long-lasting and sweat-resistant. If you’re an active guy (or if you just sweat a lot––no judgment here), you might want to give this shampoo a try. For many guys, this is the best sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner combo.
4: Jack Black True Volume Thickening Shampoo
You might recognize or even own Jack Black’s products; the company is one of the most popular men’s skin care brands. (They make a mean moisturizer for men.) It’s no surprise that their shampoo offerings are fantastic, especially their True Volume Thickening Shampoo.
This sulfate-free shampoo for men uses creatine, wheat protein, lavender, and other natural ingredients to remove dirt and oil from the hair. You won’t find any sulfates or parabens here, but you will find loads of antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients.
This shampoo is a good choice for men who want to add volume and thickness to their hair. Since it’s both volumizing and sulfate-free, it’s an excellent option for thin hair.
5: R+Co Cactus Texturizing Shampoo
Texture can be a tricky thing to achieve, especially if your hair tends to be flat or dry. R+Co Cactus Texturizing Shampoo fixes this issue with its gritty formula that provides textured hair right out of the shower.
Similar to a sea salt spray, this shampoo has tiny particles that provide texture and add fullness. This makes it easier for your hair to retain its shape and bounce, and it also adds grip for styling products to work with. It’ll also help you have better second day hair.
With ingredients like sunflower seed extract and coconut acid, this shampoo is sure to give your hair a boost. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and devoid of sulfates, parabens, and other synthetics.
6: Living Proof Perfect hair Day Shampoo
While this shampoo might not give you a perfect hair day, you’ll get pretty darn close.
This easygoing shampoo by Living Proof is formulated to improve your overall hair health and reduce the amount of grime and grease in your hair.
Perfect hair Day is a balanced shampoo that delivers volume, smoothness, strength, and more. It’s designed to solve multiple hair problems, but it’s versatile enough to be used for any hair type.
It provides a soft lather that’s much gentler than what you’d get with a sulfate shampoo. It’s free of not only sulfates but also parabens, silicone, and phthalates.
7: Pureology Hydrate Shampoo
Another product that focuses on moisturizing the hair, Pureology Hydrate Shampoo uses an aromatherapy blend of ylang ylang, bergamot, and patchouli to hydrate and refresh hair.
In place of sulfates, Pureology uses a mix of corn, coconut, and sugar to cleanse the hair without stripping the hair of its oils or color. This shampoo also contains full-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen to protect your hair from sun damage.
Hydrate is ideal for men who have medium to thick hair that tends to be on the drier side. This shampoo also works with color treated hair, so it’s great if you dye your hair and need a color-safe shampoo.
8: AG Hair Curl Revive Sulfate-Free Hydrating Shampoo
It can be difficult to find shampoos that are formulated for certain hair types.
If you have any hair type besides straight hair, you probably know this from experience. That’s why we dig this powerful shampoo from AG Hair that’s designed for curly hair.
This shampoo uses coconut and sunflower oil to hydrate your curls while adding shine and bounce. The formula also prevents frizz, enhances hair strength, and promotes moisture retention.
Whether you have moderately wavy or intensely curly hair, Curl Revive will encourage your hair’s natural tendencies. However, if you have coiled or kinky hair (4a/4b/4c), this shampoo probably won’t be optimal for you.
9: Bevel Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Speaking of coiled and kinky hair, let’s take a look at a shampoo that’s formulated specifically for those hair types: Bevel Sulfate-Free Shampoo.
Black men’s hair is unique, so it makes sense that it requires a unique formula. That’s exactly what Bevel has developed with this sulfate-free shampoo for 4a/4b/4c hair.
It provides a gentle yet deep cleanse without robbing the hair of its natural texture and oils. The one-two punch of coconut oil and shea butter results in a ton of moisture, so your hair will stay hydrated without getting greasy.
10: Oribe Shampoo for Moisture & Control
This one’s for all the guys with unruly hair that’s hard to tame. Whether you have curly, kinky, or thick hair, Oribe’s Moisture & Control shampoo will give you control over your locks once and for all.
This exquisite shampoo adds a generous dose of moisture to the hair for a smooth feel and a shiny finish. Since this shampoo is meant for tough hair, it devolumizes the hair to help keep it under control, so it shouldn’t be used on thin or flat hair.
It’s best for men who have naturally voluminous hair that goes everywhere.
11: Kiehl’s Damage Repairing & Rehydrating Shampoo
Kiehl’s is another brand you might recognize from their popular skin care products. And just like their skin products, their shampoos are designed to hydrate and repair.
We’re featuring their Damage Repairing & Rehydrating Shampoo, which is made for men with dry or brittle hair that needs some TLC.
This isn’t your average shampoo. Designed to cleanse and repair damaged hair, this shampoo uses Moringa tree oil, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides to provide strength, smoothness, and shine.
Using sulfates on damaged hair can make things even worse, so if you have damaged hair, you’re better off using a shampoo like this one.
You can also pair it with Kiehl’s hydrating conditioner or leave-in treatment for damaged hair.
12: Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo
Rounding out our list is the Invisible Oil shampoo from Bumble and bumble. Like the Kiehl’s, this moisturizing shampoo is also designed to repair dry and damaged hair.
This shampoo gets its name from a unique blend of six lightweight oils. You get all the hydrating benefits of oils without any of the grease or residue.
This shampoo will soften, defrizz, and detangle your hair while supplying shine and preventing against breakage. Bumble and bumble recommends this shampoo for straight to curly hair types that are medium to thick in density.
Conclusion
Using a sulfate-free shampoo isn’t necessary for everyone, but you might want to consider it if you have sensitive skin or damaged hair that doesn’t respond to normal drugstore shampoos.
Any of these sulfate-free shampoos for men are excellent choices––just make sure you pick one that suits your hair needs.
Do you use a sulfate-free shampoo? Planning to pick one up? Comment below and let us know!
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