Beauty Q&A: Are Sulfates Bad for Your Hair?

I have a near encyclopedic knowledge of skincare ingredients, but when it comes to hair care, there’s really only one ingredient I recognize, and that’s sulfates. All I really know about the ingredient category is that they’re not good for hair, at least according to the hairstylists I’ve gone to — I’ve been told to avoid shampoos that contain sulfates for years. And while the sulfate-free lifestyle seems to be working for my wavy, frizz-prone hair, I’ve been curious to learn more about what sulfates are and whether their bad rap is valid. To find out, I reached out to Sharon Spellman, a pro hairstylist and Matrix brand ambassador. 

What Are Sulfates?

To get into the science, “sulfates are a combination of molecules that attract water and oil, then separate them,” says Spellmen. This is what makes them effective at cleansing your hair. “It’s the number-one most common ingredient found in hair-care products, and you know you're using a product with sulfates when you see ingredients such as sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium laureth sulfate,” she explains.

Are Sulfates Bad for Your Hair?

Sulfates are really good cleansing agents, but they may be almost too good. “Sulfates can strip the hair of its natural proteins and oils that make it look shiny and healthy,” says Spellman. They can affect the skin and scalp in the same way, which can cause dryness and irritation.