11 Best Sulfate- And Paraben-Free Shampoos And Conditioners – 2024
Pamper your mane with the gentle care that doesn't strip away moisture and protects it.
Lindsay LooCosmetologist 
Lindsay Loo is a cosmetologist who has spent 10 years behind the chair in a storied salon in Chelsea. She is a certified Wella Master Color Expert and also has experience backstage at New York Fashion Week. She has a private studio and love... more
shiboli chakrabortiMA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor,... more
krati darakMBA, Certified Skin Care Coach Experience: 3 yearsKrati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of ... more
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
When you style your hair using a lot of hot tools, or you love to experiment with different hair colors, then you need a hair cleansing routine with sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners that will keep your hair healthy and not strip off the natural oils from your scalp. Unfortunately, most hair products contain harmful ingredients like harsh chemicals, preservatives, artificial fragrances, and dyes that might harm your scalp, skin, and hair. The most common chemicals found in them are Sulfates and parabens. Sulfates are surfactants that remove grime, dirt, and pollutants from your hair. This may be a bit irritating for a sensitive scalp, strip the natural oils, and leave your hair brittle and dry. To protect your hair in the best possible way, you need sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners. Keep reading to check out the best hair products in a sulfate-free range.
In This Article
11 Best Cosmetologist-Approved Sulfate- And Paraben-Free Shampoos – 2024
1. Best Invigorating Scent: Pantene Pro V Blends Rose Water Shampoo And Conditioner
Image: Pantene The Pantene Pro V Blends Rose Water Shampoo And Conditioner duo is enriched with rose extracts that exude a rich, refreshing scent. They are infused with vitamin B5 and are an antioxidant-rich formula, which strengthen and nourish your hair. This sulfate-free shampoo gently cleanses your hair and replenishes your dry and damaged locks, and the moisturizing conditioner softens your hair and leaves behind a healthy sheen. Go through this video review of this tester’s experience of using the shampoo and conditioner.
Key Ingredients: Rosa gallica flower extract
Pros
- Pleasant scent
- Lathers well
- Non-irritating
- Lightweight
- Dye-free
- Silicone-free
- Mineral oil-free
Cons
- Might leave your hair greasy
- Contains synthetic fragrance
Did You Know?
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 1,018 Amazon users have vouched for this amazing product.
2. Best For Color Treated Hair: Color Wow Color Security Shampoo And Conditioner
The Color Wow Color Security Shampoo And Conditioner set is suitable for oily, normal, and fine color-treated hair. The sulfate-free shampoo cleanses without stripping the beautiful color and natural oils. O the other hand, the conditioner prevents brassiness while instantly smoothing, detangling, and conditioning your hair, leaving it silky. The conditioner is lightweight and does not leave a sticky or greasy feeling post-application, even on colored hair.
Key Ingredients: Wheat protein, Avocado oil, Panthenol, and Hydrolyzed Keratin
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Gentle
- Silicone-free
Cons
- Expensive
"The Color WOW Shampoo & Conditioner duo cleans my hair without stripping hair color. It gives my hair a softness and shine and enhances my overall hair quality. The products spread easily and do not irritate my scalp or color-treated locks."
Pro Tip3. Best All-Natural Formula:Perfect Hair Natural Shampoo And Conditioner
Indulge in intensive moisturizing treatment with the Perfect Hair Natural Shampoo And Conditioner set! The sulfate-free shampoo deeply cleanses your hair and renews hair cell structure, preventing breakage and promoting healthy hair growth. It also protects your hair from thermal damage and retains your hair’s natural shine and color. This nourishing conditioner locks in moisture with natural ingredients like coconut oil, argan oil, keratin, algae, and vitamin C. These restorative ingredients also revitalize and fortify your natural hair to reduce split ends and revive dry hair. In addition, its formula is safe for color-treated hair and other hair types, be it curly, straight hair, coiled, or wavy hair.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, Biotin, and Argan oil
Pros
- Natural and nourishing ingredients
- Color safe
- Non-drying
- Colorant-free
- Pleasant fragrance
- Cruelty-free
- Non-greasy
Cons
- None
"This shampoo and conditioner duo leaves my hair feeling soft and manageable without causing irritation. The products volumize my hair and offer frizz control. The shampoo has a strong scent that does not overwhelm me."
4. Best For Chemically Treated Hair: Fiora Naturals Argan Shampoo And Conditioner
Restore your dry and damaged hair with the Fiora Naturals Shampoo And Conditioner duo! Chemical treatments can make your hair brittle and damaged, but this duo can revitalize damaged hair. They are infused with the goodness of argan oil, rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants. Vitamin E in the formula prevents damages due to excessive hair styling and protects your hair from free radical damage. The beauty products have nourishing ingredients like coconut oil and aloe vera that deeply conditions your hair and leaves it visibly thicker and healthier. They also contain keratin to strengthen the hair strands and prevent breakage.
Key Ingredients: Moroccan argan oil, Macadamia oil, Aloe vera, and Vitamin E
Pros
- Pleasant scent
- Non-irritating
- Lightweight
- Soothing
Cons
- None
"This shampoo and conditioner set softens my hair and makes it shine more. The best part is that the products do not weigh my hair down. They help reduce dryness and tangles gently. I am mostly fond of the conditioner because it makes my hair appear lustrous."
