24 Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos for Every Hair Type (Tested and Reviewed for 2024)
The new Nurture Hydrating Shampoo from JVN is a dry-hair dream.
We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Promise.
I can't believe I'm saying this as a beauty editor with 5+ years of experience but...I'm new to sulfate-free shampoos. Sulfates are strong surfactants that help break down oils, product buildup, and grime on your scalp, and because my hair is super oily, I've typically always gravitated towards these sudsy shampoos on wash day. But here's the thing with sulfates, they're known for being a bit drying and stripping, especially if you have color-treated hair. So now that I've got a fresh balayage, complete with a honey-blonde hair toner, I've gotta treat my hair with some TLC. Hence my switch to gentler, sulfate-free shampoos.
But as I started testing formulas, I quickly discovered there's a lot to consider when it comes to choosing the best sulfate-free—including your hair type, hair texture, hair goals, and even how you like to style your hair. So to help narrow down the options, I reached out to celebrity hairstylists Monaé Everett and Bianca Hillier for everything you need to know about sulfates, along with how to choose the best sulfate-free shampoo for your hair's needs. But first, here's a quick peek at the best sulfate-free shampoos I tested:
✔️ P.S., This is new, up-to-date info, bb. We updated this article in August 2023 to add new sulfate-free shampoos the internet won't stop talking about, delete outdated oldies, and checked in with new experts for the latest in shampoos, just for you.
Our top picks for best sulfate-free shampoo of 2024:
Keep reading for the full list of the 24 best sulfate-free shampoos of 2023 that are really, truly excellent—plus all the info you need to know about 'em.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty, fashion, travel, and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to find the best fashion deals of the season, the softest sheets on the market, or exactly how to use retinol without irritating your skin? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As her 2024 goal, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini NYC has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at that magazine life.
Watch Next
These Creams Will Define TF Out of Your Curls
K18's New Dry Shampoo is Game Changing
Yep, We've IDed the *Best* Dyson Airwrap Dupes
Got Fine Hair? You *Need* to Try These MVPs