What are they and what do they do?
Sulfates are chemicals called surfactants, which are commonly used in shampoos to lower the surface tension of the liquid they are in, making them easier to mix with water to create a foam or lather. They help to spread shampoos over a greater surface area of the head, and they help to strip oils and dirt away from the hair to get you squeaky clean!
Should I avoid sulfates?
There is a concern for some that the use of sulfates may work so well they strip away too much moisture during the cleansing process. They are safe, but depending on your individual needs, you may want to limit the amount of sulfates in your hair care routine so that you can retain your natural moisture and oils to stay healthy.
If one of your products says it’s “sulfate-free,” why does it contain something that sounds like a sulfate in the ingredient list? (e.g. sodium lauryl sulfoacetate in velveteen dream)
If one of our products is labeled sulfate-free, and you see something in the ingredient list that looks like a sulfate, like “sodium lauryl sulfoacetate” – this would indicate this is a chemical in the surfactant family used to help cleanse and create lather, but much gentler for your hair and naturally derived rather than synthetic! We continue to choose the most effective and clean versions of ingredients to give you your best hair possible!