5. Best Clarifying Formula: Nexxus Clean & Pure Nourishing Detox Shampoo And Conditioner
The Nexxus Clean & Pure Nourishing Detox Shampoo And Conditioner set gently cleanse and nourish your hair while improving your scalp health. The lightweight moisturizing conditioner helps recover your hair’s natural shine and rebalances it. The hydrating shampoo detoxifies and clarifies your hair while replenishing vital nutrients. This duo contains an exclusive blend of marine minerals and elastin protein, leaving your hair nourished and smooth! Check out this video featuring a tester’s experience of using the duo for better understanding of the products.
Key Ingredients: Marine mineral complex and Elastin protein
Pros
- Refreshing fragrance
- Dye-free
- Silicone-free
Cons
- None
"This shampoo and conditioner is my favorite. Both products have a pleasant scent that does not overwhelm me. I like that the products take care of my sensitive scalp and chemically treated hair. They leave my locks soft and bouncy without the frizz."
6. Best For Dry & Damaged Hair:Maple Holistics Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo And Conditioner
If your scalp is dry, damaged, and dandruff-prone, the Maple Holistics Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo And Conditioner set is a must-buy! The products’ formula contains an ultra-hydrating mixture of jojoba, castor, and argan oils, which deeply moisturize and condition your hair. They feature an apple cider vinegar complex combined with rosemary oil and mint to cleanse your dry scalp, leaving it feeling soothed. In addition, the keratin complex in the products strengthens the hair strands and protects them from environmental damage. As expressed by numerous reviewers, you can get voluminous, soft, and silky hair with regular use of these amazing haircare products.
Key Ingredient: Apple cider vinegar
Pros
- Color-safe
- Silicone-free
- Natural ingredients
- Fruity scent
Cons
- May cause greasiness
"This Maple Holistics' Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo and Conditioner set has improved my hair's shine and softness. The best part is that the products do not make my hair feel heavy or oily. They give me a volume boost and a clean feel. They are great for me because I often struggle with oiliness and dandruff."
7. Best Kid-Friendly Shampoo & Conditioner:TotLogic Lavender Bliss Shampoo And Conditioner
The unique formula of the TotLogic Lavender Bliss Shampoo And Conditioner set gently cleanses your hair and dry scalp without stripping away its natural moisture. The plant-based mild formulation makes this shampoo and conditioner ideal for kids and adults. They are infused with natural botanicals and essential oils like jojoba oil, lavender extracts, and borage rich in antioxidants. They eliminate frizz, deeply moisturize and condition your hair.
Key Ingredients: Lavender essential oil
Pros
- Artificial color-free
- Gentle
- Hypoallergenic
- Non-comedogenic
- Non-toxic
- Phthalate-free
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
Cons
- None
8. Best Volumizing Formula: Big Kizzy Hair F.A.T.T. Full And Thickening Treatment Shampoo And Conditioner
Does your hair look dull and weighed down? Try the Big Kizzy Hair Full And Thickening Treatment Conditioner And Shampoo duo! The volumizing formula of the products meets the complex needs of today’s modern hair demands. They are perfect for color-treated, chemically treated, and thermal heat-exposed hair. Its shine-enhancing formula contains pro-vitamin B5 and biotin to add nourishment and luster to your hair. The products also feature a blend of 11 amino acids that help in repairing, conditioning, and strengthening your hair shafts. The daily shampoo volumizes your hair without adding extra weight or stickiness, while the keratin-infused conditioning treatment leaves your hair lush and flowing. Flaunt thick, fuller, and healthy-looking hair using this product.
Key Ingredients: Botanical extract, Biotin, Provitamin B5, and Amino acids.
Pros
- Hair extension-safe
- Color safe
- Cruelty-free
- Pleasant fragrance
Cons
- None
9. Best For Dandruff-Prone Scalp: Puriya Scalp Therapy Shampoo And Conditioner
If your scalp feels oily, flaky, itchy, and greasy, the Puriya Scalp Therapy Shampoo And Conditioner set is a must-buy! The rejuvenating formula of the products effectively deep cleanses your scalp and prevents dandruff. They are infused with the goodness of tea tree oil that dissolves excess sebum and residue from your scalp. The shampoo deeply cleanses your hair without stripping your strands of their natural oil. The vitamin B complex in the set protects and strengthens your hair, leaving it smooth, soft, and more manageable. The arnica extracts in the conditioner are highly revitalizing for your hair, while the sage and rosemary extracts leave behind a rejuvenating and refreshing scent with every wash. Regular use of this duo gives super moisturized, soft, and shiny-looking hair. The clinically tested shampoo and conditioner are suitable for all hair types, including chemically-treated hair and oily hair.
Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, Sage oil, Rosemary extract, Vitamin B complex, and Arnica extract
Pros
- Color safe
- Soothing
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Phthalate-free
- Artificial fragrance-free
- Artificial color-free
- Silicone-free
- Propylene glycol-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Gluten-free
- Phosphate-free
- Petrolatum-free
Cons
- None
"This shampoo and conditioner duo helps me take care of my itchy scalp. They come with a strong scent that does not linger or annoy me. I like the creamy consistency of the shampoo. It lathers well and leaves my hair clean. The conditioner makes my hair very soft and shiny."
10. Best Gentle Formula:Teenology Shampoo And Conditioner Vanilla Almond
The gentle Teenology Shampoo And Conditioner Vanilla Almond duo nourishes your hair and eliminates oily, itchy, dry, and flaky scalp! They are rich in botanical extracts like aloe vera, almond, and vanilla bean to leave your hair shiny and soft. They also contain hibiscus extract that reduces hair loss and stimulates hair growth. The shampoo gently cleanses your scalp without stripping away its natural moisture. It removes the dead skin cells, excess sebum, and dirt while clarifying your scalp. This dermatologist-recommended duo has a delectable vanilla scent that uplifts your senses with every wash!
Key Ingredient: Sweet almond fruit extract
Pros
- Oil-free
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Suits all hair types
- Mild scent
- Non-comedogenic
- Dermatologist-recommended
Cons
- None
"This duo enhances my hair health. I like that they have made my hair more lustrous. I have also noticed that the conditioner made my hair silkier than before."
11. Best Vegan:Dr. Natural Coconut Shampoo & Conditioner
The chemical-free Dr. Natural Shampoo And Conditioner duo gives softer shiner and rejuvenated hair after every wash. Its ingredient list contains coconut extract that moisturizes hair without stripping off the natural oil. In addition, coconut is rich in lauric acid that penetrates the hair follicles to keep them hydrated and promote overall hair health. The hair care products are also free from animal testing, thus making it a good cruelty-free option for ethically conscious buyers.
Key Ingredient: Coconut extract
Pros
- Dye-free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- None
"This shampoo and conditioner duo is very easy to use. The products settle without weighing my hair down. I like that they moisturize my hair and make it appear silkier than ever."
The Bottom Line
The right shampoos and conditioners are a must to keep your hair cleansed and conditioned. But most of these regular shampoos and conditioners are loaded with sulfate and paraben that may be harmful in the long run. So, it becomes important to use hair products free from these chemicals to keep the hair strands healthy. And the best sulfate-free and paraben-free shampoos and conditioners provided above are of great help. Besides cleansing your scalp and hair, these shampoos replenish the damaged and brittle hair, strengthen them, and nourish your hair. Furthermore, some of these products moisturize your hair, leave the hair soft and silky, and reduce the split ends. The Pantene Pro V Blends Rose Water Shampoo And Conditioner is one such product that moisturizes the hair and makes it soft and manageable, while the Puriya Scalp Therapy Shampoo And Conditioner is best suitable for those with sensitive or irritated scalp. The Nexxus Clean & Pure Nourishing Detox Shampoo And Conditioner also clarifies and detoxifies the scalp to make it fresh and clean. However, go through various customer reviews and always invest in hair products that do not cause any irritation to your scalp and cater to the needs of your scalp and hair type.
Cosmetologist Lindsay Loo says, “When switching to sulfate-free, paraben free, or both, word of advice. Surrender to the process. Your hair is going to go through a transition phase. If you find your hair getting greasy while it adjusts to a more gentle cleansing rinse, use a scalp exfoliating brush with warm water. The silicone scalp brushes are my favorite. Your hair will start normalizing sebum production and change of shampooing agent but again. Trust the process.”
Why Trust Stylecraze?
Shiboli Chakraborti is a certified skin care coach who has in-depth knowledge of skincare and haircare brands, their products, and formulations. When it comes to selecting the best sulfate and paraben-free shampoos and conditioners, she has done her share of research and reviewed several customer feedback before curating this list for you. Free of harmful chemicals and toxins, these shampoos and conditioners not only cleanse and nourish your hair and scalp but also keep them protected from the environmental stressors as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do sulfate- and paraben-free shampoos make a difference?
Yes, sulfate- and paraben-free shampoos can make a difference in the hair that is dry or color-treated. It helps maintain your hair’s moisture balance, retaining its original shine and smoothness while not fading your hair color.
Do sulfates cause hair loss?
Yes, sulfates may cause hair loss, thinning, and scalp irritations and inflammation.
How often should you wash your hair with sulfate- and paraben-free shampoo?
Wash your hair with sulfate and paraben-free shampoo 2-3 times each week for the best results.
Do sulfate- and paraben-free shampoos leave the hair greasy?
Yes, sulfate- and paraben-free shampoos leave the hair greasy. The ultra-gentle cleansing ingredients such as decyl glucoside or coco glucoside do not eliminate oil, dirt, and grease even after a thorough wash.
Can sulfate- and paraben-free shampoo treat itchy scalp?
Yes, sulfate- and paraben-free shampoo is suitable for all hair types and minimizes scalp dryness and itching.
Should I use sulfate- and paraben-free shampoo on my curly hair?
Yes, you may use sulfate- and paraben-free shampoo on your curly hair to keep it bouncy, lustrous, and gorgeous.
